thoughts by Darren Hewer Archives - Page 2 of 4 - Daily Devotionals by Thoughts about God

Published November 19, 2019

Beware of Deception

“You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true.” 1 Corinthians 10:15

Opening your email inbox, you notice a new email: From “Chief Oyinbolowo Eko” with the subject “REQUEST FOR AN URGENT BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP”.

“Strange,” you think to yourself, knowingly rolling your eyes, “I don’t know a Chief Oyinbolowo Eko … or any Chief at all, for that matter.” Out of pure curiosity you open the email and read:

Greetings friend! I got your contact address through your country business directory and feel you will serve as a reliable source to be used to achieve our goal of transferring the estate of Miss Leslie Mushasha, by trusting under your care the total sum of Thirty million US dollars (US $30M).

Recognizing an obvious attempt at deception, you wisely delete the email and don’t give it a second thought.

If it’s so easy to recognize scams, why are people so often led astray by unbiblical and therefore Christ-dishonouring teaching? Jesus warned us many would try to deceive us:

“Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. … if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.”” (Mark 13:5-6,21)

Likewise, Paul warns us that many will try to deceive us, attempting to portray themselves as righteous:

“Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve … Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” (2 Corinthians 11:14-15, Galatians 1:8)

How can we guard against being deceived? Continually read God’s Word, hold tightly to the central truths of the faith, and do not uncritically trust the interpretations of any one person. There are many peripheral faith issues that Christians are free to disagree with, so we should not be too quick to dismiss other Christians whose views on certain issues differ from ours. But salvation issues (the core gospel) cannot be compromised. Keep your mind sharp so that you can calmly walk away from teaching that dishonours God by rejecting His revealed truth in His Word.

Question: Have you been tricked or deceived in the past, and if so what did you learn from the experience?

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

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Let God’s Light Through

Published September 26, 2019

Let God’s Light Through

“Jesus said “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:5) Jesus also said that “You are the light of the world.” Matthew 5:14

Imagine a lamp. God is like the light bulb, the source of light, and we are like the lampshade. While it may seem strange to compare God to a light bulb, we’re told in scripture that “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1:5). And while I admit it may be difficult to imagine yourself as a lampshade, stay with me.

“You know him [the Holy Spirit],” Jesus tells us, “for he lives with you and will be in you.” (John 14:17) God dwells within you. While no one who looks directly at God’s face and His absolute holiness and power could possibly survive (Exodus 33:20), His glory can manifest itself in many ways, including through His children, you and I. Therefore, as much as you are able to allow God’s light to shine through you, His glory will be revealed to the world.

This is why John the Baptist said, regarding Jesus, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30) John recognized that for Jesus’ interests to shine, John’s own self-interest must decrease. We are like the lampshade to God’s light; the thinner the lampshade is, the more the light will shine through. So let yourself become thinner, weaker, and more transparent, so that God’s light will shine more brightly into the world, and so the world will not be able to ignore it!

The apostle Peter has some excellent practical advice on how to let God’s light shine through your life:

“Be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.

Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you.

Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies.

Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen.”
(1 Peter 4:7b-11, NLT)

Question: How can you see God’s light shining through your life right now? How could you allow it to shine even more?

by Darren Hewer
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Hiding among the Trees

Published August 15, 2019

Hiding among the Trees

Please open your Bible and read Genesis 2:25-3:10

Take a trip with me back in time. Way back – to the dawn of creation, when Adam & Eve lived the good life in the Garden of Eden. They had a pretty sweet deal there. That is, until that infamous day, when as politicians are sometimes fond of saying, in gross understatement, “Mistakes were made“. But Adam & Eve didn’t just make a mistake; they sinned by disobeying God’s clear instructions. (Genesis 2:16-17)

We are told that just before the incident neither Adam nor Eve felt any shame (Genesis 2:25). Yet just afterwards, how quickly their behavior reflects their change in disposition: “Toward evening they heard the LORD God walking about in the garden, so they hid themselves among the trees.” (Genesis 3:8) That makes sense. “God’s coming! Quick! into the trees!”

This sad event marked the beginning of humankind’s tenancy to try to hide from God. We still try to hide from God today. How futile is that? We have to remember that whatever is done in “secret” is not really secret at all. Even if we have been able to fool our family and friends, God is not fooled, and He “carefully watches the way people live; He sees everything they do.” (Job 34:21). Our attempts to hide our sin amount to nothing more than hiding among the trees.

