David

My Future Is In Your Hands - Psalm 31

11:00 AM

 


Psalm 31, Luke 23:44-46, 1 Peter 3:10-13

One of the age old questions asked about God is how a loving Father could allow suffering in this world. I mean for the evil to suffer is one thing. But how could our Father let us, His precious children, become broken in pain and filled with sorrow? Look at David. He is called by God Himself a man after His own heart.(Acts 13:22) Yet even he was not immune to suffering. For his life story too is one of tragedy and triumphs, successes and failures. 


In writing the Psalms, many times David was grieved to the point of physical pain. I can sure relate. Because I too have felt such grief that not only did I feel mentally, but physically sick as well. Times when my heart literally ached and I couldn’t breathe, or take another step. Hurting so much that all I could do was drop to my knees in agony and cry out, “Father!” And also like David, I have received the loving, comforting care of my soul that comes from my Heavenly Father. A care that only He can provide.


Sadly, as long as there is sin there will be suffering. And this side of heaven we may not understand the reason behind God letting it in our lives. But like David, we can trust that no matter the suffering we endure, God always has a purpose for our pain. I think of Jesus. Satan appeared before Him in the wilderness and offered Jesus the crown without the Cross. (Matthew 4:8) Christ could have walked away from the cup of agony He was about to drink. But Jesus chose to suffer. To see the Father’s will done no matter the cost. And because of what He endured, we are now blessed with the gift of eternal life.


Our suffering too can be a blessing for others. 2 Corinthians 1:4 tells us that we who have suffered and received God’s comfort, can pass that same comfort on to others. For who better to empathize than someone who has suffered from the same cause? And who better to testify of the care, love, and comfort God gives during suffering than someone who has experienced it first hand?


We will all have painful times. But our future is held securely in the hands of the One who controls the storms. No matter what we face, God will be there as our impenetrable fortress every step of the way. So trust in His perfect wisdom. And cling to His beautiful promise to, “Comfort all who mourn, giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting, so they will be called oaks of righteousness.” (Is. 61:3) 


Pause and Reflect -

Do you trust in God and His perfect wisdom? Romans 8:28 tells us God uses all things for our good. Do you believe that? Has God taken a suffering and turned it into a blessing in your own life? 


Even through his suffering, David found great joy knowing God cared about each and every problem he faced. Can you find joy in the midst of suffering knowing God cares? How does the Lord’s steadfast, loyal love bring you peace in your pain?


Finally, let’s pray together -

Our dearest Father in heaven above, hallowed be thy name. Father, You are our rock and fortress. And in we find our joy. We know that while we are on this earth Father, we will face our share of trials, suffering, and hurt. But through it all we trust in Your goodness, promises, and love. Lord we pray that You will lead and guide us through the twists and turns of life, comforting us along the way. And we thank You that no matter what we face, Your grace is sufficient. Like David, Father we have taken refuge in You. And for Your righteous name's sake, May you graciously deliver us out of the difficulties we face. In Jesus’ precious name we pray, Amen. 


Don't' forget to head over to our Facebook group at, https://www.facebook.com/groups/womenintheword2 to join in on the discussion. Also check out our public Facebook page at, https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083156569388 and give us a like!


I can’t wait to hear your thoughts, and I pray your day overflows with love and blessings.


💕 Lisa


Becky Austin

Citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3)

12:30 AM




Philippians 3

Paul was born among the elite of the Jews.  He also had the privilege of being a Roman citizen. In terms of social status and worldly standing, he could claim many benefits not offered to “the average Joe”. In terms of religious standing, he was at the top of the class, a zealous and devout Pharisee. He had much to trust in and much to place his identity in. But, Paul came to understand that none of those things mattered compared to Christ. None of those things could put him in right standing with God or give him the security of eternal life.  
“Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (v8) 

