Rearview Mirror Reflections

I’ve always thought that you can see the hand of God best in the rearview mirror. Looking back, it’s easier to understand why He placed us in the home that He did; why He brought certain people and circumstances into and out of our lives; why He permitted difficulties and pain; why He took us to different places and put us in various jobs and careers.

In my own life, I get a lot of clarity (though not perfect clarity—that’s heaven’s joy!) about the wise and loving ways of God as I reflect on the ways He has managed my journey by “the works of [His] hands” (Ps. 92:4). With the psalmist, it makes me glad and strikes a note of joy in my heart to see how often God has assisted, directed, and managed the outcomes so faithfully (Ps. 111).

Looking ahead, though, is not always so clear. Have you ever had that lost feeling when the road ahead seems twisted, foggy, and scary? Before you move into next year, stop and look in the rearview mirror of the year gone by, and joyfully realize that God meant it when He said, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear’ ” (Heb. 13:5-6).

With the promise of God’s presence and help in mind, you can move ahead into 2011 with utmost confidence. — Joe Stowell

Shall not He who led me safely
Through the footsteps of this day
Lead with equal understanding
All along my future way? —Adams

God’s guidance in the past gives courage for the future.

Our Daily Bread - Friday,December 31, 2010
http://mobi.rbc.org/odb/2010-12-31.html

Don't give up

'Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding...' Proverbs 3:5 NCV

Has God given you a passion to do something, but things keep coming up to block you or stress you out? Don't worry; you're not alone. Life can throw us a series of challenges that can make you wonder whether you were on the right track to start. Maybe you need a lot of money to pay for a course or your rent, but it unexpectedly dries up, or a personality clash gets in the way of you succeeding.

But you know what, it's through these challenges that God shows you what you are really passionate about, and how He wants you to do things.

Don't get caught up in Plan A, where everything is set in stone. It can make life more stressful than it needs to be. Allow yourself to adapt with your circumstances. So you can't get the money you need, or you don't get the right marks in your work; that doesn't mean God is going to scrap your dream or think differently about you.

A teenage prophet called Jeremiah said these wise words: 'For I know the plans I have for you,' says the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not harm you...to give you a hope and a future.' (Jeremiah 29: 11 NIV)

Those plans may not work out the way you're expecting, but God knows what He's doing, and He will not leave your side or be disappointed in you if things don't go the way you expect. Just hold on, keep giving your plans to Him, and trust that He is in control of your life.

Wednesday, 29 December 2010 00:00
http://www.word4u2day.com.au/201012282398/Don-t-give-up.html

The True Owner

Did you hear about the church that didn’t have enough room for parking? Fortunately, it was located right next to a store that was closed on Sundays, so a church member asked the store owner if they could overflow into his parking lot. “No problem,” he said. “You can use it 51 weeks out of the year. On the 52nd week, though, it will be chained off.” The man was grateful, but asked curiously, “What happens that week?” The store owner smiled, “Nothing. I just want you to remember that it’s not your parking lot.”

It’s easy to take for granted all the material and spiritual blessings that God has given us. That’s why we need to stop and remember that Scripture says the true owner of all we possess is God: “All that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and You are exalted as head over all” (1 Chron. 29:11). Even our bodies do not belong to us: “Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit . . . and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price” (1 Cor. 6:19-20).

As 1 Timothy 6:17 reminds us: “God . . . gives us richly all things to enjoy.” We are so abundantly blessed with good things! Let’s never take our Father for granted, but use wisely and gratefully all that He has given us. — Cindy Hess Kasper

As we all enjoy God’s blessing,
Oh, may we not forget Our Lord,
from whom all good gifts come—
In Him our needs are met. —Fitzhugh

God gives blessing to us so we can give glory to Him.

