Bridge Over Troubled Water

Photo Credit: http://www.mdjunction.com

We’re all familiar with this classic Simon and Garfunkel song, and sadly many of us are familiar with troubled water.  In my quiet time this morning I was listing out all the things in my life right now that have made me sad.  It seems my heart has felt sad for a while which led me to write it down.  This little process is how God often speaks to my heart.  I pour out my trouble in my journal, and He faithfully provides His perspective.  This is usually what my sadness is lacking – an eternal perspective.

This morning was no different. 

After filling two pages in my journal I sensed God leading me to read Charles Spurgeon’s Morning devotion for today.  As is often the case, God met me and spoke to my troubled waters.  He set my feet back on solid ground – His Word – and helped me continue moving forward.

How is your journey?  Are you facing troubled waters?  Are you feeling sad?  Take some time to read this devotion, and then let God lift your spirit to soar with Him.  He will help you to see life – your life – from His perspective.  And it is always good!

MORNING:

“The king also himself passed over the brook Kidron.”
— 2 Samuel 15:23

David passed that gloomy brook when flying with his mourning company
from his traitor son. The man after God’s own heart was not exempt from
trouble, nay, his life was full of it. He was both the Lord’s Anointed,
and the Lord’s Afflicted. Why then should we expect to escape? At
sorrow’s gates the noblest of our race have waited with ashes on their
heads, wherefore then should we complain as though some strange thing
had happened unto us?

The KING of kings himself was not favoured with a more cheerful or
royal road. He passed over the filthy ditch of Kidron, through which
the filth of Jerusalem flowed. God had one Son without sin, but not a
single child without the rod. It is a great joy to believe that Jesus
has been tempted in all points like as we are. What is our Kidron this
morning? Is it a faithless friend, a sad bereavement, a slanderous
reproach, a dark foreboding? The King has passed over all these. Is it
bodily pain, poverty, persecution, or contempt? Over each of these
Kidrons the King has gone before us. “In all our afflictions he was
afflicted.” The idea of strangeness in our trials must be banished at
once and for ever, for he who is the Head of all saints, knows by
experience the grief which we think so peculiar. All the citizens of
Zion must be free of the Honourable Company of Mourners, of which the
Prince Immanuel is Head and Captain.

Notwithstanding the abasement of David, he yet returned in triumph to
his city, and David’s Lord arose victorious from the grave; let us then
be of good courage, for we also shall win the day. We shall yet with
joy draw water out of the wells of salvation, though now for a season
we have to pass by the noxious streams of sin and sorrow. Courage,
soldiers of the Cross, the King himself triumphed after going over
Kidron, and so shall you.

Fill ‘er Up With High Test

Photo Credit: http://www.bladeshuriken.com

Happy April Fool’s Day!  But instead of a foolish joke, I’m providing you an excellent way to help you make God’s Word personal.  Mr. David Powlison with CCEF provides rich wisdom on how to take the far off horizon of God’s Word and bring it close to our everyday encounter with Him.  I pray it will bless you and fill your tank with hi-test fuel.  A rich reward that doesn’t cost $3.89 a gallon.

This wisdom is available to us every day.  It cost Christ His very blood poured out for YOU, for ME, and it fills us, flows through us and all without cost, except our very lives.

May your journey continue with the far off horizon in full view as well as the close-up, personal view of a God who loves you and cares for you.

 

Can We Trust Our Map?

Photo: superstock.com

Tom and I have always loved to travel.  He has always been the driver; I have always been the navigator.  We make a great traveling team.

Until one day…

Tom bought our first GPS for a trip we were taking to Los Angeles.  Since he would be driving those massive highways which were highly unfamiliar to both of us, he thought it would be a good idea to have “another voice” to guide him.  I ambivalently named her, “Joyce, the Voice.”  She was accurate, but very slow.  She would tell us to take the exit on the right when we were in the far left lane, which happened to be 10 lanes away.  Inevitably we would hear Joyce proclaim arrogantly, “You are off route!”

When I used a road map, one thing was certain – it’s accuracy.  The only error came from it’s reader.  How true this is of reading the Bible.

