Give God your Dreams

Friday March 27, 2015

All of us have dreams for our lives - aspirations to do something great or become someone worthwhile. When shaped by the purposes of God, dreams guide us to meaningful living.

Abraham had a dream - two dreams, in fact - and both were God-given. Old and childless in a culture of large families, he dreamed of having a son (Genesis 11:30, 15:3). God promised that his dream would come true and added one more. Not only would Abraham have a son, he would have a nation (12:2, 15:5, 17:5). Two big dreams indeed!

And that´s one reason we find Genesis 22 so baffling. Isaac is born - the fulfilment of the first dream and a glimpse of the second (21:1-3) - and Abraham is called to sacrifice him! (22:2). God was asking to have back what He had given. Abraham was to give up both his fulfilled and unfulfilled dreams.

The preparation would have been agonising. Abraham gathered his son, servants and supplies, and walked for days to the sacrifice site where he laid what was most precious to him on the altar (vv. 3-9). And just as the knife was poised to plunge, God intervened and gave Abraham back his dreams (vv. 11-14). Abraham learned two important lessons that day : the true God is not like the gods around him who revelled in child sacrifice, and nothing - not even a God-given dream - comes before Him.

Have you given your dreams to God - both the fulfilled ones and the unfulfilled? It´s the only way to ensure that our dreams are under His hand, and that they don´t become gods themselves. As He did with Abraham, God may well give your dreams back to you or give them back in a new form.

But whatever He does with your dreams, you can be sure it will come accompanied by a blessing (vv. 15-18). - Sheridan Voysey

Read
Genesis 22:1-18
Some time later God tested Abraham. He said to him, "Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.
Then God said, "Take your son, your only son, Isaac, whom you love, and go to the region of Moriah. Sacrifice him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains I will tell you about."
Early the next morning Abraham got up and saddled his donkey. He took with him two of his servants and his son Isaac. When he had cut enough wood for the burnt offering, he set out for the place God had told him about. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place in the distance. He said to his servants, "Stay here with the donkey while I and the boy go over there. We will worship and then we will come back to you."
Abraham took the wood for the burnt offering and placed it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. As the two of them went on together, Isaac spoke up and said to his father Abraham, "Father?"
"Yes, my son?" Abraham replied.
"The fire and wood are here," Isaac said, "but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"
Abraham answered, "God himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." And the two of them went on together.
When they reached the place God had told him about, Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he reached out his hand and took the knife to slay his son. But the angel of the Lord called out to him from heaven, "Abraham! Abraham!"
"Here I am," he replied.
"Do not lay a hand on the boy," he said. "Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son."
Abraham looked up and there in a thicket he saw a ram caught by its horns. He went over and took the ram and sacrificed it as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place The Lord Will Provide. And to this day it is said, "On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided."
The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time and said, "I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me."

Proverbs 16:9
In his heart a man plans his course, 
but the Lord determines his steps.

Psalm 105:19
till what he foretold came to pass, 
till the word of the Lord proved him true

Question to Ponder
What dream do you have for your life?
Have you offered it back to God?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) March 2015 - May 2015 issue

Divine Diversity

Tuesday March 10, 2015

If you´ve ever strolled through a botanical garden or an art museum, you know that diversity makes for beauty. For some reason, however, this doesn´t seem to work within the church.

As we grapple with how our local expressions of the body of Christ are separated by issues of culture, race, socio-economics and theological distinction, it´s easy to believe that our diversity is the culprit for our disunity. Uniqueness and fine-tuned distinctions, however, are part of God´s original creation, intrinsic to the created world that He called "good" (Genesis 1:3-4).

In Genesis there was orderliness and harmony, a beautiful fusion of distinct realities. There was creature and creation, male and female, light and darkness, night and day, work and rest. The Creator separated "the waters of the heavens from the waters of the earth" and ordered time around the rhythmic distinction between evening and morning (vv. 6, 8). God´s design was not for a world where everything was the same, but rather a world where all things (with all their multifaceted uniqueness) were gathered together in Him. Creation´s harmony existed because of its shared life in God, not because of any flat unanimity.

As God´s revelation unfolds, we discover that God exists as a trinity, the mystery of God being three-in-one. In God, there is unity and diversity. Humans, those who bear the Trinity´s image, also reflect God´s own reality. We, because of God, share a unity that can never be extinguished. But we are also diverse, each of us offering our unique selves within God´s world.

In Jesus, may we find ourselves living in harmony with one another, even as our unique selves shine brighter. - Winn Collier

Read
Genesis 1:1-31
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light "day" and the darkness he called "night". And there was evening, and there was morning - the first day.
And God said, "Let there be an expanse between the waters to separate water from water." So God made the expanse and separated the water under the expanse from the water above it. And it was so. God called the expanse "sky". And there was evening, and there was morning - the second day.
And God said, "Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear." And it was so. God called the dry ground "land", and the gathered waters he called "seas". And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation : seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds." And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the third day.
And God said, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth." And it was so. God made two great lights - the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the fourth day.
And God said, "Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky." So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, "Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth." And there was evening, and there was morning - the fifth day.
And God said, "Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds : live-stock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind." And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
So God created man in his own image, 
In the image of God he created him; 
male and female he created them.
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."
Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground - everything that has breath of life in it - I give every green plant for food." And it was so.
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning - the sixth day.

Revelation 7:9-11
After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
And they cried out in a loud voice : 
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb."
All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshipped God.

Question to Ponder
What unique gifts has God given you? 
How has He infused your uniqueness with purpose and love?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) March 2015 - May 2015 issue

Always

Monday March 9, 2015

I was talking with a friend whose marriage had ended in a divorce. For years he tried to apologise and to rebuild a relationship that was broken. His wife, however, was bitter over an event that she couldn´t forgive - or forget. The event involved a loving act he had done to help her, but she didn´t see it that way. And her heart became stone.

