Author: Jayne Lawson

Scripture: “Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.” – John 4:10

Examination of Chapter: The majority of this chapter is the account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well. This is the first public announcement by Jesus that He is the Messiah, and the woman, in a sense, the first missionary, as she runs back to the town, shares what she has learned about Jesus and who He is. The end result is that many of the Samaritans in her community believed on Jesus.

Application: When I reflect back on my younger days, I vividly remember drinking from the hose, and that water always tasted good especially on those long hot summer days. In this day and age, we are cautioned to not allow children to quench their thirst from a hose due to the possibility of contracting some horrible disease. So what do we do? We buy water that someone has decided to bottle and label with a fancy name. Who would have ever thought that people would actually pay for something they can get from their tap? I have to ask myself, “Does it really taste better or am I just imagining it?” Regardless, I have convinced myself it does, so I pay the price for my unfounded indulgence.

Today is National Hydration Day. Since our bodies are a little more than 75% water, it’s important to drink water throughout the day whether you drink form a hose, the tap, or a fancy-labeled bottle. Wouldn’t it be nice if our bodies didn’t need a constant replenishment of water?

In John 4, Jesus met a Samaritan woman at a well, and their conversation centered around water. This was the first time, He made it known that He was the Messiah. When He asked for a drink from the lady, she questioned Him, asking why He would speak to a Samaritan since He was a Jew. In His answer, He commented that if she knew who He was, she’d ask Him for His water. He went on to state that with His “living water”, she would never thirst again. Puzzled, she continued to question Him and his response in verse 14 states, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” As He continues speaking to her, He reveals for the first time that He is the Messiah for whom all Israel has waited.

The wonderful thing about the living water that Jesus offers is that it never has to be replenished! It is full and overflowing in our lives when we invite Him to be our Saviour. Upon placing our faith and trust in Christ, we immediately receive the Holy Spirit to dwell within us. He is that “living water” of which Jesus speaks of in John 7:38, “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”  

This offer that Jesus makes is for anyone. In John 7:37, He declares, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.” Jesus is ready to forgive sins and bestow His living water to anyone who seeks it. Once you have His Spirit, your soul will never thirst again!

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, thank You so much for Your precious gift of salvation and your living water that accompanies it. Use me, O God, to share this living water with those in need of Jesus. Help me to be like the Samaritan woman who ran to tell everyone about the Messiah! May the spiritual fountain within me overflow to others with the reality of who Jesus is, and cause them to desire to know more about Him. In Jesus’ sweet name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” – 2 Corinthians 6:18

Examination of Chapter: In this second letter to the believers in Corinth, Paul writes urging them to remember that God’s grace has saved them and will allow them to serve Him regardless of circumstances. He instructs them to associate only with those who are like-minded, that is, to be separate from the carnality of the world and to remember that they are the children of God… He is their Father.

Application: Although Mother’s Day was recognized in the early 1900s, Father’s Day was not made a holiday until 1972. However, it was in 1908 that the first occasion of honoring fathers happened as a result of the dead of hundreds of coal miners in West Virginia. A year later, Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington sought to have a day to celebrate fathers. She urged the Spokane Ministerial Association and the local YMCA to do exactly that, and on the third Sunday in June 1910, the first recorded recognition of fathers from the pulpit occurred.

Father’s Day had a hard time becoming a national holiday. It was introduced to Congress in 1913, but did not pass due to opposition from President Wilson. 8 years later, President Coolidge signed a resolution regarding Father’s Day, and in 1962, President Johnson signed an executive order designating the third Sunday in June as the official day of celebrating fathers, but it wasn’t until 1972 that Congress passed it as a national holiday.

While we all have fathers, they are not all worthy of celebrating. While some fathers have been thoughtful and devoted to their children, some fathers are absent from the picture. Some have been uninvolved in their children’s lives intentionally; some have lacked the ability to be loving and caring; some have even been abusive. Some fathers simply don’t know how to show love. But there is one Father who will always love, always care, and never leave His children: God, our Father in heaven.

Our heavenly Father promises to love us eternally as it states in Jeremiah 31:3, “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.”

Our heavenly Father promises to care for us. Matthew 6:26 records Jesus’ words, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?”

Our heavenly Father promises to be with us always. In John 10:30, Jesus states, “I and my Father are one.” He then states in Matthew 28:20, “…lo, I am with you always”, thus the Father will never leave us.

