Priceless Smile =)

by Meg

This afternoon (after work), I got an opportunity to talk to Auntie Rose. She’s one of the grandmothers in Villaflora I met and I came to know. She’s turning 80 years old next year and I’m so glad to see her that she’s still strong and happy as well. She reminds me of my grandmothers. I miss them much and even though I cannot see them anymore, I know they’re happy in heaven with God.

We had a great talk. Her smile brings happiness in my heart because it resembles my grandmother’s smile when I first gave her a bouquet of flowers.  It was like ‘heaven’, I cannot express my happiness to see her face when she received my gift.  As if my grandmother won an award on that special moment ---the same feeling that I felt when I received a trophy, that bouquet of flowers and a cash in an impromptu competition in year 2003.

For me, although I miss both of my grandmothers, I thank God for allowing me to meet Auntie Rose in my life. She’s the extended version of both my lolas who’s very dear, special, loving and kind. =)

Worth Doing Well

Maul, Derek

A short while ago, in August, Rebekah and I celebrated our twenty-third wedding anniversary. While I do not intend to write a commemorative column every year, this particular milestone is remarkable inasmuch as it represents, at forty-six year of age, exactly half of our lives.

Most everything else in our experience is becoming increasingly temporary. My last computer was obsolete after around eighteen months; the likelihood of my current car outlasting its loan is highly questionable; familiar faces at the businesses I frequent quickly disappear; and people often change allegiances (churches, insurance agents, spouses) on a whim, or when the next attractive looking offer comes along.

From disposable plates to single-use cameras, and watches we throw out rather than repair, we continue to devalue the fundamental values of all kinds of work by implying that it does not matter, because it will be in the trash before we know it. My friend Gil showed me a Civil War era wooden snuff container, it was ingeniously crafted without the need for metal hinges. The box survived so long not only due to the quality of the work invested, but because of the value vested in work by nineteenth century society.

It is the evidence and the work of time that adds richness and depth to the giddy hopes and dreams of young love. People who trade in short-term passion for one more "exciting ride" not only shortchange one another, but they fail to enjoy the cumulative fruits of a committed relationship that is designed to grow in substance over time.

Our social structure is being impoverished by a throw away mentality that too often reaches even the most sacred of relationships. Commitment to the quality of such a good work is the only option for people who value the worth of excellent things.

Accept His Timing

Accept His Timing

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Galatians 6:9, NKJV.

TODAY’S WORD

I’d love to tell you that if you stay in faith, if you believe, then God will always answer your prayer within 24 hours, or at least within the first week. But we know that’s not reality. God promises He will be true to His word, but He never puts a timeframe on it. In fact, He tells us that we need patience to see the promises come to pass. Sure, it would be a lot easier if God told us when we were going to get well, when we would meet the right person, or when our child would straighten up. But the truth is, that wouldn’t take any faith. It takes faith to say, “God, I don’t know when You are going to do it, but I trust You enough to believe that You will do it, that the answer is already in my future.”

Today and every day let this be your prayer: “God, give me the grace to accept Your timing.” That means you’re asking for God’s strength, His supernatural empowerment to stand strong while you are waiting. Choose to keep believing, choose to praise Him, and choose to accept His timing knowing that He is faithful and has untold blessings in store for your future!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank You for Your hand of favor, blessing and mercy on my life. You are good and faithful. Because of that I trust You. I trust Your love, and I trust Your timing in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

You’re Alive Because God Wants to Love You by Rick Warren "Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. His unchanging plan has always been to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. And this gave him great pleasure." (Ephesians 1:4-5 NLT) A while back, a man came into my office and said, “I’m a Christian, but I don’t feel like I’m going anywhere in my spiritual growth. I’m kind of stuck in neutral.” I said, “What do you think the problem is?” He said, “I think my problem is I just don't love God enough.” I said, “That's not your problem. Your problem is not that you don't love God enough. Your problem is that you don't understand how much he loves you.” Love is always a response to love. The Bible says, “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NIV). When you say, “I don't love God,” it's because you don't understand just how much he really loves you. To understand your life’s purpose and calling, you have to begin with God’s nature. God is love. Love is the essence of his nature. The only reason there is love in the universe is because of God. Ants and snails do not love, but you were made in God’s image, so you can love. The reason you are alive is because God wanted to love you. The first purpose of your life is to be loved by God! Yes, it is important to serve him, obey, and trust him, but your first purpose is to love him. Let this sink in: Your first duty is not to do anything but just be loved by God. “Dear friends in Rome. God loves you dearly, and he has called you to be his very own people” (Romans 1:7). Talk About It What is your response to the truth that your first calling is to enjoy a relationship with God? Think about your current relationship with God. Has it become more about rules, regulations, and rituals than about love?

