The Perfect Storm

I have a friend who loves to sail. When I asked him if he had ever been caught in a bad storm, he responded, “Many times!” I shook my head in disbelief, concluding that my friend was obviously a glutton for punishment. Of course I had to ask, “Then why on earth do you keep sailing?”

His answer was profound. “Mary, every sailor knows that there will be storms. You just learn what to do when the storm hits. In a severe storm, there is only one thing to do and only one way to survive. You have to put the ship in a certain position and keep her there.”

The same is true in our lives. When the fierce storms of life overwhelm us, there is only one thing to do if we want to survive. We must position [ … ]

Adversity

The Bible’s perspective on adversity is that it is always working for you. Sometimes God sends it. And even if He doesn’t, He still uses it.

So, as a biblical believer, I conclude:

There is no way to lose in any given situation.

I believe if we understand why we might be going through something, the grace and strength to see it through will be there. But if we don’t know why tough things have fallen in our laps, it’s hard to stay focused.

That wisest of all men, Solomon, once said, “In all your getting, get understanding”
(Proverbs 4:7).

Excerpted FromThe Necessity of an Enemy by Ron Carpenter

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Daily Reflection: What can you do the next time you’re faced with adversity to sit back and “get understanding” on God’s use of it?

Value

Pull out the newest bill in the highest denomination you have. Look at it carefully. If it’s new, it looks crisp, doesn’t it?

Okay, now I want you to crumple up that bill into a little wad. Pound it with your fist if you like. I’ll wait…

Now unwad the bill and smooth it out. It doesn’t look so crisp anymore, does it? So do you still want it? Of course you do.

Next I want you to crumple the same bill up again, then stomp on it several times. If you do it on a dirty floor, that’s even better. I’ll wait again…

Did that feel good? Now smooth out the bill again. It’s starting to look a little tattered, isn’t it?

Do you still want it? Of course you do! Why is that? Because the condition of [ … ]

Happiness in God

If you’re serving Jesus, it’s not supposed to be about happiness, right? The goal of submitting to Christ is not to assure your own sense of satisfaction.

That’s true, as far as the statement goes. Serving God is about faithfulness and obedience, not about seeking personal happiness. But serving God and others in ways you were created and gifted for brings a natural sense of joy and soul satisfaction. These feelings come from the synergy of your life connected to God’s Spirit and involved in a realm of Kingdom missions work that you were designed and equipped for. These things come to you from living within God’s plan and design.

Excerpted From The Gospel of Yes by Mike Glenn

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Daily Reflection: How has your faithfulness and obedience to God brought you joy and satisfaction?

Tough Conversations

Ollie Chandler, homicide detective, has a strong sense of justice. That’s why he’s a cop and why he has tough questions for his Christian friends, Jake and Clarence in Randy Alcorn’s Deception:

“I don’t want to die trusting that God will make things okay… If I can make things right, I do. So if God can make things right, why doesn’t He?… It seems like if you become a Christian you live happily ever after because you go to heaven, and that makes up for life’s miseries. Never mind that people suffer and die, and murderers get away. After all, there’s pie in the sky by and by. Sorry, but I’d rather have my pie here and now.”

Speaking of which, I noticed that huckleberry was Lou’s pie of the day.

Ollie’s friend Jake reads a few Bible verses [ … ]

Forgiveness

Forgiveness is rarely a singular action but rather a process. In most situations we will need to forgive again and again. Rest in the assurance that repeating waves of anger and negativity that rush our way will only serve to wash away any resentment still lingering within our hearts. It’s
these waves that come from our enemy after we forgive that help us choose to continue to forgive.

Excerpted from Fierce Beauty by Kim Meeder

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Daily Reflection: God works in mysterious ways. How has God been shaping your life recently?

Mysterious Ways

“She laughed. ‘Exercise? You’ve lost your mind. I haven’t exercised a day in my life!’
‘Oh? What do you call owling?’
‘Owling? That’s the hobby you told me to get!’
‘Yes, but don’t you realize how much walking and climbing you do every day to follow that silly owl all over the place?’
She blinked three times.
‘It’s true, Melb. There are no secret solutions in life, no magic words. It’s just practical stuff, like exercising, that shows results.’
Her mouth fell open. But then her eyes blazed. “Are you telling me I’ve been paying you all that money, and the reason I lost weight was because I’ve been exercising?!’
Dr. Hass shrugged, an amused look accompanying a wry smile.
‘Con men aren’t con men for no reason. People are gullible. I’ve [ … ]

Don’t Let Your Face Plant Grow Roots

Is it possible that messing up can build you up and make you more fit for success? Yes! What does not destroy you can make you stronger, more focused, more creative, and more determined to pursue your dreams. You may be in a rush to succeed, and there is nothing wrong with that, but patience is a virtue too, and failure certainly will develop that trait in you. Believe me, I’ve learned that my schedule isn’t necessarily in God’s day planner. He has His own time line and the rest of us have to wait for it to unfold.

Excerpted from Life Without Limits by Nick Vujicic

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Daily Reflection: We all fall down, but what matters is getting back up. What have you learned from any of your failures, recent or past?

Connection is a Command

“The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthian men, “Stop acting like you don’t need each other!” The author of Hebrews wrote that when we walk alongside people headed in the same direction, we can sustain our commitments. According to Proverbs, a good friend tells us what we needto hear, not what we wantto hear. We are better men when we are connected.”

Excerpted from Every Man, God’s Man by Stephen Arterburn and Kenny Luck with Mike Yorkey

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Daily Reflection: Are you walking alongside men/women who are true, good friends? Do these men and women strengthen you?

Let Go and Let God

“In each seemingly hopeless case, however, Love’s restraint accomplished God’s purposes. Saving Egypt and the known world from starvation. Exalting God among a pagan nation as the one true God able to shut lions’ mouths. And providing a glimpse of eternity (the book of Revelation) through the pen of a lonely old man.

The same tender-yet-tough-to-understand divine restraint may be required in your life and mine. But it will also accomplish God’s purposes if we’ll trust Him. Though we may never know the full story here on earth, nothing will be wasted by God. Especially if we’ll entrust all our confusion to His heart and our lives to His hands.”

Excerpted from At the Feet of Jesus by Joanna Weaver

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Daily Reflection: How can you let God help carry your burdens and worries today?