Lastly, when God created man, He did it differently than anything else He had made. All of creation had been spoken into existence, but not Adam. To create him, the Bible records in Genesis 2:7 that God first physically molded man with His hands out of the dust, and then, unlike the animals, to give him life, God breathed into the body He had fashioned. It was, as the Bible records, “the breath of life”… God’s life! “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

Each individual who has ever lived has the breath of God within their body. Regardless of one’s relationship with Him, the physicality of God exists in each human being! And then, when an individual places his faith and trust in Jesus as Lord and Saviour, we are adopted into God’s family, and our heavenly Father’s Spirit comes to dwell within us! 1 John 3:1 declares, “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God”.

Regardless of your relationship with your earthly father, your heavenly Father desires a personal relationship with you that began as a thought in His mind and continues for all eternity. Jeremiah 1:5 confirms,“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;” and He sacrificed His only Son, Jesus, to make possible an eternity with Him as stated in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Oh, what a Saviour! Oh, what a Father!

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, thank You for loving me so much. Your Word tells me again and again how precious I am in Your sight. Thank You for your tender loving care, and the promises You have given me, assuring me that You will always be with me, from now until forever. I am so happy to be in the family of God!  In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.” – Psalm 118:8

Examination of Chapter: What a wonderful chapter that praises God for His mercy and care of His children. Despite being persecuted by the enemy, God always protects and delivers His own in His time and way. The psalmist rejoiced in God’s salvation and praised Him for His salvation, goodness, and mercy.

Application: Traveling with a cat certainly has its ups and downs. I love having her with me when we go camping, but I’m not sure she feels the same way. She doesn’t seem to mind roaming around our travel trailer when we’ve set up camp, but she is not always a “happy camper” when we’re driving, and she is riding in her carrier. I know she doesn’t understand that it’s for her own safety, but it is, and after several days, she seems to accept her fate when we’re in transit to a new location.

This reminds me of my relationship with God as I travel through life. Many times He keeps me safe in ways in which I am not appreciative, and I grumble about it. It could be as simple as getting a flat tire that detains me or more complex, like not getting a job I wanted.

The Bible reminds me in Isaiah 55:8 that my ways are not the same as God’s ways. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” Of course, if someone were to ask me outright if I thought I was smarter than God, I answer with a resounding “No!”, but sometimes I must confess that I do think I know what’s best for me. Same as my cat. She thinks if she could roam free in the truck, all would be well. She is completely unaware of the dangers if she should get underfoot of the brake pedal or bolt out of the door when we stop for gas. I think if God answered my prayer in the way I wanted, my life would be amazingly wonderful! I am totally unaware of the dangers that could present themselves if God answered my prayers exactly as I want. Therefore, I must learn to trust the Lord more than I trust my own instincts.

However, trusting God in every situation takes a concerted effort. I know in my head that I should trust the Lord in every and all circumstances as it states in Proverbs 3:5, “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” I often forget that my understanding is so limited and biased, plus it is often fueled by my sinful nature. Learning to trust God is an ongoing process in my life, but Psalm 37:5 reminds me, “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.”  As I travel through life, I must continually be reminded by His Spirit to pray and seek His guidance for everything in my life. By doing this, I will cultivate a more trusting relationship with the One who will never lead me astray. In Psalm 32:8, God promises, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” It is good to know that God will do that which is best for me always if I listen and trust His counsel.

Moments with God: My dearest heavenly Father, forgive me for trying to grab the reins from Your hands! My mind understands that You are all wisdom and all knowing, but my heart, which Jeremiah says is “deceitful and desperately wicked”, wants its own way. Thank You for protecting me from myself. Help me to surrender my will to Yours in all things, and grow a stronger trust in You. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.

Scripture: “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;” – Hebrews 6:19

Examination of Chapter: Hebrews 6 is urging believers to move beyond their initial foray into faith and to cultivate a deeper, richer relationship with God. The writer emphasizes that God always keeps His Word; He never lies, and He is the same now as He was when He made the Abrahamic covenant. By developing a more mature faith, the believers will come to understand the promises that God has made and will be able to depend upon them.

Application: I have a flower garden that is blooming quite beautifully right now. Unfortunately, so are the weeds! It is a constant battle keeping them from intruding into the rich fertile soil in which my flowers are thriving. I find that if I catch them early, they are easy to pull from the ground, but if I miss some, and they get anchored into the soil, they often break off, leaving the roots intact and able to grow a new weed. Being anchored with strong roots assures a plant, flower or weed, it won’t be easily removed from its spot.