The prophet Malachi brought a message of love and forgiveness to God´s people. Though they had sinned against God and had for decades been brutally carried off into exile as a means of His discipline, they had been permitted to return to their homeland. Knowing they were beaten down from their experiences in Babylon, God said to them, "I have always loved you" (Malachi 1:2). The people, cynical and sceptical, retorted, "Really? How have you loved us?" God then declared His control over human events and His promise to deal with Judah´s adversaries (vv.2-5) - something very loving!

Later, He said, "I am the Lord, and I do not change" (3:6). Had He allowed His people to be brought into captivity due to their sin? Yes. Did He love them enough to do so? Yes. Had He patiently waited for the returned exiles to repent of their lack of true worship and to stop doubting Him? (vv. 7-8, 13-14). Yes.

God stood before His people offering unchanging love and forgiveness. But He also sought the right heart response : "Those who feared the Lord spoke with each other, and the Lord listened to what they said" (v.16). Of those faithful believers God said, "They will be my own special treasure" (v.17).

Due to difficult events, perhaps your heart for God has grown cool and has started to harden. Remember that He waits for you with open arms (Luke 15:20). You´re the special treasure He loves - always! - Tom Felten

Read
Malachi 1:1-5
An oracle : The word of the Lord to Israel through Malachi
"I have loved you," says the Lord.
"But you ask, 'How have you loved us?'"
"Was not Esau Jacob´s brother?" the Lord says. 
"Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals."
Edom may say, "Though we have been crushed, we will rebuild the ruins."
But this is what the Lord Almighty says : "They may build, but I will demolish. They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the Lord. You will see it with your own eyes and say, 'Great is the Lord - even beyond the borders of Israel!' "

Malachi 3:6-18
"I the Lord do not change. So you, O descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your forefathers you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you," says the Lord Almighty.
"But you ask, 'How are we to return?'"
"Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, 'How do we rob you?' "
"In tithes and offerings. You are under a curse - the whole nation of you - because you are robbing me. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the Lord Almighty. "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the Lord Almighty.
"You have said harsh things against me," says the Lord.
"Yet you ask, 'What have we said against you?' "
"You have said, 'It is futile to serve God. What did we gain by carrying out his requirements and going about like mourners before the Lord Almighty? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly the evildoers prosper, and even those who challenge God escape.' "
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name.
"They will be mine," says the Lord Almighty, "in the day when I make up my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him. And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.

Psalm 103:1-5
Praise the Lord, O my soul;
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle´s.

Question to Ponder
What difficulties have caused you to doubt God or to turn from Him?
How does the fact that He always loves you encourage your heart today?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) March 2015 - May 2015 issue

Words of Life

Sunday March 8, 2015

Sitting on my back porch in the waning daylight, I enjoy watching as patches of grey, red and blue flit through the air. Busy wings then grow still as the birds gather on my newly acquired feeder. A few years prior, thieving squirrels thwarted my efforts to feed these feathered wonders. Moving its location and even oiling the pole was not enough to keep the wily rodents from robbing the birds of the seed. Then, a friend introduce me to a spring-loaded feeder that closes if anything heavier than a bird lands on its ledge.

Like a bird feeding at a never-ending supply of seed, the apostles came to experience - in every sense of the word (1 John 1:1) - that Jesus was the "bread of life" (John 6:35, 48). Others who were initially fascinated with the Messiah´s ability to meet their physical needs were all too willing to walk away when Jesus called them into intimate relationship with Him (vv. 58. 60. 63-66). But Peter, when given the same challenge, responded by saying "Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life" (v. 68).

Like thieving squirrels, the things of this world can strip men and women of their God-intended destiny. From false philosophies to personal criticism aimed at the heart, people look for life giving provision in the words they hear around them - only to find that they have been robbed of hope (Proverbs 18:21, 26:28).

Jesus came offering words of life. Words of hope. Words of love. As representatives of His kingdom, we´re commissioned with offering the same to those we encounter. Life will always bring moments of frustration, but whether we´re speaking to close family or perfect strangers, we must take up the challenge to be life givers, bearers of the seed of truth. - Regina Franklin

Read
John 6:45-63
It is written in the Prophets: "They will all be taught by God. Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. I tell you the truth, he who believes has everlasting life. I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate the manna in the desert, yet they died. But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world."
Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"
Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. You forefathers ate manna and died, but he who feeds on this bread will live forever." He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you? What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before! The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life."

Isaiah 55:8-13
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
so is my word that goes out from my mouth : It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord´s renown, for an everlasting sign, which will not be destroyed."

Question to Ponder
Who speaks life giving words to you on a regular basis?
How those words influenced the way you see yourself or your circumstances?
How can you speak words of life to others?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) March 2015 - May 2015 issue

A Humble Confidence

Saturday March 7, 2015

After helping his team win American pro football´s 2014 Super Bowl, a corner back declared in a post-game interview that he was the best play at his position, and opposing teams should send only their best players against him. His comments sparked a national discussion on the role of courtesy in sports. Although his remarks offended some people, you can´t deny that he´s supremely confident in his abilities.

What about believers in Jesus? Are we allowed to be confident, or is that somehow opposed to our calling of humility? (Ephesians 4:2; Philippians 2:3). The apostle Paul doesn´t seem to think so. In 2 Corinthians he makes it clear that we have reason to be confident before God because we are qualified and competent (3:4).

But he also clearly states that this isn´t based on our own merits but on God, who has qualified us (v. 5). And He hasn´t approved us to pursue our own ends and purposes. No, we´re to be ministers of the new covenant that we have in Christ (v.6). And so, we can be confident in our abilities, as long as we recognize that it´s God who makes us good at what we do - and what we´re called to be is ministers of the gospel.

Sometimes I lament that I have nothing of any worth to bring to the kingdom, when that isn´t true! At other times, I recognize my abilities and am confident in them - failing to remember that they´re not suppose to be used for myself. So I often live in one truth or the other, but not both.

In Paul´s words, I find a rare balance between confidence and humility; I can be confident because God has qualified me, but I remain humble because I know that the work for which He´s qualified me is not my own. It´s His! - Peter Chin

Read
2 Corinthians 3:1-6
Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, like some people, letters of recommendation to you or from you? You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
Such confidence as this is ours through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant - not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Philippians 3:1-10
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 
Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh - though I myself have reasons for such confidence.
If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more : circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless.
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ - the righteousness that comes from God is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.

