Word-Vessel

Whose Life Is It?

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:34:00 +0000

Life. Such an amazing gift. Unfortunately, in our sinful state of humanity, we view this gift as ours. Like two-year olds, we boastfully claim, "Mine, mine, mine."

But nothing could be further than the truth. He is the generator of our life in every sense. ‘For in Him we live and move and have our being.’ ~Acts 17:28a (NIV)

For those of us who claim to be Christians, this tendency to live life our way is even more ludicrous. Consider the following verses:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. ~Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. ~1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ~Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Since our lives are not our own and Christ lives within us, our greatest task is to complete His mission. For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. ~Luke 19:10 (NKJV)

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others...For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, and therefore all died. And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again. ~2 Corinthians 5:11, 14-15 (NIV)

The last verses reveal two motivating factors when it comes to living our lives out loud for the Lord and for the lost.

1. "We know what it is to fear (reverence) the Lord." Our reverence of Who He is and what His Word says gives us fuel to persuade others.

2. "Christ's love compels us." His death on the cross for all mankind seizes us and consumes us. When we realize (as much as is humanly possible) the depth of His love for us--what He was willing to do to bring us back to Him--we want to share that love with others so they too may experience His amazing saving grace.

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ~Matthew 16:25 (NKJV)

Father God, how blessed we are to find our life in You. Make us ever mindful that we are not our own. Keep the fact that we were bought at a great price in the forefront of our thoughts. Lord, You are Almighty and Holy God. May our reverence for You help persuade others. Thank You for loving us so much that You were willing to suffer the agony of the cross to redeem us. Grip our hearts with this truth so we boldly share Your love with a lost and dying world. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

The Benefits of Dwelling with God

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:02:00 +0000

God desires fellowship and communion with Him. (See last week's post.) He is to be our focus and He is the ultimate reward. But above and beyond that, He blesses us with even more when we choose to make Him our dwelling place.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.” ~Psalm 91 (NIV)

Consider the benefits of dwelling with Him:

shelter
rest
refuge
protection
removal of fear
no harm
rescue
deliverance
honor
long life
salvation

Oh, LORD my God, how glorious is the experience of making You my dwelling place! Help me always be mindful of Your benefits so that praise and thanksgiving continually flow from my lips over all You are and all You've done. Thank You for desiring a relationship with me, and for Your grace and sacrifice that made it possible. Amen.

Intimacy With God

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 15:41:00 +0000

Our most special relationships on earth are those which are intimate. Within these relationships we find a closeness and a level of trust and understanding that are missing in our casual friendships. How mind-boggling it is that our God desires an intimate relationship with us!

In fact, He created man for this type of intimate relationship and enjoyed it until sin entered the human race and separated us from our Holy God (Genesis 3:1-9).

Throughout God's Word, this idea of intimacy with Him is revealed.

My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” ~Psalm 27:8 (NLT)

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. ~Psalm 91:1 (ESV)

Ah, I hear my Lover coming! He is leaping over the mountains, bounding over the hills. My Lover is like a swift gazelle or a young stag. Look, there He is behind the wall, looking through the window, peering into the room. ~Song of Solomon 2:8-9 (NLT)

Jesus turned and saw them following and said to them, “What are you seeking?” And they said to him, “Rabbi” (which means Teacher), “where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day, for it was about the tenth hour. ~John 1:38-39 (ESV)

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me. ~Revelation 3:20 (ESV)

And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, "Moses, Moses." And he said, "Here am I." ~Exodus 3:3-4 (KJV)

And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. ~Exodus 33:11 (KJV)

"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with Me and work with Me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with Me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." ~Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. ~John 15:5 (NASB)

One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in His temple. ~Psalm 27:4 (ESV)

I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ ~Philippians 3:7-8 (NLT)

How we should long to sit in His presence, until all earthly desires are burned away by His holiness, and the only thing left is a yearning for more of Him. He is our Shelter and Refuge, our Lover leaping over hills to be with us, the One who invites us talk with Him and eat with Him and follow Him.

Only when we turn aside to see Him, when we allow Him to speak with us, when we get away with Him--only then can we recover our true life and live freely and lightly. Only when we abide in Him can we produce fruit. Without Him, we're useless and fruitless.

Like David, we should make our "one thing" dwelling in His presence. Is it any wonder that God considered David a man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14)?

The only way to get to know someone is to spend time with them. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords--Almighty God, the Creator of the universe--has invited us to the greatest banquet of all time. It's up to us to accept the invitation, to enter in and sup with Him. Why would anyone stand in the doorway when we're invited into the banquet hall of His great throne room? Why would we not consider everything worthless except for knowing Him?

May we seek Him, then enter His presence and dwell there...

Deal With It

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:03:00 +0000

See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. ~Hebrews 12:15, NIV

The squirrel buried the pecan in the soft soil. I watched from a nearby window and heaved a heavy sigh. That nut would become yet another tree for me to root out of the flower beds.