That’s the same way it is with our faith in Christ. We need to be solidly anchored in the Word of God, so that we don’t become easy prey for Satan and the world to rip us from the fertile path of faith. So, how does one become anchored in their faith?

Romans 10:17 states, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” The place to start is with reading the Bible. The more a person reads the Scriptures, the stronger their faith becomes! As we study the Word of God, we become more and more like the wise man who built his house upon the rock. A metaphor for life, the wise man is anchored on a solid rock upon which no storm can destroy. Conversely, the foolish man built his life upon sand, meaning there is no substantial foundation for that in which he chooses to believe. This man would be easily swayed by circumstances, social media, celebrities, etc. (Matthew 7:24-27). He is missing the deep roots of faith to keep him anchored to Jesus in times of trouble or temptations.

Psalm 18:2 states, “The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” This is the Rock upon which we are anchored when we trust Christ as our Saviour. He is unmovable and unchanging; He is all-powerful and all-knowing; He is our stronghold and our refuge. When I am anchored in Him, I cannot be uprooted. Satan, the world, and my sinful nature constantly wants to uproot me from the garden of my Christian faith.

I become more deeply rooted in my beliefs as God’s Word continually fertilizes my faith with its wisdom, truth, and power, and it grows stronger and more sure. Being anchored in Christ provides security in the knowledge that in Him, I am nurtured and cultivated by the Spirit of God to grow a faith that cannot be uprooted by the temptations of the culture or the lies of the devil. When I am anchored in Jesus, the Solid Rock, I am able to blossom in my Christian walk, and I cannot be uprooted from the saving grace and truth of God’s Word.

Moments with God: Dearest heavenly Father, keep me grounded in Your Word. Help me to not only read it, but study it, meditate upon it, and hide it in my heart that I might not sin against You. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Scripture: “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Examination of Chapter: Paul writes to the church in Thessalonica, explaining his ministry.  He explains his role as an example, a mentor, and a father to the new believers in the church, and he longs to see them because he rejoices at how they have accepted the truth of God’s Word.

Application: When I was growing up, almost all Christians in the U.S. believed in the Bible.  It was even taught in public elementary schools. Today, less than one-fourth of American Christians believe the Bible is God’s Word. A large percentage of those who do think the Bible is true for the most part, do not feel it is culturally relevant. Only 1 out of every 5 adults believe the Bible is the literal Word of God.

Although I am not a Bible scholar, my faith is grounded firmly in the truth that the Bible is the Word of God. Here are some of the reasons why I believe so strongly in the Scriptures.

The Writers

The Bible was written by over 40 different individuals that included shepherds, scholars, fishermen, prophets, kings, and priests. The writings occurred over a period of 1500 years, and the authors were in total agreement with one another in what they penned.

Additionally, those responsible for copying the Scriptures were very dedicated to their task. The accuracy of their work had several safeguards, including counting the letters in each line and on each page. With the comparison to early texts, the original wording is evident in the copies of the scribes.

History

Comparing the Bible to historical documents and finding no discrepancies validates the Scriptures. Ancient pieces of pottery, coins, and other archaeological items also support the historical accuracy of the Scriptures. One very important comparative find occurred in the mid-twentieth century with the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls. Found in the caves of Qumran, these preserved manuscripts were transcribed portions of Scripture written over several centuries ago. With the exception of the book of Esther, there is a portion of every other book of the Bible, plus the entire 66 chapters of the book of Isaiah! Aside from the scrolls, there are approximately 6000 other surviving manuscripts of the New Testament, which along with the Dead Sea scrolls, help authenticate the truth of the Bible.

Archaeological digs also confirm the truth of places, events, and people recorded in the Bible. Places like Jericho and Ai in the Old Testament have been confirmed through archaeological excavations. In 1961, the Pilate stone was found, which mentions Pontius Pilate by name, the prefect who presided over the trial of Jesus. This supports the involvement of the Roman governor in the crucifixion of the Lord, and again verifies the truth of the Scriptures.

Lastly, ancient non-Christian historians kept careful records of events of the times. Jesus and other prominent New Testament individuals are referred to in various writings. Cornelius Tacitus wrote about Jesus’ execution by the Romans. Flavius Josephus included John the Baptist, Jesus, and Pilate in his writings. Their documentation of “current events” in their time adds to the validation that these were once living individuals as mentioned in the pages of the Scriptures.