Psalms 71:1-6
In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
Rescue me and deliver me in your righteousness;
turn your ear to me and save me.
Be my rock of refuge,
to which I can always go;
give the command to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, O my God, from the hand of the wicked,
from the grasp of evil and cruel men.

For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord,
my confidence since my youth.
From birth I have relied on you; 
you brought me forth from my mother´s womb. 
I will ever praise you.

Question to Ponder
How are you doing at balancing humility and confidence?
How are you living out the fact that God has made you competent as a minister of the new covenant?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Mar 2015 - May 2015 issue

Rescue

Friday March 6, 2015

In discussing the premise of the film The Amazing Spider-Man, director Marc Webb writes, "This is the stuff of classic tragedy. It´s about trying to do good, and by virtue of trying to do good, bad things happen. It´s what [the mythical Greek King] Oedipus does - he goes out and tries to save the city, and he ends up sleeping with his mother." Webb laughs. "His efforts are noble! But the irony of it is that he causes damage by trying to do good. That is, to me, the most resonant thing of tragedy. Spider-Man is saving people and the world, but it´s at his own expense."

In writing about how to serve others, When Helping Hurts author Brian Fikkert says, "The.... church should have a profound sense of urgency to spend ourselves 'on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed.' "

Fikkert says we should remember, however, that "good intentions are not enough. It is possible to hurt poor people and ourselves, in the process of trying to help them."

I believe that every good deed I´ve been part of in East Africa, where I live, has traces of things that went wrong or were counter productive. For example, by giving a child a scholarship to attend a school, I created a temptation for his father to stop working and providing for his son.

However, through serving, giving and doing we can play a part in expressing God´s love to others - joining Him in doing good, seeking judgement and relieving the oppressed (Isaiah 1:17). We can do the right things, even though at times imperfectly (Psalms 34:15).

May we reflect the heart of God as we reach out to those in need, living out His loving, compassionate, rescuing ways (vv. 6, 17-19, 22). - Roxanne Robbins

Read
Psalm 34:1-22
I will extol the Lord at all times;
his praise will always be on my lips.
my soul will boast in the Lord;
let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the Lord with me;
let us exalt his name together.

I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant;
their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
he saved him out of all his troubles. 
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
and he delivers them.

Taste and see that the Lord is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the Lord, you his saints,
for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry,
but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.

Come, my children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
Whoever of you loves life 
and desires to see many good days,
keep your tongue from evil
and your lips from speaking lies.
Turn from evil and do good;
seek peace and pursue it.

The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to their cry;
the face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
he delivers them from all their troubles.
The Lord is close to the broken hearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the Lord delivers him from them all;
he protects all his bones,
not one of them will be broken.

Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The Lord redeems his servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

2 Corinthians 1:9-10
Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us.

Question to Ponder
What steps can you take to follow God´s wisdom and lead in helping others?
How has He rescued you?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Mar 2015 - May 2015 issue

Sing Your Way Home

Thursday March 5, 2015

Nine year old Willie might have saved his life simply by singing a song of praise. The boy was kidnapped from his driveway by a stranger. But the kidnapper then dropped him off unharmed after driving around for hours. Willie says he continued to sing the song "Every Praise" by Hezekiah Walker until the kidnapper grew tired of cursing and telling him to shut up.

Paul and Silas had a somewhat similar experience. Accused of trying to evangelise the Romans (Acts 16:21), they were severely beaten and thrown into prison. The jailer locked them in the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in stocks to prevent their escape (vv. 22-24).

At midnight, Paul and Silas prayed and sang hymns to God. Suddenly, a massive earthquake caused all the prison doors to open, and the chains of every prisoner fell off. But amazingly, not one prisoner left! (vv. 25-28).

The jailer was terrified, for he knew that he would be executed if any of the prisoners escaped. Undoubtedly, he was impressed by their faith in God, their composure and the unabated joy that Paul and Silas showed even when they had been unjustly treated and illegally punished (vv. 37-39). Most of all, the jailer was touched by their concern for him, for they hadn´t tried to escape when they had the opportunity. Wanting to know more about their faith, he asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (v.30).

Miraculously freed, Paul and Silas saw their freedom not as a means of escape, but as an opportunity to witness (vv.31-32). "[The jailer] and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God" (v.34). They certainly could sing with young Willie, "Every Praise, every praise is to our God. Sing hallelujah to our God." - K.T.Sim

Read
Acts 16:16-40
Once when we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit by which she predicted the future. She earned a great deal of money for her owners by fortune telling. This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved." She kept this up for many days. Finally Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the spirit, "In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!" At that moment the spirit left her.
When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to face the authorities. They brought them before the magistrates and said, "These men are Jews, and are throwing our city into an uproar by advocating customs unlawful for us Romans to accept or practice."
The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody´s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, "Don´t harm yourself! We are all here!"
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved - you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God - he and his whole family.
When it was daylight, the magistrates sent their officers to the jailer with the order: "Release those men." The jailer told Paul, "The magistrates have ordered that you and Silas be released. Now you can leave. Go in peace."
But Paul said to the officers : "They beat us publicly without a trial, even though we are Roman citizens, and threw us into prison. And now do they want to get rid of us quietly? No! Let them come themselves and escort us out."
The officers reported this to the magistrates, and when they heard that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens, they were alarmed. They came to appease them and escorted them from the prison, requesting them to leave the city. After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia´s house, where they met with the brothers and encouraged them. Then they left.

Acts 5:26-42
At that, the captain went with his officers and brought the apostles. They did not use force, because they feared that the people would stone them.
Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man´s blood."
Peter and the other apostles replied : "We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead - whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."
When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honoured by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. Then he addressed them : "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. Therefore, in the present case I advice you : Leave these men alone! Let them go! For it their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
His speech persuaded them. They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ.

