In Christ - I am valued by God

I am valued by God...

Matthew 10:29-31 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.  So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Joni and Friends Daily Devotional
May 3, 2011

“English sparrows. They're worth barely a penny, Jesus said so. Yet of the world's nine thousand bird species, Jesus singled out the least-noticed and most insignificant of birds to make a point.

“If God takes time to keep tabs on every sparrow-who it is, where it's going, whether or not its needs are being met- then surely He keeps special tabs on you. Intimately. Personally. And with every detail in mind.

“The Bible may point to eagles to underscore courage and power, and it may talk about doves as symbols of peace and contentment. But God's Word reserves sparrows to teach a lesson about trust. Just as God tenderly cares for a tiny bird, even making note of when it is harmed, or when it falls to the ground, He gently reminds you that He is worthy of your greatest trust, your deepest confidence.

“How do you approach God today? Maybe you feel like a ragamuffin house sparrow clinging to an empty birdfeeder with no one to care. Stop and remember the facts behind Matthew 10:29. God does care. He notices.

“Try trusting the Lord today as would a sparrow. No questions asked. No fears that He won't come through. Relax in the protection and provision of your great God.

“Father, it's astounding to think that with so many things to care for, You have a heart for people the world considers small and insignificant. Forgive me for not believing that You not only notice but intimately care for every detail of my life. Help me today to believe You for the small things. May I see every detail as an opportunity to trust You.”

I don’t know about you – but the timing of this scripture is perfect for me!  Having an empty townhouse that needs to be rented so I can pay two mortgages is a source of stress and anxiety – even though I know it shouldn’t be.  SO – I’m practicing the same thing I tell all the ladies who come to our group – trust God – believe that He’s got your back – your front – your sides – He’s surrounding you and ready to provide for your every need!  What I’m learning now is that I don’t “need” as much as I think.  I “WANT” a lot – but my needs are being provided, and I know that I can trust God to see me through until the townhouse has tenants and my cash-flow improves.  “Help me Lord to trust you in this – to rest in the security that You are in control!”  I’ll be spending time this weekend watching the little sparrows that come to my backyard to eat – and remembering that just as God has His eye on them, He has His eye on me! 

Sharon

In Christ - I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world

I am the salt of the earth and the light of the world...

Matthew 5:13-16 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.  You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Cave People
by Max Lucado
He came to the world that was His own, but His own people did not accept Him.
John 1:11
“LONG AGO, OR maybe not so long ago, there was a tribe in a dark, cold cavern.

“The cave dwellers would huddle together and cry against the chill. Loud and long they wailed. It was all they did. It was all they knew to do. The sounds in the cave were mournful, but the people didn't know it, for they had never known joy. The spirit in the cave was death, but the people didn't know it, for they had never known life.

“But then, one day, they heard a different voice. ‘I have heard your cries,’ it announced. ‘I have felt your chill and seen your darkness. I have come to help.’

“The cave people grew quiet. They had never heard this voice. Hope sounded strange to their ears. ‘How can we know you have come to help?’

"’Trust me,’ he answered. ‘I have what you need.’

"The cave people peered through the darkness at the figure of the stranger. He was stacking something, then stooping and stacking more.

"’What are you doing?’ one cried, nervous.

“The stranger didn't answer.

"’What are you making?’ one shouted even louder.

“Still no response.

"’Tell us!’ demanded a third.

“The visitor stood and spoke in the direction of the voices. ‘I have what you need.’ With that he turned to the pile at his feet and lit it. Wood ignited, flames erupted, and light filled the cavern.

“The cave people turned away in fear. ‘Put it out!’ they cried. ‘It hurts to see it.’

‘Light always hurts before it helps,’ he answered. ‘Step closer. The pain will soon pass.’

"’Not I,’ declared a voice.

"’Nor I,’ agreed a second.

"’Only a fool would risk exposing his eyes to such light.’

“The stranger stood next to the fire. ‘Would you prefer the darkness? Would you prefer the cold? Don't consult your fears. Take a step of faith.’

“For a long time no one spoke. The people hovered in groups covering their eyes. The fire builder stood next to the fire. ‘It's warm here,’ he invited.

"’He's right,’ one from behind him announced. ‘It's warmer.’ The stranger turned and saw a figure slowly stepping toward the fire. ‘I can open my eyes now,’ she proclaimed. ‘I can see.’

"’Come closer,’ invited the fire builder.

“She did. She stepped into the ring of light. ‘It's so warm!’ She extended her hands and sighed as her chill began to pass.

"’Come, everyone! Feel the warmth,’ she invited.

"’Silence, woman!’ cried one of the cave dwellers. ‘Dare you lead us into your folly? Leave us. Leave us and take your light with you.’

“She turned to the stranger. ‘Why won't they come?’

"’They choose the chill, for though it's cold, it's what they know. They'd rather be cold than change.’

"’And live in the dark?’

"’And live in the dark.’

“The now-warm woman stood silent. Looking first at the dark, then at the man.

"’Will you leave the fire?’ he asked.