Biblical Prophecy

Each time a biblical prophecy is fulfilled, it validates the Scriptures. For example, Micah 5:2 accurately prophesied about the birthplace of Jesus, “But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”  Similarly, Isaiah 53 describes in detail the suffering Jesus would go through to become our Redeemer. Along with many other verses in the Old Testament, this passage is clearly a prophetic reference to the coming Messiah.

There are also prophecies about various earthly empires: Assyrian (Nahum), Babylonian (Isaiah 13-14), Medo-Persian (Daniel 8:20) and Roman (Daniel 2:40). Lastly, Daniel 9 speaks to the  rebuilding of Jerusalem and the coming of the Messiah, the Anointed One of God… namely, Jesus. Many biblical prophecies were fulfilled centuries later, which clearly indicates the truth of the Bible.

Scientific Evidence

The Bible is not considered a book of science, but its writers, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit of God, accurately recorded natural occurrences that were unknown in their time. For example, the Bible describes the water cycle in Ecclesiastes 1:7: “All the rivers run into the sea, yet the sea is never full. To the place the streams come from, there they return again.” This was a concept that scientists would not describe until centuries later.

Additionally, Job 26:7 speaks of the Earth being suspended in space hundreds of years before there were telescopes or even the science of astronomy. “He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing.” While the Bible’s primary purpose is to provide spiritual truths, these scientific references demonstrate that Scripture does not conflict with the natural world, but rather aligns completely with contemporary scientific understandings.

Personal Impact

Perhaps the strongest and best reason I have for believing the Bible is the change that it has made in my life. I accepted Christ as a 12-year-old girl, and for the last 60 years, I have been His “work in progress” (Philippians 1:6). The more I read and study the Bible, the more I see in me those things that need to be changed to be more aligned to what God’s Word says. I am still a sinner who struggles with sin… but I am sinner saved by His grace, and I know His Spirit gives me more and more understanding of His Word each time I read it. It is the manual for my life, and my faith and hope is placed in the truth of every single word in it.

There are many more examples that could be presented in support of the Bible’s integrity, and there will always be arguments against the truth of the Scriptures. It is vital to objectively examine the evidence regarding the authenticity of the Bible before making your decision as to its trustworthiness. Don’t rely on social media, current cultural thinking, or the opinions of others to decide for you. Determining whether or not you believe in the Bible as God’s Word is the most important decision you’ll ever make… for now and forever. So, choose wisely; your soul’s eternal destination depends upon it.

Moments with God:

Dear heavenly Father, help  me to clearly see the truth in Your Word. Help me to not be clouded by the lies of the world, the lies of Satan, and the lies I fabricate in my mind to satisfy my sinful nature. Instead, O God, create in me a clean heart and mind… able to discern the truths of Scripture. Then, empower me by Your Spirit to change my life to be more like that of Jesus, and more aligned to what Your Word says. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Scripture: “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” – Galatians 6:14

Examination of Chapter: Paul is writing from Rome to the church in Galatia. He reminds the believers there that we should help others who struggle with sin in their Christian lives. He explains that loving restoration is needed, and brothers and sisters in Christ should reach out and help the struggling Christian through their season of difficulty. He goes on to state that relying on our works or religious traditions is futile; it is faith in the cross of Christ that counts in the lives of believers.

Application: On June 14, 1777, the American flag was adopted as our national banner. Thirteen white stars on a field of blue and thirteen stripes, seven red and six white, represented the original colonies, now the United States of America. The flag is our symbol of national pride and proudly flies to celebrate the liberty we have in our land. Throughout the years, our flag has changed only in the number of stars as new states were added to our country. Today, we pledge our allegiance to a nation of fifty states “under God with liberty and justice for all”.

I love my country and I love its flag, but I am only a temporary citizen of the USA. My eternal citizenship is not of this world, but in a place that shines with the glory of God! My forever home is in heaven with my Saviour; I am only traveling through this one. Philippians 3:20 states, “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:” (In the Greek, the word “conversation” is translated from the original word meaning “citizenship”).