Sadly, I have been that nut-burying squirrel, digging a hole in my heart and stuffing down the strong emotions I didn't want to deal with at the time. I thought I was doing the right thing by hiding my hurt, but the results were even more catastrophic than the strong pecan saplings that appeared each spring in my garden.

The anger and hurt I refused to deal with grew into a deadly root of resentfulness and bitterness, one I wasn't even aware of it until it was too late.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, if you're like me and tend to bury those things you don't want to deal with--DON'T!!! I speak from experience gained the hard way. The enemy of our souls will use our "buried nuts" to advance his cause when we least expect it, unleashing a world of hurt on us and those around us.

Instead, call on the resources that are ours through God and His Word:

Learn to deal with anger quickly.
"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. ~Ephesians 4:27-28, NIV

Satan will use any crack to slither in. When we stuff our anger, it only gives him a place to gain entrance, and if we give him an inch, he'll take a mile.

Learn to live in peace with others.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ~Romans 12:28, NIV

This is so hard, especially when others constantly bombard us with combustible material to fuel our anger. Thankfully, nothing is impossible with our God (Luke 1:37).

Learn to forgive.
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ~Ephesians 4:32, NIV

Again, forgiveness is difficult work, but when we take the time to remember all that Christ has forgiven us, it makes it easier. It helps to remember that unforgiveness only hurts us, not the other party.

Father, forgive me for the times I neglect Your Word and harbor grudges and ill will in my heart. Thank You for showing me the effects of not dealing with my hurt, so that I'll be better prepared to handle things better next time. May these words I write be helpful to others who are refusing to deal with the strong emotions that come from living in a world cursed by sin. Give them the courage to do the hard work of uprooting bitterness in their lives. May they experience a strong sense of Your presence as You give them Your strength. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

BOOK REVIEW: The Strategy of Satan: How to Detect and Defeat Him by Warren Wiersbe

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 19:34:00 +0000

ABOUT THE BOOK:
A timeless classic on the strategies of Christian warfare. This book is a manual of arms for the Christian soldier. It is not a devotional reader for the believer who has gone AWOL. It is a deadly serious guidebook for dedicated Christians who are on the battlefield and want to know how to win. Warren W. Wiersbe discusses basic biblical instruction on defeating the strategies of the devil. Centering his material on Satan's attacks as a deceiver, destroyer, ruler, and accuser, Wiersbe emphasizes conquering the enemy by obeying God's truth. Chapters are included on defeating the devil in the church and in the home. (Tyndale House Publishers (1979) - Paperback - 176 pages - ISBN 0842366652)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Warren W. Wiersbe is best known as a Bible teacher, author, and conference speaker. He has ministered in churches and conferences in Canada, Central and South America, Europe, and the United States. He has published more than 150 books and was awarded the Gold Medallion Lifetime Achievement Award by the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association.

MY REVIEW:
This isn't a new book by any means, but it was new to me. This book is by far the best explanation I've ever read on how our enemy works. Using several scripture references, Wiersbe guides the reader to understand the targets Satan aims at our lives, the weapons he uses to attack us, the purposes he wants to achieve, and the defenses God has provided for us. I will continue to use this book for years to come as a means of defeating the enemy in my life. This book is a must read for every Christian--a believer's guidebook for victorious living. I give it five out of five stars. DISCLAIMER: I received no compensation for this review, which is my honest, personal opinion.

Off With The Old ~ On With The New

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 18:01:00 +0000

A new year always brings thoughts of things we'd like to change or accomplish in our lives, but for those who belong to Christ, our task is a daily one as we put off the old and put on the new.

As I meditated on the following passage, I realized how much I need the work of Christ in my life to be a conqueror in these areas every day. Wouldn't it be wonderful if we all made these our New Year's Resolutions?

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. ~Ephesians 4:22-32, NIV

PUT OFF THE OLD

Self: Our hearts are naturally deceitful (Jeremiah 17:9).
Falsehood/Lies: Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44).
Anger: Like a deeply embedded splinter, the longer we hold onto anger, the more painful and deadly it becomes. It also gives the enemy a crack to squeeze into.
Stealing: Stealing defrauds others, ourselves and God.
Unwholesome Talk: Nasty jokes, curse words, gossip and slander--the trash talk needs to go back to the trash and stay there.
Grieving God's Spirit: Holy God lives within us. He is grieved when we act in malice toward others.

PUT ON THE NEW

Self: We're created to be like God in righteousness and holiness. While we can't acquire these qualities for ourselves, God has graciously given them to us through Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Truthfulness: Believers must speak truth because we're part of the body of Christ, who is Truth (John 14:6).
Usefulness: God has placed us in our place of work/service. Our work provides us with the means to meet our daily needs, but it's also for the purpose of sharing "with those in need."
Building Others Up: Our words hold life and death (Proverbs 18:21). May we be quick to speak words of life.
Kindness, Compassion, Forgiveness: God, in His goodness, has bestowed these gifts on us. How can we do any less?

