"No Retreat"

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."  Luke  9:62

     Unstable Christians are poor witnesses.  You cannot be an effective soul winner or a true disciple unless you are willing to go straight on for God regardless of what it costs you personally.  No wavering or looking back to the ways of the world and the "unfruitful works of darkness" can be permitted.  The life of victory demands unreserved consecration, unremitting diligence, and enduring perseverance.

     During the Revolutionary War, Washington came with his army to Brandywine Creek.  After they had crossed the bridge spanning the stream, one of the soldiers asked him,  "General, shall we burn the bridge, or leave it?  After all, the enemy might drive us back, and then we would need it to make good our retreat!" Washington gave a memorable reply:  "Burn the bridge!  It is victory or death!"

     When Napoleon was engaged in the great and momentous battle of Waterloo, among those taken prisoner was a Highland piper.  Napoleon, impressed by the mans' strange mountain garb and determined air, struck up a conversation with the captured but unvanquished foe.  Seeing that he had his instrument with him, Napoleon asked him to play a tune.  The highlander obliged.  "Now play a march,"  said Napoleon. Once again, the Scotchman did as he was told.  Finally the Emperor said,  "Play a retreat."  "Nay, nay,"  said the highlander,  "that I cannot do.  I never learned to play one."

     The saints of God too should never learn to "play a retreat."  Bridges of compromise must ever be burned behind us so that we leave no way back into the world.  We must make a complete break with our old sinful life.

     The furrows of our testimony will only be straight as we keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.  Follow Him no matter what the cost, Christian.  Never look back!  Never retreat!

"Bread For Each Day"

KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME!

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

KEEP YOUR EYES ON ME!  Waves of adversity are washing over you, and you feel tempted to give up. As your circumstances consume more and more of your attention, you are losing sight of Me.  Yet I am with you always, holding you by your right hand.  I am fully aware of your situation, and I will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to bear.

Your gravest danger is worrying about tomorrow.  If you try to carry tomorrow's burdens today, you will stagger under the load and eventually fall flat.  You must discipline yourself to live within the boundaries of today.  It is in the present moment that I walk close to you, helping you carry your burdens.  Keep your focus on My Presence in the present.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Which Was First?

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."   Ephesians  4:31

"Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?  declare, if thou hast understanding."    Job  38:4

     There are 40 question marks in the 38th chapter of Job.  There are 19 question marks in chapter 39 and 20 in chapter 41.  They are questions propounded by Jehovah to Job to show him how little he knew and how ignorant he was.  With all man's wisdom he still knows nothing as compared with God's omniscience. How foolish of men to refuse to believe what they cannot understand.  If this be true, then we cannot believe anything.  A little boy asked me,  "What is it we eat before it is born and after it is dead?"  After admitting I did not know, he said wisely,  "A chicken."  Even that I cannot understand:  how from an egg with white and yolk can come, in 21 days, a fully developed chick with all the genetic characteristics of its ancestors!

     At the dinner table of a Christian lady, a skeptic began railing on the Bible story of creation.  She interrupted him by saying,  "The Bible explains one thing you cannot answer."  She picked up an egg and asked,  "Where did this egg come from?"  "Why from a hen, of course."  The lady asked,  "And where did the hen come from?"  He was forced to reply,  "From an egg."  "And where did that egg come?"  "From the hen."  And so on - the egg - the hen; the hen - the egg;  etc., etc., etc.  "Which then was first - the hen or the egg?"  The reply was,   "The hen, of course."   "Then a hen existed before an egg?  Where did the hen come from?"  Frustrated, the infidel admitted his folly.

     Push back egg to hen, hen to egg, to its beginning and you come to God who made the hen that laid the egg from which all other hens and eggs have come.  Understand it?  If you do, you are wiser than I am.  The Bible says the hen was created by God - and the hen laid the egg.  The argument is settled in Genesis 1:20.

"Bread For Each Day"

I AM LEADING YOU, STEP BY STEP....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

I AM LEADING YOU, STEP BY STEP, through your life.  Hold My hand in trusting dependence, letting Me guide you through this day.  Your future looks uncertain and feels flimsy - even precarious.  That is how it should be.  Secret things belong to the Lord, and future things are secret things.  When you try to figure out the future, you are grasping at things that are Mine.  This, like all forms of worry, is an act of rebellion: doubting My promises to care for you.

