My children, there is no good thing that I would withhold from you. I have not left you to fend for yourselves nor to make your way by your own devices. I am the Lord your God. I am your provider and your defender. I care for you with a deep and tender love. I am all-wise and all-powerful, and will be your defense against every onslaught of the enemy.

Anticipate My help. I will not fail you.
look down at the path before you. You will see the print of my feet, for as scripture says, I go before you, and I make the path ready for you as you follow.

Taken from the writings of: Frances J. Roberts

He Is Risen!
Happy Resurrection Day!

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Revelation 3:20

Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Jesus about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. Mark 1:29-31 Your home is your most personal space. No other place could be more private. So it's interesting that Jesus didn't confine His ministry to public squares -- He came to peoples' homes. Here in Mark 1:29, we see Him coming into Simon Peter's home, where Peter's mother-in-law was sick with a fever. The woman had probably never met Jesus, and maybe wasn't even aware that He could heal her. But Peter was. He and the disciples didn't hesitate to tell Jesus about her need, and Jesus acted swiftly. Tenderly taking her hand, He lifted her up, and "immediately" healed her (verse 31). Jesus touched her life that day, and she never even stepped outside the house. He had worked powerfully and quickly on her behalf, simply because Peter had asked Him to. You know, we can sometimes forget the urgency of Jesus' love. Jesus didn't wait for people to come to Him -- He went to them. He visited sinners in their most personal spaces, far from the "spotlight" and safety of the public arena. He went not only where He was loved, but where He was needed. While He visited Peter's house, Peter presented a need, and Jesus responded "immediately." Even at this early point in the book of Mark, it is already the sixth time that word, "immediately," has been used. And I don't think it's an accident. Jesus acted immediately, with urgency, because He loved people. We all have friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers who need the healing touch of Jesus Christ. Let me encourage you today to lift up the people around you to Jesus. Like Peter lifted the needs of his mother-in-law to Jesus, lift up your family and friends to Him, that He might heal them, and that they might encounter His love for them. Jesus answers prayer. He tells us in John 14:14, "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." Maybe today, though, you are like Peter's mother-in-law -- you are the one in need of healing, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. You may have known Jesus for years, or perhaps you've never known Him. Whatever the case, let me encourage you that you don't even have to leave your house -- He will come to you. Wherever you are, simply ask Him to touch your life, and He will respond immediately, according to His perfect will. He loves you more than you will ever understand, and is thrilled to hear your voice. He urgently wants to give you "a future and a hope" (Jeremiah 29:11), because He loves you. Jesus wants to touch your life, and the lives of those you love, this very moment. Not tomorrow, but today. Let us never forget or dismiss the urgency of Jesus' love!

Taken from the Daily Devotion of Mike MacIntosh
Horizon Christian Fellowship

Do not be anxious. My Spirit shall direct your steps. You need have no fear. There is never a place where you walk that I have not preceded you. There are many times when your faith waivers. Take no account of it. I am keeping you even when you do not feel strong. You must rely on My faithfulness~not on your feelings. Your strength will vary from day to day, but My power is always available to you as you yield to the Holy Spirit.

You are kept through the power of God through faith.
1 Peter 1:5

Taken from: One minute meditations
by: Frances J. Roberts

Bitter or Better...

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1

If God is calling you to do something for Him, expect to be tested. Temptation is a test of your true character. Literally, it is a proving of the heart -- a demonstration of your inner motives. It challenges your convictions and exposes your weaknesses. But it serves an important purpose.

Jesus, here in Matthew 4, is being led up into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. No doubt He was dreading such a trip -- He hadn't eaten in 40 days, the weather was likely hot, and the mountainous terrain would be rugged. But it wasn't the devil who led Him up into the wilderness, it was the Spirit of God.

