God's Promises

How many times has someone promised you something, then let you down...I know it happens all the time. It seems like some of us don't care about people's feelings anymore at all. I, for one, fall into that category. I've let down many people, especially those I love. Oh no, not on purpose - or maliciously; however, after all is said and done, what does that matter? I've still broken a promise. Well, I'm here to tell you that God's promises are REAL and NEVER broken. Wow! Finally someone on whom I can depend?! Imagine that. His Word is full of promises...one right after another. As a matter of fact, you can hardly turn one page of the Inspired Scriptures without finding at least two or three per page! Incredible! There are so many I could share; but one in particular comes to mind found in II Thessalonians 3. Have you ever desired to be free from evil influences and wanted to escape the darts of the wicked? Well, here's a special promise just for you (and me), verse 3, "But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one." Search an area of your life that you may need a victory in or maybe just encouragement. Claim His promises, every one of them. Go to the word and then stake that claim my friend. How happy and joyful will be your day, not to mention, your life!

Open or Shut? by Dan McDonald

"Open the door for your little brother!" "Shut the door behind you! Were you raised in a barn?" "You should have opened your mouth if you wanted something!" Why can't you just shut your mouth?!" These are only a few examples of the many mixed signals we're given on a daily basis...and most of the time they're directed to our kids. Is it any wonder they are confused?! Maybe the reason is that we're not sure when to open our mouths or just keep them shut! Proverbs talks a lot about wise men and women knowing when to speak and when to hold their tongues. James is even clearer on the matter. But somehow we just keep missing it! I'm right in there with everyone else. It is sometimes very difficult to hold back the truth especially when we know someone is in the wrong. God tells us that it is His responsibility to care of such matters...oh, yes, sometimes he does use human intervention - but get this: He doesn't need us! He can do a much better job without us sticking our noses into His business. I heard a really neat statement on the radio the other day: "...even in the midst of our deepest darkest storms, God is still in control." Well, the truth is, in EVERYTHING God has control. It doesn't matter if you believe it or not. God said it and that settles it. SO the next time we feel like opening our "traps" let's remember that controlling our speech is an important part of showing our faith to others. The discipline of our words is part of what it means to follow Jesus (James 3:1-12). However; controlling our tongues is impossible without the work of the Holy Spirit. So, when we are tempted to say something we know is not right, let's yield that "muscle" to the Holy Spirit's power, and let Him take control - lest we lose control!

The Price Tag of a Mother by Laurie McDonald

Being a mother of five kids, I find myself scrambling from one event to another, frantically trying to be the chauffeur, cook, home maker and musician that I am called to be at this time. From the earliest A.M. moments (often starting in the middle of the night) until midnight my time is being used for keeping our family knit together in a million different ways. On occasional days, when no one is hurt and meaningful conversation takes place around the dinner table I feel so worth while and find delight in striving to be a Proverbs 31 woman (thinking it IS possible for my children to one day call me “blessed”). Other times, far too often, I find myself wanting to just forget about even trying to be a good mom. The noise level is inwardly provoking my stress level to go higher and lose control. Between the sicknesses and injuries, not to mention the deliberate disobedience, I’m not sure what the best response should be - should I feel pity or anger? Frustration usually sums it up right around bedtime when I’m suppose to be having these sweet moments with my children while tucking them in at night. I’m not sure how my children view me as a mother now, but I bribe myself that it’s worth it all because eventually they will understand my sacrifices and will grow up to be responsible and wise adults that God intends for them to become. In this modern, self-indulgent era that we find ourselves a part of, it’s fearful to consider what type of sin Satan will use to try to ensnare them. My prayer goes out to my children to make wise choices. I know how easy it would have been for me to make a mess of my life, thanks be to God for preserving me from the consequences of making wrong choices. I find myself trying to glean as much wise council as I can put to practice from woman who I look to as being successful mothers. (one’s whose children have amounted to something for the Lord). This is my desire and as the circle of life plays on I want to be able to share the wisdom that comes from God's word, having applied it to my own life, in hopes of giving encouragement to younger mothers. This Mother's Day, even though I know it will be hectic, I’m choosing to remember that the cost of motherhood will one day be repaid.

