Stops & Steps 1753 31Jul2011

Seek God first

Today a climate of furious activity breathes and breeds busyness. Years ago, success in our society used to be determined by what neighborhood you lived in or what kind of car your drove. Now our society measures success differently- by how busy you are!

Although we live in a much different society than the original recipients of Jesus’ words that day on the mountainside (Matthew 6:31-33), we can learn from them none the less. They were concerned about where their food and clothing would come from. While there are those in our midst who still have those concerns, there are many of us who are worrying about different issues.

While we are constantly reminded to attend to our responsibilities and to keep up with the race, God stands whispering… Seek first my kingdom and my righteousness, and all of these things will be given to you as well

Matthew 6:31-33
So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Stops & Steps 1753 31Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1752 30Jul2011

Encourage one another

We do not know how much time we have. We do not know if we will see the end of this day, or dawn tomorrow, but we do know God has given us this moment. What will we do with this gift from God? We should encourage one another every day, as long as it is called today. Our limited vision cannot see what this day will bring. We cannot predict what will happen. We only know God has given us salvation through the Saviour. We need to share this gift and encourage others who we see or meet today. Let us ask God to help us to do this.

Sin is designed to harden our hearts and turn us from the Savior. Christians should make the most of every day by encouraging and strengthening each other. Give an encouraging word today to your spouse, child, love one, and especially those who do not share in the love of Jesus Christ.

Hebrews 3 : 13
But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.

Stops & Steps 1752 30Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1751 29Jul2011

Being a lens

Each of us is a lens that magnifies what we live for. People can look at and through our lives and see what is really important to us. If you love the Lord, you will want to magnify Him. Watch your words and actions. Are the lens of your life clean so that He may be magnified through you.

When the lenses of our glasses get dirty, we see the dirt. So we have to clean them. When we are dirty, people see us rather than the Lord. Let's keep our lives clean today. Let's magnify the Lord together; He is worthy of all praise

- The athlete magnifies his sport, his team and his winning record.
- The musician magnifies the instrument he plays.
- The scholar magnifies his discipline.
- As God's people, we should magnify the Lord.

The sinner, however, wants to magnify only himself. David said, "Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who rejoice at my hurt; let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who magnify themselves against me" (Psalm 35 : 26).
Notice the phrase "who magnify themselves against me." Whenever you live to magnify yourself, you are always against someone else. This means competition. And God does not want us to live competitively.

Our great desire should be to magnify the Lord, not ourselves. David said, "Let them shout for joy and be glad, who favor my righteous cause; and let them say continually, 'Let the Lord be magnified'" (Psalm 35 : 27). The Apostle Paul said, "Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death" (Phil. 1:20).

Psalm 35:22-28
This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.


Stops & Steps 1751 29Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1750 28Jul2011

Squelching the Spirit

Satan loves to trick us into living our lives caught up in defeat and despair. He keeps us busy and distracted so that we lose our focus. When he is able to achieve this, he can detach our connection to the truth of the Holy Spirit’s power within us. If we are not focused on it, then we cannot tap into it. Satan’s goal is to squelch the Spirit within us. He cannot have victory over the Spirit, but he can have victory over our flesh.

Armed with the knowledge of this fact, we must be determined to be intentional about living life aware of the Holy Spirit’s presence. We must also try to learn all we can about what that means. By reading the Bible, we learn that the Holy Spirit serves as our Comforter, our Counselor and our Controller.
- As our Comforter, He is an abiding presence whenever I feel lonely or rejected.
- As our Counselor, we can ask Him to supply us with wisdom or even to pray on our behalf when words fail us. (Romans 8:26-27)
- As our Controller, He helps us control our impulses and guides our actions. (Romans 8:13-14)
For these things to happen, we cannot be lulled into passivity, nor can we be distracted into over-activity thereby forgetting all about Him in the midst of our busyness.

John 14:16-17
And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.


Stops & Steps 1750 28Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1749 27Jul2011

Being accused ??

Our first reaction to false accusations is to fight. We want to fight back and defend our name and protect our reputation.
In Psalm 35 David was in trouble; his enemies were accusing him and lying about him. What did he do? He prayed. David was far more concerned about his character than his reputation. He knew that if he was right with God, it made no difference what people did to him or said about him. So he started with prayer.
"Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me" (v. 1).