Infinite Love and Gratitude

The journey of your spirit is to reconnect with the power of Infinite Love & Gratitude. The LifeLine Technique is a fusion of science and spirit that harnesses the Power of Infinite Love & Gratitude to transform the body and all relationships in life!

Infinite defines the essence of the universe....one song that has no beginning or ending. Faith acknowledges that there must be more in life regardless of circumstances occurring in a particular moment.

Love is the universal power that propels life, fueling your will and enabling you to face and overcome challenges.

Gratitude empowers you to go through life without judgment. You see the value of any experience (even situations once perceived as “bad”) as an opportunity, rather than being a victim of circumstance.

A Japanese doctor of alternative medicine and visionary researcher, Dr. Masaru Emoto, experimented with water and found that human vibrational energy (thoughts, words, ideas, and music) dramatically affects the molecular structure of water.

Water is the very source of all life on this planet. It's quality and integrity is the vital to all forms of life. In fact, our human bodies are made up of 75 - 90% water.

So just imagine how sensitive our bodies are to our emotions, our thoughts, the music we listen to, and the food that we eat.

Before You Were Born

Before You Were Born

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Before I formed you in the womb I knew [and] approved of you…

Jeremiah 1:5, AMP.

TODAY’S WORD

Did you know that God was thinking about you before you were ever born? He knew everything about you before you were in your mother’s womb. He created you on purpose, for a purpose. He carefully planned who you would be, the color of your hair, the color of your eyes and skin. He gave you gifts, talents and abilities to be used for His glory. He took one look at you and said, “Approved.”

No matter how you may be feeling right now, no matter who’s approval you didn’t get on this earth, know that Almighty God loves you and approves of you today. There’s nothing you can do now or ever to change that. You may be thinking, “I’ve made so many mistakes, how can God approve of me?” Understand that when God sees you, He separates you from your behavior. He may not approve of your actions all the time, but He desires to help you grow and make better choices.

Today, receive His love and acceptance. Allow Him to work in your life. Allow His love to empower and strengthen you because you are approved and equipped to live in victory all the days of your life!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for approving me and empowering me by Your love. I open my heart and mind to Your truth and invite You to have Your way in my life. Remove anything that would hold me back from all You have in store in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

Quiet Time: Follow a Simple Plan by Rick Warren “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24 NIV) Someone has said, “If you aim at nothing, you are sure to hit it!” To have a meaningful quiet time, you will need a plan or some kind of general outline to follow. The main rule is this: Keep your plan simple. You will need the following three items for your planned quiet times: A Bible — a contemporary translation (not a paraphrase) with good print, preferably without notes. A notebook for writing down what the Lord shows you and for making a prayer list. A hymnbook — sometimes you may want to sing in your praise time (see Colossians 3:16). Wait on God (relax). Be still for a minute; don’t come running into God’s presence and start talking immediately. Follow God’s admonition: “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10 NIV; see also Isaiah 30:15; 40:31). Be quiet for a short while to put yourself into a reverent mood. Pray briefly (request). This is not your prayer time, but a short opening prayer to ask God to cleanse your heart and guide you into the time together. Two good passages of Scripture to memorize are Psalm 139:23-24 and Psalm 119:18. You need to be in tune with the Author before you can understand his Book! Read a section of the Scripture (read). This is where your conversation with God begins. He speaks to you through his Word, and you speak with him in prayer. Read your Bible: Slowly. Don’t be in a hurry; don’t try to read too large an amount; don’t race through it. Repeatedly. Read a passage over and over until you start to picture it in your mind. The reason more people don’t get more out of their Bible reading is that they do not read the Scriptures repeatedly. Without stopping. Don’t stop in the middle of a sentence to go off on a tangent and do a doctrinal study. Just read that section for the pure joy of it, allowing God to speak to you. Aloud but quietly. Reading it aloud will improve your concentration and help you understand what you are reading better because you will both see and hear what you are reading. Read softly enough, however, so that you won’t disturb anyone. Systematically. Do not use the “random dip” method — a passage here, a chapter there, what you like here, an interesting portion there. You’ll understand the Bible better if you read it as it was written — a book or letter at a time. Talk About It Which of these guidelines goes against your nature (reading slowly, relaxing, etc.)? Ask God for help in those specific areas so that your quiet time can be more effective. How does an effective quiet time change your day?

