Intersection of Life and Faith Toggle navigation 5 Ways to Extend Radical Kindness amidst Coronavirus Chaos Ashlee Eiland Author 2020 14 Apr Recently I was counting down the days, giddy in anticipation of a long-awaited cruise. My husband and I were looking forward to the time away, just the two of us and a couple of friends—no kids, no interruptions. Just rest and rejuvenation. Then the week before our cruise, it was canceled. Our kids’ school announced it was closing, and our workplace suggested we work from home if we could. The inevitability of mass change in life rhythms was upon us. Today we’re at home with our three children. Because one of our kids has a fragile immune system, we’ve elected to not have sitters or other people over. And we are not resting. We wake up in the middle of the night or have trouble falling asleep. Our time is split between corralling the kids and trying to get work done in the cracks. We put ourselves in time-out to nap or to take a much-needed deep breath. Personally, I’ve cried: over the state of our world, the loss of life, and seeing people grieve without the gift of proximity. I’ve cried over how this time of chaos in the midst of a pandemic has disproportionately impacted people on the fringes of our society, those who have historically been marginalized and ignored. How are we to navigate the lament that’s so familiar these days? Photo Credit: ©Kelly L. Howard Connecting amidst Chaos Perhaps you’re dodging and navigating your own chaos right now: You’re an essential worker, or you live with one. You want to be close to the person you love, and yet it’s just too dangerous right now. Or, you’re pastoring a flock. And yet, you have no idea how to lead given the great chasm of the unknown or the own complexity of your own family life. You’re wanting to be present with your kids. And yet, how do you remind them that this is not their fault? That not being able to see their friends has nothing to do with anything they’ve done? How do you continue to teach them and celebrate them, while feeling like you don’t have much to give? Maybe you live alone by yourself. And there’s just no good way to adequately communicate how the loneliness grips you, or how much you wish others were around to bear witness to your creativity, your longings, your dreams, your fears. You miss your people. You’re concerned about your mental health. Finances are tight or non-existent. You want this to be over. And, yet, the chaos swirls. How do we connect and offer hope to a grieving world, when we ourselves grieve? How do we extend ourselves in displays of goodness and healing, when we ourselves are hurting? Photo Credit: ©GettyImages Being Kind to One Another A text that’s brought me much consolation in this season is an unlikely one. Here, the apostle Paul writes to the church at Ephesus: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 (ESV) Paul has just finished warning the Ephesians against hardened hearts and callousness, proclaiming that they put on the “new self” that’s available to them because of Christ. Here’s what’s true about chaos: It has the potential to harden us. It has the potential to toughen us up to the point of callousness, if we let it. In chaos, we go inward and self- protect. We brace ourselves for more discomfort. We look out for ourselves, and our vision for others is blurred. So how do we maintain tender hearts in the midst of a season like the one we’re in right now? How do we reject the temptation to become hardened and self-absorbed, concerned only with ourselves? I believe in my core that one way keep our hearts pliable, tender, and sensitive to the Spirit of God (and to others with whom we’re meant to be in relationship), is to engage kindness as a part of our new daily disciplines. Here are five ways we might choose to extend kindness in this season of chaos: Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/ThitareeSarmkasat 1. Serve Your (Actual) Neighbors It’s so easy to think about our families, our co-workers, or even people in a different state or the other side of the world right now. When chaos swirls, it may be easiest to stay focused on people closest to us—or farthest away. But now is a great time to form unlikely and life-giving relationships with your actual neighbors. In our neighborhood, we’ve found that what people need are positive, healthy distractions, words of encouragement, and practical provision. Take note of what your neighbors are needing right now by joining an online forum like Nextdoor or your local neighborhood Facebook group. Periodically ask questions like: “Does anyone need me to pick up groceries for them today?” or “How can we pray for you all tonight?” These simple questions provide great ways to foster empathy and keep your heart engaged with others around you. As the weather warms up, offer to do yard work or other projects that don’t require close proximity. Sanitize gently used books, toys, or magazines and set up a leisure library. Check in with your local church or other non-profits to see what the largest needs are for your ZIP code or neighborhood. Who knows? Your simple questions or quick research may meet someone in a place of physical or emotional need at a crucial time. Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/Engin Akyurt 2. Give Generously to Those Least Expecting As you get to know your neighbors, follow those needs with unexpected generosity. In a time where the financial reality for many may be uncertain, what would it look like for us to go beyond financial giving to other displays of sacrifice? Bake or cook a meal for an elderly neighbor, or a family that includes someone in the medical profession (or another essential worker). If you’re hesitant to cook, buy gift cards from restaurants in need of support and give those out to different neighbors who would benefit from takeout or a night off of needing to cook a meal. So many are on the frontlines and are only experiencing transactional forms of relationship. Next time that you’re at the gas station, grocery store, or answering the door to pick up your packages being dropped off, stop whoever is on the other side of that service to genuinely offer thanks and gratitude for how they’re serving the community. Whether it’s monetary contributions to a local organization, or relieving some of the chaos for someone else—giving can take a creative turn in the face of chaos. Give some thought to what generosity might look like for you and your family—not just to bring joy to someone else, but to keep your own heart tender and hope-filled. The Lord just might be longing to extend His kindness to someone else through you. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Imagesines 3. Cultivate Joy Using What You Have My husband and I love to have friends over. We also love going to concerts, festivals, and new hubs of our city that celebrate diversity of culture and life experience. Since all of those options are off the table and we’re still wanting to both bring and experience joy, we decided to use what we already have at home. My husband is a musician. So, one Sunday afternoon, I asked him if he’d be up for pulling a stool out onto the front lawn to play some music for the neighborhood. We posted in our neighborhood Facebook group to invite anyone who would want to get out of the house for a walk or some exercise, and a few minutes later, there was a dispersed gathering of neighbors all around us. Some pulled up lawn chairs in their yards, other watched from their open windows. But for 30 minutes, we cultivated joy without pulling out of our driveway. We used what we already had at our disposal, and gave it away. What do you already have that others might receive joy from experiencing? Your art, your words, your food, your creativity? If it brings you and those closest to you joy—chances are, it will bring joy to someone else. Hop online or on social media, or step outside. Chances are others are thirsty for the joy you’re able to bring. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Iuliia Zavalishina 4. Replace Negativity and Fear with Goodness and Hope Scroll down any news feed and it’s everywhere: personal attacks aimed toward decision-makers, judgments about people’s thoughts and strategies, articles and videos created to inspire fear and widespread anxiety. It’s not hard to find negativity and it’s not hard to be perpetually sucked in to its gravitational pull. The Scriptures remind us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), rejecting being conformed by the patterns [of negativity and fear] of this world. Instead, what would it look like to scatter messages of goodness and hope all around us, for our own minds’ own saturation, and to give others something to hold onto that might bring peace and healing? Whether it’s Scripture or messages written in chalk on your sidewalk, a daily reminder posted in your kitchen, or daily/weekly posts of inspiration on social media—let’s meet the negativity and fear with transformational words that pierce the darkness and bring light to the world. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/jacoblund 5. Make Space to Be Kind to Yourself Finally, tenderheartedness in a season of chaos isn’t reserved for others. What would it look like to remain kind to ourselves in a time when internal pressure to perform and produce might be heightened? Take time to take stock of what actually brings you life and keeps you healthy. At one point in my life, I thought binge-watching TV, eating sugar, and sleeping all day would be helpful. Now I know the difference between a temporary escape and actual life-giving habits. Watching TV and eating sugar may provide temporary satisfaction, but that type wears off pretty quickly. As a matter of fact, I usually end up more frustrated, tired, or sluggish. But when I make space for silence and solitude, when I soak in the Word of God and drink water and eat healthy meals—I know I’m caring for myself in ways that have a long-lasting, positive impact. Nowadays, being outside—weather permitting—is a must. It’s not just about fresh air. I need to be reminded of the goodness of creation and how life still happens in the middle of storms. I exercise 3-4 times a week and try to connect with friends, somehow, every day. It’s good for me to be aware of what others are experiencing, to see outside of myself and hold things with others I care about. Finally, kindness sometimes looks like permission. Permission to grieve. Permission to be angry. Permission to not have the answers or know how to make something perfect. The last part of the Ephesians 4 passage is the part that makes all of this possible: …as God in Christ forgave you. Believe it or not, we can thrive in chaos. We can extend ourselves in peacemaking and kindness-bringing. We can be better on the other side of this. Not because of anything we’ve willed ourselves to do, but because, in Christ, God extended Himself to us in the midst of the chaos of a rebellious humanity and a hostile, broken world. He came for us. He cut through the chaos. And he lived. Because He lives, so can we. May we joyfully tap into a power that is not our own—to bring kindness to ourselves and everyone around us. Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/m-gucci Ashlee Eiland, the author of Human(Kind): How Reclaiming Human Worth and Embracing Radical Kindness Will Bring Us Back Together, serves as the formation and preaching pastor at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She shares God’s message of redemption and reconciliation at conferences, colleges, and events around the country. She began her professional career working for Nestlé USA and left corporate America to pursue full-time vocational ministry. Ashlee earned a BA in international relations from the University of Southern California and completed her master’s in organizational leadership at Judson University. Ashlee and her husband, Delwin, have three children and live in Grand Rapids, Michigan. For more information, visit her at AshleeEiland.com and Instagram@ashlee_eiland. Find Out More > NEXT: Are You Willing to Be Unseen in Quarantine to Realize God Sees You? About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Crosswalk App Do Not Sell My Info (CA Only)
