Lifetime Guarantee's Daily Devotional

Tossing Waves and Winds

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

…we are no longer to be children,

tossed here and there by waves,

and carried about by every wind of doctrine,

by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming. . .

Ephesians 4:14

He was ecstatic! He and “Granddad” had gone to The Dollar Store and he had his very own dollar bill clutched in one warm, small fist. Up and down all the aisles'again and again. Then, he saw it! Just what he wanted to spend his dollar on! Purchase made. Ecstasy still evident. Home'fifteen minutes later. His sister was playing with some marbles and suddenly his “new toy” lost its appeal. He dropped it on the divan and it was soon forgotten entirely!

Children are a never-ending source of wonder and change! Their emotions go from five to fourteen in seconds, and come back down to five from fourteen just as quickly. Their attention span varies and a new toy isn't sufficient to lengthen that attention span for very long. Children change quickly in their desires, affections, emotions and loyalty. They are impulsive, ignorant, and easily swayed by an older child's activities or suggestions. They are gullible. They are very “unstable” in many ways. That's all right! They are children and this behavior is expected of them. They are learning!

But we as Believers are not to be like children: tossed here and there by waves and carried about by different winds of doctrine (Ephesians 4:14). This characterizes instability. We are not to allow others to manipulate us or by their “craftiness” and devious ways to sway our allegiance. We must not be gullible'lacking spiritual discernment. We are not to be doctrinally unstable'not confident of our belief concerning controversial issues or being easily swayed by some voice of authority or someone's “great experience”.

Spiritual discernment comes as a result of knowledge and relationships. This influence could come from external forces or internal forces. We are learning constantly as we read the Bible, are mentored by more mature friends, sit under wise teachers, and experience the guidance of the Holy Spirit. We are to grow into stable, steadfast, mature children of God.

None of this is available if you are an “island” separated from fellow Believers, nor is it available in and of yourself! The Holy Spirit is your Teacher and He will guide you as you trust Him. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Then we will no longer be like children,

forever changing our minds about

what we believe because someone

has told us something different,

or has cleverly lied to us and

made the lie sound like the truth.

Ephesians 4: 14 (TLB)

Am I Humble?

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me;

for I am gentle and humble in heart;

and you shall find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and My load is light.”

Matt. 11:29-30

My husband, Bill, says (tongue in cheek), “I'm proud of my humility! It's one of my strengths!” You'll detect from the footnote that his “humor” doesn't quite hit the bull's eye for the definition!

But the question, Am I humble? can be answered positively, ”Yes! I am humble!” “How can you say that, Anabel?” (Shocked expression!) Because Christ lives in me and He says of Himself, “I am gentle and humble in heart,” so I, too, am gentle and humble in heart because of His indwelling Spirit in me. I may not even know the “meaning” of the word, but Jesus is working in my life to teach me just what being humble means'and He has ways of teaching us that will be seared into our learning banks! Nebuchadnezzar's story told in Daniel 4: 28-37 emphasizes the truth that “He is able to take those who walk proudly and push them into the dust.” He WILL teach us the ways of humility!

We come to this realization through circumstances unique to our individual lives'loneliness, death, pain, stress. Nebuchadnezzar learned the way of humility through his circumstances, being broken in the area of pride. God taught him the value of humility. Devastating circumstances cause me to recognize my complete dependence on Him'my inability to control my circumstances, and to choose to proclaim His rule, authority, ownership'and I am learning about humility!

God led the children of Israel in the wilderness forty years that He might humble them (Deuteronomy. 8:2, 16). The sad epitaph is that they never learned! God finally dealt harshly with them, refusing them entrance into the Promised Land. But oh! He tried again and again and again to teach them humility and gratitude. “If you will only humble yourselves and pray . . . (II Chronicles 7:14) then I will do this . . . “

We read in the book of James (4:6) that “He gives more and more strength to the humble to stand against the evil pleasures of this world but sets Himself against the proud and haughty.” Why? Because it is the proud person who says, “I don't need You, God. I can do this by myself!” The haughty person says, “Look at me! See what I can do!”

