Focus! Focus!

Focus on the Task at Hand

by Max Lucado

Life is tough enough as it is. It's even tougher when we're headed in the wrong direction.

One of the incredible abilities of Jesus was to stay on target. His life never got off track. Not once do we find him walking down the wrong side of the fairway. He had no money, no computers, no jets, no administrative assistants or staff; yet Jesus did what many of us fail to do. He kept his life on course.

As Jesus looked across the horizon of his future, he could see many targets. Many flags were flapping in the wind, each of which he could have pursued. He could have been a political revolutionary. He could have been a national leader. He could have been content to be a teacher and educate minds or to be a physician and heal bodies. But in the end he chose to be a Savior and save souls.

Anyone near Christ for any length of time heard it from Jesus himself. "The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them" (Luke 19:10). "The Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people" (Mark 10:45).

The heart of Christ was relentlessly focused on one task. The day he left the carpentry shop of Nazareth he had one ultimate aim--the cross of Calvary. He was so focused that his final words were, "It is finished" (John 19:30).

How could Jesus say he was finished? There were still the hungry to feed, the sick to heal, the untaught to instruct, and the unloved to love. How could he say he was finished? Simple. He had completed his designated task. His commission was fulfilled. The painter could set aside his brush, the sculptor lay down his chisel, the writer put away his pen. The job was done.

Wouldn't you love to be able to say the same? Wouldn't you love to look back on your life and know you had done what you were called to do?


From Let the Journey Begin:
God's Roadmap for New Beginnings © (J Countryman 2009) Max Lucado

God has a prosperous plan for you!

Adjusting to the Lord's Plan
Matthew 4:18-22

I have been a Christian for many years, and not once has God asked me, "Charles, what do you want to do?" The Lord doesn't change His plans to suit my purposes or yours. Instead, He asks us to adjust our lives to align with His will.

One change He often requires has to do with lifestyle. Peter, Andrew, James, and John were fishermen before they became Jesus' disciples. Their lives revolved around the details of their occupation--weather conditions, equipment repair, catching fish, and turning a profit. But when Jesus called them to become fishers of men, they willingly and suddenly made a dramatic change.

In contrast, the rich young ruler walked away sad when he realized what he'd have to give up to follow Christ (Matt. 19:21-22). An invitation from the Lord usually means modifying our way of living. Whether this involves switching jobs or altering habits, God expects us to adapt to His plan.

At times the Lord may call for a shift in our relationships. Before being invited to travel in Jesus' company, James and John worked in the family business with their father. Saying yes to God meant seeing friends and relatives less frequently. Pursuing His plan may mean the same thing for us. But Christ promises a great return on any sacrifice we make (Matt. 19:29).

Our heavenly Father's plans are based upon His goodness, justice, and mercy. Because of His perfect character, we can trust the direction He gives us. Adjusting to God's design--accepting His will and making the needed changes in our circumstances and relationships--is always the wisest action we can take (Prov. 3:5-6).

Extra Column:

A hymn about following God's plan

Trust and Obey

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.

Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt nor a fear, not a sigh nor a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.

Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil He doth richly repay;
Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown nor a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey.

But we never can prove the delights of His love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor He shows and the joy He bestows
Are for them who will trust and obey.

Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at His feet,
Or we'll walk by His side in the way;
What He says we will do, Where He sends we will go--
Never fear, only trust and obey.

(Refrain)

Trust and obey, for there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Words: John H. Sammis, 1887.
Music: Daniel B. Towner

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit

www.intouch.org

and

click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.

Journey of a christian

The Stages of Our Christian Life

Philippians 1:5-7

Each Christian's journey is unique. Yet certain stages of growth should be common to all believers. For example:

• God wants to teach new followers basic principles as a foundation on which to build. He expresses these truths through other believers, His Word, and life circumstances.

• The Lord allows us to serve Him. We were created to do good works , and this becomes evident as growing Christians use their talents to glorify Jesus (Eph. 2:10).