When the Enemy fights against you, he's really fighting against the Lord. That's a good principle to remember. When the child of God is in the will of God, he can claim the help and the protection of the Father.

Our enemies are too strong for us. We have to turn them over to the Lord. David trusted God to work on his behalf, and He did.

God will work for you today, too. In His time and in His way, He will accomplish what needs to be done. And when that day comes to an end, or whenever the opportunity might arise, you will say, "And my soul shall be joyful in the Lord; it shall rejoice in His salvation." It's not your salvation--it's not based on what you have done for yourself but on what God has done for you. I trust that today you'll have the joy of His victory in your life.

When dealing with your enemies, your first response might be to react instead of to act positively. Your best response is to pray. As God's child, you can turn your enemies over to Him and claim His help and protection. Is the Enemy attacking you ? Give your burden to the Lord, and He will work on your behalf.

Psalm 35:1-10
Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?


Stops & Steps 1749 27Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1748 26Jul2011

Regrets

Most of us have regrets about something we have done in the past, which has hurt others or even ourselves. We carry a lot of emotional and spiritual baggage around with us. These baggage may later surface as either anxiety or depression. When we try to carry our regrets on our own, we trouble our hearts and tired out our souls. That is when we need help. That is when we need a Counsellor. That is when we need a Saviour.

According to Scripture, Jesus was tempted in every way possible, which means that He perfectly understands the dilemmas we face throughout our lives. And although He did not give in to temptation, He knows our weaknesses, so He can remedy our regrets by forgiving our past mistakes, even those personal events that we cannot seem to forgive ourselves for.

Hebrews 4:15
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are -- yet was without sin.

Stops & Steps 1748 26Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1747 25Jul2011

Live a pure life

Everything God creates are meant to be used as it was intended. When we obey, we do well. But when we use the gifts of God in ways that they are not intended to be used or when we abuse them, there are consequences to be paid. There are always relational consequences. We get hurt and/or we hurt others. Someone, somewhere gets hurt.

Psalm 119 is a reflection of the good news that God only wants what is good for us. And the wisdom of God’s Word is the guidance available to us when we make daily choices to live our lives based on love, integrity, justice, kindness and the other relational attributes that Paul calls the fruits of the spirit. To that mix we can add a large dose of healthy common sense.

Over time, living a lifestyle that includes worship and learning from God’s Word, a lifestyle that includes focusing on what God would want from and for us, the wisdom of God’s Word infiltrates our common sense. Over time it no longer makes sense to us to live the way we did. Over time we learn, we mature, we grow.


Psalm 119 : 9 - 16
Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O LORD: teach me thy statutes. With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.

Stops & Steps 1747 25Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1746 24Jul2011

No one is exempt from God's call.

Most people think of Moses as a great leader, a hero, and a strong, worthy man of God. In actual fact he was just like anyone else. Moses was shocked that God would call him.

Look at the list of excuses Moses used to prove to God that someone else would be better suited for the task. First he said, "I am not the right person." Then, "I have no idea what to say," followed by, "They will never believe me." Then, "I stutter." Finally, Moses just
asked God to go find someone else for the job.

Many of us too are filled with excuses about why we cannot do what God calls us to do. We have too many responsibilities to get to church school on time; worship is too boring; we do not have time to serve those in need. We pass neighbors with a nod and a wave instead of listening to their concerns and allowing them to know ours. We miss opportunities to share God's love in Jesus Christ because we assume that someone else will do the job. Yet God calls us.

God did not exempt Moses, and God does not exempt us. It is so much simpler to say "Yes" and to trust the One who made us, who loves us, and who promises to be with us as we obey?

Exodus 3:1-4:17
v1-4 Now Moses kept the flock of Jethro his father in law, the priest of Midian: and he led the flock to the backside of the desert, and came to the mountain of God, even to Horeb. And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.
v17 And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

Stops & Steps 1746 24Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1745 23Jul2011

We are HIS

The Bible says that God loves His children unconditionally. There is nothing we can do to get Him to love us more. He loves us because we are His. Children learn in catechism classes that our “chief aim is to glorify God.” We glorify Him by accepting that we are His and by stepping into relationship with Him.

