Jesus Calling 1-22-17

STRIVE TO TRUST ME in more and more areas of your life. Anything that tends to make you anxious is a growth opportunity. Instead of running away from these challenges, embrace them, eager to gain all the blessings I have hidden in the difficulties. If you believe that I am sovereign over every aspect of your life, it is possible to trust Me in all situations. Don't waste energy regretting the way things are or thinking about what might have been. Start at the present moment--accepting things exactly as they are--and search for My way in the midst of those circumstances.

Trust is like a staff you can lean on as you journey uphill with Me. If you are trusting in Me consistently, the staff will bear as much of your weight as needed. Lean on, trust, and be confident in Me with all your heart and mind.

PSALM 52:8; PROVERBS 3:5-6 AMP 

Let Love Flourish {Read John 12:1-11}

Love is the only service that power cannot command and money cannot buy. ~Anonymous~

Jesus replied' "Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for My burial" (John 12:7).

     When you love someone deeply, you sometimes give them a gift that you actually cannot afford. A man might give his wife expensive jewelry even if they are in debt. He feels that this is a way of showing his deep love for her, more than a practical, useful gift would do.

     This is one way of looking at the expensive gift of aromatic oil that Mary gave Jesus. And Jesus treasured that love because He realized it was given to Him in an act of deep, sincere devotion and worship. He knew that He was only a few days from his death. The cross was steadily coming closer and Mary had bought this expensive oil to anoint His body with. Did she sense what was coming, or did Jesus tell her? If she knew, she was probably thinking that it was better to do it then than wait until His death.

     There are many practical ways of honoring God and showing Him your love besides showering Him with beautiful things. But in the end, it is the giver of the gift's love that will decide what the gift will be. So many churches are decorated and adorned by people as an expression of their love for God and their gratitude to Him. Resist the temptation to criticize them and to speculate what they should rather have done with the money. Admire the love and dedication that motivated them to do it. Rejoice in the beauty and glory of these "gifts" because they are token of love for the Lord.

Thank You, Father God, for all the beautiful gifts that bring You joy and glory. Amen. 

Jesus Calling 1-21-17

I WANT YOU TO BE ALL MINE. I am weaning you from other dependencies. Your security rests in Me alone--not in other people, not in circumstances. Depending only on Me may feel like walking on a tightrope, but there is a safety net underneath: the everlasting arms. So don't be afraid of falling. Instead, look ahead to Me. I am always before you, beckoning you on--one step at a time. Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate you from My loving Presence.

DEUTERONOMY 33:27; ROMANS 8:39

Hidden Agendas {Read John 12:1-11}

He that will play with Satan's bait, will quickly be taken with Satan's hook. ~Thomas Brooks ~

Not that he cared for the poor - he was a thief, and since he was in charge of the disciples' money, he often stole some for himself (John 12:6).

     One of the greatest truths about the devil is that he always appears in the form of "an angel of the light." So whenever people claim that they never think about themselves, but always act entirely in someone else's  interests, watch out! Few people are genuinely unselfish.

     Judas pretended to be a particularly caring person. At the time, John, who tells us the story, probably trusted Judas. But when he wrote down the story, he had seen right through Judas. Judas had shown his true colors by then, and was trying to enrich himself at the expense of the poor - and of Jesus. Judas loved money and would take someone else's gift to fill his own purse. The poor would see nothing of the money. 
     There are robbers all around you who pretend to be knights in shining armor. Politicians proclaim their deep concern about "the poorest of the poor" while they are in fact seeking publicity for themselves. Churches and church leaders might make an appeal for donations to help the poor and they sometimes do praiseworthy work, but not always. Some are more concerned about their own welfare. There are businesses that do the same. Make sure that when you give, you can trust those who work with your contributions. and insist that they account for their stewardship.

Holy Lord Jesus, keep me from ever wearing the money-grubbing mask. Amen.

      

Jesus Calling 1-20-17

APPROACH THIS DAY WITH AWARENESS OF WHO IS BOSS. As you make plans for this day, remember that it is I who orchestrates the events of your life. On days when things go smoothly, according to your plans, you may be unaware of My sovereign Presence. On days when your plans are thwarted, be on the lookout for Me! I may be doing something important in your life, something quite different from what you expected. It is essential at such times to stay in communication with Me, accepting My way as better than yours. Don't try to figure out what is happening. Simply trust Me and thank Me in advance for the good that will come out of it all. I know the plans I have for you, and they are good.

ISAIAH 55:9-11; JEREMIAH 29:11

There Is Power In The Name of Jesus

Amen