Yes, the Holy Spirit led Jesus. Notice that word "led." The transliterated Greek word is "anago," which means "to lead up into a higher place." You see, the Holy Spirit was leading Jesus into a higher place. And today, it's so important for you to understand that a testing from God will lead you into a higher place. So often we think that when negative things happen, they bring us down. But God's plan is to take you to a higher place. He wants to broaden your perspective, to deepen your understanding. And when you overcome, you will see that the real purpose of the test was not merely for you to succeed in a challenge, but for the Holy Spirit to empower you like never before.

Maybe you are in the middle of temptations right now. Maybe you are experiencing challenging testings. Realize that God is leading you with a purpose. Life's trials and setbacks will make you either bitter or better. They will leave you empowered by God -- strengthened in spirit and grateful in heart -- or bitter and defeated. It all depends on whether you place your focus on yourself, or on the Lord. After all, the only difference between being bitter and better is the letter "I".

The above was taken from:"Today's Devotion by Mike MacIntosh"

My Thoughts:

Every morning I wake to find a new devotion in my email box from my very first pastor: Mike MacIntosh. I always look forward to reading his thoughts on the scripture he's chosen, for the day, and this mornings devotion especially hit home. "The only difference between being bitter and better is the letter "I"." How many times does that one word trip me up in my walk with the Lord? "But Lord, I deserve better...I shouldn't be treated this way"...and the I, I, I's go on and on. When we get our eye's off the Lord and onto our selves we become discontent, disgruntled, and dislikable. I have to confess that this is where my heart has been lately and I don't like it very much, so today I have decided that my eyes need to be refocused where they should have been to begin with!

You struggle, My child, when you could as easily rest in My arms. You concern yourself with the actions of others and neglect the important things: to abide in Me. He who abides in me has no need to be anxious. When you are moving out of My divine will, you have unrest. Abiding brings confiding. For to know Me is to trust Me, and trust brings peace.

Taken from: on the Highroad of Surrender by: Frances J. Roberts

Make my life Your temple
L-rd at this season start
To pull down every idol I have raised up in my heart

On this Chanukah
On this Feast of Dedication
I dedicate myself to You

Take my defiled altar
Come and cleanse and come repair
So every time I falter I can run to meet you there

On this Chanukah
On this Feast of Dedication
I dedicate myself to You

And with every candle on the menorah
That illuminates the night
Comes a prayer You’d kindle
In me Y’shua
A desire for Your fire, for Your light

Make of my mortal body
A house worthy of Your name
Rid me of what’s ungodly and every hidden thing of shame

On this Chanukah
On this Feast of Dedication
I dedicate myself to You

Take my supply of oil
Not enough to burn long I fear
But, oh how I pray I may one day say “A great miracle happened here!”

On this Chanukah
On this Feast of Dedication
I dedicate myself to You

Chanukah
Music and Lyrics by Marty Goetz
©1997 Singin’ in the Reign Music/ASCAP

My little children, I am writing this to you so that you may not sin; but if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous.
1 John 2:1 RSV

Dwight L. Moody once said, "there are two ways of covering sin--man's way and God's way." The difference, he pointed out, is that sin covered in man's way is not buried at all--but sin covered by God is buried for good, never to be uncovered again. As a finite man I can not grasp the magnitude of that redemption. How God can forgive me I do not need to understand. All I need to do is accept the fact of that forgiveness. Then I should live a life worthy of His calling, knowing I have an "advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous."

Taken from the book, "Today, Lord, I Will"

Just a few Thoughts rolling around in my head:

As I read this devotion this morning I noticed the ugly word, "sin." "Do I post this?" I thought to myself. Then I decided, Yes! In this day and age that's a word we don't like to hear because it has such a negative connotation. Very rarely is it preached from the pulpit because many pastors fear offending their flocks.

I remember when I first gave my life to Christ I used to wander about saying, "I'm such a sinner! I'm such a sinner!" And I was (still am as a matter of fact). It made my mother down right crazy!!! And one day she said to me "Oh Lainy (that's what she calls me) your not a sinner you've just made a few mistakes." A few? My life was one huge act of rebellion against the Lord who loved me more then I would ever be able to comprehend.