In one of Spurgeon’s sermons, he gives a couple of great sailing examples for us to relate to. As many of us have likely seen in a movie, great ships often voyaged the seas laden with valuable supplies and treasures. When encountering potential death, however in terms of a storm or enemy they needed to outrun, they would often toss those supplies and treasures overboard to lighten the ship and save their lives. Life and death circumstances can certainly cause us to reevaluate how our possessions truly serve us. We all know that Paul’s personal encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus certainly caused him to reevaluate how his religious status and pious devotion to “religion” did not serve him in terms of gaining eternal life.  
Another circumstance in which sea voyagers would toss precious cargo overboard would be to gain speed to overtake a ship that offered them even more valuable treasures and profit. Paul began to realize that all he possessed hindered him from gaining the eternal life only Christ could provide. He was willing to give up all to pursue a more valuable prize.... 
 “in order 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 comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.”(3:8-11) 

Paul was privileged to be called a citizen of Rome but Paul knew that Christ offered him and each of us a more valuable citizenship.  
“But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (20-21) 



Do you have your personal vessel loaded down with earthly cargo. Are you ready to toss those things you cling to that hinder your attainment of more valuable treasure?  Are you ready to lighten your burden, shed your earthly treasures and to pursue Christ? Christ offers you the best treasure that could ever be obtained. He offers you citizenship in heaven where you will know eternal love, acceptance and joy. 

2 Peter

A Choice and Precious Stone {1 Peter 2}

1:46 AM




When people of old built their houses, they chose for themselves only the finest of stones. The rest they cast aside as junk, good for nothing. This is how Peter describes Jesus. He was rejected, seen as no more than a useless piece of rock. But where men saw rubble, God saw His “choice and precious stone”, and the cornerstone of His spiritual house. “The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very cornerstone” (vs. 7) Why is the cornerstone important? The cornerstone is the first stone set in the foundation of a home. And all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, determining the position of the entire structure. 

Messiah Jesus is the Living Stone, and He calls us to become living stones ourselves, valuable parts of the foundation of God’s house. No matter who rejects us, who calls us worthless, He will not. He is our “precious value”, and sacrificed all to make us His. Knowing full well the agony He would endure, the Lord willingly and lovingly left His glorious place at the Father’s side to pay a debt He did not owe, to give us a gift we do not deserve. Jesus, “who committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth, He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross.” (vs. 22,24) And it is only through His great love and sacrifice that we can have eternal life. I love the quote by D.A. Carson which says, “It was not nails that held Jesus to that wretched cross; it was His unqualified resolution, out of love for his Father, to do his Father’s will—and it was His love for sinners like me.”

Jesus suffered for us. He suffered for you, for me, and for all who receive Him as their Savior. He was beaten, flogged, spit upon, ridiculed, and nailed to a Cross to die an excruciating death. It is by those wounds, that shed precious blood, in which we are healed. (vs. 24) And in those times when we feel rejected, unwanted, or useless, we need to remember who we are in Jesus. We are royalty, chosen by God to be His very own; part of a holy nation, paid for with the blood of His only begotten Son. And while the world may see us as rubble, God who has, “called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (vs. 9) sees us as the bright, shining, choice and precious stones we are. 


defeat

Never, Ever, Ever Accept Defeat {Ecclesiastes 6-8}

8:30 PM


Let’s face it, the Book of Ecclesiastes is a strange book, or better put, just not your typical book found in the Bible. There truly doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason to his writing at first glance, but when you look a bit deeper, you’ll begin to see two themes, or perspectives that jump out. The first being - life apart from God, and the second, of a life lived before Him. 
I tend to think Solomon’s purpose in writing Ecclesiastes was to force his readers to take a sober look at their own mortality, and thus decide how they’re to live in light of this brief existence and eternity.

It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the house of feasting, for that [day of death] is the end of every man, and the living will take it to heart and solemnly ponder its meaning. Sorrow is better than laughter, for when a face is sad (deep in thought) the heart may be happy [because it is growing in wisdom].” – Eccl 7:2-3 AMP

Solomon seems to me like a cynical old man as he writes, and one reading just these verses alone might think he didn’t believe in life after death, but if we move along just a bit further into the next chapter we’ll see that’s not so at all.