Lord God, thank You for providing a new way of life for us through Christ. Give us strength throughout this new year to put off the old and put on the new. In Jesus' powerful name, Amen.

The Heart of a Servant

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 16:43:00 +0000

Can you picture it? A poor, young teenager, recently engaged. The most unlikely person for God to use. Why would the God of all creation choose someone like her to bear His Son? Why was she "highly favored" by God over all the other women on the earth?

Well, for one thing, God's grace (favor) is His to bestow. He needs no reason to give it. Indeed, any human attempt to gain it nullifies His precious gift of grace. So what did the Lord see in Mary that would cause Him to choose her for such a task?

I think the answer is best found in these verses:

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” ~Luke 1:38, NIV

Obedience and Humility
We live in a society of entitlement, where we demand our rights and our way. But Mary recognized her place in relation to God. She was His servant, not the other way around. So many times we treat God like He's the one serving us. May we become more like Mary, asking for God's will to be done in our lives.

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for He has been mindful of the humble state of His servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is His name." ~Luke 1:46-49, NIV

Praise and Thanksgiving
Mary was quick to publicly express her gratitude and direct her praise to God. How easy it would have been for her to become proud and say, "God chose me, so I must be better than all the other girls out there."

Instead she poured out her heartfelt praise at the joy she felt in being chosen of God--the Mighty One, the One whose name is holy.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.” ~Luke 2:34-35, NIV

But His mother treasured all these things in her heart. ~Luke 2:51b, NIV

Accepting
Every opportunity brings with it the potential for great blessing and great sorrow. Mary's task was no exception. There was no way she could have foreseen the heartache she would have to endure when Gabriel appeared with his announcement, but it probably didn't take long for her to realize her God-appointment wouldn't always be an easy job. Yet she "treasured ALL these things in her heart."

Lord God, the Mighty One whose name is holy, how we praise You for the story of redemption, for God coming to earth in the form of a helpless baby. We thank You for the example of Mary. May we be quick to recognize our place--humble servants, ready to do Your bidding. Give us servant hearts. May we respond to the tasks You give us with praise and thanksgiving, grateful for the small part You've given us to play in Your story. Then Father, may we also be accepting of the difficulties, the times when our hearts will be pierced, knowing that You can bring great good out of even these. We love and praise You, and thank You again for demonstrating Your love to us by sending Your only Son to save us from our sins. Amen.

The Lord's Model Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 16:13:00 +0000

The disciples' request was simple: "Teach us to pray."

Jesus responded with a simple prayer.

This, then, is how you should pray:
   "Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
   on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
   as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
   but deliver us from the evil one." ~Matthew 6:9-13(NIV)

Sometimes I think we make prayer more complicated than it has to be. Jesus even cautioned about over-doing it and having wrong motivations (Matthew 6:5-8).

God is with us. He dwells within. Our bodies are His temple. It stands to reason that He's as close as the mention of His name.

Recently I noticed something about Jesus' prayer that I previously overlooked. After addressing our heavenly Father and declaring Him holy, Jesus mentions first that God's kingdom come and His will be done.

How many time have I been guilty of praying down my list of requests instead of simply asking the Lord to increase His kingdom? How many times have I prayed for my will to be done rather than His?

I'm so quick to treat God like a magic genie rather than Lord of all Creation. "Bless me and my family. Bless my friends." While I think it's okay to pray these words, it falls so short of Jesus' example. God's picture and plan is so much bigger than my little corner of the world, and my prayers need to reflect that fact.

Abba Father, Your name IS holy. You alone are worthy of our praise. I pray for Your will, not my own. I pray for the increase of Your Kingdom around the world. Forgive me for sometimes going through my day without taking time to realize Your Presence constantly with me. Forgive me for praying selfishly rather than globally, for praying for my will rather than aligning my will with Yours. Make me content with what You have to give me today. You always meet and even surpass my needs. Help me to forgive others the way You have forgiven me. Keep me from the evil without and within, Lord, and make me cognizant of the enemy's desire to trip me up. In Your holy and precious name I pray, Amen.

Book Three Still In The Works

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 21:19:00 +0000

I normally try to only post devotional thoughts on my website, but because of delayed plans in publishing the third book in the Miller's Creek series, I felt like I owed readers a word of explanation.

It was my original intent to have the third book out in 2011. It's pretty obvious to me that it's not gonna happen this year, no badly how much I long for it to be true.

To give a brief backstory, I wrote half the book in November 2010. Then life got crazy. We decided to put our house on the market, which meant a few months of getting it market-ready.

When I came back to the story, I was thoroughly dissatisfied with it, so I started over. The house sold. We moved into a rent house. We felt God leading us to a new location. We moved in with our son and daughter-in-love in a new state. We found a new job (and all the hurry and scurry that comes it) and moved again.