Whenever you find yourself worrying about the future, repent and return to Me.  I will show you the next step forward, and the one after that, and the one after that.  Relax and enjoy the journey in My Presence, trusting Me to open the way before you as you go.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

The Hard-Boiled Missionary

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking e put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

             ". . . all things work together for good to them that love God."  Romans  8:28

     A lady who had been suffering for a long time was visited by many friends seeking to comfort her with verses of Scripture.  One verse which was used most frequently was Romans 8:28.  Instead of being encouraged, she began to resent the verse repeated so monotonously by those who were well and healthy. They little realized that it is easy to quote these verses glibly and loosely, when not in the same situation.  It is not always easy to understand that our sufferings and trials and pain are for a purpose.  It takes great faith to appropriate it.  Let us be careful not to thoughtlessly quote Scriptures, for sometimes we cannot see God's purpose until later when the testing is past.

     Yet it is true, whether we realize it or not, that everything God permits to come into our lives must have a reason.  Whatever God sends up on us is necessary and for some good purpose which we shall understand afterward.

     A missionary was captured by cannibals.  "I suppose you intend to eat me?"  said the missionary, and the chief grunted his affirmation.  "Try a sample first, and see if you like it,"  said the missionary as he took his knife and cut a slab from the calf of his leg and handed it to him.  "Try this and see."  The chief took one bite and choked.  The missionary had a cork let.  The chief wanted no more of it and the missionary was spared. Years before, he had thought it a great misfortune to lose his leg and to wear an artificial one, but afterward it saved his life.  It worked out "for good."

"Bread For Life"

Purified By Fire

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver."   Malachi 3:3

     A Christian is not to think it strange if he is called upon to suffer great trials and difficulties in this life.  For the "refiner's fire" is sent to make faith stronger and purer by its heat.  For every sanctified tear shed here in the furnace of affliction, there will be a jewel over there in the glory world (see Romans 8:18).  The rewards of Heaven will more than compensate for the "fiery trials."

     The refiner of old sat at his work, for it was of such a delicate and skilled nature that it was necessary for him to be close to his crucible so that he might intently watch the process.  Neither too little or nor too much heat must be applied.  The dross had to be removed at the precise moment when it could best be done without hurting or losing any of the precious metal.  So, too, every Christian must endure some suffering according to the will of God if the dross of sin and self is to be purged away.  These experiences are not pleasant to the flesh, but we may be assured that God loves us too much to give us a bit more pain than is actually needed.  He sits close by so that He may direct every minute detail of our spiritual cleansing.

     The alchemist of old knew when his gold was pure by the fact that he could see his image mirrored in it.  In the same manner, only when Christ is formed in us by grace, and we reflect His glory, may the furnace of affliction be left behind.

     May our prayer be,  "O refining fire, go through my life and purge it of all that would hinder a perfect reflection of my Savior!"

"Bread For Each Day"

YOU NEED ME EVERY MOMENT.....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

YOU NEED ME EVERY MOMENT. Your awareness of your constant need for Me is your greatest strength.  Your neediness, properly handled, is a link to My Presence.  However, there are pitfalls that you must be on guard against:  self-pity, self-preoccupation, giving.up.  Your inadequacy presents you with a continual choice - deep dependence on Me, or despair.  The emptiness you feel within will be filled either with problems or with My Presence.  Make Me central in your consciousness by praying continually: simple, short prayers flowing out of the present moment.  Use My Name liberally, to remind you of My Presence. Keep on asking and you will receive, so that your gladness may be full and complete.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

BE ON GUARD...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

BE ON GUARD against the pit of self-pity.  When you are weary or unwell, this demonic trap is the greatest danger you face.  Don't even go near the edge of the pit.  Its edges crumble easily, and before you know it, you are on the way down.  It is ever so much harder to get out of the pit than to keep a safe distance from it. That is why I tell you to be on guard.

