The Heart That Serves, and Loves, and Clings (and other devotionals)

The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me (Ps. 138:8).

 

There is a Divine mystery in suffering, a strange and supernatural power in it, which has never been fathomed by the human reason. There never has been known great saintliness of soul which did not pass through great suffering. When the suffering soul reaches a calm sweet carelessness, when it can inwardly smile at its own suffering, and does not even ask God to deliver it from suffering, then it has wrought its blessed ministry; then patience has its perfect work; then the crucifixion begins to weave itself into a crown.

 

It is in this state of the perfection of suffering that the Holy Spirit works many marvelous things in our souls. In such a condition, our whole being lies perfectly still under the hand of God; every faculty of the mind and will and heart are at last subdued; a quietness of eternity settles down into the whole being; the tongue grows still, and has but few words to say; it stops asking God questions; it stops crying, "Why hast thou forsaken me ?"

 

The imagination stops building air castles, or running off on foolish lines; the reason is tame and gentle; the choices are annihilated; it has no choice in anything but the purpose of God. The affections are weaned from all creatures and all things; it is so dead that nothing can hurt it, nothing can offend it, nothing can hinder it, nothing can get in its way; for, let the circumstances be what they may, it seeks only for God and His will, and it feels assured that God is making everything in the universe, good or bad, past or present, work together for its good.

 

Oh, the blessedness of being absolutely conquered! of losing our own strength, and wisdom, and plans, and desires, and being where every atom of our nature is like placid Galilee under the omnipotent feet of our Jesus.
–Soul Food

 

The great thing is to suffer without being. discouraged.
--Fenelon

 

"The heart that serves, and loves, and clings,

Hears everywhere the rush of angel wings."

~L. B. Cowman~

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Perfect Instructor

Today's reading: Psalm 25:1-22

Psalm 25 is one of my favorites because of the way David repeatedly asks God to teach him His ways. I typically key in on verses 4 and 5, but today my attention was drawn to verses 8 and 9 and David's emphasis on being humble.

"Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way" (Psalm 25:8-9).

How would you describe having a humble heart? Do you find that you are more teachable when your attitude is one of humility? 

~Tami~

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On the Proving Ground

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“Examine me, O LORD, and prove me; try my reins and my heart. For Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in Thy truth.” Psalm 26:2-3

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:

How do automobile manufacturers make sure their vehicles are safe for people to drive? They put their vehicles onto a proving ground. They’re driven hundreds of miles over rough roads and through water and heat—screeching, turning, twisting, hitting the brakes, accelerating to top speeds. They want to see if that automobile will stand the test.

It is the same with our spiritual lives. God gives the test first and the lesson afterwards. Read throughout Scripture and you will find this to be true. Joseph was tested. David was tested. Moses was tested. Peter was tested.

When God gets ready to prove you, He is not going to test you in the good times because that is not a test. Anybody can serve God in the sunshine.

ACTION POINT:

The test is not how you behave when there is victory all around; the test is how you behave when God brings you to the wilderness. He wants to know what is in your heart. Are you fully devoted to God?

~Adrian Rogers~

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A Miracle-Working God

Once again I want to take us back to 2 Kings 6:6, which provides for us the sixth key to regaining your cutting edge.

So the man of God said, "Where did it fall?"  And he showed him the place.  So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float.

Perhaps you are wondering just what other principle for regaining your spiritual edge can come from this verse.  Well, there is one more, and it is critical to understand because it points to God's part in the process of restoration.
I want you to look at the words, "And he made the iron float."

I don't know about you, but I have never seen an iron ax head float.  Clearly this was a miracle.  God worked a miracle when the man did his part, looking to the master, taking responsibility, and going to the place where the ax head was lost.
You do your part; God does His part.  I like the King James Version as it says, …the iron did swim.  It was against that ax head's nature to swim, but God made it swim.

God brings the restoration.  He brings the healing.  He brings back that sensitivity and usefulness to Him.  I pray that right now God is at work in your heart, and you are responding, making adjustments…regaining your cutting edge.

As you admit to those areas where you have lost your spiritual edge, God is going to restore it.  God's part is to make that ax head float once you have admitted where you have failed!

He can restore what has been lost, even if it takes His miracle power to do it. 

~Bayless Conley~

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Parents Responsibility

Luke 3:22

As we saw yesterday, words are but a small part of parental communication. Now let's look at two types of messages we should purposefully model for our kids.
First, boys and girls need affirmation that they are loved, accepted, and competent. In today's passage, God the Father spoke those very things to His Son. It is essential that our children gain a sense of security and belonging at home so they won't seek acceptance elsewhere. And the way we care and provide for them will help them grasp the heavenly Father's love.

Second, parents are responsible for presenting the principles needed for living a godly life. One way to do so is by reading Scripture aloud and sharing stories of the Lord's involvement in our lives. But actions must match what we say. For example, we cannot expect children to truly understand the golden rule if we act with selfishness, arrogance, or insensitivity.

Modeling a godly life is oftentimes an intentional pursuit, like reading Scripture or serving as a family on a mission trip. It can also be as simple and unplanned as picking up a piece of trash on a neighbor's lawn. But keep in mind that actions and words aren't always perceived correctly. Check that your children's understanding matches the message you hope to communicate.


Your words and actions are teaching lessons. Do your children know, beyond any doubt, that they're treasured and capable? Are you giving them the tools they need to follow Christ? Remember, God doesn't expect perfection. He will guide the willing heart—and cover missteps with His grace.

~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~

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When the soles of the feet of the priests, shall rest in the Jordan -Joshua 3:13

The floods of the Jordan were high: so may be the floods of trial and sorrow that sometimes overflow their banks; so the floods of conviction of sin; and so, to some at least, the waters of death. Possibly this overflowing is needed for the time of harvest; the width of golden grain in the Jordan valley was no doubt to a large extent dependent on the far-spreading of those waters. How the heart trembles, as we hear the gurgling and rushing of the floods. Hark, how they lift up their voice!

But when the priest's foot touches them, they shrink away. Jesus has stepped down into these floods as our High Priest. In Gethsemane their overflowing tide washed around Him. At Calvary the water-spouts went over His head. In the grave He seemed momentarily to have succumbed. But since then they have been cut off. Through the ages He has stood, bearing the ark of propitiation, and arresting the tumultuous floods. "Thus far, and no further."

Sinful soul, deeply convicted, "Look for the Priest," on whose person the storm broke, and by whom it has been checked and stayed! Tried believer, be sure that the water-floods cannot pass Jesus, to reach or drown thee! His promise to thee is: "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee" (Isa 42:2). And when death approaches thee, O fearful and trembling one, thou wilt find Jesus standing between thee and its might, making a path by which thou shalt pass over dry-shod.

~F. B. Meyer~