Today's Soul Food

FEBRUARY 5

GOLDEN WORDS

There a time for everything...

Ecclesiastes 3:1

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NASB)

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

Often we wait until it's too late to hold the hurting person in our arms; to offer encouragement; to bring flowers to the sick; to say "I appreciate you" to a dear one; to write a note to someone who is literally dying of loneliness.

We can't wait until we have the time or it is convenient for us. We must meet that person's need in their time, not ours. It's too late to bring flowers and praise at the funeral. Today is the day of cheer and hope, love and approval. It takes such little effort to say, "I love you."

Pat Nordman

Daily Meditations by Pat Nordman

February 5

"Your beauty...should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight" 1 Peter 3:3,4.

"How shall we become lovely? By loving Him who is ever lovely." St. Augustine; "Some glances of real beauty may be seen in their faces, who dwell in true meekness. There is a harmony in the sound of that voice to which Divine love gives utterance, and some appearance of right order in their temper and conduct whose passions are regulated." John Woolman, Daily Strength for Daily Needs, page 73.

The Christian woman's true makeupher characteris one of nurture, calm, and service. These are the ornaments that shine more brightly as we get older.

Christian character should become exquisite with age. The Christian spirit is a tempered spirit, not a spirit of temper. It is tempered with the heavenly alloy of Christlike refinement, disposition and habits. It is only by ardently beholding Christ that we can "makeup" such a character.

A story is told of a girl who was ugly. She became the target of cruel remarks from her classmates. She became bitter and vindictive. One day her French teacher asked her, "What is wrong, little one?" "I am so ugly," the girl cried. The teacher took her to her room and handed the sad little girl a round and brown thing that looked as ugly as the girl. She told the girl to plant and water it carefully. In time a golden Japanese lily grew out of that ugly thing. The little girl then realized that beauty and fragrance are inside; that she, ugly on the outside, could share her inner loveliness and balm, and no one would even notice what had so bothered her. As the adage reminds us, beauty is only skindeep; the radiance of character lies in our depth. "The King's daughter is all glorious within" Psalm 45:13 NAS.

Pat Nordman ©

Today's Bible Question ?

How many times does the word Levite occur in the Book of Leviticus?

Previous question and Answer:

Who said: "Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?"

Answer: Hazael, when told by Elisha of the life he was destined to live. II Kings 8:13

Excerpts from today's Spurgeon's Devotions
Spurgeon's Morning for February 5	Spurgeon's Evening February 5
"The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world" - 1 John 4:14	"At that time Jesus answered." - Matthew 11:25
It is a sweet thought that Jesus Christ did not come forth without his Father's permission, authority, consent, and assistance. He was sent of the Father, that he might be the Saviour of men. We are too apt to forget that, while there are distinctions as to the persons in the Trinity, there are no distinctions of honour.	It was the habit and life of Jesus to talk with God. Even as Jesus was, in this world, so are we; let us therefore learn the lesson which this simple statement concerning him teaches us. ...

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The Arrival of the Dove

When Nansen started on his Arctic expedition he took with him a carrier dove, strong and fleet of wing; and after two years — two years in the desolation of the Arctic regions — he one day wrote a tiny little message, and tied it under the dove's wing, and let it loose, to travel two thousand miles to Norway; and, oh, what miles! what desolation! not a living creature ! ice, ice, ice, snow and death. But he took the trembling little dove and flung her up from the ship, up into the icy cold. Three circles she made, and then, straight as an arrow, she shot south; one thousand miles over ice, one thousand miles over the frozen wastes of ocean, and at last dropped into the lap of the explorer's wife.

She knew by the arrival of the dove that it was all right in the dark night of the North. So, to the apostles and the rest of the disciples, when Jesus had finished the covenant, He said, "Wait till I send from heaven the promise of the Father. Go not home till He has arrived. The Dove that descended on Me at the inception of the New Covenant in the baptism of Jordan, He will come. I shall send Him. Wait till you hear from Me." They saw Him go; they saw Him disappear into the blue of heaven. As they were all waiting with one accord, in one place, suddenly a noise as of a rushing mighty wind filled the house, and the Spirit descended, and there appeared cloven tongues like as of fire, and sat upon each of them. The Dove had arrived! it is all right with the Mediator of the New Covenant.

F.E. Marsh

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February 5 Leviticus 11:1 - 13:59

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)

Initial Response

by Cathy Vinson

What words came to trouble Mary so? Surprisingly, they were words of greeting from the throne of God, words of His favor. They were to be accepted into her heart during the moments of this divine encounter.

As might happen with us, this moment caught Mary offguard and met her abruptly. But her initial response isn't what mattered in the end. Given a few moments for these awesome words to assimilate, her soft, willing heart was soon unearthed into obedience.

The news of God's favor can be troubling! Caught in many an unworthy moment, news of His goodness and favor can be deeply troubling..."Depart from me, for I am a sinful man" (Lk 5:8). Still, God's affections remain undeterred.

If Mary could receive the greeting of heaven into her initially troubled soul, much would be opened up! She would actually receive the Son of God.

As believers, we, as Mary, have been chosen to receive the seed within (1 Jn 3:9). Mary accepted the greeting; then she accepted His Seed. In letting His favor in, she allowed entry of His Seed as well.

If we are at first not inclined to the Father's initiative, may we nevertheless proceed. For it isn't the one who says "yes" that does His will, but the one who DOES it, even if he is initially perplexed and troubled (Mt 21:31).

Mary was greatly troubled at his words.

(Luke 1:29)

... this moment caught Mary off guard and met her abruptly. But her initial response isn't what mattered in the end.

Send a note to Cathy Vinson , the writer of this devotion.

Other Whispers from the Wilderness Devotions are found HERE