• God lets us experience "frustrated inadequacy." Pride and self-confidence are threats to spiritual growth. Therefore, our Father brings us to the place where we realize we can achieve nothing of value without divine guidance and power.

• To make freedom a reality, the Father will bring His children face to face with whatever holds them captive. We often carry hurts, fears, or other "baggage" from childhood and on our own, have no idea how to gain victory. God allows us to struggle through such issues with His help. As we surrender the problem to Him and seek His perspective, He works to liberate us.

• The Lord teaches us how to live the "exchanged life" (Gal. 2:20). Our sinful nature has been crucified with Christ, and the Savior's life is expressed through us as we surrender to the Holy Spirit's influence.

Do you recognize these stages as you look back over your walk with Christ? Perhaps you can identify an area where God still needs to work in your life. Is there anything standing in the way of allowing Him to live fully through you? Surrender to the Holy Spirit, asking Him to help you become more like Jesus.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit

www.intouch.org

and

click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.

What can we do for the Lord?

Psalm 116

I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD: “O LORD, save me!” The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. I believed; therefore I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” And in my dismay I said, “All men are liars.”

How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people. Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. O LORD, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, the son of your maidservant; you have freed me from my chains. I will sacrifice a thank offering to you and call on the name of the LORD. I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people, in the courts of the house of the LORD—in your midst, O Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD.

How can we repay the Lord for all his goodness to us? He doesn’t need anything we have. We can’t buy Him a gift or give Him money. We can’t perform some special project for Him like washing His car or painting His front porch.

Someone once asked the Prophet Micah what he should bring to the Lord. Burnt offerings? Thousands of rams? Ten thousand rivers of oil? How about a first-born son? Micah’s reply was as simple as it was accurate. “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:6-8)He’s not interested in what we bring so much as how we live.

“Act justly.” Treat people honestly. Don’t take advantage. Stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves. Tell the truth, even when it’s not popular.

“Love mercy.” Celebrate when someone gets a break. Thank the Lord for saving people who don’t deserve it, even if you don’t particularly like them. Even if they’re your enemy.

“Walk humbly with your God.” Recognize who the Senior Partner is in your relationship. Consult Him about everything. Get permission before acting. Cultivate an attitude of gratitude. Be fearful of nothing, pray about everything, be thankful for anything.

Remember, we are the body of Christ. And it’s not just true in the spiritual sense. During the age of the Church, we literally are His eyes and ears, His arms and hands. When He wants to help someone out, He uses us. When they need comforting, it’s our arms He wraps around them. When they’re down and can’t get up, it’s our hand He reaches out with. When they cry out to Him against persecution and injustice, it’s our ears He hears with. When He’s looking for someone to bless, it’s our eyes He sees with. When He wants to wipe the tears from their eyes, it’s our hand that holds the cloth. Through us He feeds the poor, comforts the sick, shelters the homeless, defends the cause of the fatherless, pleads the case of the widow, and so on.

“Whatever you do for the least of these, my brothers,” He said, “You do for me.” (Matt. 25:40) I guess we can give Him something after all.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

The Creator Spoke Finally!

Creator of Wind and Calm May 18, 2009 "But the men marvelled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" (Matthew 8:27) Waves large enough to cover a ship on a small lake in a short time could only have been generated by a tremendously powerful wind, and such a wind would require a mighty complex of forces in the atmosphere, triggered by the sun itself. Furthermore, even when the wind dies down, the waves will continue for a time. But suddenly both ceased at once, and "there was a great calm" (v. 26). No known natural force could have produced such a phenomenon, yet there it was. A man had simply spoken a word: "Peace, be still" (Mark 4:39). How could He control the sea? "The sea is his, and he made it" (Psalm 95:5)—that is how! And what about the stormy wind? God Himself "bringeth the wind out of his treasuries" (Psalm 135:7), even when need be, the "stormy wind fulfilling his word" (148:8). God can use the storms of life to cause us to call on Him for deliverance. "For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof. . . . Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses. He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still" (Psalm 107:25, 28-29). What manner of man can do such things? Only the God/Man, Jesus Christ. He is the omnipotent, living Word, the "Creator of the ends of the earth" (Isaiah 40:28). It is He by whom "were all things created," and it therefore follows that "by him all things consist" (Colossians 1:16-17). "For in him we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28). If this eternal Word (who was "made flesh" and was now sleeping in a small boat on the Sea of Galilee) could speak the mighty cosmos into being, it is no great thing for Him to speak peace to a stormy sea or to bring rest to His loved ones in their times of turmoil and fear. HMM Institute for Creation Research | 1806 Royal Lane | Dallas | TX | 75229

