Post by mommadee48 on Aug 5, 2022 10:55:16 GMT -5
OUR DAILY BREAD, CHARLES STANLEY (ISAIAH 11: [3*] 1-5).
HE KNOWS MY HEART:
AFTER A CUSTOMER AT A GROCERY STORE self-checkout station had completed her transaction, I made my way to the station and proceeded to scan my goods. Unexpectedly, a visibly angry person confronted me. I'd failed to notice that she was actually next in line for checkout. Recognizing my mistake, I sincerely said, "I'm sorry'. She replied (though not limited to these words), "No, you're not!"
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were wrong, acknowledged it, and tried to make things right---only to be rebuffed?
It doesn't feel good to be misunderstood or misjudged, and the closer we are to those we offend or those who offend us, the more painful it is.
How we wish they could see our hearts!
The prophet Isaiah's snapshot in Isaiah 11:1-5 is that of a God-appointed ruler with wisdom for perfect judgement. "He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth" (vv.3-4). This was fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus. Though in our sinfulness and weakness we don't always get it right, we can take heart that the all-seeing, all-knowing God of heaven knows us fully and judges us rightly.
When have you been misunderstood or misjudged?
How does it encourage you to know that God sees and knows you fully, even when others don't?
NEXT:
YOU CAN DO IT!
ENCOURAGEMENT IS LIKE OXYGEN---WE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT.
This was true for nine-year-old James Savage. The boy swam more than two miles from the San Francisco shoreline to Alcatraz Island and back, breaking the record for the youngest person to accomplish the feat. But thirty minutes into the swim, the choppy, frigid waters made James want to quit. However, a fleet of paddlers called out, "You can do it!" The words gave him the boost he needed to finish his goal.
When the choppy, frigid waters of tribulation made believers in Jesus want to give up, Paul and Barnabas encouraged them to continue their journey. After the apostles preached the gospel in the city of Derbe, they "returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging then to remain true to the faith" (ACTS14: 21-22). They helped the believers to remain firm in their faith in Jesus. Troubles had weakened them, but words of encouragement strengthened their resolve to live for Christ. In God's strength, they realized they could keep pressing on. Finally, Paul and Barnabas helped them understand that they would "go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (v.22).
Living for Jesus can be difficult, and we're sometimes tempted to give up. Fortunately, Jesus and fellow believers in Him can provide the encouragement we need to press on. With Him, we can do it!
What people in your circles of influence need to hear, "You can do it"?
What specific words of wisdom and encouragement can you share this week?
NEXT:
IN TOUCH, WITH CHARLES STANLEY; (JOHN 14:16-18).
A HELPER FOR ALL OCCASIONS:
DID YOU EVER WISH FOR AN EMERGENCY TELEPHONE LINE THAT RANG IN HEAVEN?
The truth is that we have something much better. The HOLY SPIRIT lives inside us to be out helper in every situation.
The night before His crucifixion, Jesus warned the disciples that He was about to depart. The news confused and frightened them, even though it wasn't the first time He'd spoken of His death. But the Lord offered His followers assurance that He would send them another Helper.
In this passage, the Greek word for "another" means "one of the same kind", signifying signifying that the new Helper would be like the Son of God---a divine being. As promised, God's Spirit came to dwell in Christ's followers at Pentecost (ACTS2:1-4).
Without the HOLY SPIRIT, we'd never be able to live the Christian life. That's why Jesus told the disciples to delay spreading the gospel until after the HOLY SPIRIT'S arrival. Our Helper not only empowers obedience but also teaches, guides, intercedes, comforts, transforms, and gifts us for service. Whenever we're beset by tough times or temptations, He provides strength, endurance, hope, and encouragement. We're so privileged to have a divine Helper who is personally assisting us every minute of every day.
HE KNOWS MY HEART:
AFTER A CUSTOMER AT A GROCERY STORE self-checkout station had completed her transaction, I made my way to the station and proceeded to scan my goods. Unexpectedly, a visibly angry person confronted me. I'd failed to notice that she was actually next in line for checkout. Recognizing my mistake, I sincerely said, "I'm sorry'. She replied (though not limited to these words), "No, you're not!"
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you were wrong, acknowledged it, and tried to make things right---only to be rebuffed?
It doesn't feel good to be misunderstood or misjudged, and the closer we are to those we offend or those who offend us, the more painful it is.
How we wish they could see our hearts!
The prophet Isaiah's snapshot in Isaiah 11:1-5 is that of a God-appointed ruler with wisdom for perfect judgement. "He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth" (vv.3-4). This was fulfilled in the life and ministry of Jesus. Though in our sinfulness and weakness we don't always get it right, we can take heart that the all-seeing, all-knowing God of heaven knows us fully and judges us rightly.
When have you been misunderstood or misjudged?
How does it encourage you to know that God sees and knows you fully, even when others don't?
NEXT:
YOU CAN DO IT!
ENCOURAGEMENT IS LIKE OXYGEN---WE CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT IT.
This was true for nine-year-old James Savage. The boy swam more than two miles from the San Francisco shoreline to Alcatraz Island and back, breaking the record for the youngest person to accomplish the feat. But thirty minutes into the swim, the choppy, frigid waters made James want to quit. However, a fleet of paddlers called out, "You can do it!" The words gave him the boost he needed to finish his goal.
When the choppy, frigid waters of tribulation made believers in Jesus want to give up, Paul and Barnabas encouraged them to continue their journey. After the apostles preached the gospel in the city of Derbe, they "returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, strengthening the disciples and encouraging then to remain true to the faith" (ACTS14: 21-22). They helped the believers to remain firm in their faith in Jesus. Troubles had weakened them, but words of encouragement strengthened their resolve to live for Christ. In God's strength, they realized they could keep pressing on. Finally, Paul and Barnabas helped them understand that they would "go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God" (v.22).
Living for Jesus can be difficult, and we're sometimes tempted to give up. Fortunately, Jesus and fellow believers in Him can provide the encouragement we need to press on. With Him, we can do it!
What people in your circles of influence need to hear, "You can do it"?
What specific words of wisdom and encouragement can you share this week?
NEXT:
IN TOUCH, WITH CHARLES STANLEY; (JOHN 14:16-18).
A HELPER FOR ALL OCCASIONS:
DID YOU EVER WISH FOR AN EMERGENCY TELEPHONE LINE THAT RANG IN HEAVEN?
The truth is that we have something much better. The HOLY SPIRIT lives inside us to be out helper in every situation.
The night before His crucifixion, Jesus warned the disciples that He was about to depart. The news confused and frightened them, even though it wasn't the first time He'd spoken of His death. But the Lord offered His followers assurance that He would send them another Helper.
In this passage, the Greek word for "another" means "one of the same kind", signifying signifying that the new Helper would be like the Son of God---a divine being. As promised, God's Spirit came to dwell in Christ's followers at Pentecost (ACTS2:1-4).
Without the HOLY SPIRIT, we'd never be able to live the Christian life. That's why Jesus told the disciples to delay spreading the gospel until after the HOLY SPIRIT'S arrival. Our Helper not only empowers obedience but also teaches, guides, intercedes, comforts, transforms, and gifts us for service. Whenever we're beset by tough times or temptations, He provides strength, endurance, hope, and encouragement. We're so privileged to have a divine Helper who is personally assisting us every minute of every day.