Quiet Time Archive
Choose Carefully Who You Follow
Date: November 15, 2008
Read: Jude1:3-13
As parents we constantly tell our children to be careful who they follow, or choose for their friends. It is important who we allow to take up our life and our time and God is clear on those we should watch out for even in the church. They are described as lost stars in outer space on their way to the black hole and wild ocean waves leaving nothing on the beach.
When we raise children it is very clear as a parent which of the friends they choose could harm them or deceive them and we don't encourage that relationship and then there are the friends that we know our children will be encouraged and grow from the relationship. Our Heavenly Father wants the same for us and wants to be sure that we are protected even from those who claim to be Christ followers but are not.
Be reminded that in Matthew we are given permission to judge and to know when someone claims to be a Christian, because they will bear fruit. Their lives are evident in their fruit and it is not hard to see at all, the fruit of any individual is evident. This is a prayer we must constantly seek that God will make it clear who we should surround ourselves with because as our Heavenly Father He wants us to be encouraged and grow on a daily basis. Intentionally choose those who you allow to invest in you and who you choose to invest your life, time and energy. Evaluate the health of your relationships and are they bringing you closer to the Father and His Heavenly Kingdom because part of the fight for our faith is choosing not only who we will follow but who we allow to follow us.
Are the relationships you share each day taking you to that black hole in outer space? Choose wisely!
Published: November 15, 2008
Feeling Hopeless?
Date: November 14, 2008
Read: Jude 1:1-2
None of us have the power to give lasting hope to others like our Heavenly Father is able to do. Recently one of my children came to me with a personal feeling of hopelessness and after they explained their situation, I have to say that I felt it was also a hopeless situation. As that child continued talking they began to bring a solution to their hopelessness because of their own personal time in prayer to the Lord about it. I was able to help them not because I had the solution, that was provided already by the Heavenly Father but I was able to assist them on how to carry out the solution that was given to them.
In these two verses Jude writes, "I am writing to those loved by God the Father, called and kept safe by Jesus Christ. Relax, everything's going to be all right; rest, everything's coming together; open your hearts, love is on the way!"
When you are looking for hope, look up towards the Father and look into His Word which is full of hope for your life!
Published: November 14, 2008
Letter To A Friend
Date: November 13, 2008
Read: III John 1:1-15
We live in the time of e-mail, text messages and the cell phone. These are quick ways to communicate but sometimes, we need to stop and write a personal, hand-written letter to encourage a friend in time of need. Perhaps that friend has lost a loved one recently or maybe there is discouragement or even depression that we know about. Maybe it is a case of encouraging someone who is faithful in the Lord’s service . In today’s verses, Gaius is commended for his right attitude and his hospitality.
Think about those who have encouraged you and have taken the time to write and let you know how they feel. There are many things to discourage us in the world today so let’s take the time and the opportunity to encourage others. Can you think of someone who might need a word from you? Maybe a personal note would be just what they need.
Published: November 13, 2008
A Very Important Commandment!
Date: November 12, 2008
Read: II John 1:1-13
In these passages God is again reminding us to love one another. So obviously this is a very important commandment. Are we loving each other? Not just the ones who are easy to love but the hard to love ones too?
I would like to share something written by Leslie Williams in the book Seduction of the Lesser Gods," Love is an act of will: listening to someone when we are bored, keeping that perfectly couched comeback to ourselves, letting old Miss Jones win the argument over something unimportant, biting our tongues instead of reminding others of our triumphs, hearing out our spouse one more time on that same old saw (and hoping he..... will return the favor). Love is not waiting to feel good before plunging into these and other unselfish acts, but rather love is the decision to behave a certain way even when we feel like Mr. and Ms. Grump.
1 Corinthians 16:14 " Let all that you do be done with love".
Published: November 12, 2008
Wait For His Coming With Patience
Date: November 11, 2008
Read: James 5:7-12
These verses give us a number of reasons to pray:
1. Pray for the afflicted
2. Pray for the sick
3. Pray for one another
4. Pray for lost souls
There are many prayer promises in the Word of God and we often forget that “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” We can believe these promises because they were made by God and we are provided with an intercessor, Jesus Christ.
In the Old Testament the high priest could approach the mercy seat only once a year and we have the privilege of coming into the presence of God and presenting our petitions whenever we want. “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16
Published: November 11, 2008