And after the earthquake a fire; and after the fire a sound of gentle stillness" (1 Kings 19:12, RV margin.)
A soul, who made rapid progress in her understanding of the Lord, was once asked the secret of her easy advancement. She replied tersely, "Mind the checks."
And the reason that many of us do not know and better understand Him is, we do not give heed to His gentle checks, His delicate restraints and constraints. His is a still, small voice. A still voice can hardly be heard. It must be felt. A steady, gentle pressure upon the heart and mind like the touch of a morning zephyr to your face. A small voice, quietly, almost timidly spoken in your heart, but if heeded growing noiselessly clearer to your inner ear.
His voice is for the ear of love, and love is intent upon hearing even faintest whispers. There comes a time also when love ceases to speak if not responded to, or believed in. He is love, and if you would know Him and His voice, give constant ear to His gentle touches. In conversation, when about to utter some word, give heed to that gentle voice, mind the check and refrain from speech.
When about to pursue some course that seems all clear and right and there comes quietly to your spirit a suggestion that has in it the force almost of a conviction, give heed, even if changed plans seem highest folly from standpoint of human wisdom.
Learn also to wait on God for the unfolding of His will. Let God form your plans about everything in your mind and heart and then let Him execute them. Do not possess any wisdom of your own. For many times His execution will seem so contradictory to the plan He gave. He will seem to work against Himself. Simply listen, obey and trust God even when it seems highest folly so to do. He will in the end make "all things work together," but so many times in the first appearance of the outworking of His plans,
"In His own world He is content
To play a losing game."
To play a losing game."
So if you would know His voice, never consider results or possible effects. Obey even when He asks you to move in the dark. He Himself will be gloriously light in you. And there will spring up rapidly in your heart an acquaintanceship and a fellowship with God which will be overpowering in itself to hold you and Him together, even in severest testings and under most terrible pressures.
~L. B. Cowman~
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Prayer in Times of Inadequacy
After Nehemiah heard about the desperate condition of the Jews who had returned from exile to Jerusalem, his heart was burdened (Neh. 1:3-4). By getting his attention in this way, the Lord could reveal what He wanted Nehemiah to do. Scripture doesn't spell out the man's reaction on realizing that he was to be a part of the solution, but we can imagine a sense of inadequacy probably engulfed him. How could he possibly help? He wasn't even near Jerusalem, and as a servant of the king, he didn't have the freedom to pack up and leave.
But whenever God puts a burden on our hearts, He will open a door to accomplish His will. In this case, the Lord used Nehemiah's sad expression and desperate prayer to prepare a pagan king to send him on his mission.
How do you respond when you sense the Lord is calling you to a task that seems beyond your abilities? Do you list all the reasons you can't possibly do it? God already knows everything about you and the situation. He's not asking your permission to proceed; rather, He is calling you to move forward with faith and obedience. He didn't make an error in choosing you for the task, but you will make a huge mistake if you refuse to do it.
God will equip you for whatever He calls you to do. Because the Holy Spirit dwells within every believer, we have all we need to fulfill the Lord's mission. Instead of letting inadequacy hinder you from obeying, let it drive you to your knees so you can arise with renewed insight and power.
~Dr. Charles F. Stanley~
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God's Eyes
In Hebrews 4:13, there is a powerful statement concerning God,
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
In this verse, we are taught that God sees what we do, and He sees the intent of what we do. That leads to one thing: total accountability.
There is no getting out of giving an account for our lives before God. We will all stand before Him. And at that time, there will be no shifting; there will be no saying one thing and thinking something else inside. Everything will be laid bare.
God sees everything all the time. Everything is open and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account. You just can't get away from God.
The Scripture says in Proverbs 15:3, The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
But God also sees the very intent of our heart. When Samuel was sent by God to anoint a new king over Israel, and he was at the house of Jesse, Jesse had his big strapping son pass by. As Samuel looked at this guy he thought, "Surely this is the Lord's anointed."
But God said, "I rejected this one. For the Lord does not see as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance. But the Lord looks upon the heart."
Our intent can be right, but we can really mess up. God looks on our heart, and if our intent is right, He judges us according to our intent, not according to the mistakes we may have made. But, if the intent of our heart was not pure, God judges us according to that.
Live today…and every day…knowing that the Lord looks on the heart.
~Bayless Conley~
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Worth the Cost
And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!" Then Queen Esther answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. - Esther 7:2-3
Rarely do we see such sacrifice as today's verses demonstrate. Queen Esther had hidden her true identity from her husband, the king. He did not know she was a Jew, especially in lieu of his signed proclamation that would lead to the annihilation of the Jews living in his providences. For Esther to make this petition, she had to be willing to lay down her life. Not knowing the outcome, she stepped out to do what she believed was their only chance for survival, risking her own life in the process. The result was better than expected. Her petition was granted, the enemy of the Jews was hanged and the Jews were saved. Truly, this story is inspiring, amazing and encouraging—do we not wish all endings were so happy?