Fulfilling His Promise
Living Light Daily Devotional Affirming His Promise By Touching Lives with Dr. James Merritt “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 There is perhaps no greater promise in the Bible than Romans 8:28. The same God that kept His promise to Noah and Abraham and Joseph will keep His promise to us. The same God that was controlling every part of Joseph’s life is controlling ours. He can be trusted even in darkest of times. The fact is, life is hard. We are going to be treated unfairly. We are going to experience injustice. We are going to be done wrong even when we do what is right. The short end of the stick is in our future…but the presence of problems never means the absence of God. When people are doing their worst to you; God is doing His best for you. When people are doing you wrong; God is making it right. Do you understand the implications of this truth? Nothing happens to you by chance. Nothing happens because of bad luck or random chance. God is in control. And because He is sovereign over all things, you are never a victim of your circumstances. Because of the plan of God, the providence of God, and the promise of God, every circumstance and experience of your life fits into God’s plan for you, the world, and the universe. God controls everything and everyone. He not only controls the orbit of the planets and the movement of the galaxies, but the clock and the moments of life. He controls your friends. He controls your family. And He controls your foes. It is one thing to take what is good and make it better. It is another thing to take what is better and make it best. But, God takes what is bad and makes it good. No matter how much you think it looks like your life is out of control, remember, God is in control. Application: Do you believe and trust in the promises of God? Read in browser » Recent Articles: Accomplishing His Purpose Achieving His Plan Only God But God… Elevate God’s Word Share Your Faith Boldly Learn a simple, straight-forward method for effectively sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. This three-week online course features a downloadable workbook along with training videos from Dr. James Merritt. Enroll today and learn how to effectively and confidently share your faith! ENROLL NOW Prayer Request Email TL Staff Donate Now Share Tweet Forward This email was sent to hopkinsanthony33@gmail.com why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences Touching Lives, Inc. · 1800 Satellite Blvd · Duluth, GA 30097 · USA
What Does Galatians 5:22 Mean?
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À Modern Day Fisher of Men
URGENT: Encouragement and Prayer in a Time of Pandemic…See All of Our Coronavirus Resources Here Toggle navigation Search Browse The Bible Toggle Dropdown Find it! A Modern Day ‘Fisher of Men’? Bible / Bible Study / Topical Studies / A Modern Day ‘Fisher of Men’? Share Tweet Save Ashley Hooker Monday, April 20, 2020 Do you love to go fishing? The possibility of catching the big one can cause your adrenaline to pump at high rates. I know that I love to fish with my children. It is always a wonderful time whether we catch anything or not. But, in our Bibles, we read Jesus’ thoughts on fishing in Mark 1:17. The verse states “Come follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men.” Becoming a fisher of man meant that Jesus was going to use his disciples to grow the kingdom of God. Let’s take this time to look further at what it means to be fishers of men and how we are to be a fisherman today. Photo credit: Unsplash/natsuki Who Wrote the Gospel of Mark? The Gospel of Mark has been identified to be written by a man named Mark. This man was not just any ordinary man though. From Scripture, we learn a lot about the life of Mark. William Barclay writes “He was the son of a well to do lady in Jerusalem, named Mary.” His mother’s house had been a rallying point for the early Church. Mark would have been present at the meetings of the Early Church and would have known about the man we call the Son of God. Mark was also the nephew of the apostle Paul’s missionary partner, Barnabas. In Acts 12:25, we learn that Mark went with Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. To Paul’s dismay, Mark leaves them before they entered Perga. We are not sure why. Mark was a close friend to Peter, and it is believed that most of what he wrote came from Peter’s preaching after the death of Christ. We know that Peter cared deeply about Mark when he refers to Mark as his son in 1 Peter 5:13. Shortly after the death of Peter, around 65 AD, Mark would have written the words we call the Gospel of Mark. The date Mark’s writings come together also coincide with the first Jewish Revolt. Jews began fighting Rome in 66 AD and the war lasted for five years. During the first revolt, the Jews expelled the Romans from Jerusalem. By the end of the war, Jerusalem had fallen, and the Temple was burned. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/leitner What Is Happening in Mark 1? Mark chapter 1 is interesting in that it does not start with the story that depicts the birth of Christ or even his boyhood. Mark starts his gospel by jumping into the life of ministry Christ lived out. At this point, Jesus is grown. We begin with John the Baptist as he is preaching baptism in the wilderness. Jesus is baptized by John and then spends 40 days being tempted by Satan in the wilderness. Meanwhile, John the Baptist is put into prison and Jesus begins his journey to Galilee. Along the way, Jesus is telling others of the good news. We then reach the point of our desired text. Jesus calls his first disciples when he is walking on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Simon and Andrew were casting their nets into the water when Jesus says “Follow Me.” In the region of Galilee, there would have been many fishermen on the water. This was the staple diet of the people as they rarely ate meat. It would not have been hard to find a fisherman because this was an area dotted with fishing villages. The rest of Mark 1 shares the miracles Jesus did: driving out an impure spirit, healing people, and healing a man with leprosy. The entirety of Mark 1 lays out the early days of Jesus’ ministry. He is choosing his disciples and beginning to preach to others regarding the love of God. Photo credit: Unsplash/Nguyen Linh Does Translation Impact Meaning? Oftentimes, we find that different translations can alter meanings of Scripture. Sometimes we get a better understanding and other times we can experience a different meaning altogether. In the case of Mark 1:17, I don’t believe translation affects the meaning. Let’s look at four of the most known translations and consider the points they have in common. And Jesus said unto them, “Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.” KJV Come follow me. Jesus said, and I will send you out to fish for people. NIV Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” The Message And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” ESV The first point they all have are words commanding to follow Jesus. Each translation states that in order to become a fisher of men, you must follow Jesus. While the ESV uses the word follow and the others use the word come, they mean the same thing. We must walk with Jesus. Second, each verse states the purpose of the calling – it is to become fishers of men. The wording may be a little different, such as The Message translation, but the purpose is still there. Jesus has stated what the disciples must do and why they must do it. Third, we see what the disciples, and now us, are going to do. Jesus says they are going to fish for men. The Message translation says they are to catch men and women and the NIV uses the word people. I don’t believe the addition of the word women or change of men to people changes the meaning. For some readers, it will only enhance the meaning of the Scripture. Photo credit: Unsplash/Priscilla Du Preez What Does It Mean to Be a Fisher of Men? After first glance we may wonder what Jesus was talking about when he tells Simon and Andrew that they will become fishers of men. For these men, who were lifetime fishermen, this was the perfect analogy. The region they lived and worked in was a fishing village. Most likely, they had a legacy of fishing in their families. For this reason, they would have understood fishing and the catch. What was probably more titillating, was the notion of fishing for men. At first, they must have thought this was a bit crazy. My belief is that Jesus was smart enough to use what these ordinary men would have known to share His reason for being on Earth. He would not have asked them theological questions, because they would not have understood. They were fishermen, not Jewish leaders or teachers of the law. Jesus used language that they would easily relate to. In Scripture, we will not find this phrase anywhere else except for Matthew 4:19. Matthew is speaking of the same event as Mark, the calling of Simon and Andrew. In the Old Testament, we do not find as many mentions of fishing as we do in the New Testament. This is likely because we are in different regions of the world during the time of the Old Testament. During the physical life of Christ, we are in the regions of Jerusalem and Galilee where fishing was more prevalent. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Katarzyna Bialasiewicz How Can We Be Fishers of Men Today? Becoming a fisher of men is not something assigned to just Simon and Andrew. It is a holy assignment by our Lord. Since all of us are not fishermen, it may be difficult to understand how we can do this. Let’s first look at what a first-century fisherman was. They were men who spent their nights on the water to bring in a big catch in the morning. It was not just their occupation – it was their life. They worked on the water and then mended nets on the shores. Usually, they were rugged people who could be harsh at times. Are we not like those first-century fishermen? We often work all day and sometimes into the night just to pay our bills or purchase something we desire. We can be harsh and rugged at times too. Our lives without Christ are filled with sin that leaves us rough around the edges. Our view of what is important is skewed by the tunnel vision we have. Material wealth becomes more important than spiritual wealth. First-century fishermen were just ordinary men who worked to support their families. They probably did not think of themselves as righteous or important. But Jesus still called on them as he calls on us. In a book by William Barclay, he says we should not think about who we are. We should only look at ourselves through the eyes of Christ. Simon and Andrew had to do the same thing. To be a fisher of men in the 21st century means we must expand our horizons, we must look beyond the bubble we live in. We are a part of family and friends, but we must be a part of our community and world. Our purpose in life evolves and we see that the rise of human values is more important than material wealth. Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Rilueda Sharing This Good News The good news of Christ is to be shared with all we meet. If we are to be fishers of men, we need to think in terms of growing the kingdom of God. Taking the love of Christ to others is what being a fisher of men is. The fishermen of the disciples most likely thought they would never leave the sea. In reality, Andrew traveled to all countries surrounding the Black Sea. Thomas and Bartholomew went as far as India. Peter even traveled to Rome. We can be just like them when we expand our horizons beyond those in our close circles. My final thoughts about being a fisher of men are simple. Jesus came to share the way we could have eternal life. He came to die for all of us. If we repent and allow the Holy Spirit in our lives, then we are fishers of men. It is essential that we share Jesus with all we meet and everywhere we go. God calls us wherever we are. Simon and Andrew were fishing. You might be at church, at work, or taking a walk through the woods. Jesus wants us to help him bring others into the kingdom. We don’t have to be socialites or wealthy. We just need to love Jesus and obey like Simon and Andrew did as they threw down their nets and followed Him. Photo credit: Pexels/Katii Bishop Ashley Hooker is a freelance writer who spends her time homeschooling her two children, supporting her husband as he finishes school to become a pastor, and writing about her faith. Currently, she is a contributing author for Journey Christian magazine. She has taken part in mission trips with the NC Baptist Men during the devastation of Hurricanes Katrina and Harvey in Mississippi and Texas. In her local church, she has served on various committees focusing in the area of evangelism along with traveling to West Virginia and Vermont to share the Gospel. Her dream is to spend her time writing and sharing the love of Christ with all she meets. 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Accomplishing His Purpose
Living Light Daily Devotional Accomplishing His Purpose By Touching Lives with Dr. James Merritt “…But God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” – Genesis 50:20 Understand something about God’s plan for your life. It wasn’t drawn up last night. He is not making it up or editing it on the fly. God doesn’t have to improvise or adjust. God’s plan for you and for me is wrapped around the purpose He has not just for you and me, but also for the entire world. And this purpose existed before the world was even created. Remember this – God’s plan is always in accordance with His purpose. There is a method to God’s madness; and He has a purpose in everything He does. God not only has a plan He wants to achieve; He has a purpose He wants to accomplish. His plan and His purpose always work together. God doesn’t react when things go wrong in your life. In fact, God doesn’t react to anything. He acts before everything. God is filtering everything that happens to us to make sure that at the end of the day His purpose is accomplished. It took Joseph 23 years to fully see what this purpose was in his life. Listen to Joseph’s “Aha moment” in Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” What lives was Joseph referring to? Earlier he said this to his brothers in Genesis 45:7: “But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” Joseph wasn’t just talking about his brothers, but the seeds of the Nation of Israel. These seeds needed to be planted so that God’s purpose for the entire world could be fulfilled. There was a worldwide famine during this time. Had God not given Joseph the ability to interpret dreams, Pharaoh never would have known to plan for this famine and store up grain. Had God not put Joseph in his high position in Egypt, his entire family would have starved to death. And Joseph’s family was the seeds of Israel that needed to be planted so that God could harvest the Nation of Israel. Why was this so important? Because the Savior of the world would come from the Nation of Israel. If Joseph’s brothers don’t sell him into slavery, he doesn’t go to Egypt. If he doesn’t go to Egypt there is no Israel. If there is no Israel there is no Jesus. If there is no Jesus there is no salvation for the world. Joseph didn’t know what God was doing, but God knew what God was doing. God had a plan for Joseph’s pit. He had bigger fish to fry than the momentary difficulties in Joseph’s life. Things do not happen to you by coincidence; they happen by providence. God’s plan for your life is bigger than you, and bigger than any plans you could ever have for yourself. Application: Do you believe that God is accomplishing His purpose for your life? Read in browser » Recent Articles: Achieving His Plan Only God But God… Elevate God’s Word Demonstrate God’s Will Share Your Faith Boldly Learn a simple, straight-forward method for effectively sharing the Good News of Jesus with others. This three-week online course features a downloadable workbook along with training videos from Dr. James Merritt. Enroll today and learn how to effectively and confidently share your faith! ENROLL NOW Prayer Request Email TL Staff Donate Now Share Tweet Forward This email was sent to hopkinsanthony33@gmail.com why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences Touching Lives, Inc. · 1800 Satellite Blvd · Duluth, GA 30097 · USA
What Does Proverbs 16:9 Mean?
Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Home Verse Of The Day Proverbs 16:9 ◄ What Does Proverbs 16:9 Mean? ► The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9(NASB) Verse Thoughts There are many lessons that God’s people have to learn and often it takes a lifetime to pass the different tests the Lord sets for each one of us. The book of Proverbs is filled with examples of both godly living (i.e. behaviour we should seek to emulate), and unwise actions – things we should eschew and avoid. There are many biblical principles to follow, in this book of instructions and many wise practices to develop. As we journey through life we should earnestly seek to develop these behaviours and attitudes, as we grow in grace and in a knowledge of the Lord Jesus. One such concept to embrace with understanding is- “The mind of man plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” We may make future plans and purpose in our heart how to achieve our desired goals, but God is the one who directs our path. He is the One Who establishes the steps we take. Making plans for the future is wise and prudent. The Lord designed us with minds to think. He gave us a free-will to make wise choices in life. The Bible advises virtuous living and prudent planning for we read “those who plan good find loyalty and faithfulness”, and, “plans are made by seeking wise and godly advice from others.” Paul was a man who often spoke of his plans to visit certain Churches and wrote of goals he wanted to achieve, but Scripture shows that although Paul made many good travel plans and purposed in his heart to visit certain Churches, not all were accomplished for the Lord was the one that directed his path. On one occasion we read that Paul’s plans were rearranged by the Holy Spirit of God when he received a call from the Lord, to forgo his own pre-developed arrangements, and go instead to Macedonia. Paul’s plans were worthy and worthwhile, but God had ordained that he should change them and go and share the gospel with the people elsewhere. Often the plans we make are deficient and nearsighted, but God in His grace often brings us to our desired destination in a very different way. Sometimes the goals we set are too limited or too limiting, but God will bring us to a place of fulfilment that we could not have thought possible. Sometimes the plans we make may be good and honourable, but God knows the end from the beginning and may take us to a different destination with a different expected outcome. But if we are living by faith and trusting His guidance – He will bring us to the place that HE knows is best – not only in this world but in the eternal ages to come. If we are prepared to die to self, live for Him and cry, “not my will but Yours be done’ we may be sure that whatever plans we make, the Lord will direct our steps and guide us in the best way to go. James pointed out the folly of setting our future plans in stone by making arrogant claims about what we will do in the future – rather we should express our future plans by saying, “If the Lord will, we shall do this or that. However carefully we consider our plans, we have a very limited view of the future. We do not know what will happen in the coming weeks and months. Indeed, we have no control over any of our tomorrows. But our times are in His hands, and because God can see the end from the beginning, we should be ready to bathe every plan we make in prayer and place each desire of our heart into His safe-keeping. God not only knows the future but holds the future in His hands. How wise, therefore, to use our rational thought and god-given free-will to plan wisely, to the best of our ability, while recognising that while God may permit our plan to move forward, He may overrule it or even advance it further. But what a comfort to know that while we have the freedom to make our plans, the Lord will direct our feet into the way that is best for us. May we embrace this statement of fact as a promise of God to each one of us and rejoice that “the mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. My Prayer Dear Lord and Father, thank You that we have the freedom to make future plans and yet have the wonderful assurance that You are the One Who directs our steps. Thank You that I have been given the free-will to make choices in life, and a sound mind with which to think and consider different options. I pray that You would give me the wisdom to make the right choices in life, but thank You, Father, that I am not alone and that You guide me along the best way and direct my steps in the way I should go. Give me wisdom and discernment to make the best life-choices and an ear that is open to Your leading and guidance, in Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN. ◄ Previous: Proverbs 16:3 Next: Proverbs 16:18 ► Choose a Verse from Proverbs 16 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233 Luke 24:27 1 John 5:4 1 John 5:18 1 Corinthians 10:17 Follow us Proverbs 16:9 Further Study Proverbs 16:9 in the Parallel Bible Proverbs 16:9 in the Thematic Bible Proverbs 16:9 Cross References Proverbs 16:9 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Proverbs 16:9 Sermons Proverbs 16:9 Prayers Proverbs 16:9 Images Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals Spiritual Satisfaction Deuteronomy 13:17 Acts 26:15 Solid Gold Trials Can A Saint Slander God? 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Encouragement and Prayer in a Time of the Pandemic