One touch can change life!

Jesus Touched the Untouchables

by Max Lucado

When Jesus came down from the hill, great crowds followed him. Then a man with a skin disease came to Jesus. The man bowed down before him and said, "Lord, you can heal me if you will."

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, "I will. Be healed!" And immediately the man was healed from his disease.
Matthew 8:1-3

I wonder... about the man who felt Jesus' compassionate touch. He makes one appearance, has one request, and receives one touch. But that one touch changed his life forever....

I wonder about this man because in New Testament times leprosy was the most dreaded disease. The condition rendered the body a mass of ulcers and decay. Fingers would curl and gnarl. Blotches of skin would discolor and stink. Certain types of leprosy would numb nerve endings, leading to a loss of fingers, toes, even a whole foot or hand. Leprosy was death by inches.

The social consequences were as severe as the physical. Considered contagious, the leper was quarantined, banished to a leper colony.

In Scripture the leper is symbolic of the ultimate outcast: infected by a condition he did not seek, rejected by those he knew, avoided by people he did not know, condemned to a future he could not bear...

The touch did not heal the disease, you know. Matthew is careful to mention that it was the pronouncement and not the touch of Christ that cured the condition. "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man and said, 'I will. Be healed!' And immediately the man was healed from his disease" (Matt. 8:3).

The infection was banished by a word from Jesus.

The loneliness, however, was treated by a touch from Jesus.

Jesus touched the untouchables of the world.

From
His Name is Jesus
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2009) Max Lucado

Heart Trouble? Don't Allow It To Happen!

Let not Your Heart be Troubled

Get your free bonuses we promised you here.

That's right! Jesus said, "Let not your heart be troubled!"

John 14:1-3
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. (KJV)

This Scripture contains special meanings for us all the time, but it is especially meaningful at the death of a loved one. Jesus talks about the Father's house and the many mansions in that house. Then he said that he left this earth to prepare one for every born again believer.

First, we see that there is no such thing a "just a little cabin in the corner of glory land." Nowhere do we find a single reference to a little cabin for us to live in when we get to heaven. Jesus speaks here of "many" mansions that he goes prepares for "you."

Could this not mean that he is preparing an individual, luxurious apartment, condo, townhouse or mansion for each of us individually.

Second, could this not mean that he comes for us as individuals only when he has finished the construction of our individual mansion?

Third, could this not mean that, until our private mansion is finished, no power on earth can kill us?

Finally, could this not mean that when he finishes our private mansion, no power on this earth can keep us here?

Every Christian faces death, either their own, or the death of a loved one. But because of Jesus, we do not face it alone.

Luke 24:13-15
13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.
14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.
15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. (KJV)

After the resurrection of Jesus, two men were walking down the Emmaus Road. Obviously, they made two sets of footprints in the sand. Suddenly, there appeared another set of footprints out of nowhere. Jesus suddenly appeared and walked and talked with them.

When they got home they recognized him and were comforted by him. You see, He had been in death's dark valley and came out of it alive again. And now they knew it.

No wonder he said, "Let not your hearts be troubled!"

1 Cor 15:6
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. (KJV)

Paul said that over five hundred people at one time had seen Jesus alive after he had died, been buried and resurrected. And when Paul wrote this the Corinthian Church, he also said that the majority of them were still alive and could verify what he had written.