One day while at church the pastor did a study on "SIN." Did you know that it's nothing more than a term used in archery? It simply means you've failed to hit the bulls eye. Didn't get it dead center. Colored outside the line. It's a pretty simple word with a simple meaning, but with out acknowledging that ugly little word in our lives it's impossible to be forgiven, impossible to heal, and impossible to grow into spiritual maturity.
So in closing I'd like to say, "Do not be afraid of the word sin. yes I know it's ugly, trust me, I know how ugly it has been and is in my own life, but it's there so we can look to the Messiah who knew no sin so He can cover ours.

You have crossed a bridge. Reach not back. Move on ahead and press into the fullness of all I have prepared for you. It is waiting for you to step forward and receive. Do not tarry, and do not question, neither allow doubts to enter your mind. Your heart may cry out and rebel, but if you will return to Me in those moments, I will give you My peace. I send you no place except as I have gone before.

From "On The Highroad of Surrender"
by: Frances J. Roberts

To him that overcometh...

I will give to eat of the tree of life.

Revelation 2:7

Oh that I might stand for Christ in the crisis! Jim Elliott, martyred missionary to the Auca Indians, prayed at the age of 20: "Father, make of me a crisis man. Bring those I contact to decision. Let me not be a milepost on a single road; make me a fork that men must turn one way or another on facing Christ in me." It reflects a spirit too often lacking in modern day Christians, although it must have been rather widespread among the early followers of Jesus. At least some of them turned their world upside down (Acts 17:6). Lord, make me to stand tall in the crisis. The failure is not with God, it is with me!

Taken from the book: Today, LORD, I Will

"A good soldier," it has been said, "both abstains and sustains." This is what it means to endure hardness. A good soldier has not only to fight in aggressive conflict; he has to withstand in defensive warfare. His power is seen far more in what he can bear than in what he can do. How applicable all this is spiritually! To be a good soldier of Jesus Christ, we must know the discipline of laying aside every encumbrance, every weight, every entanglement. By actual experience we must learn to "refuse" as well as how to accept. We often lose as much by yielding to the allurements of the world as we do by failing to claim the provisions of grace. The "hardness" that is essential to being a "good soldier" can be brought about only by the discipline of trial, and loyalty to this law of the kingdom--that we "please Him who hath chosen" us to be His soldiers. Character is formed by conduct, and good conduct is the outcome of a living faith in a personal Savior. In 1 Timothy 6:12 Paul tells his spiritual son, "Fight the good fight of faith."

Taken from the book:

"Today, Lord, I Will"

Behold, you are in the hollow of My hand. In the moment that you lift your voice and cry unto Me, and when you raise your voice to praise and magnify My Name, THEN shall My glory gather you up. Yes, I will wrap you in the garments of joy, and My presence will be your great reward.

Lift your eyes to Mine. You will know of a surety that I love you. Lift your voice to Me in praise: so shall a fountain be opened within you and you will drink of its refreshing waters.

"Come away, My Beloved"

by: Frances J. Roberts

Come What May!

 

Most of us have times when we can say, "Oh, I know that God loves me now"; but the feeling is transient, and soon passes away. Tomorrow we are doubting and fearing as before, and the joy has gone out of our heart. Does God's love then,change? Did He love me yesterday, and does He not love me today? Has the divine heart unclasped its hold upon me? No; the love of God is changeless and eternal. Heaven and earth may pass away, but the kindness of the Lord shall never depart from any of His children. Let us try to grasp this truth. Then, come what may, joy or sorrow, prosperity or adversity, we shall know always that the love of God abides unchanging-that we are held in it's clasp with a hold that never can be torn loose.

J.R. Miller (1840-1912)

 

I am the Rose of Sharon,

a wild anemone.

As lily among the thorn trees

So is my love to me.


An apple tree among wild trees,

My love is in my sight,

I sit down in his shadows,

His fruit is my delight.


He brought me to his palace,

And to the banquet hall,

To share with me his greatness,

I, who am least of all.


Oh, give me help and comfort,

For I am sick with shame,

Unfit to be his comfort,

Unfit to bear his name.