Question to Ponder
Consider your life circumstances : is there an opportunity for you to tell others about Jesus?
Is there a reason why you can´t rejoice in Him?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Mar 2015 - May 2015 issue

Little People Included

Wednesday March 4, 2015

In his book Simply Jesus, theologian N.T Wright writes, "When God does big things, the little people get drawn in too." One of my favourite examples of this is found in the book of Matthew.

Early in his gospel account, Matthew summarised the spectacular things that had been happening wherever Jesus went : "Jesus travelled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness" (Matthew 4:23). 

Later, Matthew repeated this summary, with nearly identical wording (9:35). This time, however, he added the words, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd" (v.36).

Jesus was a busy man with a big agenda, spreading the good news about the kingdom. Through Him, God´s kingdom was arriving on earth as it was in heaven. That which was broken was starting to be fixed, as represented by all the physical healings. Big things were happening, and yet Jesus never lost sight of "little people".

We live in a world that is preoccupied with many agendas, with many people too busy to notice the distress of the "little people" or too desensitised to care. Yet, the New Testament shows us that Jesus didn´t look away. He saw inner suffering and the deepest needs of all people. 

The fact that Jesus saw and had compassion gives me hope when I feel distressed and helpless. He sees what no one else may see. And as Matthew goes on to record, Jesus beckons and says, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28). Little people included. - Jeff Olson

Read
Matthew 9:35-37
Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few."

Matthew 9:18-34
While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, "My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live." Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.
When Jesus entered the ruler´s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd, he said, "Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep." But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region.
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, "Have mercy on us, Son of David!"
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?"
"Yes, Lord," they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, "According to your faith will it be done to you"; and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, "See that no one knows about this." But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.
While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus. And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel."
But the Pharisees said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons."

Question to Ponder
What burden or need can you bring to Jesus today?
Who are the "little people" in your life who could use some loving encouragement?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Mar 2015 - May 2015

If Only I had......

Tuesday March 3, 2015

Even as a child, I can remember coveting things that other people possessed. One day I was playing at my cousin´s house when one of his toys caught my eye. I begged to take it home, and when my parents refused me the pleasure,  I cried and created quite a scene. 

My behaviour was similar to that of King Ahab - one covetous king. Ahab had a neighbour who owned a vineyard. The king looked at that vineyard and felt that it could be better used as a vegetable garden - his garden. So he made his neighbour Naboth an offer : "I will give you a better vineyard in exchange, or if you prefer, I will pay you for it" (1 Kings 21:2).

But Naboth feared God. He knew that He had said, "The land must never be sold on a permanent basis, for the land belongs to me. You are only foreigners and tenant farmers working for me" (Leviticus 25:23). So Naboth refused Ahab´s offer.

Ahab sulked and "went to bed with his face to the wall and refused to eat!" (1 Kings 21:4). Soon his wife, Jezebel, plotted to have Naboth killed so he husband could snatch his property. After Naboth was murdered, Ahab immediately went down to the man´s vineyard and claimed it as his own.

"If only I had..." can be a dangerous way to live. The moment we start thinking This item or goal is necessary for my happiness in life, we´ve crossed the line and have begun to covet. The covetous person doubts God´s wisdom, goodness, justice, timing and - ultimately - His love. To combat covetousness, we must pursue contentment.

George Herbert wrote a wonderful prayer that reflects being content : "Lord Jesus, You have given so much to me... Give me one thing more - a grateful heart. Amen" - Poh Fang Chia

Read
1 Kings 21:1-15
Some time later there was an incident involving a vineyard belonging to Naboth the Jezreeelite. The vineyard was in Jezrel, close to the palace of Ahab king of Samaria. Ahab said to Naboth, "Let me have your vineyard to use for a vegetable garden, since it is close to my palace. In exchange I will give you a better vineyard or, if you prefer, I will pay you whatever it is worth."
But Naboth replied, "The Lord forbid that I should give you the inheritance of my fathers."
So Ahab went home, sullen and angry because Naboth the Jezreelite had said, "I will not give you the inheritance of my fathers." He lay on his bed sulking and refused to eat.
His wife Jezebel came in and asked him, "Why are you so sullen? Why won´t you eat?"
He answered her, "Because I said to Naboth the Jezreelite, 'Sell me your vineyard; or if you prefer, I will give you another vineyard in its place.' But he said, 'I will not give you my vineyard.' "
Jezebel his wife said, "Is this how you act as king over Israel? Get up and eat! Cheer up. I´ll get you the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite."
So she wrote letters in Ahab´s name, placed his seal on them, and sent them to the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth´s city with him. In those letters she wrote : 
"Proclaim a day of fasting and seat Naboth in a prominent place among the people. But seat two scoundrels opposite of him and have them testify that he has cursed both God and the king. Then take him out and stone him to death."
So the elders and nobles who lived in Naboth´s city did as Jezebel directed in the letters she had written to them. They proclaimed a fast and seated Naboth in a prominent place among the people. Then two scoundrels came and sat opposite him and brought charges against Naboth before the people, saying, "Naboth has cursed both God and the king." So they took him outside the city and stoned him to death. Then they sent word to Jezebel: "Naboth has been stoned and is dead."
As soon as Jezebel heard that Naboth had been stone to death, she said to Ahab, "Get up and take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite that he refused to sell you. He is no longer alive, but dead."

Luke 12:13-34
Someone in the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
Jesus replied, "Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?" Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man´s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
And he told them this parable : The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, "What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops."
Then he said, "This is what I´ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I´ll say to myself, 'You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.' "
But God said to him, "You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?"
This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God.

Then Jesus said to his disciples : "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens : They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?"
"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labour or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendour was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well."
"Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

Question to Ponder
How might the culture of consumerism, competitiveness and comparison fan your desire to have more and more?
What can you do to cultivate contentment more intentionally?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Mar 2015 - May 2015 issue

Mixed Reviews

Monday March 2, 2015

A recent spate of God-related films led to surprising success at the box office. Reviews, however, were decidedly mixed.

Noah is one such film. The writer-director is an atheist who calls his project "the least biblical film ever made", causing many Christians to revile the film. Others said, "An atheist is getting people to talk about God. How cool is that!"