They saw a man who had died but now lived again. What a comfort when their time comes to enter death's dark valley.

With this many eyewitnesses, no wonder Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled!"

John 21:1
1 After these things Jesus shewed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias; and on this wise shewed he himself. (KJV)

John 21:9-14
9 As soon then as they were come to land, they saw a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10 Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught.
11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.
12 Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine. And none of the disciples durst ask him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
13 Jesus then cometh, and taketh bread, and giveth them, and fish likewise.
14 This is now the third time that Jesus shewed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead. (KJV)

After Jesus' resurrection, he prepared breakfast on the seashore for his disciples. They saw him. They talked with him. They knew it was him. They were convinced that here was the man they knew who died but now was living again.

What a comfort for each of them to see him alive. Now when death closes his cold, icy fingers around the throats of each of them, they now knew that they would go to their mansion in heaven. They knew also they would come back some day with Jesus to this earth.

And what a comfort this is to each of us! You see, the same things are in store for each Christian.

No wonder Jesus said, "Let not your hearts be troubled!"

Here is another short faith builder to help you through death's dark valley.

Dr. Jay Snell: Author of several books concerning the healing, prosperity, family well being and salvation contained in the Abrahamic covenant for Christians. These books were presented many times on TBN.

This Page: http://www.jaysnell.org/Articles/troubled.htm

Devolational Bread from Psalm

Psalm 114

When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion. The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs. Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back, you mountains, that you skipped like rams, you hills, like lambs? Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.

At least part of the Creation understands the power of God, and trembles at His presence. The Earth does. And even the demons believe – and shudder. (James 2:19) It’s really only man who holds Him in disdain.

Strange thing is, man’s received the most. We’ve been given dominion over the Creation, free run of the planet. We buy and sell the land as if it was our own, pocketing the profit without so much as a fair-thee-well. We use its resources like there’s no tomorrow, assuming there’ll always be more, and are blessed by its abundant harvests. God provides the air we breathe, the water we drink, the materials for the clothes we wear and the homes we build. His light energizes us by day and His darkness rejuvenates us by night.

If the mix of elements in our atmosphere was changed by only a few percentage points, we’d immediately die. The same goes for a few days without the Sun. Our lives here are so fragile that it’s only by the grace of God that we survive. For these reasons alone we owe Him our undying gratitude.

But He’s done so much more. When Satan tricked our first parents out of their land, and all their progeny out of our inheritance, God provided for our redemption, and Earth’s too. And He didn’t just make us even again. He set aside riches impossible to measure and blessings too numerous to count, all payable to us just for accepting His offer of pardon for our sins.

The sad thing is that every man intuitively knows this. That’s why when Jesus described the day of His Second Coming, He said, “At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory.” (Matt 24:30)

Nations don’t mourn, but the people who populate them do. They’ll mourn because they’ll realize that they waited too long. That little piece of truth that’s lodged in every man’s heart, ignored for too long, will finally be made obvious before their very eyes, and it’ll be too late. We’re saved by faith, after all, and no faith is required to accept the obvious.

But you’ve accepted in faith what you have not seen, and it has changed your eternal destiny. It’s a promise made by One Who cannot lie, our Creator, our Redeemer, our Lord and our Savior. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) In choosing to believe that you’ve accomplished the over arching purpose of your life, and you’ll be rewarded forever.

Website: www.gracethrufaith.com

Ask God For A Heart After God's Own Heart

A Heart for God
Acts 13:16-22

God's assessment of David's heart is one of the highest praises that anyone has ever received from the Lord. And this commendation is not reserved exclusively for the most beloved king of Israel; in fact, our Father wants every one of His children to have a heart for Him.

The Lord testified that David was a man who would do all His will (Acts 13:22). In other words, the chief characteristic of a "heart for God" is a passion to obey Him. Not every act of the king's life was as the Lord would have desired, but his pattern was to follow after God. And David also knew what to do when he sinned. His prayer was that the Lord would search out any wicked way in him, clean it up, and help him get back on track to become the kind of person his Father wanted him to be (Ps. 139:23-24).

