Fire Brick

On May 3, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Joshua 1: 8

This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

Do you know what a fire brick is? According to Wikipedia it is “ a block of refractory ceramic material used in lining furnaces, kilns, fireboxes, and fireplaces.” Have you ever wondered what material is used in the kilns and furnaces? With the fires getting so hot, how can any material hold molten steel or glass or even survive the temperatures of the furnaces?

Years and years ago I heard Dick Mills give a talk in which he used fire brick as an example. Obviously, it stuck with me. He compared the Bible to fire brick. As we read the Bible, day after day, searching its pages and gleaning the wisdom of God, we are actually laying in the fire brick of our souls. Those days and days of reading prepare us for the days when the fire is really hot. We are prepared, in other words, for what the world throws at us because the Word of God has been laid in like fire brick.

A friend of mine is enjoying “overnight success.” In the last year she has published two books, being invited to speak at conferences, done TV interviews, has just returned from a ten week speaking tour in Australia and New Zealand, and her ministry has gone from almost non-existent to flourishing. Why? Answer – fire brick. She has been laying in the Word for 20 years. Bit by little bit God has built a majestic tower out of her daily diligence. That is the way overnight success works, through year by year faithfulness.

The same thing will work for you too. The time you spend today in God’s Word may be next month’s saving grace. Your daily reading of scripture is preparing you for everything which will come your way. So, don’t be caught unprepared. Get your Word on.

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Prayer Cramp

On May 2, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   2 Comments

Mark 9:24

Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

I was praying today for someone when I felt the smallest twinge as the words came out of my mouth. What I prayed is promised in the scriptures so why that little twinge? I stopped right then and asked our Father about it. Although I completely believed in my mind what I was praying and could quote chapter and verse where God promised it, my heart was unconvinced. That is when this verse came to my mind. “Help me in my unbelief Jesus!”

We all have areas where we believe the Word with our minds but our hearts still suffer little twinges of doubt. No worries. First, be sensitive enough to what is going on in your heart that you sense those hiccups. Second, we have a helper. We do not have to help ourselves and in truth, I don’t believe we can. The Holy Spirit can certainly work within us, though, to minister those truths to us at a level that we can accept. He leads us into real belief, the kind that cannot be upset.

As I prayed, the Lord convinced me that what I was praying was not only achievable but that it was the least He wants to do. He showed me that the promise is within the parameters of what we can believe, but not to the level He would like to perform. All of a sudden my faith in His Word and in His desire to meet the needs of all of His children was magnified. Well, truth be told, His desire really was not to meet the needs of His kids. Provision just comes with the territory. His desire is to give us abundant life, more than enough. That fueled my prayer and I believe that what I prayed, the Father will do. It seems He was just waiting for me to conquer my doubt so that together we could really bless people.

Now, do you want to hear the best part? I pray for every person who reads this devotional, even those of you who pick it up on the internet that I have never heard of and don’t even know you are reading. Dad knows you are there and now I have renewed vigor in my prayer life. Watch out! Dad and I are praying for you!

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Saved from Wrath

On May 1, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   1 Comment

1 Thessalonians 5: 9

For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

It surprises me that there is still confusion over God’s feelings towards us. Even people who have John 3: 16 memorized still talk about God’s wrath and about how He is going to pour out His wrath upon us. Well, this verse would seem to lay aside that perspective in favor of a God who loves us and intended to save us, even to save us from Wrath.

God is love (1 John 4: 8) and everything He does is from the vantage of love. Our crimes demanded punishment but because He wanted to spare us from our just due, He sent Jesus to take all of the punishment, all of the wrath upon himself. We have been pardoned. The jail cell doors are thrown open wide. We are free. We are excused from the prison cell and invited into the throne room. God saved us from the sentence levied against us by condemning Jesus. Therefore, we are no longer destined to or for wrath but rather our destinies are salvation, love, hope and peace through the grace of our Father and the triumph of Jesus’ sacrifice.

Love is in the house. Love demands kindness, not wrath. Love demands gentleness. Let’s get a revelation of our Father. He is gentle and kind, not angry. Any anger He had, He poured out on Jesus. Sometimes I think we do “Him” a disfavor by attributing the male pronoun to Him because the Bible reveals that He is male and female. Were we able to comprehend Him in His fullness, I think it would be easier for us to attribute His nurturing nature to His every thought and gesture. He is the strong warrior who protects us from the storm but He is every bit the tender soul who cuddles us in warmth and affection. He is the most emotionally expressive person you will ever meet. In fact, He is so effusive with His declarations of love that He will embarrass you.