Do we keep secret sin hidden in our hearts? Even as Christians, who personally know Jesus our God, and have been redeemed by His blood? Unfortunately, even as new creations, we are still sinners. “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8)

But we also live with constant hope, because we know that by continually returning to God by repenting and readjusting our lives whenever we recognize our sin, God’s provision in Christ will cover us: “If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” (1 John 1:9)

Question: What sort of sins do we often try to hide from God?

by Darren Hewer
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Hope in God

Published July 15, 2019

Hope in God

We will always experience suffering during our lives here on our fallen Earth.

When we experience pain, especially the death of a loved one, our natural response is to question, to ask why, and perhaps even to doubt God. Because it hurts.

Some people will respond to evil they see by denying that evil exists. But what is perhaps easy to say is quite difficult to live, or as C S Lewis put it:

“Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later.“

There is a name for the person who denies good and evil: a sociopath. Clearly the proper response to evil is not denial.

Other people will respond to evil by removing God from the equation. But removing God does not make evil less evil, nor pain less painful. In fact, removing God also removes ultimate hope. Without God, our world seems permanently and irredeemably evil. Without God, there is no ultimate relief from pain, only pain.

With God we cry out to a loving Father who remains with us and comforts us as we hurt and Himself came to Earth as a human being to suffer and die for us. But without God we cry out into the empty void of nothingness that neither hears our cry nor cares for our pain. Removing God results in no gain and much loss.

When we have God in our lives and hearts, we have hope during difficult times and comfort in the midst of tragedy. We have hope grounded in the fact of God’s mighty power, His limitless mercy, and everlasting love. No matter what happens, God loves us because God is love. And nothing can separate us from Him.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

By Darren Hewer
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Silent Before Him

Published October 22, 2018

Silent Before Him

“Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it. But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” Habakkuk 2:19-20

For a people consistently warned to turn away from their idols, the Israelites sure seemed to turn back them with annoying frequency. God unambiguously told them “Do not turn to idols or make gods of cast metal for yourselves. I am the LORD your God.” (Leviticus 19:4) Yet time after time, “They worshiped idols, though the LORD had said, “You shall not do this.”” (2 Kings 17:12) This temptation remains for us today, which is why the apostle John warned us by saying “Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.” (1 John 5:21)

What makes idols so appealing? The words of God given to the prophet Habakkuk reveal one reason idols are so appealing to us: They don’t talk back.

Idols stand silent. We talk to them, and try to coax them into doing our bidding. All such idols are, of course, false: “[Idols] can do you no good, nor can they rescue you, because they are useless.” (1 Samuel 12:21) But we turn to them so frequently because we feel like we are in control of them. We get to do all the talking and don’t have to listen since they don’t talk back. And in our fallen state, we like to hear ourselves talk. We like to be in control, or at least pretend that we are. Idols never make requirements of us, never challenge us when we sin.

Consider money. Money never tells us what to do. We tell it what to do. This may be why Jesus spoke so often about money; not because it is intrinsically evil, but because it can become an egregious example of idolatry. We like it because we use it however we choose, and it never complains. It never talks back.

By contrast, the true God of scripture is revealed as the God who speaks. The Lord spoke the universe into creation (Genesis 1) and has continued speaking to us ever since. When the Lord of the universe speaks, what can we do except remain silent before Him: “The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” (Habakkuk 2:20) The God who speaks can be intimidating, for He who embodies truth, unlike idols, does make requirements of us, challenges us, and wants a loving relationship with his children. Perhaps that’s also part of the attraction of idols: God desires relationship with us, and relationships can at times be messy.

All idolatry is ultimately a form of self-worship: Turning away from the true God who speaks and is deserving of our worship, to mute idols who we falsely believe listen to our vain commands. Let us today recommit to choosing the living and true God who has redeemed us by his blood, and saves us from our sins by virtue of his grace. Let us reaffirm our desire to listen to the God who speaks, and cast aside all useless idols which dishonor our loving God. And let us pray to hear what God has to speak into our lives today.

Questions: Take time to identify which idol is most tempting for you: What is it? How can you seek God’s help to turn away from it?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

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You are Special

Published August 17, 2018

You are Special

Please open your Bible and read Genesis 1:26-27

“Naturalism” (the belief that the natural world is all there is) would lead us to believe that human beings are nothing more than generic parts in the machine of the universe and on par with dogs, frogs, and logs. Are we special and uniquely blessed by being made in the image of God like the Bible says?