What we are to do is love each other with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other.^[1]That's evidence of humility. Do I have the Power to do that? Yes, because of Who lives in me. We are cautioned to not be selfish, to not live to make a good impression on other people. Instead, be humble, thinking of others as better than yourself.^[2] That's evidence of humility. Can I do that? Yes! I can do it because of Who lives in me.

God is working in each of us, teaching us how to allow Him to meet life for us as He lives through us, and He can teach us how to be humble with just a snap of His fingers. But, we can choose to humble ourselves under His loving hand, and He will lift us to the top of the pedestal.^[3]

I've never really wanted to stand on the top of a pedestal, have you? I would probably get dizzy and fall off and be humiliated! Well, maybe that's what needs to happen for me to learn humility. It certainly would be a difficult lesson'but I bet I would learn it after an embarrassing tumble like that!

Thank You, Lord, that you know just what I need to let this “humble and gentle” Spirit” be evidenced to everyone I meet. They won't see ME! They'll be seeing Jesus in me! Lord, I want to learn to be humble. Thank You that you know just what has to transpire for me to learn how to let humility “be one of my finest characteristics!”

^[1] Romans 12:10

^[2]Philippians 2:3

^[3] James 4:10

Being Close

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

and he got up and came to his father.

But while he was still a long way off,

his father saw him, and felt compassion for him,

and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

Luke 15:20

Bill and I were in the kitchen, fixing lunch together, and he was totally unaware of the huge red flag I was waving that was trying to tell him, “My emotions are going wild!” (They will do that, agree girls?) I went over to him, had him take everything out of his hands and said, “I need a hug.” With his strong arms around me I feel secure. I’m as close as I can get and I feel his strength, his love, his understanding, and his being with me as I deal with those silly, undulating emotions.

“I get as close to Him as I can” (Psalm 73:28(a) TLB)

“But, Anabel, how do you get that close to the Lord? How can you be that familiar with Him? Having Him hug me? That sounds too intimate.”

Philippians 4:19 tells us that He will meet ALL our needs. You are probably like I was when I thought about my “needs.” That meant clothing, shelter, comfort, food, healing, etc. But I have all of those things and I gratefully praise Him for giving them to me. However, I am still very needy and the scripture says, ALL MY NEEDS.

Is the unmarried woman incomplete? No. Who completes her?^[1]Is the widow to endure loneliness and isolation and loss of direction for the rest of her life? No. Who is always with her and “gives her counsel in the night?”^[2] Is the woman who is unhappily married to never know the joy of sharing her life with a loving companion? No. She has Someone holding her hand—going with her wherever she goes.

How about the loneliness I feel in my heart for companionship? How about my yearning for someone to know how badly I hurt—and to care? How about my need to be loved and appreciated? My need to be accepted and cherished? That need to be fulfilled, to be needed? Is He impotent to meet those needs? No, no, no! He says, “Anabel, live within My love. Abide in My love. Rest in My love.^”^[3]

Luke 15 is often labeled the story of “the prodigal son.” But it is really the story of a loving father and it is meant to tell us about our Father. He watched night and day for his beloved son to come home and one day as he was out on the porch watching and waiting, he saw someone walking toward the house. He immediately recognized his son and ran to meet him, embracing him and kissing him. That is our relationship with our Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.

How can this overwhelming love be yours? Practice. “Practice makes perfect” holds true in nearly everything, and it certainly holds true in my being close to God/Jesus. Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” That means mind-control. It’s that simple. And I CAN control my mind. It isn’t always easy, but it is always possible. He wouldn’t tell us, “Set your mind . . .” He wouldn’t say, “Think on these things . . .” if we could not do it!

