GETTING THE WORD OUT

Quiet-Time Reflections

2012-03-05T07:16:00.001-08:00

Week of: March 5, 2012 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Guest Writer: Connie Kovach

Just a thought…

By Connie Kovach

3/1/12

There was a fog that fell on Chardon Ohio last night. Though the untimely warm temperatures helped to create the visible fog that swept through the city, there was a fog unable to be seen but could be felt for miles. My heart is breaking for the community of Chardon, especially the students of Chardon High School. Most of us will never know the effects that those kids will encounter for the rest of their lives. There entire existence changed in a second.

Recapping the last few days in my mind is tough. I live about a half hour away but as one reporter so perfectly stated "Tonight we all live in Chardon". This statement could not ring more true. The loss of three young men has affected each and every human being that has heard of these senseless shootings. In some, it may have triggered memories of past traumas in their life. If that's the case, they most likely went through every second of the day their life was changed forever. For others, it may have triggered fear. When things like this happen we all worry. We wonder if we will see it again, and this time closer to us, if not us. Either way, something changed for everyone.

The most common thing stated amongst the people interviewed was the fact that they cannot believe it happened in their town, which is a scary thought. We as humans have been deceived to think that it can't happen to us, whatever "it" is. We live in a world riddled with sin. The Bible says in the garden of Eden, sin was born through a snake and a couple (Gen 3). Since that day, the world was a different place. Instead of living life in communion with God and walking with Him through the garden each day, we are subject to the god of this world, Satan. God's word says that Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). Anything that comes from him is evil because that's what and who he is. Satan was working on Monday, February 27th and he continues to work today. He will be the one that is telling you to be afraid to go back to school, or to fear our children in school. He is the one who is telling you to hate the lost boy who caused these horrific tragedies. He is the one who has told you not to worry, nothing bad can happen in a small town. He is nothing but a liar.

So as we all sit in what seems to be a hopeless despair and ask what's next? The answer is easy, God! For years I have heard people mock God. They say things like Jesus is a crutch that will get you through a tough time. The funny thing is, they are kind of right, let me explain. Over the past year God has been showing me who He really is. Let me tell you that I, in no way have Him figured out, but He is so much more than I have allowed Him to be in my own life. Today when I sat to write, I got quiet before the Lord and asked Him to give me the words. As I prayed, it was as if He was asking me who I think He is. I began to list out loud who I believe He is, even in the midst of tragedy. Some of the names that I listed were God, Creator, the I Am, Holy, Mighty, Strong, Salvation, Redeemer, Prince of Peace, Healer, Comforter, and that's just a few. His word speaks of so many more names for our God.

For those of you who do not know this God as I do, I pray you will call out to him in the quiet of your room. When we are faced with a tragedy such as this we have two choices. We can carry on with life as before and stuff our emotions deep down or perhaps become really angry with God for not stopping what happened, or we can look up admitting that we do need a Savior. Right now we are all limping, if you are not, you are not breathing. So yes, we all need a crutch. Jesus is that crutch who helps us to walk as we limp. You see Jesus, the Son of God was born to live as us, to teach us, and to die for us. He did so because without his blood being shed, there would be no forgiveness and no entry into heaven (Heb 9:22). So our Comforter is offering the crutch to help us learn to walk again, to help us rest our wound. He is here for you right now if you call out to Him with the knowledge that without Jesus you cannot be forgiven (John 3).

Admitting that we need Him in our lives is the easy part, from there, if your request was purely from your heart to God's, life as you know it will never be the same. If you are willing to walk with this crutch, you will need to listen to the Great Physician (Matt 9, Luke 4). You will need to open the bible and begin to read because according to John 1:1 God is the word. It would be wise to seek someone of faith who can mentor you. It is also vital to find a bible based church that will teach you as you grow (1Cor 12:12-31).

So as we continue to journey through this time of sorrow, I pray for the families that will lay their children to rest this week. I pray for the kids that must face their fears and walk through those doors again. I pray for the community that must learn to live again. I pray for the boy who sits and awaits his fate here on earth, that God may breathe truth into him before he reaches his final judgement after death. I pray for his family that I imagine are carrying his actions on their shoulders. I pray for all who have been viewing this tragedy unfold over the last four days, for healing and obedience if God is asking you to reach out to someone either physically or financially. This God I speak of can heal you if you let Him. He will help you to walk better than before but only if you put your trust in Him.

conniekovach.blogspot.com

Quiet-Time Reflections

2012-02-20T16:16:00.000-08:00

Week of: Feb. 20, 2012 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Hebrews 12:5-6

"And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said. “My child don’t make light of the LORD’S discipline and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the LORD disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.” (NLT)

LOVED BY THE KING

When I was a kid and my parents disciplined me, I certainly didn’t see it as and act of love. No, I saw it as two mean people who wanted to ruin my life! What was the big deal I often thought? Surely, they were making more out of it then were necessary. Now, as an adult and a parent myself, I realize that love was exactly their intention. I certainly would not have admitted this back then, but they were attempting to follow God’s protocol. What seemed harsh to me was actually an act of love.

I was thinking about the word “discipline” and how most of us tend to associate that word with the act of punishment. When my parents were angry with me for doing something wrong, they usually took something from me that I loved. Although this usually got my attention, it often left me angry too. Eventually, many years later I would come around to the understanding that discipline is actually a method of correction. More importantly it is an act of love.

According to the website gotquestions.org, “God’s love, as described in the Bible, is clearly unconditional in that His love is expressed toward the objects of His love (i.e., His people) despite their disposition toward Him. In other words, God loves because it His nature to love (1 John 4:8), and that love moves Him toward benevolent action. The unconditional nature of God’s love is most clearly seen in the gospel. The gospel message is basically a story of divine rescue. As God considers the plight of His rebellious people, He determines to save them from their sin, and this determination is based on His love (Ephesians 1:4-5).”

Let’s look at this topic of discipline as it aligns to our relationship with God and His love for His people. Scripture tells us that when God disciplines His children, He is acting out of love. I have to wonder, is that how we see it? When we sin, when we willfully choose to be disobedient to God’s Word, do we really get that the consequences at hand are a result of God’s unconditional love towards us? Do we comprehend that He is working to correct something in us, or do we question why we have to endure the consequence? Have you ever considered that when God is correcting it is for the purpose of bringing us back into the center of His will? If you are a believer, God is your Heavenly Father (John 8) and He’s not going to let you continue to play with fire. He’s going to discipline/correct you to get your attention. If He didn’t, what kind of father would He be?

Correction is a deep act of love on the part of a parent. According to Dr. Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries, “You aren't demonstrating love if you fail to apply discipline (Prov. 13:24); in fact, you are setting kids up to reap disastrous, painful results from their uncorrected behavior and destructive choices (19:18). A good parent disciplines disobedient sons and daughters to 1) protect them from further rebellion that could hurt themselves and others, and 2) restore them to health and wholeness.

Some parents, however, discipline out of anger, not love. They may think it wise to make children fearful of punishment, but that's not God's motive (1 John 4:18). Because He is a loving Father, His desire is to give us what we need to live fully.

God's unconditional love and His discipline are not contradictory; they go hand in hand. No matter how we fail to measure up, our Father is always working to lead us back onto a life-giving path. When we respond to His correction, He ultimately works out painful circumstances for our good.”

Friends, Dr. Stanley is speaking truth. I know it because I have experienced the blessing of correction. Yes, I said blessing! My only regret is not learning the lessons much earlier in life, because I know that I could have spared myself some pain.To know you are loved by the King is amazing! It makes me want to shout to everyone, just repent! Get it over! Ask Jesus into your life and ask Him to change you from the inside out. Ask Him to help you become obedient to His commands. Determine to align yourself to what God directs and begin experiencing His blessings.

I imagine that was what my parents were trying to get across to me oh so many years ago. So today I say whatever you have in your life that does not match to God’s Word, lay it down! If you need to forgive someone, forgive them. If you’re stealing, stop stealing. If you’re lying, tell the truth. If you’re having an affair or you’re in a homosexual relationship, end it. If you’re bitter, angry or resentful, pour out that poison. If you are dependent on drugs/alcohol/sex, get professional help. If you’re living together outside of marriage, move out or get married.

Get free from the junk in your life! Get free from the things that can hold you back from receiving God’s best. Whatever it might be, learn what God has to say about it, and determine to live it out. Start with a Bible Concordance. Seek out a good Bible based church and make God first in your life. I think I can say with confidence that choosing God’s way will not end in regret. His mercy is new each day and I encourage you to consider tapping into it sooner than later.

The Bible closes with these words in Revelation 22:14-15. I personally take this as a warning. “Blessed are those who wash their robes. They will be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city are the dogs – the sorcerers, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idol worshipers, and all who love to live a lie.” It doesn't get any clearer than that. Let's not overlook the eternal value to obedience. Be blessed.

In Christ by grace,
Pam

Loved by the King http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tQI5wxtH6OY
I am forgiven by Chris Tomlin http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcuM8n_OciI&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Quiet-Time Reflections

2012-02-13T11:01:00.000-08:00

Week of: Feb. 13, 2012 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

I came across the following devotion just after I pressed “publish post” on my last Blog writing. No coincidence I’m sure. That writing was about my manila file folder lesson and things I cannot understand. If you missed reading that one, consider going back before reading on. I believe the following words of Joel and Victoria Osteen might help us expound on trusting God in our disappointments. I don’t always agree with everything they put in print, but this one aligns to what I desire to share forward. Our disappointments do not have to hold us in bondage. I am personally working to get free in order to experience God’s very best. Be blessed. HAPPY VALENTINES DAY.

In Christ by grace,

Pam

He Has another
Seed for You

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“...For God has appointed another seed for me...”

(Genesis 4:25, NKJV)

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria

In Genesis, Eve went through a great disappointment. Her son Cain killed her son Able, the first murder in the Bible. I’m sure Eve, like any mother, was devastated and heartbroken at the passing of her son. But I love what Eve said in Genesis 4:25, “God has appointed another seed for me.” In essence, she was saying, “I don’t understand it. It doesn’t make sense, but I trust God. This is not the end. He has appointed another seed.”

Friend, when you go through things that you don’t understand, it is not the end. Nothing is lost in the kingdom. God is going to appoint another seed, and that seed represents the future. It indicates what is coming. If you will let go of what didn’t work out, let go of the hurts and pains, then for everything you’ve lost, God will appoint another seed. You’ll give birth to more in the future than you lost in the past. Keep praying, keep believing, keep hoping because God is for you. Trust Him and embrace the good things He has in store for your future!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, You are the giver of all life! You give life to my dreams, life to my relationships, and life to my mortal body. Today I choose to release the past and embrace the gift of life You have in store for my future in Jesus’ name. Amen.

— Joel & Victoria Osteen

Quiet-Time Reflections

2012-02-08T12:01:00.000-08:00

Week of Feb. 6, 2012 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Job 1:21

He said, "I came naked from my mother's womb, and I will be stripped of everything when I die.

The LORD gave me everything I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD!"

FILE AWAY

I use to have a file folder titled “Things I do not understand.” Within that folder you would find things that have happened in my life, which I just couldn't make sense of. You would also find some questions that I might ask God if I had the opportunity.Inside my folder were things you might also find familiar. Although I had quite a few categories tabbed, you may relate to titles such as “broken relationships, health issues, social injustice, divorce, rebellion, financial woes and job security concerns.” These are things that once we are in them; they are extremely hard to understand. The primary reason we cannot understand might be that we never planned for it to work out the way it has. So what do we do with our disappointments? How do we reach a place of peace when our prayers remain unanswered?

What I am about to share with you has not come easy to me because I am an “I’ve got to figure it out” kind of gal. May I just say that this kind of nature is exhausting! Thankfully, God has revealed a better way to me through a simple object known as a manila folder and the Holy Bible. When things happen in our life that we cannot make sense of, it is common nature to expend our energy on trying to reason it out in the mind. When something happens that we have not planned for, we might find ourselves in frenzy. What usually ends up happening is that we become frustrated and confused. This is also primetime for doubt to enter our mind. And, if we’re not careful, we can find ourselves in the sin of bitterness.

I have discovered that filing away the hurt is not the answer. I had to learn to pray diligently through the circumstance. I had to learn to trust that God is at work behind the scenes, whether I got the answer I expected or not. I also had to come to the realization that I am not in control of a single thing. Yes, God may use me within a circumstance to bring about His outcome, but in the end, the result belongs to Him. Once I surrendered to the fact that I have no real power to change the heart or mind of another person, and sometimes circumstances are out of my control; I was on my way to experiencing some peace that surpasses all understanding (Phil. 4:7). I believe in order to experience God’s kind of peace; we must surrender to His sovereignty. I am so praying to get there.

We are God’s creation and He alone holds the original design for our life. Unfortunately, sinned entered the world and what was intended to be a perfect plan, was thwarted by personal choice. Now I’m not saying that everything we endure is our fault. What I am saying is that because of sin, we now experience things that God never intended for us to know (Gen. 2: 15-17). Sin changed the dynamics of creation and there is no getting around this fact.

The Book of Job has been very helpful to me in understanding that no matter how bad it might get, I am to hang in there with God. Job is an example of someone that experienced pain beyond our imagination. Despite it, he would not let go of God. We read that his wife in her own pain encouraged Him to curse God (walk away, give up, don’t trust). His friends also tried to insinuate that maybe he had done something to deserve what he was receiving. May I just say here that we really do have to be careful when receiving counsel from man? If you don’t know the Word of God we can be deceived. We can also cause harm to others when our opinion doesn't match up to truth. It is never my intention to mislead you. If something doesn't sit right with you, then check it against God’s Word please.

Romans 8:28-29

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Life’s Application Commentary:

“God works in “everything” – not just isolated incidents – for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long range good. Note that God is not working to make us happy but to fulfill His purpose. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by those who love God and are called by him, that is, those whom the Holy Spirit convinces to receive Christ. Such people have a new perspective, a new mind-set. They trust in God, not in worldly treasures; their security is in heaven, not on earth. There faith in God does not waver in pain and persecution because they know God is with them.”

When God finally reveals His perfect plan to His children; the Bible tells us that it’s going to be worth it! It might not seem so today, and I’m sure it didn’t seem so for Job as he watched his world crumble. However, Job lived as a child of the Most High. He knew that today is not all there is. He knew that his trials were things he could not understand, but he never let go of hope. Let’s learn from Jobs example. I want his confidence! I want his faith! How about you?

Friends, even if God never turns our situations around this side of Heaven, we can rest assured that if we have asked Jesus into our hearts, if we have repented of sin, God will do just what He has promised. He hears our prayers. Let’s be still and know He is God

(Psalm 46:10). Be blessed as we file this Scripture into our minds.

Revelation 21:4
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (NIV)

With this said, I have sent my folder to the shredder. I no longer need to hang onto the things of which I do not understand. I don’t have to revisit discouragement, and I don’t have to relive pain. Instead, I am going to chose to trust that whatever I endure, it has purpose. I might not like it, but that doesn’t change the fact that if it was allowed to touch me, God knows about it and He’s working behind the scenes to respond to my prayers in His way, His timing. This is so very freeing!

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Want to explore this in greater detail?
http://www.gotquestions.org/bad-things-good-people.html

Be Still by Stephen Curtis Chapman

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHlbnNUHQGI

Quiet-Time Reflections

2012-01-30T11:51:00.000-08:00

Week of January 30, 2012 pmcrawford1@gmail.com

Sharing by: Pam Crawford

If I have any readers left after the past two lessons, let’s dig in.

2 Peter 3:17-18

“Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever.”

2 Corinthians 10:4

“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of this world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”

I will begin by telling you right out of the gate that I am “fighting” mad. I am so tired of the destruction being reported all around me that I could just scream! What is wrong with us! Do we not see what is happening? Have we put away our weapon of warfare?

A long, long time ago this country’s history reflected a time when selfishness was set aside as respect to the Word of God. People were more than willing to step outside of themselves to obey God and serve others. They didn't just give up, or walk away. Many were trying to make a better life for themselves and those they cared about. They battled toward victory not away from it. They fought for the family unit and they worked to protect what was valuable. It was also a time when people truly cared and they worked hard to make a difference. They did not allow the busyness of their day to hinder progress. I imagine the words “I’m too busy" were not muttered very often if at all. Now I get that this was not everybody, but I like to think it was the majority. It doesn’t seem like it today in 2012. Although there are certainly many people still living within these principles, many have fallen into the “it’s all about me” mentality, and friends this scares me. We might describe society today as a self focused, looking out for number 1 culture.

When we're too busy, we are less likely to reflect Jesus in our lives and the lives of others. I imagine this is one of Satan's best strategies. If we're wrapped up in sin, we'll stay self-focused and ineffective to fulfill our God-given purpose. If we're too busy to help someone else, we'll overlook the need. Now, I understand that we can’t physically help everyone, but we can help through prayer and by sharing from that of which we have experienced. Sometimes its just knowing that someone else cares. I imagine if you think about it, you can probably relate to knowing someone who is hurting right now. That someone might very well be you. It is not my intention to minimize the despair of God’s people in any way. However, if possible I want us to shift our focus off of ourselves and onto the heart of God. I want us to understand that we can grieve the Spirit of God through our busyness and sin.

It is my hope that we are not “too busy” to study all we can about God, His Son and the Holy Spirit. This is the one thing of value that we too can take hold of in our time of despair and uncertainty. In Christ we are never alone. God has provided all that we will ever need to survive life this side of heaven. It might not always feel that way, but feelings are fickle. Truth on the other hand empowers us! Listen to how Jesus explained this to the disciples of His time.

John 14:15-18 “If you love me, you will obey what I command. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.”