So, three moves and a year later, I'm back at work on the book--version three, that is--and I'm finally happy with the way the story is going.

I believe with all my heart God used this past year to refocus my attention on Him, so He could write this story--the story He meant for me to write all along--through me.

So, thank you all for your patience and your prayers as I once more set out to tell the story of The Way of Grace. Lord willing, it will be finished in 2012.

Blessings to you all, and I wish you a Christmas filled with awe and wonder at God's work of grace through the baby born in the manger.

On Eagles' Wings

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 13:55:00 +0000

I watched breathlessly as a majestic eagle carved lazy circles in the sky. He soared effortlessly as he allowed the wind to suspend him in mid-air.

The words of Isaiah took on fresh meaning.

Do you not know?
   Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
   and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
   and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
   and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the LORD
   will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
   they will run and not grow weary,
   they will walk and not be faint. ~Isaiah 40:28-31 (NIV)

So often we churn through life in our own strength, forgetting that a far greater and stronger power is ours for the taking. There's no need to flap our wings against the wind to no avail. All we have to do is wait and hope in the Lord. Then our great God will exchange our puny human strength for His inexhaustible power, and we will soar.

You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. ~ Exodus 19:4 (NIV)

Thank You, dear LORD, for doing for us those things we cannot do for ourselves. You delivered us from slavery and bore us up on eagles' wings to bring us to You. We're so grateful for Your promise to give us Your strength. Help us to live that promise out daily as a witness to the world of Your inexhaustible power. In Jesus' perfect name we pray, Amen.

Is Your Wanter Out of Whack?

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:42:00 +0000

Since Jesus went through everything you're going through and more, learn to think like him. Think of your sufferings as a weaning from that old sinful habit of always expecting to get your own way. Then you'll be able to live out your days free to pursue what God wants instead of being tyrannized by what you want. ~1 Peter 4:1-2 (MSG)

When it comes right down to it, at times we could all be classified as spoiled brats. Sin is genetic. It's part of our DNA. We want our own way, and we want it now. To put it simply--our wanters are out of whack.

I love how The Message puts these verses in language we can sink our teeth into. We all suffer disappointments, setbacks, and unfortunate circumstances. And our typical first response is "Why me?"

How blessed we are when we reach the point of seeing these disappointments, setbacks and circumstances for what they truly are--God's way of weaning us from wanting our own way.
If we truly long to live for Christ, then we should desire for "us" to be moved out of the way. God can do that through suffering. Only then will our out-of-whack wanters be transformed so we seek Him and His way.

Father God, thank You that in Your infinite wisdom and perfect plan that You provided a way to remove the tyranny of self. May we learn to see our difficulties as God-inspired for the purpose of fulfilling Your plans instead of our own. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Got Wisdom?

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 15:07:00 +0000

The "Got milk?" advertisements are everywhere. And like all good advertisements, they are designed to make us want what they have based on what we perceive as lacking in our lives. Beautiful and successful people sporting a milk mustache create within us a desire to drink milk so we can be beautiful and successful too.

As good and healthy as milk is, there's something we need far more, especially in the society in which we live: wisdom. Thankfully, it's ours for the asking.

If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly, without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him. ~James 1:5 (AMP)

I love the fact that our God is a giving God. He grants wisdom liberally and does it without criticizing.

Here are some other scriptures on wisdom.

Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God,
insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
It's through me, Lady Wisdom, that your life deepens,
and the years of your life ripen.
Live wisely and wisdom will permeate your life;
mock life and life will mock you. ~Proverbs 9:10-12 (MSG)

Do you want to be counted wise, to build up a reputation for wisdom? Here's what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It's the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn't wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn't wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn't wisdom. It's the furthest thing from wisdom--it's animal cunning, devilish conniving. Whenever you're trying to look better that others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others' throats. Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor. ~James 3:13-18 (MSG)

Here's the breakdown:

WISDOM:

is NOT mean-spirited ambition.
is NOT about how we talk, but how we walk.
is NOT twisting the truth to make yourself sound good.
is NOT two-faced, hot one day and cold the next.
is granted by our giving God simply by asking.
begins with fear and reverence of the Lord.
deepens and ripens and permeates our lives.
is gained by living well and living humbly.
begins with a holy, set-apart life.
is characterized by getting along with others.
is gentle and reasonable.
is overflowing with mercy and blessings.
can be enjoyed only if we do the hard work of getting along with others, and treating each other with dignity and honor.

Father God, thank You for being a generous and giving God. Thank You that all we have to do to gain wisdom is humbly ask You for it. Help us learn to depend solely on You and to give you the fear and reverence You deserve. Grant us strength to do the "hard work of getting along with others, treating each other with dignity and honor." Teach us to be holy, even as You are holy. We ask this in the perfect and precious name of Jesus, Amen.