So, think about His holding your hand. “It is I, the Lord God, who is holding your hand” (Isaiah 41:13). Only as you do that over and over and over again will you realize that there is Someone with you—holding your hand—all the time.

Think about His constant presence around you: “Don’t be afraid, for the Lord will go before you and will be with you; He will not fail nor forsake you.” See yourself with Him—always. Practice His presence.

He wipes every tear from our eyes and has them all bottled up! ^[4] Imagine that! Does that give you any idea of just how much He cares for you and what hurts you?

“I will give you rest.” Oh, how we need that! How do you get it? You can rest while you’re physically active, because you see it is done in your mind. You accept it as truth. You live it! You “renew” your mind by putting in the thoughts that He has given us.

I get as close to Him as I can—He is always with me. More than that, He is living inside of me. You talk about intimate! Intimate—meaning: 1) most private or personal 2) very close or familiar 3) deep and thorough. Nothing happens in my life that He is not acutely aware of. Nothing comes into my thought-life that He does not sense. Close? That’s pretty close! Now all I have to do is believe it and start walking in it as truth. Imagine it. See it. Believe it! Experience it!

Our God is omnipotent. Remember that.^[5]

^[1] Colossians 2:10: and in Him you have been made complete …

^[2] Psalm 16:7: He gives me wisdom in the night. He tells me what to do (TLB).

^[3] These words apply to the male just as surely. You have all you need when you have Jesus Christ. Colossians 6:10: So you have everything when you have Christ, and are filled with God through you union with Christ (TLB).

^[4] Psalm 56:8

^[5] We have a booklet, Faithful...Forever, that teaches you about your close relationship to Christ. Call 1-888- 395-5433 to order.

Arrogant Warrior

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice,

And to heed than the fat of rams.

I Samuel 15:22

Partial obedience is disobedience.

Do you sometimes wonder about your level of obedience? You approach the topic sincerely and very logically: “God loves me unconditionally. I believe that with all my heart. I also believe that there isn’t anything I can do to make Him love me more or anything that I can do to make Him love me less. What part does my obedience play in His plan for my life when I believe in His unconditional love for me?”

Do you remember the story of Naaman (II Kings 5)? He was highly respected, he was a mighty warrior, he was the commander of King Aram's army, he was a great man in the sight of his master and . . . he was a leper. Nothing had ever come into Naaman's life that he could not handle. Until now.

Naaman's wife had a little Israeli slave girl who loved enough (I don't know who she loved, but she could not remain silent) to suggest that her master, Naaman, go see a prophet, Elijah. "He could cure him of his leprosy," she said. A suggestion from a mere child? A slave? Yes. When we get desperate, we grab at the slightest hint of hope.

So Naaman went to Israel and sought out Elijah. The prophet didn't even do the mighty hero the honor of coming to the door: "Gehazi, answer the door, please." Naaman was infuriated!

"Who does he think he is? Does he know who I am? who I represent?" And when the servant Gehazi gave him Elijah's instructions, telling him to go and dip seven times in the muddy Jordan River, Naaman was even more frustrated. Unthinkable! "They have beautiful rivers back in Syria. Why should I humiliate myself by bathing in this mudhole? I will not!"

But there was one man in Naaman's group who dared to approach the arrogant warrior—was it love that drove him? respect? "Oh, please, Sir! You are here. Why not at least try what the prophet has told you to do? What do you have to lose?" I wonder how much courage that took? if his heart was thumping and how sweaty his palms were? "All right, all right! I'll try it, but it is utterly and absolutely ridiculous. Ridiculous!"

Searching the prophet out and telling him the problem was not enough. Hearing the prophet's instructions was painful—it hurt his pride to think of doing something so demeaning. Naaman did not believe, but he was desperate. He did not understand the prophet's remedy, but he was hurting. He merely humbled himself and obeyed, that's all. He obeyed and that obedience brought healing. His life was rerouted—changed forever!

