"But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and have not turned aside."
~Job 23:10-11
Job had a few problems in life, and I think we can all relate to one extent or another. Life leads us down some rough paths once in a while. We experience loss in life from the loss of dreams to the loss of jobs, marriages, and loved ones. Nothing is ever certain no matter how carefully we plan, and being a Christian is not an exemption from the pain of life. However, it is a guarantee that God will see us through no matter how rough the storm gets.
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7)."
The trials of life test us - our character and our faith, and shows us what we are made of. God allows us to experience the "downs" in life for a couple of reasons: 1) It builds our faith and dependence on God 2) It builds our character 3) It gives us a greater appreciation for the "ups" in life. Going through the valley and climbing the mountain is never easy, but standing on that mountaintop is glorious and exhilarating.
It doesn't matter what you're going through right now, or where you are. Whether you live in the White House, the wrong side of the tracks, or if you're sitting in prison - God is the same everywhere. He is looking for faithfulness that is tried and true, refined by fire and ready to move forward. Wallowing in your past or your misfortune will get you no where in life, or with God. But He also knows our limits, our ability to endure, and He makes a way out even when we can't see one. God wants us to succeed and come through stronger and better than before.
"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13)."
No weapon formed against you will stand (Isaiah 54:17) when the Lord is on your side. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior, He is always on your side and has a plan for your life. Hold fast to His steps, keep the faith, do not turn aside and your reward will be greater than any you could imagine.
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”
Read Numbers 8-10
(Weekend reading Numbers 11-15
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
"For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 4:6)."
Friday, March 2, 2018
Thursday, March 1, 2018
What Do You Desire?
"Whom have I in Heaven but You? And there is nothing on Earth that I desire besides You.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
~Psalm 73:25-26
Have you ever been in a situation where your knees gave out, your heart beat wildly, your stomach rolled and your blood ran cold? I have and it's a horrible feeling. My adrenaline level was so high, I thought I would pass out because my brain felt as if everything was in slow motion but my body was in hyper overdrive. I know the physiological reasons why it happens - our "old" or primitive brain goes into fight or flight mode and there's a physical response beginning with a huge dump of adrenaline. It happens when we're faced with uncertain or extreme circumstances like being held at gunpoint, getting into a car wreck, or seeing a loved one injured. It can be frightening at the time, but it's a natural response that gets us in motion.
There's another kind of response that also begins in the brain and sends signals to our body when we fall in love. A combination of testosterone, norepinephrine and serotonin all have a contributing role through their neuromodulatory effects upon dopamine and oxytocin that tells us we are in love. While we like to say it's our hearts that fall in love, it's really a chemical reaction in our brains. That aside, we do have a physical reaction to those chemicals: rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, giggly voices, increased sense of well being, butterflies in our stomachs, etc. All of the things that occur when we are near the object of our affection are what keeps us wanting to be around them.
But what of our love for God? Is that also a chemical reaction in the brain? How do we fall in love with what we can't see or touch? How do we maintain such a relationship?
First, God created all of us to love Him (Isaiah 43:7). He calls us to love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19), and He called us into fellowship with Christ (1Corinthians 1:9).
Secondly, God put heavenly purpose into each one of us (Ephesians 2:10). No one was created by mistake (Jeremiah1:5) , no matter what our life circumstances might say. Each one of us was created for God's own glory (Isaiah 43:7) in God's own image ( Genesis 1:26, 5:1-2).
We are special to God, and He treasures us above all of Creation. Learning to look at ourselves and see what God sees might be difficult because this world has beat us down and told us we aren't worthy of that kind of love. But when we see ourselves and others the way God does, we experience a freedom we have never known before. It allows us to shake off the crud of the world that weighs us down and drags us backward.
No matter how our flesh fails, as long as we desire to follow God with all our hearts, He will be our strength forevermore.
"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:9-14)."
Read Numbers 7
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."
~Psalm 73:25-26
Have you ever been in a situation where your knees gave out, your heart beat wildly, your stomach rolled and your blood ran cold? I have and it's a horrible feeling. My adrenaline level was so high, I thought I would pass out because my brain felt as if everything was in slow motion but my body was in hyper overdrive. I know the physiological reasons why it happens - our "old" or primitive brain goes into fight or flight mode and there's a physical response beginning with a huge dump of adrenaline. It happens when we're faced with uncertain or extreme circumstances like being held at gunpoint, getting into a car wreck, or seeing a loved one injured. It can be frightening at the time, but it's a natural response that gets us in motion.
