In Sunshine or in Rain

I set my alarm for a rather unearthly hour this morning, and when the first alarm went off I promptly turned it off. By the time the second alarm went off, I was even more groggy and it took a lot of willpower to get up. That is when it hit me how this scenario is very applicable to the Christian walk. The first time the Holy Spirit prompts us, His voice is quite distinguishable. The more however we ignore the promptings(hit the snooze button), the easier it becomes to drown out His voice. Eventually we reach a point where we don't hear His voice anymore(we sleep through the alarm). I know this s a very simple illustration, but I like finding object lessons in daily life.  It is my prayer that I may be sensitive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. May we not allow the stresses of daily life to drown out that still small voice, but may we rather walk so closely with Jesus that we can hear His words even in the noise of life. Instead of dulling our hearing, may we learn to ...

"Faith is trusting God--believing that He loves us and knows best what is for our good. Thus, instead of our own, it leads us to choose His way. In place of our ignorance, it accepts His wisdom; in place of our weakness, His strength; in place of our sinfulness, His righteousness. Our lives, ourselves, are already His; faith acknowledges His ownership and accepts its blessing. Truth, uprightness, purity, have been pointed out as secrets of life's success. It is faith that puts us in possession of these principles."     Education pg 253 What does true faith look like? We often claim to have faith, but I have personally come to realize that true faith and claimed faith are often very different things. When the future seems clear, and everything is smooth sailing, it is easy for me to say that I believe. When the future seems uncertain however, and things held so dear are taken away from me, that is when it becomes clear whether or not I know what true faith is. True f...

I found this poem in one of my textbooks, and it really struck home. Hope it blesses you too! My mother taught me how to pray: I do. My father taught me what to say: I do. They said to go to church each week, and listen to the preacher speak; I do. My dean has taught me modesty, To wear my skirt below the knee; I do. Life and Teachings help me too: I learned Acts 3 verse 22. Every night at nine o'clock, Good kids meet to pray in bands; I do. We sing, "If you're happy and you know it, Clap your hands"; I do. I do these things most every day, My dean, she says I've found the way. Let's see. Clap your hands, go to church,  Say a prayer, learn a verse-I'm saved. Yipee! What did you say? Jesus Christ? Who's He? This poem very accurately depicts what a Christian life without Christ looks like. There is more to the Christian walk than rules and standards. If there is no heart-change, if we are merely going through the motions, then we h...

I have been unusually stressed and perplexed this week, but God has been so very faithful. It is when I think I cannot go another step, that God shows me just how strong He is. It is when the future is veiled that I learn what it means to trust and believe in the Lord's leading. It is when trials come my way, that I grow the most. Too often I become discouraged when things seem difficult, instead of being encouraged that God sees something in me that is worth refining. It is a privilege to pass through the fiery furnace because only so can the dross be removed.  Here is a little poem I wrote just now. May it be an encouragement to you. I don't know what tomorrow holds, I don't know what lies ahead, Sometimes my heart is troubled, and weighed down with such dread. But then I look into Your face, and my worries melt away, because if you are beside me Lord, I can make it through today. You Who see the end of things before they ha...

This morning while reading a bible verse the word "if" jumped out at me. I know this word can be used in many different ways, but I want to  start by focusing on its use as an excuse. "If only the circumstances were different, then I would be happy. " "If only I were a better speaker, then I could be a better soul-winner." I think you get the idea. I have been thinking about my own life. It is easy to make excuses for a deficit in our knowledge, behavior, spirituality etc. Instead of casting myself down at my Master's feet, I am sometimes tempted to try to rationalize my behavior. Oh that I may acknowledge my weakness and sinfulness and run to the One who IS my Power and my Deliverer. In the verse I read this morning the word "if" is used as a condition for attaining, or receiving something.  " If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven." Matthew 19:21...

Tonight while exercising I went over all the chapters of scripture I have memorized this past year. There is something very powerful about memorizing scripture. Jesus quoted scripture when tempted by Satan, and oh how much more do I need to hide God's precious promises in my heart. Here are my favorite verses from these precious chapters. ( I really wish I would have memorized more...) " For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding  and  eternal weight of glory,   while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen  are  temporary, but the things which  are  not seen are eternal."   -2. Cor 4:17-18 "For as the heavens are high above the earth, So  great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; 12  As far as the east is from the west, So  far has He removed our transgressions from us."  -Psalm 103:11-12 "Let ...

It is when we realize just how weak and helpless we are in our own strength that the Lord can make us stronger than we ever were before. It is when we are stripped of that which is so precious to us that we can experience Jesus being our All in All. It is when the future seems to be veiled that we can learn the true meaning of trust, and it is in our darkest hour that the Son is nearest. It is when trials come our way that we grow and mature, and is when the storms of life assail us that we can learn to walk on water. Here is a quote that means a lot to me: " No cross, no crown. How can we be strong in the Lord without trial? To have physical strength, we must have exercise. To have strong faith, we must be placed in circumstances where our faith will be tried. Every temptation resisted, every trial bravely borne, gives us a new experience, and advances us in the work of character building. Our Saviour was tried in every way, yet He triumphed in God constantly. It is ...