So the million dollar question today is; “do you know the One who deserves to be honored and praised? Have you carved out adequate time to get to know Him? If the answer is yes, then you know nothing is too big for God to handle. And, nothing God asks of you will be impossible to achieve! He promises to be there every step of the way. If you answered no, or maybe you're thinking you're just way too busy right now for this kind of stuff, won't you reconsider your response. There is no better time than the present to develop a personal relationship with God. A relationship that can change the direction of your life and the circumstances that surround you. Ask Him to come into your heart, confess your sins before Him and invite Him in to counsel you through His Word. Determine to obey Him and set aside time exclusively for Him and protect it at all cost. We can learn to discern the voice of God by exploring His Word with Him. I know from experience that God is more than willing to speak when we're willing to listen. Let's read on.

John: 14:19-21“Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you will also live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever obeys my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him.”

Drop down to verses 24-27 – “He who does not love me will not obey my teachings. These word are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Does peace sound like something you’re willing to fight for? How then do we achieve God's peace in a world that appears to have gone mad? How can we turn our troubles into triumphs? How do we step outside of self? How do we walk this earth without fear? I believe the answer is; we determine to listen to our Counselor! We would be wise to refrain from getting so busy that we cannot hear Him. Refrain from becoming so busy that we cannot serve Him. Refrain from doubt, unbelief, worry, anger, and a spirit of impatience. These things are sin and they hinder forward progress. Instead, open God’s Word every opportunity you have and ask Him to speak to your heart.

While you’re waiting, consider asking God to help you become a blessing to someone else. It's helpful to redirect our focus. That’s what I attempted to do today before I sat down to write for you. I pray you have heard my heart for God. It is a heart similar to Peter’s. I want to use the words Peter used as he addressed his friends about the coming day of the Lord. If you have time please read 2 Peter, chapter 3 in its entirety. For now, listen to these words as we close and be blessed.

2 Peter 3:17-18 - “Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the errors of lawless men and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and forever.” And, to that I say AMEN!

Today’s prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for being a relational God. Thank you for providing us Your Word so that we have what we need to make it through this life, the good and the bad. May we glorify you with a thankful heart and a grateful spirit? Help us to trust that You are at work behind the scenes despite what we might be viewing with our own eyes. Help us also surrender to the truth that You desire to bring good from evil, light from darkness and hope from hopelessness. In Jesus name, we pray. AMEN!

Rest, pray, study, reflect and worship with this song "Give me Jesus."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu2E2FUcIiE

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2012-01-24T20:54:00.000-08:00

Week of: Jan. 23, 2012 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Jeremiah 17:10

“I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.”

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8

“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects the instructions does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.

“A person of conviction has become convinced, by either evidence or argument, that his beliefs are true. Today, most men and women would rather live by preference than conviction. They choose to believe something based on certain conditions and circumstances. When the situation changes, so does their loyalty. In other words, a lot of people vacillate on issues that require a firm resolve. If we are grounded in the Word and trust what God has said, we can stand firm in our beliefs. Confidence breeds the courage to remain strong amid conflict.”

– Dr. Charles Stanley

STOP in the name of love.

I along with many other Bible believing Christians are being referred to as “haters” because we don’t embrace homosexuality, abortion, divorce, etc. We have been singled out as self-righteous in nature, close-minded and judgmental. These character assassinations use to offend and frustrate me, but not any more. As someone who professes to be a Christ-follower, I must be true to my convictions over embracing what is popular by culture. My attempt today is to simply acknowledge and honor what God has laid out in Scripture, over embracing or excusing sin as “personal choice.” Once we discover what God says, we have a choice to make. Respect it, or reject it. To merely listen to God’s Word without obeying it is dangerous stuff (James 1:22- 25).

“Love the sinner,” I agree wholeheartedly! However, I would be a “fool” to be OK with the sin. Becoming desensitized by that of which is revealed to be a contradiction of God’s Word is also dangerous. At this very moment I have people in my life that want me to tell them that it’s OK to divorce their spouse. They want me to embrace their same-sex partners or be happy for them as they live with a boyfriend/girlfriend outside of the institution of marriage. I am also up against accepting a decision of a friend to terminate a pregnancy because it doesn’t fit into their plan. The argument is “it’s my right; my personal choice to do what is right for me.” May God have mercy on anyone who believes their “personal choice” trumps what the Creator of heaven and earth has instructed in His Word? I can hardly type this section without sobbing for this kind of mentality. I cannot imagine how it grieves the heart of God.

Today, it is my intention to extend love. Some may not see it that way, but that is exactly what is on my heart. I am willing to risk our relationship because I now understand what is at stake. I can not sugarcoat this message and be true to God. I must step out in a spirit of courage and trust that God will take it from here.

“Integrity is telling myself the truth and honesty is telling the truth to other people.”

-Spencer Johnson

The GOD of the Holy Bible has much to say about sexual sin and sin of the flesh. Because I am limited by time I encourage you to read Leviticus chapter 18, verses 1 through 30 on your own. In this chapter sub-titled “Unlawful Sexual Relations” God was instructing Moses to tell the people that they must not engage in incest, adultery and acts of homosexuality. Furthermore, He instructs them they are not to follow the practices of man, but rather they are to obey God’s laws and decrees. So excuse me as I scratch my head and ask “what part of this don’t we understand?”

All throughout the Bible God has provided us with instructions for living in ways that bring honor to Him. There are some pretty specific instructions found in the Apostle Paul’s teachings to the church regarding both sexual and sins of the flesh. Let us remember the church is not a building, the church is you and me friends. If you have some time won’t you consider checking out Ephesians 5, Colossians 3, 1 Corinthians 6:12-20, Galatians 5:16-26, and 1 Thessalonians 4? Just a little side note; if you want to learn more about the Apostle Paul, check out his story in the Book of Acts. This man is an example of someone who went through some pretty radical changes as a result of what he discovered and eventually embraced.

Too often we rather adjust God’s instructions to give ourselves permission to overlook sin. I know, I’ve been there. At other times it’s easier to dispute the accuracy of the Bible over obeying it. Acknowledging truth might cause us to uncover that we have had some “wrong thinking” going on in our heads. Consider this for a moment. Someone who is having an affair may blame their spouse’s imperfections in order to justify a divorce. But what does God say about divorce? Explore it yourself in Malachi 2:16, Matt. 5:32, Lev. 21:14, Matt. 19:9 and Mark 10:4. What about the desire to cohabitate (live with one another outside of marriage)? What does God say about the marriage bed? Explore it for yourself in Hebrews 13:4. How about the dispute over marriage being between a man and a woman? Look at Genesis 2:22-24, Proverbs 5:18-19, Proverbs 18:22, and Deuteronomy 24:5. How about Homosexuality? Read Leviticus 18:22, 20:13, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, and Genesis 19. And, do we have the right to chose to abort human life? Although some people point out that the word "abortion" is not in the Bible, we can’t overlook that the teaching is there. You could note that the word “trinity” is not in the Bible either, but you’ll find the teaching is there. In any case, let’s just keep focused on what the Word of God says. Check out Scripture such as Psalm 127:3, Exodus 20:13, Deuteronomy 5:17, Amos 1:13, Matthew 19:18 and Revelation 22:15.

Sins of the flesh are not to be minimized either. Pride, lying, gossiping, stealing, slander, impatience, idolatry, anger, unforgiveness, jealousy, envy, and yes bitterness are all considered to be sin by God. Ephesians 4:20-32 might be helpful as we look to better understand why we’re also called to turn from these types of sin. As I said last week, willful sin of any type will bring about consequences, you can count on it. Just because we have been blessed with New Testament teachings and the gift of the new covenant by the blood of Jesus Christ; it does not mean that we are to deem the Old Testament obsolete as some argue. Yes, it is true that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary paid the price for sin and freed us from the bondage to the law; however, we would be fools to discard God’s original instructions to the people. And we would also be pretty naïve if we eliminate the act of repentance from this gift. The instructions were given so that people could learn, repent, turn and receive a blessing. They were called to align themselves with God.

In closing, we need not be condemned by the decisions we have made. Each day is a new day of opportunity. Our past does not need to define our future. Through God’s mercy He provided forgiveness of sin through Jesus. If after searching the Scriptures for yourself, you discover that you are not following the commands/instructions of God in any area of your life, won't you consider altering your choices?

Are you still with me? If so, I need you to hear this closely. Repentance means we turn away, we stop doing what we discover to be sin in the eyes of our Heavenly Father. A decision will be necessary. We don’t blame the devil, or our genetics, our flesh, or people’s imperfections. No, we take responsibility for succumbing to evil. We call sin, sin. We acknowledge (confess) that our way is wrong, and then we embrace the gift of grace and live. We won’t be perfect, and our choice to change may be extremely difficult; but in the end we’ll be on our way to glorifying God through the victory. And, our name will be written into the Book of Life (Rev. 20:15). Be blessed.

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2012-01-18T10:07:00.000-08:00

Week of: January 16, 2012 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Genesis 2:15-17 (NIV)

The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must noteat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.

Revelation 22:15-16

“Blessed are those that wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. I Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Start.”

MAKING A U-TURN

If I have learned anything over the past ten years of studying the Word of God, it is that we cannot pick and choose what we’re going to obey if we desire to experience Heaven. Although God has certainly given us a choice to either accept His Word, or reject it; I would caution you and me that there are hefty consequences awaiting those who willfully choose to discard or adjust the inspired Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16) to fit our personal desires. Please don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself. You can begin with Revelation 20:15, “If anyone’s name was not found in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”

The Bible teaches that on the “Day of Judgment” the books will be opened. In these books both good and evil will be recorded. There will be a clear account of my life and yours. I envision the ledger sheet inside the book will list a detailed description of the good and evil we have done while on this earth. Some of you might prefer to envision this as a modern day Excel spreadsheet showing different columns. What I want you to notice here is that the “Book of Life” is going to contain the names of those who have put their trust in Christ to save them. If that is not you, this will probably make no sense at all. But please, do not stop reading. In fact, maybe you could just ask the God of the Holy Bible to help you understand what I am sharing today. I know He can and I know He wants your name written in that book. Maybe you would just look up John 3:16 in the New Testament and let it resonate deep in your heart before reading on.

It is important that we stop here to define this “good and evil” we’re referencing. I’m not going to Webster’s or dictionary.com; I am just going to offer a good “common sense” definition for the column marked “good” and the column marked “evil.” Are you ready? “Good” is the detailed information indicating obedience to God, and “evil” is the detailed information indicating disobedience to God. You might have been expecting “good” to refer to a list of all the “good things” you have done, and the evil to list all the “bad things,” like stealing little Jimmy’s eraser in the 1^st grade and lying about it. Hang in there as this is not about causing condemnation, this is about learning. I want us to focus on the column next to “evil” marked “grace.” Above this column is a check mark. It’s a mark we receive when we move from “evil” to “good,” disobedience to obedience. It might be better understood as the mark of repentance. Because I finally admitted to taking that eraser from Jimmy, there would be a check mark under the “grace” column. Even though stealing an eraser as an example was for humor, there is nothing funny about minimizing sin. Whether it was an eraser or embezzling millions of dollars, Biblically, God considers it all sin.

So often we associate God’s wrath with disobedience. If we don’t do what God says, He’s going to be angry. You’re right to think that He is not happy when we are disobedient, but we cannot overlook the grace that is offered when one repents. Today I want us to associate the word hope with the word repentance. When we choose to turn from our sins, God has something to work with. I am not saying that there will not be consequences for sin, but when we have a repentant heart we are willing to learn from our mistakes and hopefully work at not repeating them. When God begins to show you something and you’re willing to work at it, you are in process of obedience. This should be a goal for all of us.

I have a challenge for us. Let’s take some time today to really look within. Let’s see this lesson as life and death. Too many people are walking around this earth today with a false sense of security; I was one of them for a very long time. Having your name in the “Book of Life” is more than just saying a salvation prayer. My friends it’s about more than being a “good person” or doing the church thing. It’s about being obedient as a result of the gift of grace. Genuine salvation will have the check mark of repentance. You will be different. When you find yourself sinning, you will recognize it as something that grieves your Heavenly Father and you will desire to turn from it. Honoring God is an action. You won’t be perfect, but you’ll be in progress.

At this point in my life I am at a place where I now grieve over my sin. It certainly wasn’t always that way. Yes, I use to feel bad, but that’s about how far it went. I know there is something different in me today. I now view my sin as hurting the One who loves me so much that He would give up His life so that I could live. I wish I could tell you that I have conquered sin, but that would be more sin. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t have to come before God to ask for forgiveness for something I may have thought, spoke, or did wrong in my day. Some days are better than others, but my human nature and living in this fallen world is tough. I have to learn daily to put away my bad choices (Ephesians 4:31) and live faithfully before God. Although I have not yet arrived, I am grateful that the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) is available to help me every step of the way. I know I will be called to answer for my “evils,” but I smile when I think that God added that column of grace for me. He is interested in seeing that we got the lessons as painful as they might be. Friends, when we admit that we are sinners we get to live. Praise God!

Willful sin will keep us separated from God. If you discover that you have been walking in the wrong direction, may I please urge you to turn around today. Let God put your name in His Book. Go before Him with a genuine heart of repentance and receive your mark. Take the gift of grace and be blessed.

Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

"What is salvation? What is the Christian doctrine of salvation?"

https://mail.google.com/mail/?tab=wm#inbox/134d81f330416e20

In Christ by grace,
Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2012-01-09T09:34:00.000-08:00

Week of: Jan. 9, 2012 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Philippians 1:23-24

“I’m torn between two desires: Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ. That would be better for me, but it is better for you that I live.” – NLT

NO PLACE LIKE HOME

One of my favorite lines from the Wizard of Oz is “there is no place like home.” I thoroughly agree! Not many people outside of my husband know this about me, but I don’t necessarily like to travel. In fact, before I leave I am already homesick. I know that this might sound strange to some of you; but if truth be told, I am rather content just looking at the beauty right outside my sliding glass door and sleeping in my own bed. If I didn’t have to travel on busy highways, or rush through airports, or stress over travel plans another day in my life, it would be A-ok with me.

This morning as I am writing, the Lord is providing some amazing artwork right outside my window as I watch the sunrise. It’s absolutely stunning! The colors are so vibrant and the light is bright. The view makes me wonder about how beautiful it will be to one day reside in the presence of thee artist, Our Creator. The view also makes me yearn to see life more clearly.

Today it seems like a lifetime ago, but I can remember a very dark time in my life when I could not see the beauty of the artist or this world, and frankly I just wanted to go home. I was pretty naïve at that point because I was lost and had not yet experienced genuine salvation. So to go home, to make my own plan of exit from this world would have likely meant that I would not wake up in a place of beauty. Although I have worked through the shame of how I felt back then, I am grateful for that sense of darkness. Without working through my distorted view of this life, I may have missed the light.

Pain and suffering are things we desire to avoid. In fact, we work really hard to avoid them. As I reflect back on that time when I was contemplating my exit strategy, I was desperate to avoid the pain. I was so tired of suffering through the torment of my thoughts. My world had become dark and I was terribly confused. Everything around me felt chaotic and out of control. It was getting increasingly difficult to cope, to put on my happy face and do life. I felt lonely in my world and there was nothing normal about my darkness. Eventually I came to a crossroad and a decision was necessary. I could either choose my plan that felt extremely uncomfortable to me, or I could cry out for help. Oh how I wish I could tell you that it was I that cried out for help. The truth is I struggled back then to get out a whimper.

At my crossroad (my place of desperation) I was met by a Savior and today I know Him as Jesus Christ. No, I didn’t see Him physically, but I did experience Him through the loving concern of my earthly husband. You see when we are in pain, we are not there alone. Our response to our pain affects others. We don’t suffer alone. When we’re hurting, others are suffering right along with us. It could be that we’re just too wrapped up in the self destruction that we can’t see it. At least this was my experience. I was at the end of my rope, but I was too stubborn to let anyone in to help me. To let them in would mean allowing them access to something that I thought I would just take to my grave. Thankfully light has the power to overshadow the darkness. Praise God that He has the power to knock down the walls of a stubborn heart in order to rescue the lost.

I will never forget that voice at the other end of the line, “Pam, are you ok?” It was my doctor. Why was he calling? How did he know I was not OK? Long story short, a loving man knew that I was in trouble and he moved into action. My husband was at a place of desperation. He knew something was terribly wrong with me and he felt helpless to do anything outside of calling out for help on my behalf. Although it made me extremely angry at the time, I realize today that it was my lifeline. God had empowered him to intervene on my behalf and that began my journey out of my darkness.

The label of “clinical depression” didn’t sit well with me, but nevertheless that is what they called it. I had been locked in that darkness for longer than I had imagined and I had a lot of work ahead of me. This was about the time when a friend began offering an invitation to attend Bible studies.

Unfortunately, I made a lot of excuses for why I couldn’t attend. I told myself it was not “my cup of tea.” However, the truth was I was just beginning to work at climbing out of my pit and I was vulnerable. I didn’t want anyone outside of my family to know that I was weak, so I just declined the invitations for about a period of five years. I had no idea that my answer was right there in those invitations. Thankfully, my friend never gave up on me either. I don’t think she realizes this, but she was a part of God’s rescue team. I owe a debt of gratitude to my Heavenly Father, my husband and my dear friend who along with many others played a vital role in helping me see the light. Because of them I can now celebrate life. I know that I made the better choice to draw close to God within my pain so that He could show me that suffering is a part of strength. When He’s ready for me, He’ll do the calling. Until then I have work to do.

John 14:6 -“I am the way the truth and the life.”

Battling depression or extreme sadness takes time. You have to allow yourself the time to heal as you do the work necessary to climb out of your pit. You have to want freedom! Too many of us get comfortable in our pits because it’s easier. No one can free you; freedom comes when we learn to overcome our fears, the shame, and discouragement of disappointment. Most importantly I had to learn that no matter what happened in my past, it was my past. It did not have to define my future. There is help available! When we ask God for direction, or when others intercede on our behalf; hope is ushered in. This is the light I desire others to see through the transparency of this testimony.

My friend didn’t know it, but her invitations every fall were just the beginning of what would be the healing work God had planned in my life. When I finally surrendered to getting to know this God that people told me was my answer, I found Him. He had been there all along. He was in my husband, family and my friends who knew something was not right in me. He was there in the voice of my doctor and He was there in the Bible study facilitator’s voice as she read Matthew 6:14-15. That day she was teaching the importance of forgiveness. I fought it for a bit, but today “forgiveness” is light to me.