Zephaniah 3:17
The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Stops & Steps 1745 23Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1744 22Jul2011

Relying on God

We must constantly remind ourselves of the folly of human effort apart from God. Anything we attempt in life is doomed to failure unless we rely on the power of God. The psalmist shows us this is true in four aspects of human life: In Psalm 127 : 1 – 5
social (verse la);
civic (verse 1b);
business (verse 2); and
domestic (verses 3-5).
In each of these there is an unmistakable emphasis on the necessity for reliance on God.

"Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it." Regardless if it is a
private dwelling or the house of God, it is useless to undertake building unless we seek the prosperity of God. The psalmist does not say that unless the Lord consents that the house should be built, he says unless the Lord builds the house. We supply the materials; He does the work in our social lives.
"Except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." Turning from social to civic life, the psalmist knows the unseen watchman of every city is Jehovah Himself. The constant vigilance of a guard is without reward if he watches alone. It does little good for us to stand watch unless the Lord stands with us. Not to set a watch when the enemy is at hand is foolish, but to set a watch in our own strength is just as foolish.
"It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows." Here the
psalmist does not counsel us against rising early. His intent is to show us that nothing is
accomplished by rising early or staying up late if all we do is worry about our problems. Here too we must have absolute dependence upon God.
Finally, the psalmist turns his attention to reliance on God in domestic matters. He begins
with a statement about children that is totally opposed to the philosophy of the world today. In a day in which children are frequently viewed as a bother, an infringement on personal freedom, and are therefore aborted before they are born, the psalmist counters, "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD." Children come to us from God and are another means of building a house. In fact, in the Hebrew, the word for son (ben) and daughter (bath) both come from the same root word for house (beth).
Although building a house is akin to building sons and daughters, building sons and daughters is more important than building a house around them.
To whatever endeavor God calls you today, whether it be social, civic, business, or domestic, reliance on Him is a prerequisite to success. You cannot build a house fruitfully without the labor of God. You cannot watch a city successfully without the protection of God. You cannot engage in business tirelessly without the strength of God. You cannot raise children lovingly without the wisdom of God. All human activity is but folly unless you rely upon God for success. Ask Him to make you successful today.

Psalm 127 : 1 – 5
Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: for so he giveth his beloved sleep. Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

Stops & Steps 1744 22Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1743 21Jul2011

Fear follows great experience

In Genesis 33:1-11 we are told that Jacob had just experienced a wonderful night with God that resulted in his becoming the new man, Israel. But when he saw the danger--Esau and his 400 men--fear gripped his heart.

Great experiences do not guarantee constant faithfulness. Jacob's experience at Peniel was a stepping-stone to greater living, but it did not guarantee faithfulness on his part.

Even Paul wrote in Philippians 3 : 13-14 "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus"


Experiences that result from crises are like open doors that make it possible for us to enter a new aspect of our Christian walk. Thus, Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me" (Luke 9:23).

We are to daily take our position in Christ and follow Him. Galatians 5:16 assures us that when we walk in the Spirit, we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

When we commit ourselves to following Him, the Holy Spirit controls our lives, and God lives His life through us.

1 Corinthians 10 : 12
Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall

Stops & Steps 1743 21Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1742 20Jul2011

According to our faith


While praying we must believe that our prayers have been accepted and heard, so that we are actually aware of receiving, by firmest anticipation and in advance of the event, the thing for which we ask.

We must bear in mind that no earthly circumstances can hinder the fulfillment of His Word if we look steadfastly at the immutability of that Word and not at the uncertainty of this ever-changing world. God would have us believe His Word without other confirmation, and then He is ready to give us "according to our faith."

Matthew 9 : 29
According to your faith be it unto you

Stops & Steps 1742 20Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1741 19Jul2011

The Divine Level

On which level of life are you living--on the human level, the demonic level or the divine
level?

On the human level we return good for good and evil for evil. That's the way most people
live. But when we live on this level, we really do not grow. In fact, we become like other people. The human level turns life into a war, into a selfish competition. And that's not the Christian way to live. Only God knows when something is truly evil. What someone does to you today might ultimately turn out to be the best thing that's ever happened to you. On the surface it may look like evil, but God can turn it into good.

Nor do we want to live on the demonic level. In Psalm 35 we read about those who return evil for good. David says, "They reward me evil for good, to the sorrow of my soul" (v. 12). That's the level the Devil lives on. He always returns evil for good.

But David lived on the divine level. He returned good for evil (vv. 13,14). He expressed love toward his enemies. He didn't simply return good for good and evil for evil. And he certainly didn't return evil for good. No, David returned good for evil. He anticipated the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44).

