LET TRIALS PURIFY YOU!

 

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

 

LET TRIALS PURIFY YOU!

 

1 Peter 1:6-7

6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:

7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

 

         Trials are not an inducement to sin. Trials are to “test our metal.” Precious metals are subjected to incredible heat in order to remove impurities. Peter likens our trials and troubles to that refining fire. So, in times of great distress, allow the experience to drive you to God and drive you to your knees. Ask God to reveal and remove your impurities.

 

         Charles Stanley, in a recent sermon, said there are no less than ten things to consider when you are going through a trial.

 

1.    God is in control of the time & intensity of my trial.

2.    God has a specific purpose for my trial.

3.    This trial is designed to meet a specific need.

4.    The trial will be good for me if I respond in faith.

5.    This trial can strengthen my faith.

6.    This trial is an opportunity to demonstrate perseverance under pressure.

7.    This trial will develop Christ-likeness in me.

8.    This trial will help me measure my spiritual maturity.

9.    God will walk me through my trial.  (“The Lord is at hand!”)

10.By God’s grace and power I will overcome this trial.

 

 

Ps 91:14-15

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

 

         God He has promised to answer you when you pray. Verse 15 promises that He will be with you in trouble. Do you sense His presence even in difficulty? He plans to deliver you and honor you. Watch for it – wait for it. It’s coming.

 

Dear Lord, many of my friends are going through extreme difficulty. Please be with them and hurry to help them. AMEN

 

MY PRECIOUS BURDEN!

 

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

 

Yes, it is a classic.

 

MY PRECIOUS BURDEN!

 

Ps 55:22

22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

 

          Interestingly, the Hebrew word for “burden” in Psalm 55:22 is strictly translated “what is given.” It is something received. I think it might have been given intentionally! One of Merriam – Webster’s definitions of “burden” is “responsibility!” Perhaps your burden is your job or some illness. Maybe it is worry over a troubled teen who is struggling to find his or her way. Whatever it is, it has been given and you have received it.

 

          Because I write a devotional every day, I subscribe to several online devotionals myself. I often need a starter to pique my creativity. Well, the following is shamelessly stolen from the late Dr. Adrian Rodgers. I think it wonderfully fits.

 

 “I read about a man who had a very fine dog who loved the water. One day the dog was playing in the lake and the man decided to leave. He called the dog, but the dog wouldn’t come. He called him several times; he wouldn’t come. It was a well-trained dog, but he just would not come. The man finally threw a stick out in the water. When the dog saw it, he swam over, got the stick, and came back and laid it at his master’s feet. It just may be that God has given you a burden because He can’t get your attention. He wants you to come and lay it at your Master’s feet.”

 

So, today I will look at my burdens differently. I will see them as the ringing of my spiritual telephone. God is on the line and wants to talk. He is willing to trade my burden for a little of my time.

 

Dear Lord, Thank you for my burden. I am sorry that you have to resort to such means in order to get my attention. I love you, Lord. AMEN

 

THEY THAT WAIT

 

Monday, July 28, 2025

 

THEY THAT WAIT

 

Isa 30:15-19

15 For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.

16 But ye said, No; for we will flee upon horses; therefore shall ye flee: and, We will ride upon the swift; therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.

17 One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

18 And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the Lord is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

 

Isa 40:29-31

29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:

31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

 

          Isaiah is better known for the three verses in chapter forty, but chapter thirty speaks to our condition. We are often impatient when we are required to wait. In the thirtieth chapter God urges the people to WAIT on His judgment, but they said NO, we will do things our own way and if the going gets tough we will flee on swift horses. God turns their excuses into a prophecy when He says, “therefore shall they that pursue you be swift.”

          Deeper investigation notices that the word “wait” is different in chapter thirty than in chapter forty. In chapter thirty it is chakah which means “piercing.” The idea is to nail something down so that it doesn’t move. In chapter forty the word is qavah which means “binding together.” Here we have a blending of purpose and a union of strengths. God invites His people to let Him plan, proceed, and accomplish the tasks.

 

“Though the Lord has sorely chastised His people, yet the fact that He is still their God guarantees their ultimate restoration. When Jerusalem's 'appointed time' of hardship "is accomplished," and her iniquity has been expiated through the application of Christ's atoning blood, upon her repentance, the Lord will speak 'to her heart,' and give her double joy for her past sufferings.”

