Steeped in the Lord

April 7

However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting.

Matthew 17:21 KJV

Up early, young Davy decided to make Gramma some tea. Filling the teakettle, he placed it on the stove and waited for the whistle, then he poured it into Gramma’s big teapot. Unsure of how many bags to use, he decided on two, and suspended them by their strings between the lid and pot. Then he placed the cozy over the pot, and went to brush his teeth and wash his face and hands. Cleanup complete, Davy returned and poured Gramma a cup, and headed for her bedroom.

Being from the United Kingdom, Gramma loved tea, it was a part of her life. As she tipped the cup, she realized Davy hadn’t used enough teabags. Not wanting to crush Davy’s spirit she said, “Quite tasty! How many teabags did you use, Honey?”

“Two, Gramma!” he proudly asserted.

She chuckled to herself, and said, “Oh, Honey, thank you so much! I believe this is the best cup of tea I’ve ever had.” She watched as a smile of accomplishment spread across Davy’s face.

“I’ll make s’more as soon as you finish this pot, Gramma!” he proclaimed.

Once more, Gramma’s wisdom shone through as she said, “I think I’ll just take my time and enjoy this pot, Honey.”

†

Steeping tea correctly requires knowledge of how the teabags respond to boiling water. If not enough bags are used, or too short a time is permitted, the desired results are not achieved.

Prayer and fasting are much the same. If we fail to spend sufficient time in God’s presence we don’t receive a significant result. Extended soaking in the Holy Spirit allows Spiritual knowledge and wisdom to penetrate the deepest recesses of our heart.

Jesus, in today’s text, is showing us that there are some things that require extended instruction, and only by spending time in prayer while fasting can we gain the necessary understanding to overcome our unbelief.

To walk in power we must be steeped in God’s presence. The longer we steep, the stronger we become.

Prayer

“Lord Jesus, reveal to me the truth of my unbelief. And then, help rid me of it as I draw close to hear Your instruction. Amen.”

 

Blessings Without Measure

April 6

She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."

Matthew 9:21

As the young mother turned back to the shopping cart she found her son rifling through everything. “Shane, sit back and leave things alone!” she admonished.

He heeded her warning for all of ten seconds. That’s when the four-year-old spotted one of his most favorite things in the whole world: ice pops! Seeing his mom’s attention directed toward the shelves, Shane stretched out his hand, reaching as far as he could. The prize remained just out of reach. Undaunted, he reached down and unbuckled the little seatbelt holding him in place, and nimbly climbed toward the ice pops. Just as he grabbed the unfrozen popsicles Mom turned to place something else in the cart.

“Shane Kaufman…!” She began…then stopped herself, staring in wonder at the tenacity of her son. He would not be put off. He would achieve his goal, nothing would deter him.

As much as she knew that blatant disobedience could cause problems in the future if not given the proper direction, she couldn’t help but be impressed by his persistence. The look of triumph in his eyes made her smile.

†

In today’s text Jesus, full of the Spirit without measure, was walking along the streets of Capernaum, pushing a virtual shopping cart full of blessings. Among the great throng crowding against Jesus, this woman with the issue of blood was the only one who understood that there was power available to heal her. So, in faith, she reached in and took what she needed, appropriating her healing through unwavering faith! Jesus even commended her for such tenacity, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.”

Oh that we would have the simple faith of a child to believe that every blessing we will ever need is at our disposal through the power of the Holy Spirit.

True faith believes and appropriates what it needs, knowing it is available. And the only way we will know is to draw near enough to God to hear His heartbeat.

Prayer

“I want to know You for Who You are, Abba Father. Not that I might have power for myself, but so that I might know You, and Your Power. Amen.”

 

Intrepid

April 5

Forgetting what is behind…I press on toward the goal.

Philippians 3:13, 14

Jim Sessions, co-host of the hunting show Intrepid Outdoors, headed into the Apache Kid Territory of New Mexico, with his cameraman, Dean Taylor, looking for bull elk.

Six miles up the trail, his horse hit an impasse. Undaunted, they backtracked a short distance to an area they’d passed earlier. It was suitable for camping, giving Jim time to have a meal and listen for bugling bulls at sunset.

Following a hearty meal they hiked a short distance to a high ledge overlooking several draws. Jim smiled at Dean as several bulls bugled, challenging each other in the fading light. The elk were close!

The next morning Jim and Dean set out in the direction of last night’s bugles.