I certainly do not have all the answers, I can only tell you what worked for me. Drawing close to the One with the power to help me, saved my life. He is available to anyone that seeks Him. I have hope today and I know without a doubt that “with God, all things are possible” (Matthew 19: 26). It is better that we learn through our life's experiences so we can experience the beauty that God created. For His children, we have work to do. There are others out there who need to know that hope and miracles still exist. I hope you got a small glimpse of that today. Be blessed.

Today’s prayer: Sovereign Lord, may I ask You to bind up the brokenhearted, proclaim freedom for those who are in the pit of darkness, and may Your light shine brightly on anyone who may be feeling despair today. May Your light shine bright in our hearts and may we never lose the gift of hope. Help us learn that times of adversity are the greatest opportunities for growth. In Jesus name, I lift this prayer. Amen.

In Christ by grace,

Pam

“Asking for help is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of wisdom.” - Evans

Quiet-Time Reflections

2012-01-03T14:29:00.000-08:00

Week of: January 2, 2012 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Philippians 3:12-14: "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

2012 ~ “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life….and I’m feeling good.” - Buble’

Let’s begin with a common question, “how are you doing?” Now, I’m not interested in the “oh, I’m fine” answer, I would like a truthful response. It’s really ok to be honest. Like many of you, I get that life is full of challenges and sometimes it’s a real struggle to see light at the end of the tunnel. Could it be however that we can’t see it, because we’re not running toward it? Could it be we’re so stuck in the past that we can’t enjoy the present? With all due respect, today is a new day! The past is over and we’re upon a new day of opportunity. How will it look for you? What must you let go of to really begin to enjoy your life? Are you willing to press on to really begin to feel good about life and the opportunities God has for you? Are you interested in living life the way your Heavenly Father created you to live? I am not asking you if you want to, I’m asking you, will you?

Friends, no one has the power to take something from you, unless of course, you’re willing to give it to them. I have no idea what that would look like in your life, but in mine, I am learning how to let go of my failures/mistakes to experience true joy. I am still very much a work in progress, I have not yet arrived, but I’m no longer stuck either. You see, for a very long time like some of you, I was unable to press past my past. Every opportunity that Satan had, he reminded me of my mistakes or the mistakes of others. He reminded me of betrayal, he reminded me of disappointment, and he often wanted to make sure that I pointed the blame at God for allowing it all. This way I would surely stay stuck within the emotions of anger, bitterness, unforgiveness and resentment. This is his signature cocktail that some of us enjoy sipping on. It would often soothe and keep me focused on “poor, poor, pitiful me,” and the canvas would stay dark.

God has a better plan for this new dawn and it’s a rescue plan. It’s a canvas with beautiful bright rays of hope. It’s a plan that pulls us out from that which we are under, and leads us onto solid ground. Please notice that I said “leads.” God gives us what we need in His Word to move toward a new destination. He doesn’t give us a roadmap, He gives us a compass. The rest is up to us. We can either choose to stay where we are today, or we can choose a better way. We can determine today that we will change our thoughts concerning our circumstances and press on toward the goal of victory through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ. On our own, we’ll stay in our tunnel of discouragement. But with Christ, we can strain toward the light that is ahead of us. What will it be?

To remain in the dark, to let our emotions and our disappointments get the best of us, means we will forfeit God’s very best for our lives. We cannot change our past, but we can do something about how we view our future. Do we continue to see life through Satan’s lenses or will we choose to let God give us a new set of eyes? If you are a believer - this is a new day, seize it. If you have not yet taken hold of the Creator, there is no better time then right now. It’s simple. Just cry out to God. Tell Him you desire to change directions. Invite Him in to become your Savior and then start pressing on to claim your prize.

I have more good news. God is aware of every poor choice, every difficulty, and every wrong turn you have ever made. And, despite it all, He loves you unconditionally and He wants what is best for you. God knows your heart and He sees the hurt. He knows the mindset of some of you that it is “easier said then done.” He gets it! However, please don’t overlook that God has a comeback plan waiting for you. Failure is not final. Mistakes can be corrected. Hurts can heal, disappointments can be forgiven and life can be enjoyed! Things may not have turned out the way you planned, but it doesn’t mean it can’t get better. It doesn’t mean you will never experience love, hope, peace or joy again. With God all things are possible! We have to live on the truth that faith is not about what God can do, it’s about what God will do. Our storms are temporary, our setbacks are just that. When we allow ourselves to have hope, we can begin to move forward. How about it? Can we leave some junk behind today? Can we experience forward progress together? I pray so.

Life’s Application Commentary: Paul said that his goal was to know Christ, to be like Christ, and to be all Christ had in mind for him. This goal took all of Paul energies. This is a helpful example for us. We should not let anything take our eyes off of our goal – knowing Christ. With the single-mindedness of an athlete in training, we must lay aside everything harmful and forsake anything that may distract us from being effective Christians. What is holding you back?

Today’s prayer: Heavenly Father help us to keep our focus on you. This world is so full of distractions, difficulties and defeats that tempt us to doubt that you are a Sovereign God. May we discard the lies and stand firmly on the truth of Your Word. You promise to never leave us nor forsake us. When we draw close to you with a genuine heart of repentance you are more than willing to direct our steps. So often we see you as some great magician and when you don’t deliver the act we expect, we are tempted to walk away. Help us learn that your timing and Your ways are perfect. Help us to celebrate that You are working behind the scenes to bring about Your purpose for our life. May we become willing participants in our own stories? The outcome is to be beautiful, let’s celebrate it today. In Jesus name we pray. Amen!

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-12-26T05:20:00.000-08:00

Week of Dec. 26, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Galatians 3:18

“For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Well, how was it? Did the gift meet your expectations? Forgive me, but I’m not talking about that “Black Friday” gift you received; I’m talking about the gift that has been passed down from generation to generation. Did you receive it? Maybe you already received it in years past, awesome! If so, did you bring it back out to share with others? Did you talk about it, show it off? Was it part of your celebration?

I told you last week that I wanted to experience this Christmas from the eyes of a child. What I decided to do was to view this Christmas as the glorious inheritance that it is. Then, I worked to share the gift forward with others. It’s much too precious, much too valuable to keep to oneself. If you haven’t been able to read my devotion writings over the past few weeks, I encourage you not to miss the packages I left for you.

As the days drew closer to Christmas 2011, I climbed up into my Heavenly Father’s lap to better understand the law and the promise. Then, I looked at what it means to be called “Sons of God.” I encourage you to explore Galatians 3:15-29 and 4:1-7. Please do not miss Gal. 3:29, “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Dr. Charles Stanley from In Touch Ministries says that “among our priceless treasures is a living hope in Jesus Christ that cannot be taken away (1 Peter 1:3)." What's more, He pledged to supply our needs according to His riches (Phil 4:19). In other words, we already have all that we need for an abundant and victorious life. The question is will we choose to live like it?

The “Promise” entered the world over 2,000 years ago as the Word (John 1:1-2), as God himself. On Christmas day we had the opportunity to reflect on this promise and I pray it re-energized your passion for Christ. As heirs we have received the ultimate gift and now we ask ourselves, what are we going to do with it? Do we take it out of its beautiful packaging and make it useful. Or, do we pack it away and bring it back out next year when the season warrants remembering it. I hope you answered, we make it useful now. As we now look to the “New Year” celebrations, I pray we can look at the future with a new sense of who we are in Christ. It has made a huge difference in the way I view the unknown. Things are changing for me, but this advent I was given this reminder.

“We are called to proclaim

that hope is stronger than doubt,

that love is stronger than hate.

We are called to witness

that goodness is stronger than evil

and that the Word of God is LIFE.

We are called to proclaim:

we have seen the Lord.

Whatever we do must testify in the end that:

JESUS IS LORD.”

- Sister Carol Marek

May we look at this as an opportunity to experience God in new ways? His Word tells us that He is to be a priority in our lives. In the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-17) we are given two very important warnings. We are told to have no other gods before God, and we are not to have idols in our lives. An idol is anything that we make more important than God. My dear friends, I have learned the hard way that when I disobey these instructions, things don’t go well for me.

God wants to be a priority in our life. He wants first-place. This is not a selfish act on His part. It is an act of love. When we are connected firmly to The Vine, we get the nourishment we need to grow into beautiful branches (John 15:5) for God’s Kingdom.Through Christ, we have so much to rejoice in, so much to look forward to. God never said this life would be easy, but He did say He would be there every step of the way. I am personally counting on Him as I desire to trust Him in all areas of my life. It’s time to move on from pure Spiritual milk (1 Peter 2:2) to some hearty meals of Spiritual meat (Hebrews 5:11-14). Before we go our separate ways, I have one more gift.

http://www.marketplacebiblestudy.com/2010/12/who-i-really-am-grow-up-and-learn-to-eat-spiritual-meat.html

Thank you so much for being a part of my Spiritual journey. May God love on, protect, and encourage you every step of the way.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-12-19T12:02:00.000-08:00

Week of: December 19, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ this week, may we be filled with wonder and awe. I am determined to experience Christmas this year like a little child. For children, Christmas is rather simple. Despite what is going on around them, they are primarily focused on the gifts. Whether this is right or wrong, the truth is that someone else has prepared the way for them to receive a blessing, and they are more than excited to accept the generosity. As adults, we don’t have to be left out of this excitement. Someone else has prepared the way for us to receive a blessing and now we are old enough to understand and embrace the beauty of this gift.

Matthew 1:22-23

“All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel –which means “God with us.”

DO YOU HEAR WHAT I HEAR?

Hope is something I am not willing to let go of. Last week I touched on the Prophet Isaiah’s message of hope that God himself had given him to share forward. In Isaiah 7:14 we read “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.” There is a profound contrast between Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:22-23 that we should not overlook. Prophecy was fulfilled just as Isaiah told his people it would be. Don’t miss the words “God with us.”

A few weeks back I shared John 10:30 “The Father and I are One.” I did this to highlight the truth that God and Jesus are one in the same. This too is an important part of prophecy. I must admit that for a very long time, I did not get this! I was raised with the “trinity” teaching, however the words, “His One and Only Son” (John 3:16) always tripped me up. I saw them in my mind as two separate entities. That was until I took the time and was willing to see them with new eyes. When you’re reading Scripture you have to be willing to dig below the surface.

Life’s Application Commentary for John 10:10:

“If Jesus had been merely a man, his claims to be God would have proven him insane. But his miracles proved his words true – he really was God. The Jewish leaders could not see beyond their own prejudices, and they looked at Jesus only from a human perspective – Jesus confined in a human box. But Jesus was not limited by their restricted vision.”

I have to admit that I once had restricted vision. I’m certainly not proud of it, but practicing portions of religion allowed me to keep Jesus contained in my human box. When I thought of Jesus as a separate entity from God, it kind of let me off the hook in my mind when it came to obeying all of that church stuff. It was easier to go through the motions rather than dig my heels in to discover His Holy attributes. It was hard to grasp having a relationship with something I couldn't see, hear, or touch. I was not very different from our Jewish brothers/sisters who are still waiting for the Messiah. I figured if I did the church thing, confessed the big sins, was good to others, and helped when I could, I would get to know this Jesus that I was being told about when I finally met Him in Heaven. Pardon me, but I was pretty presumptuous back then if I don’t say so myself.

Honestly, I had no idea I could know Jesus personally and intimately “on earth as it is in Heaven.” Furthermore, I did not grasp that God’s Word was the key to opening the door to this relationship. It astounds me now that one can hear God's voice when they truly believe He is Lord. When you become a “Child of God” things really do change. It’s like a light bulb turns on. You begin to see and hear things that you had overlooked. What I want to make sure this Christmas is that we don’t miss something really big. I once bought into the “good works” theory and Biblically I was dead wrong. Good works are a result of salvation; they are not the way to salvation. Jesus is the only way to God (John 14:6).

There is one more thing I believe we should not overlook. It’s not about how much we know about Jesus, it’s not about what we do for Jesus. No, when you know God’s Word you discover that it’s actually about experiencing Jesus as God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and embracing His teachings. It is about being so relationally connected to Him that He knows you as a precious child (John 8),

Matthew 7:21-23

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

This Christmas may we be blessed with the privilege, the “gift,” of moving beyond religious activity into a personal relationship with the One who welcomes His children into His throne room? I encourage you to cuddle up with the “Good Book” and allow Him to minister to your heart. Set aside all the hoopla for a bit and rest in Matthew 25:31-46.

Although “Christmas” is an important day for Christians, let’s not overlook “judgment day,” a day when we shall once again receive a promised gift. God’s Word tells us that this will be the day when He is going to separate the obedient from the pretenders and the believers from the unbelievers. It will be on this day that we receive what He has promised (John 3:16-21). How we love God and how we love others, is a good indication of our human heart.

Today’s prayer:

Father, we thank you that your love extends from the heavens to the earth. Thank you that while we were still sinners, you chose to enter humanity on our behalf. You knew the cross was necessary and you still came. Thank you Jesus! May we take this time to wish you a Happy Birthday? May it be in the form of honoring your Word and drawing close to you relationally? Father, change us from the inside out. We deserve nothing, but in your great love for mankind your gift of grace gives us another message. When we seek you with all our heart, mind and soul, we will find the gift. In Jesus precious name we say together, AMEN!

Merry Christmas!

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-12-13T10:15:00.000-08:00

Week of: December 12, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Isaiah 53:6-9

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,

so he did not open his mouth. By oppression and judgment he was taken away. And who can speak of his descendants? For he was cut off from the land of the living; for the transgression of my people he was stricken. He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death, though he had done no violence, nor was any deceit in his mouth. “

WHAT CHILD IS THIS?

This week I have been reflecting within the Book of Isaiah, chapter 53. In this chapter Isaiah gives us a glimpse into the suffering and glory of a humble servant. As I have been preparing my heart for this Christmas season, I have had my thoughts and prayers upon the Jewish people who continue to wait upon their Messiah. I think about the richness of the Old Testament teachings and I am in awe of the gift of prophecy that the people of those days had before them. However, I can’t help but ask, how did they miss Him? The answer might be that they were not expecting a humble servant.

Some Jews interpret the “suffering servant” described in Isaiah 53 as the Holy Nation of Israel. I personally believe they have missed verses 3-5. I like the KJV translation which by the way aligns beautifully to the Hebrew Old Testament Scripture. Verse 3-5 “He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: And we hid as it were our faces from him; He was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our grief’s, and carried our sorrows: Yet we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; He was bruised for our iniquities: The chastisement of our peace was on him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

Isaiah, once considered to be one of the greatest Prophets, was speaking of the Messiah, long before He would enter the world to suffer for the sins of all people. Through Isaiah, God was pulling aside the curtain of time to give people a foreshadowing into the suffering of the future Savior. More importantly, God wanted them to understand that this suffering and the forgiveness which would be made available through Him was near. I imagine it was very difficult for people of that day to believe that God would choose to save the world through a humble servant over a glorious king. They were looking for something really big. What they missed was the strength of the servant that God would send. They missed it because the description of this Savior was contrary to human expectations. Who would expect a humble, suffering servant to be selected by God himself to save sinners? I believe what they missed was that God often works in ways we would not expect.

Not much has changed since Isaiah’s day except that his prophecy was fulfilled when God entered history as a baby in a small town just south of Jerusalem. Bethlehem, which means “the house of bread,” became worthy of its name. One lonely, cold winter night a baby changed everything. From that town was born the “Bread of Life,” but not many recognized Him as Savior and sadly, He is still being rejected today. There are many who still argue that Jesus was never born. If you want to be prepared for such an argument yourself, check out the following resource which I personally found helpful as I worked to prepare myself for the opposition.

http://bible.org/article/birth-jesus-christ

My friends, what a gift we have been given through Jesus! If you have not yet embraced the Savior, may I ask you to do me a favor this Christmas? I promise it won’t take much of your time. Find yourself a Bible and open it to the Gospel of John, chapter 10. I encourage you not to miss the “Good Sheppard” in this story or the promise He brings. I was once the “lost sheep” within this story, but Praise God; by the grace of my Lord and Savior I have been found! If this is you, let’s celebrate together the ability to “recognize his voice.” (John 10:27). Let’s not keep this gift to our self as it is way too precious. I am encouraged today to know that the “Good Sheppard” is out there actively pursuing anyone who has missed Him. His Word tells us in 2 Peter 3:9. “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

This Christmas let’s take some time to reflect, repent if necessary and rejoice! A child has been born and His Name is JESUS. And for our Jewish brothers and sisters, let’s pray that they would allow the veil to be removed.

Merry Christmas!

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-12-07T11:58:00.000-08:00

Week of: December 5, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Genesis 1:1

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

John 1:1

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was God in the beginning.”

Isaiah 9:6

“For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.

John 3:16-17

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

John 10:30

“The Father and I are one.”

THE BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING

Something is very different this year. Do you feel it? I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I’m sensing a stirring in the hearts of God’s people. With our world and so many families in turmoil, could it be that God might be attempting to remind us of who He is? As we prepare to celebrate a Christian tradition, “Christmas,” I would ask that we take some time to fix our eyes upon the baby.

For over 2000 + years there has been conflict and confusion over this gift of a baby. Some have chosen to embrace the gift and celebrate it, while others choose to reject it. Then there are those who decide it’s just not for them right now, so they just choose to ignore its value. Occasionally they will consider the gift, but unwrap it; well that might be too costly. I say this with a tender spirit, the cost of rejecting the gift will cost more than I imagine one would be willing to pay if one grasped the true value.

Could it be that we really do not understand that it was GOD himself who entered humanity? Are we missing that it was GOD who took on flesh to walk among us for the purpose of saving us from eternal destruction? Are we missing that it was the flesh of GOD himself that hung on the cross at Calvary? Have we overlooked that the rejection of Jesus (GOD in the flesh) leads to eternal destruction? Do we care? With all due respect, we better care!