 Solomon also saw the “wicked” succeeding during his lifetime, and understood our flesh can be tempted at times to believe that life would be better apart from God, which is why in Ecclesiastes 8:12, Solomon warns us saying, “Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him.” We can see here, he is speaking about the eternal judgment.

He knew we have so much more to live for than the here and now. It was his mission to assure us that our lives on Earth are just a tiny blip on eternity’s timeline. When we look at our lives through that perspective, we realize that doing whatever it takes to get ahead in this life is just as Solomon described—meaningless.

It’s our relationship with Jesus that is far more valuable than any temporary treasure. 

Those of us who follow Jesus may not always be given immediate reward for following Him, nor will people receive immediate judgment for walking away from Him. BUT in spite of whatever hardship we may endure, one day, because of our relationship with Jesus, we will find it was worth it all! Every bit this life threw at us!

I wonder, has there ever been a time when you believed the lie that your life would be better without God in it? If so, you are not alone. Many are these days. The church is shrinking as more and more believe the lie that they will be far better off enjoying this life today and not worrying about the next.

We’ve all heard the quote, “And if there is no resurrection, "Let's eat and drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die!" This was actually written by Paul in 1 Cor 15:32, but many think it was Solomon that coined that phase. What Solomon actually said was,

“Behold, here is what I have seen to be good and fitting: to eat and drink, and to find enjoyment in all the labor in which he labors under the sun during the few days of his life which God gives him—for this is his [allotted] reward.  Also, every man to whom God has given riches and possessions, He has also given the power and ability to enjoy them and to receive [this as] his [allotted] portion and to rejoice in his labor—this is the gift of God [to him].” –Eccl 5:18-20 AMP
And
 “Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this:
God has made the one as well as the other.” – Eccl 7:13-14a

I believe Solomon was trying to tell us that we should accept whatever God gives us and understand that God means it for our welfare! For He knows the plans He has for us! Plans to give us HOPE for our future! (Jeremiah 29:11) If it’s a tough battle you’re in just now, I hope you'll begin to cry out to God and others for help. 

Trouble starts when we find ourselves near-sided and only able to see what’s in front of us at the moment and fail to gain the “big picture” or better yet, an eternal (God's) perspective. 

 If you’re struggling at the moment to gain God’s perspective in all you’re dealing with, please share and let us encourage you and pray for you. Please don’t ever give up on God without speaking to other followers first!
I can promise you-- He will never ever give up on you!

Blessings!

sue

Comfort

Scripture Saturday ~ Face-to Face

12:00 AM

Saturday, April 21, 2018


Welcome to Scripture Saturday!

This coming week's memory verses are Job 19: 25, 26...

 But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that He will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in  my body, I will see God! I will see Him for myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes.  (NLT)

 Have a blessed and precious day and week everyone!

Called

Called and Chosen {2 Timothy 1}

12:30 AM

Related image


As we begin 2 Timothy, let me remind you that these are Paul’s last words to Timothy.  And Paul’s tone is so full of love and encouragement, while he waits to be killed for his faith.  

The very first verse should remind us all who we are; just replace Paul’s name with your own.  We are all chosen believers, because of God’s will and have life eternal because of the promise that is in Christ Jesus.

When we are united with Christ, life takes on both immediate and eternal dimensions.  When we trust Jesus, we are immediately, and in the moment, changed.  And that’s exactly where we have to stay trustworthy.  We are also promised eternal life through Jesus Christ.  The journey from that new realization/new birth, to the moment we reach eternity, is filled with trusting in the moment, and not comparing ourselves with others, or worrying about the past or future.  And so we receive grace, mercy and peace from our Lord when we place each moment with the Lord.

Image result for 2 timothy 1:10

If you could write your last words to your loved ones, what are the most important things in life?  What would you want them to know mattered most to you?  I’ve had a couple of opportunities to share with my children and with other family members what means the most to me and that is; God out of His grace has saved us (v. 9).  Though we may suffer in this world, we have faith that Jesus has defeated death and gives us eternal life (v. 10).  The promise of eternal life should compel us to live a holy life now while we have an opportunity to share the gospel (vs. 8-12).  The Spirit of God empowers us through His spiritual gifts to be filled with love and His power (v. 7).


