BioJeSSiC

Entering into the joy of our Lord often is best realized when circumstances are the worst. ISA 54:10 says, “For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.” When circumstances are the most trying, the peace of God is the most precious. -Dr. George Jacob Ph D.

by Francesca Battistelli

 
I’m letting go
Of the life I planned for me
And my dreams
I’m losing control
Of my destiny
Feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe
So I’m letting go

When you choose to believe in God and make him the center of your life, you make the decision to let him guide you. You are telling God that you want his dreams, desires, and goals for your life, not your own. It’s like handing over your dearest possessions and trusting that the person you give them to will make something even greater out of them than what they already are. But there is always the nagging worry, “What if he doesn’t do what I wanted with them?” And that is why faith can be terrifying. 

Our culture tells people that faith is useless and that you should run after your dreams, even if it means stomping on others along the way. But God’s plans are better than we can possibly imagine. He promises that he will take our desires and make them into something far more valuable and beautiful than we can ever imagine. You may not always understand where he is leading you, but he promises that he will lovingly take care of you.
  
 Psalm 32:8
 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.I will advise you and watch over you. 

From: Life on the Way Devotional

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“Mighty to save.”
–Isaiah 63:1

By the words “to save” we understand the whole of the great work of salvation, from the first holy desire onward to complete sanctification. The words are multum in parro: indeed, here is all mercy in one word. Christ is not only “mighty to save” those who repent, but He is able to make men repent. He will carry those to heaven who believe; but He is, moreover, mighty to give men new hearts and to work faith in them. He is mighty to make the man who hates holiness love it, and to constrain the despiser of His name to bend the knee before Him. Nay, this is not all the meaning, for the divine power is equally seen in the after-work. The life of a believer is a series of miracles wrought by “the Mighty God.” The bush burns, but is not consumed. He is mighty to keep His people holy after He has made them so, and to preserve them in his fear and love until he consummates their spiritual existence in heaven. Christ’s might doth not lie in making a believer and then leaving him to shift for himself; but He who begins the good work carries it on; He who imparts the first germ of life in the dead soul, prolongs the divine existence, and strengthens it until it bursts asunder every bond of sin, and the soul leaps from earth, perfected in glory. Believer, here is encouragement. Art thou praying for some beloved one? Oh, give not up thy prayers, for Christ is “mighty to save.” You are powerless to reclaim the rebel, but your Lord is Almighty. Lay hold on that mighty arm, and rouse it to put forth its strength. Does your own case trouble you? Fear not, for His strength is sufficient for you. Whether to begin with others, or to carry on the work in you, Jesus is “mighty to save;” the best proof of which lies in the fact that He has saved you. What a thousand mercies that you have not found Him mighty to destroy!

From: C. H. Spurgeon’s Morning & Evening Devotional: 01/14/AM

Tonight, I read a lot of devotionals, articles and excerpts again. I had a great time learning from christian authors and of course, the glory goes to God– the center of it all. I placed here some of the nice thoughts that I read. It may not have a great impact on you but it sure made a lot of sense to me. We all know that God speaks to different people in different ways. We also have different things to deal with everyday. So, I am keeping these to remind myself of what I learned tonight. You may click the links (their names), if you want to read the articles or get to know who they are. I hope I can do this all the time so I won’t forget what God has reminded me about. This is also a great way for me to share His goodness and wisdom. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5,KJV)

A season of suffering is a small assignment when compared to the reward. By: Max Lucado This tells me that trials are like seasons. They come and they go. They are temporary. Most of my worries today won’t matter months from now. God does not stop with the trials. He is just in the process of making all things beautiful. The results matter to Him. I matter to Him. Thus, the process is necessary. Difficult times won’t last long but the effects are eternal.  

Coach George Karl was sick to death at the collapse of his team.  When interviewed the following day, he said in essence, “I could not feel sicker.  Yet when I woke up early this morning and saw the sunrise, I knew it was going to be okay, and I was going to get through this.  The sun had still come up.”  From the devotional of Jeff Schreve. Hope. Hope. Hope. I am glad our God is a God of hope.

As we read the Bible, we should pray, worship God, speak to Him about our needs, and listen to His answers. This should be a time of communication between two spirits that sets the order of events for each day. By: Pat Robertson. Before we do anything.. Before we make decisions.. Before we make plans.. Before we begin anything.. We should speak to our Lord first. Again, I am not in charge. I am not my own. This means that I should not act as if I have no Master. There is a Guide and a Maker who longs to tell me, ” I know the way”.

If you think it’s all about you, and I think it’s all about me, we have no hope for a melody. By: Max Lucado This hits the nail on the head. This is the reason why some relationships don’t work. Whether it be a family or a couple, the point is to focus on God and make Him the center.