John 3:18-21

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.”

God’s Word, His breathed instruction “useful for teaching, rebuking and correcting” (2 Timothy 3:16) illustrates for us the existence, identity and power of God. It would be suicide to continue on the path our nation is taking leaving God out. As one who has embraced the gift, I encourage you to open the Gospel of John and rest within it. Bookmark chapter 14 verse 6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know him and have seen him!”

Life’s Application Commentary:

Some people argue that this way is too narrow. In reality, it is wide enough for the whole world, if the world chooses to accept it. Instead of worrying about how limited it sounds to have only one way, we should be saying “Thank you, God, for providing a sure way to get to you!”

This Christmas I am praying for a “revival” in the hearts of mankind. We have been quiet for way too long! I am praying that many would have their eyes opened to the truth of the Gospels. I’m praying that many would rise up to protect the identity of the Christ-child. I would be excited for you to join me in praying for our nation and its people.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Today's prayer:

Father, I praise you and desire to show you gratitude for your selfless act of leaving the heavens to come to this earth to make a way for sinners to be rescued. Forgive me for how long it has taken me to find the value in what you willingly did for myself and all mankind. Thank you for the gift of grace, mercy and forgiveness. I am not worthy, but your birth, death and resurrection changed all that. Today I offer a sacrifice of praise. I acknowledge that you are the "only way" and I celebrate You. May many hearts find refuge in you. I lift up all those who deny Your Name.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS!

In Christ by grace,
Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-11-21T09:57:00.000-08:00

Week of: November 21, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Psalm 100:1-5

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations."

RESTING IN THE MOMENT

Reflecting on history, Thanksgiving was a day set apart to acknowledge and praise God. The settlers of our great land wanted to express their gratitude to a God that was with them every step of the way. It doesn’t appear that this was something they chose to gloss over, they rested in the moment. I imagine their prayers were not hurried on that day because the food would get cold. I imagine they were not thinking about mapping out their strategy to get the next best bargain. They simply gathered as families and they celebrated where they were. When I think about this, I am in awe. These were people who were suffering. Because they sought out a better life for themselves and their families, they were willing to endure through suffering, death and discouragement. They were willing to praise God because they understood that the gain outweighed their pain.

I have to ask myself, is that how I see it? Is that how you see it? Does the pain of the circumstance outweigh the gain of what God wants us to learn from it? Honestly, it has not always been my attitude. I have definitely bought into the “poor, poor, pitiful Pam mentality," and I am thankful that God is showing me that this is a waste of valuable time. Maybe the alternative would be to adopt the mindset of the early settlers. They seemed to understand that God loved them. They recognized His provisions despite the difficulties in their life. They acknowledged that He was in control and He would guide them along the way. They understood they could be thankful in the mystery of God’s ways. I love that they left this example for us to emulate. Of course it’s up to us to adopt it or not. From the beginning of creation God has given us a choice and free-will still exists.

This is going to be a very different kind of holiday season for this gal. I intend to take my cares and concerns before God in thanksgiving and praise. Yes, I said “praise.” I now recognize that every trial is an opportunity to grow. Although my circumstances may not change, I can change. I am also going to rest in the simplicity of the life lived back in the days of our settlers. They may not have had much, but they were rich in their relationship with God and others. I am ashamed to share that for so many years I made myself crazy with the preparations of the season. I had so much anxiety that I missed the celebration, and praise was not rolling from my tongue. I always ended up exhausted, physically, mentally, and financially. Because everything had to be perfect, nothing ended up perfect. So, whether we’re enjoying a big holiday meal or a simple bowl of soup, we can celebrate the goodness of our Heavenly Father. It should not matter "what" we have, but rather "who" we have. Is God the ultimate guest at your celebrations? If not, may I encourage you to invite Him into them this year. He will be a kind, loving, patient, wise, helpful and He'll meet you where you're at. "Come to me all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30).

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO YOU AND YOURS.

Today’s prayer: Father, I come before you in Praise and Gratitude. I am thankful to be surrounded by people who touch my life and bring me joy. Watch over and protect them daily. I’m thankful that You have blessed me beyond measure. Help me to encourage and share from what I have received. Praise You Lord that You live in my heart, may I never be ashamed to share this gift. May I never take for granted your undeserved favor on my life. Your gift of grace is something I desire to celebrate. In Jesus name I offer to you my thanksgiving and praise. Amen.

Additional Scripture Reading: Hebrews 12:28, Psalm 95:2, Phil 4:6

Book Recommendation: Pilgrims Progress by John Bunyan

How great should be our gratitude

To God our unseen Friend!

The volume of His gifts to us

We cannot comprehend.

- Hess

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-11-14T08:04:00.000-08:00

Week of: November 14, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

We would be wise to never underestimate God’s power to speak to us through various different types of resources. As I shared with you last week, I needed a good time-out. Because I was willing to recognize and heed to this, I believe I have received several unexpected blessings. One in particular came as I read the devotion below. My ears perked up as I honed in on the warning found within this writing. I know it is no coincidence that I took this in as I am working to get “filled back up” in order to serve God to the best of my ability. As I continue my break this week, I pray this might be a blessing to those of you with a heart to help others. Sometimes it is that very tender heart that will experience trauma if we’re not careful to attend to it.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6, NIV

TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Osteen

"Sometimes, it’s easy to get wrapped up in taking care of the people around us. You may find that you’re always giving, taking care of the children, working overtime at the office, or helping that friend who is struggling. And that’s all good. But if you’re not careful, you can end up feeling rundown. That’s why you have to take time every day to get filled back up. Your first priority should be taking care of yourself and making time to get into the presence of Jesus.

Throughout scripture, we see that in God’s presence there is fullness of joy, fullness of peace, and fullness of victory. In His presence, you’re refreshed and restored. That’s why it’s so important to take time every day to read your Bible and meditate on His promises. We have to be diligent to have that quiet time with Him.

Today, take time to get alone with God and just say, “God, I love You today. Thank You for my life, for my family, for the opportunities You’ve given me. Lord, I know every good thing comes from You.” When you live like that, with your heart connected to His, you’ll be refreshed, restored, reenergized and filled up for the journey of life!"

OK, off to get filled. Have a beautiful week ahead.

"Taking care of yourself is not selfish, it's wisdom." - Joyce Meyer

Additional Scripture References: James 4:7-10, Isaiah 55: 6-7, Romans 8:6-8.

Book Suggestion: A Place of Quiet Rest: by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-11-09T07:59:00.000-08:00

Week of: November 7, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

What a mistake I made yesterday! As I sat in frustration realizing that it was distraction that kept me from my goal, I concluded I need a good time-out. I have learned that wisdom is often found when we work to correct a mistake. Therefore, please accept my apology as I take a break from writing to get refreshed. Until then, be blessed by two gifts shared with me this week.

“Let us remember each morning, as we launch into the unknown space called life that our lifeline must be attached to God, the giver of life. Let us stay focused, and be attentive as we try to find Him wherever we go and whatever we do. Let us also ask ourselves this question: Am I keeping the main thing the main thing in my life? - Merek

God is a shelter, a refuge available to each of us.

Psalm 91:1 “He who dwells in the shadow of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

GOD CALLING

The power of love and joy, that restores faith and serenity in our troubled world.

By A.J. Russell

Dwell There

“Hidden in a sure place, known only to God and you. So secret that no power on earth can even find it. But, My beloved children, you must dwell therein. No fitful visit, a real abiding. Make it your home. Your dwelling-place.

Over that home shall My Shadow rest, to make it doubly safe, doubly secret. Like brooding mother-bird wings that Shadow rests. How safe, how sure, you must feel there.

When fears assail you, and cares trouble you, then it is because you have ventured out of that protecting Shadow. Then the one, the only thing to do is to creep back into shelter again. So rest. "

Be blessed.

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-10-31T10:00:00.000-07:00

Week of: October 31, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Mark 11:23

For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, “Be removed and be cast into the sea,” and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he shall be done, he will have whatever he says. (NKJV)

Last week I shared with you that I was back in review of a resource titled 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues. I told you that this is a book that I kept in the forefront of my library because I personally need to be reminded of how dangerous our tongues can be. Last week we took a look at “The Argumentative Tongue." I thought being that we are nearing election time this might be a good time to heed the warnings of this type of tongue. This is definitely a time when opinions run high and we have to be careful as believers not to offend or slander one another. If you didn’t have an opportunity to read that one, may I encourage you to do so before moving on today? This week I have been prompted to take another look at the “The Doubting Tongue.”

As a believer in Jesus Christ I understand that doubting is sin. However in my flesh I often find myself wrestling to embrace what I know. If I ever hope to tame my doubting tongue, I am going to have to learn to stand firmly on the promises of God’s Word. I also realize that knowing the promises of God will not be enough. I have to live like I believe them. Today, through this review, I am asking God to reveal to me what might be hindering my victory in this area. I think my answer is waiting in the following excerpt of Day 27, The Doubting Tongue. Be blessed.

Doubt - verb (used with object) – Dictonary.com

1. to be uncertain about; consider questionable or unlikely; hesitate to believe. 2. to distrust. 3. Archaic. to fear; be apprehensive about.

Day 27

The Doubting Tongue

By Deborah Smith Pegues

“Faith comes by hearing (Romans 10:17). The more we declare our unbelief, the more reinforced it becomes. The more we assert our confidence in a positive outcome, the more our faith increases. Because we will believe what we constantly hear, we must take personal responsibility for what we hear. We may have to limit – or eliminate – our contact with individuals who tend to express negativity about various outcomes, goals, or results we desire.

Often our words of doubt originate out of our tendency to act in self-confidence. Self-confidence is a concept touted by the world that tells us we must rely on our own skills and abilities. This is a direct contradiction to King Solomon’s warning, “He who trusts in himself is a fool” (Proverbs 28:26). When we face a challenge and quickly assess our own ability to conquer it, we will most likely come up short – and doubting. We must be on guard not to give our doubts substance by declaring them.

If the spirit of unbelief plagues you, I challenge you to get a good study Bible and to search the Scriptures for verses relating to your area of concern. Write down a passage, meditate on it often, and memorize it. I keep a template on my computer for typing Scriptures to fit a 5x7 picture frame.

I will select a passage that is relevant to a current problem. I cut it out, frame it, and keep it before me on my desk until I solidify it in my heart. When doubts arise, I nail them with the selected Word of God. This sounds simple but it is not easy. Some doubts die hard. We must be persistent in declaring our victory.

What are some things you find yourself speaking about in a doubtful way? Is it the fear of pursuing a career or task for which you feel inadequate? The hopelessness of forging an amicable relationship with a difficult person? The seemingly impossible task of getting into shape: Perhaps you have resorted to being a Doubting Thomas who would only believe what he could touch (see John 20:25).

God’s children are to live by faith – in God. We cannot afford to get stymied in the “sense of realm” of what we can see and feel. Our doubts can deter our destiny.

Our attitudes and conversations will change when we face the reality that apart from God we can do absolutely nothing. Decide today to skip the skepticism, doubt the doubts, and believe the best!”

I too believe it is important that we understand God’s definition of faith. Hebrews 11:1-2 indicates; “It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot see. God gave his approval to people in the days of old because of their faith.” I would encourage you to read Hebrews 11 in its entirety.

Life’s Application Commentary:

“The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character: He is who He says He is. The end point is believing in God’s promises: He will do what he says He will do. When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith (see John 20:24-31).

Our faith is in the God who created the entire universe by his word. God’s Word has awesome power. When he speaks, do you listen and respond (obey)? How can you better prepare yourself to respond to God’s Word?”

Great questions! I would like to remind you that believing that God exists is only a part of our faith journey. In God’s Word we are told that even the demons believed that God existed (James 2:19, 20). What God wants from believers is more than mere acknowledgment that He is God. He wants a personal relationship with you. He wants to show you exactly who He is through His Word. Most importantly, He wants you to surrender to and obey what He teaches. I am tired of retaking these lessons. How about you? Do you want something better? Let’s go for it.

AFFIRMATION: “Anything is possible for me if I believe. Therefore, I will declare my faith rather than discuss my doubts.” - Pegues

Additional Scripture Reading: James 1:6, Proverbs 3:5-8, Matthew 21:21

Book Suggestion: Believing God by Beth Moore

In Christ by grace,
Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-10-24T14:59:00.000-07:00

Week of: October 24, 2011 pmcrawford.blogspot.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

James 3:8

“No man can tame the tongue”

30 Days to Taming Your Tongue by Deborah Smith Pegues is a book that I keep in the forefront of my resource library. Why? Because I have to return to this resource often. I have found this book to be helpful on many different levels. It has proven to be an invaluable guide as I work to have wisdom in my expression of speech. Inside the book, the author deals with many different types of tongues. Unfortunately, or fortunately, I was able to recognize several of mine within the thirty examples she provides. Within the Prologue of this book Deborah writes: “Teachers often teach that which they need to learn themselves.” I can assure you I need this lesson. I have learned that the tongue is a dangerous body part and it truly does require taming, especially if we’re working to avoid its destructive nature.

“To tame” means to bring from a state of unruliness to a state of submission. A person would have to live in total isolation to begin to accomplish such a feat with his tongue. Even then, his self-talk would probably be negative in some way and therefore rob him of total victory.” (Pegues) Recently my self-talk, along with the opinions of others, has brought the need to review this resource again. In a world that displays so many forms of opinion, we might concur that these opinions can often lead to arguments. I have learned from personal experience that an argument can often be the enemy’s tool to separate the best of friends. So, if you don’t mind, I’m going to join you as a student to review Day 6 - “The Argumentative Tongue.”

Over the next few weeks we will look at other tongues types, in no particular order. I’ll work to share some of what I’m gleaning. Should you recognize a similarity in your own tongue from the examples illustrated in this book, be encouraged. If you have “eyes to see and ears to hear” (Ezekiel 12:2) God will help you make the necessary adjustments to avoid the pitfalls. I highly recommend this resource. Be blessed.

Day 6 - The Argumentative Tongue.

By Deborah Smith Pegues

Proverbs 20:3

“Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor; only fools insist on quarreling.”

“Unlike divisive people, whose actions destroy unity between parties, argumentative people enjoy directly resisting anyone whose viewpoint is different from theirs. In fact, they seem to stay on high alert for anything they can discuss that will get someone one else on the defensive. Never without fodder for a verbal fight, they can always depend upon any discussion of religion or politics to produce unending quarrels.

Being argumentative is a futile use of the tongue and certainly not the way to win friends or influence people. It was legendary American-cowboy-turned entertainer Will Rogers who cautioned, “People’s minds are changed through observation and not through argument.” In other words, contentiousness negates one’s ability to bring about change.

Let’s look at why people become quarrelers. Many quarrelers grew up in homes where arguing was as much a pattern as eating. Thus, they think it is normal to contend. I grew up in a very contentious environment. I don’t remember any discussions ever ending in an amicable resolution of the initial issue. Rather, it seemed that when the quarrelers could not find more logs to put on the fire at hand, they simply kindled another fire and continued the process until they tired of talking.

I swore I would never engage in such ineffective communication. On the other hand, I have a brother who always tries to draw people into discussions that often result in an argument. When he runs out of points to put forth or has no logical response to his opponents’ rebuttals, he resorts to personal attacks on their character and name-calling. He has chosen to emulate the behavior he witnessed as a child.

Another reason some people resort to quarreling is to bolster their own self-worth. They can only feel good about themselves by attacking the validity of other people’s opinions, philosophies, or beliefs and then maneuvering them into defending their position. The quarreler’s goal is not to add value to someone’s life by showing him the error of his way. In fact, Mrs. Quarreler would be greatly disappointed if her target responded, “Oh, thank you for shedding light on the matter. I will change my thinking immediately.” Why, such a concession would end the argument!

I have decided it is best to heed Solomon’s advice “Beginning a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out” (Proverbs 17:14 NLT). When engaged by a quarreler, my favorite response is to say early on, with as much finality as I can muster, “Okay. That’s your opinion.” This will keep me out of the web of contention that quarrelers are expert at weaving. It takes two to tangle. Jesus cautioned us to “agree with your adversary quickly” (Matthew 5:25 NKJV).

Most people, except fellow quarrelers, will minimize or avoid discussion with a person who is argumentative. They find it too stressful to walk on eggshells trying to limit their conversations to safe non-debatable topics.

On of the challenges for God’s children is to learn to disagree without being disagreeable. We glorify God when we remain loving even when we disagree with the views and values of unbelievers. We must be careful how we disagree lest we compromise our testimony. Surely we have the grace to register our protests without being mean-spirited. Benjamin Franklin was known to remark diplomatically, “On this point, I agree. But on the other, if you don’t mind, may I take exception.

If you have a tendency to be contentious or argumentative, remember that it costs you absolutely nothing to respect someone’s opinion – especially on matters that have no eternal consequences.”

I found this article to be both informative and challenging. I believe the time has come to understand this word “contentious” as I allow God to take me through the sanctification process. It’s not always comfortable, but in the end there is a great reward promised.

TODAY’S AFFIRMATION

“I will resist becoming contentious by respecting everyone’s right to have his own values and views.” – 30 Days to Taming Your Tongue, day 6.

Additional Scripture Reading: Colossians 4:6, Psalm 49:3, Philippians 2:14

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-10-17T09:40:00.000-07:00

Week of: October 17, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

JOSHUA 3:14-16

When the people set out to cross the

Jordan

, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. Now it was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the river’s edge, the water began piling up at a town upstream called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then al the people crossed over near the city of Jericho.

SAFE CROSSING

Too often many of us fail to recall the Lord’s goodness when we’re knee deep in discouragement. Don’t fret; this is certainly nothing new for human beings. The Israelites of long ago give us a glimpse into a generation of people who forgot the blessings they had received. We can learn a lot from them and what they lost sight of. I would be a “fool” to pass judgment on them, as I have been one of them. This devotion is actually a reminder to me as I work through something that has the potential to cause me to forget the “goodness of God” if I let it. I have a feeling that someone else out there may be able to relate to this in their own life. Some of us have been pretty comfortable up to this point, and then without warning, things have changed. It is so easy to become fearful when we forget the goodness of God. It is my prayer that we can learn a vital lesson from the example God has provided to us in the form of the Israelites journey.