I’m grateful there is only one voice we must listen to as we travel Route 66, and it is a voice we can trust.  Listen to John Piper answer the question, “Can we trust the 66 books of the Bible”:

A Tent Revival

Often times when traveling Route 66 there would be a large tent set up on the side of the road.  Weary travelers would take the opportunity to stop, listen and be encouraged on their journey.

Today you’re invited to enter a large tent of meeting to hear a well=known preacher speak glorious truths of our God and His Word.  Not only will you be inspired, you may just break out into a good ‘ole Gospel hymn.

Let’s listen in…

MORNING:

“He hath said.”
— Hebrews 13:5

If we can only grasp these words by faith, we have an all-conquering
weapon in our hand. What doubt will not be slain by this two-edged
sword? What fear is there which shall not fall smitten with a deadly
wound before this arrow from the bow of God’s covenant? Will not the
distresses of life and the pangs of death; will not the corruptions
within, and the snares without; will not the trials from above, and the
temptations from beneath, all seem but light afflictions, when we can
hide ourselves beneath the bulwark of “He hath said”? Yes; whether for
delight in our quietude, or for strength in our conflict, “He hath
said” must be our daily resort. And this may teach us the extreme value
of searching the Scriptures. There may be a promise in the Word which
would exactly fit your case, but you may not know of it, and therefore
you miss its comfort. You are like prisoners in a dungeon, and there
may be one key in the bunch which would unlock the door, and you might
be free; but if you will not look for it, you may remain a prisoner
still, though liberty is so near at hand. There may be a potent
medicine in the great pharmacopoeia of Scripture, and you may yet
continue sick unless you will examine and search the Scriptures to
discover what “He hath said.” Should you not, besides reading the
Bible, store your memories richly with the promises of God? You can
recollect the sayings of great men; you treasure up the verses of
renowned poets; ought you not to be profound in your knowledge of the
words of God, so that you may be able to quote them readily when you
would solve a difficulty, or overthrow a doubt? Since “He hath said” is
the source of all wisdom, and the fountain of all comfort, let it dwell
in you richly, as “A well of water, springing up unto everlasting
life.” So shall you grow healthy, strong, and happy in the divine life.

– Charles Spurgeon

Carl Stuart Hamblen wrote the following song after experiencing the powerful message of the Gospel through a tent meeting.  The preacher was none other than Billy Graham.  Mr. Hamblen was never the same.  The Gospel changed his life and his music!

Linger Rightly

Photo Credit: Christine Wong (gettyimages.com)

I read today in Genesis the account of Lot being told to leave Sodom with his family immediately.  I expected him to respond right away, gathering everyone he loved and fleeing to the hills.  But I was surprised at his response:

“He lingered.”

How often do I hear God tell me to do this or don’t do that, and I, like Lot, linger.  Whether it’s unbelief that it is God I’m hearing , or if it’s a reluctance to do what I’ve been told, lingering over sin or lingering to obey does not please God.

As I continued reading I was yet again surprised.  This time at God’s response to Lot’s hesitation.  I expected Him to pass judgment and give him what he deserved.  But this was God’s response:

“So the men [messengers sent from God] seized him and his wife and his two daughters by the hand, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city.”

Wow!  What a glorious God we serve.  He doesn’t treat us as our sin deserves, but shows mercy to us in our sin.  There is nothing Lot offered in this story worthy of redemption, but this didn’t stop God from extending it to him.  Why?  Because He had a plan for Lot and his future was secure.

In the same way, as we travel this road, God has a plan for us whether we’re being faithful to our commitment, or if we’re lingering too long on other things.  May we let Him seize us today and set us back on the path He has marked out for us.  He knows the way well, and He will make sure we read, understand and learn from these little road markers He has for us.

This, my friend, is lingering rightly!

Benefits of Seat Heaters

I have traveled on many road trips where it was cold and quite uncomfortable, but recently discovered the amazing benefits of seat heaters.  They are wonderful for warming up tired muscles and keeping them from becoming too sore and stiff on a long trip.

We are taking a long road trip this year – Route 66, Through God’s Word.