Let's live on the divine level--that dynamic level of love where we live like the Lord Jesus Christ.

It's often difficult to do good toward those who have wronged you. But God wants you to live on the divine level and return good for evil. How do you treat others? The next time you are wronged by someone, choose to treat that person with kindness. God will use your actions to bring glory to Himself.

Psalm 35:11-21
False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth. Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people.Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land.Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it.

Stops & Steps 1741 19Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1740 18Jul2011

How to hear God’s voice

Today it's hard to get away from the noise. The hubbub of the city, the noise of the factory, the cry of children, the blare of the radio or television—all contribute to a disharmony. In the midst of these things, intimate communion with God is nearly impossible. That is why it is essential that we seek a quiet retreat where we can hear God's still, small voice. Find a place today where you can shut out the noise of the world. Ask God to calm your mind and remove the clamor that so often fills it. Tune your heart to listen for His voice and discover His intimacy.

Intimacy with God comes in whispers, not shouts.

1 Kings 19:11-12
Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.



Stops & Steps 1740 18Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1739 17Jul2011

HE designed it

Smooth sailing is preferred over rough seas; paved roads over potholes. But sometimes the rough seas and potholes are by God's design to achieve His purpose. At that point, the follower of Christ must decide whether to follow God in the tough times or not.

Following God will take you down rough roads at times. Sometimes you will be tempted to find the easier path. The best road to travel, however, is always the one of God's choosing.

Are you on the right path, doing God's will?

Luke 1: 38
And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Stops & Steps 1739 17Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1738 16Jul2011

HE is great

Very often we forget that our God is greater than all other powers, human or supernatural. We need not fear any foe. The psalmist said, "A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you" (Ps. 91:7). God’s hand of protection is upon us until He chooses to call us home, and none can challenge His authority.

Take courage. Rest completely in the God He is our strength and protection. He will keep us when all others fail. He is the greatest of all. Since God has no equal, He has no challenger.

2 Chronicles 2 : 4 – 5
Behold, I am building a temple for the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to Him, to burn before Him sweet incense, for the continual show bread, for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, on the New Moons, and on the set feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel. And the temple which I build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.

Stops & Steps 1738 16Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1737 15Jul2011

Depression

When we are depressed, we are “down” emotionally or mentally. It also affects our physical well-being. In spite of so many blessing and benefits, people still struggle with depression.

One of the common effects of depression was the loss of interest to do things. Our initiatives are stifled. We become slow or stop altogether. We lost our motivation. We sit and wait and become more depressed.

God gave very specific instruction to His people, instruction that can help us. He said first, "Be strong." Then He said, "Be strong." After that He said, "Be strong." Mark it in Haggai 2:4. Three times God says, "Be strong." That is spiritually based emotional resolve! It's not psychological self-help talk but divine instruction. It is also something that we must determine to do, to be strong.

God instructed one other thing-"work." It is amazing how much healing can take place when we start being constructive again.

God also said, "For I am with you." His presence indeed makes all the difference.

Haggai 2:4

Stops & Steps 1737 15Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1736 14Jul2011

Gates

We have gates to keep people out and gates to keep people in. We have gates to enter the driveway. We have gates into and out of parking lots. We have gates to keep animals in and gates to keep them away.

We have gates to our hearts too. We allow people and God into some of the rooms of our heart. We do not let all of them. There are some thoughts that we do not want anyone to know. There are thoughts that may hurt and we do not tell anyone.

We are foolish if we do not open the gates of our heart to God. He takes a interest to learn more about our lives so He can be our saviour, friend and protector.

Psalm 24 : 7
Lift up the gates so the King of glory can come in

Stops & Steps 1736 14Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1735 13Jul2011

Iron Saints

As you experience all that sorrow, hardship and burden , you become more self-disciplined, are all conducive to an iron tenacity and strength of purpose, and endurance or strength, which are the indispensable foundation and framework of a noble character.

Do not draw back from suffering; bear it silently, patiently, resignedly; and be sure that it is God's way of infusing iron into your spiritual life. God wants to make an iron saint out of you and since there is no way of imparting iron to the moral nature but by letting people suffer, He lets you suffer.

Do not give up !!
Take heart; the time is not wasted; God is only putting you through the iron course of therapy. Iron is entering into your soul to make it strong and brave.

