Archives

‘Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus!


lighthouse-4753714_1920

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Refrain:
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me
’Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

0 CommentsLeave a comment

Short Inspiration from the Scriptures: The Lord is My Shepherd…He Is With Me!


sunset-1788272_1920.jpg

David, The Protector of Sheep

David, the writer of Psalms 23, was a man who loved his animals. He cared for them as a good shepherd would and as a result, his animals had no want. David supplied all their needs. When they needed water, he gave them water. When they were sickly, he nurtured them to health. They…at times were afraid; he stayed near. They were in constant dangers from attacks; David diverted their attention while always on watch for their predators. He knew when they were stressed and he would seek out places of rest. He anticipated all of the changing environments and made the necessary adjustments to sustain his helpless creatures.

Identifying with David

In many ways…those of us who are domestic animal lovers and who have cared for animals have a greater appreciation for Psalms 23.  We are constantly concerned about our animals’ welfare — meaning their safety, their health, and what they will eat  (Prov. 12:10).  We spend years building relationships with our pets and understand them on levels that the casual observer would never understand. Real animal lovers can sense the heart of David, the true shepherd, as he met every need of those over his care.

God, The Ultimate Provider

Domestic animal lovers know how helpless their animals are. We go through the daily routines of looking after their needs. We also look upward and understand that God has been doing similar things for us! It is an appreciation we feel toward God, because we understand the relationship we have with our animals. The duty David had with his flock is what caused him to look internally and see the greater relationship God had with him. We see — as David did — the Master provider; the One who oversees our needs and doesn’t fail to mete-out at the appropriate times.

The Lord is my shepherd!
He is with me!

0 CommentsLeave a comment

Be Careful Following the Crowds!


Am I now trying to get people to think well of me?
Or do I want God to think well of me? Am I trying to
please people? If I were, I would not be serving Christ.
(Gal. 1:10 NIRV)

social-media-3696894_1920

Jesus knew crowds! He had a perfect understanding of what is modernly called “Crowd Psychology” (John 2:23-25). Crowds seemingly know everything or know nothing. The crowds of Jesus’ day lauded Him as a great prophet who had come from God. Others claimed Him as the Son of David. Still others just figured He was John the Baptist, Elijah, or Jeremiah. (Then, we can’t forget others were there just for a good meal (St. John 6:24-26 )).

Jesus knew that He was rightfully due praise (Luke 19:37-42), but He was not influenced by crowds. As He entered Jerusalem, they exalted Him with shouts of ‘Hosanna’! So, they praised Him, but near the end of His life, crowds were influenced to send Jesus to His death by crucifixion (Mark 15:9-14)!

Jesus had His ministry among crowds, but on many occasions He would retire from the people to be alone with God. Many today are caught up in the opinions of what people say and what they think (Mark 11:29-33). But, there is a secret place — a place where God wants His servants to be — which is far from the opinions and crowds of people.  We must also learn not to go to extremes to get people to think well of us by trying to impress them (Ga. 1:10). This is a distortion of what is true. The more we commune with God the less we are influenced by people’s censures of us (I Cor. 4:3-4).

It’s true that we need all kinds of people to interact with. It is also true that we need to find times to distance ourselves from people to know the mind and will of God. Crowds and groups of people will always be there; they are not going away, but how we view and interact with them is important. Let’s get away from trying to impress people and get on with the business of pleasing God!

 

 

0 CommentsLeave a comment

An Assuring Thunder!


thunder-2185502_1920

I awoke last night to the low sound of thunder with brief flashes of lightning. Thunder can be a very frightful thing but, to me, it was a reassuring sign that God is over the people and controls the universe! Thunder speaks to me! As I laid there — there was a comforting assurance that this God, who has the power to destroy nations, was my God! I was taken away from the daily noise of our world, along with its fears, and brought into a reality that God judges all who live on the earth, but He is also a shelter from the storm! As the thunder began to die down, I so wanted to hear the sound of the noise increase, not with great blasts of judgment, but loud enough to hear God say that this is His world! The loud rain falling reminded me of God’s provision to water the earth that the earth might produce. God’s judgments are mixed with His mercy. His mercy is extended to all who will call on Him in truth! God will save those who turn to Him and He will make himself known. Thunder, as we know it, does not need to be frightening, but it can be a sign to us that the owner of this world reigns sovereign and that He is in control!

The clouds poured down rain.
The skies rumbled with thunder.
Lightning flashed back and forth like arrows.
Your thunder was heard in the windstorm.
Your lightning lit up the world.
The earth trembled and shook.
Your path led through the Red Sea.
You walked through the mighty waters.
But your footprints were not seen.
You led your people like a flock.
You led them by the hands of
Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 77:17-20
(Read all of Psalm 77)

0 CommentsLeave a comment

#113 – A-Z Bible Teachers’ Checklist.


These “checklists” will be posted from
the PCAF – ICEA staff on an ongoing basis
to help Christian educators with
tips, ideas, and instructions. 

Repetition is Good

God speaks once, or twice,
yet no one notices it. (Job 33:14)

waves-circles-545135_1920.jpg

What to Do:

  • Never assume that students will retain casual statements you make while teaching. A good point needs to be reinforced with similar statements in order for the average student to “own” it.
  • It’s said that students remember 10% of what they hear. Use repetition to make your words count.
  • Be deliberate in your approach by repeating concepts and phrases. Don’t repeat too much, but find a good balance. The key is to repeat with variety: giving examples,
    and stories, along with supporting scriptures (Ps. 29:1-11).
  • God consistently uses repetition to teach us lessons. You can learn and teach from His examples (Job 33:14-30).
0 CommentsLeave a comment