Our life in Christ includes our promise of eternal life with Him and the call to a holy life now, empowered by His Spirit.  That is simply the most marvelous gifts of God!

Becky Bramlett Austin

I Am the Resurrection and the Life {John 11}

4:10 AM



By Becky Bramlett Austin

The story of Lazarus reveals such a tender portrayal of Jesus.  It shows us a Jesus who connects with us in our struggles, hardships, and grief.  It also reveals that even our difficult experiences serve a divine purpose meant to glorify God.   “But when Jesus heard it (that Lazarus was ill) he said“This illness does not lead to death. It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." (V4) It's not an easy thing to accept when illness afflicts or tragedy strikes but even our difficult times should be embraced with a desire to see God glorified.  This is not a perfect world and we are not immune to suffering just because we are God's children but how we react to our suffering is always an opportunity for others to see God as the source of our strength.

The following 2 verses seem strange and contradictory:
“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed two days longer in the place where he was.” (V5-6) If someone came to you and told you that a loved one were very ill, wouldn't your first reaction be to drop everything and immediately go to them? Clearly, Jesus had reasons for delaying. One of his objectives was to strengthen the belief of his disciples. “Then Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died, and for your sake I am glad that I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.”” (V14-15) We have read before of 2 other occasions when Jesus raised from the dead but these bodies were raised soon after death before decay set in.  Lazarus was in the sealed tomb 4 days. This raising of the dead could not be shrugged off as chance or other explanation.  This would be a true conquest over the destructive forces of death.  

Jesus loved Mary and Martha and he wanted to increase their belief too.  Both of them already believed in him as a healer for they both told him that Lazarus would not have died if he had been there to heal him.  Jesus wanted them to know Him in an even grander capacity.  He didn't want to just be their healer, but to be their  resurrection and life. “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?””(v25-26)
‭‭
Even though Jesus knew that he would raise Lazarus back to life, he was still deeply affected by the sorrow and sadness of those who mourned.  In fact, he also wept.  God is not insensitive and unconcerned about our sorrows and concerns.  In fact, in Rev 4 we are told that when Jesus returns that " He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."  

Could you imagine being at the entrance of that tomb expecting only death's foul stench to overwhelm you? Martha was certainly concerned.   “Jesus said to her, “Did I not tell you that if you believed you would see the glory of God?"" (V40).  How powerful our belief can be.  When we trust In God- trust His timing, trust his love and concern for us, trust his sovereign control over all circumstances, and trust that he can negate the destructive decay of death and sin, then we get to see....His power, His glory, His compassion, His mercy, and grace. 

Could you imagine Jesus calling " Lazarus come forth".   How amazing and joyous it must have been to see a dead man walk out of that tomb into the daylight.  Spiritually, we are all sealed in a tomb of death and Jesus calls our name too.  He died to free us from the power of death and He calls us out of that dark tomb into the light of eternal life. Have you heard that call from Jesus?  Have you chosen new life?  Do you know Jesus as the Resurrection and the Life?

Becky Bramlett Austin

Eternal Focus {Luke 10}

12:00 AM




By Becky Bramlett Austin


In this chapter, we see Jesus emphasize some important priorities for us as representatives of his Kingdom here on Earth. Each one of us is important, a living stone building up the church.

 “Come to the Lord Jesus, the “stone”that lives. The people of the world did not want this stone, but he was the stone God chose, and he was precious. You also are like living stones, so let yourselves be used to build a spiritual temple—to be holy priests who offer spiritual sacrifices to God. He will accept those sacrifices through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:4-5)



1. We have important work to do to share the news of Jesus. 
In the first part of this chapter, Jesus sends out 70 to go before him in pairs, depending on God’s provisions and sharing the Good News of the Gospel with those who would hear.  They didn’t come back complaining but rather came back excited because they were blessed and they had God’s resources to help them on their mission.  God will give us resources too to help us in this work of bringing others to Christ. But no matter how exciting it is to have God empower us to do his work here on Earth, our greatest joy should always be that we have eternal security in Jesus. Keep your eyes on the future joy that is yet to come.  Jesus reminds the disciples “rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”

2. We are to extend the love of God to a hurting world.
Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself.(v27)  Jesus gives the illustration of the Good Samaritan.  Two priests passed a man in need because they could not feel compassion for his circumstances and did not want to get involved with someone they considered inferior and unworthy.  The Samaritan, however did have compassion and showed mercy.  He went the extra mile to take care of this poor man without thought of recompense or of how much it would inconvenience him.  What about us?  Do we truly have compassion for those in need?  Are we willing to get our hands dirty, get involved?  Are we willing to be inconvenienced because we truly have the love of God and a heart that extends mercy?

