A devotional by Max Lucado: Do You Trust Him?

I know God knows what's best.
I know I don't.
I know he cares.

Such words come easily when the water is calm. But when you're looking at a wrecked car or a suspicious-looking mole, when war breaks out or thieves break in, do you trust him?

Scripture, from Old Testament to New, from prophets to poets to preachers, renders one unanimous chorus: God directs the affairs of humanity. No leaf falls without God's knowledge. No dolphin gives birth without his permission. No wave crashes on the shore apart from his calculation. God has never been surprised. Not once.

I am the one who creates the light and makes the darkness. I am the one who sends good times and bad times. I, the Lord, am the one who does these things. (Isa. 45:7)

Some find the thought impossible to accept. One dear woman did. After I shared these ideas in a public setting, she asked to speak with me. Husband at her side, she related the story of her horrible childhood. First abused, then abandoned by her father. Unimaginable and undeserved hurts scar her early memories. Through tear-filled eyes she asked, "Do you mean to tell me God was watching the whole time?"

The question vibrated in the room. I shifted in my chair and answered, "Yes, he was. I don't know why he allowed your abuse, but I do know this. He loves you and hurts with you." She didn't like the answer. But dare we say anything else? Dare we suggest that God dozed off? Abandoned his post? That heaven sees but can't act? That our Father is kind but not strong, or strong but doesn't care?

I wish she could have spoken to Joseph. His brothers abused him, selling him into slavery. Was God watching? Yes. And our sovereign God used their rebellious hearts to save a nation from famine and the family of the Messiah from extinction. As Joseph told them, "God turned into good what you meant for evil" (Gen. 50:20).

Best of all would have been a conversation with Jesus himself. He begged God for a different itinerary: a crossless death. From Gethsemane's garden Christ pleaded for a Plan B. Redemption with no nails. " 'Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.' Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him" (Luke 22:42-43).

Did God hear the prayer of his Son? Enough to send an angel. Did God spare his Son from death? No. The glory of God outranked the comfort of Christ. So Christ suffered, and God's grace was displayed and deployed.

Are you called to endure a Gethsemane season? Have you "been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake" (Phil. 1:29 NASB)?

If so, then come thirsty and drink deeply from his lordship. He authors all itineraries. He knows what is best. No struggle will come your way apart from his purpose, presence, and permission. What encouragement this brings! You are never the victim of nature or the prey of fate. Chance is eliminated. You are more than a weather vane whipped about by the winds of fortune. Would God truly abandon you to the whims of drug-crazed thieves, greedy corporate raiders, or evil leaders? Perish the thought!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you.
For I am the Lord your God.
(Isa. 43:2-3 NASB)

We live beneath the protective palm of a sovereign King who superintends every circumstance of our lives and delights in doing us good.

Nothing comes your way that has not first passed through the filter of his love.

Learn well the song of sovereignty: I know God knows what's best.Pray humbly the prayer of trust: "I trust your lordship. I belong to you. Nothing comes to me that hasn't passed through you."

A word of caution: the doctrine of sovereignty challenges us. Study it gradually. Don't share it capriciously. When someone you love faces adversity, don't insensitively declare, "God is in control." A cavalier tone can eclipse the right truth. Be careful.

And be encouraged. God's ways are always right. They may not make sense to us. They may be mysterious, inexplicable, difficult, and even painful. But they are right. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Rom. 8:28).

Upcoming Cell Series: Building Healthy Self for Lasting Relationships

In the 4 weeks while the EA Pulpit series touches on Family and Marriage, ONELife will be having 2 weeks of discussions on building a healthy self for lasting relationships in their cell meetings. It will be a DVD cum discussion approach.


Week of Feb 7-11 – “The Compulsion for Completion”

All of us have a tendency to shortcut to personal wholeness by looking to others to complete us. We think “If I find the right person, my life will be complete”. This discussion will look at what it means to develop personal wholeness


Week of Feb 14-18 – “Keeping Family ties from Pulling Strings’

Our biological families influenced the way we relate to others. How much do we bring them into our relationships? What should we change and what should we keep?


If you are a Young working adult in your 20s and early 30s and are not currently in any cell, you are welcome to visit one of the ONELife cells for this discussion series. Please go to the Cell Connection Counter today and sign up and one of the ONELife leader will get in touch with you.