How often do we find ourselves in such a situation? Maybe not in the same context as Esther, but we are challenged in society today to take a stand for what we believe. Jesus laid down His life for us. He said that a true friend lays down His life for another. But, how many of us live out that type of sacrificial commitment? Esther interceded on behalf of her people, the Jews, many of whom she would never personally meet. Jesus did the same for us. Today, we are called to bear witness of what Jesus did for us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John3:16). Our job is to tell the world about Jesus, even if it costs us our lives.
Because of Jesus, we are not only offered "up to half the kingdom," but also we have been given the keys to the whole kingdom. We are heirs to the kingdom of God; we will inherit it all. Wow, what a thought! What else could be worth more than our eternity with Jesus? May we keep an eternal perspective. May we be willing to lose it all to win souls to Christ.
~Daily Disciples Devotional~
______________________________
In Hebrews 4:13, there is a powerful statement concerning God,
And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
In this verse, we are taught that God sees what we do, and He sees the intent of what we do. That leads to one thing: total accountability.
There is no getting out of giving an account for our lives before God. We will all stand before Him. And at that time, there will be no shifting; there will be no saying one thing and thinking something else inside. Everything will be laid bare.
God sees everything all the time. Everything is open and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account. You just can't get away from God.
The Scripture says in Proverbs 15:3, The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
But God also sees the very intent of our heart. When Samuel was sent by God to anoint a new king over Israel, and he was at the house of Jesse, Jesse had his big strapping son pass by. As Samuel looked at this guy he thought, "Surely this is the Lord's anointed."
But God said, "I rejected this one. For the Lord does not see as man sees. Man looks on the outward appearance. But the Lord looks upon the heart."
Our intent can be right, but we can really mess up. God looks on our heart, and if our intent is right, He judges us according to our intent, not according to the mistakes we may have made. But, if the intent of our heart was not pure, God judges us according to that.
Live today…and every day…knowing that the Lord looks on the heart.
~Bayless Conley~
_________________________
Worth the Cost
And on the second day, at the banquet of wine, the king again said to Esther, "What is your petition, Queen Esther? It shall be granted you. And what is your request, up to half the kingdom? It shall be done!" Then Queen Esther answered and said, "If I have found favor in your sight, O king, and if it pleases the king, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request. - Esther 7:2-3
Rarely do we see such sacrifice as today's verses demonstrate. Queen Esther had hidden her true identity from her husband, the king. He did not know she was a Jew, especially in lieu of his signed proclamation that would lead to the annihilation of the Jews living in his providences. For Esther to make this petition, she had to be willing to lay down her life. Not knowing the outcome, she stepped out to do what she believed was their only chance for survival, risking her own life in the process. The result was better than expected. Her petition was granted, the enemy of the Jews was hanged and the Jews were saved. Truly, this story is inspiring, amazing and encouraging—do we not wish all endings were so happy?
How often do we find ourselves in such a situation? Maybe not in the same context as Esther, but we are challenged in society today to take a stand for what we believe. Jesus laid down His life for us. He said that a true friend lays down His life for another. But, how many of us live out that type of sacrificial commitment? Esther interceded on behalf of her people, the Jews, many of whom she would never personally meet. Jesus did the same for us. Today, we are called to bear witness of what Jesus did for us. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John3:16). Our job is to tell the world about Jesus, even if it costs us our lives.
Because of Jesus, we are not only offered "up to half the kingdom," but also we have been given the keys to the whole kingdom. We are heirs to the kingdom of God; we will inherit it all. Wow, what a thought! What else could be worth more than our eternity with Jesus? May we keep an eternal perspective. May we be willing to lose it all to win souls to Christ.
~Daily Disciples Devotional~
______________________________
Studying Under the Best
BIBLE MEDITATION:
“I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.” Psalm 138:2
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There was a man who loved to study the Bible, and every time he came to something he didn’t understand, he asked his friend Charlie, “What does this verse mean?” One day in his Bible study, the Holy Spirit said, “Why don’t you ask Me? I’m the one who taught Charlie.”
Now, I thank God for the Bible scholars who teach God’s Word, but the same God that teaches these men and women is the One who wants to teach you.
ACTION POINT:
As you read the Bible, I want you to ask God to help you answer these questions: 1) Is there a lesson to learn? 2) Is there a sin to avoid? 3) Is there a blessing to enjoy? 4) Is there a promise to claim? 5) Is there a new thought to carry with me?
“I will worship toward Thy holy temple, and praise Thy name for Thy lovingkindness and for Thy truth: for Thou hast magnified Thy word above all Thy name.” Psalm 138:2
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
There was a man who loved to study the Bible, and every time he came to something he didn’t understand, he asked his friend Charlie, “What does this verse mean?” One day in his Bible study, the Holy Spirit said, “Why don’t you ask Me? I’m the one who taught Charlie.”
Now, I thank God for the Bible scholars who teach God’s Word, but the same God that teaches these men and women is the One who wants to teach you.
ACTION POINT:
As you read the Bible, I want you to ask God to help you answer these questions: 1) Is there a lesson to learn? 2) Is there a sin to avoid? 3) Is there a blessing to enjoy? 4) Is there a promise to claim? 5) Is there a new thought to carry with me?
~Adrian Rogers~
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