There are several ways to protect yourself from self-pity.  When you are occupied with praising and thanking Me, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself.  Also, the closer you live to me, the more distance there is between you and the pit.  Live in the light of My Presence by fixing your eyes on Me.  Then you will be able to run with endurance the race that is set before you, without stumbling or falling.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

God Our Shield

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

            "Our soul waiteth for the Lord:  he is our help and our shield."  Psalm  33:20

     In himself man is weak and vulnerable; therefore, he often needs a shield to protect him.  Today we hear of the special equipment which is necessary to preserve human life in atomic plants and in space travel. We're also told of a radar shield, consisting of many military bases encircling American territory, which is needed to warn us of approaching danger from enemy attack.  Everywhere there is talk of the envelope of air that guards the earth and its inhabitants from deadly rays and meteors that bombard us from outer space. Spiritually, too, man is certain to fall before the onslaughts of the powers of evil unless he has a "hedge" built about him by the love and providence of God.  When we are saved we may claim the promise of Christ's abiding presence and protection, and we may confidently say,  "He is our help and our shield."  Nothing can touch us that is outside His perfect will."

     There is a sweet story that illustrates what it means to have Christ between us and everything else.  A lady in England tells of being awakened one morning by a very strange noise.  It sounded like the pecking of a bird.  When she got up she saw a butterfly flying back and forth inside the windowpane in great fright. Outside a sparrow was frantically pecking and trying to get in.  The butterfly did not see the glass, and expected every moment to be caught; the sparrow did not see the window either and expected every minute to catch the butterfly.  Yet all the while the butterfly was as safe as if it had been miles away, because of the glass which came between it and the sparrow.  So it is with Christians who are abiding in Christ.  His presence is between them and every danger.  How blessed to be able to look into the future confidently and say with assurance,  "Thou art my hiding place and my shield"  (Psalm  119:114).

"Bread For Each Day"

Never Irritated!

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                         "Love....is not provoked."  1 Corinthians  13:5

     We are told that this verse is not accurately translated.  Actually the word "easily" appears nowhere in the original.  Literally the passage read,  "(Love). . . is not touchy, or fretful, or resentful."  In other words; the love of God in our heart should keep us from becoming "exasperated."  Christians should be able to ignore the pinpricks of life and keep from irritableness and temper tantrums even in the presence of rudeness, insult, and injustice.  When we look at our own lives, however, we see how far we fall short of his ideal and how "touchy" we are.  In fact, we often dramatize to ourselves  "personal grievances,"  and consequently hold grudges against those who slight us, or hurt us with snide remarks.  Yet if we truly have the love of Jesus in our heart and have died to "self," we should be able to gain the victory over  "irritableness."

     D. L. Moody's son in his biography informs us that a man once grossly and deliberately insulted his father. Mr. Moody momentarily flared up in anger at the unjust attack.  Coming to the pulpit a bit later, however, he made this humble admission:  "Friends, before beginning tonight, I want to confess that out in the hall I yielded just now to my temper.  I have done wrong.  I want to confess my error before you all, and if that man is present here whom I thrust from me in anger, I want to ask his forgiveness and God's.  Let us pray." Moody's sincere apology reflected not a hint of excuse or self-vindication for the insult he had suffered.  It is said that the meeting which followed was a scene of unusual blessing because of his straight-forward, Christian confession of having been  "exasperated and angry."

     Oh, for the sweet, unruffled composure of true discipleship, for a love that is not soon provoked.  Resolve by God's grace not to be "irritated" today!

                                                    When I have talked in anger,
                                                       And my cheeks were flaming red,
                                                     I have always uttered something
                                                       Which I wish I had not said.

"Bread For Each Day"

I Am On My Way

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                         "....Whither goest thou?"   Zechariah  2:2

     "Do you know where you are going?"  I asked the driver of a car in which I was riding.  I was in a strange city, and to get to my destination, the driver took all the shortcuts through alleys and back streets, and on and off the main highway with its choked lanes of cars.  I was completely confused and the only direction I was sure of was "straight up."  The driver assured me he knew where he was going, and I felt much better.  Usually when men start on a journey they have a definite objective in view.  If it is a long trip into unknown regions, they obtain all the information they can, procure road maps, and carefully choose the clothing and provisions for the journey.  Yet how foolish the natural man is concerning his eternal destiny.  He knows he is going somewhere at any moment - into a future land.  But where?  Where are you going?  If I knew I might be called any day to leave suddenly for Africa, I would be a fool if I did not inquire about transportation, passport, and visa.  I would inquire about the country, its climate and geography so I would be ready.  Man knows he may be called at any moment, yet makes no inquiry as to the way to get there or the climate when he arrives.  The way is in the "road map," The Bible, and all the information you need is in the Word of God.  Better find out where  you are going.

