Job 9:32-33 – For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
Daysmen in the dictionary is an adjudicator, judge, or intermediary. A daysman must judge without partiality.
There is only one person I know who can rightfully be the mediator between God and man.
1 Timothy 2:5 says, “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
Christ purchased peace for us with His blood on the cross. If we trust in Him, our sins will be buried in the deepest sea (Micah 7:19), and will wash them white as snow (Isaiah 1:18). This causes for no offense to be able to be laid to our charge.
Thankful that Christ is ever interceding on our behalf.
Happy December ! I hope everyone had a GREAT weekend serving Jesus!
This week’s devo is “How Thirsty Are You?” written by Debbie Netterville! Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us today! I pray you have a blessed week.
How Thirsty Are You? – Debbie Netterville
In August we were in Burlington, Iowa helping a church with Bible Handouts. Saturday night we went out to eat with the pastor and his family. In the middle of the night I woke up and began throwing up. Up and down all night. We thought it was food poisoning. I was unable to go to church all day. I continued throwing up and unable to keep anything down. This lasted a couple more days and I was beginning to get weak. Scott decided we needed to go to the ER. You know how long it takes waiting in the ER. When they finally called my name, they took blood and gave me some meds for nausea.
We spent another day in Burlington, but I was still weak and unable to keep anything down. We decided we wanted to head home to Bourbonnais, Illinois where our home church is and some of our family. We wanted to have family in case we needed help. Wednesday, we drove from Burlington to Bourbonnais, about a 4-hour drive. It was long and miserable for me.
When I would wake up in the morning, I would be so hungry. I could even feel the hunger pangs. I would eat yogurt, applesauce, oatmeal, drink water, 7UP and Pedialyte. I was still unable to keep anything down. I knew I was getting weaker. So again off to the ER in Kankakee. I think it was Friday evening when we went and spent 7 hours waiting. I was so miserable. So again blood work but this time they took x-rays. When they got the results it was not good news.
In fact, they said I was a very sick woman. I thought “oh no”. I had a double hernia with a bowel obstruction. That explains why I was not able to hold anything down. It was around 7:00 am on Saturday when they admitted me to the hospital. I was not allowed to have ANYTHING, no food, drink or even ice chips.
Family and friends were asking “why they didn’t figure it out in Burlington?” I said, “because God allowed us to get home where I could have my family and church family with us.”
Here is when the “thirst” really began. They gave me a “green lollipop”, (that is what I called it.) A green sponge on a stick that I could dip in a glass of water and then just wet my lips. The doctor wanted to wait a couple of days to see if I could hold anything down. On Monday they started giving me some soft foods, but I was throwing up again. My doctor said I needed to have surgery, so they scheduled it for Tuesday. After surgery I could have some ice chips with my “green lollipop”. By this time the ice chips were GREAT! But still barely quenching my “thirst”
As I laid there thinking how thirsty I was I began thinking about “How much do I thirst after God’s Word?
I remember when I first got saved and how I longed to read my Bible. I was thirsting after His Word. How exciting it was to find help from the scriptures. It was a thirsting that
looked forward to every day. “O God, thou art my God early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is:” Ps. 63:
Do we really thirst after the scriptures? “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matt. 5:6 As we read our Bibles our cup gets filled and we can continue on. We empty ourselves, then we go right back to our source
I remember both times before my cancer surgeries, the first thing I did was open my Bible to try to quench the thirsting of my soul. I needed to get my cup full of His Word to get me through my cancer journey. “…I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: …” II Kings 20:5 This was the verse the Lord gave me for my 1st cancer journey. The next verse for my 2nd journey was “…This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.:” John 11:4
Our physical thirst and spiritual thirst are totally different. But as I would take my “green lollipop” dip it in water and rub my lips I would think of how thirsty I was for a drink of cold water. Then to get my mind off my physical thirst, I would open my Bible to fill my cup with His Word. I needed Him more than anything
How thirsty are you? We need to be drinking daily from His word! “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst: but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14.
Revelation 22:16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
Jesus sent His angels to testify in the churches so that they could spread the word to the world. Hence, we should be joyfully sharing the Good News to the world around us.
Jesus gave himself the names “the root of David” and “the bright and morning star”. How can these being opposite of each other be compared to Christ?
A root is deep in the ground where it’s not seen while a star shines brightly in the heavens. The root signifies His humanity while the star signifies His deity. The root connects Him to the lineage of David; the star declares that He is the brightest of His Father’s glory and will be the One who puts a final end to the darkened world.