(from Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, Electronic Database. Copyright © 1997-2014 by Biblesoft, Inc. All rights reserved.)

 

Isa 30:19

19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

 

Lord, let me bind myself to Thy purposes and processes. Let me wait for your timing and your strength. AMEN

 

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION!

 

Sunday, July 27, 2025

 

HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION!

 

Luke 6:47-49

47 Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like:

48 He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.

49 But he that heareth, and doeth not, is like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.

 

How Firm a Foundation is a Christian hymn, published in 1787 by John Rippon in A Selection of Hymns from the Best Authors, Intended to be an Appendix to Dr. Watts' Psalms and Hymns, known as "Rippon's Selection". It is attributed only to "K", which probably refers to Robert Keen(e), precentor (choir and music leader) at Rippon's church, though other names suggested include Richard or John Keene, Kirk­ham, or John Keith. It is most often sung to the tune "Protection" (or "Foundation") by Joseph Funk from A Com­pil­a­tion of Gen­u­ine Church Mu­sic (1832), though the original tune may be Keen(e)'s "Geard". This was the favorite hymn of General Robert E. Lee and has been played at the funerals of several US politicians. (Information from Wikipedia.)

 

The hymn is born just eleven years after the Declaration of Independence. The ashes of the Revolutionary War still hung in the air and the foundation of the nation was being laid. But much more than the foundation of a nation is in view.

 

          Your peace is not due to the lack of storms in your life but the firmness of your foundation. Let the winds blow and the storms rage! In the words of the hymn: “That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I'll never, no never, no never forsake.” Of the seven verses of this hymn, the following provide me with great encouragement.

 

Fear not, I am with thee, O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen and help thee, and cause thee to stand
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

 

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of woe shall not thee overflow;
For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

 

Dear Lord, be very near to your children who are going through fiery trials and deep waters today. AMEN

 

MY OTHER BOOKEND!

 

Saturday, July 26, 2025

 

MY OTHER BOOKEND!

 

Gen 2:18

18 And the Lord God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.

 

          Dr. Charles Stanley comments: “God saw that even though Adam was surrounded by every sort of animal-in pairs, no less-he needed someone to correspond to him. God gently put Adam (Ish, in the Hebrew) to sleep and fashioned Eve (Isha, in the Hebrew) from his rib.

 

          When Adam awoke, he was ecstatic with God's handiwork and exclaimed in our vernacular, "Wow, this is it!"

 

          Today is my 57^th wedding anniversary! Irene is my other bookend. Without her all the tomes topple! We are remarkably alike yet mysteriously different. We fit! Only God could do such a thing!

 

          Take a moment to look at your spouse as God’s marvelous gift. Husbands, love your wives (Ephesians 5:25). Wives, respond with love for your husbands (Titus 2:4).

 

Dear Lord, thank you doesn’t begin to express my gratitude for my other bookend. AMEN

 

THE GLORY OF THE CROSS!

 

Friday, July 25, 2025

 

THE GLORY OF THE CROSS!

 

Gal 6:14-15

14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

 

          The Politics of the Cross: What is it about the cross that makes it such a lightning rod of controversy? The Psalmist, I think, explains the geo-political animosity to the cross.

 

Ps 2:1-4

2 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

 

          The Person of the Cross: Paul knew the power of the cross. Jesus Christ is mentioned 45 times in the book of Galatians which means that one third of all the verses contain some mention of Christ. Christ had completely captivated Paul. The cross was an instrument of cruelty, horror and shame until Jesus hung thereon.

 

          The Power of the Cross: To Paul, a learned Jewish rabbi, the teaching of the cross was foolish. The Jews expected Messiah to come and rule by restoring the kingdom but the idea of Messiah dying on the cross was completely foreign to them. In the death and resurrection of the cross the power of God is released upon the world, the flesh and the devil. The power of the cross is redemption and victory.

 

          The Purpose of the Cross: The cross temporarily set aside the nation of Israel so that the gentiles might be grafted into the vine. Verse 15 says: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision [Judaism] availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. The cross established a new method of relationship with God. The cross levels the playing field because now there is no racial or national advantage. The cross ushered in the age of “whosoever.”