     A certain speaker at a great convention was late for the meeting.  He rushed from the train, jumped in the first cab, and said to the driver,  "Drive me as fast as you can - I am in a hurry."  Off they went, bouncing and bumping, for the driver was a veritable Jehu.  After several minutes the speaker shouted,  "Are we almost there?"  "Where?"  said the cabby.  "All you told me was to drive fast!"  Some people drive fast but, where are they going?  Have you settled it?  Receive Christ;  He will lead you to glory!

"Bread For Each Day"

The Rainbow

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

"I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth."       Genesis  9:13

     The rainbow springs out of the conflict between light and darkness - it is a child of the storm.  It is caused by the sun of heaven shining upon the fast-dripping tears of earth.  After the flood it became the gracious pledge to man and every living creature that God would never again use water to destroy the earth.

     Typically, the rainbow seen upon the billows of justice, spoke of grace.  It looked ahead to the cross where God's wrath against sin would once-for-all be visited upon the believer's substitute, Jesus Christ. When the Light of the world and the storm clouds of judgment met at Calvary, a beautiful bow of promise and forgiveness came into view.  Its soft beauty and gracious promise of eternal life ever delights the spiritual eye.  It is the token that we shall someday live with God in fellowship with all the saints around His rainbow-circled throne  (Revelations  4:1-3).

     The rainbow too is a parable.  It tells one and all that nothing beautiful ever comes to pass in this life except there first be clouds, and storms, and sorrow.  Yet trial alone cannot give birth to this beautiful spectrum of grace, for it needs not only the fast-falling tears of distress below, but - even more important - the sunshine and glory from Heaven above!  Unless the light of God floods our sorrow, there can be no beautiful rainbow of hope, no glow of promise, no beauty in the darkness.  In human character there is hardly anything useful or attractive, but it has had suffering for a necessary condition - suffering lighted up by love!

     Are you experiencing the clouds of trouble?  If so, allow God's light to fall upon them.  His comfort in sorrow is assured, for He has said:  "When I  bring a cloud.....the bow shall be in (it)....and I will remember!"

I AM THE RISEN ONE...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

I AM THE RISEN ONE who shines upon you always.  You worship a living Deity, not some idolatrous, man-made image.  Your relationship with Me is meant to be vibrant and challenging, as I invade more and more areas of your life.  Do not fear change, for I am making you a new creation, with old things passing away and new things continually on the horizon.  When you cling to old ways and sameness, you resist My work within you.  I want you to embrace all that I am doing in your life, finding your security in Me alone.

It is easy to make an idol of routine, finding security within the boundaries you build around your life. Although each day contains twenty-four hours, every single one presents a unique set of circumstances. Don't try to force-fit today into yesterday's mold.  Instead, ask Me to open your eyes, so you can find all I have prepared for you in this precious day of Life.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Sheep And Pigs

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                                "My sheep . . . . follow me."  John  10:27

     Some time ago I saw a picture of trained pigs who had been taught by the owner to follow his commands.  The acts were very simple.  Any dog, even a mutt, could be taught these things, and no one would think them unusual.  Then why the oh's and ah's and thunderous applause from the gallery when a pig stood on its hind legs to reach an ear of corn?  Simply because these were not normal pigs.  They did not act like pigs.  Ordinary pigs cannot be led - they must be driven to the slaughter.  How different a sheep - it follows the shepherd.  The shepherd  "leadeth them out"  (John 10:3), and  "he goeth before them"  (John 10:4).

     A sheep not only follows the shepherd but looks up into the shepherd's face.  You have all seen the beautiful painting of a shepherd holding a lamb in his arm, while the mother sheep with lifted head looks up at the lamb and the shepherd's face.  But how different is the pig; it has no neck - so cannot lift its head.  Its eyes are set so they look toward the ground.  While a sheep grazes and browses, a pig only roots and grubs. The only way a pig can be made to look up is to turn him on his back.  I visited a sick friend and told him this comparison of pigs and sheep.  "Yes,"  he said,  "I'm learning my lesson on my back in bed.  I have been so busy with material things - my business, my civic duties - that I haven't been looking up as I should.  And now on my back, the only way I can look is up.  I've been so piggish, but thank God, He is turning me over." Are you on your back today, and wondering why?  Maybe He is trying to teach you to look up, and not be so busy with earthly cares that you neglect spiritual things!