There's another kind of response that also begins in the brain and sends signals to our body when we fall in love. A combination of testosterone, norepinephrine and serotonin all have a contributing role through their neuromodulatory effects upon dopamine and oxytocin that tells us we are in love. While we like to say it's our hearts that fall in love, it's really a chemical reaction in our brains. That aside, we do have a physical reaction to those chemicals: rapid heartbeat, sweaty palms, giggly voices, increased sense of well being, butterflies in our stomachs, etc. All of the things that occur when we are near the object of our affection are what keeps us wanting to be around them.
But what of our love for God? Is that also a chemical reaction in the brain? How do we fall in love with what we can't see or touch? How do we maintain such a relationship?
First, God created all of us to love Him (Isaiah 43:7). He calls us to love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19), and He called us into fellowship with Christ (1Corinthians 1:9).
Secondly, God put heavenly purpose into each one of us (Ephesians 2:10). No one was created by mistake (Jeremiah1:5) , no matter what our life circumstances might say. Each one of us was created for God's own glory (Isaiah 43:7) in God's own image ( Genesis 1:26, 5:1-2).
We are special to God, and He treasures us above all of Creation. Learning to look at ourselves and see what God sees might be difficult because this world has beat us down and told us we aren't worthy of that kind of love. But when we see ourselves and others the way God does, we experience a freedom we have never known before. It allows us to shake off the crud of the world that weighs us down and drags us backward.
No matter how our flesh fails, as long as we desire to follow God with all our hearts, He will be our strength forevermore.
"And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy; giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Colossians 1:9-14)."
Read Numbers 7
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
Your First Love
"Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love."
~Revelation 2:4
Do you remember your first love? Mine was Michael Ashby. We were both thirteen and met at the county fair. By the time summer ended, we had planned our wedding, designed our dream home, and named our kids. But then school started and we were freshmen...high school! I met Alan, he met Cherie and our "love" was gone. Of course, over the next few years, there were several loves of my life, all just as fleeting, and although I can't remember their names, I will always remember my very first love.
Life is a busy place. We have a lot to do and it seems as if there just isn't enough time to get everything done. Some days, I don't know how I get anything done because it seems like nothing is ever really done. But the one thing we must do is remember Who we are supposed to put first above all else - Jesus Christ.
It's easy to put off reading the Bible, praying, or taking time for praise and worship in our daily lives. It's not unusual to sit in church and tick off all the things we still need to get done if only the preacher would finish his sermon. It's common to try and finish up that one last chore, or last bit of paperwork before finally collapsing into bed without a single hallelujah passing our lips. But if Christ is truly our first love, shouldn't we make time for Him?
"One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple (Psalm 27:4)."
Do you remember the day you accepted Christ as your Savior? I do. I remember the overwhelming joy and love I felt. I was so overcome that I cried for days. I couldn't even speak about what happened to me without bursting into tears. It was the greatest experience of my life. But I also remember how, as time went by, I let the duties of life creep in and replace that joy. I had a husband, a young child, a job, responsibilities to tend to. I went to church three times a week but I found myself thinking of all I could be doing if I wasn't "required" to be sitting in church. I also found that on the days I didn't go to church, I picked up my Bible less and less.
That is how the devil works. He uses the little things, the normal things of life to subvert our attention from God. It is up to us to be diligent and watchful. There is nothing more important in life than our relationship with the Lord, and like any relationship, we have to nurture it.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8)."
There is a spiritual battle we all must be aware of. Once we become a Christian, we are a target for the demons of hell. The devil knows how the story ends, and he's determined to take as many as he can to hell with him. He knows the Word of God better than we do! He can also appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), sneaky as he is.
But what he does and who he is won't matter if we keep our first Love first. Jesus first. Jesus first thing in the morning by thanking Him, reading Scripture, and prayer. Jesus throughout the day by meditating on His Word, and speaking to Him when we have a moment alone. Jesus at every meal; Jesus at dinner with our families. Jesus before bed; no matter how exhausted we are, there is time to thank Him for our day.
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples (John 15:5-8)."
Read Numbers 4:34-6:27
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha © 2018
~Revelation 2:4
Do you remember your first love? Mine was Michael Ashby. We were both thirteen and met at the county fair. By the time summer ended, we had planned our wedding, designed our dream home, and named our kids. But then school started and we were freshmen...high school! I met Alan, he met Cherie and our "love" was gone. Of course, over the next few years, there were several loves of my life, all just as fleeting, and although I can't remember their names, I will always remember my very first love.
