Where Are You God?

By Sherri Holbert –

God’s Word tells us He works all things for our good. Why do we sometimes struggle with this concept when in the midst of stressful situations? Perhaps you’ve been laid off from your job. For a year you’ve been prayerfully looking for a new job to no avail. Now your savings account is almost depleted. You were faithful and purposeful in your marriage but your spouse didn’t play by the same rules and you are dealing with divorce. You raised your children with a solid, Christian foundation yet now find yourself dealing with a prodigal.

“God, where are You in this? Why am I going through such hardships? I’m spending daily prayer time with You, I’m faithful with tithing, I’m connected and serving at church. When will You show up and direct me to something better?” Have you ever found yourself asking these questions?

John Chapter 11 gives us three solid points assuring us that when we experience painful and difficult times God knows what He is doing:

1)      God always has a plan. His plan will help us strengthen our faith. God will always work things out for our good (vs. 2).
2)      God’s timing is always perfect. He’s not late. He’s not early (vs. 4-6).
3)      God is building our faith in our circumstances. He is working in our lives to change us for His glory (vs. 11-15).

How can we apply these concepts to our personal life during tough times? We must seek God. Ask Him to teach us how to walk in complete trust knowing His plan is perfect. Hold on to the promises He has made to us through His Word in the following scriptures: Do not be afraid (Isaiah 41:10). Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6). God will supply all your needs (Philippians 4:13).We have redemption through Christ’s blood (Ephesians 1:7).

PRAYER:  Father, I am so thankful You are a God of purpose and plans. Help me focus on Your sovereignty when I am going through trials. When my faith is lacking and I question where I am going, help me remember that You have designed me for a specific purpose.

“God not only loves you very much but also has put His hand on you for something special” (1 Thessalonians 1:4 The Message).

Unplanned But Part of God’s Plan

A Pretentious Promise

By Rosemary Flaaten –

As I prepared for the biggest performance of my career, I prayed that not only would God keep me from making a fool out of myself, but that He would help me do a super job. I remember tagging on the end of that plea a well meaning promise to be more diligent about sharing my faith with my coworkers if He would grant me just this one small favor.

Thankfully, the performance was spectacular. God came through and answered my request. But, as for my part of the deal, I regretfully report that my promise to talk about my faith fizzled before it even started. I procrastinated, produced one excuse after another, and eventually gave way to apathy. My promise was flimsy and selfish, having little to do with gratitude, responsibility or dedication.

Each of us could provide a long list of blessings that come to us from God. Family, jobs, health, friendships, material comforts and freedoms form just the initial items on this list. God has given so abundantly for each of us. His mercies are new every morning and He makes available everything we need to have overflowing lives.

So why is our tendency to take these blessings for granted, offering half-hearted excuses for our ingratitude and selfishness?

Jeremiah gives us a glimpse into this reality when he tells that despite all that God had done for Israel, she did not return to Him with her whole heart. Israel’s devotion was pretentious; a facade.

God doesn’t desire to be part of our life; He wants to be our life. He has no interest in a lukewarm, relationship with us that is more show than reality. He isn’t satisfied to be relegated to Sundays, mid-week Bible studies and early morning devotions. He desires for us to recognize Him as our travelling partner, involved in everything we do in every moment of the day.

Undivided devotion and gratitude usher in a openness to the Spirit of God and creates a space in our lives that would otherwise remained shut off from Him. A wholehearted commitment will vanquish any facade.

PRAYER: Search me O God and illuminate for me where pretence has superseded my devotion.

“In spite of all this (she) did not return to me with all her heart, but only in pretence” (Jeremiah 3:10 NIV).

Today’s Devotional is by Rosemary Flaaten. Her successful book, A Woman and Her Relationships, and its accompanying DVD small group resource helps women bridge the gap between their spiritual lives and everyday interactions. Her newest book A Woman and Her Workplace delves into 9-5 relationships. A dynamic speaker—Rosemary challenges her audiences to view their workplaces as opportunities to live out Christ’s love. Rosemary lives with her husband and three children in Calgary, Canada.

Spring Cleaning

By Hally Franz –

It’s that time again. Who doesn’t enjoy spring cleaning? I look forward to that first 70-degree day when I’m moved to turn on Jimmy Buffet, open the windows to enjoy the warm air and sunshine, and spend a block of time to get down to some serious cleaning. I’ll dust, vacuum, change sheets, eliminate clutter and clean bathrooms. That’s it, right?