"Bread For Each Day"

Memories

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                           "I remember the days of old."   Psalm  143:5

     David was given to much meditation and reminiscing.  Again and again we hear him saying,  "I remember"  (Psalm 42:4; 63:6; 77:10; 137:6).  Memory may be either a great comfort or a great torture.  The memory of our sins can haunt us to distraction.  The memory of God's faithfulness is a source of infinite strength. Memory can take away fear or it can lead to despair.  When David says,  "I remember the days of old,"  he must have been thinking of his childhood days when he was just an obscure shepherd lad.  Now he was a great king, and prone to become proud and haughty.  Remembering how God in grace had called him, he bows humbly before Him and says,  "Who remembered us in our low estate:  for his mercy endureth for ever"  (Psalm  136:23).

     Paul says,  "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles....without Christ....aliens....having no hope, and without God in the world  (Ephesians  2:11, 12).

     There is a story of a Persian King who was elevated from a poverty-stricken home to the glory of a royal throne.  When he became king he sent his servants to the old shack where he was reared, with orders to gather every relic of those days.  They brought fragments of his home; many broken toys, his patched pantaloons, an old torn and tattered shirt, a crude wooden bowl, from which he ate, and numerous worthless mementos of his childhood.  All these he arranged in a special room of his palace, and each day he spend one whole hour sitting among the memories of his humble past.  On the wall hung a prayer:  "Lest I forget."  Let us keep such a chamber of memory, and daily praise Him who brought us up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set our feet upon a rock.  Lord make me humble!  Remember!

"Bread For Each Day"

Corn Or Chaff?

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

        "The ungodly are  . . . like the chaff which the wind driveth away."  Psalm  1:4

     Chaff is a mere shadow of its former self; it is a shell, a husk - the best of it is gone.  And so it is with man.  As someone has said,  "Man, once good wheat, has lost the kernel of all goodness - God."

     Chaff is easily driven to and fro by the elements.  So too the ungodly are unstable in all their ways and quickly yield to the winds of adversity and temptation.

     Threshing floors in ancient times were generally situated on top of hills, or at least on high mounds of earth, so that the winds could freely do their work.  When beaten with a rod and exposed to the wind, the chaff would soon be blown away, but the true grain would remain at the feet of the flailer, ready for his use. All this, in parabolic form, presents both the reactions of the wicked and of the saved in the presence of affliction.  The unconsecrated soul in rebellion flies up in the face of God when it feels the sting of the rod; while the true corn falls at His feet in loving, trustful submission - ready for more acceptable service when the chastening is over.

     The end of the whole matter is seen in Luke 3:17:  "He will thoroughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable."  

     Friend, when the rod of affliction is laid upon you, do you fly up in God's face like the chaff - agitated and completely ruffled; or do you react as the more solid kernel of value, so full of faith and deep settled peace that you fall resignedly at His feet in humble worship - ready to be used as He sees fit?  When the winds of adversity blow about you, it will soon be made manifest whether you are true "corn" or valueless "chaff"!

"Bread For Each Day"

I AM EVER SO NEAR YOU...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

I AM EVER SO NEAR YOU, hovering over your shoulder, reading every thought.  People think that thoughts are fleeting and worthless, but yours are precious to Me.  I smile when you think lovingly of Me. My Spirit, who lives within you, helps you to think My thoughts.  As your thinking goes, so goes your entire being.

Let Me be your positive Focus.  When you look to Me, knowing Me as God with you, you experience Joy. This is according to My ancient design, when I first crafted man.  Modern man seeks his positive focus elsewhere: in sports, sensations, acquiring new possessions.  Advertising capitalizes on the longing of people for a positive focus in their lives.  I planted that longing in human souls, knowing that only I could fully satisfy it.  Delight yourself in Me; let Me become the Desire of your heart.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Back To The Altar

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

   "Unto the place of the altar, which he (Abram) had made there at the first."  Genesis 13:4

     Abram had built an altar on a mountain between Bethel and Hai (Genesis 12:8); here he had worshiped and was happy.  Then a famine came and Abram, unwilling to trust God, went into Egypt (type of the world) and got himself into a peck of trouble.  (Have you read the Scripture - Genesis 12:10-13:4?  Well!  Stop! and do it now!)