When we ponder God’s creation of humankind, we note that He breathed life into us (Genesis 2:7) and made us “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27). Utterly unique among God’s creation, we have been given a tremendous gift: The capacity to know the glorious God who created us. How unique is the human race among the various galaxies that comprise our universe?

The probability of a planet anywhere in the universe fitting within all 153 parameters [required for life] is approximately 10-194. The maximum possible number of planets in the universe is estimated to be 1022. Thus, less than 1 chance in 10172 (100 thousand trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion) exists that even one such planet would occur anywhere in the universe. (Dr. Hugh Ross, PhD Astrophysics, University of Toronto)

The odds of a planet like ours existing anywhere in the universe, let alone containing life like ours, is infinitesimally small. Science has merely reconfirmed God’s word: We are special.

How awesome that

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Even though we are totally undeserving, God’s mercy is still offered to all those who are willing to repent and accept it.

When you are feeling insignificant, or afraid, or unloved, remember our Lord’s words:

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)

You are special, and greatly loved by God.

Question: How has God made you utterly unique, even shaping you through tough times, to be who you are today?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

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Religion Renewed

Published March 10, 2018

Religion Renewed

Please open your Bible and read; John 2:1-11

What’s the significance of Jesus’ miracle of turning water to wine? It’s easy to understand His healing miracles and multiplying bread and fishes to feed the multitudes. But why water to wine?

Was Jesus just showing off? I don’t think so. Let’s carefully consider the details of what happened at that famous wedding in Cana. The problem: The wedding guests are out of wine. (Clearly the party is getting late!) Jesus’ mother tells him about this (which would have been quite embarrassing to the wedding party) and he decides to do something about it.

Verse 6 carefully notes the type of jars Jesus instructed the servants to fill with water: “six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing“. Why is this important? Even though there would’ve been plenty of empty wine containers around he could have used Jesus instead instructed them to use the jars which were specifically intended for Jewish religious cleansing rituals! Imagine the indignity of the Jewish leaders: He’s desecrated their sacred jars! He had done nothing morally wrong or against God’s word, but he had, on purpose, offended their self-righteous religious traditions.

There’s other important messages that we could draw from Jesus’ water to wine miracle, but an important one is this: Jesus came to offer us not just new life, but life “to the full” (John 10:10). Jesus was never about religion for the sake of religion, and never wanted us to be constrained by trite ritual and dreary religious routine.

If your spiritual life seems trite and dreary lately, it could be time to re-read the gospels keeping an eye out for the scandal of Jesus’ ministry. We often miss the scandal because we’re so used to hearing it! You might also examine your church to identify the traditions that are honoring to God and inspiring to God’s people … and on the other hand any traditions that are merely legalistic religious jars, just begging to be emptied out and filled with fantastic new wine!

Question: Are there religious traditions in your life (or church) that have become mere rituals, and need to be renewed for the glory of God?

By Darren Hewer

Used by Permission

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What Should We Boast About?

2 Corinthians 10:15 Let those who boast boast in the Lord

Published February 26, 2018

What Should We Boast About?

Please open your Bible and read Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14.

Jonah had just fled from God, almost caused a shipwreck, been thrown overboard, and was swallowed by a whale. He was a prophet of God, and yet he sinned against God by fleeing from Him. As he sat inside the whale, did he repent of his deeds? Hardly. In fact, listen carefully to what he says:

“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you.”
(Jonah 2:8-9)

Sounds a little like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable, doesn’t it? Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector to “some who were confident of their own righteousness”. (Luke 18:9) The Pharisee thought by fasting twice a week and tithing he was made right with God. However, no one has the ability to justify themselves before God. Jesus explains that the tax collector, who humbly asked for forgiveness of his sin, “went home justified before God” while the Pharisee did not (v14). The apostle Paul explains that “a person is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16, TNIV).

We all sometimes feel superior to others and boast about how we are superior to “evildoers”. In reality, however, “No one is good – except God alone.” (Luke 18:19) Don’t pray “God, I thank you that I am not like that Pharisee” because then you’d be making the very same mistake that the Pharisee made. Instead of disparaging others, remember that we have nothing to boast about ourselves (that should keep us humble) and that it is only by God’s loving grace that we are saved: Boast about God has done instead!