Looking forward to His glorious appearing!
Posted on
Happy Monday! I can hardly believe it’s Thanksgiving week!!
I apologize for the lateness of this post. I accidentally popped my left arm out of place over the weekend and was in excruciating pain. I got sidetracked trying to get an appointment with my chiropractor.
Thankfully, my chiropractor was willing to fit me in this morning to get this taken care of. I am now ordered to take it easy over the next several days to allow my shoulder time to heal. Then I will start exercises as I am able to strengthen the muscles and ligaments to prevent any more dislocations or subluxations in the future. I am looking forward to spending time with family.
This week’s devo is “How Well Do You Know Ed?” written by Jan Neill!
Please take the time to read as she wants to encourage US today! I hope that you have an absolutely amazing week!!!
How Well Do You Know Ed? – Jan Neill
In Joshua we find that the 2 ½ tribes of Israel had completed the task of fighting with the other tribes to subdue the land- and were returning to ‘their’ side of Jordon. Not the Promised Land God had provided but their choice (whole new discussion on this one- later) but where they asked to stay.
Upon crossing over they stopped to build an alter for reflection, and remembrance. Joshua 22:34 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad called the altar Ed: for it shall be a witness between us that the LORD is God.
I don’t know about you, but I often can be caught in the “God answers prayer for the deserving, staff, preachers, pastors wives, … and on it goes, but He isn’t as interested in my, my life, my needs as those IMPORTANT People, the Bible College crowd,.etc. (insert lie of the Devil that is whispered in your ear.)
We all need more ED… we need to make memorials, alters and remembrances of WHEN GOD did more than meet our needs, wants , and how He made ways we cannot see. In this world we are so bombarded with all the reasons that God, cant- won’t – or could use as reasons to NOT hear and care for His children. Our children, and grandchildren will live in a world that will continue to challenge who God is and that He is sovereign, mighty, holy, loving… all the attributes we KNOW about God, but can easily forget when the blows and challenges of the world constantly beat us up.
Who / what are the Ed’s in your life that when hard times come, and it seems the answers you pray for are delayed, that you can look to and remember .. several years ago after having been diagnosed with stage 2 type 2 melanoma, I can still tell you to this day the spot on the freeway where I surrendered my will to God for my health, and successful treatment and surgery, I can tell of begging God to save my then lost husband and provide me a Godly mate and a Christian home, and on and on the list goes.
We have a new member of the family this year and as I’m thinking of pulling out old pictures to share with her to show her the family, our history, who these people were that are so important to our history and who made a difference, as we move toward Thanksgiving and thinking about being thankful, grateful and blessed…. Perhaps it’s a great time to reflect on Ed, and maybe even share with our families the alters that God has made for and with us… ”That in times to come these shall not be forgotten.”
Romans 8:28 – And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
What a glorious assurance that He who was willing to sacrifice His life for mine will have my best interest at heart. Thus, I must learn to trust that whatever He allows to come into my life will purposefully work out for His glory and my good.
Having this knowledge should spur us to be kind, be strong, and stand courageously against the wiles of the evil one. This should also encourage our faith and hope that God’s ways are perfect.
Matthew 5:16 – Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
As Christians, we are to be salt and light in this world. As salt, we are to seek to influence others with our lives showing Christ’s unconditional love. As light, we are to be witnesses concerning the truth of the Gospel.
Salt works internally while light works externally, affecting everything they reach. Hence, our lives should exemplify Christ both spiritually and physically with all with whom we come into contact.
May our lives influence others in such a way that it draws them to Christ. Praying you have a dynamic day!🍁
Welcome to the 13th day of September 2021! I hope everyone had an amazing weekend! This week’s devotion is “Weathering Change” written by Stephanie Miller! Please take the time to read as she shares her heart with us today! I hope that the Lord blesses you each with an awesome week!!!
Last month when I was asked to write a devotional for the “Helpers of Joy” page, I was beyond surprised. You see, I have only met Amy once in my life. I was going through a very hard time and honestly felt like I was alone and could trust no one outside of my family. I’m not sure if Amy could see this or not but she approached me at a lady’s retreat and told me about her ministry for pastors’ wives and asked for my phone number. I don’t usually give my number out to strangers but for some reason that day I did. The very next weekend I was surprised to see that little bit of encouragement she so faithfully sends out each week pop up on my phone. It was like a breath of fresh air; it was exactly what I needed. Over the last few years, like many of you, I have had the privilege of watching Amy weather the ups and downs of life so gracefully.