For Such A Time As This

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 14:02:00 +0000

Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, "Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" ~Esther 4:13-14 (ESV)

In our often routine and mundane lives, it's easy to lose sight of the fact that God has each of His children exactly where He wants us. Even when we stray from His perfect plan for us, He will use us wherever we are so His purposes are fulfilled (Proverbs 16:9).

So if you question your relevance and worth in God's kingdom, remember the story of Esther. She could have easily done what was easiest and most convenient for her, but God had placed her in a position of influence for a reason--to save His chosen people. Now her story is forever immortalized in the pages of God's Word.

Throughout the Bible we see evidence of God using people to fulfill His purposes. Joseph endured slavery and wrongful imprisonment so he could save the lives of many people. Moses, raised in the courts of Pharaoh and then subjected to the rigors of desert living, became God's tool and weapon against the mighty nation of Egypt and led God's chosen people to the Promised Land. A simple fisherman by the name of Peter, who three times denied Jesus, became a fisher of men. And the list could go on and on...

My prayer is that God would open our eyes so we can see how our lives fit into His perfect and worldwide plan--that we can know He has placed us here and now, for "such a time as this."

Filling in the H

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 19:28:00 +0000

Before our recent move, friends of ours gave us a beautiful wall hanging which says: Walk by FAITH, have HOPE always, LOVE others. As I hung the rustic picture above the fireplace, I noticed the H in FAITH was a little difficult to read, so I found a marker and filled it in.

As I did so, the Lord brought a truth to mind. Faith sometimes requires taking a step before the picture is complete.

Abraham had to take his son Isaac to Mount Moriah with the intention of offering him as a sacrifice before God stayed his hand and provided a ram.

Moses had to return to Egypt—a place where he was wanted for murder—before God could use him to lead His chosen people out of slavery.

The widow had to borrow jars before God provided her with oil to sell.

All throughout God’s Word, we see example after example of people who had to exhibit faith before God intervened on their behalf, because the amount of faith we proclaim is only backed up by action.

I hope to spend all my days on this planet filling in the H.

Dear Lord, thank You for the many times You intervene on our behalf. Thank You that Your plan involves us backing up our proclamations of faith in You by taking steps. Give us the strength and courage to follow you in faith. Amen.

Worthy of Trust

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 13:29:00 +0000

If the truth were told, we could probably all admit to trust issues. We've all been burned in relationships with others, and because of our burn scars we find it difficult to know who to trust.

But our heavenly Father is completely worthy of our trust. Because He made us and loves us--because He is Almighty and the one and only true God--we can trust Him with our lives.
When we trust Him and seek Him and His way with all our heart, we can rest assured that He will work out the every detail of our often confusing lives for our good.

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose." ~Romans 8:28 (NIV)

In the recent move my husband and I made, I confess to times of fear and worry. We were acting on what we believed God wanted us to do, but what if we misunderstood? What if we were wrong? Would God provide jobs and thereby provide for our needs?

Our worry and fear were in vain. God worked in spite of our humanity. He has always been (and will always be) completely trustworthy. Jesus expressed it best in His Sermon on the Mount.

"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don't fuss about what's on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds. Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them. If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." ~Matthew 6:25-34 (MSG)

Almighty God, how we praise You for Your involvement in our lives. Teach us to trust You and to follow You whole-heartedly. Thank You for being faithful and worthy of our trust. Thank You for providing for us in spite of our tendency toward worry and fear. We love You. Amen.

Chosen and Adopted

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:18:00 +0000

I've always imagined that adopted children must surely grow up with a keen sense that they were especially chosen by their adopted parents. What a benediction of peace, joy, and love that must bring to their lives!

The adoption process is the perfect analogy of what God has done for us. Through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus, God has chosen and adopted us and brought us into His family. I'm awed by that thought. When I take the time to reflect on it, contentment and serenity rain down on my soul.

You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance. (Galatians 4:6-7, MSG)

Not one of us who cry out for our Papa are ever turned away. He longs to carry on an intimate conversation with us. The heavenly benefits of being His heirs are ours, and the riches of Heaven await. We're His adopted children, birthed by His grace and bound by His unfailing love.

Thank You, Papa, for choosing and adopting us. We were helpless and hopeless until You reached across time and chose us for Your own. Help us to remember who we are in You--beloved children of the King and co-heirs with Christ. May we bear the privilege and responsibility in a way that makes You pleased and proud. Amen.

A Product of Prayer

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 22:54:00 +0000

No two ways about it--my life is a product of prayer. I grew up knowing that my grandmothers (& others!) prayed for me. I shudder to think how differently my life would have turned out without those prayers.

When I consider the above paragraph, I realize with fresh intensity both the privilege and responsibility of praying for others.

Samuel, the Israelite judge who anointed King David, sums it up succinctly: "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you." (1 Samuel 12:23, NIV)

I believe in the power of prayer, and I believe when we pray for others we release God's incomparable power into their lives. Prayer changes people (us included) and circumstances. Most importantly, prayer brings us into communication with the One True God who indwells us. Why would we not want to pray?