Life is a busy place. We have a lot to do and it seems as if there just isn't enough time to get everything done. Some days, I don't know how I get anything done because it seems like nothing is ever really done. But the one thing we must do is remember Who we are supposed to put first above all else - Jesus Christ.
It's easy to put off reading the Bible, praying, or taking time for praise and worship in our daily lives. It's not unusual to sit in church and tick off all the things we still need to get done if only the preacher would finish his sermon. It's common to try and finish up that one last chore, or last bit of paperwork before finally collapsing into bed without a single hallelujah passing our lips. But if Christ is truly our first love, shouldn't we make time for Him?
"One thing I have desired of the Lord, that will I seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in His temple (Psalm 27:4)."
Do you remember the day you accepted Christ as your Savior? I do. I remember the overwhelming joy and love I felt. I was so overcome that I cried for days. I couldn't even speak about what happened to me without bursting into tears. It was the greatest experience of my life. But I also remember how, as time went by, I let the duties of life creep in and replace that joy. I had a husband, a young child, a job, responsibilities to tend to. I went to church three times a week but I found myself thinking of all I could be doing if I wasn't "required" to be sitting in church. I also found that on the days I didn't go to church, I picked up my Bible less and less.
That is how the devil works. He uses the little things, the normal things of life to subvert our attention from God. It is up to us to be diligent and watchful. There is nothing more important in life than our relationship with the Lord, and like any relationship, we have to nurture it.
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8)."
There is a spiritual battle we all must be aware of. Once we become a Christian, we are a target for the demons of hell. The devil knows how the story ends, and he's determined to take as many as he can to hell with him. He knows the Word of God better than we do! He can also appear as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), sneaky as he is.
But what he does and who he is won't matter if we keep our first Love first. Jesus first. Jesus first thing in the morning by thanking Him, reading Scripture, and prayer. Jesus throughout the day by meditating on His Word, and speaking to Him when we have a moment alone. Jesus at every meal; Jesus at dinner with our families. Jesus before bed; no matter how exhausted we are, there is time to thank Him for our day.
"I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples (John 15:5-8)."
Read Numbers 4:34-6:27
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha © 2018
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Where's Your Self-Control?
"For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control."
~1 Timothy 1:7
When I look around at the world today, I don't see a lot of love or self-control. I do see a lot of fear and hatred, and people out of control who are trying to control what others think, say, or do. This world is in complete contrast to what Jesus teaches. In fact, biblical teachings and the world around us is diametrically opposed. The world says what is right is wrong; what is wrong is right; what is up is down, and what is day is night. Everything we see around us is contrary to the Bible.
We could go back to the Garden of Eden and dissect mankind throughout history, but we would still be able to conclude that humans make really bad choices based on emotion, desire, and selfishness. We haven't really evolved much since Cain killed Able. I think our technology just allows us to see human depravity up close and personal. Before we had computer technology, it was much easier to pretend the degradation of society either didn't exist, or it didn't affect us. Now, it's in our face 24/7.
In spite of all that, Jesus' words are still true today. He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). He is still the light of the world (John 8:12), and there is still only one right path to follow (John 14:6).
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Matthew 7:13-14)."
It is easy to do the wrong thing; to follow the crowd; to think only of right now; to be selfish; to indulge in our cravings; to revel in fleshly desires - it is easy to be a sinner and the devil laughs with delight with every step we take in the wrong direction. What is that saying... The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing man he doesn't exist? Absolutely.
Or, as the song, "When I Die" by Blood, Sweat & Tears says, "I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell... only my dying will tell."
I pray no one finds out about hell the hard way. Once we die, all second chances have ended. There is no way to change our minds once we stand before Truth. Most people think the worst part of hell is the sulphur and brimstone, but I think it's the eternal separation from God, knowing we had the choice but chose selfish desires over the King of Glory. Choose today the path you take and remember, it has eternal consequences.
"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)."
Read Numbers 3:1-4:33
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
~1 Timothy 1:7
When I look around at the world today, I don't see a lot of love or self-control. I do see a lot of fear and hatred, and people out of control who are trying to control what others think, say, or do. This world is in complete contrast to what Jesus teaches. In fact, biblical teachings and the world around us is diametrically opposed. The world says what is right is wrong; what is wrong is right; what is up is down, and what is day is night. Everything we see around us is contrary to the Bible.
We could go back to the Garden of Eden and dissect mankind throughout history, but we would still be able to conclude that humans make really bad choices based on emotion, desire, and selfishness. We haven't really evolved much since Cain killed Able. I think our technology just allows us to see human depravity up close and personal. Before we had computer technology, it was much easier to pretend the degradation of society either didn't exist, or it didn't affect us. Now, it's in our face 24/7.