 

          We may roll the thunders of eloquence, we may scatter the flowers of poetry, we may diffuse the light of science, and we may enforce the precepts of morality from the pulpit. But if we do not make Christ the great subject of our preaching, we have forgotten our errand and shall do no good. Satan trembles at nothing but the cross: at this he does tremble. And if we would destroy his power and extend that holy and benevolent kingdom, which is righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, it must be by means of the cross."  -- J. A. James (as quoted by) -- Charles Haddon Spurgeon, The Quotable Spurgeon, (Wheaton: Harold Shaw Publishers, Inc, 1990)

 

Dear Lord, today let my focus be upon your cross. AMEN

 

NEVER ALONE

 

Thursday, July 24, 2025

 

NEVER ALONE

 

Heb 13:5-6

5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

 

          Sometimes being alone is a good and welcome thing. Far away from the crowd and chaos, a person may reconnect with himself or herself. Jesus recommended retreat and rest for His disciples because they couldn’t catch a break from demands. We usually acknowledge the body when it calls for rest, but we just as often ignore the cries of the mind. Confusion and mistakes are sometimes the result.

 

          When we dissect the verse in Hebrews we find these things. We learn that the way we live our lives should be free from constantly desiring what we do not have for that is the sense of the word “covetousness.” Next, we are urged to develop an appreciation for what we already have for that is the sense of “being content.” We also need to remember that Jesus has promised His Holy spirit to be with us constantly. We are never alone. Moreover, we have the promise that He will never leave us to our own devices for that is the sense of “never forsaking” us.

The result is a confidence in our Helper and a lack of fear regarding our circumstances.

 

Ps 40:16-17

16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The LORD be magnified.

17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God. KJV

 

Dear Lord, in quietness and solitude I know you are there with me. AMEN

 

DIVINE DETOURS!

 

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

 

DIVINE DETOURS!

 

Ex 13:17-18

17 And it came to pass, when Pharaoh had let the people go, that God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for God said, Lest peradventure the people repent when they see war, and they return to Egypt:

18 But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt.

 

          The word “near” in verse 17 is the same that is used to describe a near kinsman. It indicates a route that is familiar, comfortable, and much shorter. The reason is that this rag tag group of freed slaves were not ready to meet the armies of the Philistines. They would have likely been defeated, discouraged, and would have repented of their own freedom so God took them through the way of the wilderness.

 

          This wilderness way brought them into a trap between two mountains in either side, the Red Sea in front, and Egyptian armies behind. Only God could save them now! What a perfect time for a miracle.

 

          Maybe you are confused by the route by which God is leading you. It is not familiar, it is not comfortable, and it seems dangerous or costly. If this is the case, then be on the lookout for miraculous intervention because God knows the way. Trust Him and follow.

 

Dear Lord, we have walked this way before and here we are safe! How quickly we forget your protection and provision along Divine Detours. Grant us the faith to trust you and to follow. AMEN

 

WHAT IS TRUST?

 

Tuesday, July 22, 2025

 

WHAT IS TRUST?

 

Ps 62:7-8

7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.

 

According to Strong’s Concordance, the word “trust” is to be found in our English Bible 134 times! It is curious to me that of the SEVEN Bible Dictionaries in my library NONE of them are willing to define the word. What, then, does it mean to trust? We don’t know – and yet we do. Trust is the X in every equation! Now, math was never my strength, but I know that X refers to the unknown. At the solving of the equation, X equals the answer sought. Generally, to trust in God is to cast our burden on the Lord when it becomes too heavy for us.

 

Ps 55:22

22 Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

 

Companions of trust are a holy quietness, security, and peacefulness of spirit springing from a full persuasion of our safety. We know that He CAN sustain us because He is God. We know He WILL sustain us because of His nature. He is gracious and full of mercy. Trust is also to abandon our reliance on human reasoning!

 

Prov 3:5-6

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

 

Christianity is not occasional but constant. “Trust in Him at ALL TIMES, ye people.” Do not use God like a spare tire or a good-luck charm. He should be the constant object of our trust. Through Him we can draw water from wells that are empty, find food in pantries that are bare and gain clarity when all around is only confusion.

 

Dear Lord! I know that if I am to trust you, I must not lean upon my own understanding! Lord, help me to trust in you. AMEN