Megastructures-Extreme Railway

Removing Impurities

 

A Bible study group met, and was studying a prophecy of Christ in Malachi 3:3, “He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver.” Some decided to visit a silversmith, to see what he had to say on the subject. They asked him to describe the process of refining silver. After he gave his description, they asked, “What do you do while the work of refining is going on?” He answered, “I sit with my eyes steadily fixed on the furnace, because if the time necessary for refining be exceeded in the slightest degree, the silver is injured.” Suddenly, they further understood the expression, “He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” Christ sees the need to put His servants into a furnace, while His eye is faithfully watching with wisdom and love, the work of purifying in His children. They realized that trials do not come at random, and He will not allow us to be tested beyond our endurance. Before they left, one asked a final question, “When do you know the process is complete?” “Why, that is quite simple,” replied the silversmith. “When I can see my own image in the silver, the refining process is finished.”

We read in Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” The word for  “workmanship” is the Greek word from which we get the English word poem. John McArthur adds, “Our lives are like a divinely written sonnet, a literary masterpiece.”

The admonition in Philippians 2:12 is to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” The expression “work out” presents the idea of working out to an ultimate goal, or to finish, as in a scientific or mathematical problem. Further, the word “salvation” is a spacious word, used of a believer in three tenses. We have been saved from the guilt and penalty of sin – justification. We are now being saved from sin’s appeal and power – sanctification. Finally, we will yet be saved from its defiling presence – glorification.

Little Mary surrendered her life to Christ, and she desired to be clean within and to be kept pure. She prayed, “O Lord, make me gooder and gooder and gooder until there is no bad left!”
“He who is truly born of God is sure to resemble his Father.”

Dave Arnold, Pastor
Gulf Coast Worship Center
New Port Richey , Florida  34654

Do This for Your Health!

Do This for Your Health!

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

Proverbs 14:30, NIV.

TODAY’S WORD

It’s so easy to let the pressures and distractions of life pull our thoughts away from the Father. It doesn’t take long before we are so focused on earthly things that we feel overwhelmed and all stressed out. But, we weren’t meant to live anxious about life; we were meant to live in peace.

Did you know the best thing you can do for health is to set your heart at peace with God? Peace isn’t just a feeling, it’s a powerful position. Peace literally means “to set at one again.” In other words, we can be settled in our minds and hearts when we are in alignment with the Word of God. It is a position of life, strength and confidence!

Today, choose to keep your heart at peace by staying focused on God the Father. Give life to your body by staying in agreement with Him. Let His peace guard your heart so that you can be equipped to live the abundant life He has promised to you!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word which is life to my soul. I praise You because You are the Prince of Peace, and You give peace to my heart and mind. I choose to stay focused on You today. Thank You for guiding my every step in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

Quiet Time: Find a Special Place

by Rick Warren

“Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him.” (Luke 22:39 NIV)

The location where you have your quiet time is also important. The Bible indicates that Abraham had a regular place where he met with God (Genesis 19:27). Jesus had a custom of praying in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives: “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him” (Luke 22:39).

Your place ought to be a secluded place. This is a place where you can be alone, where it’s quiet, and where you will not be disturbed or interrupted. In today’s noisy Western world, this may take some ingenuity, but it is necessary. It ought to be a place:

• Where you can pray aloud without disturbing others.
• Where you have good lighting for reading (a desk, perhaps).
• Where you are comfortable. (WARNING: Do not have your quiet time in bed. That’s too comfortable!)

Your place ought to be a special place. Wherever you decide to meet with the Lord, make it a special place for you and him. As the days go by, that place will come to mean a lot to you because of the wonderful times you have there with Jesus Christ.

Your place ought to be a sacred place. This is where you meet with the living God. Where you meet the Lord can be just as holy as the place where Abraham met God. You don’t have to be in a church building. People have had their quiet times in their cars parked in a quiet place, in an empty closet at home, in their backyards, and even in a baseball dugout. Each of these places has become sacred to them.

Talk About It

• Following these guidelines, where is the best place for you to have a quiet time?