David's relationship with the Lord was his highest priority. Not only did he delight in God's Word, but many of his intimate conversations with the Father are also recorded for us in the book of Psalms. In addition, the Scriptures reveal many examples of how David trusted the Lord in all the challenges of his life. This humble servant recognized that God alone was responsible for any greatness he achieved as king.

Becoming a man or woman with a heart for God is a valuable goal. Our aim is not perfection but a consistent, growing relationship with the Lord. In the process, we will discover that our desires and interests align with God's, and obeying Him will be our great delight.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit

www.intouch.org
and
click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.

You are God's Masterpiece!

God's Masterpiece...Who Me?

Melissa Taylor

"For we are God's masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Devotion:

You've got to be kidding me? If I didn't see it for myself in God's Word, I wouldn't believe it. Ephesians 2:10 says "...we are God's masterpiece."

Wait a minute, this cannot be right. I don't feel like a masterpiece. I certainly don't look like a masterpiece. But God's Word says that I am a masterpiece. And not just anyone's masterpiece; I am God's masterpiece.

According to Merriam-Webster's online thesaurus, synonyms of masterpiece are: showpiece, blockbuster, success, gem, jewel, prize, treasure, and piece of the master. Insert any of these words into today's verse in place of masterpiece.

Doesn't it just take your breath away to know that there is Someone that feels this way about you?

God loves what He created, so shouldn't we too? I struggle not to get down on myself. Often I focus on what I do wrong more than what I do right. I look in the mirror, compare myself to someone else and I just feel blah. That's right, blah.

I wonder, "What's special about me?"

It is very hard for me to believe that I am God's masterpiece. Do you have thoughts like these? If so, stop right there! Don't let those lies penetrate any deeper. That's not what our Creator thinks.

When I listen to the Truth, which is His Word, not my thoughts, then I hear Him saying things like, "Oh Melissa, you don't always get it right, that's true, but I love you so much. Look in My mirror and see what I see, My beautiful creation, My treasure, My masterpiece.

The sooner you see yourself for who you really are, the sooner you can take your reign as My priceless princess with a purpose - My masterpiece. You were created in My image and you are indeed a piece of the Master."

Dear Lord, thank You for creating me in Your image and calling me Your masterpiece. Please help me to live like the one You created me to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Related Resources:

Listen to Today's Radio Show for more on the Father's love

The Wonder of His Love: A Journey into the Heart of God by Nancy Stafford

My Princess: Love Letters from Your King by Sheri Rose Sheppard

Visit Melissa's blog

Application Steps:

Take note of the way you think about yourself today. If you notice a lot of negative thoughts occupying your mind, intentionally choose to think about what God says about you. Remind yourself that you are a masterpiece of our almighty God.

Reflections:

Do I believe that I am God's masterpiece?

How do I view true beauty?

What can I do to remind others and myself that we are true treasures of God?

Power Verses:

2 Corinthians 1:21-22, "Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." (NIV)

Ephesians 1:4, "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight." (NIV)

© 2009 by Melissa Taylor. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-GMatthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

Love of God and Our Required Response

Loved, but Lost

John 3:15-18

Probably the most cherished and comforting of all God's characteristics is His love. However, the fact that He loves us does not determine our eternal destiny; we can still be separated from Him in our lost condition.

Because the Father cares so much for mankind, He made provision to rescue us from our doomed state of alienation from Him. This offer of salvation is extended to everyone, but in order to benefit, a person must accept it. By the death of Christ on our behalf, the Lord opened the door for us to be saved, but He does not push anyone through.

Imagine that you've fallen into a rushing river and are about to drown. I jump in to save you, but you refuse my help. Did my diving in save you? No, you did not accept my offer of rescue. In the same way, God made every provision for your salvation, but you must respond to His offer.