In spite of all that, Jesus' words are still true today. He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). He is still the light of the world (John 8:12), and there is still only one right path to follow (John 14:6).
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few (Matthew 7:13-14)."
It is easy to do the wrong thing; to follow the crowd; to think only of right now; to be selfish; to indulge in our cravings; to revel in fleshly desires - it is easy to be a sinner and the devil laughs with delight with every step we take in the wrong direction. What is that saying... The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing man he doesn't exist? Absolutely.
Or, as the song, "When I Die" by Blood, Sweat & Tears says, "I can swear there ain't no heaven but I pray there ain't no hell... only my dying will tell."
I pray no one finds out about hell the hard way. Once we die, all second chances have ended. There is no way to change our minds once we stand before Truth. Most people think the worst part of hell is the sulphur and brimstone, but I think it's the eternal separation from God, knowing we had the choice but chose selfish desires over the King of Glory. Choose today the path you take and remember, it has eternal consequences.
"And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord (Joshua 24:15)."
Read Numbers 3:1-4:33
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
Monday, February 26, 2018
Join The Army
"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes burned like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS."
LORD OF LORDS."
~Revelation 19:11-16
When I was a kid, we used to sing a song in Sunday school called "I'm In The Lord's Army."
"I may never march in the infantry
Ride in the cavalryShoot the artillery
I may never fly o'er the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army!
Yes sir!"
As we sang, we stomped our feet, clapped our hands, rode imaginary steeds, and flew around the room with our arms out like wings. It was great fun and allowed us to be loud in church! We had no real idea what being in the Lord's army actually meant, and I sometimes wonder how many adults really take the task seriously. Sometimes, when talking to other Christians, it seems as if being a Christian is something people do, rather than who they are.
Following Jesus requires effort, determination, and, above all, faith that Jesus is who He says He is, and will do what He says He will. Being a Christian requires more than showing up at church on Sunday, and mumbling along to a few hymns. It even requires more than a few acts of service, like teaching Sunday school or cleaning the church. Being part of the Lord's army requires a heart change, a mindset change, and a lifestyle change. It's not about performing tasks to show our righteousness like the Pharisees did, it's about a total life transformation from the inside out (2 Corinthians 5:17).
We live life from the outside in, or in other words, we internalize outside circumstances and they become the things we believe. Following Jesus requires we chuck all that and live from the inside out.
"Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did (1 John 2:6)."
Not that we are to wear robes and sandals, walk everywhere, or even preach the Word of God. Jesus lived His life loving others, serving others, and helping other people. He was kind, caring, and didn't look at people's outward appearances but at who they were if they only internalized His message.
We will one day ride as part of Heaven's armies and it will be glorious, but while we're here on Earth, we are still part of the Lord's army. The church is Heaven's army in this world and we need to start acting like it. We can all reach the lost in very real ways if we emulate Jesus and show the same love and care for a hurting world.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35).”
Read
Leviticus 22-Numbers 2
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
Thursday, February 22, 2018
A Greater Homecoming
"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints."
~Psalm 116:15
Billy Graham went home to be with the Lord yesterday. The world is a sadder place but I know Heaven is rejoicing, and so is Mr. Graham. He served the Lord for most of his life and led countless people to salvation. Truly, his death on earth, his homecoming in Heaven was "precious in the sight of the Lord." However, God sees each of His children's earthly deaths as 'precious'. There is no difference in His love for one over another.
Sometimes we can get bogged down in what another person does compared to what we are doing. Maybe we see our pastors or Sunday school teachers reaching others and leading them to Jesus and think that our efforts just don't compare. Maybe we've looked at the lives of well known Christians like Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, or Corrie ten Boom, and think they must have a special place in Heaven that we will never see. But the truth is, God doesn't play favorites. He only looks at our hearts.
"But glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God (Romans 2:10-11)."
"Then Peter opened his mouth and said: 'In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality' (Acts10:34)."
Each one of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior is precious in the sight of God. Our lives and deaths are as meaningful to Him as those we esteem higher than ourselves. While some may be mourned by more people here on Earth, the only one that counts is Jesus. No matter how we are eulogized here, no matter how many tears are shed, the only words that matter are the ones Jesus speaks about us to our Heavenly Father.
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in Heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in Heaven (Matthew 10:32-33)."