Similar to the United States with its symbol of patriotism, heaven has its own representation to which I pledge my loyalty. That symbol is the cross upon which Jesus died. While it is the most horrific method of execution imaginable, it has specific meanings to me that fill me with awe, peace, and great gratitude. Speaking of Christ, 1 Peter 2:24 states, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

1) First, the rough rugged splintered timbers, of which the cross is made, speaks to me of the intense agony and suffering my Saviour endured to purchase my salvation.  Isaiah 53:5 reminds me, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

2) Second, in order to construct a cross, a tree must die, and that represents the truth that Jesus died and went into the grave bearing the burden of the most wicked and despicable sins of all mankind, including mine. Isaiah 53:12 prophetically spoke of Jesus, “…because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.”

3) Thirdly, the cross now stands alone. Jesus’ body is no longer there, and although He was buried, death could not hold Him!  A lone cross and an empty tomb speak to the miracle of the Lord’s resurrection! Matthew 28:6 records the glorious truth spoken of by the angel, “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Three days after the death of God’s beloved Son, my precious Jesus rose from the grave and proved to the world and all the powers of hell that He truly is the Son of God, the Saviour of the world, and He alone has the power to forgive the sins of anyone and everyone who places their faith and trust in Him!

The cross will forever be my true symbol of liberty. It was there that my sins were forgiven, and my soul became free from the bondage of sin! Galatians 5:1 states, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”

At my house, we proudly fly the American flag to honor our country. To honor my Lord and Saviour, I wear a cross around my neck. Both remind me of the price paid for my liberties. One from the tyranny of earthly powers, and one from the powers of sin and death. Hallelujah for the cross!

Moments with God:

Dearest heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation You provided for me. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your beloved Son, for it is by His precious blood, shed on the cross for the sins of all mankind, that my freedom is found. My loyalty, my allegiance is to You forever and always. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Scripture: “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6

Examination of Chapter: Paul is writing to the believers in the church at Philippi. In this section of his letter, he is encouraging them to stand fast in their faith in Christ. When worries come, he tells them to pray. When they have needs, present them to God, who will meet them all. Paul instructs them to focus on the positive, maintain a heart of thanksgiving for all things, and to be content in all things through Christ.

Application: I used to be quite a worrier. It didn’t matter if the problems were simple or complex, if they were out of my control, I worried about the outcomes. I really wanted to trust God, but in full transparency, I must confess, I had a really hard time doing that. At times, I still do.

When my worry is due to a lack of control on my part, I realize that I am definitely not trusting God. This doesn’t mean that worrying is necessarily sinful. Worry is a part of the human make-up. It sits alongside all the other emotions, and like those emotions, it can be controlled. When I allow worry to control me… to be the dominating factor governing my thoughts and actions, that is when it becomes a sin. The escalation of worry happens when I don’t trust the Lord for the things I experience in my life.

The Bible tells me I should not worry about anything, but instead I should give all those concerns to God. 1 Peter 5:7 tells us that instead of worrying, we should be “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Easy to say; hard to do. But the important thing to remember is that “hard to do” doesn’t mean it’s impossible to do. So, how do I handle worry?

Before I can “cast all my cares” upon the Lord, I need to change my attitude. Worry stems from pride; it is the fruit of a heart that demands control. 1 Peter 5:7 is actually the latter part of the solution to the “worry” problem. 1 Peter 5:6 instructs us to “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:” As an experienced worrier, I know that I worry when a situation is completely out of my control. I don’t know how to fix it to attain the outcome I desire, so I worry about what is going to happen. How can I manipulate the situation to reach the conclusion I want? What steps can I take? What words can I say? Worry, worry, worry!

However, when I realize that it is God who controls ALL things, including whatever the circumstances are surrounding my problems, and HE controls the outcomes, it becomes easier to “cast my cares” to Him. The intensity of my worry dramatically lessens. My worries don’t magically disappear, but by giving them over to God, they no longer control my thoughts, words, and actions. Instead, they keep me on my knees and in His Word for His direction and His abiding peace. James 4:10 states, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.” When worry beats me down, God lifts me up when I go to Him with a humble heart, knowing He can do all things, and He is in control of all things.

Worrying about things doesn’t mean I don’t trust God. It means I am still a work in progress in every area of my life, including my issues with worrying. Each time I worry, God uses the situation to teach me to depend upon Him more and more. God tells me in Philippians 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”. Instead of worrying about the things I cannot control, I focus my attention on what I can do to help the situation, and the number one thing I can do is pray. After all, my God can do anything! Remembering the greatness and goodness of God will enable me to “Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.” – Psalm 55:22

Moments with God:

Dearest heavenly Father, you are the One who gives perfect peace in the midst of troublesome times. Help me, O Lord, to keep my focus on You, remembering that there is nothing You cannot do, and that everything is within Your control. Help me to worry less and trust You more. In Jesus’ precious name, amen.