And also a reminder that Relationship Conference “The Right Combination” is on Feb 26, 9am – 2pm. You can register online at http://elife.riverlife.org.sg/weblink/therightcombination/intro.htm or sign up at the Conference booth in the atrium.

Return the Call

Return the Call
Karen Ehman

"Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer."

Psalm 4:1 (NIV)

Devotion:
"Ughhh!" I sighed as the telephone rang that morning...again. My frustration mounted as I replayed my morning's activities thus far in my mind.

I'd already answered a phone call from church, one from my son's teacher and yet another one from my other son's coach. I'd chatted with my hairdresser and made an appointment with the dentist, among about a half-dozen more connections that had to be made by phone. And it wasn't even noon yet!

My mind pondered as my heart began to race. "When am I ever going to get to the bottom of my never-ending "to do" list?"

I glanced at my caller ID to see who it was this time. The number flashing on my phone was a familiar one; that of my father. He is a retiree who has a great love for his grandkids and lots of time on his hands. I reasoned, since his schedule isn't nearly as full as mine, that I could call him back later at a time more convenient for me. So I ignored his call and turned my attention to my list.

On it were many tasks; some noble, some mundane. Normal errands such as "Pick up bread and milk" "Return library books" or "Fill car up with gas." But there were important items too like call a relative who was struggling with depression and ask the neighbor next door, who'd just had surgery, if he'd like our family to mow his lawn. There were even kingdom-building, ministry activities; finish my Bible study lesson and pray for a friend's operation taking place later that day.

Yes, my day was full; full of people and purpose. Why then did I feel so empty?

My thoughts returned to the call from my father. How many times had I ignored his calls, reasoning that, since his life as a retiree wasn't packed with activity, I could easily chat with him at a later time? But the reality of my hectic schedule, along with other relationship commitments, often meant that connecting with my father took a nearly permanent place on the back burner of life.

He was waiting; I was ignoring. I refused to return his call. And our relationship was at risk of suffering because of it.

It isn't just earthy fathers that sometimes get ignored. How many times have we "ignored" our Heavenly Father because of our screaming schedule and earthly relationship demands? Even though our lives may be full of good and "God" things—duties at church, connections with people—oft times we are so busy serving God and loving it, that we don't make time to actually love the God that we serve.

Today's key verse paints a picture of our loving God who is never too busy to answer us when we call. And He not only hears and answers, He gives us relief from our distress—even the too-busy-for-my-own-good kind of distress. The problem in our connection lies with us. He is calling. We ignore. And then, we don't bother returning His call.

Thankfully, God never gets tired of hitting or answering a "redial." He is waiting and longing, as He always has been, to have a deep, intimate relationship connection with us; one that requires we make one simple switch: We put Him at the top of our "to do" and our "must call" lists.

He is willing to answer, if only we will call.

Dear Lord, forgive me for ignoring Your calls to come and connect with You, free from any distractions. I'm ready now. Speak. I'm listening. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

For more on this topic and a Jesus Calling basket giveaway, visit Karen's blog
Living Life on Purpose by Lysa TerKeurst
Rest Assured: Devotions for Souls in a Restless World by Nancy McGuirk

When you purchase resources through Proverbs 31 Ministries, you touch eternity! Your purchase supports the many areas of hope-giving ministry we provide at no cost. We wish we could, but we simply can't compete with prices offered by huge online warehouses. Therefore, we are extremely grateful for each and every purchase you make with us. Thank you!

Application Steps:
When it comes to carving out time to spend with God, do you:

a. Consistently make it a high priority

b. Have great intentions of doing it but often get sidetracked by life

c. Fit it in when you feel like it or happen to "find time"

d. Don't really have any plan for connecting one-on-one with God

Take action this week to get God off the back burner and into the forefront of your life.

Reflections:
Have I ever scheduled an "appointment with God," just as I would with a business contact, doctor, or friend? How could that help me in my quest to grow in relationship Him?

Power Verses:
Psalm 91:14-16: "The Lord says, 'I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them. I will reward them with a long life and give them my salvation.'" (NLT)

我的神我要敬拜你

This is a very beautiful Chinese Worship song yet so simple, close your eyes to listen to the music and every words in this song, you will find yourself very touched and really want to worship the Lord wholeheartedly and make it your personal prayers that indeed the Lord satisfy your heart desires and he will be the only source of joy in your life!