Although God had brought the Israelites out of Egypt (a place of oppression) and took them safely through the divided Red Sea, they in essence missed the boat. You can read all about this miracle in Joshua 3. The Israelites had experienced God’s miracles first-hand. They received provision, encouragement and compassion along life’s journey. However, when things began to change for them, when it wasn’t so easy any longer, they quickly forgot the goodness and provision of the Lord.

In an article titled Remembering God’s Goodness by Dr. Charles Stanley, he explains that “the Lord knew that the people were about to enter Jericho, and that by His power, they would overcome the city. How compassionate to encourage them with a tangible illustration of His strength prior to such a battle.” I believe it would be very helpful if we truly understood this prior to our battles. I am so speaking to myself today. God knows what we’re up against long before we ever enter into it. And, by His power, we can overcome it!

A good question at this point might be; “do we really believe we can overcome?” The only way we overcome is by activating and exercising faith. The key will be trusting in that of which we cannot see (Hebrews 11:1). It is really important that you understand this word “faith.” It is the key to unlocking a spirit of hope and encouragement.

I’ve been reminding myself that God is not surprised when I forget His goodness. He understands that at times I drift into a place of self-reliance and need to be reminded of His faithfulness. He sees my need to repent, change and grow. As I write today I realize that it’s time to recall the Father’s plan to help His loved ones recall the miracle at the river. In Joshua 4:3 God asked them to create an altar of 12 stones, (a memorial) representing each tribe of Israel that had passed safely through the waters. This way, they would have a tangible reminder of His divine rescue. This might be something we could do.

In Dr. Stanley’s article that I mentioned earlier; he suggests the following for creating reminders of God’s faithfulness. He writes: “When it comes to blessings, do you tend to be forgetful? If so, try to create reminders of God's faithfulness. Some people journal; others write key words on stones and leave them in noticeable places. Whatever you do, make sure you have a way to remember the Lord's involvement in your life.” I love these suggestions and below is my journal entry for today.

10/17/11

Lord, help me never forget that I have received your favor when I didn’t always deserve it. Help me remember your involvement in my life. Today I recall the many ways you have shown your faithfulness. I thank you for never giving up on me. I thank you for and I choose this day to remember:

· Your Love

· Forgiveness

· Provision

· Protection

· Encouragement

· Comfort

· Guidance

· Correction

· Rescue

· Restoration

· Transformation

· Power

Please consider taking time today to recall what God has done in your life. Think about your journey thus far and choose to see with fresh eyes God’s faithfulness. Whether you journal, or you chose another form of remembrance, I encourage you to do this exercise to remember God’s blessings. And, in the future no matter what you are up against, don’t let go of truth. If you don’t know truth yet, if you don’t know the character of this God I speak of today, if you doubt His faithfulness; I encourage you to open up a Bible and ask God to introduce Himself. Be blessed my friends. God does not change. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). God is faithful (1 Corinth. 1:9) and He is the way (John 14:6).

Additional Scripture: Philippians 1:6, 2:1-30, 2 Peter 1:1-10
Suggested book & movie: Courageous

In Christ by grace,
Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-10-11T09:21:00.000-07:00

Week of: October 9, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

PROVERBS 31:30
Charm is deceptive; and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL
Nicole C. Mullin is a Christian music artist and speaker. I was first introduced to her work at a Women of Faith event a few years back. I was so moved by her testimony and I truly respect the transparency she displayed so that others could hear a word from God. I certainly did, and it has been part of what encourages me to share God with you.

I related personally to Nicole that day. I understood wholeheartedly where she had been in her life’s journey. And, I celebrated where God has her now. As I sat in that audience, I heard a woman share that when she was about 8 years old she realized that she wasn't right. Well, not right in the eyes of those who were more than willing to cut her down and point out her flaws. She shared that she was ridiculed for not living up to the expectations of someone else. For example, on the school bus she was constantly bullied and made fun of because someone decided they didn't like her hair or the clothing that she wore. Because she came from a poor family, she didn't always display the current styles. As a result of her daily abuse, she shared that she was a regular bed-wetter and this created it’s own set of challenges for her.

Listening to Nicole, my heart ached for all of the people who would relate. Then, my heart began to ache for myself. I could relate to what she was saying because I too was that little girl who was criticized for having flaws. In my case it was being told that I was too short, a fatty, and not very pretty. I remembered the constant emphasis on my freckles, my hair, my legs and my crooked nose that I broke in a bike accident. I was always the one picked last for team sports, and when my girlfriends were out with their boyfriends, I was home wiping my tears and watching Gilligan’s Island. I understood how she felt. Although my pain didn't come out in the form of bed-wetting (thank you Jesus), I did have my fair share of stomach issues. I believe I was about 17 when doctors discovered that I had stomach ulcers. By this point I had little confidence in myself and my self-esteem and self-worth were at an all time low. In my case, I put on my happy face and moved through life the best I could. Eventually I found love, but I carried around a lot of scars and I never really saw myself in the correct light. What did I miss?

The difference between the testimonies of Nicole C. Mullin and Pam Crawford is this. Nicole knew God. She just didn’t know about God, she actually knew God even at that young age. She shared that she had taken in so much of God’s teachings when she was a little girl, that she understood she could not let the junk that others threw at her reside in her heart for too long. She told us that although what she was hearing from others was hurtful at the time, when she got alone, she recognized it as lies. Can you imagine getting that? She went on to say that she had been raised in the church; she studied the Bible and sang in the choir. What I heard her say that day was that she had another kind of hope in her heart that allowed her to deflect the lies of Satan. The following are my notes of how Nicole describes this other kind of hope in her heart. I have been reviewing them as I work to become a Titus 2 woman. The kind of woman who has learned from her mistakes and desires to teach the younger women who they are in Christ. It took me 41 years to get this myself, but I praise God today that He never gave up on me even when I certainly had.

Notes from Nicole C. Mullen teaching at WOF.

Nicole was able to rise above her circumstance because she had heard stories where God had taken ordinary people and made them extraordinary. She had been taught that the same God back then, is the same God now. She rationalized if God was able to do that then, he could still do something in her. She allowed herself to have hope over what she had heard.

As a little girl, Nicole went before the Lord and asked Him to be her savior and she confessed her sins. She says that “somewhere between her ‘dear God and her Amen’ she knew that she knew that the God of heaven heard her plea.” She tells that she got up off her little knees and got on her little typewriter and typed, “As of this day I will never be the same. Jesus Christ has come into my life and he has changed me.” Regardless of what was going on or what she was hearing from the outside world, she determined that it did not have to get on the inside of her because as she put it “that place was now reserved for her hope.”

Can you imagine what life could be like if we all had a reserved spot for hope. What if we chose to allow God to help us discard the garbage that we allowed into our hearts and minds? I can testify to what that looks like to someone who held onto a lot of it for 41 years. It looks like someone who is willing to take a new look in the mirror (James 1:23-25). But this time, they see what God sees and they desire to become new from the inside out. They see a person in need of a deeper relationship with God and they work at developing it. They move beyond just knowing about God to actually discovering the attributes of the God of the Bible and they work to emulate them. They see their own heart and the portions of it that need to be transformed into a better likeness of Christ. They determine to let go of some things they have become quite comfortable in because they discover it does not align to God’s Word. And they determine to stop making excuses. So many of us have bought into the mentality that things can’t be different and we’re wrong. Being in a relationship with the God of the Bible is transforming. If you’re not already there, I encourage you to take a fresh look at Him today.

We don't have to continue doing the things we have always done. We can think differently. We can be different. With God's help everything is possible! You do not have to remain in bitterness, envy, jealousy, resentment, anger, and unforgiveness. This is poison from the enemy, a poison that I have had to work at discarding in my own life. Since I hit my knees back in 2001 and invited Christ into my life to change me, He has shown me with great clarity that if I don’t make these changes, Satan will continue to work to “kill, steal, and destroy” (John 10:10) what God has always intended to be good. Instead, I can work at becoming a Galatians 5:22-23 kind of woman. I have not yet fully arrived, but thank God I am not where I began. I am committed to no longer allowing Satan or this world define me. There is a lot of work ahead, but I know I’m not working at it alone. By grace, I have been saved for a purpose and I don’t want to waste it. Nicole and I both understand the urgency to help women and men understand that their value comes from God. You are loved, you matter, and you have great value! Embrace it today. Determine to make changes and experience God's best.

In Christ by grace,
Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-10-05T19:09:00.000-07:00

Week of October 3, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Joshua 1:6-9 (NIV)

“Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey all the laws my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; mediate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you: Be strong and courageous? Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Many of us desire to be confident, but fear often gets the best of us. We are afraid that we will be rejected by others. We are afraid we might fail, or that somehow we won’t quite measure up. This is the point where we must begin to challenge our thinking. This week as I am personally battling through a bit of discouragement; I have been reflecting on the command that God gave to Joshua. I think we can all be encouraged by it. Be blessed.

FORWARD MARCH

Over the years I have been asked if I am afraid to step out and speak about God to others. You bet I am! Not so much today, but back in 2006 when I first began writing these devotions I experienced some ridicule and persecution for sharing God in such a public manner. This happens because not everybody gets it and I totally understand that. There was a time in my life when I didn't get it either. I made a decision back in 06 that obedience to God's Word would have to trump personal opinion. I came to this conclusion because I began to unpack God's Word for myself and discovered that His commands are clear. I have to say that the hardest part of ridicule and persecution is when it comes from someone you love. When this happens; you must not forget that even Jesus’ own family didn't always get it. (John 7:5) And, most importantly do not lose sight of who you will give an account to at the end of your lifetime.

Confidence is linked to faith, and faith is the opposite of fear.

In order to develop a confidence in anything you are called to do, you have to allow God to empower you. I love what God told Joshua in the Old Testament; “Have I not commanded you: Be strong and courageous? Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” I believe this and I have seen God work it out in my own life. There have been many blessings that have come from obedience. And, there have been many consequences for the times that I chose to do things my way.

Before we move forward let's stop to ask ourselves a few questions.

1. Do I really believe in God?

2. Am I willing to obey His Law?

3. Can I make time to learn and meditate on His Word?

4. Do I want to?

In our society, people measure prosperity and success as having power, influential personal contacts, and a relentless drive to get ahead no matter how many people they have to climb over to get there. The strategy that God taught Joshua goes against such criteria. He said that for Joshua to succeed he must be strong and courageous because the task ahead would not be an easy one. He told him to obey God’s law and to read and study the Book of the Law which is God’s Word. In short, I have concluded that in order to be successful, I will need to follow these same guidelines. It really isn't about me at all. It’s about what God desires to do through me.

I may not succeed by the world’s standards, and not everyone will always understand my passion to work for God, but in God’s eyes I will find favor. When God tells us to go and tell (Matthew 28:19), or go and be, we might consider doing just that. You don't have to have a public platform and you don't have to know it all. God is simply asking you to be a courageous child when it comes to helping others know "the way," (John 14:6)

Sadly, I often hear people say "I don't want to talk about God or I'm a private person when it comes to my faith.” Then, there are those who claim they are not comfortable about speaking about God, so they don’t. I wonder if they truly understand the depth of what they are alluding to. We can not overlook the words found in the Gospel of Luke 9:26 where Jesus clearly states "If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."

God sent His only son to suffer the penalty for my sins and for yours. I owe Him something for that. The least I can do is use the gifts He has provided to me. I may not conquer all things, but as I face tough situations, difficult people, ridicule, persecution, and the many temptations of this world, I will remember God’s beautiful words to Joshua, “Be strong and courageous.” I will also hold onto God's promise to never leave or forsake me. By asking God to direct our paths we can learn to conquer many of life’s challenges. Ask God today to help you build your confidence. Then honor Him by telling someone of what He has done for you.

Additional scripture reading: John 14:25-28, Psalm 56

Book suggestion: A Confident Woman by Joyce Meyers

Today’s prayer:

Father, help us to see ourselves as you see us. When we discover something in ourselves that is contrary to your Word, please help us recognize and change it. David tells us in Psalm 56:4 that it is important to praise your Word and to trust in You so as not to be afraid. Help us to learn this lesson so that we can walk confidently as daughters of the Most High. In Jesus’ Name I offer this prayer, AMEN.

In Christ by grace,
Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-09-27T12:08:00.000-07:00

Week of: Sept. 26, 2011 www.pmcrawford.blogspot.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

PHILIPPIANS 4:8
"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."

A POSITIVE SPIN
So what do you do about the things that are not? A young man from my church opened my eyes this past weekend. In our church service he shared with us that "tomorrow he would be embarking upon 40 days of chemo and radiation treatments." This is the same man who shared with our congregation his battle with MS not too long ago. When he began to speak, my natural response was pity. How much can one person handle? How much should a family have to endure?

Something was different about this young man's testimony. There was no self pity, no negativity, and no loss of hope. In fact he taught me a huge lesson that day which came in handy as I found myself surrounded by some negativity today. I remembered the words of this young man. He said "he was looking forward" to what God had planned for his life through this experience. Can you imagine? He went onto help us understand his faith and he didn't cover up his fears. But something stood out to me. He was not bitter and he had hope. He expressed that no matter what happens, he wins! I just stood in awe of his testimony.

You see my friends, David knows God personally and he has experienced his sovereignty. He knows that God loves him. He knows that God is in control. He knows that God will not abandon or forsake him. He knows that God will provide. He knows that God will comfort and support him and his family every step of the way. He knows God will carry him when He has no strength of his own. And, he wanted us to know that no matter what happens, whether God chooses to heal him physically this side of heaven or take him home, he wins!

When I got home, I stood before a picture that I have hanging in my home titled "Living Life." It reminds me to recognize the special people you have been blessed to know. Although I do not know this young man or his family personally, I have been touched and blessed by his courage and what he shared that day. I desire to learn to emulate his confidence in His Creator and Savior. I want to never forget his example. David led praise and worship on this day. He challenged us to celebrate life no matter what we face, because we don't face it alone. Jehovah Rapha ~ The God who heals is with us every step of the way. If you have a moment would you please stop and pray for David and his family. God knows exactly who you will be praying for.

LIVING LIFE
Life is not a race - but indeed a journey. Be honest. Work hard. Be choosy. Say "thank you," "I love you," and "great job" to someone each day. Go to church, take time for prayer. The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh. Let your handshake mean more than pen and paper. Love your life and what you've been given, it is not accidental - search for your purpose and do it as best you can. Dreaming does matter. It allows you to become that which you aspire to be. Laugh often. Appreciate the little things in life and enjoy them. Some of the best things really are free. Do not worry, less wrinkles are more becoming. Forgive, it frees the soul. Take time for yourself - plan for longevity. Recognize the special people you've been blessed to know. Live for today, enjoy the moment. - Bonnie L. Mohr

Thank you Aunt Peggy for this picture reminder. Thank you God for the following:

John 14:6
"Jesus answered, "I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."

Psalm 23:4
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me, your rod and staff, they comfort me."

John 14:1-4
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You will know the way to the place where I am going."

Life's Application Commentary:
Jesus' words show that the way to eternal life, though unseen, is secure - as secure as your trust in Jesus. He has already prepared the way to eternal life. The only issue that may still be unsettled is your willingness to believe.

Have a blessed week ahead.
In Christ by grace,
Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-09-19T14:20:00.000-07:00

Week of: Sept. 19, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com

Sharing by: Pam Crawford

James 1:2-4

“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.”

Trials, Testing and Joy

When you first read the above Scripture, you might be tempted to view it as preposterous, hang in there. Nothing in the Word of God is without value.

Kay Arthur in her book As Silver Refined asks the question; “How do you respond when your husband or wife tramples your emotions? When your boss fires you unexpectedly? When you lose your life’s savings? When the child you loved and prayed for turns his back on you and your values? How do you respond?

As I was reading Kay’s introduction to her book, it was like God was sitting right next to me. Through this book, it appeared that God might be attempting to answer some questions that I had been agonizing over myself. God is so gracious in how He provides for our every need. In addition to resting in God’s Word, I know that it was no coincidence that I was involved in the As Silver Refined Bible study with the sub-title being; "Learning to Embrace Life’s Disappointments." I was truly in a season of heartache and this would prove to be perfect timing on God's part.

In an article titled “Trials and Joy,” Dr. Charles Stanley expounds on James chapter 1. He explains that “considering it pure joy” is a divine vantage point, not a human one. Dr. Stanley explains: “First of all we need to understand that these verses are not telling us to be happy in our pain, but rather to rejoice in the blessings that accompany suffering. The word consider is an accounting term that means, “to evaluate.” When we look at hardships from God’s perspective and place the proper value on them, we can rejoice in the beneficial outcome, even while experiencing pain. Humanly speaking, trials hurt; but from the Lord’s point of view they help.

The only way to rejoice during trials is to understand what God designed them to accomplish. Regardless of the difficulty’s source, we can know that the Lord wants to use it to test our faith and thereby produce endurance and spiritual maturity. In every trial, He has hidden a beautiful and precious character gem; but whether we receive it or not, depends upon our response.

Those who really want to be transformed into the image of Christ can rejoice in the many benefits that accompany suffering. How about you? Does your hunger to know the Lord and be transformed by Him exceed your dread of suffering? None of us want to experience pain, but since it’s an unavoidable reality in this fallen world, why not respond in a way that produces eternal benefit? Let’s not waste suffering.”

The gem I discovered through my season of pain and testing was the ability to recognize the healing and restorative power of Christ. At the time that I entered my painful situation, I can honestly tell you that I did not understand it in the context of what Dr. Stanley wrote. However, as I look back over the past year and a half, I see so many blessings birthed from the circumstance. Yes, I said blessings! I have not only learned many things about myself, I have learned to value and live out the wisdom found in Scriptures such as Proverbs 3:5-6, Psalm 91:1 and Philippians 4:6-7. May I please ask you to take some time to read these on your own?