It's all too easy to fail to pray for others the way we need to. I've determined that I will never tell someone I'm praying for them without making it a reality. And I'm working on stopping to pray for people and situations as soon as I'm asked. If I accomplish nothing else on this planet, I want to be a prayer warrior.

We'll never know this side of heaven how our prayers for others have affected change, but like Samuel, we can realize the sinfulness of hoarding our prayers for our own selfish pursuits. We can make a heavenly difference in the lives of those around us through prayer. (I sometimes pray for strangers that I pass wordlessly on the street, asking God to bless them and reveal Himself to them.)

May we often consider the people who have prayed for us and recognize the times when our lives were forever altered by prayer. Let's take a good look at the people we come into contact with--some are strangers, and others are those we see on a regular basis--and unleash God's miraculous power into their lives through intercessory prayer.

Father, thank You for those who have gone before us in the journey of faith--especially those who set aside time to pray for us. Lord, I pray we won't drop the torch that's been passed to us. May we pray for others throughout the day, lifting them heavenward, and releasing Your dynamite power in them. Help us to realize the importance of prayer in Your Kingdom work, not to spend vain words on selfish agendas, but to bring about lasting change in the lives of those who cross our paths. May the world be filled with intercessory prayer warriors who bombard Heaven's gates on behalf of others. Amen.

The Importance of Gratitude

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:47:00 +0000

A recent status update on Facebook changed my day. It was simply this: "What if God blessed you tomorrow based on what you thank Him for today?"

Astounding thought,isn't it?

We are so quick to take our problems and requests to God, and we certainly need to. But we're also reminded (and commanded!) throughout scripture to give thanks, and this is where we fall short.

Here are a few examples:

When you sacrifice a Thanksgiving-Offering to God, do it right so it will be acceptable. ~Leviticus 22:29 (MSG)

Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;
His love endures forever. ~1 Chronicles 16:34 (NIV)

Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. ~Psalm 100:4 (NIV)

Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. ~Daniel 6:10 (NIV)

One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him—and he was a Samaritan. ~Luke 17:15-16 (NIV)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ~Philippians 4:6 (NIV)

...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!” ~Revelation 7:12 (NIV)

God is sooooooo worthy of our thanksgiving, even when we're going through rough times. He has given His Son as the sacrifice for us, so that we might be healed of mankind's worst and most deadly disease ever--sin! If that isn't reason to thank Him, I don't what is.

But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ~1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! ~2 Corinthians 9:15 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, forgive us for our lack of gratitude. On our best days we remember to say thanks for the blessings of that day, but help us to remember to thank You in the midst of difficulty as well. Thank You for all the things we take for granted: a bed to sleep in, clean water, food, shelter, health, our families, and so much more. Thank You especially for the victory that is ours through Jesus Christ! Amen!

Thanksgiving's not just a day; it's a way of living...

Total Dependence

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 15:05:00 +0000

Trust God from the bottom of your heart;
don't try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go;
he's the one who will keep you on track. ~Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG)

When I wrote my last book, A Path Less Traveled (book two in the Miller's Creek, Texas series), I chose Proverbs 3:5-6 as the theme for the story. At the time, I never dreamed how the Lord would bring me to a place of having to depend on the truth of this verse. In my head, I thought I understood this scripture, but now, in the current circumstances of my life, it has become so real to me.

I wish I could say that I always lived by this truth--that I didn't have moments of fear, trembling, and downright panic--but in all honesty, I have to be reminded of it several times a day. When I truly live out this passage, life falls into a comfortable easy rhythm where the Lord leads and peace indwells. But when I start to depend on my own understanding, worry and doubt plague me like a growling dog snipping at my heels.

Leaning on our own understanding, is a normal human tendency. The problem lies in the fact that our understanding is flawed because we're flawed. We can't see the big picture, but our big God can.

Worry and faith can't co-exist. When one moves in the other moves out. We have to choose. If we lean on our own understanding, we're depending on ourselves instead of Jesus. True faith calls for total dependence on Him. Not our own limited knowledge, not our bank accounts, not our careers, not our strength. Nothing.

Trusting Him means believing that He is able and that He will provide. It means not stepping in to help Him out. It entails seeking Him instead of seeking answers and solutions. Total dependence.

Dear Father, thank You that You are able. We praise You because of who You are--a God who sees and knows every detail of our lives down to the number of hairs on our head--a God who has promised to provide. Help us to trust You completely. Forgive us for the times we depend on ourselves instead of You. Teach us that half-trust is no trust. Help us to seek You moment by moment. Thank You for the peace that flows over us when we do. Thank You for directing our paths. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

More Powerful Than A Locomotive!

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:30:00 +0000

No, I'm not talking about Superman. I'm talking about words.

As a writer I've learned the importance and power of not only words, but the right words. As Mark Twain so aptly puts it: "The difference between the almost right word & the right word is really a large matter--it's the difference between the lightning bug and the lightning."