"She paused, then answered, ‘I cannot. I cannot bear the cold.’ Then she spoke again. ‘But nor can I bear the thought of my people in darkness.’

"’You don't have to,’ he responded, reaching into the fire and removing a stick. ‘Carry this to your people. Tell them the light is here, and the light is warm. Tell them the light is for all who desire it.’

“And so she took the small flame and stepped into the shadows.”

From A Gentle Thunder
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 1995) Max Lucado

If you live in San Diego, then you’ll remember the blackout that happened not that long ago – lights were out all over the city – and didn’t come back on until the early morning hours of the next day.  Many people were in siege mode – prepared to “survive” however long it took to get the power back on.  Others were outside, talking to neighbors, helping people who had no light to see where they were going – get into their homes - or share food cooked over a barbeque grill.  Two different responses to the same crisis.  It doesn’t take much thought to determine where Jesus would have been – I don’t think He’d have been hunkered down inside waiting for the lights to come on!  He would have been out with the people – sharing whatever He had – and that’s how He wants His followers to be.  Are you going to stay in your cave – in the dark – or are you going to take the light He’s given you and share it with the world?  I can tell you which one will be more rewarding – but I think you already know, don’t you?  Be the light in your corner of this dark world!  Sharon

In Christ - I am loved by God

I am loved by God...

Jeremiah 31:3  The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness." 

Romans 8:38,39 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. 

Ephesians 3:17-19 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 

I John 4:16-19 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like Him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.  We love because He first loved us. 

April 27, 2011

Pursued
Lynn Cowell
"But now, this is what the LORD says — he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: 'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine... Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.'" Isaiah 43:1, 4 (NIV)

Devotion:

“I sit in the dark room, my heart beating wildly. "Hurry! Hurry!" my mind cries out. "You'll be too late!"

“It doesn't matter that I already know what will happen. The thrill of the pursuit and a heroic rescue sends my heart pounding every time.

“I may be a little strange, but I know I'm not alone. Countless women curl up on their couches to watch the same chick flicks over and over, especially the ones where the hero gives everything to save the girl. Like the one rescued in movies, we want to be desired, fought for — pursued. And we are.

“Someone is pursuing us but it's so much better than what happens in the movies. Our Creator and King is pursuing us. He gave up His life and paid a great price to come and rescue us.

“There were times in my life where I had seen Jesus as my savior, shepherd and friend. But it wasn't until I read these verses below and realized the magnitude and depth of His love for me that I saw how valuable I am to Him.

"Don't be afraid, I've redeemed you. I've called your name. You're mine. When you're in over your head, I'll be there with you. When you're in rough waters, you will not go down. When you're between a rock and a hard place, it won't be a dead end — Because I am God, your personal God, The Holy of Israel, your Savior. I paid a huge price for you: all of Egypt, with rich Cush and Seba thrown in! That's how much you mean to me! That's how much I love you! I'd sell off the whole world to get you back, trade the creation just for you."  Isaiah 43:1b-4 (The Message)

“He'd give up everything just for me? That's crazy! But that's the radical love that revolutionized my life.

“When I learned these verses, I began to see a side of Jesus I had never seen before. He pursues me. He loves me more than anything. And He wants to be my everything.

“This truth satisfied a deep longing in my heart I didn't even know I had. It was what I wanted then, and what I still need to know every day. This is the love that fills the gaps in my wanting heart and settles the question, "Am I valuable enough to be pursued?"

“Yes, I am. And so are you, my friend. So are you.

“Dear Lord, this part of me that wants to be pursued and rescued...You created it. You created it to be filled by Your unconditional love. Jesus, thank You that You will never grow tired of me or stop pursing me. You want me. In Jesus' Name, Amen”

Oh, the love of God – the depth and width and height and breadth of which we cannot imagine.  As I read through the Old Testament, I see His faithful love pursuing Israel – not for days or years – or even just for decades – He has pursued His people for MILLENNIA!  And – despite the fact that they rejected Him – killed Him – He is still pursuing them to this day.  He hasn’t given up on them – in THOUSANDS of years – so why do we think He’ll give up on us?  Can we outlast the children of Israel in their disobedience? Not hardly!  Can we outlast the mercy and grace of God that continued to pursue even when we didn’t want Him to?  Thank God that the answer to that question is “NO!”  Once you are His child, He will pursue you to the ends of the earth – to the end of your life.  Aren’t you tired of running from that kind of love?  Stop – turn into His arms – and let His love for you spill over you!  When you can really “get” how much He loves you – how much He’s been willing to endure for you – it will be enough.  Enough to quiet those doubts about your worthiness.  Enough to squelch the voice of the enemy who would want you to wallow in your pain.  Let HIS love set you free!  Sharon“You'd think I'd never seen this movie before, but I have. In fact, I've watched it over and over. I know the hero will get there just in time. He will come to the rescue right at the last second and yell, "She goes free!" to the captain and his crew. I know he will risk his life to save hers.

__________________________

Sharon Pearce, Director

Silent Voices International

www.silentvoices.org

svoices@pacbell.net

619-422-0757