Tempting the Conqueror
Though it may seem unlikely, temptation is necessary to settle and confirm us in the spiritual life. It acts like winds that cause the mighty cedars of the mountains to strike more deeply into the soil.
Once a noted scientist observed that “early voyagers imagined that the coral-building animals instinctively built up the great circles of the Atoll Islands to afford themselves protection in the inner parts.” But this thought was disproved by showing that the insect builders can only live and thrive confronting the open ocean and in the highly aerated foam of its relentless surf. Likewise, many have held that protected ease is the most favorable condition of life. In contrast, all the noblest and strongest lives prove, on the contrary, that endurance of hardship makes men and is the factor that distinguishes between mere existence and vigorous vitality. Hardship makes character.
So it is with Christians. Temptation drives us deeper into our relationship with our Lord. He uses it to teach us that we can be victorious over those spiritual challenges.
“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” (Romans 8:37)
—- paraphrase of devotion from Streams in the Desert, January 13.
Only You!
In this story, a king entered his garden one morning and found everything withered and dying. He asked the oak that stood near the gate what the trouble was. He found it was sick of life and determined to die because it was not tall and beautiful like the pine. The pine was out of heart because it could not bear grapes like the vine. Likewise, the vine would throw its life away because it could not stand erect and have as delicate fruit as the peach tree. The geranium was fretting because it was not tall, fragrant like the lilac, and so on throughout the garden. Coming to a heart’s-ease, he found its bright face lifted as cheery as ever. “Well, heart, I’m glad, amidst all this discouragement, to find one brave little flower. You do not seem to be the least disheartened.” “No, I am not of much account, but I thought that if you wanted an oak, or a pine, or a peach tree, or a lilac, you would have planted one, but as I knew you wanted a heart’s-ease, I am determined to be the best little heart’s-ease that I can.”
“Others may do a greater work, but you have your part to do, and no one in all God’s heritage can do it so well as you.”
—- copied from Streams in the Desert, Cowman, January 7, pegs 7 & 8
Obedience
Jonah, a great wind, a great fish, a plant, a worm, an east wind – which is the odd one out?
God’s servant Jonah – the rest obeyed God at once. Why? See Jonah 1-4.
Agents of Blessing – Proverbs 11:10-11
“Through the blessing of the upright a city is exalted.”
~~~ Proverbs 11:11, NIV
YOU ARE STRATEGICALLY PLACED in this world to make a difference. You probably know this by now, even if, at times, you struggle to see how. Perhaps you spend much of your mental energy focusing on the problems you face or on the people who created those problems and the ways you wish you could fix them. Or maybe you’ve had seasons of seeing your life as your own, wondering how to find fulfillment or manage the tasks at hand. Perhaps there are times when you exist—moment by moment, day by day. Even so, you’re aware of bigger things. You recognize a calling from the Spirit within you. You want to live with a sense of destiny.
On the one hand, we can sometimes be so focused on the big picture that we miss the opportunities in front of us. On the other, we can become so focused on the details of daily life that we miss pursuing the more significant relationships we have already been given. In between those two points of focus, the macro and the micro, we live and work among people who could be influenced in one way or another by a godly attitude. We have many opportunities to pray blessings on those around us—people at the office, in a classroom, standing in line, commenting on social media, passing by on the street—all of whom need, as we do, regular touches from God.
We have platforms from which to improve lives, encourage hearts, and demonstrate Kingdom values and ways. Our calling is to impart grace, and we have open doors to do so—through prayers, words, favors, and acts of kindness and compassion. We are living, breathing, walking agents of blessing.
Listen to the voice that reminds you of all the people placed in your path who need a priestly touch from a son or daughter of God. Be an advocate before God’s throne on their behalf. Ask him to meet their needs. Let your city—or office or neighborhood or school—be exalted through the blessings you bring.
Ask God to show you your potential. How can I bless the lives that cross my path? What words can I speak and pray? What deeds can I do? May every circle of my relationships be lifted up by whatever blessings I bring. All God’s people said, “AMEN”.
~~~ copied from The One Year Salt and Light Devotional by Chris Tiegreen
Real or Fake? You Must Decide.
Have you heard, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!” We all have over the last few years. Instead of a lion, you can insert whatever keeps you afraid.
Are you one to dodge your duties and responsibilities with lame and crazy excuses? Matthew Henry stated (my paraphrase) something like this, “It’s foolish to frighten ourselves from reality by imagining false dangers.” It was true in ancient times and even today. Some folks will not leave their houses to work or buy groceries. They are afraid because someone told them to be frightened. Listening to “experts” who pretend to know anything is now problematic. We see people fearful of catching a virus, cold, the flu, etc., which are all invisible because sickness or even death may occur. All types of masks are worn (however incorrectly). Some keep a six-foot distance between themselves and others. Every shot and booster containing unknown and untested substances is injected into their bodies. All this to keep from getting sick or dying. Yet, in all their vain attempts, they still get ill and die…usually alone.
God has not called us to a life of fear. Even this Christmas season, we remember the angelic voice saying, “Listen! Do not fear. For I bring you good news of great joy, which will be to all people.” Luke 2:10 MEV
Bill Wyler
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