We could surmise any number of reasons why Jesus revealed Himself as the Word instead of the video. He could have visited our planet in say, the 1940s, or divinely arranged for the Romans to invent celluloid by the first century. But He didn´t.

When Jesus arrived in the flesh, He met mixed reviews. Sinners loved Him. The religious leaders? Not so much. They hated the way He painted outside their clearly drawn lines, hanging out with the untouchables, redefining the Sabbath and claiming equality with God.

But Jesus didn´t care about His ratings. Rather, He told the religious leaders :"You search the Scriptures because you think they give you eternal life. But the Scriptures point to me!" (John 5:39). Then He added, "Your approval means nothing to me" (v.41).

Jesus still gets mixed reviews. Regardless, God is being discussed in our popular culture, which affords us a chance to engage in healthy dialogue with our friends. So how do we do that? We don´t have to praise or hate films or win arguments. We simply need to tell our story and the way it merges with Jesus' story.

There´s a line in another recent film about faith, God´s not Dead, that applies here : "Don´t try to be clever. Be content to tell the truth." You may not get great reviews, but you´ll be in good company! - Tim Gustafson

Read
John 5:31-47
"If I testify about myself, my testimony is not valid. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is valid.
You have sent to John and he has testified to the truth. Not that I accept human testimony; but I mention it that you may be save. John was a lamp that burned and gave light, and you chose for a time to enjoy his light.
I have testimony weightier than that of John. For the very work that the Father has given me to finish, and which I am doing, testifies that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself testified concerning me. You have never heard his voice nor seen his form, nor does his word dwell in you, for you do not believe the one he sent. You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, yet you refuse to come to me to have life.
I do not accept praise from men, but I know you. I know that you do not have the love of God in your hearts. I have come in my Father´s name, and you do not accept me; but if someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. How can you believe if you accept praise from one another, yet make no effort to obtain the praise that comes from the only God?
But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. if you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?"

John 1:5
The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.

John 1:10-11
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.

Question to Ponder
How can you use popular religious-themed books, music and films to tell others about God?
What has He done in your life that you can share with unbelievers today?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Mar 2015 - May 2015 issue

Two Houses

Sunday March 1, 2015

In 2010 researchers simulated  category 3 hurricane to test the strength of two houses - one built according to normal construction standards for the region and the other built with a reinforced roof and floors. The researchers turned on giant fans to create wind gusts of 110 miles per hour for more than 10 minutes.

The house that was built according to conventional standards was severely shaken and it eventually collapsed. In contrast, the house with the reinforcements survived with only a few cosmetic damages. An engineer working on the experiment summarised the results with a sobering question : "The [question] you have to ask yourself is :  which house would you rather be living in?"

Concluding His teaching on the attitudes and behaviour of kingdom living, Jesus told His listeners the tale of two houses (Matthew 7:24-27). He said that obeying His teachings (chapter 5 -7) is like being a wise builder who constructs his house on bedrock (7:24). Even when fierce winds blow, the house will stand tall (v.25).

In contrast, the person who hears but doesn´t obey is likened to a foolish man who builds his house on a sandy foundation (v.26). When the big winds blow, the house will collapse (v.27). Each house may look secure, but a severe test will reveal the true quality of the builder´s work.

In telling this parable, Jesus presents two options : you can build your life on the solid foundation of genuine obedience or on the unstable sand of external righteousness.

Let´s humbly practice receiving Jesus' teaching. Hearing and applying it will make for a healthy spiritual life. May we seek God´s wisdom as we strive to get our "house" in order! - Marvin Williams

Read
Matthew 7:24-27
Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against the house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.

Joshua 24:15
But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the Gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.

Question to Ponder
Take an honest inventory of your journey. On what foundation are you building your life?
Read through the Sermon on the Mount again (Matthew 5 - 7). What part of Jesus' teachings will you begin putting into action this week?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) March 2015 - May 2015 issue

What If?

Saturday February 28, 2015

In a recent email, a woman named Renee told me how she and her husband had unsuccessfully spent years trying to start a family. After numerous rounds of in vitro fertilisation treatment and several years waiting to adopt, they were exhausted from the ordeal and considered bringing the journey to an end. Knowing that my wife and I had walked a similar path, Renee asked a question, "How do you give up on a dream of parenthood without regretting what might have been?"

As I started to share some advice, I realised something else was lurking behind Renee´s question. I told her that her fear could be summed up this way : "If we make the wrong decision, will our lives be ruined?"

I think that´s what we all fear when making a major life decision. We give way to worry, and "what if" questions haunt us : "What if a call from the adoption agency was only another day away?" "What if another potential spouse never comes along?" "What if I choose the wrong career?" We fear our lives will be ruined if we don´t make the perfect decision.

I shared with Renee the liberating news that the answer to her fearful question was a resounding "NO!" If we head in the wrong direction, God can still turn us around (Proverbs 3:5-6). If the dream dies before God chooses to act, He can resurrect it (John 11:23-44). Paul says that in this imperfect world "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God" (Romans 8:28; see also vv. 18-23). If we love Him, He can make even a poor decision fit into the tapestry of our lives.

"Your life will not be over if you choose to end your search for a family," I told Renee. "Trust Him to take you somewhere new; whatever you decide." - Sheridan Voysey

Read 
Romans 8:18-28
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God´s will.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 11:14
For the lack of guidance a nation falls,
but many advisers make victory sure.

Question To Ponder
How do you make decisions? 
How can you trust God even when things don´t go according to your plans?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Eyes Ahead

Friday February 27,2015

Glen, an old family friend, took a fall inside his home and fractured his neck. Fortunately, he didn´t need surgery. His doctor fitted him with a neck brace and instructed him not to bend, lift or turn until his neck had healed. This meant that he had to move his entire body to see anything outside his direct line of sight. He could focus only on what was directly in front of him.

God wanted the Israelites to focus on Him exclusively - keeping Him at the centre of their lives. According to Joshua, the people were not to turn "to the right or to the left" (Joshua 23:6). This wasn´t easy for the nation of nomads when they entered the Promised Land. Distractions were everywhere - pagan gods, exotic foreigners and an array of unusual customs.