Today I am grateful that the God of the Bible is teaching me the importance of loving, forgiving, and extending grace within my disappointments. I have seen with my own eyes the grace and mercy of a loving, caring and Sovereign Lord. Nothing in our life comes as a surprise to God. No matter how bad something appears; it doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s hopeless unless one is unwilling to work through the issues at hand. Even then, God has the power to control a situation to fit His purpose. I am a firm believer that love has the power to conquer all if we will only choose to offer it.

Through prayer and an unwavering attitude that God is in control, I am beginning to see light. He has empowered me to work in ways I never expected. He is helping me to get better at waiting on His timing. We are working on patience and I am also learning to better evaluate a spirit of anger and bitterness. Today I truly get that blessings will depend on my level of obedience to what God is teaching me. Let me end today by sharing a quote that serves as a daily reminder to never give up. I believe that for the believer, better days are still ahead, but we have to work at becoming part of the solution. Be blessed.

“Your level of obedience to My Word and your faith in My promises will be tested. Disobedience and unbelief will be revealed in the fires of testing, and you will have opportunities to make corrections as necessary. Do not be afraid, for this is part of the cleansing process that will produce the power of My presence. Without the fires of purification, you will not realize the power.” – Marsha Burns

Additional Scripture: Matthew 5:43-48, 1 Peter 4:8, Romans 12:18

Book suggestion: Lord I Just Want to be Happy by Leslie Vernick

Today’s prayer:

Father, thank you for the many lessons found within Your Word and through our experiences in this life. Help us to see our disappointments as divine opportunities to learn and grow spiritually. May we not succumb to defeat when it comes to our pain, trials and testing. Give us what we need to endure and persevere. Help us make the necessary corrections in our thoughts and help us align our actions to Your Word. We ask this in Your son’s precious and holy name. Amen.

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-09-12T06:38:00.000-07:00

Week of: Sept. 12, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com

Sharing by: Pam Crawford

If you missed last week’s devotion on Discerning The Voice of God please go back and read it before moving on today. I promised I would pull it all together with an awesome reveal and I wouldn’t want you to miss the full impact of this lesson.

Psalm 119:10

“Do not let me wander from your commandments.” (NASB)

A DISTINCT VOICE – PART 2

When King David spoke the words in Psalm 119:10 he was placing the responsibility for staying in the will of God on God Himself. To conclude with the teaching by Priscilla Shirer from the book Discerning The Voice of God, the following are my remaining notes from Chapter 7, A Revealing Voice. Be blessed.

Notes:

“David says, “You, God – please don’t let me wander from your will!” Our responsibility is to get to know God. His is to keep us from wandering from His will for our lives.

Are you desperately seeking to know the will of God for your life? Are you in bondage because you can’t take a step in any direction without being afraid that you’ll wander from His will? If so, here is the truth that will set you free: It is God’s responsibility to cause you to hear and recognize His voice.”

Ok, I have to interject here. Did you hear that? Let’s just rest here a moment please.

“God’s responsibility to cause us to hear and recognize His voice.” How does he do that?

Priscilla shares:

“God wants to reveal His will to you, and Scripture clearly shows that He will do it:

Proverbs 3:6 (NKJV) – “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.”

Philippians 3:15 (NASB) – “Let us therefore, as many as are perfect (mature) have this attitude and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you.”

Philippians 2:13 (NIV) – “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”

Listen to the words of the psalmist in Psalm 37:14 (NASB), “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Once again, we find God’s promise to steer our desires in the direction of His will if we will just get down to the business of delighting in Him.

Many of us suspect that God is doing everything in His power to keep us from discovering His will. On the contrary, He is doing everything in His power to reveal it and cause us to go after it!

If you keep seeking God, He will continue to develop your awareness of who He is and His will for you. As you study His Word, listen to His revealing voice. Ask yourself, “What does this teach me about the character of God?” Make knowing Him your goal. Seek a Person instead of a plan. Seek a relationship instead of a road map. The closer you get to God, the more He will reveal Himself to you, and the natural result of knowing Him better will be a greater ability to discern His voice.”

To this I say AMEN!

HOW DO YOU KNOW IT’S GOD’S VOICE?

“I know God is speaking when what I hear is consistent with what I know about Him. I remember a time when someone told me something my husband Keith said. It wasn’t negative. It just didn’t sound like him. I found out later it was a different Keith Moore. I knew deep inside that wasn’t my man. Likewise we can know deep inside, ‘That just isn’t my God.’ I’ve got to know God and His Word well enough to know what ‘sounds’ like Him and what doesn’t. He never speaks contrary to His Word and His character.” - Beth Moore

How about you? Do you know it’s God’s Voice? I pray that together as we continue to explore God’s Word together through these weekly devotions, that God will reveal to you his personal attributes in order not to miss Him speaking. I am listening El-Shaddai – All Sufficient God. I am thanking you for clarification Jehovah-Jireh – Our provider and I look forward to your continuous leading Jehovah-Rohi, Our Sheppard.

“Whoever seeks God as a means toward a desired ends will not find God. The mighty God, the maker of heaven and earth, will not be one of many treasures, not even the chief of all treasures. He will be all in all or He will be nothing.” – A.W. Tozer

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-09-06T05:02:00.000-07:00

Week of: September 5, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Jeremiah 24:7
“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD.”

A DISTINCT VOICE

How do you know for sure when the Lord is speaking to you? According to Dr. Henry Blackaby it’s a fairly simple answer; “The more you know God, the better you will be able to discern His voice.” J.I. Packer says, “A little knowledge of God is worth more than a great deal of knowledge about Him.” This reaffirms to me how important it is to move beyond just knowing about God to actually getting to know God. When we take God outside of the Sunday box we discover that He has much to say.

I wonder if any of you can relate to calling someone and halfway through the conversation you are told, or you realize that you’re talking to the wrong person. It’s kind of embarrassing isn’t it? In her book Discerning the Voice of God, author Priscilla Shirer explains how she is able to recognize the difference between her father and brother’s voice that many people miss when talking to them on the phone. She explains that her brother is quite crafty in his attempts to fool people into thinking they are talking to his dad Dr. Tony Evans; however, it doesn’t work with her. Priscilla explains that, “No matter how alike my brother’s and father’s voices sound, my brother can’t fool me! Just a couple seconds on the phone with him reveals to me exactly who is on the other end of the line. I have spent enough time with both of them to know the small but distinct differences in their voices.”

If you have not yet read the book Discerning the Voice of God, I highly recommend it. Today I am going to share some key points from the chapter titled “A Revealing Voice.” Because I am at a place in my walk with God where I just have to know that I’m not being deceived, I keep going over and over this particular chapter. Priscilla Shirer does a remarkable job in relaying that “God wants our relationship with Him to be so close that Satan’s voice can never deceive us.” Please don’t miss the word “never.”

As I move through this book I am learning that the closer I grow in my relationship with God and His Word, the less opportunity there will be for Satan to deceive me any longer. This is exactly what we learn all throughout God’s Holy Word. By focusing our priorities on learning God’s attributes, His goals, priorities and His responsibility, we will be able to clearly hear from God. We will be able to discern His voice over the worlds voice and the deceit spewed from the mouth of the enemy. We will also be blessed to recognize proper guidance. Oh, how I want this! Anyone else?

The following are my notes. I pray that something within them will help you discover the gift that you have been given when you accepted Christ into your heart. If you are not there yet, I pray that something prompts you to begin exploring. God has such blessings for those who chose to know Him.

Psalm 23:1, 6

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

…Surely goodness and loving kindness will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”

Notes from Discerning God’s Voice by Priscilla Shirer

Chapter 7

“When God speaks, His voice will be revealing for He passionately desires for us to know who He is. In fact, that’s what salvation is all about – knowing God. (John 17:3) God doesn’t want you just to hear about Him or from Him; He wants you to experience Him in your life, so you will know Him.

Attributes:

In The Word we read examples of people who sought God in prayer and Bible study.God spoke to them about His love for them, and that gave them the assurance they needed to do what He was asking of them. They decided that obeying God’s voice, no matter how crazy it might appear to others, would enable them to experience God in a real and personal way. They believed that He would go before them and that His goodness and loving-kindness would follow them. So they moved forward in obedience.

Within the Word we learn the attributes of God. We discover He is our provider, our Sheppard, and our All-Sufficient God to mention a few. Without understanding the nature of God, obedience to Him becomes more difficult, if not impossible. The more you know and believe to be true about who God is and what He can do, the more willing you become to obey what He commands.

Goal:

To recognize Satan’s lies, all we have to do is spend our time in intimate fellowship with the Truth. When God speaks, His voice will reveal the same attributes as He reveals in His Word. The Apostle Paul warns us that Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). He deliberately tries to speak to us in a way that sounds like the Holy Spirit. But as hard as he tries to imitate the voice of God, he will never sound exactly like the real thing, and the more intimate we are with God, the more quickly we’ll be able to tell who is speaking.

Priorities:

If we wish to discern God’s voice, we must make His priorities our priorities. The first thing Paul asked when he met the risen Savior on the road to Damascus was, “Who are You, Lord?” (Acts 9:5 NASB). Later he wrote, “Nothing is as wonderful as knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. I have given up everything else and count it all as garbage. All I want is Christ: (Philippians 3:8 CEV).

Nothing, Paul says, is as wonderful as knowing God – not even hearing His voice and knowing His will. As precious as those things are, they were never Paul’s primary goal because he understood that if he knew God, they would automatically follow. From the very beginning of his relationship with Christ, Paul had his priorities straight.

Pause a moment to take a personal inventory. Could it be that you can’t discern God’s voice because you have somehow bypassed the need to know who He really is? Hunting for the voice more than hunting for God can trip us up.

You know when you’re seeking something other than God when you’re in one of those “in between” stages where nothing seems to be happening and God doesn’t seem to be speaking, so you stop pursuing Him. This indicates that you’re more interested in what you think He is going to do for you that you are in knowing Him in order to have an intimate relationship with Him. To discern God’s voice, you have to get your priorities straight. You have to want Him, His glory, and a relationship with Him more than you want anything else.”

Ok, I believe this is a lot to absorb in one session, so I’ll save my notes on God’s responsibilities for next week. Please come back as I don’t want you to miss an amazing reveal.

“There is no sweeter manner of living in the world than continuous communion with God. Only those who have experienced it can understand. However, I don’t advise you to practice it for the sole purpose of gaining consolation from your problems. Seek it, rather because God wills it and out of love for Him.”

- Brother Lawrence.

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-08-23T12:38:00.000-07:00

Week of: August 22, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

1 Thessalonians 5:19-22

“Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.

Test everything. Hold onto the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”

TESTING, TESTING

Looking out into the world today it appears that we may be headed down a very dangerous path. Independent, self-oriented individuals seem to be falling into the trap of embracing the next best thing that comes along. It is also quite evident that some people have fallen away from the principles introduced by the founding fathers/mothers of this great country. These principles were derived from their dependence, not independence, of the Word of God. They valued their Bible and used it as a daily guidepost.

Guidepost: “anything serving as a guide; guideline.”

In America we don't seem to be anchored to any one particular guidepost. In fact, it seems to be a bit of a free-for all out there. With so many choices, how does one select correctly? May I suggest that when it comes to religion, God, and the Bible, we don’t fall prey to the next best sounding idea? It is important that we check out the theories against the Scriptures. This is what Jude (Jesus’ half-brother) was telling the people in his short, one-chapter portion of the New Testament. Within his writings he warns about sin and the doom of godless men, the danger of false teachers, a call to persevere, and the duty to fight for God’s truth. He was reminding the church of the need to be vigilant, to remain strong in faith, and to oppose heresy. I believe we could benefit from this reminder today.

Heresy: “opinion or doctrine at variance with the orthodox or accepted doctrine, especially of a church or religious system.”

With so much religious “doctrine” and personal opinion in our world today, it is important that we understand what Jude was attempting to teach. According to commentary, he was trying to get people to understand that the Bible is not to be compromised because it gives us real facts about Jesus and our need for salvation. The Apostle Paul also taught young Timothy this truth. In 2 Timothy 3:16, we are told that the Word of God (the Bible) was inspired by God for the purpose of teaching, rebuking and correcting. It sounds to me that this Word of God is not something to be twisted and manipulated to fit into ones agenda.

Doctrine: “ a particular principle, position, or policy taught or advocated, as of a religion or government.”

Life’s Application Commentary:

By warning us not to “stifle the Holy Spirit,” Paul means we should not ignore or toss aside the gifts the Holy Spirit gives. We should also not stifle the Holy Spirit’s work in anyone’s life but encourage the full expression of their gifts to benefit the whole body of Christ.

We shouldn’t make fun of those who are called to speak for God, but we should always “test everything that is said,” checking their words against the Bible. We are on dangerous ground if we scoff at a person who speaks truth. Instead, we should carefully check out what people say, accepting what is true and rejecting what is false.

______________________________

I am grateful for the gift of encouragement and the ability to share forward what God has been teaching me. However, like any student I may not always get it right and thus the point of checking it against Scripture. If something doesn’t sit right with you, go before God and ask Him to clarify it through His Word. That’s exactly what I do. Who better to ask than the One who inspired the writings of His Holy Word? I will never be offended that you allow God to interpret that of what He has given me to share.

Additional Scripture Reading: Jude 1 and 2, Ephesians 4:30-32, 1 Corinthians 14

Today’s prayer:

Heavenly Father, it is almost impossible to avoid every form of evil and the lure of temptation in this world. Help us to avoid giving into the temptations that keep us bound to sin. May we not give Satan a foothold into our life by hanging onto things that we know are not part of Your will for our life. Give us a desire to get into Your Word on a regular basis so that we can recognize when we are in danger of living outside Your will. Help us encourage those who are willing to teach, but may we never be deceived by wrong doctrines. Prompt us in the inner parts of our being if something is wrong so we can check it out for our self. In Jesus’ name we pray believing we will have Your very best. Amen!

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-08-15T11:29:00.000-07:00

Week of August 14, 2011                       pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

                                                    1 Timothy 6:6

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.

What a frustrating chain of events! Although I hesitate to think that things could get worse, I have lived long enough to know better. It is in times such as these that I am reminded of the importance of Biblical contentment. The Apostle Paul was an example of someone who learned to become content in whatever he was up against. As I have studied his life, I have discovered a man who learned to trust God in all circumstances. As he took time to know God, he uncovered His character and the many promises which belong to God’s children. This led to an overwhelming confidence in who God was and what He alone could do. From this knowledge Paul did something that many of us miss. Paul broke free from allowing his circumstances to rule his heart.

The Apostle Paul had a heart for God’s people. In his letters to the Philippians, which was written while he was being imprisoned for his faith, Paul attempted to teach them how to have joy in suffering, serving, believing, and giving. He expressed to them over and over again throughout his writings that this is accomplished by having the right focus. Like some of the Philippians and maybe even some of you, it is not always my natural reaction to shift my focus onto Christ at the onset of a crisis. I have had to work at this with utter diligence, and in all honesty it has not always been easy. My natural tendency is often to dwell in the situation before taking it to prayer. Instead of getting on my knees at the first sign of trouble, I often put my own hands and feet in motion to come up with some sort of solution. Then there are those times when I simply waste valuable time sulking in the thing. The end result in doing things my way is usually the opposite of contentment. When I allow troubles to scare and overwhelm me, I usually end up with a real sense of defeat. I imagine I am not alone in this.

In an article titled Handling Difficult Circumstances, Dr. Charles Stanley of In Touch ministries writes “fear and defeat cannot live long in a heart that trusts the Lord. I'm not saying you'll forget what you're going through, but you can choose to dwell on His provision and care instead. He is the Deliverer (2 Cor. 1:10). He is the Healer (Deut. 32:39). He is the Guide (Prov. 3:6). The believer who lays claim to divine promises discovers that God pushes back negative emotions. In their place, hope, confidence, and contentment take up residence (Phil. 4:11). You aren't going to be happy about a difficult situation, but you can be satisfied that God is in control and up to something good in the midst of trouble.”

One of my favorite Scriptures is found in the book of Psalms, chapter 91 verses 1-2. It says, “ He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” These words are helping me become accountable to what I claim I believe.

Life’s Application Commentary: 91:1-2

God is a shelter, a refuge when we are afraid. The writer’s faith in almighty God as protector would carry him through all the dangers and fears of life. This should be a picture of our trust – trading all our fears for faith in him, no matter how intense our fears. To do this we must “live” and “rest” with him. By entrusting ourselves to his protection and pledging our daily devotion to him, we will be kept safe.”

When we shift our focus onto Christ above our circumstances; we too can experience that true sense of peace and contentment that surpasses our understanding. Although our situation might not change and the pain might be tough to endure at times, I can assure you that you are not alone. The Bible says that God "has established His throne in the heavens, and His sovereignty rules over all" (Ps. 103:19). He is in absolute control. We may not understand His reasons for permitting hardship or pain in our lives, but His plan is always for our good and His glory (Jeremiah. 29:11).

If you have invited Christ to be your Savior, your helper, your guide; then you have all you need to get through yet another day. If you have not yet taken the step of surrender, may I suggest that there is no better time than the present? It is my prayer to move towards spiritual maturity and live my life as less a victim and more of a victor. How about you?

Today’s prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of transformation found in the life of the Apostle Paul. It is our prayer to gain momentum as we seek to know You as, Savior and Sovereign LORD. Help us to reflect on the many positive things in our life. Help us to discard the negatives as they only seek to destroy us. Show us today how to become beautiful, effective servants for Your Kingdom. Grant us Your peace Lord that surpasses our understanding and empower us to fight as mighty warriors against the schemes of the evil one. We thank you for what you will do in our lives to strengthen us. And, we submit our prayers in Jesus Name.

Amen.

“There is no victory to be had in dwelling on our hurts.”