All the Things I Know

In this day of technology, there are so many things we know how to do, yet so much more we need to know. When it comes to "our" areas of expertise, we "really" know our stuff. But when it is all said and done, what of this is essential and pertinent in my life right now? I would venture to say that most of us do not know God as we should - the essential element of life. At Messiah College a few nights ago, Senators Obama and Clinton were asked some pointed questions about faith and religion. Although their rhetoric may have "seemed" eloquent, we who know Christ, could easily see how their answers skirted around the truth and actually fell way short of displaying a knowledge of the One true God. Sadly, our country which was founded on the One True God and His precepts, is run by a bunch of people who claim to know, but have NOT the knowledge of Christ. Let's not be so hasty to judge, though. I'm reminded of three passages (there are many more) which speak specifically about knowing Him. Ps. 9:10, "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." Jer. 9:24, "'But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,' says the LORD." Phil. 3:10, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death." Believe me, I don't think for one moment that I have "arrived" and feel that I know God, JEHOVAH as I ought. However; I strive on a daily basis to do what Paul was yearning for in his own life while he was suffering horribly in prison and under great persecution, "I want to know Christ!" Let's each of us ask a question of ourselves, "Do I really want to know Him?" Steve Green once wrote and recorded a song that goes like this:

Oh, I want to know You more!
Deep within my soul I want to know You,
Oh, I want to know You.
To feel Your Heart and know Your Mind,
looking in Your eyes stirs up within me,
cries that says I want to know You
Oh, I want to know You more.
Oh, I want to know You more.

How often do we find ourselves looking into the eyes of Jesus pleading with Him, "Oh, how I want to know You more!"?....Well, you can do that today, right now and get to know who Jesus really is.

Vanishing Before Our Very Eyes - By Dan McDonald

James 4:13-17 tells us how short our lives are, and he compares them to "a vapor." We see the mist for mere seconds, then it vanishes before our eyes! Our lives are given to us for a few years...then we're gone. J.I. Packer once wrote, "we are all children of our age, and the spirit of OUR age is a spirit of tearing hurry. And it is a pragmatic spirit; it is a spirit that demands quick results." God has made us stewards over our lives. A day of reckoning will come when God will check up on us and evaluate our management skills. I think what happens so many times is that we tend to have the attitude James was talking about in verse 13 of chapter 4: "Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit." He goes on to say/ask how can you even make such decisions when you don't know whether you'll be here tomorrow or not? This is not to say we aren't to set goals - God is very clear on "counting the cost," Prov. 4:26: "ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established." However, the problem comes when we tend to fall in love with an ability to maximize resources, instead of remembering that the point of stewardship is NOT productivity but accountability. In other words, we are not to do more "maximizing" until we have been faithful and productive with what God has given to us at this very moment. Businesses often fall apart because their visions become so great, yet they fail to manage, take care of, nurture, etc. what's right in front of them. This can apply to all areas of life: our families, friends, and yes, even our fellowships (our churches). Let's be prudent with what God has given to us right now - at this very moment before it vanishes...then if the Lord wills or God willing when we have appropriately managed what He has given, "go to such and such a city...and make a profit."

I Will Never Leave You!

by Dan McDonald..."My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. I and My Father are one.” John 10:27-30. This is one of the most awesome passages in the Bible dealing with our security in Christ, a truth with which so many Christians struggle today. I vividly remember as a teen battling with the thoughts about NOT being be saved because my life didn't reflect one of Christ-likeness, but rather one of an "unsaved" person. Therefore, because of my "works" I didn't think I was a child of God. As a result, I constantly prayed the "sinner's prayer" probably to the tune of a thousand times throughout my high school years. Oh, I had made a profession earlier on in my life and believed on Jesus as the scriptures teach - but I just didn't "feel" saved at this time in my life. Not until my mid to late 20's did I realize the significance of the afore mentioned words of Christ, "No one is able to snatch or steal you from My hand or My Father's hand because We are one." A few misleading sayings like: "You didn't truly believe," "You really didn't mean it," "By your fruits you will know them," "A true Christian would NEVER do anything like that," and many more dispiriting idioms we commonly hear based soley on WORKS, led to my doubting of Christ's one-time work in my life. However; Bible verses such as Titus 3:5 "Not by works of righteousness..." Eph. 2:9 "Not of works, lest anyone should boast." and Rom. 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved," are all clear on what constitutes a believer. All those years of doubt, discouragement and reckless abandon because of a distorted view of salvation made me quite an insecure individual! Needless!...How about you? Are there days you don't quite "feel" saved because of some comment someone has made about you, or because of some work or deed you've done or participated in that you know was inappropriate? We are ALL sinners saved by our Savior's wonderful grace (undeserved favor). If you have believed on the name of the Lord, whatever age you were, as the scriptures so clearly teach, you ARE saved! Now, go away from where you are with this renewed hope, faith and vision - Your Father will NEVER leave you or disown you!