And you and me? We must allow God to be our God—we must submit to Him before we can submit to His plan for our life, before we can be all that He has planned for us to be. Obedience paves the way for His way—the only way. His way may be humiliating, embarrassing, something you would never dream of doing, something that seems absolutely ridiculous to you. But I have the courage to say to you, “Oh, please! You are here. Why not at least try what the Lord has told you to do?”

Bedtime Dialogue (Hold On)

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Bedtime Dialogue ^[1]

(Hold On)

So give yourselves humbly to God.

Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

And when you draw close to God,

God will draw close to you.

James 4:7-8 (TLB)

(Good) Ahhhh. Bed at last! A haven. A refuge. This has been one bad day. But I'm here now in my hiding place. You brought me through again, Lord. Now I want to just be quiet and talk to You. Thank You for everything You've done today. How I thank You and praise You.

(Bad) But when I wake up it will be tomorrow! Nothing will have changed. It's going to be the same story'second verse'could be better but it will probably be worse. I dread getting up. I'm tired before it starts . . ..

(Good) Hold on! I don't need to think about that now. I trust Him for tomorrow and He will bring me through'just like He did today. So, let's see'"The Lord Himself is my inheritance, my prize. He is my food and drink, my highest joy!" But what comes next? How could I possibly forget Psalm l6? I need to look over my memory verses.

(Bad) Oh, my time is so limited. I go from one "I've got to do this now" to the other. I just don't have the time to study my Bible. But, if it were important enough to me, I would find the time.

(Good) Hold on! I don't need to think things like that now. No. I'll just think about all I can praise the Lord for. Let me see'I think every body in the family is holding up pretty well considering the economy and instability of every thing. Thank You, Lord. That is really something I praise You for. All is well in my little world.

(Bad) Who am I kidding? This world is going down like the Titanic and our kids and grandkids are the ones who are going to have to live in it. What does their future hold?

(Good) Hold on! I don't need to think about that now! He brought me through today and He will do the same for me tomorrow and the next day and He loves my kids and their kids more than I do! What is that song that I love so much? "Lord I worship You for Who You are and all that You have done, You are the only One true living God above You there is none." ^[2] Lord, I do thank You and praise You. I thank You and praise You. I thank youuuuuu . . .. (Sleep finally comes.)

Do you ever experience anything like this? Oh, not every night, but after one of those "terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad days"? You're really too tired to remember your favorite verses and your mind has been inundated with stressful things most of the day, so Satan hits with full fury and the BAD thoughts come quietly, quickly, and destructively. He gives you those bad thoughts. Do you know that? He talks to you.

What am I to do? Think . . ..

(Good) Just Who is in control?

(Bad) Well if God is in control I'd hate to see . . ..

(Good) Hold on! I refuse to listen to your thoughts, you evil, sadistic liar! Shut your mouth! Just who is going to meet tomorrow? Certainly not me! God never expected me to face my tomorrows. Jesus lives in me to meet every day for me!

God, I know that You love me, that You are with me every second of the day, that You are my Strength, my Hope, my Love, my very Life! What would I do without You? Who would I talk to if You were not there for me? Who would be willing to listen so attentively and lovingly? Who is'right this very moment'holding my hand and Who blotted up the tears that came today and put them in a bottle with my name on it? You are so kind. You are so thoughtful. You are so wonderful! So very wonderful! You are with me. You are with me.

"Lord I worship You, Lord I worship You,

With all my heart and mind and soul I worship You.

There's nothing I would rather do than lift my voice in praise to You.

Now and forever more, dear Lord, I worship You." ^[3]

Resist the devil and he will flee from you.

And when you draw close to God,

God will draw close to you.

Selah ^[4]

[1] Dialogue: Interchange of ideas by open discussion

[2] Only to Him: Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers

[3] Only to Him: Brooklyn Tabernacle Singers

[4] A quiet interlude

Abandoned

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

Beloved, let us love one another,

for love is from God;

and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.