Still God promised to bless the Israelites if they would concentrate on Him. They would have the respect of other nations, gain victories and enjoy climate changes tailored to meet their needs! Their children, crops and livestock would flourish (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). Joshua warned them, however, "If you turn away from [God] and cling to the customs of the survivors of these nations ... and if you intermarry ... [then] they will be a snare and a trap to you, a whip for your backs" (Joshua 23:12-13).

As believers in Jesus, we live in a world teeming with temptations that can dilute our devotion to God. Discipline in our spiritual lives can help us focus on Him. Contemplating Scripture, conversing with God, worshipping Him and fasting are some prime practices to keep us from turning to the left or to the right (v.6). Staying focused on Him means loving Him with all of our heart, soul, strength and mind (Luke 10:27). - Jennifer Benson Schuldt.

Read
Joshua 23:1-16
After a long time had passed and the Lord had given Israel rest from all their enemies around them, Joshua, by then old and well advanced in years, summoned all Israel - their elders, leaders, judges and officials - and said to them : "I am old and well advanced in years. You yourselves have seen everything the Lord your God has done to all these nations for your sake; it was the Lord your God who fought for you. Remember how I have allotted as an inheritance for your tribes all the land of the nations that remain - the nations I conquered - between the Jordan and the Great Sea in the west. The Lord your God himself will drive them out of your way. He will push them out before you, and you will take possession of their land, as the Lord your God promised you.
"Be very strong; be careful to obey all that is written in the Book of the Law of Moses, without turning aside to the right or to the left. DO not associate with these nations that remain among you; do not invoke the names of their gods or swear by them. You must not serve them or bow down to them. But you are to hold fast to the Lord your God, as you have until now."
"The Lord has driven out before you great and powerful nations; to this day no one has been able to withstand you. One of you routs a thousand, because the Lord your God fights for you, just as he promised. So be very careful to love the Lord your God."
"But if you turn away and ally yourselves with the survivors of these nations that remain among you and if you intermarry with them and associate with them, then you may be sure that the Lord your God will no longer drive out these nations before you. Instead, they will become snares and traps for you, whips on your backs and thorns in your eyes, until you perish from this good land, which the Lord your God has given you."
"Now I am about to go the way of all the earth. You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed. But just as every good promise of the Lord your God has come true, so the Lord will bring on you all the evil he has threatened, until he has destroyed you from this good land he has given you. If you violate the covenant of the Lord your God, which he commanded you, and go and serve other gods and bow down to them, the Lord´s anger will burn against you, and you will quickly perish from the good land he has given you."

Daniel 6:10
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Daniel 6:19-23
At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?"
Daniel answered, "O King, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O King."
The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his GOd.

Question to Ponder
Why does God prize our wholehearted devotion to Him?
What kind of spiritual discipline most effectively helps you focus on God?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Birth Religion

Thursday February 26, 2015

It´s popular today to dismiss all religions as merely an accident of birth. The chances are that a person born in Pakistan will become a Muslim. India produces Hindus, Thailand makes Buddhists, Brazilians tend to be Catholics and so on. Have you wondered if the only reason you believe in Jesus is due to the influence of your parents or others? Is becoming a believer simply about being born in the right family?

The Christian faith does tend to run in families, and for good reason. God often uses people to bring sinners to Himself. Paul said, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? ... That is why the Scriptures say, 'How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!' " (Romans 10:13-15). This might require crossing an ocean with the gospel, but it should always start at home.

Paul to Timothy that a Christian heritage is a reason to praise God. He wrote, "Timothy, I thank God for you - the God I serve with a clear conscience, just as my ancestors did. Night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers" (2 Timothy 1:3). The apostle chose to follow Christ and he implored Timothy to do the same.

If you learnt about Jesus from your parents, that´s something to be thankful for. But regardless of where you were born or how you were raised, you can truly give thanks for the family of believers you´re now a part of. And, at home with those you love as well as with others you know, it´s your joy to freely share how to join the family of God. - Mike Wittmer.

Read
2 Timothy 1:3-14
I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into the flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. That is why I am suffering as I am. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.
What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you - guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.

Deuteronomy 6:1-25
These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed me to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. Hear, O Israel, and be careful to obey so that it may go well with you and that you may increase greatly in a land flowing with milk and honey, just as the Lord, the God of your fathers, promised you.
Hear, O Israel : The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your strength. These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on your door frames of your houses and on your gates.
When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to give you - a land with large flourishing cities you did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things you did not provide, wells you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves you did not plant - then when you eat and are satisfied, be careful that you do not forget the Lord, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
Fear the Lord your God, serve him only and take your oaths in his name. Do not follow other gods, the gods of the peoples around you; for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a jealous God and his anger will burn against you, and he will destroy you from the face of the land. Do not test the Lord your God as you did at Massah. Be sure to keep the commands of the Lord your God the stipulations and decrees he has given you. Do what is right and good in the Lord´s sight, so that it may go well with you and you may go in and take over the good land that the Lord promised on oath to your forefathers, thrusting out all your enemies before you, as the Lord said.
But in the future, when your son asks you, "What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the Lord our God has commanded you?" tell him : "We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. Before our eyes the Lord sent miraculous signs and wonders - great and terrible - upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household. But he brought us out from there to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers. The Lord commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear the Lord our God, so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today. And if we are careful to obey all this law before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness."

Question To Ponder 
What heritage have you received from your parents or other mentors?
How will you pass on your beliefs to those you know?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

God Speaks

Wednesday February 25, 2015

One day I had an interesting conversation with a young man. Although he believed that God existed, he didn´t think that He was directly involved in the affairs of humanity - a belief known as deism.

There are times when we wonder where God is in this broken, noisy world. But from Adam and Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:8) to the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 1:1-2) to the activities of the early church, we see God consistently involving Himself in the affairs of human beings. 

In the Old Testament, God often spoke to people through the prophets. After years of consistent disobedience, He allowed the people of Judah to be taken captive by the Babylonians (1 Chronicles 9:1), yet He never gave up on them. Instead, He sent - among other prophets - His "watchmen" Ezekiel to speak to the exiles through a series of visions (Ezekiel 1:1-3, 2:1-8, 3:17, 33:7).