You were not destined to endure anger or wrath. You were and are destined for greatness in Christ Jesus through the love and salvation bought for you at the cross and in truth, at the dawn of time. You are destined to sit on your heavenly parent’s knee and receive comfort and the outpouring of incomprehensible love. Receive love and abandon fear of wrath. Receive the fullness of Salvation.

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Precarious Steps

On April 28, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   1 Comment

Psalm 37: 23 – 24

The steps of a man are established by the Lord; and He delights in his way. When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.

After yesterday’s Word on God giving us hind’s feet for the high places this passage seemed appropriate. I watched a video today of a guy riding down a treacherous path on his bike. It was awe inspiring. There were sections where I thought to myself, “That would be hard to hike much less traverse on a bike.” Of course it didn’t help that the bike rider was at the top of a mountain and that the trail was perched precariously on the outside edge. I could glimpse a river every now and again and it was thousands of feet below the trail. Whew!

How nice is it that when we feel like we are on a path like that or that we must navigate some hazardous ground that we not only have hind’s feet but we also have our heavenly Father right beside us holding our hands. Can you see Him beside you in your mind’s eye? Can you see Him holding your hand?

I am thinking about the first time we rode a bike. Many of us had someone running along beside us helping us to stay upright. If I picture myself on my bike I can turn to the side and see the Father holding me up. You know, sometimes I need that. How about you? What are you doing now (besides reading this)? Are you at work? Are you about to go to your workout? Whatever is next on your schedule, Father God would love to do it with you. If you will let Him establish your steps, guide your way, I am sure that all will be better and easier.

Just think about riding your bike down that very challenging trail, it is the Portal trail in Moab, Utah, by the way. Wouldn’t you want Father establishing your steps, perhaps steering too? This is a perfect metaphor for life. If you can see yourself on a challenging hike or picking your way down the Portal Trail and imagine our Father coaching you with every step and holding on to you, then you have the picture of what your life can be, should be. He will help you to not put a foot wrong. He will catch you if you fall. You will not be hurled headlong and brother that is good news in life and on the Portal Trail.

Look up the trail. Watch the video. It is on the Ivey Ministries Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/IveyMinistries/). You will likely conclude that it is challenging, but then, so is life.

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Higher

On April 27, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

2 Samuel 22: 34

He makes my feet like hinds’ feet, and sets me on my high places.

I have always liked this verse. It reminds me of a book someone gave me when I was a teenager, Hinds Feet on High Places by Hannah Hurnard. I am not sure I ever understood this verse though. This morning the words, “He makes my feet like hind’s feet” came to my mind and then I thought, “Why? Why does He make our feet like the feet of a hind?”

A hind is a female deer normally referring to the red deer. They live often in mountainous areas and are known for their ability to navigate the high terrain. They are able to move over the rocks with speed and grace. Watching them move, you wouldn’t even guess that the way is rough.

That really speaks to why God gives us hind’s feet. The answer that came to my mind this morning as I contemplated the analogy was that we are meant to live on the high places. Of course, the second part of the verse clearly indicates that Father sets us on the high ground. One insight that comes to me is that this is another example of how the Father equips us. No matter where He puts us, He always equips us with what we need in order to make the journey smooth.

The Bible uses this language in three places: today’s verse of course (2 Samuel 22: 34), Psalm 18: 33 and Habakkuk 3: 19. I appreciate a further insight we glean from Habakkuk, “The Lord God is my strength, and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet, and makes me walk on my high places.” The addition of the admission that the Lord God is our strength gives us confidence that we can, in fact, scale the heights. He sets us on high but not on our own. He empowers us, gives us strength and sure footing. He leads our steps so that we do not slip. Whatever He calls us to do, we can do as long as we are with Him. All things are possible with God (Mark 10: 27) though I do not like my chances very much without Him.

I believe our Father wants to lead us to mountaintops. I think He wants us to enjoy the view from the top. I cannot arrive there on my own though. Even if we could manage to get to the top, would we find the footing too difficult to maintain our position with ease? Knowing, however, that Father will set us on the top of the hill and give us feet purposely made for traversing that terrain takes the worry and concern from us. Our job is to enter into His rest; to live in Him. The rest, He takes care of. So, today, ponder what God the Father is saying to you through this verse. What does He want your heart to hear? I think He wants to take you higher.