Just as a swimmer stretches out a hand to accept rescue, so each of us must reach out in faith, believing that Jesus died for us. Accepting His forgiveness for our sins is not just an intellectual belief. A drowning man will not be saved if he merely knows that a swimmer can save him. He has to put his life in the hands of the rescuer and depend totally on him.

Simply relying on God's love to save you is not enough. Our heavenly Father desires that everyone be saved, but many will remain lost because they fail to accept His offer. The next move is yours. Choose to believe in Christ, and surrender your life to the One who is willing and able to save you.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit

www.intouch.org
and
click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.

Focus on God's Prespective

What We Can't See

Marybeth Whalen

"'Don't be afraid,' the prophet answered. 'Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.' And Elisha prayed, 'O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.'" II Kings 6:16-17a (NIV)

Devotion:

Have you ever asked God to help you see what He's up to in the spiritual realm?

In II Kings 6:15-17, the prophet Elisha prays for his servant to be able to see beyond his circumstances. They are surrounded by a great army and the odds look to be overwhelmingly against them. He asks God to show the servant what is taking place beyond what the eye can see. The servant's eyes are opened to a supernatural realm and he is able to see the Lord's armies gathered to fight on their behalf. Elisha knew his servant was feeling hopeless and simply needed a different perspective.

We need eyes to see just like that servant did. Make no mistake, we are fighting a war. As Christians, we must suit up every day and face another battle. We have an enemy who wants to defeat us. And some days it seems like he gets the victory. We look around at the failing economy, the fractured families, and the fast pace of our lives and feel that the odds are overwhelmingly against us. We grow weary and feel like giving up.

In those moments we need to stop worrying and pray for a new vision. We need to ask God to change our perspective so that we can look past what we can see to what He is taking care of in the unseen. We need to remember to trust Him and to ask Him to help us see His activity--no matter how overwhelmed and unworthy we may feel. God sees us and He will send help when we need it.

The odds are never stacked against us because God is waging a battle we can't see. I love that He is always fighting on our behalf, even when we don't see it--and especially when we need it the most.

Dear Lord, please help me to remember that You are fighting even when I don't see it. Help me to have a vision for what You do daily on my behalf and not grow discouraged by the battles I face. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know The One Who Fights for You?

Walk with Me Today, Lord: Inspiring Devotions for Women by Emilie Barnes

For monthly encouragement, get our P31 Woman Magazine

Visit Marybeth's blog

Application Steps:

The next time you face something and feel overwhelmed, unworthy or discouraged about it, remember Elisha's servant and what he saw when God opened his eyes. Ask God to open your eyes when you need encouragement.

Reflections:

How would living life aware that God is fighting on your behalf change your outlook?

Power Verses:

Psalm 20:7, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God." (NIV)

I John 4:4, "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (NIV)

© 2009 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

Our Life Speaks

Communicating Through Our Life

John 13:34-35

Did you realize that everyone's life makes a statement? Perhaps you've never looked at your routine as anything more than merely traveling back and forth to work and accomplishing daily tasks. If so, you might wonder what message this could possibly broadcast to the people around you.

The truth is that every one of us communicates to others through our character, actions, and words. The believer's life should be an expression of glory to God while conveying to onlookers the vital importance of divine truth. Wherever we are, Jesus' light should shine brightly through us so that He is evident in a dark world. And remember, the strength of our life message is directly related to the depth of our relationship with God.

Of course, this does not mean that our lives have to be perfect. But our responses and actions should demonstrate that our heavenly Father is dependable, faithful, forgiving, and present. We are His ambassadors, representing the Savior to the people we encounter each day. Our lives are opportunities for others to see the Lord in action, as we serve others--or as we reveal peacefulness and trust, even during difficult times.

Coworkers, family, neighbors, and friends are all witnesses to our daily conduct and conversation. Every encounter we have is an opportunity to reflect Jesus into somebody's life. Ask the Lord to strengthen your faith and your walk so that those around you can't help but be drawn towards His light.

For more biblical teaching and resources from Dr. Charles Stanley, please visit www.intouch.org and click here to listen to Dr. Stanley at OnePlace.com.