But wisdom from above is pure first of all; it is also peaceful, gentle, and friendly; it is full of compassion and produces a harvest of good deeds; it is free from prejudice and hypocrisy. And goodness is the harvest that is produced from the seeds the peacemakers plant in peace.
So then, submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will run away from you. Come near to God, and he will come near to you.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
God Sent A Crab
"A Word from Joni's Sister...
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. -- Ephesians 1:11
My name is Kathy Eareckson, and Joni is my little sister. I'm the one who was at the beach that day when Joni dove off the raft and broke her neck.
I will never forget that Saturday afternoon in July 1967. I was a teenager, like Joni, and had planned a swimming date with my boyfriend. I knew Joni had hoped to play tennis with her friend that afternoon, but when the match fell through, I asked if she wanted to join us.
We drove to the beach on Chesapeake Bay, and wasted no time in heading for the cool water. I stayed near shore, but Joni made a bee-line for a raft anchored further out in the water. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pinch. A crab pinched my toe! Startled, I shouted to Joni, "Watch out for crabs!" She didn't respond. In fact, she was nowhere in sight. Not on the raft. Not in the water. Something told me to go find her-quickly. I reached her just when she was beginning to drown!
What are the chances of a crab pinching someone's toe and getting her attention just in time to respond to an emergency? A million to one. Every time I've been tempted to doubt God's hand in those terrible circumstances that day, God brings that humble little crab to mind.
From the big events in life down to the tiniest of details, he is great, he is sovereign, and he is in control. ********I've learned from Joni (actually, the Bible) that through puzzling, perplexing, and even heartbreaking as our circumstances might be, we can trust him. Bow low before the throne of your Father who loves you, and cares about every detail of your life.
Praise you, Father. It's so amazing that a God who spins great galaxies across the void of space would care about the seemingly small events of my day.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends"
Taken from Pearls of Great Price. Copyright © 2006 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will. -- Ephesians 1:11
My name is Kathy Eareckson, and Joni is my little sister. I'm the one who was at the beach that day when Joni dove off the raft and broke her neck.
I will never forget that Saturday afternoon in July 1967. I was a teenager, like Joni, and had planned a swimming date with my boyfriend. I knew Joni had hoped to play tennis with her friend that afternoon, but when the match fell through, I asked if she wanted to join us.
We drove to the beach on Chesapeake Bay, and wasted no time in heading for the cool water. I stayed near shore, but Joni made a bee-line for a raft anchored further out in the water. Suddenly, I felt a sharp pinch. A crab pinched my toe! Startled, I shouted to Joni, "Watch out for crabs!" She didn't respond. In fact, she was nowhere in sight. Not on the raft. Not in the water. Something told me to go find her-quickly. I reached her just when she was beginning to drown!
What are the chances of a crab pinching someone's toe and getting her attention just in time to respond to an emergency? A million to one. Every time I've been tempted to doubt God's hand in those terrible circumstances that day, God brings that humble little crab to mind.
From the big events in life down to the tiniest of details, he is great, he is sovereign, and he is in control. ********I've learned from Joni (actually, the Bible) that through puzzling, perplexing, and even heartbreaking as our circumstances might be, we can trust him. Bow low before the throne of your Father who loves you, and cares about every detail of your life.
Praise you, Father. It's so amazing that a God who spins great galaxies across the void of space would care about the seemingly small events of my day.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends"
Taken from Pearls of Great Price. Copyright © 2006 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
Friday, June 27, 2008
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Hebrews 12:14
Try to be at peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord without it.
This is a power packed verse, and I think we "Christians" do not grasp the depth of what is being said here...the admonition of how we are to live. God is often just a convenience to us to pull and use when we need Him...like a Kleenex. But when we are faced with instructions on how we are to live, we tend to think they are optional.
This scripture speaks to me the simple truth that if we hope to see the Lord, we must live a peaceful and holy life. We cannot do that on our own...we must have the Holy Spirit living within us to empower us to be peace loving and to live lives set apart for God's use.
This is a power packed verse, and I think we "Christians" do not grasp the depth of what is being said here...the admonition of how we are to live. God is often just a convenience to us to pull and use when we need Him...like a Kleenex. But when we are faced with instructions on how we are to live, we tend to think they are optional.
This scripture speaks to me the simple truth that if we hope to see the Lord, we must live a peaceful and holy life. We cannot do that on our own...we must have the Holy Spirit living within us to empower us to be peace loving and to live lives set apart for God's use.