I John 4:7

I was the only one who came to Hulen Tower II for work this morning (being all by myself in this huge building is kind of spooky). As I walked up the front steps, there was a cat sitting at the big glass door, looking in. I stopped, but he heard me and turned, every muscle tense, frightened and ready to fight for his life. What a mess he was! His fur was all matted with sores everywhere, ear torn, skin and bones. . . .

"Here kitty, kitty." I knelt. "Will you let me pet you? I'll take you home with me; I'll clean you up and feed you. You'd be warm there and you'd have a basket to sleep in—or you could sleep on my lap. And you wouldn't have to hide or fight anymore, either. I'll take good care of you. Oh, don't run away. Please don't run away! I promise I won't hurt you. I only want to love you. Here kitty, kitty . . .."

Remember our little brown and white friend, Oreo, who ran away rather than live with stress and unhappy people? Well, Oreo can be salvaged. Someone will have to come into his life who isn't afraid of getting scratched or dirty; someone who won't hesitate to rummage through the garbage pails or crawl under the house to find him—a kitty cat whose heart is beating like crazy, but who's trying to act awfully tough. And that someone will have to spend time waiting for Oreo to come to the food dish. They'll have to be there, and Oreo will gradually get used to their presence and won't be so afraid. Trust will come slowly, but it will come... and then one day, that someone will actually be able to hold that furry, little brown and white creature, to bring him in to the comfort and security he had once known and touch where it hurts with love.

A kitty cat story, but are you there? Is someone you love hiding in places where they would never have gone if "home" had been there for them? Are you hiding from anyone who might try to touch you, care for you, love you? You, too, like Oreo, can be salvaged. He, our Papa, is tenderly calling you, urging you, "Please don't run away!"

Lord, You have called and called and I've been too afraid to come. I don't want to be hurt again. Thank You for Your patience with me. Will You keep calling? Will You still reach out to me and give me time to not be scared of You? It's such a frightening thing to be abandoned and left to face the world by myself. I want to come to You, Lord. Do You really love me? Are You safe?

Lord, reveal the answer to these intense questions, please.

A Very Confident Woman

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0500

I can do all things through him who strengthens me

(Philippians 4:13).

“I have confidence in me!” Remember Julie Andrews singing that song in the movie, The Sound of Music? Well, that was my theme song for too long. I had confidence in Anabel and her ability to overcome, to perform, to conquer! I knew I could do it! And then, God let my “I can do it!” program get all messed up and I stepped back and let Him take over. (Sounds like a smooth transaction? Well, reread that last sentence and put months of learning, failures, tears, new starts, doubts, tribulation, and more than a few trials in between those words.)

Giving up control is so hard to do, but that’s the way God planned for us to operate maximally in this crazy, mixed-up world we live in. Oh, I’m still very confident—poised—secure—but not because of anything Anabel might be able to accomplish! The song I sing today has the same tune, but different lyrics: “I have confidence in Him!”

Have you learned this truth yet? Are you still running into brick walls? It hurts, doesn’t it? This is the basic teaching of The Confident Woman. So many women have written, telling me about how their lives have been changed through reading this book. I’m not surprised! That’s wonderful! My life was changed, too, and I’m just passing on to you the way God brought that about.

THE BASICS IN THE LIFE OF THE CONFIDENT WOMAN

1. Essential: To know—unequivocally—that Jesus loves you.

2. Essential: To discover who you are now that you are in Christ Jesus.

3. Essential: To tap into the power of the indwelling Christ.

4. Essential: To have practical applications for appropriating these truths.

Anabel’s amplified paraphrase of Philippians 4:13

I have discovered—very painfully—that I am not capable

within myself to deal with the world and all that is in it.

When that shocking and humiliating discovery was made,

I turned to God and said,

“I cannot do this. Please do it for me.”

I now have great confidence in Him—in all things,

and His strength working through me.

Oh, I am a very confident woman. Thanks to You, Lord Jesus.