When the HEAT is On!!!!!!

Headline News:  “Eastern States Bake”

     “The high-pressure system over the Eastern States has brought soaring temperatures causing several days of sweltering heat, and the potential of fatalities and strain on utilities.”

     During this terrible heat wave the weather bureau has given several heat advisories, for example: “TEMPERATURES WILL CONTINUE TO BE HOT TODAY...IN THE 100 TO 104 DEGREE RANGE. WHILE THIS IS JUST A BIT COOLER THAN RECENT DAYS...THE PROLONGED HOT TEMPERATURES OVER THE LAST WEEK OR SO CAN HAVE A DEVASTATING EFFECT ON THE BODY....TAKE MORE CAUTION AS HOT TEMPERATURES CONTINUE.”

     This is a precaution given to protect us in severe weather.  It is the wise person who seeks shelter or takes whatever measures necessary to protect their health. Whatever may be said for our physical body may also be applied for our spiritually welfare. The advisories given to us in the Bible are for our spiritual protection and they are a reflection of God’s concern and compassion. As we all know, there are times when the heat is on spiritually and it can have devastating affects on us in our spirit, body and mind.  In those times when life is like a flood or a flame what should we do?

Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)
  When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.

     Heat can be very oppressive and so can life! From the Isaiah 43:2 notice these phrases: “Deep waters,” “Rivers of difficulty,” “the fire of oppression.” These phrases certainly relate to the realities of life when the heat is on. Also notice in the word: “through” mentioned three times and how it relates to the ability to endure the heat: “through the deep waters,” “through rivers of difficulty” and “through the fire of oppression.”

     How is it possible when we really feel overwhelmed, sinking into the depths or being consumed by the flame, that we can survive?  Where is our shelter or refuge when the heat is on spiritually? Of course the answer is in God’s promise: “I will be with you.”

Psalms 23:4 (CEV)  

   I may walk through valleys as dark as death, but I won't be afraid. You are with me

Isaiah 41:10 (NLT) Don’t be afraid, for I am with you.

Matthew 28:20 (NLT) Jesus said: “… be sure of this: I am with you always,”

      When the heat is on and you find yourself oppressed or overwhelmed, if you will take refuge in Him, you will make it through! For all things are possible to those who trust Him as Savior and Lord.

 

image from googleimages.com

 

Saturday

Matthew 27:57-60 (NLT)
⁵⁷ As evening approached, Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea who had become a follower of Jesus, ⁵⁸ went to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. And Pilate issued an order to release it to him. ⁵⁹Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a long sheet of clean linen cloth. ⁶⁰ He placed it in his own new tomb, which had been carved out of the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance and left.

Heavenly Father, when I think of your Son in a tomb it seems unthinkable. The shouts of the crowd to crucify him, the beating, the mockery, the nails and now the silence of the tomb with the great stone sealing its entrance.

Father, we know that Saturday was the day between his death and resurrection. But that Saturday is one they will never forget, though by your grace that did survive. It was the worst day in their lives. It was a day without a future.

But, Father, we know in your purpose and plan for the salvation made available to us through your Son, it was just a day of transition. It was a hinge on which the door of hope would swing.

Father, Saturday was a long day, but it did end. And the morning light of resurrection Sunday filled the sky, the great stone was rolled away and the Savior of mankind rose from the dead.

Father, without Saturday how could we ever really appreciate Sunday. And in those times when our life feels like Saturday, we know Sunday is coming. Father, we bless your Holy Name for such glorious hope

Amen

New Year New Hope

Why We Can Have A Positive View of 2013
 
We must deal with reality and reason.

Reality
2012 left us with financial fear, trembling from violence against the innocent, natural disaster that reeked havoc, and a world with an uncertain future. How depressing. So, what basis do we have to be positive about 2013? 

Reason
Here is how the Bible tells us to be confident about 2013

Psalms 46:1-3 & 11 (NCV)
¹ God is our protection and our strength. He always helps in times of trouble. ² So we will not be afraid even if the earth shakes, or the mountains fall into the sea, ³ even if the oceans roar and foam, or the mountains shake at the raging sea. ¹¹The Lord All-Powerful is with us; the God of Jacob is our defender.

