THE CURE FOR DISAPPOINTMENT

I am the Lord, the God of every person on the earth. Nothing is impossible for me.

Jeremiah 32:27

We need to hear that God is still in control. We need to hear that it’s not over until he says so. We need to hear that life’s mishaps and tragedies are not a reason to bail out. They are simply a reason to sit tight.

Corrie ten Boom used to say, “When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out? Of course not. You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through.” …

The way to deal with discouragement? The cure for disappointment? Go back and read the story of God. Read it again and again. Be reminded that you aren’t the first person to weep. And you aren’t the first person to be helped.

Read the story and remember, [the] story is yours!

He Still Moves Stones
[1]

Today's Scripture in Context

Thought: (after reading Scripture in context) Israel and Judah provoked God’s anger by their idol worship, their desecration of the temple, their sacrifice of their children to false gods. In His anger, God allowed their city to be captured and plundered by the Babylonians. What are the idols we are worshipping today … houses … cars … jobs … our favorite activities? What are we putting ahead of God? Are we desecrating our places of worship … placing focus there on any and everything but Jesus? Are we sacrificing our children … failing to raise them in righteousness … failing to discipline … failing to give them a work ethic … sacrificing them to their passions (designer clothes, games, cellphones, MP3 players, etc.)? Has God’s anger been provoked by our sin and our city given over to the hands of evil?

"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2nd Chronicles 7:14).

[1]Lucado, Max; Gibbs, Terri A.: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman, 2000, S. 187

A PROMISE DELIVERED

I saw the holy city, the New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God. It was prepared like a bride dressed for her husband.

Revelation 21:2

The Holy City, John says, is like “a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.”

What is more beautiful than a bride? …

Maybe it is the aura of whiteness that clings to her as dew clings to a rose. Or perhaps it is the diamonds that glisten in her eyes. Or maybe it’s the blush of love that pinks her cheeks or the bouquet of promises she carries.

A bride. A commitment robed in elegance. “I’ll be with you forever.” Tomorrow bringing hope today. Promised purity faithfully delivered.

When you read that our heavenly home is similar to a bride, tell me, doesn’t it make you want to go home?

The Applause of Heaven
[1]

Today's Scripture in Context

[1]Lucado, Max; Gibbs, Terri A.: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman, 2000, S. 186

WALKING WITH GOD

You were taught to be made new in your hearts, to become a new person.… Made to be like God—made to be truly good and holy.

Ephesians 4:23–24

Healthy marriages have a sense of “remaining.” The husband remains in the wife, and she remains in him. There is a tenderness, an honesty, an on-going communication. The same is true in our relationship with God. Sometimes we go to him with our joys, and sometimes we go with our hurts, but we always go. And as we go, the more we go, the more we become like him. Paul says we are being changed from “glory to glory” (2nd Corinthians 3:18 NKJV).

People who live long lives together eventually begin to sound alike, to talk alike, even to think alike. As we walk with God, we take on his thoughts, his principles, his attitudes. We take on his heart.

Just Like Jesus
[1]

Today's Scripture in Context

[1]Lucado, Max; Gibbs, Terri A.: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman, 2000, S. 185

WHO’S IN CHARGE?

Give all your worries to him, because he cares about you.

1 Peter 5:7

Worry … makes you forget who’s in charge.

And when the focus is on yourself … —you worry. You become anxious about many things. You worry that:

• Your co-workers won’t appreciate you.
• Your leaders will overwork you.
• Your superintendent won’t understand you.
• Your congregation won’t support you.
  

With time, your agenda becomes more important than God’s. You’re more concerned with presenting self than pleasing him. And you may even find yourself doubting God’s judgment.…

God has gifted you with talents. He has done the same to your neighbor. If you concern yourself with your neighbor’s talents, you will neglect yours. But if you concern yourself with yours, you could inspire both.

He Still Moves Stones
[1]

Today's Scripture in Context

PRAISE REPORT: Our trip to Kids Across America Kamp was a blessing. There were the last minute additions and changes to our list of kids. We changed one girl slot the day before we left and were able to add two boys to our group within the last five hours before bus departure. Some parents did some fast packing. We ended up with 35 youth and 6 adult leaders … the exact group I believe God wanted at KAA this year. We had safe travel to Golden, MO arriving at 2:05 p.m. KAA opens the gate for the buses at 2:00 p.m. The first evening brought a thunder storm during our evening outdoor picnic (that made for soggy hamburgers). After that our weather was great all week … don’t hate … we had temperatures in the low 80’s during the day and low 60’s at night … very pleasant for camping and sporting activities! The week at KAA was great. Many of our kids rededicated their lives to Christ, several during a session called Crosstalk. The only real bump in the road was our return trip. There was a mix-up with the bus company on our departure time. We ended up leaving kamp about 16 hours later than planned. I am trusting that even in this, God had a purpose. We arrived back in MS late but safe. Overall, it was a GREAT week, to God’s glory and praise!!! Thanks again to all of you who helped in any way … especially you prayer warriors who included us in your petitions this last week.

[1]Lucado, Max; Gibbs, Terri A.: Grace for the Moment: Inspirational Thoughts for Each Day of the Year. Nashville, Tenn.: J. Countryman, 2000, S. 184