“Let those who boast boast in the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 10:17, (TNIV)

Question: Are there situations where we feel superior to others? How can we guard against those kinds of feelings?

by Darren Hewer
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Patience and Trust

We must be patient and trust that God is in control

Published January 30, 2018

Patience and Trust

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Today’s technology lets us connect with anyone at any time. If telephones and email weren’t enough, we now have texting and Twitter to add to the mix. We have to make an effort to NOT be connected. And we expect that when we want a response, we’ll get one quickly.

My grandparents were late arriving to a recent family get-together. We worried that they were lost, driving aimlessly, trying in vain to locate the restaurant. Naturally I pulled out my cell phone to call them, but quickly realized my grandparents don’t own a cell phone.

It’s hard to remember a time before we had the ability to be in constant communication and get instant feedback. And maybe this helps explain why it can be frustrating to not hear a clear word from the Lord, especially in times of distress. We call, and seemingly there is no immediate reply. How do we respond when, amidst deep discouragement, we don’t receive the instant divine feedback we’ve been conditioned by our culture to expect?

At times like these, it’s helpful to remember a simple but powerful fact that God is with us always. Always. (Matthew 28:20) If you are attempting to serve Him faithfully and fully in faith, He is pleased with you, even if you see no immediate results and have no earthly reason for confidence. (Hebrews 13:16) We are “sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1) because we place our trust in God, who has demonstrated His trustworthiness based on His divine character.

By the way, my grandparents were a little late arriving, but were able to find the restaurant on their own. Unfortunately, in the meantime we lost my mom, who rushed out of the restaurant to look for them.

We must be patient and trust that God is in control. Although we cannot know definitively why things happen since we know now only in part, we will someday know fully (1 Corinthians 13:12) and in the meantime we have God’s word, the Bible, to instruct and enlighten us as much as God chooses to reveal. We may not see the dark cloud’s silver lining, but if we are following God faithfully, we should harbor no guilt or fear. Instead be confident in the wisdom and love of our Lord, whose loving sacrifice of His Son cleanses us of all sin and fills us with His Holy Spirit, full of mercy and grace.

Question: What about your life tries your patience, and how can the things that cannot be changed be offered up to God to help us through?

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

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Refocus

"...you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7

Published October 7, 2017

Refocus

“What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7

In October 1988, an Eskimo hunter discovered three Gray whales trapped beneath the ice near Barrow, Alaska. Normally the whales would have died, but the story became an international media sensation. Over 150 reporters from many countries all over the world gave daily updates of the elaborate rescue effort, which involved both the US and Russian governments working together to free the trapped mammals. The rescue effort and media reporting cost between $5 and $6 million dollars. Hollywood even made a movie about it.

Now, I have nothing against whales. The rescue effort was both noble and inspiring. Yet I can’t help but wonder how often we consider how God feels about our zeal for relatively unimportant things? If we are concerned for the whales, should we not be so much more concerned for our fellow man? See for example Luke 12:6-7: “What is the price of five sparrows? A couple of pennies? Yet God does not forget a single one of them. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to him than a whole flock of sparrows.”

People are most valuable because we are made in God’s image, and have a unique opportunity to have fellowship with our Lord. God loves us all equally and there is no partiality in Him. We to are called not just to love one another, but work for the care of all God’s children.

Jesus instructs the disciples on serving in John 21:15-19: “Feed my lambs.” “Take care of my sheep.” “Feed my sheep.” and finally “Follow me!” As a Christian community, we should be ready to use our gifts and talents whenever the need arises. The smallest act of kindness can have eternal consequences, often more than we’ll ever know. For truly each one of us are truly among God’s most valuable possessions.

Question: Are you treating your neighbors with the value that Christ sees in them? How can you treat others with more value today?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

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Amazing Friendships

Published September 29, 2017

Amazing Friendships

“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” 1 Corinthians 9:22 (TNIV)

Owen and Mzee are an odd pair. Owen is a baby hippopotamus, while Mzee is a 100+ year old tortoise.

In the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake, Owen (the baby hippo) was found, orphaned from his mother, and transferred to Haller Park in Kenya. There he was put into an enclosure with many other animals, but no hippos. Distraught and needing guidance and companionship, the young hippo quickly formed a bond with Mzee, a 130-year-old Aldabran tortoise. Owen quickly began mimicking his unusual adopted parent’s actions, following him wherever he went. “They swim, eat and sleep together,” said ecologist Paula Kahumbu. “The hippo follows the tortoise exactly the way it followed its mother.”