The people had been overcome with grief (Jeremiah 8:18-21), for they had lost their homes and were now living in a foreign land as a result of their rebellious, hard hearts. God, however, revealed through Ezekiel that He had not forgotten them (Ezekiel 2:4-5). He remained faithful and reminded them that they would once again be restored (28:25, 39:25-29).

God speaks to us today in many ways : through the Bible (2 Timothy 3:16-17), His Holy Spirit (Romans 8:14; 2 Peter 1:20-21), other people, the natural world (Job 12:7-9; Psalms 50:6, 97:6) and dreams and visions (Job 33:15). God´s plans is to restore all creation to Himself through Jesus (Romans 8:20-24), and He continues reaching out to us today. Let´s remain still and listen for His active voice above the din of this world (Psalms 46:10). - Ruth O'Reilly-Smith

Read
Ezekiel 2:1-7
He said to me, "Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you." As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me.
He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign Lord says.' And whether they listen or fail to listen - for they are a rebellious house - they will know that a prophet has been among them. And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious."

Job 33:13-18
Why do you complain to him that he answers none of man´s words?
For God does speak - now one way, now another - though man may not perceive it.
In a dream, in a vision of the night,
when deep sleep falls on men
as they slumber in their beds,
he may speak in their ears and terrify them with warnings,
to turn man from wrong doing and keep him from pride,
to preserve his soul from the pit, 
his life from perishing by the sword.

Question to Ponder
How might God be speaking to you today?
Be aware and strive to see or hear Him as He´s working in and through you.

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Walking Close

Tuesday February 24, 2015

In 2014 a pod of pilot whales was found floundering in perilously shallow water off the shore of Florida, America. Forty or fifty short-finned whales remained close to a narrow shoreline - choosing not to swim out to the deeper waters, where they would be safe. Several of the blackfish were ill, which caused conservationists to worry. Pilot whales are intensely loyal creatures, and when one in their group is sick or in jeopardy, the rest of the pod simply will not leave. They form a circle and stay close together.

The Scriptures call God´s people to this kind of life, where we stick close to each other and find our life alongside others. We´re called to help meet one another´s needs, to tend to one another in our time of weakness and to protect one another during perilous stretches that we will inevitably endure. If any find themselves overwhelmed by temptation, we shouldn´t reject them, but "gently and humbly help them back onto the right path" (Galatians 6:1). If any find themselves in distress or grief, isolation or pain, we should "share [their] burdens" (v.2)

We may not know what to do or say. In fact, we may have no idea how to help. We can, however, simply walk close to our brothers and sisters. We can put our shoulder next to theirs and say, "I don´t know what to do. I have no answers here. But I can carry your burden alongside you."

I find it instructive - and hopeful - that Paul didn´t say we´re to fix one another´s burdens. We´re simply to bear them. Their burdens are also our burdens, and - in time - our burdens will also be their own. Let´s choose to walk next to our hurting brothers and sisters in Jesus today. - Winn Collier

Read
Galatians 6:1-3
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other´s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

John 13:-34-35
A new command I give you : Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

Question to Ponder
Are there any people you believe God would have you walk beside, bearing their burdens?
How can you begin to share your burdens more freely with others?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015

Frozen

Monday February 23, 2015

Snuggled in blankets, we settled in for one of the worst ice storms our usually temperate climate had ever experienced. Roads had been closed, schools cancelled and citizens warned to stay safely inside their homes. With our power cut, we cooked pizza rolls in the fireplace, watched films with our reserve computer battery and slept under layers of blankets to keep warm. In the middle of the night, however, I awakened to loud intermittent cracking sounds. Layers of ice and snow had weighed the branches of the tall trees behind our house. Unable to bear the burden, they were taking turns crashing to the snowy ground below.

Declaring that He alone would be our ongoing source of life, Jesus gives us the picture of a vine and its fruit bearing branches (John 15:5-7). Just like the lifeless branches that littered our garden, we can´t expect to flourish if we separate ourselves from the truth of God´s Word (1 John 2:3-5).

Satan would love to see us weighed down with man-made rules, meaningless arguments and broken ideologies. Layer upon layer, each lifeless, frozen word settles upon the next, until our faith is weakened, hearts are deceive and minds darkened. Our focus bent in the wrong direction, we will then forget the freedom of God´s love as our hearts grow cold (Mark 8:15-17).

Yet, the love of God persists (Song of Solomon 8:6-7). Storms invariably will come, but we don´t have to be deceived. Paul´s encouragement is clear : "And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him" (Colossians 2:6-7). Let´s keep our eyes on Christ (3:1-4). - Regina Franklin

Read
Colossians 2:1-7
I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I tell you this so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is.
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Psalm 119:138-144
The statutes you have laid down are righteous;
they are fully trustworthy.
My zeal wears me out,
for my enemies ignore your words.
Your promises have been thoroughly tested,
and your servant loves them.
Though I am lowly and despised,
I do not forget your precepts.
Your righteousness is everlasting
and your law is true.
Trouble and distress have come upon me, 
but your commands are my delight. 
Your statutes are forever right;
give me understanding that I may live.

Question to Ponder
What are some lies you´ve heard that have tried to keep you from the love of Christ?
What does it mean to "let your roots grow down into [Jesus]"?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015

Together

Sunday February 22, 2015

A strange phenomenon is occurring all around me as I write this article. Tucked into the warm splendour of my niece´s living room, I´m observing ants occasionally crawling and darting about on the walls. Why is this strange? Well, there´s nearly 2 feet of snow outside her home, and it was -28°C a few days ago. So I´ve been wondering, How are these tiny creatures surviving? It appears they´re doing so by sticking together, working together and dwelling in the warmth found inside the house.

Paul was probably well acquainted with ants as he sat in a prison cell and wrote his epistle to the church at Philippi. And much like my little friends on the walls around me, the apostle wanted his readers to "[stand] together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith" (Philippians 1:27). Paul was behind prison bars and the believers who he was writing to were facing persecution, so they were truly in a "struggle together" (v.30).