URGENT: Encouragement and Prayer in a Time of Pandemic…See All of Our Coronavirus Resources Here Toggle navigation Search Browse The Bible Toggle Dropdown Find it! Can We Really Speak Things into Existence? Bible / Bible Study / Topical Studies / Can We Really Speak Things into Existence? Clarence L. Haynes Jr. | clarencehaynes.com Sunday, April 19, 2020 Share Tweet Save When God created the heavens and the earth he did so by speaking. He said let there be and there was. God in his great power literally spoke the world into existence. He spoke into what was void and empty. From that came this beautiful world that we see all around us. The question I want to pose to you is, has God passed this same power and authority to you and I? Can you really speak things into existence? There are scriptures that seem to support this point of view so let’s analyze some of those so we can find the answer to this question. Words Are Powerful Let’s be clear: your words are powerful. Proverbs 18:21 tells us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. That’s right, your words can speak life and encouragement to a person’s soul. They can also be discouraging words, shooting holes in people’s ambition and bringing death to their dreams. On a positive note, consider all the people who have been inspired by someone telling them a word of encouragement. I remember having a conversation with my pastor and I was telling him about a book I was writing. The first words out of his mouth were “how can I help you?” Those five words were a source of motivation and encouragement to me. They really inspired me and helped me to get the book done. Understand that your words have power. But is there a limit to that power? A Commonly Misquoted Scripture In some Christian circles, you may hear people say “speak those things that are not as though they are.” Usually this is said with great faith – with the thought of bringing something that you want to pass. Let me be clear, I am not trying to discredit anyone’s faith. I have no interest in doing that because I believe people who say this truly believe. The problem is the quote of the verse is incomplete. Here is the full verse in Romans 4:17: “(as it is written, ‘I have made you a father of many nations’) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did;” (NKJV). (For context, the father of many nations to which Paul is referring is Abraham.) What you notice in this verse is that there is someone who can call to being things that do not exist, as though they do. That person is God. Though your words are powerful and can have tremendous impact in people’s lives, your words alone do not have the power to call things that do not exist into being. That right and power is only reserved for God alone. Your responsibility is to let your faith be in the God who calls things into existence and not in your own ability to do that. In other words, be like Abraham. God told him he would give him a son in his old age. Abraham believed what God said, even though it took 25 years. Because Abraham believed God, what God said came to pass in Abraham’s life. Let your faith not be in your own words, let your faith be in God’s word. Here is what we know about God’s word: “So is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11). Trusting God’s word is the greatest guarantee that you will ever have in your life. But Didn’t Jesus Say… Listen to the words of Mark 11:23: “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says” (emphasis added). When we look at this verse, we seem to have the same conundrum. What you see again is the power of your words. Does Jesus really mean that all it takes is for you to speak to a mountain and as long as you believe, that mountain will move? It appears on the surface that your words alone are being given the ability to have mountain-moving power. Before you make that final analysis, let’s consider the full context. Look at Mark 11:22: “So Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Have faith in God.’” With the full context, we can now put this whole thought together. What I want you to focus on is what the object of your faith is. Is it your words or is it God? The object of your faith must be God. The power in faith is not faith itself – it is the object of that faith. It is faith in God that makes the impossible possible. Here is what Tony Evans said about this in The Tony Evans Bible Commentary: “The most important aspect of faith, then, is the worthiness of its object. You must be trusting in the right thing. You can place tremendous faith in the tooth fairy or Santa Claus but you’ll be disappointed. If, however, you have true, vibrant faith in the God of the Bible, you have spiritual authority to access divine power.” The result of mountain-moving faith is not coming just from “what” you say. The result of mountain-moving faith is coming from “who” you are believing in. Believe God and believe his word, for that gives you access to his divine power. It is that power alone that will move the mountains and change the situations in your life. What Do You Do Now? I want to encourage you to speak. Know for certain that life and death are in the power of your tongue, so speak. Speak words of encouragement, life and hope to those around you. Speak God’s promises over your life. Speak to yourself and remind yourself who you are in Christ. Speak and encourage yourself in the Lord. Speak the word of God into your situations. Speak to the mountains and challenges in your life and don’t doubt that they will move. However, in the speaking, remember to put your faith not in the words you speak, because that is not where the power comes from. Put your faith in God who has promised to bring his word to pass. This is the true source of your power. Let your faith be solely in God and his word because we know that his word will accomplish the purpose for which it was sent. Photo credit: Unsplash/Matthias Wagner Clarence L. Haynes Jr. is a rising speaker, teacher, author and co-founder of The Bible Study Club. He has spent more than 30 years serving the body of Christ in various capacities and has just released his first book called The Pursuit of Purpose. If you have ever struggled trying to find God’s will, this book will help you discover the different ways God leads you into his perfect will. To learn more about his ministry please visit clarencehaynes.com. Promoted Stories Ads by Revcontent Americas #1 Futurist George Gilder’s 2020 Prediction Will Stun You Internet Reboot 2020 Common Signs Your Body is Fighting Lung Cancer Search Lung Cancer Treatments How Dogs Cry for Help: 3 Warning Signs Your Dogs is Crying for Help Dr. Marty Drink This Before Bed, Watch Your Body Fat Melt Like Crazy Healthier Living Club If You Have Poor Vision, Do This Immediately (Genius!) 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What Does Matthew 5:9 Mean?
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What Does Ruth 2:3 Mea
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What Does Psalm 119:11 Mean?
