Listen in the Quietness

To try to run away from life

is impossible to do,

For no matter where you chance to go,

your troubles will follow you;

For though the scenery is different,

When you look deep inside you’ll find

The same deep, restless longings

that you thought you left behind.

So when life becomes a problem

much too great for us to bear,

Instead of trying to escape,

let us withdraw in prayer.

For withdrawal means renewal

if we withdraw to pray

And listen in the quietness

to hear what God will say.

Taken from Helen Steiner Rice, A Collection of Encouragement

Be blessed!

Sandra T.

Allow Healing to Begin

As I sat in my living room trying to rest before heading back to evening service at church, I began to pray.  I then began hearing a conversation in my spirit.

This is the essence of that dialogue.  “You have to begin to speak the Word of God over yourself.  Speak what is positive and not negative.  The issues of your past can only be healed by allowing Jesus to tend to those areas of your pain whether its physical or emotional.”  The dialogue continues.  “When you allow the Holy Spirit to minister healing to those areas of  low self-esteem, addictions, past hurts, past disappointments, past or present abuse, and/or grief, then those issues will begin to dissipate and healing manifested.”

I don’t know about you; but I have some issues to overcome.  And, with what was spoken to me today, I practically made an appointment to begin my treatments.  I know it may take several months to several years.  Nevertheless, God has a purpose and a plan—a good one at that! (Jer. 29:11)

So, shall we begin this journey of becoming whole?  Why don’t you join me and let’s see what wonderful adventures lay ahead for us.

Hope this was a blessing.

Sandra T.

The Presence of The Lord

O Lord, do not forsake me.

Psalm 38:21

We often pray that God will not forsake us in our times of trial and temptation, but we forget that we need to pray like this at all times.  There is no moment in our lives in which we can do without His constant upholding.

So let this be your prayer today:  “Do not forsake me, Lord, now or at any moment of my life.  Forsake me not in my joys, lest they absorb my heart.  Forsake me not in my sorrows, lest I complain against You.  Forsake me not in the time when my faith is strongest, lest faith degenerate into presumption.  Without You, Lord, I am weak.  With You, I am strong.  Do not forsake me, for my path is dangerous.  I cannot do without Your guidance.

As the hen will not forsake her brood, so cover me forever with Your feathers, let me find refuge under Your wings.”

Taken from One-Minute Devotions Morning by Morning – Charles Spurgeon

Sandra T.

The Rubber Band

Being a church secretary is a blessing.  One of my responsibilities is to get the mail for the church from the post office twice a week.

Well, on Friday I went in and did my usual thing.  After sorting the mail, I started looking around for a rubber band.  Actually hoping one was laying on the floor or somewhere in the post office.  I thought about asking a postmaster but time was of the essence.

As I pushed the door open to exit outside, heading to my car, in my mind I actually talked to God and mentioned that it would be nice to have a rubber band right about now for the bundle of mail I had in my hands.

Upon approaching the car, my eyes happen to fall towards the sidewalk and there was one rubber band just waiting for me to pick it up.  Well, you guess it!  I picked it up and place it around the bundle and PRAISED JESUS!!!!

When I got in the car I heard this in my spirit, “If you ask and believe Me for something as small as a rubber band, then take that little mustard seed of faith (Luke 17:6)  and apply it to something that seems impossible.

God simply wants to, first, increase our faith by meditating on His Word–Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God  (Romans 10:17).   He desires that we have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).  He just wants us to trust and believe that He’s able to do what we’re believing Him to do.

Today, I don’t know what you’re expecting from Him.  All I know,  just walk by  faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7).  Trust Him with all of thy heart and lean not to your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).  He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we may ask or dare to think! (Ephesians 3:20)

Be blessed!

Sandra T.

Imitate Jesus

They took note that these men had been with Jesus.

Acts 4:13

A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ.  The best “life of Christ” is His living biography, written out in the words and actions of His people.  Think kindly, speak kindly, and act kindly – so that people will say about you, “He has been with Jesus.”