– Dr. Stanley

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-08-08T15:17:00.000-07:00

Week of: August 8, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

1 John 4:16b,17

"God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgement, because in this world we are like him."

TRUE LOVE

Doesn't it feel wonderful to be loved? As a wife and a mother I treasure the times when my husband and children do special things to show me just how much they love and appreciate how I care for them. Although most of the time I love on them not expecting anything in return; I have to say that it really does mean a lot when you feel that love expressed back. I don’t think many of us can deny the desire to feel loved and appreciated by others. It might not surprise you then to learn that God desires to be loved and appreciated too. How can we determine if we are giving Him true love?

John 14:21, NIV
"Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

It is important that we understand what the Bible teaches about the words written in red. These words are representative of Jesus’ instructions. Read them over carefully and allow them to absorb within your heart as they will prove to be very important.

Some people say they “love God” but then their actions do not align with that love? I know this, because I've been one of them. I can remember professing my love of God especially on Sunday mornings, and by Sunday afternoon my actions clearly reflected something quite different. Most of the time, my blindness to my own sin habits hindered the possibility of my love being authentic. Ok, maybe I didn’t break a great big commandment like “Do not murder” but my temper got the best of me and my tongue (my language, attitude) did not reflect love for anyone let alone God. And, when I discovered from the Word that there are no degrees of sin; sin is sin, I realized that my actions didn't always show God the kind of obedient love that He so deserves. I have not yet arrived, but today I am so unsettled when I grieve the Spirit of God that I desire to work at correcting the action He convicts me in sooner than later.

Loving God is also the key to loving others, even those who treat us unjust. This response is an outward expression of what we receive from God on a daily basis; unconditional, grace-filled love. I continue to be tested in this area even as I strike the keyboard today. I can tell you that staying connected to God's Spirit and obeying His Word is the only way I refrain from giving into my flesh. By taking the time to learn what God’s Word says we will be empowered to correct wrong thinking and actions.

With all due respect, I hate to break it to you - this life, it really isn't about us at all! It's about God and how He desires to use us in this messed up world to display who He is. I know, I know that was a tough one for me too!

Additional Scripture Reading: 1 John 4 and 5.

Today's prayer:

Dear Father, teach us how important it is to You that we express our love for You openly and genuinely. Your unconditional “agape” love is beyond our human comprehension, but we want to return love to You in the same manner we receive it. Give us the desire to be in Your presence daily so we may learn Your Word in order to obey and bring glory to You. Help us get to a place in our relationship where we can say “I love you” and it truly brings You great joy. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

PS: Forgive me (us) Father for not always reflecting You to others. Change us from the inside out.

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-08-01T08:30:00.000-07:00

Week of August 1, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Guest writer: Connie Kovach
Just A Thought Ministry

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
We’ve all heard it. If we don’t know this verse by heart, we know of it by the man at the football games in the far corner of the TV screen. I do love this verse because it sums up the idea of the life of Christ. It exemplifies the awesomeness of God that He can just send (def v: to order or instruct to go to a particular destination or in a particular direction) His Son in the blink of an eye to live to teach us and to die to save us. It explains the capacity of His love for us; that He would love us so much as to give up His Son for us. It explains the unbelievable truth that Jesus’ entire existence was for us to be free and have eternal life.

But then I kept reading, John 3:17 says “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” If trying to understand His love for me wasn’t hard enough to wrap my mind around, now to go outside of my mental grasp to see that His Son, Jesus, was here in this world, yet condemnation was not on His to do list. I have learned so much about God and His love, yet this condemnation thing always gets me.

Romans 8:1 says “Therefore, there is now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ.” I know this, I memorized this, yet I can’t help but feel condemnation every time my eyes turn away from Him just long enough to sin yet again. The bottom line is that God isn’t looking for us to sit in a pit of condemnation each time we fall. He wants us to get up, dust ourselves off, and fix our eyes back on Him again; all while praising Him for the ability to do so.

The idea that we don’t measure up, or can’t live up to the Christian expectation is about a big a lie as the Millie Vanilli’s vocal abilities. You can’t put something pretty in front of a lie and call it truth. Sitting in our little pits of condemnation and calling it humility is no better than lip-syncing to a skipping record album. If you are under thirty, you may have to ask a parent about this last paragraph.

So what about the ones that don’t believe? John 3:18 says “whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” Believing takes a step of faith. Hebrews 11:3 says “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” That’s a lot to absorb. Basically, believing means we can look at the sun, stars, and the world around us and know that God made them, even though we didn’t see Him do it. Does it make sense? Not at all, which is why it’s called faith my friend.

So, by faith, I will walk this journey with the knowledge that God created this universe. The belief that He sent His Son to die on the cross for my sins. I believe that I stand before God with no condemnation, just another opportunity to turn my gaze back to Him as I try once again to do it His way.

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-07-25T09:42:00.000-07:00

Week of July 25, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com

Luke 11:4 - “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

Matthew 6:12 - “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”

I WILL NOT FORGIVE!

They do not deserve it. Never, never, never! Have you ever heard this statement? Ever said it yourself? Could it be that you are still harboring unforgiveness at this very moment toward someone? Or maybe someone is holding unforgiveness over your relationship. If so, I pray that today you will be willing to listen to what God has to say about this subject. I will tell you from personal experience; breaking free from unforgiveness is not for the other person, it is for you. Stay with me and grow.

There has been much debate from both conservative theologians and religious liberals concerning the wording differences you find between Matthew and Luke’s account of the Lord’s Prayer. It is just my personal opinion, but I imagine there are slight differences because people tend to retain wording differently. Matthew and Mark were both human men writing their accounts at very different times in history. For the purpose of this devotion, I want us to understand this Scripture from God’s point of view.

Life’s Application Commentary:

When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he made forgiveness the cornerstone of their relationship with God. God has forgiven our sins; we must now forgive those who have wronged us. To remain unforgiving shows we have not understood that we ourselves deeply need to be forgiven.

Luke 11:4 and Matthew 6:12 are Scripture that is probably quite familiar to you especially if you are accustomed to reciting “The Lord’s Prayer.” I can vividly remember when God challenged me with this Scripture. You see like many of you, I was accustomed to reciting this religiously on Sunday mornings. I knew it like the back of my own hand. However, when I was finally willing to listen to God’s rendition, He began to show me that I was missing a very important element of this teaching.

Friends we have to be very careful to understand that when God says something, He means it. Not only does He mean it, He also intends it for our good. Let’s drop down a few verses in Matthew 6.

Matthew 6:14-15

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Let me refer again to the Life’s Application Commentary because I believe it to be right on in its interpretation of these verses.

“Jesus gives a startling warning about forgiveness: If we refuse to forgive others, God will also refuse to forgive us. Why? Because when we don’t forgive others, we are denying our common ground as sinners in need of God’s forgiveness. God’s forgiveness of sin is not the direct result of our forgiving others, but it is based on our realizing what forgiveness means (see Ephesians 4:32). It is easy to ask God for forgiveness but difficult to grant it to others. Whenever we ask God to forgive us for sin, we should ask, have I forgiven the people who have wronged me?”

Now I get that this subject of forgiveness is a touchy subject for some. It was something I struggled with for a very long time in my life. I had a very painful offense in my life that I was convinced God would never ask me to forgive despite the fact that I was reciting that prayer. However, in the end that is exactly what He expected and I now understand that it was to set me free. Once I decided to take God at His Word, freedom was on the horizon. We can argue this subject until we’re blue in the face. We can give all kinds of excuses for why we can’t or won’t forgive someone, but in the end we’re only hurting ourselves.

A child of God is someone who is being transformed into the likeness of Christ. We halt this progress when we allow bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness to remain in our hearts. Nancy Leigh DeMoss in her book Choosing Forgiveness reminds us “there are no magic words or secret formulas for forgiveness. When we begin to put God’s grace and mercy into practice in our own personal circumstances, we can experience a change of heart.” Listen to her definition of unforgiveness: “It’s like drinking poison and hoping someone else would die. That’s a powerful word picture for what unforgiveness is like in the human heart. Though it may feel right, though it may seem justified, though it may appear to be the only option available to us, it is destructive and deadly to the one who drinks it. The weapon we use to inflict pain on our offender becomes a sword turned inward on ourselves, doing far more damage to us – and to those who love us – than to those who have hurt us.”

I encourage you to think how this powerful emotion of unforgiveness might affect your relationship with your Heavenly Father. Should a child of God allow someone else to cause a division in their relationship with God? When we remain in sin, refusing to do what God commands (Matt. 6:14-16) we do not experience the full blessings of the Father. If you are holding onto bitterness or carrying a burden of unresolved conflict you will not have the blessing of true peace. I encourage you to pray earnestly. Ask God to give you the power and strength to move past unforgiveness. When we are willing to let go of resentment the healing can begin. Dr. Charles Stanley teaches, “Forgiveness just might save your job, your marriage, or another important relationship. One thing is for certain: Letting go of anger will keep you from self destruction.”

God has personally revealed to me that anger grieves Him. And, my hostility does not reflect my status of believer. This has been one of the hardest challenges of my faith walk so far, but I can tell you it has brought about the greatest benefits. Today I work hard not to allow bitterness to linger in my heart for too long. Why? Because when I do, I assist Satan in his attempts to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10) the good that God intended for those who love Him. Friends, nothing is worth that, nothing! Let’s give it a try. I’ll pray for you and you can pray for me too.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the ability to obey Your Word. Although there are many benefits to obedience, may we understand they are secondary to bringing glory and honor to You. Help us become examples of grace and mercy to others. May we learn to turn our focus onto You when we’re hurt. Free us from anything that keeps us in bondage to sin. May we desire to please you above all things. God help us to understand that because we have been forgiven much, we have no right to keep records of wrongs. Change our position, change our heart, and help us become a part of something eternal. In Jesus Name we pray. Amen.

Resource: Choosing Forgiveness by Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-07-18T18:45:00.000-07:00

Week of July 18, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

John 14:17b

“But you know him, for he lives in you and will be in you.”

________________________________________________

MORE THAN A FEELING

Last week’s writing was titled “Living in the Strength of God’s Spirit.” I shared with you a situation that has challenged me to respond differently than my flesh has been accustomed to. It dawned on me as I was reading that writing; that it will be very important that we understand how we transform from fleshly actions, to Spirit filled appropriate responses. It goes beyond a feeling we may or may not have. Below is a question that I researched when studying the power of the Holy Spirit. This information comes from the internet site gotquestions.org that I tend to respect for Biblical answers. I think the response might be helpful as we seek to depend on God when working through difficult situations in our own lives. Be blessed.

QUESTION: "Is a believer supposed to be able to feel the Holy Spirit?"

GotQuestions.org

ANSWER: While certain ministries of the Holy Spirit may involve a feeling, such as conviction of sin, comfort, and empowerment, Scripture does not instruct us to base our relationship with the Holy Spirit on how or what we feel. Every born-again believer has the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus told us that when the Comforter has come He will be with us and in us. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17). In other words, Jesus is sending one like Himself to be with us and in us.

We know the Holy Spirit is with us because God's Word tells us that it is so. Every born-again believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, but not every believer is controlled by the Holy Spirit, and there is a distinct difference. When we step out in our flesh, we are not under the control of the Holy Spirit even though we are still indwelt by Him. The apostle Paul comments on this truth, and he uses an illustration that helps us to understand. “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Many people read this verse and interpret it to mean that the apostle Paul is speaking against wine. However, the context of this passage is the walk and the warfare of the Spirit-filled believer. Therefore, there is something more here than just a warning about drinking too much wine.

When people are drunk with too much wine, they exhibit certain characteristics: they become clumsy, their speech is slurred, and their judgment is impaired. The apostle Paul sets up a comparison here. Just as there are certain characteristics that identify someone who is controlled by too much wine, there should also be certain characteristics that identify someone who is controlled by the Holy Spirit. We read in Galatians 5:22-24 about the “fruit” of the Spirit. This is the Holy Spirit’s fruit, and it is exhibited by the born-again believer who is under His control.

The verb tense in Ephesians 5:18 indicates a continual process of “being filled” by the Holy Spirit. Since it is an exhortation, it follows that it is also possible to not be filled or controlled by the Spirit. The rest of Ephesians 5 gives us the characteristics of a Spirit-filled believer. “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ” (Ephesians 5:19-21).

We are not filled with the Spirit because we feel we are, but because this is the privilege and possession of the Christian. Being filled or controlled by the Spirit is the result of walking in obedience to the Lord. This is a gift of grace and not an emotional feeling. Emotions can and will deceive us, and we can work ourselves up into an emotional frenzy that is purely from the flesh and not of the Holy Spirit. “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature … Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:16, 25).

Having said that, we cannot deny that there are times when we can be overwhelmed by the presence and the power of the Spirit, and this is often an emotional experience. When that happens, it is a joy like no other. King David “danced with all his might” (2 Samuel 6:14) when they brought up the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. Experiencing joy by the Spirit is the understanding that as children of God we are being blessed by His grace. So, absolutely, the ministries of the Holy Spirit can involve our feelings and emotions. At the same time, we are not to base the assurance of our possession of the Holy Spirit on how we feel.

Life’s Application Commentary:

“The Holy Spirit has been active among people from the beginning of time, but after Pentecost (Acts2) he came to live in all believers. Many people are unaware of the Holy Spirit’s activities, but to those who hear Christ’s words and understand the Spirit’s power, the Spirit gives a whole new way to look at life.”

Recommended Resource: The Wonderful Spirit-Filled Life by Charles Stanley.

Today’s prayer:

Father thank you that we are not alone on this earth. Thank you that we are not alone in the circumstances that bring us unrest. Help us to call upon Your Spirit, our comfort and guide, in times of trouble. Help us to understand the importance of allowing Your Spirit to overtake our flesh for the purpose of transforming hearts that desire to love and serve You. May we dance with all our might as we begin to experience the joy that comes from obeying You in all areas of our life. Forgive us our sins Lord and help us to forgive others so that we can be reconciled as Your holy and faithful people. In Your Son’s Name we lift this prayer. Amen.

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-07-11T14:11:00.000-07:00

Week of July 11, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

HABAKKUK 3:19

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.” (LASB)

LIVING IN THE STRENGTH OF GOD’S SPIRIT

It is very easy to feel disappointed when you have been let down. God has me in a place today where I am learning how to properly respond to disappointments and the frustrations of this life. I only wish that I didn’t have so many circumstances that challenge my capacity to get this lesson right. However, I understand without a doubt that how I respond is the key to how things turn out for me. One of the most important things I am drawing from this lesson is that if I refrain from allowing “bitterness” to take root, I’m on my way to experiencing more victories.

There is a particular circumstance in my life that had the potential of causing some real setbacks. Because someone chose to impart what appears to be a vindictive nature; I received a personal character attack that felt nothing short of evil. The words that were spewed at me were so hurtful, and to make matters worse, they were posted on a social networking site before I ever had a chance to address what led up to this blindsided attack. I can't help but wonder, have we really become that desensitized that we bypass live communications with one another in order to react in any manner we feel like? Have we truly forgotten the rule of thumb that there are always “two sides to every story?” I must say that had I responded in my flesh (the way I was accustomed to doing in the past) I might have failed the lesson at hand.

Thankfully, for the first time in my life I chose not to defend myself in this situation. I knew without a doubt that the things that were posted displayed a misrepresentation of truth, so I decided it would be best to just activate my direct line to God through prayer. I asked Him to help me refrain from responding with anger or bitterness. He was faithful to answer that prayer and He kept my emotions in check. Like some of you, I have learned the hard way that some people are just not interested in hearing both sides of a story. They rather rush to judgment and I know this to be true as I have been that person. So what was different this time?

As I reflected on something that God taught me about waiting on Him in times of disappointment, I was reminded of an article by Dr. Charles Stanley of In Touch Ministries which dealt with Dealing with Disappointment. As I reviewed it, I realized that I was on the right track. I have said this before and it’s something we must remember. You cannot change the heart or mind of another human being, nor can you control a situation that is outside of the will of God. However, never forget the power of prayer and obedience on your part. I believe the following is something to consider when you’re in the midst of personal conflict. Be blessed.

Dr. Stanley writes: “A right response to disappointment begins with resisting the natural tendency toward bitterness. If someone else was involved in the situation, don't be quick to judge his or her conduct. We cannot fully understand what is going on in others' lives or what motivates them to act as they do. Our second step should be to ask the Lord, "How am I to respond?" God can guide us to a wise and righteous reaction because He has all the facts. Third, follow His direction, even if it isn't what you want to do. Oftentimes the Lord's way contradicts our own desires and the advice of friends. However, His plan is the one that will bring about growth and result in our greatest good. And finally, keep your focus on God and His higher purpose in your life. People are prone to dwell on their hurts and the harm that comes to them, which is what makes disappointment so destructive.”

Psalm 91:1

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”

As I wait for resolve, I will continue to dwell, rest, and pray that someday God will right this injustice. I must surrender to His timing, His way. And, until then I will simply ask that He will empower me to obey His call to love my enemies (Matthew 5:44). On my own this is not easy, but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). It is the only way you survive hurts that you never expected. It has been my personal experience that the more I pray for my enemies, the easier it becomes to let go of the offense. Another thing that is helping me is to never underestimate that Satan loves to destroy relationships. If he can keep unrest amongst God’s creations; then he is on his way to achieving his goal to “kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).” Let’s not help him in his work.

Romans 12:18

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”

Life’s Application Commentary:

Habakkuk had asked God why evil people prosper while the righteous suffer. God’s answer: They don’t not in the long run. We cannot see all that God is doing, and we cannot see all that God will do. But we can be assured that he is God and will do what is right. Knowing this can give us confidence and hope in a confusing world. Habakkuk’s feelings were not controlled by the events around him but by faith in God’s ability to give him strength. When nothing makes sense, and when troubles seem more than you can bear, remember that God gives strength. Take your eyes off your difficulties and look to God. At the proper time, God will bring about his justice and completely rid the world of evil. In the meantime, God’s people need to live in the strength of the Spirit, confident in his ultimate victory over evil.