Choosing a spot, Jim began calling to the bulls using his cow call. Two bulls answered! Closing the distance, calling intermittently then sneaking closer, it took less than an hour to call in and kill a beautiful 6 x 6 bull with his muzzleloader; all caught on tape!

What appeared to have been a setback to their reaching better hunting grounds failed to dampen Jim’s pursuit of his goal, all because he didn’t look at the blocked trail in defeat and dismay. Instead, he adjusted his plans!

†

The word intrepid means: fearless; courageous; adventurous; bold; brave; undaunted. The name of the show was chosen because they hunt that way, always pressing on, courageously looking for a way to reach their goal, no matter what obstacles pop up.

There is a spiritual parallel to their hunting mindset.

When we hit spiritual barriers we are given choices. We can either give up and quit, or we can reassess the situation, deciding to be flexible, and refuse to give up.

God is not caught unaware by the impasses of our life. He awaits us at each one, ready to give us input. His hope? That we’re ready to intrepidly adjust our plans and press on!

Prayer

“Help me keep a right attitude when I encounter trials, Lord. Show me which adjustments I need to make to reach the goal You’ve set before me. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Unnecessary Punishment

April 4

For Christ died for sins once for all…to bring you to God. 

1Peter 3:18 

It had been a sleepless night, full of questions. Myriad thoughts wound their way through Mitch’s mind…and hopefully to a listening God’s ear. Around 5am God whispered, “Your sin has already received the punishment necessary.”

Immediately Mitch’s mind argued, “I know Jesus’ blood covered my sin. But I keep making mistakes!”   

“And?” God asked lovingly.   

“I feel so careless. How can You still be pleased with me?”    

“I was pleased with you before you awakened at 2:00 am when all this started, before you had any input in your day,” God gently chastened. Then He said, “You are Mine, and I am always pleased with you! You are looking for punishment that isn’t coming.”  

Knowing Mitch wasn’t convinced, God set in motion a series of events to show His loving faithfulness: his devotions that morning held meaning to each of last night’s questions…a song he listened to spoke of God’s unfailing love…and to settle the matter, when Mitch went for his morning walk, he encountered Tom, a brother in the Lord, who just happened to be working on the hiking trail in his remote area of the county. Tom greeted him with a message that could only have come from the Lord!

†

Many Christians suffer from a performance-based mentality pertaining to our relationship with God. The Father’s love, or withholding of that love, is based on whether we are living a godly life at the moment.   

Mitch and Tom’s meeting was not by chance. God was leaving no room for doubt as to how He felt about Mitch. This divine appointment settled the matter in Mitch’s heart. 

When Jesus died on Calvary’s cross it was for all sin…for all time! Not just for those of the past and present, and those in someone else’s future. Yet, many of us still question how our sin can’t deserve further punishment.  

The complete answer is deep, and not to be stumbled upon. As you come to the Father for answers, He will provide them…much as He did for Mitch. But rest assured…your performance has nothing to do with God’s being pleased with you. 

Prayer

“Although I don’t fully understand it, LORD, bring me to the knowledge that all my sin was atoned for on Calvary…and while I’m getting there, lead me in love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

 

Bethel Emmanuel

April 3

Jacob took the stone…and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on top of it. He called that place, Bethel.

Genesis 28:18

As Mike read Genesis 28:16-22 he felt his spirit quicken. The small stone!

Several years ago, Mike’s life had been in shambles. Drugs had all but wrecked his marriage, and in surrender, he had cried out to Jesus. As he’d knelt in his backyard to pray, his right knee had come to rest on a small stone. Instead of throwing it out of the way, Mike held it as a precious jewel in his hand. In a Jacob-like moment, and unsure of his actions, Mike offered it to God as an altar to the work he was asking God to do in his heart, his life, and his marriage.

God had honored his prayers, and Mike had kept that small stone in his car as a reminder of God’s faithfulness. Three weeks ago Mike brought the stone into the house, and placed it on the end table beside his chair.

Having just read the account of Jacob building the altar at Bethel, Mike felt compelled to do the same, erecting an altar to God for His faithfulness. So taking the stone, Mike anointed it with three drops of oil. “Here, now, I recommit this family and household to You, LORD. I thank you for blessings past, present, and future. I thank You for Your faithfulness and love, Your great mercy and grace. May this house forever be called Bethel Emmanuel, because it is a House of God because God has been, and always will be with us, Amen.”

Mike replaced the stone on the table, considering it his pillar before the LORD.

†

Does this sound a bit out of context, comparing one small rock to an entire altar? In truth, it's not the size of the altar, but what is in the heart of the person.