If you have not confessed Jesus Christ as your Savior, today is the day to make that eternal decision so Jesus will confess you before God.
"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:8-9)."
Read
Leviticus 19-21
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
~Psalm 116:15
Billy Graham went home to be with the Lord yesterday. The world is a sadder place but I know Heaven is rejoicing, and so is Mr. Graham. He served the Lord for most of his life and led countless people to salvation. Truly, his death on earth, his homecoming in Heaven was "precious in the sight of the Lord." However, God sees each of His children's earthly deaths as 'precious'. There is no difference in His love for one over another.
Sometimes we can get bogged down in what another person does compared to what we are doing. Maybe we see our pastors or Sunday school teachers reaching others and leading them to Jesus and think that our efforts just don't compare. Maybe we've looked at the lives of well known Christians like Billy Graham, Mother Teresa, or Corrie ten Boom, and think they must have a special place in Heaven that we will never see. But the truth is, God doesn't play favorites. He only looks at our hearts.
"But glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God (Romans 2:10-11)."
"Then Peter opened his mouth and said: 'In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality' (Acts10:34)."
Each one of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior is precious in the sight of God. Our lives and deaths are as meaningful to Him as those we esteem higher than ourselves. While some may be mourned by more people here on Earth, the only one that counts is Jesus. No matter how we are eulogized here, no matter how many tears are shed, the only words that matter are the ones Jesus speaks about us to our Heavenly Father.
"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in Heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in Heaven (Matthew 10:32-33)."
If you have not confessed Jesus Christ as your Savior, today is the day to make that eternal decision so Jesus will confess you before God.
"But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:8-9)."
Read
Leviticus 19-21
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
Wednesday, February 21, 2018
Walk On Water
"And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
~Matthew 14:28-32
It takes faith in what you're doing to step out of what is comfortable to do something that might bring great success, or see you fall flat of your face. Part of the thrill of success is the margin of defeat. If you're old enough to remember ABCs Wide World of Sports, you've heard host Jim McKay say, "Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sports... the thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat... the human drama of athletic competition..." We all remember when McKay said, "agony of defeat," how the skier, Vinko Bogataj, slid down the ramp, only to slide of the edge and fall into the crowd below. Why did he miss his opportunity of victory? Probably for the same reason many of us do -- we take our eyes off the focal point. Even if it's only for a split second, it can be enough to send us off the edge.
In the verse for today, Peter sees Jesus walking on water, and although the disciples first thought they were seeing a ghost, Peter was brave enough to step out of the boat. He walked on the raging sea toward Jesus, but what happened next? He took his focus off Jesus and looked at the water being violently blown about by the wind. It probably took no longer than a breath for doubt to flash through his mind before he found himself sinking. How many times have we done the same thing?
~Matthew 14:28-32
It takes faith in what you're doing to step out of what is comfortable to do something that might bring great success, or see you fall flat of your face. Part of the thrill of success is the margin of defeat. If you're old enough to remember ABCs Wide World of Sports, you've heard host Jim McKay say, "Spanning the globe to bring you the constant variety of sports... the thrill of victory... and the agony of defeat... the human drama of athletic competition..." We all remember when McKay said, "agony of defeat," how the skier, Vinko Bogataj, slid down the ramp, only to slide of the edge and fall into the crowd below. Why did he miss his opportunity of victory? Probably for the same reason many of us do -- we take our eyes off the focal point. Even if it's only for a split second, it can be enough to send us off the edge.
In the verse for today, Peter sees Jesus walking on water, and although the disciples first thought they were seeing a ghost, Peter was brave enough to step out of the boat. He walked on the raging sea toward Jesus, but what happened next? He took his focus off Jesus and looked at the water being violently blown about by the wind. It probably took no longer than a breath for doubt to flash through his mind before he found himself sinking. How many times have we done the same thing?
"So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? (Hebrews 13:6)."
There is so much going on in our lives that take our focus off Jesus, even the little things. I recently realized how much of my time was going to unnecessary activities like Facebook, playing games on my phone, or being too tired at the end of the day to anything but curl up in front of the TV until I fell asleep. These might seem like minor distractions but how much of that time could I dedicated to prayer or Bible study?
The Bible tells us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17); how can I pray if my focus is on a screen in front me while I diligently pop bubbles to set baby bunnies free? I'm not saying there's anything wrong with taking some time to relax and unwind; we just have to remember what is most important in our lives. If our priority isn't Jesus, we are going to lose our focus , and like Peter, we'll find ourselves sinking.
"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15)."
Read
Leviticus 16-18
A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018
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