62. Be still

February 18th, 2012

Song: Be still, my soul

northernimages.com

“And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Hush, be still.’ And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm.” (Mark 4:39 NASB)

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10)

I was impressed by these two verses this morning. In Mark chapter 4, the disciples are afraid. They feel the storm is about to send them to the bottom of the sea, but with a word the Master calms their fears as He calms the storm. They marvel at His greatness while He gently rebukes their lack of faith.

Psalm 46 begins with

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.”

Take time today to pause and ponder the greatness of your personal God. He is the Creator of the heavens and earth, the author of eternal salvation; the One who brings light to darkened hearts  and life to distressed souls. He is in total control of your situation, and He is attentive to the cry of His people.

“The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah” (Psalm 46:11).

Print FriendlyPrint or View PDF

Posted in Devotional | No Comments »

61. Timeless Love

February 14th, 2012

How Deep the Father’s Love

God’s love is as timeless as His character.

Love had no beginning

The Son spoke to His Father and said, “Thou lovedst Me before the foundation of the world.” John 17:24

Believers in the Lord Jesus have been brought into that love relationship with the Father.  ”…for the Father Himself loves you” John 16:27 ESV. 

“He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love…” Eph. 1:4 .

Love was personified in Jesus Christ

“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” 1 John 4:10.

Love has no end

“The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” Jer. 31:3

“Love never ends.” 1 Cor. 13:8 ESV

 

“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word” 2 Thes. 2:16-17.

God so loved (John 3:16).  ”If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

My Jesus I love Thee

Print FriendlyPrint or View PDF

Posted in Devotional | No Comments »

60. Rescued!

January 5th, 2012

Tom Satre told the Sitka Gazette that he was out with a charter group on his 62-foot fishing vessel when four juvenile black-tailed deer swam directly toward his boat.

“Once the deer reached the boat, the four began to circle the boat, looking directly at us. We could tell right away that the young bucks were distressed.

“I opened up my back gate and we helped the typically skittish and absolutely wild animals onto the boat. In all my years fishing, I’ve never seen anything quite like it!

“Once on-board, they collapsed with exhaustion, shivering. We headed for Taku Harbour. Once we reached the dock, the first buck that we had been pulled from the water hopped onto the dock, looked back as if to say ‘thank you’ and disappeared into the forest.

“After a bit of prodding and assistance, two more followed, but the smallest deer needed a little more help (that’s him in the wheelbarrow).

“My daughter, Anna, and son, Tim, helped the last buck to its feet. We didn’t know how long they had been in the icy waters or if there had been others who did not survive. My daughter later told me that the experience was something that she would never forget, and I suspect the deer felt the same way as well!”

source: Northern Broadcasting, Second Chance Ranch

 

When I read this true story, I couldn’t help but be reminded of what it means to be rescued spiritually. Naturally, we are like those young bucks– helpless in the cold waters of death– headed for a lost eternity. We really don’t want to admit we’re unable to reach the other shore, but when we finally realize that the time is short, we’re not ready, and we can’t get there on our own, there is a safe haven available for us to swim toward. It’s not in our nature to get into that boat and let the Lord Jesus take us in, but when we’re desparate, we finally give in and accept His kind, nail-pierced hands. Then the Lord sets us free, giving us a new life, a new location and destination, and a new love for the things of God. It is an experience we will never forget– a life-changing one!

Have you experienced it?

You can, because He can! He’s able to save because He went into the waters of death and judgment on the cross to take our death sentence for us. His blood paid the debt in full. Receive Him, and what He has done for you, and then you will be able to say “THANK YOU” too!

 

Print FriendlyPrint or View PDF

Posted in Good news | No Comments »

« Older Entries