Stretching your thoughts:

1. When situations arise that are out of your control and worries escalate, what verse(s) could help you refocus on God and His strength for the outcome?

Scripture: “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18

Examination of Song: Joseph Scriven (1819–1886) was no stranger to tragedy. His first experience involved his fiancée who drowned the day before their wedding. , Several years later, when notified of his mother’s illness, he wrote her a poem in hopes of encouraging her spiritually. When she received it, she gave it to a friend who published it, and it became a popular hymn, but no one knew who wrote it.  Meanwhile, Joseph faced another blow. His second fiancée perished from pneumonia shortly before the marriage was to take place.  To deal with the sorrow, he immersed himself into the ministry, preaching and doing charity work. The authorship of “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” was made known when a friend of Joseph’s found the original manuscript. In regard to the hymn, Joseph stated, “The Lord and I did it between us.” Scriven died as a result from drowning when, delirious from an illness, he stumbled into a creek and died.

Application: Yesterday was National Best Friend Day. There are not a lot of people who can say they have had a best friend for nearly 60 years, but I can! I met Lorrie in the 7th grade, and we have been “besties” since then. Just the other day I was fondly reflecting upon some of our adventures in our younger days. We were quite a pair, and each memory is a treasure. Our crazy antics resulted in lots of fun and laughter as we navigated our teenage years. We always managed to look beyond the faults of one another and see the good. Our bond has remained strong throughout the years, and no matter what situations may arise, I know that Lorrie will always be there for me, and I always will be there for her. That’s just what best friends do!

As special as our relationship is, I have another best friend who has known me longer and loved me more than any other person in my life. That someone is Jesus. He knew me and loved me when I was just a thought in His mind. Jeremiah 1:5 records God’s words, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee;”, and in Jeremiah 31:3, God states, “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” What is more amazing is that Jesus loved me when I was an enemy of His.

Colossians 1:21 clearly states that as a sinner, I was an enemy of God. “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled”, yet while I was a sinner, Jesus loved me enough to offer Himself as the atoning sacrifice for my sins. Romans 5:8 states, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The Bible states, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13), and that is exactly what Jesus did for me.

Jesus is the best friend a person could have, and I’m so glad He’s mine!

Memory Verse: “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.” – Proverbs 27:9

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Think about someone you would consider to be your best friend. What qualities does he or she possess that endears him/her to you?

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer!

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge-- take it to the Lord in prayer!
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In his arms he'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

(from “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” by Joseph Medlicott Scriven)

Scripture: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” – Isaiah 55:8

Explanation of Song: Dora Greenwell (1821-1882) was an English poet, who had much of her work published in the 1860s. Much of her work had religious themes, and eventually some of her poetry was set to music by William J. Kirkpatrick, including the hymn, “I Am Not Skilled to Understand”.

Application: When I was a junior in high school, I had a nasty car accident that necessitated missing a few weeks of school. When I returned, the class that I struggled with the most was trigonometry. No matter what I did, I couldn’t grasp the concepts, and sadly, the teacher told me, “You’re smart. You can figure this out.” Smart or not, I just couldn’t get it, and I ended up dropping the class. While I certainly was not a genius, I think that was the beginning of my journey to realizing that my intellectual capabilities definitely had their limitations.

Those limitations are also very apparent when I try to understand the Scriptures. Even with years of going to church, there is so much I don’t know about God. Fortunately, the key doctrines about sin, salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life are pretty easy to grasp, but other biblical teachings can be very difficult to  comprehend, and somewhere along the way, I’ve pressured myself to understand it all. What a foolish way of thinking! I have spent so many long hours trying to figure out so many things in the Bible until recently, God’s Spirit quietly whispered a truth that resulted in one of those “Ah ha!” moments.

It is impossible for a finite mind to understand one that is infinite.