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Heart’s Desires

On April 26, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Psalm 37: 4

Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.

You have perhaps heard this verse quoted before. It is on my heart today so I took a closer look at it. I truly believe that our Father wants to give us the desires of our hearts and He seems to hover over us just waiting for an opportunity to pour into our lives. As I look at this verse today I find such a bond and closeness with the Lord that I want to bring you in to this warm glow with me.

First, let me share some other versions with you. as you know, I quote from the New American Standard Version unless otherwise noted. It is my favorite version but I read from many different versions, especially when I do verse or word studies because they shine the light from a little different perspective and can illuminate a subtle meaning. Today’s verse is a good case in point. The NASB leaves us wondering just a bit, doesn’t it? What does it mean to “Delight yourself in the Lord?” I bet most of us read that as, “Be pleasing to the Lord” or “Be good” and he will give your heart desires. The NIV clarifies this delight we are to know, “Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Isn’t that great? We are not being told to be on our best behavior and then Father will give us presents at all. We are being led to let our hearts take joy in our Father. That is a whole different perspective. I love where the God’s Word translation takes us, “Be happy with the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Are you getting this? This verse isn’t about our righteousness and good works at all. It is all about enjoying our Father and being happy with Him and in Him.

Your joy in Him just releases the bounty. If you are a grand-parent you know exactly what I am talking about. You want to do for those you love and you want to give them all kinds of things but sometimes they just won’t let you. Your Heavenly Father is that way too. He wants you to open up and let Him in and He is bringing gifts with Him. Yahoo! I don’t mind telling you. I like getting gifts. I like opening packages but in addition to all kinds of material and worldly things, our Father also brings all those intangibles with Him and we like those too, don’t we? He has healing and peace in His hands just to name two. So, tell Him what you want and then invite Him to the party. Enjoy His presence. Take delight in Him. That is really the greatest gift ever.

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To the Sky

On April 25, 2017   /   Word of the Day   /   Leave a comment

Mark 10: 27

Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

Do you believe this statement? I know Jesus spoke this but do we really believe it? It is hard to believe, is it not? But then, Jesus takes us out of our comfort zone every time he speaks. Of course, he did remarkable things so maybe his performance has something to do with his belief system. Perhaps, he believed that all things are possible with God so he changed water to wine, walked on water, translated from one place to another and healed everyone who went to him. Does any of this answer the questions for us though, I mean, afterall, he is Jesus.

The problem with that justification is Matthew 17: 20 which reads, “And He said to them, ‘Because of the littleness of your faith; for truly I say to you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you.’” Nothing is impossible to us, according to Jesus but then, what does he know? Maybe he only spoke metaphorically. In other words, he didn’t really mean this. Of course Mark 9: 23 stands in the way of that logic as well, “All things are possible to him who believes.” Now we are back to that belief thing again. And in Luke 1: 37 Jesus is recorded saying, “For nothing will be impossible with God.” Not to God, but with God.

I am forced to some conclusions. First, I don’t think Jesus wasted his breath saying things that are not true because: 1) he is the truth and 2) he knew his time was short. Yes, he spoke in parables but that is not the same as speaking metaphorically. I think accusing him of poetic rather than illustrative speech is just a way for me to justify my failures and lack of belief. If, however, I wish to rise from the ashes like a phoenix and stand on the high ground my Father promised me, then I think I must come to grips with this language in its truest and most literal form.

Second, in none of these verses is my doing of the impossible a solo act. It is our belief in and faith in God along with doing everything “with” God which empowers the supernatural so that all things become possible. Jesus didn’t do anything in his own might either (John 14: 10). He believed in and relied in the might of the Father.

Third, I must conclude and accept that Jesus consistently spoke about us doing these acts. Not only that, but Jesus gave us this very problematic verse in John 14: 12, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do.” Though we cannot do them in our own might, we must also recognize that he talks about us doing the impossible just as he did, well, even greater really. My point is that none of these verses describes a scenario wherein we pray and God manifests and does whatever needs doing. It seems, in fact, it is quite the other way around. God empowers us to part the sea, heal the sick, and do all the other “impossible” things which each day presents to us.

As for me, I choose to believe that Jesus meant exactly what he said. Am I performing impossible tasks everyday? No, but I am reaching a great deal higher than I would if I did not believe Jesus, the Holy Spirit and my Father are capable of carrying me to mountain tops. Come with me. Let’s explore the boundaries. How far can we go if we believe?

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