3. Do not let the cares of this world hinder your spiritual walk with Jesus.
We are supposed to be responsible people, but our spiritual growth should always be the highest priority.  We have to find a balance between earthly duty and spiritual duty.  Mary did not waste the opportunity to sit at the feet of Jesus.  Martha, on the other hand was too “cumbered” by the cares of the world to choose spiritual sustenance when she needed it.  Cumbered means “hindered, afflicted, weighed down”.  Could Jesus put your name in the place of Martha’s and say…” you are anxious and troubled about many things”.  If so, then you have not done as Mary and “chosen the good part”. It’s not too late, Make it a priority to spend time with Jesus, to be aware of the earthly cares that compete for your attention and cause you to forsake spiritual growth and sustenance.  Don’t forget that time spent seeking what is of eternal value can never be wasted time.

Bread of Life

The Bread of Life {Mark 8}

7:22 AM

The Bread of Life {Mark 8}



By Lisa Moore

When reading chapter 8, what stuck with me was Mark's account of Jesus feeding the thousands. He describes a large crowd who has gathered to witness miracles, seek healing, and hear the teaching of Jesus. These people had been there for three days, and were without food. Knowing that some would not make the return journey home without fainting, Jesus shows compassion on them by multiplying the few loaves of bread and fishes and feeds them all. (As a side note did you know that bread being a carbohydrate gives us energy, while fish being a protein gives us endurance? A perfect analogy of the Word of God!)

Before when reading the gospels, I would glance over this particular miracle Jesus performed. After all it isn't as exciting as raising people from the dead, or walking on water. But it is just as important. It was important enough, that twice when Jesus feed the masses, both times were recorded. But other than the lesson of showing love and compassion what else could I glean?

My first thoughts were of the similarities of the two feeding miracles. The first account happened in the Jewish area of Galilee where Jesus fed five thousand. This second account as told in Mark 8, happens in a different part of the country among the Gentiles where Jesus feeds four thousand. In both situations, Jesus took the little amount of fish and loaves, and multiplied them greatly. He shared the same blessing with both the Jews and the Gentiles. That was why He came. To be a blessing to all. To be the living bread that nourishes our souls. Jesus Himself says in John 6:35 says, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst."

For me this is also a lesson in trusting Him completely. When Jesus shares His plan with the disciples to feed the people, they once again doubt His ability by asking, "Where would anyone be able to find enough bread here in this desolate place to satisfy these people?" (v. 4). They still did not understand that the power of Jesus overcomes all difficulties. But instead of admonishing them for their lack of faith, after all they had seen Jesus perform this same miracle earlier, Jesus takes the small morsels of food from the disciples, "And He directed the people to sit down on the ground, and taking the seven loaves, He gave thanks and broke them, and starting giving them to His disciples to serve to them, and they served them to the people." (v.6). Jesus didn't need those seven loaves and few fishes. He could have spoken into existence a feast fit for kings. Instead He wanted to show what we can gain by trusting Him with everything we have. By doing so He will reward our trust and faith by providing a bountiful of blessings in our lives. And He will keep on providing. Instead of making a big pile of bread and another of fish, Jesus handed out a little at a time and kept doing so until as verse 8 tells us, "...they ate and were satisfied...". That's how God acts in our lives, always loving and always providing for our every need and sustaining us with the power of His word. What do you do in times of hunger? Do you, like the disciples, focus on the problem instead of on God? We can trust in Him in even the most difficult of circumstances. There is nothing He can't overcome!