GOLDEN WORDS

Be at rest once more, O my soul,
for the LORD has been good to you.
For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death,
my eyes from tears,
my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before the LORD
in the land of the living.    

Psalm 116: 7-9 NIV



God is always near to us. We can depend on him to deliver us in all situations. 
Even in death God is with us, and will deliver us.



I do not know how the loving father will bring out the light at last, but he knows and he will do it.

—  David Livingstone
 

Daily Meditations by Pat Nordman

January 15

"We have different gifts, according to the grace given us" Romans 12:6; "But each man has his own gift from God" 1 Corinthians 7:7.

We each have our different DNA: Different Natures All! Just as fingerprints are different, so is each temperament and each physique. This is what makes life so profound and provocative. How dull our lives would be if we all had the same predilections and elections. "For he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust" Psalm 103:14 NIV. How easy it is to become discouraged and to hate ourselves because we can't do as much or as well as others, but it is God who has placed us in our circumstances and it is He who has given us our talents. Surely He realizes our weaknesses. He also knows that there are certain areas in which we can do very well, for this is His commission for our life.

Even our bodily constitution is from the Creator, and we have to face the fact that others are stronger, physically. One person has strength of body; another may have to compensate with strength of will and be better for it, too. Some have manual dexterity; others, dexterity of mind. Even in thinking, there are differences. Some have logic and others have intuition, but both types arrive at the same conclusions. This doesn't mean that either is wrong.

In choosing His twelve disciples, Jesus chose across the board of temperaments and physiques. They were busy, ordinary men who probably wondered why they were chosen for the distinct privilege of walking with the Master. He purposely chose clay that could be molded into His image.
We, too, have been chosen that His image can be stamped onto our hearts. So let's not be discouraged at our lack of all ten talents, but give as we have been given by the Master. Had we all ten talents, pride would wipe away His impressions.

Pat Nordman ©

 

T H I N K A B O U T I T

WHAT DO ANGELS LOOK LIKE? Like the little old lady who returned your wallet  yesterday. Like the taxi driver who told you that your eyes light up  the world, when   you smile. Like the small child who showed you the wonder in  simple things. Like the poor man who offered to share his lunch with  you. Like the rich man who showed you that it really is all possible, if only  you believe. Like the stranger who just happened to come along, when   you had lost your   way. Like the friend who touched your heart, when you didn't  think you had one   to touch. Angels come in all sizes and shapes, all ages and skin  types. Some with  freckles, some with dimples, some   with wrinkles, some without. They come disguised as friends, enemies, teachers, students, lovers and  fools. They don't take life too   seriously, they travel light. They leave no forwarding address, they ask nothing in return. They wear sneakers with gossamer wings, they get a deal  on dry cleaning. They are hard to find when our eyes are closed, but they are everywhere we look, when we choose to   see.

 

January 15   Genesis 43:1 - 45:28 Linked to Bible Gaitway TM

 

 

Today's  Devotion

 

But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief. Job 16:5 (NIV) TRUST by Cathy Vinson David, the son of Israel, tasted of so many aspects of a truly human life that it is easy to understand why at his death "all Israel mourned for him." (1 Ki 14:18) He lived as a man of his times...visibly erring and yet always remaining a man after God's own heart. As David (above) decides his "choice" of three punishments, he is revealing something so profound and deep in a trust he had with God. Yes, David knew how severe God's "hand against him" looked, ie Nathan's pronouncement: "the sword shall never depart from your house...Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity upon you..." (2 Sam 12:10,11), a sentence he was currently living out. David goes onto say to God Himself, "Let Your hand fall upon me and my family." (2 Sam 24:17) Can you sense the tension in this? Does he really know what he is declaring to the Most High? Would any of us call God's hand against ourselves and our families? As a matter-of-fact, our primary energy and concern in life is saving ourselves and our families, perhaps the very snare keeping us from this intimate closeness. Doesn't David care for his family as much as we do ours? We know he does. There's just this mysterious something David knew in relationship to his God, a trust beneficial for us to delve upon. Though incredibly deep and severe and cruel, he had come to some kind of terms with how deep the pit of God's punishment might be. For however deep, at the very bottom there would be "great mercy." And that is where David put his bulwark of trust. What a relationship. O desire to touch upon a trust so wellfounded in God that though disciplined sore, we might risk all well-being in light of knowing "His mercy is GREAT." I am in deep distress. Let us fall into the hands of the Lord, for His mercy is great, but do not let me fall into the hands of man. Sam 24:14   Would any of us call God's hand against ourselves and our families? As a matter-of-fact, our primary energy and concern in life is saving ourselves and our families, perhaps the very snare keeping us from this intimate closeness. Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion. Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE

 

 

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