But was Paul tossing in the towel? Had he given up the fight? No way. As he wrote his epistle of joy, Paul encouraged his friends to "live as citizens of heaven" and to share in the "privilege of trusting in Christ ... [and] of suffering for Him" (vv. 27, 29). Though they faced the bitter "elements" of outside forces that threatened to destroy them, Paul wrote of the warming hope that they would be "saved, even by God Himself" (v. 28).

It´s vital that you and I walk with other believers in Jesus through the difficulties and faith-challenging attacks of the world. Together we can experience encouragement, comfort, fellowship and compassion "in the Spirit" (2:1). Let´s stick together, work together and dwell in the warmth of God´s love. - Tom Felten

Read
Philippians 1:27-2:2
Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved - and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.
If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Ephesians 4:1
As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.

1 Thessalonians 2:12
encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.

Question to Ponder
What has been causing you to pull away from other believers in Jesus?
How can you encourage someone today to press on in the faith?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015

Spiritual Heart Attack

Saturday February 21, 2015

Heart attacks are the No.1 cause of death in many parts of the world. In America a heart attack occurs every 20 seconds, with someone dying from heart disease every 34 seconds. In Singapore on in three deaths is due to heart disease or stroke. We need to pay careful attention to what medical professionals are saying about heart attack prevention : reduce stress, don´t smoke, exercise regularly and watch your diet. "Guard your heart above all else" is instruction that we ignore to our own peril (Proverbs 4:23).

But the "heart" in this verse is not the biological organ that pumps blood. In Scripture the "heart" is the place where our feelings, attitudes, words and actions are conceived (Luke 6:45). "As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person" (Proverbs 27:19). It´s the "inner man" that defines who we are.

The heart is where Christ makes His home (John 14:23; Ephesians 3:16-17), and where God´s Spirit dwells (Romans 8:9-11; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17). The heart determines our receptivity and our responsiveness towards God (Deuteronomy 30:6; Ezekiel 11:19-20). It´s the centre of our worship (Jeremiah 32:39; Psalm 86:12). It defines, shapes and "determines the course of [our] life" (Proverbs 4:23). 

Police and soldiers on active duty wear bulletproof vests to protect their hearts from possible danger. Solomon offers a heart attack protection and prevention advisory : "Pay attention" and "listen carefully" to God´s Word. Let His words "penetrate deep into your heart, for they bring life... and healing to [your] whole body" (vv. 20-22).

The psalmist speaks of the importance of this truth : "I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you" (Psalm 119:11). The risk of a fatal spiritual heart attack intensifies when you neglect and ignore God´s Word. - K.T.Sim

Read
Proverbs 4:20-23
My son, pay attention to what I say;
listen closely to my words.
Do not let them out of your sight,
keep them within your heart;
for they are life to those who find them
and health to a man´s whole body.
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.

Deuteronomy 32:46-47
He said to them, "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you - they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess."

Joshua 1:7-8
Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.

Psalm 119:9-12
How can a young man keep his way pure?
By living according to your word. 
I seek you with all my heart;
do not let me stray from your commands.
I have hidden your word in my heart
that I might not sin against you.
Praise be to you, O Lord;
teach me your decrees.

Psalm 119: 97-105
Oh, how I love your law!
I meditate on it all day long.
Your commands make me wiser than my enemies,
for they are ever with me.
I have more insight than all my teachers,
for I meditate on your statutes.
I have more understanding than the elders,
 for I obey your precepts.
I have kept my feet from every evil path
so that I might obey your word.
I have not departed from your laws,
for you yourself have taught me.
How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
I gain understanding from your precepts;
therefore I hate every wrong path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light for my path.

Proverbs 3:1-2
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years and 
bring you prosperity.

Question to Ponder
What things are threatening your heart at this moment?
What will you do to guard it?


**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue

Unchanging

Friday February 20, 2015

How badly would someone have to betray oyu before you turned your back on that person forever? What if he told you that he loved you, would even die for you, but shortly thereafter adamantly denied that he even knew you? I´m guessing you´d turn your back on that person, or at least give him the cold shoulder for a few months.

Such is the situation in John 21. Peter had failed Jesus by denying him three times, even calling down curses upon himself in the process. Later, Peter went right back to what he had been doing before he met Jesus - fishing (v.3). This is a good example of how we inevitably revert to the pursuits and interests we held before we met Jesus when we begin to feel distant from Him.

But who did Peter jump in the water to see on the shore? Jesus! (v.7). Despite His disciple´s earlier denial, Jesus had not abandoned him. In fact, He basically re-enacted what occurred at the start of their relationship, the time when He had revealed His divine power and called Peter to the life of a disciple (Luke 5:1-11).

These accounts are a wonderful reminder of one aspect of God that I´m so prone to forget - His unchanging nature. I often think that when I fail, God turns away from me - angered and ashamed by my actions. I imagine that He loves me a little bit less as a result of my behaviour.

But Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." And in James 1:17 we read that God doesn´t change like "a shifting shadow." Our failures, as dark as they might be, aren´t bad enough for God to deny us or give up on us. He stands by the shore of our lives, calling us to repentance and renewed fellowship. His ways are unchanging! - Peter Chin

Read
John 21:1-14
Afterwards Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way : Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. "I´m going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We´ll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.
he called out to them, "Friends, haven´t you any fish?"
"No," they answered.
He said, "Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some." When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.
Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, "It is the Lord!" As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, "It is the Lord," he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread.
Jesus said to them, "Bring some of the fish you have just caught."
Simon Peter climbed abroad and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. Jesus said to them, "Come and have breakfast." None of the disciples dared ask him, "Who are you?" They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

Luke 15:11-32
Jesus continued : "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father´s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' So he got up and went to his father.
But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you- I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his fingers and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let´s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I´ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
'My son,' the father said, 'You are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is live again; he was lost and is found.' "

Question to Ponder
After making a mistake or experiencing a failure of some kind, do you ever feel that God loves you less?
What does it mean for you to know that God is unchanging?

** Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Dec 2014 - Feb 2015 issue