Isaiah 55:9 records God’s words, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” I realize how futile it is for me to try and figure out God… how presumptuous of me to think my limited brain could even begin to comprehend the things of God without Him specifically illuminating my understanding. How prideful… the very sin that God hates found its way into my heart without me even realizing it! How gracious and merciful of Him to open my eyes, offer forgiveness and restoration, and pour peace in my heart. Isaiah 26:3 reminds me, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” I’ve discovered that it’s okay to ask “Why God?”, but it’s equally okay not to have to know the answers. True contentment doesn’t come from knowing it all; it comes from trusting the One who does know it all.

Memory Verse: “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” – Philippians 4:11

Stretching your thoughts:

1. What do you do when you cannot understand a particular section of the Scriptures?

I am not skilled to understand what God has willed, what God has planned;
I only know that at his right hand is One who is my Savior!

I take him at his word indeed: “Christ died for sinners,” this I read;
For in my heart I find a need of him to be my Savior!

That he should leave his place on high and come for sinful man to die,
You count it strange? So once did I, before I knew my Savior!

And oh, that he fulfilled may see the travail of his soul in me,
And with his work contented be, as I with my dear Savior!

Yes, living, dying, let me bring my strength, my solace from this spring;
That he who lives to be my King once died to be my Savior.

(from “I Am Not Skilled to Understand” by Dora Greenwell)

Scripture: “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.” – Zephaniah 3:17

Explanation of Song: Although a priest and missionary, in May 1738, Charles Wesley (1707 – 1788) was unsure of his own salvation and agonized over his eternal state. After reading Martin Luther’s commentary on the book of Galatians, he finally understood the concept of justification by faith alone and finally found the assurance of salvation he so desperately sought. Two days later, Wesley wrote “And Can It Be?”, a hymn reflecting his amazement at his own conversion. In his lifetime, he wrote more than 4,500 hymns including “Hark, the Herald Angels Sing,” “Christ the Lord Is Ris’n Today,” and “Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus”.

Application: We live in a culture that thrives on “entitlement”. This means that people believe they inherently deserve privileges or special treatment simply because they exist. Being entitled means that an individual doesn’t need to work for what they want; they believe they should be given anything they desire without needing to do anything for it. It is their faulty thinking that this is a God-given right. Nothing could be farther from the truth.

The Bible states in Romans 3:23 that we are all sinners. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” As sinful creatures, we deserve absolutely nothing from a holy and righteous God. In fact, Romans 6:23 explains that “The wages of sin is death”. This means that all of humanity deserves an eternal death, that is, separation from God forever in a place of everlasting torment that He created specifically for Satan and the evil angels that aligned themselves with the devil. Jesus confirmed this in Matthew 25:41, “Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” We are NOT entitled to salvation.

However, the good news is that God loves us more than we can imagine, and because of that love, He designed the one way to reconcile sinners to Himself. Romans 5:8 gives us the solution. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” He did this, not because we are entitled to salvation, but because of His inconceivable love for us. John 3:16 states, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

The only way to spend forever in heaven with God is through faith in Jesus Christ, God’s beloved Son. Jesus died on the cross, becoming the sinless sacrifice for the wicked ways of all mankind. Through the shedding of His precious blood, He alone paid  the price for our redemption. Romans 5:10 states, “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” There is absolutely nothing we can do to earn the gift of eternal life, which Romans 6:23 clearly states, “…but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

While Jesus offers the gift of forgiveness of sins to anyone who asks, we must remember that we are in no way entitled to it. The truth is that we are so undeserving and incapable of earning God’s forgiveness and favor, the simplicity of God’s mercy and grace becomes a stumbling block to many. But the Bible clearly states how to be saved in Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” That’s it. No charitable works required. No baptism required. No donations of money required. No recitation of “special” prayers required. Only the penitent heart that asks for the forgiveness that only Jesus offers can receive it.

We don’t deserve salvation. We cannot work for it; we cannot purchase it, and we most certainly are not entitled to it. We can only humbly place our faith and trust in a holy, merciful, loving Saviour who desires to forgive us and welcome us into the family of God for all eternity.

Memory Verse: “And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” – 1 John 4:14

Stretching your thoughts:

1. Why is it so difficult to accept the free gift of salvation from Jesus when the philosophy of “entitlement” is so prevalent in our society?

And can it be that I should gain an int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me?

Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me!

He left His Father's throne above, so free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam's helpless race;
'Tis mercy all, immense and free; for, O my God, it found out me.

Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me!

No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th'eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own.

Amazing love! how can it be that Thou, my God, should die for me!

(from “And Can It Be?” by Charles Wesley)