     After his narrow escape in Egypt he returned to the altar called "The place of the beginning," and was restored to fellowship.  Are you, my friend, out of fellowship, away from the altar where you started? Remember how happy you were when you first met Jesus?  What has happened?  You have forgotten where you began - at the cross.  Don't forget where Jesus found you - retrace your steps, confess your drifting, and begin anew at "the place of the beginning."

     An ancient legend tells us that the little dwarf, Zacchaeus, lived in Jericho to a ripe old age.  Every morning at sunrise he would go out for a walk, and when he returned he was always beaming with joy as he began his day's work.  His wife became curious to learn his holy secret and one day followed him.  He went to the old sycamore tree he had climbed when Jesus saw him  (Luke 19:4-5), took a pail and proceeded to pour water on its roots all around.  Then he pulled the weeds, and with folded hands, he stood reverently looking up into its branches fora  few moment and said,  "Thank you, Lord, thank you!"  and smiling, went about his task for the day.  If each day you go back to the place of the beginning and say,  "Thank you, Lord!"  it will keep you happy.  Take time each morning - no matter how busy - for a word from Him (in the Book), and a word with Him (in prayer).  Try it!  It works!

"Bread For Each Day"

TRUST ME ENOUGH...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

TRUST ME ENOUGH to spend ample time with Me, pushing back the demands of the day.  Refuse to feel guilty about something that is so pleasing to Me, the King of the universe.  Because I am omnipotent, I am able to bend time and events in your favor.  You will find that you can accomplish more in less time, after you have given yourself to Me in rich communion.  Also, as you align yourself with My perspective, you can sort out what is important and what is not.

Don't fall into the trap of being constantly on the go.  Many, many things people do in My Name have no value in My kingdom.  To avoid doing meaningless works, stay in continual communication with me. I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go I will counsel you with My eye upon you.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Who's On The Throne?

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                               "... I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me."  Galatians  2:20

     Every man's heart is a throne.  Before one is saved, self reigns there supreme in arrogance and pride.  Only the grace of God can dethrone the ego and let Christ have His rightful place.  But even in the Christian, self is the last enemy to be destroyed.  It will make any concessions if it only will be allowed to live.  Self will permit the believer to do anything, sacrifice anything, suffer anything, be anything, go anywhere, take any liberties, bear any crosses, afflict soul or body to any degree ...ANYTHING if it can just have first place. Self Dies Hard!  Yet, self must die if Christ is to reign supreme.

     A famous violinist was making his way through a great American forest one day when he came to a hut in which dwelt a hermit who had left his home in the city in bitterness of heart.  An old violin helped him to pass away the tedious hours.  At night he took down the instrument and played some very simple airs.  The master violinist said,  "Do you think I might play a bit?"  "I hardly think it possible, it took me years to learn, but you may try if you like"  The great master took the instrument, drew his bow across the strings, and instantly the room was filled with harmony.  Then he played,  "Home Sweet Home,"  "Nearer, My God, To Thee,"  and other simple songs until the old hermit sobbed like a child.  What a difference between the violin in the hands of the hermit and in the hands of the master!  Oh, that we might let God take the bow and play upon the violin of our life the melody of His will.  Say, who is sitting in the throne room of your heart - Christ, or self?

"Bread For Each Day"

I AM ABOVE ALL THINGS....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians 4:31

I AM ABOVE ALL THINGS:  your problems, your pain, and the swirling events in this ever-changing world.  When you behold My Face, you rise above circumstances and rest with Me in heavenly realms.  This is the way of Peace, living in the Light of My Presence.  I guarantee that you will always have problems in this life, but they must not become your focus.  When you feel yourself sinking in the sea of circumstances, say  "Help me, Jesus!"  and I will draw you back to Me.  If you have to say that thousands of times daily, don't be discouraged.  I know your weakness, and I meet you in that very place.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

COME TO ME FOR REST...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

COME TO ME FOR REST and refreshment.  The journey has been too much for you, and you are bone-weary.  Do not be ashamed of your exhaustion.  Instead, see it as an opportunity for Me to take charge of your life.