What an unexpected and marvelous friendship! In our passage today, the apostle Paul explains how he became “all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.” This does not mean that Paul was faking who he was, for elsewhere he admonishes us not to lie (Colossians 3:9). Nor does it imply that Paul himself is the one doing the saving. Our commission is not to “convert” anyone. God Himself alone saves by His grace (Ephesians 2:8); our commission is to be witnesses to the truth and show people the truth.

Paul was willing to meet people where they are. Although unwilling to compromise on the essentials of the faith (1 Corinthians 15) he welcomed everyone to learn from him, and came alongside others to patiently disciple them (Acts 28:30).

Let’s be on the lookout for others who could use a friend, even if they seem quite different from us. These often will become the most amazing of friendships, like Owen an Mzee. Through such unlikely friendships, our hope will be that some may come into a saving faith in Jesus.

Let us become weak to those who are weak, so that we may together become strong in the redeeming sacrifice and love of Christ!

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

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Are You Feeling Ignored?

woman, sad, coffee, comtemplating, reflecting

Published July 29, 2017

Are You Feeling Ignored?

“My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Jeremiah 2:13

Have you ever been ignored by someone that you care deeply about? To me being ignored feels like just about the worst pain imaginable. When a person who is special to you lavishes you with attention, it feels like you’re on top of the world. But when that person ignores you, leaving you wanting and waiting and wondering, it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.

Even being rebuked or insulted is better than being ignored; at least that shows that the person cares enough to rebuke or insult you. But to be ignored feels like the person is saying, “You’re so unimportant to me that I can’t even be bothered to acknowledge your presence.” Except that they’re not saying anything at all. And that can sting worse than any insult.

As I thought and prayed, through tears, about my own situation, I suddenly realized … this must be how God feels. All the time.

By any conservative estimate, most of the world does not know the God revealed in the Bible and therefore has no relationship with Him. Even those of us who believe that He is real, He is with us, and He is not silent, still find ways to shut ourselves off to His reality, His presence, and His voice.

How often do we ignore God? And how much does this hurt Him? Just to be clear, God does not feel things in exactly the same way that I do. God is not an emotional dimwit like me; He is entirely holy, good, and righteous. He has no need for self-pity since there is no insecurity in His fully assured, perfect, divine Self. Yet often in scripture we sense His pain when we brush Him aside. How much does it pain God when billions of His beloved people ignore Him?

Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Israel, the Lord says: “My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)

Not only have God’s chosen people turned away from Him, the “spring of living water,” but they’ve also chosen something inferior instead, “broken cisterns.” They prefer leaky pits dug into the ground. I can’t recall the last time I enjoyed a leaky pit, but I can identify with how we often choose almost anything besides dwelling in God’s presence.

Are you ignoring God? Ignoring someone only strains, and eventually disintegrates, the relationship. The insights God has shown me through my recent experiences have given me a certain sense of peace beyond insight, knowing that God entirely empathizes with my pain. And it has been one of many reminders that whether happy and praising, or lamenting and cursing, we should never ignore our Lord.

Question: Am I ignoring God?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

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Published May 25, 2017

Be Still and Know

feature serenity scene

“Be still, and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10

The classic hymn “It Is Well” begins with these famous lyrics:

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, It is well, it is well with my soul.

Have you heard the story of the man who wrote it? The author, Horatio G. Stafford, was a lawyer whose first major test of his faith came in 1871 when the Great Chicago Fire ruined him financially, destroying most of his real estate investments. Two years later, when his family had finally pieced their lives back together, he decided to take his wife and four daughters on a vacation. However, at the last minute, Stafford was called back on business, so his wife and children went ahead on the ship. A short time later, the ship sank, killing all four of his daughters; only his wife survived. After hearing the tragic news and setting out to travel to meet his grieving wife, Stafford penned the classic hymn.

How was Stafford able to write “It is well, it is well with my soul” despite the tragedy he experienced? And how can we remain faithful to God’s truth even in desperate times when we feel far from Him? The few short words of God in Psalm 46:10 will help us understand.

First God says to “be still.” In other words, don’t panic!

Sure, you may be thinking, that’s easy enough to say, but quite tough to do when it feels like your world has been turned upside down.

That’s why God told us to “know that I am God.”

Note carefully what God did NOT say. He did not say “Be still, and FEEL that I am God.” He said “Be still, and KNOW that I am God.” Regardless of how we may feel, if we know that God is there, and that His Word is true, we will be able to have confidence in Him and praise Him, regardless of our temporary feelings.