It will seems at times to be cold and uncomfortable.  Especially on those stretches of road where so and so begat so and so.  But we read on.  We know the whole point of reading isn’t the destination, it’s the ride and what we’ll experience along the way.  And we never know when God is going to help us by turning on the seat heaters.  We’ve all been there when a particular Scripture pierces our heart, and we feel the heat of conviction.  It is in these moments when we realize how cold we’ve been.  The heat of His Word brings relief to our sore consciences and keeps our hearts from becoming stiff like stones.

I have avoided times in the “hot seat”.  Maybe now I’ll begin to see them as a benefit, not a burden.

 

 

Vintage post from 1.2009

Bigger Than It Appears

I’ll never forget the first time I had the chance to go to the Northwest. We were on a plane and the pilot told us that we would be passing Mt. Rainier and to be watching out our windows for the spectacular view. There were other mountains below, and I kept thinking…is that it? Is that it? Until we actually saw it! I had no idea how large and beautiful Mt. Rainier was! What I was looking for was small and unimpressive compared to what this grand mountain was in reality.

How often do I treat God and His Word in the same way? I have expectations that are small in comparison to who God really is. This morning as I read through Genesis about Jacob with his two wives, Rachel and Leah, and all their jealousies, deceit and lies, I realized that God used these women – despite their ungodly competition to bring about God’s promises. This is our God. He is bigger and more glorious than I know, and He uses us despite our sinful hearts to display His glory for a watching world. This is why we travel together on Route 66. While we’re looking through the window of His Word we never know when His glory will fill our eyes in a way we never expected! And we will gasp in awe at how big our God is.

May His glory fill your window!

Why Route 66 Club?

It is a path laid out for us in the 66 books of the Bible.  Every year, for the past 5 years, we have traveled this road together, encouraging each other and offering a fresh perspective from our current view.  God’s Word is a treasure.  It is the road map God has provided for instruction as to how we are to live our lives.  But if we don’t take the time to read it, how will we know which way to go?  We invite you to join us on this yearlong journey down Route 66.  We promise not to fill your in-box with unnecessary e-mails.  Most likely you will receive an occasional post encouraging you to continue traveling.   Sometimes you will receive a link to an encouraging article.  Most of all if you join us, you will know there are others praying for your journey and there to encourage you when you need help in meeting your goal.

You must know we don’t require any special reading plan – this is totally up to you and God.  All we ask is that you do what you believe God is calling you to do for this year’s reading plan.  It may be to read the New Testament or Old Testament only.  Or you may want to read the Bible in it’s entirety.  Others have chosen more creative methods like Topical reading, Chronological or Reading with Commentaries.  Whatever you choose, you will find help to stay the course with us.

Want to join?  Simply enter your e-mail address in the right sidebar to get started.  If you’re not sure what method you would like to use – check out the Reading Plans in the top right corner.

We hope you’ll join us!  It truly is the trip of a lifetime!

Fall-ing

Are you Fall-ing this year?

Fall is the season when the trees let go of their green as it retreats to the dark, damp recesses of the earth. With this process comes the other colors usually hidden in the tree. Reds, golds and orange ignite the landscape with flames of brilliance. It is a joy to behold.

We all, like the trees of the forest, experience Fall from time to time. Circumstances and difficulties cause us to retreat inward. We seek shelter, the cool familiarity of home. But what we do as we retreat is essential to our growth in godliness!

It can be tempting to remember what the trees looked like in the spring, longing and wishing it could be the same. But it never will be. God, in His plan ordained the seasons. It is up to us to listen and learn through the changes. We must let go of things He’s showing us, and trust God that there is beauty in what we haven’t seen or experienced. He is the great God. He is the One who brings the seasons to pass. He is the One calling us to Fall into His arms and be comforted by His Words.

The forest provides a stillness as we walk and reflect. God’s Word provides a stillness in our soul where we can hear the reflections of our Savior. He is intimately acquainted with all our ways. As we walk and talk with Him; He will be faithful to bring us through every season we face.

This is what causes my heart to love my Savior more. I am Fall-ing! I am Fall-ing more in love with Him as He helps me let go of those things which are temporary and cling to only that which is eternal.

“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.”
– Isaiah 40:8

How is God speaking to you this Fall?
Are you Fall-ing?