Prayer
"We try to manipulate His will to ours and sometimes call it faith. We push forward in the arrogance of our own stoic determination, limited by our finite vision, rather than pull back in the simple trust of His infinite plan.
We expect Him to change the sovereignty of His omnipotent heart, instead of humbly asking Him to give us a heart willing to be changed.
"Be still, and know that I am God," (Ps. 46:10) means, "Relax, let God be God."
A Moment A Day, Adapted from How to Do Everything Right and Live to Regret It by Fay Angus. Copyright 1983 by Fay Angus. Published by Harper & Row, San Francisco, CA. Used by permission.
We expect Him to change the sovereignty of His omnipotent heart, instead of humbly asking Him to give us a heart willing to be changed.
"Be still, and know that I am God," (Ps. 46:10) means, "Relax, let God be God."
A Moment A Day, Adapted from How to Do Everything Right and Live to Regret It by Fay Angus. Copyright 1983 by Fay Angus. Published by Harper & Row, San Francisco, CA. Used by permission.
Death
"'Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?' The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. -- I Corinthians 15:55-57
Not long ago I visited a funeral home and was stunned to see the way they "advertised" their services. Funerals are now portrayed as "celebrations of life." Funeral services now have themes: if the deceased enjoyed fishing, then funeral directors offer a display of rods, reels, nets and other fishing doo-dads to decorate the casket. If the dead person liked gardening, then its watering cans, hoes and rakes, and sunflowers with a floppy straw hat cocked sideways on the coffin. We are kidding ourselves when we romanticize death as the beautiful climax of a life well lived. It is an enemy.
It is an even greater enemy to the unbeliever, for death then becomes his threshold to hell (that's nothing to celebrate)! Jesus spoke of hell more than anybody, and he made plain that rejecting his offer of eternal life would result not in non-life, but the misery of God's wrath (John 3:36).
As hell is the worse outcome of this life, so eternal life is the best. It is the supreme and ever-increasing happiness where all sin and all sadness will be erased... all that is evil in this fallen world will be removed... all that is good will be preserved and intensified. We will be changed so that we are capable of more happiness than we could possibly conceive in this life. That's something to celebrate!
Oh, if only unbelievers could see the unspeakable horror of treating God with indifference or contempt in this life. Unbelievers have only this earthly life in which to hear the Gospel and respond to Christ's invitation. Today, will you be encountering someone who doesn't believe in Christ? Share with them your testimony and pray for their salvation.
Blessed Redeemer, today make me mindful of every opportunity to share your love with those who don't know you.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends"
Taken from Pearls of Great Price. Copyright © 2006 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
Not long ago I visited a funeral home and was stunned to see the way they "advertised" their services. Funerals are now portrayed as "celebrations of life." Funeral services now have themes: if the deceased enjoyed fishing, then funeral directors offer a display of rods, reels, nets and other fishing doo-dads to decorate the casket. If the dead person liked gardening, then its watering cans, hoes and rakes, and sunflowers with a floppy straw hat cocked sideways on the coffin. We are kidding ourselves when we romanticize death as the beautiful climax of a life well lived. It is an enemy.
It is an even greater enemy to the unbeliever, for death then becomes his threshold to hell (that's nothing to celebrate)! Jesus spoke of hell more than anybody, and he made plain that rejecting his offer of eternal life would result not in non-life, but the misery of God's wrath (John 3:36).
As hell is the worse outcome of this life, so eternal life is the best. It is the supreme and ever-increasing happiness where all sin and all sadness will be erased... all that is evil in this fallen world will be removed... all that is good will be preserved and intensified. We will be changed so that we are capable of more happiness than we could possibly conceive in this life. That's something to celebrate!
Oh, if only unbelievers could see the unspeakable horror of treating God with indifference or contempt in this life. Unbelievers have only this earthly life in which to hear the Gospel and respond to Christ's invitation. Today, will you be encountering someone who doesn't believe in Christ? Share with them your testimony and pray for their salvation.
Blessed Redeemer, today make me mindful of every opportunity to share your love with those who don't know you.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends"
Taken from Pearls of Great Price. Copyright © 2006 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Hebrews 12:1-4
As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne.
Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up. For in your struggle against sin you have not yet had to resist to the point of being killed.