• What can you do to minimize the distractions that keep you from focusing on God during your quiet time?

The Secret of a Transformed life.

Jim Cole-Rous

Eric Metaxes relates in his book, "Everything You Always Wanted to Know About God (But Were Afraid to Ask)" that Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong had only been on the lunar surface for a few minutes when Aldrin made the following public statement:

"This is the LM pilot. I'd like to take this opportunity to ask every person listening in, whoever and wherever they may be, to pause for a moment and contemplate the events of the past few hours and to give thanks in his or her own way."

He then ended radio communication; and there on the silent surface of the moon, 250,000 miles from home, he read a verse from the Gospel of John, and took communion. Very few people had ever heard that Aldrin was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, and lived his life as a person who was found and transformed by the Lord Jesus Christ. He was not trying to flaunt his Christianity, but recognizing the historic importance of his situation, wished to acknowledge the "One" who had brought him to this time and place.

When John wrote his Epistles, he too was sharing out of a life that had also been transformed.

Originally, the Lord Jesus himself nicknamed John a 'Son of Thunder'. One day, he actually asked Jesus to strike a whole village with lightning, because they refused to extend hospitality to the disciples. However, by the time John wrote his Epistles, he was mature in the faith, and had changed. He no longer was the same man who first met the Lord on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.

For many people today, there is the idea that when you meet up with Jesus, you become instantly perfect. People tell you they have been saved, and you instantly expect perfection, which is seldom ever the case.

Salvation is however, that wonderful moment when you realize you are a sinner, and ask Jesus for forgiveness. In that moment, you are forgiven by the Lord of all your past. You also discover that you are reconciled to Him. That is Salvation.

Now while God extends undeserved forgiveness, which we call Grace or being Born Again, we are like a baby.

We must learn to walk and talk and live, just as any newborn baby does. It takes time and teaching.

My own children fell many times as they learned to walk, and made some hilarious mistakes as they learned to talk. God, like parents, will look on the mistakes, and help to correct them. However, people outside the family unit are sometimes not quite so understanding or forgiving.

There is a verse in Hebrews chapter six that speaks of "going on unto perfection." I looked that up the first time I read it.

The word 'perfection' in the Greek is simply, 'maturity'. John had reached that place, but paid a price to get there. He once forbad people to pray in Jesus Name for others to be healed, but the Lord corrected him. He was also disparaged by the other disciples for asking of Jesus, special consideration in the coming Kingdom. His brother James was cruelly murdered in the Temple by the order of King Herod. Lastly, John was arrested and imprisoned on the Island of Patmos; a place used for the banishment of criminals and political and religious troublemakers.

He could have said, "Why me?" but he kept on looking to God, keeping his relationship with the Lord open.

It was here, away from the interruptions and concerns of ministering to the churches, that the Lord Jesus appeared to him, and gave him the visions of the end times, which, you can read for yourself in Revelation, the last book of the Bible.

God entrusted John with great truth and responsibility because he had sustained his relationship with the Lord, irrespective of the circumstances he encountered.

When my godly Christian wife watched her father die of painful stomach cancer, she became quite angry with God for a while.

After her grief subsided, she asked God for an answer. One night she woke up from a deep sleep, convinced she had heard from the Lord.

She told me that the Lord had spoken to her in a dream, and said, "I am not preparing my people for this life, but for the life to come. Suffering and sickness are only allowed: to bring you to the place where you can trust me; and mature to the place where you are ready for the life to come."

This is the secret of a Transformed life.

Dreaming Big Dreams

    In 1962, President John F. Kennedy mobilized the American people to pursue the ultimate conquest – the overwhelming expanse of outer space. Five years previously, the Soviets leapt ahead of the U.S. in the space race by launching Sputnik. Kennedy inspired America to a national commitment to land on the moon by the end of the decade, helping to transform the entire economy. However, he did not minimize the difficulties that lay ahead. He noted, “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” On July 20, 1969, the dream was fulfilled.

    In Genesis 37:19, Joseph’s brothers referred to him as a “dreamer.” “Dreamer” means “to be divinely inspired by God.” Though many years passed, the dreams God placed in his heart came to pass, in spite of many difficulties. He even named his second son Ephraim, meaning “fruitfulness.”