I saw a talk show on the topic of household germs and bacteria, and the well-known host said that her bed sheets were changed every other day. Clean sheets are splendid, but in the real-world they usually get changed weekly. In the real world, sometimes spring cleaning doesn’t happen like it is supposed to. It doesn’t always include washing windows, taking down and cleaning drapes, and organizing all the closets. It may just be music, fresh air and the regular routine.

Even if my deep cleaning doesn’t get done on schedule, I do savor the first-day feel of fresh sheets. They’re tucked in nice and tight before a week’s worth of sleep wrinkles and pulls at them. They have that slick, smooth feel before little bits of grit make their way in, and pillow cases smell nice until morning breath odors attach to them. Clean sheets are one of life’s simple pleasures.

It’s unrealistic for me to think that I will awake every day with the spiritual feelings of being newly baptized. There are days when I am neither excited nor inspired. In the real world, our days cause us to be pulled in lots of directions. We get dirty with the sin that inevitably makes its way into our lives, and we may face situations that really stink. That’s the real world.

However, it is possible for us to become refreshed and renewed each week when we meet on Sundays for a time of study, praise and fellowship. Sunday services always leave me with that “clean sheet feeling” in my soul. The study of scripture and the message from our minister help to smooth the wrinkles in my furrowed brow. I feel washed in the sounds of voices raised in song, and greetings and hugs from church family feel like fragrant, warm breezes.

My usual routine includes a weekly change of my bed sheets and Sunday mornings in worship. While the other chores may wait a season, these are done right on time.

PRAYER: Merciful God, thank You for the opportunity to be refreshed each Sabbath by Your Word, songs of praise and fellowship with other Christians.

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22 NIV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. Hally sees each day as a new exercise, where routines change and weights vary. Her goal is to maintain all-around fitness for service, while training her children to be competitive, compassionate and Christ-like in the world in which we live.

The Power of Encouragement

By Carin LeRoy –

Encouragement is important in everyone’s life. While living as missionaries overseas, my husband and I went through some discouraging trials in our earliest years on the field. During those difficulties, the director of Pioneers, Ted Fletcher, wrote us letters of encouragement. His words gave us the boost we needed. He even came to where we lived for a visit. Without his inspiration and support, I wonder if we would have made it through the obstacles we faced.

One of my favorite Bible characters (among many!) is Barnabas. His name means “son of consolation,” or “comfort.” In Acts 13-15, we read the story of Paul and Barnabas and their missionary travels to spread the gospel. On the first part of their journey they took John Mark along as a helper. But during the trip, he deserted them. Later when planning other places to visit, Barnabas wanted to give John Mark a second chance and take him along. Paul disagreed. Their sharp argument separated them, and they departed for different areas of ministry. Barnabas took John Mark, and Paul left with Silas.

Both were great men of God, but Barnabas was a mentor. He saw something in John Mark that he deemed valuable and worthy of his time and effort. After spending time working with John Mark in ministry, he soon became an important asset, even to Paul. Later he said, “Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11 NET). I wonder if Paul would have said that had it not been for the encouragement and mentoring that Barnabas invested in John Mark’s life.

It is interesting to know that in Acts 9, the disciples rejected Paul because they feared he wasn’t a believer and might persecute them. Barnabas became his advocate and supported him. He not only mentored John Mark, but also Paul! Both became great missionaries in spreading the gospel.

We underestimate the power of encouragement. Each day we encounter people who need a word of praise, a kind word, or time from us. Who are they? Maybe they are within our own family, in the work place, or a neighbor across the street. Let’s also take heed of God’s reminder to “encourage one another and build up each other” (I Thessalonians 5: 11 NET). Be a Barnabas in someone’s life today.

PRAYER: Father, help me learn to be a person of encouragement. Keep me mindful that people are more important than my goals and schedule. Show me today how You can use me to build up and show kindness to others.

“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else” (I Thessalonians 5: 14, 15 NIV).

Today’s devotional is by Carin LeRoy, wife to Dale and mother of three grown children and one almost-grown teenager. She has been a missionary with Pioneers since 1982. Her passions are family, missions, piano, and writing to challenge others to live faithful lives for God.

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