Think of what he went through; how he put up with so much hatred from sinners! So do not let yourselves become discouraged and give up. For in your struggle against sin you have not yet had to resist to the point of being killed.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Shape Your World
"You can either contribute to the good in your relationships, or to the decay. Find a way today to shape the world around you by giving, serving, and sacrificing. Confess to your friend or spouse any selfishness which may have eroded your relationship. Nurture the good. Create, produce, and shape into a higher order of loveliness, your world around you and the people in it."
Joni & Friends
Taken from Pearls of Great Price. Copyright © 2006 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
Joni & Friends
Taken from Pearls of Great Price. Copyright © 2006 by Joni Eareckson Tada. Used by permission. Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
Monday, June 16, 2008
Hebrews 4:12-16
The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of man's heart. There is nothing that can be hid from God; everything is all creation is exposed and lies open before his eyes. And it is to him that we must all give an account of ourselves.
Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God--Jesus, the Son of God. Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. Let us be brave, then, and approach God's throne,where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.
Let us, then, hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we have a great High Priest who has gone into the very presence of God--Jesus, the Son of God. Our High Priest is not one who cannot feel sympathy for our weaknesses. On the contrary, we have a High Priest who was tempted in every way that we are, but did not sin. Let us be brave, then, and approach God's throne,where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Character - Choices
"Our lives are like icebergs. Only 15 percent is visible; that's reputation. The rest, our character, is below the surface, hidden. Character is what we think but never share. It's what we do when no one's watching. It's how we react to everyday aggravations. It's how we handle failure--and success. The thing that has made us what we are is our choices. At the end of a successful career, Joshua challenges the people of Israel: Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:15) So the choice is yours!
("The Word for You Today", Summer 2008, pg. 11)
("The Word for You Today", Summer 2008, pg. 11)
Thursday, June 12, 2008
God Loves You
""My child, I love you. I love you." He emphasizes. "Do you mind if I hold you tightly for just a moment? You need to calm down. You've been running."
As I snuggle closer to Him, He gently probes, "Why do you think you are pleasing me only when you are actively accomplishing something for me? Don't you know I am much more interested in what you are becoming than in what you are doing for the advancement of my kingdom? Learn what it means to be still. Just be still---and get to know me. I am your Protector, your Provider, your Comforter and your Healer. And, my child, I dearly love you. Understand that.""
(A Moment A Day - Practical Devotions for Today's Busy Woman, Peg Rankin, page 38...see sidebar for book info)
As I snuggle closer to Him, He gently probes, "Why do you think you are pleasing me only when you are actively accomplishing something for me? Don't you know I am much more interested in what you are becoming than in what you are doing for the advancement of my kingdom? Learn what it means to be still. Just be still---and get to know me. I am your Protector, your Provider, your Comforter and your Healer. And, my child, I dearly love you. Understand that.""
(A Moment A Day - Practical Devotions for Today's Busy Woman, Peg Rankin, page 38...see sidebar for book info)
Do You Want to be Whole?
"Life isn't going to get completely fixed. We're never going to experience wholeness this side of eternity. Someone once said, "In worshiping God we realize we were never created to be whole. What we were created to enjoy is fellowship with God, who alone is whole and complete. Nowhere in the Bible are we told that God wants to give us wholeness. What God wants to give us is himself."
Joni & Friends Daily Email Devotional
Joni & Friends Daily Email Devotional
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Magnify the Lord
"As Christians, our lives are a little like that jumbo screen. Through our actions and attitudes, we enable others to see God better. When we let the Lord showcase his grace and power in our lives, when we display his peace and patience and joy in our daily attitudes and circumstances, then we truly are magnifying him."
(Joni and Friends/Daily Email Devotional - communications@joniandfriends.org)
(Joni and Friends/Daily Email Devotional - communications@joniandfriends.org)
Friday, June 6, 2008
God's Work in Us
"Before every "showing" there's a "hiding." God gets us alone and does a work in us that cannot be accomplished any other way." ("The Word for You Today", Summer 2008, pg. 6)
For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)
For the Spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control. (2 Timothy 1:7)
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
God's Grace Seeks Us Out
"The Psalmist said, You hem me in...you have laid your hand upon me...Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there...in the depths, you are there...on the far side of the sea...your hand will...hold me fast. (Ps 139:5-10). Isn't grace amazing? Peter said, God is patient...he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost. (2 Pe 3:9). God will follow you to the ends of the earth to give you another opportunity to surrender your life to Him. How many opportunities has He already given you? Isn't it time you stopped running and surrendered your life to Him?"
("The Word for You Today", Summer 2008, pg. 6)
("The Word for You Today", Summer 2008, pg. 6)
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