Our Daily Bread - Monday,December 27, 2010
http://mobi.rbc.org/odb/2010-12-27.html

You are The King of Glory ♫

You are the King of Glory
You are the Prince of Peace
You are the Lord of heaven and earth
You are the Son of righteousness
Angels bow down before You
They worship and adore You
For You have the words of eternal life
You are Jesus Christ the Lord
Hosanna to the Son of David
Hosanna to the King of Kings
Glory in the highest heavens
Jesus the Messiah reigns

Visible Reminders

What’s the first image you see when you turn on your computer? Maybe it’s a family portrait or a special vacation picture. Or perhaps your favorite pro athlete.

How about an artist’s rendition of Jesus? A man once wrote to me about his lengthy battle with pornography—a disheartening cycle that punctuated seasons of victory with crushing forays back into an online world of empty lust. Finally, he found that putting a visible reminder of Jesus in the corner of his computer screen helped him achieve lasting victory. That constant reminder of the One who set him free caused the offensive Web sites to lose their appeal. The man wasn’t tapping into some gigabyte good-luck charm. He was giving himself a simple reminder of the teaching of Colossians 3 where Paul says, “put to death . . . fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness” (v.5).

When we turn our eyes toward Jesus, He becomes a powerful reminder that our old life “died, and [our] life is hidden with Christ in God” (v.3). Whether it’s a verse taped to the dashboard of your car or a picture on your computer, choose a tangible way to lift your thoughts into the presence of Jesus.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face;
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace. —Lemmel

The best way to keep sin at a distance is to make sure Jesus stands between you and temptation.

Our Daily Bread - October 11, 2010
http://odb.org/2010/10/11/visible-reminders-2/

Sparrow’s Flight

After dinner one night, a tiny brown sparrow flew inside our house through the front door. A chase ensued. Each time my husband got near to it, the little intruder fluttered away in a desperate search for an exit. Before we could escort it safely outside, the bird toured the house so frantically that we could see its chest throbbing from its rapid heartbeat.

Sometimes we are like that little bird—anxious, frazzled, and afraid of what might happen next. It comforts me to think that “not one [sparrow] falls to the ground” without God knowing about it (Matt. 10:29). He sees and knows everything in our world.

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place” (Prov. 15:3), and nothing escapes His attention, including you and me. God understands and values the finest points of our being. Jesus said, “The very hairs of your head are all numbered” (Matt. 10:30).

It’s amazing that God keeps a tally of our personal trivia and is even aware of a bird’s misfortune. Since He knows about these small details, we can trust that He sees and cares about the big issues that ruffle our feathers. When we ask Him for help, God’s response is always informed by His perfect knowledge of us and our circumstances. Let’s trust Him with our anxious concerns.

If God sees the sparrow’s fall,
Paints the lilies short and tall,
Gives the skies their azure hue,
Will He not then care for you? —Anon.

His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.

Our Daily Bread - September 14, 2010
http://odb.org/2010/09/14/sparrow%E2%80%99s-flight/

Josh Wilson - Before The Morning‏ ♫

Do you wonder why you have to,
feel the things that hurt you,
if there's a God who loves you,
where is He now?

Maybe, there are things you can't see
and all those things are happening
to bring a better ending
some day, some how, you'll see, you'll see

Chorus 1)
Would dare you, would you dare, to believe,
that you still have a reason to sing,
'cause the pain you've been feeling,
can't compare to the joy that's coming

Chorus 2)
so hold on, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the dark before the morning

My friend, you know how this all ends
and you know where you're going,
you just don't know how you get there
so just say a prayer.

and hold on, cause there's good who love God,
life is not a snapshot, it might take a little time,
but you'll see the bigger picture

Chorus 1)
Chorus 2)

yeah, yeah,
before the morning,
yeah, yeah

Once you feel the way of glory,
all your pain will fade to memory
once you feel the way of glory,
all your pain will fade to memory
memory, memory, yeah

Chorus 1)
Chorus 1)

com'n, you got to wait for the light
press on, just fight the good fight
because the pain you've been feeling,
it's just the hurt before the healing
the pain you've been feeling,
just the dark before the morning
before the morning, yeah, yeah
before the morning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qG1ThtgguE
http://www.christian-lyrics.net/josh-wilson/before-the-morning-lyrics.html#axzz0ypCKnVuk