Remember that I can fit everything into a pattern for good, including the things you wish were different. Start with where you are at this point in time and space, accepting that this is where I intend you to be.  You will get through today one step, one moment at a time.  Your main responsibility is to remain attentive to Me, letting Me guide you through the many choices along your pathway.

This sounds like an easy assignment, but it is not.  Your desire to live in My Presence goes against the grain of  "the world, the flesh, and the devil."  Much of your weariness results from your constant battle against these opponents.  However, you are on the path of My choosing, so do not give up!  Hope in Me, for you will again praise Me for the help of My Presence.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

The Boll Weevils Of Povidence

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

            "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.... "   Psalm  32:8

     In the center of the busy main street in Enterprise, Alabama, there stands one of the strangest monuments in the world.  It is a memorial in honor of an insect.  Handsomely carved in stone is the likeness of a boll weevil.  Charley McCaull relates the following interesting story concerning the strange leading of Providence which led to its erection.  He says,  "From early plantation days all the farmers of the community struggled to raise cotton - it was their main crop.  When it failed, they failed.  As the seasons unfolded, a serious pestilence was brought forth.  A little beetle began to damage the boll of the plant.  In time it became almost impossible to 'make' a crop.  George Washington Carver, along with others, became desperate and began research.  Peanuts were the answer.  They found that this underground vegetable could be planted and harvested in the area with very little loss.  Soon peanut-oil mills took the place of cotton gins, and the region became knows as 'The Peanut Center of the World.'  Moreover, they found their new profits far exceeded those of their former efforts.  Many became wealthy due to the changeover.  And the insect - however destructive - that brought such a boon of prosperity was not forgotten.  The statue stands as a memorial to its work."

     Is there a lesson here for us?  Maybe God lets "weevils" work havoc in our lives for a purpose.  Maybe we are trying to grow cotton when we should be planting "peanuts!"

     We need to learn that delays and disappointments are often the "boll weevils of Providence" sent by a gracious God to make us plant a more profitable crop of His choosing!

"Bread For Each Day"

By Faith We Understand

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                                "Through faith we understand."  Hebrews  11:3

     Faith begins where reason ends!  As long as we can understand a thing, see it, taste it, handle it, we do not need faith to believe it.  Psychologists and psychiatrists deal only in the realm of the physical and the psychical, but stop short of the spiritual.  Beyond the physical and mental realm lies the infinity of faith.  When we have reached the limit of logic, reason, and understanding, it is then we can rise up on the wings of faith and find that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.

     A certain learned psychiatrist, an avowed infidel, went to a gospel meeting with the intention of ridiculing the preacher.  After the preacher had asserted his faith in Christ, the doctor challenged him and said to him, "How do you know there is, or ever was, a Christ?  Have you ever seen Him?"  "No!"  "Have you ever tasted Him?"  "No!"  "Have you ever smelled Him?"  "No!"  He then asked,  "Have you ever felt Him?"  and the answer was "Yes."  To the question  "What does he feel like?"  the answer was,  "Only those who have felt Him could understand."  "Aha,"  said the doctor,  "four of the five sense: taste, smell, hearing, and sight, tell you nothing and the fifth, feeling, you can't explain."  But the simple preacher had an answer.  He said, "you are a doctor and deal with pain.  Did you ever see a pain?"  "No!"  "Taste a pain?"  "No!'  "Smell a pain?"  "No!'  "Did you ever hear a pain?"  "No!"  "Feel one?"  "Yes, I have!"  "What does it feel like?" "Well, ah, ah, it, it, well you've got to experience it to understand it."  "Yes, and so it is with salvation.  To all others it is foolishness!"

"Bread For Each Day"

COME TO ME AND REST.....

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

COME TO ME AND REST.  I am with you, to bless and restore.  Breathe Me in with each breath.  The way just ahead of you is very steep.  Slow down and cling tightly to My hand.  I am teaching you a difficult lesson, learned only by hardship.