Imitate Jesus in His holiness.  He was zealous; you should be, too, always going about doing good.  He was self-denying; you should be, too.  He was devout; you, too, should be fervent in your prayers.  He submitted to His Father’s will; and so should you.  He was patient; and you, too, must learn to endure.  Above all, try to forgive your enemies, as Jesus did.  Forgive as you hope to be forgiven.  Be God-like in all you do and say, so that everyone who sees you may say, “He has been with Jesus.”

Taken from One-Minute Devotions Morning by Morning – Charles Spurgeon

Sandra T.

The Name of Jesus

You are to give him the name of Jesus.

Matthew 1:21

If there is one name sweeter than any other, it is the name of Jesus.  Jesus!  It is a name that moves the harps of heaven to make beautiful melody.  Jesus!  it is woven into the very fabric of our worship.

Many of our hymns begin with it, and hardly any, if they’re worth anything end without mentioning it.

It is the sum total of all delights.  It is the music ringing from the bells of heaven, an ocean of things to think about.  It gathers up all the hallelujah of eternity in just five letters.

Jesus!

Taken from One-Minute Devotions, Morning by Morning – Charles Spurgeon

Sandra T.

God’s Mercies

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions.

Ephesians 6:18

Think of all the prayers you have prayed, ever since you first learned how.  We have prayed for grace to help us live holy lives, for a fresh assurance of our salvation, for the application of God’s promises, for deliverance from temptation, for strength to do God’s work, for comfort in times of testing.  We are like beggars, regularly approaching God to ask whatever our souls need.

Your soul has not grown rich on its own.  It is dependent, relying on God for its daily allowance of blessing.  That is why we pray the whole range of spiritual mercies we need.

Our wants have been countless, but God’s supplies have been infinite.

Our prayers have been as varied as the mercies are plentiful.

Taken from One-Minute Devotions, Morning by Morning – Charles Spurgeon

Sandra T.

The Prayer of Jesus

Going a little farther, he fell
with his face to the ground and prayed.
Matthew 26:39

There are several instructive features in our Savior’s prayer during His time of trial.  First, it was a lonely prayer.  Believer, you too should withdraw into solitary prayer, especially in times of trial.  It was humble prayer.  Humility gives us a good foothold in prayer.  There is no hope of finding favor with God unless we humble ourselves.

It was filial prayer.  He was praying as a Son to His Father.  And we too can claim adoption as God’s children in our times of trial.  It was also persevering prayer.  Do not stop until you prevail.  Keep praying and keep thanking God for what He provides.  It was also a prayer of resignation.  Yield to God, and He yields to you.  Let God do His will, and He will do what is best for you.

Taken from One-Minute Devotions, Morning by Morning – Charles Spurgeon

Sandra T.

Devote Yourselves to Prayer

Devote yourselves to prayer,

being watchful and thankful

Colossians 4:2

It is interesting to note how much of Scripture is concerned with the subject of prayer, in furnishing examples, enforcing precepts, or pronouncing promises.  We can be sure that whatever God has made prominent in His Word He wants to be conspicuous in our lives.

A prayerless soul is a Christless soul.  Prayer is the lisping of the believing infant, the shout of the fighting believer, the requiem of the dying saint falling asleep in Jesus.  It is the breath, the watchword, the comfort, the strength, the honor of a Christian.  If you are God’s child, you will seek your Father’s face and live in your Father’s love.

The motto for this year must be “Devote yourselves to prayer.”

Taken from One-Minute Devotions, Morning by Morning – Charles Spurgeon

Without Christ

I looked for him but did not find him.

Song of Songs 3:1

Tell me where you lost trace of Christ, and I will tell you where you will probably find Him.  Did you lose Him in the prayer closet by neglecting regular prayer?  Then that is where you should look for Him.  Did you lose Christ when you turned to sin?  Then find Him by giving up the sin.  Did you lose Christ by neglecting the Scriptures?  Then find Him in the Scriptures.

Look for Christ where you lost Him.  He has not gone away.

It is dangerous to be without your Lord. Without Christ you are like a sheep without a shepherd, like a tree without water at its roots.  Seek Him with your whole heart, and you will find Him.

Give yourself thoroughly to this search, and once again He will be your joy and gladness.

Taken from One-Minute Devotions, Morning by Morning – Charles Spurgeon