Five Practical and Positive Principles

1. God is our Protection

 

2. God is our Strength

3. God is our Help

4. God is With us

5. God is our Defender

Our response to this is "we will not be afraid ...."

    So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.   Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)

Whatever the new year holds, God is with us and that has always proven to be more than enough!

My Prayer for You........

Romans 15:13 (ESV)
¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.   

 
Amen!!!

Christmas Hope

Christmas Hope

 

     “During World War II, a woman took her two little children to visit her parents in Texas because her husband was stationed in Europe. As they got ready for Christmas—setting the tree up, putting the presents out, and preparing dinner—they were experiencing the joy of Christmas, almost forgetting the worry of war. But no sooner had the fun began, than the family heard a dreaded knock on the door and received a terrible telegram greeting.

     The young mother had to tell her children that Daddy wouldn’t be coming home for Christmas...ever. And then she went up to her room to weep alone. Her parents debated and finally decided to take down the Christmas decorations and put the presents away. When the young lady came downstairs, she immediately saw the empty spot. She exclaimed, “Mother, what have you done?”

     Her mother replied, “You’re so broken-hearted, so your father and I decided this is not the time for Christmas.”

     The new widow said, “Oh no, mother, bring it all back. Christmas was made for times such as these.”


A prayer for those in need of Christmas comfort and hope:

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (NLT)
    Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, ¹⁷ comfort you.....
 

LIGHT

The following is a devotion I received recently and thought you would enjoy reading it. Ron is an excellent devotional author. Enjoy!



Real Light by Ron Walters

Light is the oldest member of the universe, having been called into being on Day One. Those in the know tell us that light—real light—is rarely seen. And yet, ironically, none of us can see without it.

Researchers are baffled by light, they can’t even agree on how it works. Is it a wave? A particle? And, whereas they’ve sliced and diced every known molecule, they can’t reduce light. That’s because light has no volume.

Confused yet? You’re not alone.

No one can define it, either. When asked by his students to explain the phenomenon of light, Aristotle just shook his head and said, “It’s the activity of what is transparent.”

Say what!?

Plato, ever the innovator, taught his “Fire of the Eye” theory, arguing that, in some strange way, the eye originates its own light. When asked, “Why then can’t we see in the dark?” he confessed his theory had a flaw or two.
Over the years light has been a focal point of scientific breakthroughs:

• Albert Einstein based his Theory of Relativity upon the principles of light.
• Science discovered how to keep light from spreading out—as it does naturally—molding it into a true straight line. They called the process “Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation.” We call it laser.
• NASA used light and mirrors to measure the 225,000 mile distance to the moon within a half-inch.
• Soon, it’s theorized, a single fiber optic (a transmission via light) will be able to put every person on earth on one phone call simultaneously.
• The Luxor Hotel in Las Vegas created “The World’s Brightest Light,” a 40 billion candlepower beam aimed straight into the night sky. The illumination is so powerful that you can read a book by its light ten miles above the earth.
• One enterprising scientist discovered how to make light travel faster than the speed of…light.
• And, medical research determined that one-fifth of the brain does nothing but deal with light.

All this, and still no one can explain what light is.

Ironically, there’s another Light that’s also unknown to mankind: The Light of the World.

Seven centuries before Bethlehem’s biggest event, God told Isaiah that a Messiah would come “as a light…to bring salvation to the world.”

Time passed and the world waited. For centuries the darkness prevailed.

“And it came about that while [Mary and Joseph] were [in Bethlehem] the days were completed for her to give birth…and she gave birth to her firstborn son. And she wrapped Him in cloths and laid Him in a manger.”

And, The Light was born.

It was history’s greatest moment; the Father of Lights gave the world a close-up view of Himself. “I have come as light into the world that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.” With eyes wide open we’re able to look directly into that Light and see God, “with whom there is no shadow.”

Lowly shepherds came and saw The Light. Wise men saw the same Light. Over the centuries kings and peasants have gazed into His Light and their eyes were opened.

Lovers of darkness have also looked into the Light, wondering, guessing, and ultimately covering their eyes to hide from its brilliance. They’ve run from the Light but they could never darken it. That’s because “His greatness is unreachable and His ways are unfathomable.”

The Light of the World has been born! And the story is ours to tell.

Merry Christmas, Ron Walters