Verse of the Day ▼ Devotions ▼ Home Verse Of The Day Psalm 119:11 ◄ What Does Psalm 119:11 Mean? ► Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Psalm 119:11(NASB) Verse Thoughts The heart is that private place where inner secrets are stored, and personal treasures are carefully hidden from the stare of all, but our nearest and dearest. But no companion is so cherished and no individual so dependable, as the precious Saviour of our soul – Jesus Christ, Who loves us with an everlasting love and gave His life so that we might live. The Psalmist, who wrote this inspired anthem loved the Lord, with a deep and personal love. He valued Scriptures with a passion, as exemplified in this long, and well-loved Psalm, “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path”. (v 103) “Your Word, LORD, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens.” (v 89) “Oh, how I love Your Word! I meditate on it all day long.” (v 97) “The unfolding of Your Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” (v 130) “I rejoice in following Your Statutes as one rejoices in great riches.” (v 14) “How sweet are Your Words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (v 103) “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in Your Word. (v 18)”. Oh yes! There is no question, as one follows this man’s unfolding train of thought, that he had his priorities right, and the private place of his heart contained the personal treasure that is found in Scripture, as he cries out to the Father, “Your Word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” This is the grateful cry of a sinner, saved by grace, whose dear desire is to love the Lord and honour Him with all his heart, and soul, and mind, and strength. His was a gentle cry of humility and faith, gratitude and wonder. The author of this verse was a man who read God’s word, loved God’s word and valued it more than his daily bread. He listened intently to the Word of God being read out loud. He reflected on it with every passing day. He meditated upon it morning by morning and stored it up in his heart at the close of each day, for he had come to the understanding that the Word of God is living and powerful and abides forever and ever. This was a man who had come to love God’s word and treasure it in his heart. He kept it concealed in the portion of his being where our choice thoughts, cherished wisdom, and valued secrets are stored. It is the repository-box into which he stored the Word of God. The Words from the Lord should be deposited in the secret chamber of our heart for safekeeping and for righteous living. The most precious book in the whole, wide world is the Bible. It is the inspired Word of God, and its contents are profitable for godly living. Its benefits are manifold and valuable for sound teaching and righteous reproof. It is necessary for correction and training in righteousness, and the heart is the best place to store this heavenly treasure so that we might not sin against the Lord, Who bought us with His own precious blood. The heart is that extensive personal chamber of our innermost mind. It is the place in which to store the Word of God. It is our heavenly treasure, through time and into eternity, where moth and rust will not spoil and thieves can never break in to steal it. Nothing is of greater importance; nothing has more dynamic power, and nothing compares with the eternal value of hiding God’s word in our hearts – meditating; ruminating and memorising its content. Man may try to manipulate the mind and control the thought but nothing can prevent the child of God communing in his heart with his heavenly Lord – for such communion remains impenetrable to the last breath of our mortal life. Degenerative diseases might give witness to a vacant look or lack of recognition – but NOTHING can separate us from the love of God and NOONE has the power to sever our fellowship with our heavenly Lord. There is no more beneficial activity than reflecting, pondering and contemplating the Word of God, which is nourishment for the soul; rest for the weary; peace for the troubled; comfort for the afflicted, and instruction for the man of God. To do so will enable us to resist the accusations and taunts of the enemy; deter us from going astray; protect us from the ravages of sin; guide us into all truth and instruct us in righteous living. Hiding the Word in our hearts is the most powerful antidote against sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil, and is the greatest influence to live a holy and perfect life. Day by day let us hide more of God’s Word, deep within our hearts – for we desire to be holy as our Father in heaven is holy. My Prayer I praise You, Lord, and heavenly Father, for Your Word, and the valuable lessons it contains. Thank You for the protection it affords and the treasures that are hidden within. May Your Word become to me my daily sustenance, and my life-support, knowing that it alone can keep me from the evil one and enable me to live a life that is pleasing to You. I pray that day by day You will teach me and train me through Your Word, so that I do not go astray, and I further ask that You use me to guide others into You paths of peace, in Jesus’ name, AMEN. ◄ Previous: Psalm 118:28 Next: Psalm 119:18 ► Choose a Verse from Psalm 119 123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233343536373839404142434445464748495051525354555657585960616263646566676869707172737475767778798081828384858687888990919293949596979899100101102103104105106107108109110111112113114115116117118119120121122123124125126127128129130131132133134135136137138139140141142143144145146147148149150151152153154155156157158159160161162163164165166167168169170171172173174175176 2 Timothy 3:6 Ecclesiastes 7:9 Romans 1:7 Genesis 6:8 Follow us Psalm 119:11 Further Study Psalm 119:11 in the Parallel Bible Psalm 119:11 in the Thematic Bible Psalm 119:11 Cross References Psalm 119:11 Treasury of Scripture Knowing Psalm 119:11 Sermons Psalm 119:11 Prayers Psalm 119:11 Images Psalm 119:11 Devotionals Choose Chapter Subscribe to the Verse of the day Today’s Devotionals Opened Eyes Psalm 50:23 Song of Solomon 1:4 Rest And Receive Neck Or Nothing Mounting Pressure – Growing In Grace (9) The Sin Barrier Doctrinal Statement / Privacy Policy / Use of Pictures / Donate / Contact Us Copyright Knowing-Jesus.com – All Rights Reserved