I charge you, o ye daughters,

Ye roes among the trees,

Stir not my sleeping loved one,

To love me e'er he please.


Hinds Feet on High Places

By: Hannah Hurnard

Be careful that you are following Me, and I will care for all else.

Striving is for those who have not yet learned to trust Me.

Anxiety is the affliction of the self-possessed.

The godly know their heritage and revel 

in the protection of their Redeemer.

For it is in the blood of Jesus

that refuge is found

for every onslaught

of the enemy.

From "Make Haste My Beloved"

Author: Frances J. Roberts

Love is the power that has drawn us as sinners to God, that has melted the hardness of our hearts, and that now constrains us to live for Him. Love is the sphere of the Christians activity. "God is love; and he who dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him." We are called to be followers, imitators of God. Therefore we have to "walk in love."

Taken from the book: "Today, Lord, I Will"

The Fabric of Happiness

"The Lord is my light and my salvation.
The Lord is the strength of my life" (from Psalm 27:1)

Failure to respond to My love causes depression of spirit. No soul is strong enough to survive the struggles of life triumphantly without divine aid. It is My strength imparted to the weak which causes him to rise up and walk in strength. It is My joy filling the broken heart that gives a song to displace mourning.

Taken from "Make Haste, My Beloved"
by: Frances J. Roberts

Am I my brother's Keeper?

How many are the sufferers who have fallen amongst misfortunes along the wayside of life! "By chance" we come that way; chance, accident, Providence, has thrown them in our way; we see them from a distance, like the priest, or we come upon them suddenly, like the Levite; our business, our pleasure is interrupted by the sight, is troubled by the delay; what are our feelings, what are our actions toward them? "Who is thy neighbor?" It is the sufferer, wherever, whoever, whatsoever he be. Wherever you hear the cry of distress, wherever you see anyone brought across your path by the chances and changes of life (that is, by the Providence of God), whom it is in your power to help--he (she), stranger or enemy though he be--he (she) is your neighbor.

A.P. Stanley (1815-1882)


Luke: 25-37

And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested Him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
He said to him, “What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?”
So he answered and said, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’”
And He said to him, “You have answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
Then Jesus answered and said: “A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.’ So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?”
And he said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

No longer do I call you servants...but I have called you friends.

John 15:15

Great friendships are possible only to great souls. Most of us have business associates, casual acquaintances, and occasional companions. Real friends on the other hand, are not so easy to acquire. Friendships rest upon more than accidental relationships or even association in a common task. Its roots lie in the spiritual realm. Friends must meet each other at the deeper levels of living. Only an infinity rooted in common ideas and outlook can survive the inevitable misunderstandings and petty frustrations that are part of the fabric of everyday existence. Robert South (1634-1716) put it this way: "A true friend is the gift of God, and He only who made hearts can unite them."

Taken from the book: "Today, Lord, I Will"

O Lord, how manifold are thy works! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your riches.
Psalm 104:24

I have found that a "walk in the woods" --time spent "communing with nature" - can sometimes renew and refresh my spirits more than any other activity. Our lives, especially if we are urban dwellers, become so hurried, harried, and fretful that it does us good to get back to our roots. These lie in nature, in the unsullied solitude, if only we can take time out to soak it in. Ann Landers often tells people to "wake up and smell the coffee." In a sense, that's what the psalmist is telling us here. Such communion with nature will wash our souls with a sense of what the Divine Artist through the work of His hands has done. The power and the silence of a deep pine forest, or the vast panorama of sea and mountains, can heal our hurting souls and bring balm to the wounds of our worried and baffled lives.

Taken from the book, "Today, Lord, I Will"

My thoughts:

A few weeks back our Pastor asked the question, "Where were you when Jesus found you?" I looked over at my hubby and thought "Jesus found him in the isle of a grocery store, while He found me walking a dirt path, through a deep pine forest, on a crisp cool morning in July." He finds us! He comes searching for us when we're searching for Him and sometimes when we're not!
Where did He find you?