Sunday, October 28, 2012

The One Thing I'm Thankful For


There are many things I could thank God for today. But I will focus on one. Two days ago, my sister-in-law, Lynette, was driving from her home to work. She was traveling east on Lake Street in Hanover Park, when she fainted. Her car cut across the center line and onto the grassy area on the other side of the street. While still unconscious, she smashed through a concrete rock. Then she woke up and hit the brakes – the car came to a halt.

God's hand was definitely on her. Though her car was badly damaged, she did not suffer any serious injuries. She miraculously missed colliding with oncoming traffic, as well as a large, formidable sign. She also did not run into any buildings.

The police soon arrived. She was taken to the hospital to determine the cause of her loss of consciousness. They ran a number of tests on her. The doctors believe she has some kind of heart arrhythmia. She is home now and only spent one night in the hospital. She will need to visit a cardiologist this week.

She is feeling fine. I want to thank the Lord Jesus for His protection for Lynette. Please pray for her complete healing and for the doctors to have God's wisdom in treating her. Thank you.

Monday, October 22, 2012

Ears to Hear, Eyes to See

Give us ears to hear
The gentle sound
Peace-filled words
Like a butterfly landing on a leaf

Hear His heart
Within our hearts
Hear His voice
That stills the tempest

That echoes love
Through the canyons of our souls
Your words dovetail the Biblical account
When we truly hear from You
There is agreement
Between Your voice
And the written word of God

Teach us to listen
Teach us to look
To see Your vision
Bursting on the horizon
Of our hearts

You communicate with us
Your beloved
Those You have loved
From the beginning

Your voice splits the cedars
Yet Your voice is still and small

Give us ears to hear it
And eyes to see

We are open doors
Willing to receive from You
All the day long

Sunday, October 14, 2012

In Weakness We Overcome


But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Our God rules and reigns over heaven and earth. He is supreme, and He has given His children victory over the trials and temptations of life. Do you see yourself as more than a conqueror? Do you perceive yourself as a victor or a victim? If you feel weak, know that His strength is made perfect in weakness.

Even if you see yourself as a lowly worm there is hope. Isaiah 41:13-15 says, “'For I am the Lord, our God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear, I will help you. Do not be afraid, O worm Jacob, O little Israel, for I myself will help you, ' declares the Lord, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel. 'See, I will make you into a threshing sledge, new and sharp, with many teeth. You will thresh the mountains and crush them, and reduce the hills to chaff.” The Lord says that in our weakness, He can use us to destroy mighty mountains. In Him, we truly are more than conquerors.

But even when we experience great victory, we must remember we are weak in and of ourselves. Apart from Him we can do nothing. When God causes us to overcome in this life, it is only through our deep dependency on His ability that we succeed. We must rely on His power not on our own strength. When we are weak, He is strong, in and through us. In our own strength, we may be able to do many things, but nothing that is of eternal consequence.

Let's surrender our lives to Jesus and allow Him to display His power through us. We are nothing without Him, but with Him we are more than conquerors, able to crush any mountain that comes in our way.

Dear Lord,

Thank You for reminding me that I am nothing without You. At the same time, Lord, You give me Your strength. Help me to overcome the obstacles that stand in my way of knowing and serving You. Lord I worship You alone. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.


Sunday, October 7, 2012

There's a Doorway

There's a doorway found deep in the heart. Only those who bow low can enter. We must resist pride and loftiness and learn to serve – preferring others above ourselves. If we do this, through the help of the Holy One, we will enter this doorway and find all the riches of heaven. Humility comes before honor. He leads us into rooms filled with His grace, peace, love, and abundance. God honors those who serve Him. If we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up in due time. He will bring us into a fullness of intimacy with Himself. He will bestow on us His great blessing. All this lies behind that doorway.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

The Father's Love in Us

The Father’s love
Reaches to earth’s end
Touches trusting hearts
Strengthens quivering knees
Upholds the weak
Washes the dirt-encrusted feet of the poor
Rescues the dying
Heals hurting hearts and bodies
Embraces every race

The Father’s love
Knows no end
Refuses to quit
Conquers all
Dethroned the devil
Defeated death

The Father’s love in us
Gives us victory
Enables us to see
Sets the captives free

The Father’s love in us
Is the fire that propels us…
To change the world