//Encouragement in the Lord//
Thank You for Gifts not Wrapped in Fancy Packaging
We Don’t Grow When Things are Easy
//Contemplative Monk//
Life is Messy – Life Proposes a Series of Challenges
Silence
By Jim Poelman — Sunday, May 16, 2021
Scripture Reading: Psalm 46; Revelation 8:1-2
When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
Revelation 8:1
With the opening of the seventh seal we might have expected the story to come to a speedy conclusion. But we do not meet a cosmic display of God’s almighty forces. Instead, we are surrounded by heaven’s silence for an extended time—so that we can receive an important message.
In our fast-paced lives there are very few places where we experience silence. Not only that, but we generally don’t like to have times of prolonged silence. We’ll do anything—listen to a radio, watch TV, send text messages, read or listen to a book, play games or sports, work, do hobbies, and more—to avoid staying in silence for very long.
Silence gives us space, however, for God to speak to our hearts. It is God who speaks in Psalm 46, saying, “Be still, and know that I am God.” With the opening of the seventh seal, the story line in Revelation moves toward darkness and devastation, destruction from powers that are allowed to test and challenge people on the earth. As those who live by faith in Jesus, however, we need heaven’s silence—the stillness in which God can make himself known to us—to face any challenges to our faith.
You may be facing challenges today. The prolonged silence in today’s Bible reading promises to be God’s way of assuring us that we are not alone. God is with us as “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Slow me down, Lord. I need to stop the noise and distractions so that you can reassure me of your presence, strength, and care. Protect me, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
//ReFrame Ministries//
I Heard God Laugh – I Heard God Laugh
Prayer isn’t easy. We might have a moment, or a day, or even a week at a time where prayer feels very natural and rewarding—but there are also many challenges that come with maintaining a consistent spiritual life.
Daily Devotion – A Real Difference
| “On that day I will deal differently … where my people live … so that you will know that I, the Lord, am in this land. I will make a distinction between my people and your people.” – Exodus 8:22-23 NIV In many ways, believers are just like nonbelievers. We all are human beings and go through the same kinds of challenges. As Jesus said, God “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). The message is simple: Believers are not superhuman. We all are just “jars of clay.” All our abilities are gifts from God (2 Corinthians 4:7). This is true so nonbelievers can look at our lives and see the difference that God makes and turn to Him. Faith and belief sustain us. We can be transformed by Biblical principles. Anyone can know God. Anyone can be forgiven. Unbelievers can also see why we need to be born again. Yet, as He sent plagues in Egypt, God promised to “deal differently” with regions where His people lived. This was to “make a distinction” between His people and others, making sure there was no question that He was God, and they were His. He was demonstrating that there are ways in which God treats His people “differently.” The fact is that we are different because of our relationship with Him. He makes the difference. Today, seek the differences that God can make in your life. Apply the principles in His Word. Pray. Commit your needs to Him. Get to know Him more intimately. Be filled with His Spirit. Trust Him. Prayer: Father, help me today. May others see the difference You make in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen. Extended Reading: Exodus 8 //Inspiration Ministeries |
Daily Devotion – Rest in His Love
“You have rejected us. You have broken us … You have made Your people experience hardship … God has spoken in His holiness … Through God we shall do valiantly, and it is He who will tread down our adversaries.” – Psalm 60:1, 3, 6, 12 NASB
As happened often, David had to work through the crises he faced. He had to figure out what they meant and what to do.
In this psalm, he began by expressing his honest thoughts toward God – His sense that God had rejected them and even made them “experience hardship.” He reminded God that Israel was His “beloved” (v. 5); he prayed for His help.
David might have thought of God as being distant and separate, but He reminded David that they were completely connected. God saw everything from the perspective of His ownership – they were His people, and He knew everything about their situation. And He reminded David that He was holy and sovereign.
In the end, David declared His confidence in God. He was certain that through Him, they would “do valiantly.” God Himself would defeat their adversaries.
This perspective still is true. God still is holy. He cannot change. He always does what is right. As we pray, we can be reminded of His love for us and the fact that we are His people. We also must remember that God is sovereign. He has a plan for the world, for each nation, and for each of us.
As you think about the challenges you face, remember that God is sovereign and holy. And He loves you. Rest in His love. Think about His faithfulness. Remember, you can depend on Him and trust Him unconditionally.
Prayer: Father, thank You for knowing the situations I face. Thank You for Your help. I trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Extended Reading: Psalm 60
//Inspiration Ministeries//