Words have the power to change people and to change circumstances. To impact people for better or for worse. To make or break someone's life.

I tremble to think of the careless statements I've spoken without giving thought to how my words affect the other person. I'm embarrassed and ashamed to admit that at times I withhold words that could make a difference in the life of another. The Bible even says our tongues hold the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).

I once saw a short film where a blind man sat on the street with a sign that said: "I'm blind. Please help." In front of him sat a tin can where those who passed by could drop their spare change.

A young businesswoman hurried past, saw the sign, and came back to write a message on the opposite side of the cardboard. Now the man was showered with money.

When the blind man heard the familiar clip of the business woman's shoes, he asked her: "What did you write on the sign?"

A smile touched her lips. "I wrote the same message, just in different words." As she walked away, the camera came to rest on her sign.

It simply said: "It's a beautiful day and I can't see it."

A word fitly spoken in like apples of gold in pictures of silver. -- Proverbs 25:11

May our words be precious and beautiful to those around us, impacting them in a powerful and positive way.

Father, make me more aware of the words I speak and write. Help me to realize the power and impact of my words. May I be ever mindful to do away with hurtful comments and to instead breathe words of life and encouragement. In Jesus' name. Amen.

The Biblical Way To Handle Conflict

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:06:00 +0000

If there's anything we can be assured of in this life, it's this: Conflict is gonna happen. Most of the time these conflicts are compounded by a lack of communication, and this is just as much a problem for believers as it is unbelievers.

Thankfully, the Bible is not only God's Word, it's also the best way to live. Within scripture are practical words of advice on how to relate to God and to others. Consider the following words spoken by Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount.

If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him—work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. If he still won't listen, tell the church. If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love. ~Matthew 18:15-17 (MSG)

How much more practical and too-the-point can you get?

Go to the other person involved in the conflict and try to straighten it out between the two of you.
If that doesn't work, take some witnesses to "keep things honest."
If all else fails, take it before the church.
In the midst of it all, keep loving the other person and continue to hold them accountable.

It's been my experience that problems--not handled in the practical way Jesus commands--take on a life of their own. They turn into "he said"/"she said" gossip sessions, until the truth lies buried beneath a pile of rumors and lies. If there is a breakdown in any part of the process, this will happen, so we would be wise to ask ourselves the following questions:

Did I try to straighten this out in a one-on-one session with the other person?
Have I done my part to get reliable witnesses involved with both parties of the conflict?
As a last resort, have I brought it to the attention of the church?
Have I done my best to be loving while keeping the other party accountable for their actions?

Another point I'd like address is what we do when we hear information about a conflict among other believers, because our response can make the problem even worse. First, don't gossip about it. Secondly, don't take sides without allowing both sides to explain their position. To do so means that we make assumptions and jump to conclusions without the complete story. In a nutshell, don't judge!

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." ~Matthew 7:1-5

Father, our earthly conflicts must surely grieve You. Forgive me, Lord, for the times I've tried to handle difficult conflicts in a worldly way. For the times I've been judgmental without knowing all the facts. Thank You for Your Word. It truly is a light for my feet and a lamp for my path. Give me the courage to live out Your Word in a way that pleases You, especially in times of conflict. Amen.

Already There

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 15:38:00 +0000

Once more the Philistines raided the valley; so David inquired of God again, and God answered him, “Do not go directly after them, but circle around them and attack them in front of the poplar trees. As soon as you hear the sound of marching in the tops of the poplar trees, move out to battle, because that will mean God has gone out in front of you to strike the Philistine army.” So David did as God commanded him, and they struck down the Philistine army, all the way from Gibeon to Gezer. ~1 Chronicles 14:13-16 (NIV)

God is often referred to in the Bible as the Lord of Hosts. When I was younger, I thought of this as a reference to an angelic choir. As I've grown in my faith, I've come to realize that it's an angelic army.

Our Christian walk is sometimes described as a battle or soldier-hood (Ephesians 6; 2 Timothy 2:3). That is indeed an apt description. Life is a struggle for all of us. And for Christ-followers, there is the added spiritual dimension to the life struggle. Satan and his demons are directly opposed to us and will do whatever they have to do to bring us down and make us ineffective.
But we need not fear or hunker in the bunker! Our Commander-In-Chief goes before us. The battle belongs to Him (2 Chronicles 20; 1 Samuel 17). Victory is guaranteed (see the book of Revelation).

At a particularly difficult time in my life, I longed and pleaded for God to break through my doubts and fears and give me assurance that He was indeed moving. He did!

I stepped from my car one Sunday morning. Before entering the building, I watched as the wind scattered dry leaves across a cemetery. Then above me, I heard the sound of marching feet.

How quick I am to doubt! The first thing I did was check my pulse to see if what I was hearing was my own heartbeat pounding in my ears. The two beats didn't match up. In awe I listened to the steady stomp over my head. Just like a parade, it grew louder above me before it gradually grew softer and moved off in the direction we would soon be moving.