Additional Scripture Reading: James 1

Today’s prayer:

Father God, on behalf of all who might be reading, may I ask you to strengthen us against the temptation to become bitter and angry over offense. Keep us focused on what you can do within a situation, instead of focusing on the affect of the situation. Help us to desire to live out Matthew 5:9 so that some day there might be a chance for a peaceful resolution. Until then, encourage us to say nothing to defend ourselves, but rather help us to let you go before us to pave the way for stubborn hearts to be made new. In Your Son’s Precious Name, we pray. Amen.

In Christ by grace,
Pam

Quiet Time Reflections

2011-07-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Week of July 4, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

Ephesians 3:17-19

“So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (NIV)

OUT OF THE BOX

Through Peter we learn that the Word is truly inspired by God Himself. He used the prophets to write what He taught so that future generations could also benefit from His teachings. Because of this knowledge, it will be most important that we not only hear it, but that we put it into action and obey it. If you’ve been reading for any length of time, I have shared that I came to a point in my life where I desired to know more about what I claimed to believe in. I was no longer content just listening in a church environment; I had become restless and bored, not because they weren’t teaching; but because I was taking no responsibility to question what I did not fully understand. I never stepped out of my comfort or obligation zone to do anything about it. Frankly, I was content with leaving God in his Sunday morning box. God eventually got my attention and corrected my thinking. I had to make the effort to not only listen to His Word, but I had to go one step further and study it, ask questions, and research it. I had to let God himself show me the error of my way. In essence, none of this was possible until I had my eyes opened and my ears cleaned out. Once I concluded that my belief was in God and that His Word was true; I could no longer overlook some of the things that had clouded my personal relationship with Him.

Figuratively speaking, I had to undergo a type of heart transplant. Honestly, it continues every time I discover something new in God’s Word. It’s a painful and life-long recovery,

but if you ask anyone who has literally received a heart transplant, they would never tell you they’d rather continue in life with the old one. The new one brings them great hope in their quality of life. Knowledge of the Bible does the same thing. Applying what you discover will offer you great hope in ending your journey better than you began it. I pray that you will respond to the tugging by God on your heartstrings. If you have never opened a Bible before please do it today. If you are at a place that you need to rediscover God, please do it today. If you are someone who knows your Bible well, there is always more we can learn and review, please do it today. The Lord instructs us in His Word to never stop learning and today just might be “the day.”

Wherever you may be in your personal walk with God at this point, I encourage you to open your Bible to the Book of Ephesians and read or re-read chapters 2 and 3. Please be open to what He has to teach you through it. Listen attentively and let God soften your heart if need be. I have a feeling you won’t regret putting in the time. Our God is an awesome God and He is yours to claim today. As believers you are His heirs and He has so much in store for you. His plans are perfect and they are not to harm you, but to prosper you through faith.

Ephesians 3:17

“Then Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.” (NLT)

Melanie Chitwood a writer for Proverbs 31 shares the following lesson that I found worth sharing.

HIS PLAN IS TO LOVE YOU

“I find it just absolutely amazing that Jesus came to earth for one reason – He loves you. When He took off His crown in heaven, He was thinking about you with love. When He left His home in Heaven, He was thinking of you with love. When He journeyed to earth, He was thinking about you with love. When He looked ahead to how His years on earth would end, He was thinking of you. He loves you. There is only one place here on earth where Jesus can find a home – in your heart.”

Dear readers, did you hear it! He wants to live in your heart – how awesome is that!

If you haven’t done so already – take the leap of faith today! Plan to spend time with Jesus every day. Join a Bible study group and let others fellowship with you on your journey. If you are not part of a local church family, please understand that God does not want us to live as isolated Christians. Visit a Bible believing church this week and commit yourself to a church family and become involved. Let’s put away the excuses and move forward today – You have nothing to loose and everything to gain.

John 14:6

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.

Commentary – Life’s Application Study Bible

Jesus says He is the only way to God the Father. Some people may argue that this way is too narrow. In reality, it is wide enough for the world, if the world chooses to accept it. Instead of worrying about how limited it sounds to have only one way, we should be saying, “Thank you, God, for providing a sure way to get to you!” As the way, Jesus is our path to the Father. As the truth, he is the reality of all God’s promises. As the life, he joins his divine life to ours, both now and eternally.

Additional scripture reading: 1 John 3:1, Luke 15:11-32

Book suggestion: Who holds the key to your heart? by Lisa TerKeurst

Today’s prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you that You are just a prayer away. Help me respect that You died for me and that Your unconditional love is nothing I can earn. Help me live my life in a way that honors You. Thank you for the power of Your resurrection. Stir within me the desire to draw close to You and help me to stand strong in my faith and to understand Your Word as you reveal it. Father please bless anyone who may be reading today who desires to know You more intimately. Reveal yourself and let them feel your loving presence in a mighty way.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-06-22T05:23:00.000-07:00

Week of June 20, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pastor Mark Mavar
ministry of Iglesia de la Gracia - Panama

LIFE BENEATH THE SURFACE
One morning I was returning home from my morning run and was crying out unto the Lord. "Lord I want to see your hand move in the ministry here. Lord I want to see your hand work in the lives of so-and-so and such-and-such. Lord I want to see the marriages restored, people brought to repentance and lives changed. Lord I want to see! Lord, why is it that it seems that Satan is always winning? Why can't we advance to the next level in our ministry? Why does it appear that very few care? Lord, do something to change it all. I want to see."

Then I came across a creek that I cross all the time. But on this day it was very muddy. It had rained the day before and the water had become rusty brown. I stopped to observe. The rusty brown water was moving oh so slowly. There was debris pushed up upon the shore where the water level had crested; a large branch had hung up in the flow and had collected plastic bags; the high grass had been pushed down by the water flow. The water pipe that crossed the creek was now submerged and invisible. Mud residue was covering what was left of the shore. I could not see anything beyond the surface of the water and the shore. Nevertheless I knew that there was life beneath the surface. I had previously caught sardines and river shrimp from this creek. I had seen the the water swirl after a large fish was startled and swam off. I had seen frogs jumping in when I had passed by before. I KNEW that this creek had a whole eco-system below the surface of that rusty stained water, I just could not see it.

Then I thought "isn't that just the way that the Lord works" Just because we can't see his hand moving, does not mean that He is not working in the lives of his people. Then I was reminded of Isaiah 55:8,9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

One never knows what the Lord is doing in the heart of man. Just because I can't see results right now, does not mean that the Lord is not chipping off the dross from his people and even chipping it from me by showing me nothing but muddy water. I am reminded that my responsibility is to be faithful in what the Lord has called me to do. 1 Corinthians 4:2 "Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful."

I am not required to see and give testimony to results, I am required to be faithful, to sew seeds of the Gospel, to preach the whole counsel of God, and to shepherd those whom the Lord has chosen to put into my path at this time, whether the water be muddy or clear.

Funny thing is the very next day, as I crossed over the creek, it was crystal clear. I could see the bottom, I could see the water pipe just like before. The sardines and river shrimp were still there, the frogs and fish were all still there. The fact that I could not see them before did not mean that they were gone. God still preserved them in the midst of the muddy waters.
"For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:10,11

Pastor Mark Mavar
Still fighting fire
Ephesians 6:12

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-06-13T14:06:00.000-07:00

Week of June 13, 2011 pmcrawford1@gmail.com
Sharing by: Pam Crawford

John 15:15

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know

his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything

I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

A TREASURED FRIENDSHIP

One of my all time favorite Christian songs is “I am a friend of God.” I love to sing this up-beat song that repeats the words “I am a friend of God, He calls me friend!” These lyrics reflect biblical truth and they connect me with an excitement to God.

John 15:15 tells us that we are more to Jesus than just simple

acquaintances. I will tell you from personal experience, once you grasp this truth your relationship with God will move to a whole new level. I battle keeping God first in my life and I’m sure some of you will be able to relate to this too. However, the Bible tells us that we should be looking to Jesus as our example. So what did Jesus do? Jesus sought out His Father before all things. He slipped away and got quiet and He consciously never allowed himself to disconnect because there was too much at stake.

When I first read the following article I was convicted that maybe I didn’t really understand what” true friendship with Jesus” really requires. I believe however that this teaching from Turning Point Ministries is something that should be shared. I hope it shines some light on how important this particular friendship ought to be. We have so much to gain as we determine to look at our friendship with Jesus as our most valuable asset. From this, we can learn to work on and cherish our earthly friendships as true blessings from our Lord as we await His return. As you read this today, please know that you too have a friend in Jesus.

Look Up in the Morning,

Friends of God

By Dr. David Jeremiah

Bertha Smith served the Lord in a bitterly cold part of China. During the day she wore thirty pounds of clothing, and at night she slept under heavy bedding with a hot water bottle. Her greatest challenge came in the early morning hours when she wanted to rise early so she could have her quiet time before the scores of interruptions that each day brought. She would struggle in the darkness to put on her layers of clothing, and then break the ice to wash her face in the cold water; and she would slip out to a particular haystack where she would rake aside the frosted part of the hay, kneel down, and spend time with the Lord before the sun came up.

Shame on us when we neglect our morning devotions! Most of us live in heated and air-conditioned homes, with padded slippers, hot showers, and plentiful breakfasts.

Psalm 5:3

My voice you shall hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up.

There’s no better way to launch a new day than with the Lord through Bible study and prayer. Even Jesus himself rose a great while before daylight to slip to a nearby mountainside for prayer before the day’s work began (Mark 1:35).

Exodus 33:11

So the Lord spoke to Moses face-to-face, as a man speaks to his friend.

Prayer isn’t a ritual we keep, but a relationship we enjoy. It’s not just mouthing words or reviewing a list. It’s developing an awareness of the presence of the heavenly Father and talking to Him, face-to-face, as it were, like speaking with a friend. It’s practicing the words of that older song that says “What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and grief’s to bear! What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!”

Try this simple experiment during your next prayer time. Visualize the Lord Jesus sitting across the table from you. He has assured us of His presence, and we know He is near at hand; so try talking aloud to Him just as the disciples spoke with Him by the campfires or along the pathways of Galilee. Pray conversationally, talking to the Lord as naturally as you speak to a friend.

All vexations and annoyances will be comparatively

unimportant while you know that you have such a Friend.

- St. Francis de Sales

TODAY IN THE WORD COMMENTARY:

We face many obstacles to presenting ourselves to Jesus. External barriers of limited time, overextended schedules, and demanding relationships press against us. Internal conditions, like pride and insecurity, are sometimes the greatest impediments to our pursuit of Jesus.

Failure to be disciplined to meet with Jesus keeps us away; skepticism and moral failure erect walls between us and Him. Today, remember Christ’s faithfulness and power to heal. Pray for faith to unroof the roof that separates you from Him.

Additional Scripture Readings: Psalm 59:16-17, Mark 2:1-12, John 15:12-17

Today’s prayer: Father I thank you that you call me friend. Please continue to remind me of the importance of our friendship. Provide me with the time, desire and opportunity to sit at Your feet daily to give You thanks, praise, and my prayers. Open up timeslots in my week for me to participate in Bible study in order to get to know you on a more personal level. I know that these are key elements to a fulfilled lifelong

friendship which is what I pray for today. In Jesus' name I offer this prayer to You Lord. Amen.

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-06-06T10:32:00.000-07:00

pmcrawford1@gmail.com

Week of: June 6, 2011

Sharing by: Pam Crawford

1 John 2:3-6

“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."

Reality FYI

Oh my, “walk as Jesus did.” How is that possible? Jesus was a perfect, sinless man. He loved all people, and He is the Master when it comes to forgiving others. I certainly fall short of those characteristics so I may be tempted to wonder, am I doomed? You might read that word “liar” in verse 4 and end up walking away feeling a bit challenged by this statement yourself.

When we read God’s Word it is important that we explore the “context” of how it is written in order to better understand what the writer is trying to relay. Begin always by asking God to help you discern what He is trying to say to you.

Over the past month I have been giving some insight into how to understand and how to study the Bible. It is also important to point out the importance of reading the “Vital Statistics” of a particular book before you dive into it. Not all Bibles give you this information in the front of each chapter, so you might have to seek out that information on your own. Although I use several different translations as I study God’s Word, I do rely on the Life’s Application Bible for an overall glimpse into the particular book that I am studying. Before I share what I learned about 1 John 2:3-6, let me share some components of this book. I have taken this information from the Life’s Application Study translation.

VITAL STATISTICS:

Purpose: To reassure Christians in their faith and to counter false teachings.

Author: The Apostle John

Written to: The letter is untitled and was written to no particular church. It was sent as a pastoral letter to several Gentile congregations. It was also written to all believers everywhere.

Date written: Probably between A.D. 85 and 90 from Ephesus

Setting: John was an older man and perhaps the only surviving apostle at the time. He had not yet been banished to the island of Patmos, where he would live in exile. As an eyewitness of Christ, he wrote authoritatively to give this new generation of believer’s assurance and confidence in God and their faith.

Key verse: “I write this to you who believe in the Son of God, so that you may know you have eternal life” (5:13).

Key people: John, Jesus

Special features: John is the apostle of love, and love is mentioned throughout this letter. There are a number of similarities between this letter and John’s Gospel – in vocabulary, style, and main ideas. John uses brief statements and simple words, and he features sharp contrasts – light and darkness, truth and error, God and Satan, life and death, love and hate.

As I studied this book I learned that “First John was written to help us know the reality of God in our life through faith in Christ, to assure us that we have eternal life, and to encourage us to remain in fellowship with the God who is light and love. It is also for the purpose of countering false

teachings” (LASB). So what might John be trying to help us understand when he uses the word “liar” and tells us ”whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did?” Could it be that he is warning us of the same thing Jesus’ brother James warns us of in James 1:22; “Do not merely listen to the Word and so deceive yourselves. Do what is says.” May I suggest that they are both trying to help us grasp the importance of “putting into action what we learn.” This is how we begin to walk like Christ. We can’t just sit and observe religion and it's traditions; we have to become active participants to what God reveals through His Word. For example if you read that you are to refrain from gossip, or being drunk, what would that mean to you? Do you take it seriously or do you think those instructions were only for people in Bible times?

When I read and then studied the following verses in the Book of Ephesians, I began to become convicted to make some changes in my own life. I found out very quickly that my walk did not always align to God’s Word and thus I began my journey from simply doing church on Sunday mornings, to applying what I was taught Monday through Saturday. Please hear me, I have not yet arrived! God shows me on a regular basis the things He desires that I adjust. I do not share these verses for the purpose of condemnation. I share them only to help you better understand what the Apostle Paul, John and Jesus’ brother James were outlining for those who desired to become “Children of the Light.”

Ephesians 4:17-32 (NIV translation)

“So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them to due to the hardening of the hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more.

You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, range and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Commentary note:

“The Good News will seem foolish to those who forsake faith and rely on their own understanding. For the believer you will begin to reflect parts of Christ’s character and carry out your special role in his work. You will desire to put on the new nature, head in the new direction, and have the new way of thinking that the Holy Spirit gives.” The bottom line to this lesson: James 4:17 “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”

In Christ by grace,

Pam

Quiet-Time Reflections

2011-05-31T03:35:00.000-07:00

Week of May 30, 2011                                                      pmcraford1@gmail.com
Guest writer: Connie Kovach

JUST A THOUGHT

“So, why the poppy?”

“God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are a gift from God?
~ Thomas Jefferson

“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” Psalm 33:12

Last week, I was coming out of the grocery store as two older men sat there in uniforms next to a donation box. So I handed them a handful of change and they offered me a poppy. I smiled and regretfully told them that they could keep the poppy.

As I pulled away I had been proud of myself for donating. I had also been proud of myself for not taking the flower, as I had no use for it. I have been working on saying no instead of doing things just to do them. I have never been a fan of that flower, and to be honest, it would have been put right in the garbage. I figured I saved them some money. So all was good right?

As I entered my car, the morning show I listened to read a letter from a local listener, called “Finally Home”. The letter was about her son that was finally home from Iraq. She was telling that he was on a fifteen month tour, and about their experience at the airport when he returned. She spoke of all the families and their faces as they waited in anticipation for the soldiers to exit the plane. She described in detail how each one found their families and the slew of emotions that swept across the airport. Then she said when the doors closed and everyone was deciding what to do with their emotions, he exited the plane. Finally her son was home.

The story turns when she explains that her son was draped in an American flag, surrounded by men in dress blues. She explains how the men and women who just got off the plane and finally got to hold the ones who they’ve held so dear from afar, formed an aisle two deep and began to salute her son as his casket approached them. She explained the mix of emotions which was sheer agony knowing that they would never see him again, along with unbelievable pride of the vision she was embracing. She described her peace that she had knowing that her son’s body was not only home in their city but that he was home, forever with his Savior.

So after I wiped away all the tears, I began to think. Why do I view Memorial Day as a chance to have a picnic? Being the week before my birthday and a few weeks after my son’s birthday, it has always been a chance to celebrate. But right there, in the middle of my mini-van, I knew I had been wrong. I knew that the fact that I didn’t waste a poppy was a flat out form of disrespect. These men and women risk their lives every day and night for our freedom, and I realize that the poppy is a symbol of just that.

Per Wikipedia, “Poppies have long since been used as a symbol of sleep and death: sleep because of the opium extracted from them, and death because of the common blood-red color of the red poppy in particular. In Greek and Roman myths, poppies were used as offerings to the dead. Poppies used as emblems on tombstones symbolize eternal sleep.”

So why the poppy? A poem written during World War I by a Canadian surgeon and soldier Lt Colonial John McCrea explains it. He wrote it after witnessing the death of a close friend in that war the day before. Below is this poem, I hope you enjoy it. As you prepare your Memorial Day festivities, I pray that you will join me as I look at this holiday in a whole new light. Praise God for our men and women who serve in order that we may live in freedom, this truly is a gift from Him. Happy Memorial Day!

In Flanders Fields
By: Lt Colonial John McCrea

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
         In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.