As I prayerfully considered what direction the Lord would have me go with this devotional the Lord gently led me to the subject of ‘Change’. I sweetly told the Lord that the subject of change was good, but I was thinking about doing something else. After going back and forth with the Lord a few times and suggesting a few other topics, I decided to settle on the subject of ‘Change.’ Isn’t it amazing how God works! 😊
Change is not something new, it is not something that has come about over the last year and a half simply because of COVID. Although there has been a lot of change for many of us during this time; change is something that happens to each of us whether its expected or unexpected, whether we are prepared or unprepared, whether we are walking close to the Lord or not walking with Him at all.
Sometimes we can do everything in our power to be ready for change but when that change finally comes it often seems to knock the wind out of us. From Adam and Eve to the Apostle Paul, the Bible is full of people who had to weather change in their lives. Today, I simply want to share a few things that I’ve learned over the years about weathering change in my life.
When Weathering Change:
REMEMBER THE LORD AND ALL HE HAS DONE!
Psalm 77:10-12 KJV “And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. I will remember the works of the LORD: surely I will remember thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.”
When change comes it is easy to focus on the change itself. The problem is that when we are focused on the change that focus will bring uncertainty, and that uncertainty will bring worry, and that worry often brings fear. But when our focus is on the God of change; that change no longer seems so uncertain and we can rest knowing He is in control.
REMEMBER TO SEEK THE LORD!
2 Chronicles 20:3-4 KJV “And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. And Judah gathered themselves together, to ask help of the Lord: even out of all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.”
1 Chronicles 16:10 KJV “Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.”
I found this in the Websters 1828 Dictionary, “To seek God, his name, or his face, in Scripture, is to ask for his favor, direction and assistance.” If we remember to seek the Lord through the change that comes in our lives and leave the results in His hands then we will have cause to rejoice. This sounds so simple, but how often do we try to control the outcome instead of giving the outcome to Christ?
REMEMBER TO TRUST THE PROMISES THAT GOD’S GIVEN YOU!
2 Peter 3:9 KJV “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
When we are facing change in our lives it is a comfort to cling to the promises of God’s Word. The Bible is full of promises to cling to, so dig in! With my oldest daughter now at college I have been clinging to this promise.
Psalm 84:11 KJV “For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.”
How does this apply you may wonder? This verse reminds me that if my daughter seeks the Lord, He will take care of her. He will not withhold any good thing from her. Her life will be a life full of blessings, and I can rest knowing that she is in His hands.
Malachi 3:6 KJV “For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.”
In a world that is full of change, it is a comfort to know that we serve a God that does not change.
But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Galatians 3:11
KJV Dictionary defines JUST as In a moral sense, upright; honest; having principles of rectitude, or conforming exactly to the laws, and to principles of rectitude in social conduct; equitable in the distribution of justice; as a just judge.1
Webster defines JUST as 1a: having a basis in or conforming to fact or reason : REASONABLEb: conforming to a standard of correctness : PROPER2a(1): acting or being in conformity with what is morally upright or good : RIGHTEOUS(2): being what is merited : DESERVEDb: legally correct : LAWFUL2
The apostle Paul wrote this letter as an encouragement to the Christians at Philippi. The book of Philippians is a blueprint on how to have joy in all circumstances.
Paul dedicated his life to following Christ. His desire to know Christ above all else is best expressed in Philippians 3:8-10: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;”
The Greek word for Just is δίκαιος, ία, ιον (dikaios)3 which means correct, righteous, by implication innocent: a state of being right. It can simply mean someone who is righteous in their ways.4
Paul is admonishing us to keep our focus on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praise worthy (Philippians 4:8). You’ve heard the old adage: “garbage in, garbage out”. The same is true for applying good things in our lives. What we allow to go into our minds will determine what we dwell upon and therefore what comes out in words and actions.
Many times we choose to focus on things that can bring happiness, and pleasure. We frequently think about things that serve our self will. Though we say that we desire to live a righteous life, our minds are usually focused on things that feed fleshly desires (Galatians 5:19-21). Would your thought life be described as just?
We must train our minds to focus on things that are wholesome. We must pay attention to what we allow to enter our minds through television, internet, books, movies, radio, etc. Spend time in God’s Word and pray. Ask Him to fill your life until your heart and mind only dwells upon that which is in harmony with God’s standards as stated in Scriptures.