People may call me foolish or crazy. They can say I was "just hearing things." I don't care. Here's the truth: Our God is STILL the LORD of Hosts! He is STILL victorious! He STILL moves on behalf of His people! Don't be afraid to set out in the direction in which He is leading--He's already there!

The LORD your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as He did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes ~Deuteronomy 1:30 (NIV)

Lord, forgive my tendency to doubt and to flee the battle. Gird my heart with the truth of who You are. Strengthen my arms for combat. Steady my stumbling feet and wobbly knees. All praise belongs to You, our victorious Savior and LORD of Hosts! Amen!

A New Perspective

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:59:00 +0000

A shiny penny winked at me from the pavement. As I stooped to snatch it up, I realized it was embedded in the asphalt.

I puzzled over the penny. This was my regular walking route. I had literally traveled this same path thousands of times. Why hadn't I seen the penny years earlier?

Then it dawned on me. Since we had recently changed homes in the same neighborhood, my return route had been altered by one block. In other words, I could see the penny now because my perspective had changed.

Our lives are much the same. When we're going through one of the many storms of life, it can be difficult to see things that are right beneath our feet. Only later, after the seas have calmed, can we look back with fresh eyes and see from our new vantage point the good God has produced from the raging waters.

Consider the story of Joseph. What a storm! Envied by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused and imprisoned. I'm sure he had trouble understanding why! He spent thirteen years of his life in prison for a crime he didn't commit. But God had a purpose for it.

He (God) called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; and he sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the LORD proved him true. The king sent and released him, the ruler of peoples set him free. He made him master of his household, ruler over all he possessed, to instruct his princes as he pleased and teach his elders wisdom. (Psalm 105:16-22, NIV)

If you're in the midst of storm-swept seas, trust the One who has placed you there to accomplish His good and perfect work. Allow His furnace to prove you true. Know that one day you'll be able to see it all from a new perspective.

Father, teach us that so much of what we complain about and question is simply a matter of perspective. Help us see Your hand in everything that comes into our life--both the good and the bad. May we trust You through every circumstance. In spite of his difficult life, Your Word tells us that Joseph was successful because You were with him in everything he did. Grant us the same testimony. May our lives be successful--not by earthly standards, but by Your standards--because of Your presence with us and in us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Silenced Voices

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 16:57:00 +0000

I watched both movies in the same weekend. The Lord must have wanted me to get the message. I did.

The movies I'm referring to are The Help and The King's Speech. My hubby and I were enjoying a weekend excursion and saw The Help at a movie theater. When we returned home the next day, our Netflix package was waiting for us in the mail. We watched The King's Speech that night.

Now I'm not gonna spoil the movies for those of you who haven't yet had the opportunity to see them (I highly recommend both), but I will say that both movies dealt with silenced voices.
It was definitely an "aha!" moment for me as God's Spirit whispered truth and life into my soul. I realized we allow so many things to silence our voices for God--fear of criticism, what others might say or think, traditionalism, apathy--the list could go on and on.

Our human nature is embedded with a desire to avoid pain at any cost, but the enemy is well aware of our tendency to flee confrontation and to hunker down in the bunker. The prince of darkness always attacks through the chinks in our armor.

In retrospect, I'm so ashamed at my allowing Satan to silence my voice. Rather than being a victorious warrior forging ahead for the Kingdom's work, I plugged up the spring, refusing to allow one more drop to squeeze through.

But our Almighty God, the Lord of Hosts, is always victorious, even when we're not! He gently and patiently rains down more grace and love on us, until living waters swell and break through the barriers we've built. Then we can't keep silent because our heart longs to shout to the world about the gospel of peace and the Lover of our souls.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer. ~Psalm 19:14

When He came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (Luke 19:37-40, NIV)

A Message You Can Trust

noreply@blogger.com (Cathy Bryant) — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 16:56:00 +0000

Messages are being hurled at us from every direction, and in the chaos of life, we often take them in without much contemplation. At other times, we're attracted to a particular message because it's what we want to hear, regardless of its truth. For those of us who struggle with trust issues, it's difficult to know which messages to trust.

Really the trust we struggle with is often over the messenger. After all, if we can't trust the messenger, how are we supposed to trust what they say?

Thankfully, there is a message which can be trusted, and it's author is completely trustworthy. The Bible is God's Word to a world He created and loves. It's a message of hope and redemption. It's a revelation of who God is and His perfect plan to save lost and dying people.

So in this world where we are constantly bombarded by subtle and not-so-subtle messages, we have a place of refuge. When something thrown into our path confuses us, we have a place to turn.

Instead of accepting everything at face value, hold every tidbit of information up to the divine light of God's Word. He loves you and knows what's best for you. His message is the only one you can really trust.

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. (Psalm 119:11, ESV)

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. (Psalm 119:105, NIV)