Psalm 105 : 18
His soul entered into iron

Stops & Steps 1735 13Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1734 12Jul2011

Precious Treasure


God has given us the precious treasure of His Word.

In Psalm 147 v 15 says that God's Word runs: "He sends out His command to the earth; His word runs very swiftly." When God speaks, that Word goes out like a rapidly running messenger and accomplishes His purposes. God runs the universe by His Word. He decrees things, and they happen.

In v18 God's Word also melts obstacles. "He sends out His word and melts them" (v. 18). God's Word can melt the cold, hard heart.

Are you facing an impossible situation? The Word of God can open the way for you.

Finally, in v19-20 God's Word blesses. "He declares His word to Jacob, His statutes and His judgments to Israel.... Praise the Lord!" (vv. 19,20).

God’s Word is a great treasure that, when invested in your life, bears fruit.

God's Word runs and accomplishes His will. It melts and opens the way. And it blesses all who will receive it, obey it and trust it. God desires that you spend time daily appropriating the riches of His Word. Do you invest God's Word in your life?

Psalm 147:12-20


Stops & Steps 1734 12Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1733 11Jul2011

Honouring God with our lives


Let us examine our flimsy excuses for not being more purposeful about ministering to others. What keeps us from reaching out to those around us--the hurting, the grieving, the sick, or the hopeless? What makes us shrug our shoulders and walk away?

We are supposed to honor God with our lives. And yet, we have many reasons for not doing so. Money, time, and resource constraints are popular excuses. We could just bake a loaf of bread and take it to someone that God puts on my heart, then that is honoring God with our life. Sometimes it is in the simplest of acts that we make the biggest impact. Instead of making excuses and leaving ministry to other people, we can set out to do what we can with what I have.

Let us ask God to help us to act on the things He lays on our heart and not make any excuses or feel silly or inadequate. Let us ask God to help us to see the big picture in the little things.


Jeremiah 5 : 24
It never occurs to them to say, 'How can we honor our God with our lives, The God who gives rain in both spring and autumn and maintains the rhythm of the seasons.


Stops & Steps 1733 11Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1732 10Jul2011

Childlikeness

CHILDLIKENESS, in its Scripture sense, is a perfectness of trust. It rests in a Father's
love, a being borne on in its power, living in it. It means lowly submission to the Father.
It is a fountain of joy in itself, always meeting the claims of the present hour and not looking back to the past. It does not make plans independently for the future. It is contented, submitting to the will of the Father.

Luke 18 : 17
Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.


Stops & Steps 1732 10Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1731 09Jul2011

HE is in control

Psalm 148:1-14

All of Psalm 148 tells us that the Word of God is in control. When He speaks in heaven, things happen on earth.
In verses 1-6 the heavens praise the Lord.
In verses 7-10 the earth praises the Lord.
And in verses 11-14, all people, young and old, praise the Lord, including kings, princes,
judges and ordinary people.

Why? Because His Word is creative.
Verse 5 tells us He commanded, and they were created. He also has "established them
forever" (v. 6).

God does not run this world by consensus but by decree. His Word is sufficient to guide our lives.

God's Word creates, establishes and fulfills His will. The next time you find yourself in a storm, do not complain; instead, surrender. Remember, the stormy wind as well as the calm wind fulfills the Word of God. Submit to God's control and to His creative Word in your life.

Stops & Steps 1731 09Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1730 08Jul2011

Nowhere to hide

The teaching of Jesus’ parable of the lighted candle tells us that we can never successfully hide our sin from God

Luke 8:16-17 records, "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candle-stick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid, that shall not be made known and come abroad."

God searches even the innermost secrets of men. No sin, however large or small, escapes the eye of God.

Exodus 2 describes how Moses spied an Egyptian smiting a Hebrew, and he looked this way and that way, and when he saw no man watching him he slew the Egyptian and hid him in the sand (Exodus 2:12). The very next day however Moses' sin was discovered and he had to flee from the land of the Pharaoh and spend the next forty years in Midian. Moses' sin was unsuccessfully hidden.

Beloved King David had a similar experience. After sinning with Bathsheba and attempting to cover his sin through the death of Uriah the Hittite, the trespass of David soon came to light when Nathan the prophet pointed his finger in the king's face and said, "Thou art the man" (2 Samuel 12:7). In remorse King David said, "O God, Thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from Thee" (Psalm 69:5).

