Don't Stop Praying ♫

Don't stop praying, the Lord is nigh;
Don't stop praying, He'll hear your cry;
God has promised, and He is true;
Don't stop praying, He'll answer you.

Don't stop praying for every need;
Don't stop praying, the Lord will heed;
No petition to Him is small;
Don't stop praying, He'll hold your hand.

Don't stop praying when led to sin;
Don't stop praying that good may win;
Christ was tempted and understands;
Don't stop praying, He'll hold your hands.

Don't stop praying when bowed with grief;
Don't stop praying, you'll get relief;
Troubles never escape God's sight;
Don't stop praying, He'll make it right.

Don't stop praying but have more trust;
Don't stop praying, for pray we must;
Faith will banish a mount of care;
Don't stop praying, God answers prayer.

GAD Or God?

Are you a chronic worrier? Do you worry about bills, the future, health, debt, marriage issues? Has worry so consumed you that you have become “a fret machine”? If this describes you, perhaps you have generalized anxiety disorder, or GAD—a condition marked by a perpetual state of worry about most aspects of life. According to David Barlow, professor of psychology at Boston University, “the key psychological feature of GAD is a state of chronic, uncontrollable worry.” A little anxiety is normal, but constant worry is not.

Overwhelmed by suffering and persecution, the first-century Christians were driven out of Jerusalem and scattered throughout Asia (1 Peter 1:1-7). Many of these Jesus-followers were experiencing feelings of distress because of possible danger or misfortune. Peter encouraged these believers not to be filled with anxiety but to cast all their worries upon God (5:7). He wanted them to realize that it made very little sense for them to carry their worries when they could cast them on God who cared deeply about what happened to them.

Are you a chronic worrier? Let God be responsible for your anxieties. Stop worrying and start trusting Him completely. — Marvin Williams

When every worry, every care
To God in faith is brought,
We have no place whereon to found
One single anxious thought. —Anon.

Worry is a burden God never intended us to bear.

August 11, 2009
http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/08/11/devotion.aspx

Nothing is more important than love

'...live a life of love...' Ephesians 5:2 NIV

The great Scottish writer Thomas Carlyle married his secretary, Jane Welsh. She kept working for him but when she got ill, Carlyle, who was devoted to his work, didn't really notice. But she had cancer and was eventually confined to bed. Although Carlyle loved her, he found that he didn't have much time to give attention to give to her. Then she died. After the funeral Carlyle found Jane's diary and began to read it. On one page she'd written a single line: 'Yesterday he spent an hour with me and it was like heaven: I love him so much.' A reality he'd somehow been too blind to see now revealed itself with crushing clarity. He'd been too busy to notice how much he meant to Jane. He thought of all the times he'd been preoccupied with his work and failed to notice her. He hadn't seen her suffering. He hadn't seen her love. Turning the page, he read words he'd never forget: 'I've listened all day to hear his steps in the hall, but now it's late, he won't come today.' Thomas was devastated. Later, friends found him at the side of her grave, covered with mud. His eyes were red from weeping, 'If only I'd known, if only I'd known,' he cried. After Jane's death, Carlyle made little attempt to write again. Nothing is more important than love. Is there anyone you need to spend time with today?

SoulFood: Ezek 47:1-12, Rev 21: 22 - 22:5

Sunday, 09 August 2009

http://www.word4u2day.com.au/200908081821/Nothing-is-more-important-than-love.html?bsb_midx=0

God will provide!

'...do not worry...' Matthew 6:31 NIV

King David writes, 'I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread' (Psalm 37:25 NIV). Nobody can say that King David lived a 'sheltered life'! He lived on the front line, and so when as an old man he shares his reflections about the way the world works we need to pay attention. His advice to the next generation is to learn how to lean on God: 'Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this;' (Psalm 37:3-5 NLT). The sad thing is, even though David, Israel's greatest King, took the time to write down this advice, and even though it was taught year in year out in the schools and the synagogues of the land, the people just didn't follow it. When Jesus began to minister He had to deal with the same issue saying: 'Do not worry, saying, "What shall we eat?" or "What shall we drink?" or "What shall we wear?"...your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well' (Matthew 6:31-33 NIV). So today, relax, no really, chill, trust, God will provide!

SoulFood: Deut 18-21, Luke 12:1-12, Ps 119:17-24, Pr 17:7-10

Friday, 07 August 2009

http://www.word4u2day.com.au/200908061819/God-will-provide.html?bsb_midx=0

Every problem is an opportunity to trust God

We all experience difficulties, problems, and trials throughout life. Usually, we also look for ways to solve those problems. All of the various solutions basically ask one of these two questions: "What can I do to solve this?" Or, "What can God do to solve this?"

In other words, we either try to solve the problem on our own, or we let God solve it. Obviously, it is much wiser to give your problems to God.

Therefore, in the midst of your problem, Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5). Trust God to solve your problems. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal (Isaiah 26:4).

During your trials you should frequently quote Psalm 91:2: I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

Furthermore, when you're truly trusting in God, there is nothing to worry about. Jesus said, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me" (John 14:1).

Make this your cry: "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God" (Psalm 20:7).

Trust the Lord God Almighty in every area of your life, even during problems, because every problem gives you an opportunity to trust God.

Weekly Wisdoms for the week of July 20, 2009

http://www.christnotes.org/ww.php?d=2009-07-20

In His Time ♫

In His time, in His time.
He makes all things beautiful, in His time.
Lord, please show me every day,
As You're teaching me Your way,
That You do just what You say,
In Your time.

In Your time, in Your time,
You make all things beautiful, in Your time.
Lord, my life to You I bring,
May each song I have to sing.
Be to You a lovely thing,
In Your time

Role Models

During a summer of international sports scandals involving gambling and substance abuse, two athletes were applauded for their character as much as their professional accomplishments. A record crowd of 75,000 cheered Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn during their 2007 induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. “Whether we like it or not,” Ripken said, “as big leaguers, we are role models. The only question is, will it be positive or will it be negative?”

Gwynn echoed the sentiment: “There’s more than just playing the game of baseball. . . . You’re responsible, you’ve got to make good decisions and show people how things are supposed to be done.”

Every day, people are watching us. As followers of Christ, we are guided by Paul’s challenge to “become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15).

Compromise causes others to become disillusioned, while character fosters hope. As the life of our Savior flows out from us, we can encourage others and point them to Him.

What kind of role model will we be for someone watching today? — David C. McCasland

Guard well your life, to the Savior be true;
Many are watching each deed that you do;
Hence if you stumble and fall in deep sin,
It will prove harder lost souls here to win. —Bosch

The best role models model Christ.

July 26, 2009
http://www.rbc.org/devotionals/our-daily-bread/2009/07/26/devotion.aspx