This doesn’t mean that feelings should be ignored or marginalized. But it does suggest that feelings are fleeting and uncertain, while God’s promises are everlasting and certain. Therefore we must try to pray and trust based on what we know in times of tragedy rather than primarily on how we feel.

If today you are feeling “peace, like a river”, thank God and increase in knowledge so that you will prepare yourself for times of trouble.

And if you are instead at a time “when sorrows like sea billows roll” don’t focus on your temporary feelings, but focus instead on the knowledge that God loves you, Jesus died for you, and, like Paul said as he suffered in prison, “I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.” 1Timothy 1:12, (NLT)

Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

By Darren Hewer

Used by Permission

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Today, if you have fallen away from God but want to renew your commitment to Him, if you are looking for a deeply satisfying relationship with God, I encourage you to pray by faith and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given you His Holy Spirit to help you live life according to His perfect plan. Why not pray this suggested prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:

Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have sinned against You by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

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Prayer to the One Who is Here

Dueteronomy 31:8 The Lord will never leaver you nor forsake you

Published March 7, 2017

Prayer to the One Who is Here

“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

Every week I meet with a small group of friends from my church. We study a passage or chapter of the Bible, play games, cook food, or just hang out. But we always pray together, and this is a wonderful time of fellowship and encouragement for which I am truly grateful.

But I have to admit praying sometimes makes me uncomfortable. I’ve never been totally comfortable praying. Recently as I sat praying with my small group, my mind started to wander, and I started to think about what prayer means. I know it means “talking to God” but I was hoping for some deeper understanding.

Suddenly a verse suddenly popped into my mind: “For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:20)

God revealed something to me, in an out-of-the-blue understanding of a simple yet profound truth: When we pray, we must pray as though God is right here with us … because God IS right here with us!

We need to speak to God as though Jesus were standing in front of us, hanging on every word … because HE IS!

When we pray our words are not dispersing into the air; they are being heard by God, whose Spirit lives within us (1 Corinthians 3:16) and who hears us because He is with us, not as a vague spirit but as a living person.

Jesus promises that when you pray he is right here with you. Not only that, He promised that He is “with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) When we pray, let’s speak to the One who “will never leave you nor forsake you”, as though He is right there with you … because HE IS!

Questions: Are your prayers sometimes abstract and generic? How could keeping in mind God’s presence with you help keep them personal and specific?

by Darren Hewer

Used by permission
If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you can learn how to start one at this link:
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/4laws/law0.html

Email Visitors, please visit our webpage to leave a comment. We warmly invite your thoughts on this devotional.

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God’s Timing is Not Ours

Published August 24, 2016

God’s Timing is Not Ours

Jairus is in a hurry. If you have children, or even if you don’t, you can probably sympathize with his plight. You see, his little daughter is dying. Or, as the Message paraphrase puts it, his “dear daughter is at death’s door.” Mark 5:23

So you can imagine why he’d be more than a little perturbed when, the Lord tarries on the way to Jairus’ house. “Who touched my clothes?” Jesus suddenly asks the crowd. The disciples, perhaps a bit anxious themselves given the gravity of the situation, reply “Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask? Who touched me?'” Then Jesus proceeds to leisurely engage the woman in conversation. It turns out that she’s suffered from a medical condition for the last twelve years.

“Twelve years?” thinks Jairus, “My daughter is dying! Surely this woman can wait a little longer!”

Then, while Jesus is still talking with the woman, messengers arrive with the most dreaded news imaginable: “Your daughter is dead.”

“Oh Lord, why couldn’t you just have hurried?” Jairus probably cried to himself. From a human perspective, all was lost. But from a heavenly perspective, “all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27) Jesus responded immediately: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:36)

God’s timing is not ours: “With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.” (2 Peter 3:8) But we can be confident that whenever and however God chooses to respond to us, it will be good, just, and to His glory.

If you’ve been patiently praying with seemingly no response, don’t lose heart. Jesus implores us to not be afraid and trust in Him; consider the parable of the persistent widow Jesus told in Luke 18:1-8, which Jesus told to encourage us that we “should always pray and not give up“. Be encouraged that while God’s timing is not ours, because He is always for you, not against you, and we will someday, at just the right moment, fully understand His divine timing.

Questions: What is a prayer that you have been earnestly praying for lately? Are you ready to leave it in God’s competent hands when/how/if he answers it?

By Darren Hewer

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