    Johann Wolfgang von Goethe said, “Dream no small dreams for they have no power to move the hearts of men.” Cyrus Field became obsessed with a dream of laying a cable on the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean that would allow telegraphic communication between Europe and the United States. He had the special cable made, and began to lay it. However, the attempt to span the two continents failed time after time. Headlines read, “Field Fails Again.” His friends were discouraged. The public became skeptical, and his investors became unwilling to risk additional funds. However, the problems only served to strengthen his conviction. He refused to be defeated. So, he organized a new company, designed a new cable, and it worked! For the first time in world history, a message could be transmitted by wire beneath the entire ocean. The first message sent read, “Thank God, the cable is laid, and is in perfect order.” Field’s dream was his motivation.

    “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover” (Mark Twain).

Dave Arnold, Pastor
Gulf Coast Worship Center
New Port Richey , Florida  34654

Say What?

Say What?

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

Since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak

2 Corinthians 4:13, NKJV.

TODAY’S WORD

Scripture says, “The spirit of faith is in our words.” My question today is, “What’s coming out of your mouth?” Are you talking about how big your problems are, or are you talking about how big your God is?

As believers, our attitude should always be an attitude of praise—“Father, business may be slow, but I want to thank You that You’re supplying all of my needs.” “My circumstance may seem impossible, but thank You, God, that all things are possible with You!” We should always find a reason to give thanks!

This is what Jonah did. After complaining for eight verses, he had a change of heart in verse nine. He said, “God, in spite of my difficulties, I’m going to offer unto You the sacrifice of praise with a voice of thanksgiving.” While sitting in the belly of the whale, instead of complaining, he began to worship.” The next verse says that the whale spit him out onto dry ground, and he went on to fulfill his destiny.

If you feel like you’re in the belly of a whale, if you feel trapped, if things seem dark, remember, praise always precedes the victory! Open your mouth and declare His praises! Say what the Word says and watch the breakthrough come to pass!

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, I humbly come to You in the precious name of Jesus Christ. I commit my words and thoughts to You. I choose to say what the Word says. I choose to speak the truth and trust that You are working for my good in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

Quiet Time: Pick a Specific Time by Rick Warren “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” (Mark 1:35 NIV) To have an effective quiet time, you must pick a specific time to meet with the Lord each day and decide how long it should be. The general rule is this: The best time is when you are at your best! Give God the best part of your day, when you are the freshest and most alert. Don’t try to serve God with yourleftover time. Remember, too, that your best time may be different from someone else’s. For most of us, however, early in the morning seems to be the best time. It was Jesus’ own practice to rise early to pray and meet with the Father: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35). In the Bible, many godly men and women rose early to meet with God. Some of these were: Abraham (Genesis 19:27) Moses (Exodus 34:4) Job (Job 1:5) Hannah and Elkanah (1 Samuel 1:19) Jacob (Genesis 28:18) David (Psalm 5:3; 57:7,8) (See also Psalm 143:8; Isaiah 26:9; Ezekiel 12:8) You might even consider having two quiet times (morning and night). Dawson Trotman, founder of the Navigators, used to have code letters for his nightly quiet time: HWLW. Whenever he was with a group of people at night or home with his wife and the conversation seemed to be ending, he would say, “All right, HWLW.” HWLW stood for “His Word the Last Word.” He practiced that through the years as a way of ending a day with one’s thoughts fixed on the Lord (Betty Lee Skinner, Daws, Zondervan, 1974, p. 103). Whatever time you set, be consistent in it. Schedule it on your calendar; make an appointment with God as you would with anyone else. Make a date with Jesus! Then look forward to it, and don’t stand him up. A stood-up date is not a pleasant experience for us, and Jesus does not like to be stood up either. So make a date with him, and keep it at all costs. The question is often asked, “How much time should I spend with the Lord?” If you’ve never had a consistent quiet time before, you may want to start with seven minutes (Robert D. Foster, Seven Minutes with God, NavPress, 1997) and let it grow naturally. You should aim to eventually spend not less than 15 minutes a day with the Lord. Talk About It What is the best time for you to set to have your quiet time? What are the things that you regularly put before or in place of your quiet time? What steps will you take today to re-prioritize your day so that God has the first and last word?

Best Restaurant in Town

From Chicken Soup for the Soul: Food and Love

By Virginia Redman

When love and skill work together, expect a masterpiece.
~John Ruskin

The dinners my husband so lovingly prepares each night are mouthwatering delights, from braised Chilean sea bass, to salmon bathed in sesame ginger sauce, to luscious chicken cordon bleu. He marinates filet mignon till it is fork tender, or he tops ultra thin pork chops with an apricot sauce that melts in your mouth. The aroma of rosemary and thyme that cover a lamb roast is a hint of a delicious feast ahead.