In today’s scripture, Jacob built an altar to God for his promised faithfulness. Scripture says that the Bethel altar still stands today.

There are moments in our lives when God shows up in the exact way we asked Him to. Those moments are rare, and meant to be remembered for their significance.

This morning, ask God to bring to remembrance any such moments in your life, and erect an altar to His faithfulness. Let it stand as your reminder of God’s promise.

Prayer

“I thank You, LORD, for always being faithful. Here, in this moment, I erect this altar of thanksgiving to Your Name. Amen.”

 

His Loving Don’ts

April 2

My son…let thine heart keep my commandments…and peace shall they add to thee.

Proverbs 3:1, 2 KJV

It wasn’t hard to tell Hanna was stressed over the choice she was facing. She really wanted to go on a weekend trip with Reuben. “God’s commandments say, ‘Don’t do this and don’t do that!’ I get sick of His constant control in my life! He proclaims my free will, and all the while He’s forcing me to abide by a set of rules He contrived to retain control of my life!”

In light of Hanna’s frustration, Jen was careful about phrasing her thoughts. “You know, Hanna,” she began, “you can go if you want. God isn’t going to stop you.”

“No, He won’t!” she countered. “But He’ll make me miserable if I do go!”

“Is it really God who would be making you miserable, or is this about you knowing it would be wrong to spend the weekend with Reuben before your wedding?” Jen suggested.

“Spending the weekend in the mountains is not a sin!” Hanna countered, rolling her eyes.

“No,” Jen said, “it’s not. But can you tell me that you haven’t been entertaining certain thoughts about what could happen if you go?” She softly added, “God isn’t trying to control your life, Hanna. He’s trying to save you a bunch of grief.”

“Grief my butt…” Hanna murmured.

“Maybe the reason you’re frustrated is because it is your choice and you want God to make it for you,” Jen volunteered. “That, my friend, is free will at its finest.”

†

God is not a Control Freak, in need of getting His way in our lives. He is, however, loving and considerate, and His Spirit will most certainly quicken within us when harm, through the possibility of wrong choices, threatens us.

When the frustrations of difficult choices arise, He’s asking us to trust His wisdom and omniscience so we can live in peace by submitting to the Spirit’s leading. But…He’s giving us the choice. And believe it or not, that makes some of us angry.

Prayer

“Sometimes free will feels like a sentence rather than freedom, Lord. Help me always yield to Your omniscience in the matters of my life, knowing You would never allow me to make poor choices without Your Spirit suggesting I re-think them. Amen.”

 

Unquestioning Obedience

April 1

Abraham built an altar there and…bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar.

Genesis 22:9

As Lee related the story of her sister’s miraculous survival of such a horrific accident, the clarity of God’s intervention sharpened with each detail.

She began by sharing about her father’s unconditional dedication to God. “In 1994, my father was called to a seven day fast. Unclear as to the why of it, he unquestioningly obeyed God’s directive of just seven sips of water each day.”

Continuing, Lee’s voice caught as the memory of her sister’s struggle came rushing back, “Not long after Daddy’s fast, my sister, Kim, was in a terrible wreck. Her car hit a huge rock, flipped end over end, rolling several times, and finally came to rest with the engine literally sitting in her lap. With numerous life-threatening injuries, she endured twenty-two hours of surgery just to reattach her feet.” Tears formed as she composed herself, the personal knowledge of God’s favor evident.

“Many years later, Daddy told us that God revealed to him that his obedience in that fast, doing exactly as God directed, had saved Kim’s life. God had been ready to take Kim home, but restored her to perfect health because of Daddy’s faithfulness. She even became pregnant, delivering a healthy baby girl, despite the doctor’s prognosis that she would never bare children!”

†

Lee’s account gives new meaning to God’s edict that, “Obedience is better than sacrifice.” 1Samuel 15:22 Not all who are called to fast will be asked to do so not knowing that their failure to obey might cost them their child’s life.

We may never see the fruit of our conformity, or know the consequences of our disobedience. But the importance of our unquestioning surrender to God is paramount in His ability to use us for the work of His Kingdom. He wants to know if we can be trusted to sacrifice our most precious possessions in order to carry out His plan.

Abraham, in light of his prior disobedience, and knowing that Isaac represented God’s promise, was willing to sacrifice his son. It is God’s desire that when He calls…we unquestioningly obey, leaving the future in His capable hands.

Prayer

“Teach me to respond immediately when You call, LORD. Give me strength and courage to trust in Your unconditional and fathomless love. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”

Inspired by: Alereata “Lee” Thompson