From all these stories we learn well the truth that sin is never successfully hidden. We cannot hide our sin from God; we only can deal with it. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9). Don't try to hide sin today; let God forgive it instead.

Stops & Steps 1730 08Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1729 07Jul2011

Praise God always


Every new valley that we go through, every new mountaintop we climb, every experience of life ought to be writing on our hearts a new song of praise. When we face a difficulty, we have an opportunity to have renewed faith and see God do new things.

God gives us different experiences so we may learn new dimensions of His love and grace. What difficulty are you facing today? Don't simply endure or waste it. Use it as an opportunity to find a new song of praise to God.


Psalm 149:1
"Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song"


Stops & Steps 1729 07Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1728 06Jul2011

Searching for God


Men spend thousands of man-hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars to find legendary treasure.

Solomon noted, however, that if we put the same amount of time and effort into a relationship with God as we do into searching for earthly treasure, we will find a fortune that is far greater. The reward for our efforts will not be silver or gold but an intimacy with God that is far more meaningful. Speaking as one of the richest men who ever lived, Solomon knew that living in the presence of an awesome God is the greatest treasure that can be found.
There is nothing wrong with material treasures. Abraham, Job, David and Solomon were all blessed with great wealth. But the focus of their lives was not on gaining possessions; it was on knowing God. Today, Christians face the same challenge.
In a materialistic world that urges us to gather and hoard an abundance of things, what we really need is a closer relationship with God. That’s the real treasure.
Make sure that you aren’t cheated by earthly treasure. Put as much effort into drawing closer to God as you do in collecting possessions. Let your life be filled with His awesomeness, and you’ll never want for wealth.

Seeking God always yields treasure.

Proverbs 2:3–5
Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.



Stops & Steps 1728 06Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1727 05Jul2011

Never satisfied

Instead of focusing on what we do not have, we need to relax and seek the intangible peace of God, which never goes out of style.

God is not surprised with us for our discontentment. As far back as the Israelites, He has heard the moaning and groaning, griping and complaining of dissatisfied individuals.

Proverbs 14 : 30
A relaxed attitude lengthens life ; jealousy rots it away

Stops & Steps 1727 05Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1726 04Jul2011

Compassion

Compassion was a main element of Jesus’ life. Jesus was constantly being bombarded by people who had needs. He truly felt their pain, and used His abilities to help them. Jesus still has more compassion than we can ever understand. He has compassion for each and everyone of us to do the best job possible. When we need sympathy or help, go to Jesus, and He will be there for us.

Luke 7 : 13
When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Do not cry!” he said.

Stops & Steps 1726 04Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1725 03Jul2011

Just follow His instructions

Sometimes it seems as if God asks us to do illogical things or things we think would not work.

Peter (Simon) was a fisherman when Jesus borrowed his boat to stand on while he spoke to a shore filled with people. After he finished speaking, Jesus told Peter (Simon) to go out a little farther and his nets would be full of fish. Although Peter (Simon) knew he had fished all night and had gotten nothing, yet he trust Jesus and try again. They took in so much fish that the boat nearly sunk.

When God ask you to do something that does not seem to make sense, go for it. Do not hesitate !!

Luke 5 : 5
‘Master.’ Simon replied, ‘we worked hard all last night and did not catch a thing. But if you say so, we’ll try again.’


Stops & Steps 1725 03Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1724 02Jul2011

Wisdom and knowledge

Solomon had taken over the job as King of Israel from his father, David. God was pleased with what Solomon had done and offered to give him anything he wanted. Solomon had other goals in mind. His first thought was for the responsibilities and ministry God had given him. He simply asked God for more wisdom and knowledge to rule his people properly.

What would happen if more leaders, today, pray and ask God for wisdom and knowledge to lead the people. It would be great to add wisdom and knowledge to love !!!

2 Chronicles 1 : 10
Give me wisdom and knowledge to rule them properly, for who is able to govern this great nation of yours ?


Stops & Steps 1724 02Jul2011

Stops & Steps 1723 01Jul2011

The teacher

God comforts us and holds us. The Holy Spirit teaches us through His Word all we need to know for now and for eternity.

Let God be your teacher today !!

John 14 : 26
But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative – and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you

Stops & Steps 1723 01Jul2011