我的神我要敬拜你
我的心深深地愛你
在你的座前
我思想你恩典
我的心讚美敬拜你

#你是我心靈的滿足
你是我唯一的喜樂
在你的座前
我思想你恩典
我的神我要敬拜你

Praying In Need

Praying In Need
May you be blessed by this reading today. Are you in need today? Are you willing to open your life to God's amazing grace today and to the community of believers where we can experience God's unconditional love and grace together?


Suggested Bible Reading

Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being like us, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain and the earth yielded its harvest.

-James 5:13-18 (NRSV)


Today's Scripture

Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.

-James 5:14 (NRSV)


SOME years ago, our congregation began offering anointing with oil and prayers for healing for those in our community. At first people were hesitant to ask for prayer or to come forward to receive anointing for physical, emotional, or relational scars. But in time these healing services became very important to our congregation. Now it is not uncommon for dozens of people to seek healing and prayer.

We easily forget that all of us are broken people. Each of us has needs that may require God's healing touch or the support of a caring community. Indeed, great things happen when we open our lives to God's amazing grace. Consider your life today. Where are you in need? What prayers for yourself, your family, or for others do you need to offer?

Christianity is not a solitary faith for only the strong but a bond that calls us to pray for one another in our infirmities and our need. And often, in our weakness, we discover the strength of God.

Todd Outcalt (Indiana, USA)

Prayer
Dear Lord, make us instruments of your peace and healing. Where we are weak, make us strong. Where we are wounded, heal us. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Thought for the Day

Through Christ's wounds we are healed.

Reflections of Trekking at the Mossy Forest-Cameron Highland

Some of the takeaway from my Trekking at the Mossy Forest at Cameron Highland that is very relevant for our spiritual growth as I reflected:
1）Courage: to me it means having the willingness and courage to put ourselves in environment that is conducive for faith and spiritual growth developing, that will challenge us even as our deepest fears are confronted. This take place when we are willing to take up the challenge even as before we start the trekking, the sight before us seems really challenging, the uneven grounds and steepness of the slope, many of us are afraid.
2)Faith to take up the first step though there are many more steps to go.
3)One small step at a time-learn to take small steps of faith in our journey. many a times, our journey as a Christian is often involving small steps of faith, one day at a time. This is also something that please God.
4)Taking a plunge in life, there are some very muddy patches that requires us to cross over which symbolize there are times in life when we may need to make that big decision in life-that require faith and God to guide us in the process.
5)Sometimes we may get our shoes and pants dirty in the mud-sometimes we may make mistakes in life which often leave a scar in our life. But whats most important is not to look back which we often do but be brave to move on in life and embrace God's purposes and destiny for our individual life.
6) Sensitivity to the environment: some of the trek requires us to bend or even sit so that we can cross the obstacles and challenges of the treks. Some of it requires us to hold on to the branches for balance but look up for some of the branches that may contain thorns. To me this also means the sensitivity to the Holy Spirit in our daily living.
7) We need to learn to be teachable-learn from others who had faced similar obstacles or problems. We will be able to manage better when our turn comes to face the same obstacle in life.
8) Willing to receive help. The organizer raised his hands in vertical form for those who maybe on the verge of fall. This point to me that help is always available in our life, and there are times we must acknowledge we are really weak in our own human efforts and we need help from God in his words as well as from our spiritual family-community of believers
9) Finally we need to function as a group together in this trek. Therefore we go together as a group, no one is left behind or being alone in this journey. This is very much like the community living for us believers, the care and love for each other does not allow us to just leave the other one behind for our own glory and agenda in life.

全然向你 -All For You

让赞美的旋律响起-就再你我心间！愿在主的的喜樂永远川流不息。



當讚美的旋律響起,
我的心全然向你,
當聖靈的恩膏滿溢,
我的靈不再封閉。

讚美的清泉如春雨沐浴,
我心中的喜樂川流不息，
讚美的音符如雪花飄逸，
心中的暖流冉冉升起。

我要開口向你讚美稱謝，
永永遠遠讚美不停，
　
當讚美的旋律響起,
我的心全然向你,
當聖靈的恩膏滿溢,
我的心不再封閉。

讚美的清泉如春雨沐浴,
我心中的喜樂川流不息，
讚美的音符如雪花飄逸，
心中的暖流冉冉升起。

我要開口向你讚美稱謝，
永永遠遠讚美不停，
永永遠遠稱謝不已。
我要欣然向你獻上自己，
一生一世獻上自己，
一生一世脚步不離。