Wednesday, June 30, 2010

The Darkest Hour

Daily Reading: Romans 13:8-14


After a long exhausting day all I want is to crawl into bed and sleep. My head hits the pillow and sleep soon overcomes. Yet just moments later I am awakened with a start. The house is silent and everything seems to be in order. Yet my body and mind seem to be wide awake with anticipation of some foreboding doom. I check the house and pray that GOD protects family, friends, and myself from the harm I am feeling.


I pray to the LORD to aid me in this time of temporary anguish of the unknown. I then turn to his word for guidance and he delivers me. I read the passage he has chosen for me. Have I done anything immoral to earn his chastisement? Have I sinned against neighbor, family, or friend rather than loving them as myself? I turn to him once more and ask him to forgive my transgressions, not only the ones that I am aware of but also those that I may have committed without realizing it. With my prayer said I am over taken with exhaustion once again. I am ready to fall into that much needed sleep once again, this time I am at peace for GOD has delivered me.

GOD is protecting, sending his angels to guard us from the unseen dangers that surround us. GOD is there holding back the darkness. GOD will not allow His children to be harmed. Although GOD is almighty He cares for each of His sheep and will protect them from the wolves that come in the night. GOD is the rock, the fortress, and the guard. When we turn to GOD, He answers our prayers and swiftly sweeps us into His loving arms.

Romans 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. (NIV)


Need more? Visit Psalms 63 and 64

Tuesday, June 29, 2010

Don't be a Job wife

Daily Reading: Job 1-2

As I read the first two chapters of Job I realized that when Job's children and possessions were taken from him Job's wife was spared. Was this because two become one? OR Was it because satan used Job's wife to tempt Job to sin against GOD.

We don't know her name or very little about her. What we do know is his wife said "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse GOD and die!"

We do not always stand on our faith. Sometimes we become weak and believe that our ending a trial will be better for us than riding out the storms that GOD has given us. Yet when we end the trial by our own doing we take a chance of losing the lesson that GOD felt was important for us to learn. In not learning that lesson we take a chance lost the lesson that prepares us for the next storm we face.

GOD meant for us to find that one special partner in life to cling to, to become one with, to be so close to that to be separated from them is painful. Unfortunately we do not always wait for the spouse that GOD wants us to have. We do what we want and don't listen to GOD. It never works out to our benefit and we eventually regret our decisions.


Even though Job was a Godly man his wife does not seem to share that faith in GOD. Though we depend on our spouses to support us in the hardest of times we must learn to do as Job did "You are talking like a foolish (meaning:morally deficient) woman. Shall we accept good from GOD, and not trouble?"

Stand strong with your spouse in all matters. God has blessed your union and he will bless your life, even through the storms you face. The storms never seem as rough when you carry the burden together.

Daily verse: Job 2:10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from GOD, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. (NIV)

Need More? Visit Ecclesiastes 9

God and life are like coffee

Daily Reading: 1 Chronicles 22:2-19

God is like a cup of coffee. When things are going good there is plenty of cream and sugar. Your relationship with God is sweet, pleasant, and satisfying. You can't believe that anything could ever be bad and that the world and life seems so perfect to you. You enjoy the joys of life feeling no sorrow could ever touch you.

When the cream and and sugar are not so plentiful and hard times arise the coffee takes on a bitter taste as the cream and sugar are rationed out hoping that they will last until more cream and sugar arrive. Although the taste is bitter you can also taste the strength of the coffee even more. You can feel the power of God and know it will get you through the trials you are facing.

When the cream and sugar are completely gone and you are left with a choice between tasting the strong bitter coffee to aid you through the absolute worst of times or go without any aid at all it is comforting to know that if you drink this cup of coffee; in time the cream and sugar of life will return with abundance and it will taste all the more sweeter.

If you choose to go without; not only are you left feeling something is missing in your life but you become cranky and angry. You are left feeling alone and abandoned. You blame others and don't stop to realize the coffee never left you, you said "No" to the coffee. In time the cream and sugar of life return but it isn't as enjoyable as when you take a drink of bitterness and then it is followed by the sweetness of God's blessings.

1 Chronicles 22:13 Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and loaws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. (NIV)

Need more? Visit Joshua 1:1-18