He bakes petite Idaho potatoes or sometimes sweet potatoes and tops them with margarine or sour cream. Verdant asparagus or broccoli round out the plate, sometimes covered in homemade Hollandaise sauce.

Almost every night he makes his signature salad of baby spinach leaves, blueberries, sliced strawberries, chopped walnuts, and thin strips of Dubliner cheese, topped with raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

As if all this isn't mouthwatering enough, you should taste what he does with the leftover meat or fish! He makes what I lovingly call a pizza. He places a large whole wheat and virgin olive oil soft wrap on a pizza stone, and brushes an appropriate sauce on it. Then he finely chops salmon, filet mignon, chicken, lamb, or whatever is left over, and sprinkles it on top, followed by baby spinach leaves, and then tops it with shredded Colby-Jack cheese. He bakes it on the pizza stone, and then he cuts it into wedges. This luscious pizza is served with freshly made guacamole. I almost love the leftovers more than the original dinner!

As if all this isn't sweet enough, he keeps a supply of my favorite ice cream in the freezer: white chocolate raspberry. However, after such scrumptious dinners, I hardly ever have room for dessert.

We've been to many restaurants. A few years ago we went out to a highly recommended new one on my birthday. As delicious as the Chilean sea bass was, it couldn't compare to what my husband serves me at home. I went to Michael's and bought a frame, matting, and sparkling letters. With the blue letters I spelled out "Best Restaurant in Town," and hung this framed piece between the kitchen and the family room -- rooms where masterpieces are lovingly created and enjoyed every day!

Reprinted by permission of Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishing, LLC (c) 2011. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved.

The Best of Side A

When You're in Deep

When You're in Deep

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

They saw the works of the Lord, his wonderful deeds in the deep

Psalm 107:24, NIV.

TODAY’S WORD

The scripture says is Psalm 107:23, “They that go down to the sea and do business in deep waters, they will see the wonders of God.” Friend, you and I were created to do business in deep waters. In other words, we’re not supposed to have little dreams or little plans. We are supposed to have big dreams. We are supposed to go out into the deep things God has for us.

But understand, when you’re out there in the deep waters, you can’t touch the ground. You can’t see the shoreline, and at times, it can get a little rocky. You may not always see how things are going to work out. But, the scripture tells us that deep calls to deep. In other words, God is the one who has called you to the deep waters. He is with you, and He knows there are deep things on the inside of you. Remember, in deep waters, you are not alone. God is with you, and He’s causing those deep things inside of you to come forth.

If you feel like you are out in the deep today, if you feel like you are overwhelmed, remember, you are in the right place and God is with you. You will see His wonderful deeds in the deep, and you will fulfill the plan He has in store for you.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, I surrender every area of my life to You. I hunger for every single thing You have in store for me. I choose to trust You out in the deep waters knowing that You have good things in store for me in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

***

'Lord, When Will I Finally Get It Right?' by Rick Warren “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” (John 12:24 NIV) When you think about your walk with Jesus, some days you may wonder, “Why is this so hard? I’m still struggling with so many problems. When will I finally get it right?” In my journey as a pastor, I’ve learned that spiritual growth is often like the growth we see in nature — the best fruit ripens slowly. In John 12:24, Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds” (NIV). The problem is that we tend to get impatient, so we dig up the seed to check the progress of its growth, and that slows down our growth! If you’re not seeing as much fruit as you’d like, don’t despair. Growth takes time. In the meantime, try these steps toward spiritual growth: Nurture growth with God’s Word. I know you’re already doing this, but when you read the promises of God again and again, it helps you remember that he is at work, even when you can’t see him at work: “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1 NIV). Cooperate with God as he prunes. Praise God for the work he’s doing in your life, remembering “he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more” (John 15:2 NLT). Pray through the “fruit list” from Galatians 5:22-23. The New International Version of the Bible lists the fruit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Ask God to help you grow this fruit in your life. Talk About It Today, instead of focusing on your struggles, ask yourself, “What has God promised for my life? How have I seen his faithfulness in my life?” As you pray through the “fruit list,” in which fruits do you especially need God’s help to grow?