Lift up empty hands of faith to receive My precious Presence.  Light, Life, Joy, and Peace flow freely through this gift.  When your focus turns away from Me, you grasp for other things.  You drop the glowing gift of My Presence as you reach for lifeless ashes.  Return to Me; regain My Presence.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Looking In All Directions

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

                  "But Jonah rose up to flee....from the presence of the Lord."  Jonah  1:3

     What fools men become when they disobey the commandments of the Lord.  Surely Jonah knew better than to imagine that he could escape from the Lord by hiding himself in the hold of a ship.  Yet how many there are who live as though God were stone-blind and cannot see what they do, and stone-deaf so that He does not hear what they say.  Yet these too must know better, for the Bible says that "the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth" (II Chronicles 16:9).  David says in Psalm  139:  "O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me.  Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off, and art acquainted with all my ways.  For there is not a word in my tongue, but thou knowest it altogether."

     Why do we try to hide things from people?  Why do men practice things in secret which would make them ashamed if others knew of it?  Why do people think they are "getting away" with something because others are not aware of it?  Do we forget that there is ONE who sees and hears all we do and say?  If we don't want people to know, how is it that we are so unconcerned about the fact that God knows?  Do we really believe that God sees all?  Read again Psalm 139.

     A father and a little son were riding in the country and saw a watermelon patch a little way off the highway.  The father said to the lad,  "You watch here, while I go get a melon."  He entered the patch, lifted a choice melon from the vine, and called to the boy.  "Is anyone coming - look both ways."  The little fellow replied,  "But daddy, shouldn't we look UP too?"  Yes, that is the most important place to look.  How do you behave when no one is looking but God?  Test yourself by this rule.

"Bread For Each Day"

BRING ME YOUR WEAKNESS...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

BRING ME YOUR WEAKNESS, and receive My Peace.  Accept yourself and your circumstances just as they are, remembering that I am sovereign over everything.  Do not wear yourself out with analyzing and planning.  Instead, let thankfulness and trust be your guides through this day; they will keep you close to Me. As you live in the radiance of My Presence, My Peace shines upon you.  You will cease to notice how weak or strong you feel, because you will be focusing on Me.  The best way to get through this day is step by step with Me.  Continue this intimate journey, trusting that the path you are following is headed for heaven.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"

Getting In Shape

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

     "For which cause we faint not;....though our outward man perish."  2 Corinthians  4:16

     A well-known evangelist is quoted in an English publication as having told the following true story in one of his campaigns.  He said:  "I have a friend who during the depression lost a job, a fortune, a wife, and a home, but tenaciously held to his faith - the only thing he had left.  One day he stopped to watch some men doing stone work on a huge church.  One of them was chiseling a triangular piece of rock.  'What are you going to do with that?' asked my friend.  The workman said,  'Do you see that little opening way up there near the spire?  Well, I am shaping this down here so that it will fit in up there.'  Tears filled his eyes as he walked away, for it seemed that God had spoken through the workman to explain the ordeal through which he was passing."  Some of you who are reading this devotional are also going through difficult times.  Perhaps you are experiencing a great deal of pain and physical disability.  The outward man seems to be "perishing."  Yet if you are a child of God you should not despair nor "faint" ;for all these things are from the loving hand of your Heavenly Father who is "shaping you down here so you will fit in up there."

     All of us live in houses of clay which will soon return to dust; yet it is blessed to know that as God works upon the pliable putty of our human frailty, it can result for us in "an eternal weight of glory" if, through the process, our inward man is renewed and shaped more perfectly according to His divine will.  The chisel of trial may hurt, but remember, it is "shaping you down here so you will fit in up there!"

"Bread For Each Day"

FOLLOW ME ONE STEP AT A TIME...

Come, sit, and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in the comfort of the Lord:  "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamour and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice."  Ephesians  4:31

FOLLOW ME ONE STEP AT A TIME.  That is all I require of you.  In fact, that is the only way to move through this space/time world.  You see huge mountains looming, and you start wondering how you're going to scale those heights.  Meanwhile, because you're not looking where you're going, you stumble on the easy path where I am leading you now.  As I help you get back on your feet, you tell Me how worried you are about the cliffs up ahead.  But you don't know what will happen today, much less tomorrow.  Our path may take an abrupt turn, leading you away from those mountains.  There may be an easier way up the mountains than is visible from this distance.  If I do you lead up the cliffs, I will equip you thoroughly for that strenuous climb.  I will even give My angels charge over you, to preserve you in all your ways.

Keep your mind on the present journey, enjoying My Presence.  Walk by faith, not by sight, trusting Me to open up the way before you.

"Jesus Calling - Enjoying Peace In His Presence"