Moments of Peace

Salvation

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:17:00 +0000

I am trusting Thee, Lord Jesus—
Trusting only Thee;
Trusting Thee for full salvation,
Great and free. —Havergal

If we could earn our salvation, Christ would not have died to provide it.

He Cannot Fail

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Wed, 30 May 2012 11:25:00 +0000

He cannot fail, your faithful God;
He’ll guard you with His mighty power;
Then fear no ill though troubles rise,
His help is sure from hour to hour. —Bosch

With God behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you. —Ward

When No One Is Looking

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Mon, 21 May 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Lord, help me to follow Jesus,
To obey Him day by day,
To be His faithful disciple
And please Him in every way. —Fitzhugh

Our character is measured by what we do when no one is looking.

Prepared for the Real Thing

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Sun, 20 May 2012 11:40:00 +0000

Keep me praying, keep me trusting
Every step along life’s way!
Keep me waiting, keep me watching,
For He may return today! —Thiesen

Look for Christ’s return and you’ll live for Christ’s glory.

A Sense of History

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Sat, 19 May 2012 11:29:00 +0000

Lord, teach us from the stories in Your Word.
We know You’ve put them there to guide us and
give us wisdom. Help us to make obedience
out of love for You our purpose. Amen.

Valuable lessons are learned from examining the lives of God’s people who’ve gone before.

Not What I Planned

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:29:00 +0000

As I walk along life’s pathway,
Though the way I cannot see,
I shall follow in His footsteps,
For He has a plan for me. —Thiesen

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps. —Proverbs 16:9

Strength

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:41:00 +0000

When our hearts grow weary,
When our spirits dim,
He will go before us,
Leave it all to Him. —Anon.

When you’re weary in life’s struggles, find strength in the Lord.

Mother's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Sun, 13 May 2012 11:14:00 +0000

Lord, thank You for the influence our mothers and wives
have had on us. We too want to touch the lives of
others, to point them to You. We know we need Your
Spirit’s power to do that. Fill us and use us, we pray.

Good mothers not only tell us how to live— they show us.

Outside the Boat

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Sat, 12 May 2012 11:30:00 +0000

Will your anchor hold in the storms of life,
When the clouds unfold their wings of strife?
When the strong tides lift and the cables strain,
Will your anchor drift, or firm remain? —Owens

We worship a God who is greater than our greatest problem.

Concern

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Fri, 11 May 2012 11:25:00 +0000

If God ordained to give
One gift for all my days,
I’d want the way He loves
To permeate my ways. —Verway

The more we understand God’s love for us the more love we’ll show to others.

Apologies

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Thu, 10 May 2012 11:19:00 +0000

Whenever you offend a friend,
Apologize and make things right;
For if you will admit your wrong,
You may avoid a needless fight. —Sper

The best way to get the last word is to apologize.

Our Daily Bread

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:22:00 +0000

I'm getting most of these devotions from Our Daily Bread. Great place to sign up for their emails!

http://odb.org/

Before You Ask

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:15:00 +0000

We can trust the wisdom of His love. —Bill Crowder

My heart overflows—the grace He provides Is just what I need for my care; It’s all I could ask, whatever the task, Whatever the burden I bear. —Anon.

God’s timing is always right.

Lighthouse Scripture - North Carolina Photography - Jill Lang - Charlotte Skyline, Blue Ridge Mountains/Parkway, Lighthouses, Waterfalls, Lakes, Scripture Pictures, Old Barns

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Tue, 08 May 2012 18:44:00 +0000

Lighthouse Scripture - North Carolina Photography - Jill Lang - Charlotte Skyline, Blue Ridge Mountains/Parkway, Lighthouses, Waterfalls, Lakes, Scripture Pictures, Old Barns

Search the Scriptures

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 12:18:00 +0000

Search the Scriptures’ precious store— As a miner digs for ore;
Search, and you will surely find Treasures to enrich the mind. —Anon.

The more you read the Bible, the more you’ll love its Author.

Jesus Understands

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:46:00 +0000

He took our suffering on him and felt our pain for us. —Isa_53:4

Jesus knows how you feel. You're under the gun at work? Jesus knows how you feel. You've got more to do than is humanly possible? So did he. People take more from you than they give? Jesus understands. Your teenagers won't listen? Your students won't try? Jesus knows how you feel.

You are precious to him. So precious that he became like you so that you would come to him.

When you struggle, he listens. When you yearn, he responds. When you question, he hears. He has been there.

In the Eye of the Storm Max Lucado

Gritting My Teeth

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 00:08:00 +0000

We learn to be victorious by surrendering our lives to God, not by gritting our teeth and trying harder.

God's Good Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 15:27:00 +0000

Every good action and every perfect gift is from God. —
Jas_1:17

Ever feel like you have nothing? Just look at the gifts [God] has given you:

He has sent his angels to care for you, his Holy Spirit to dwell in you, his church to encourage you, and his word to guide you…
Anytime you speak, he listens; make a request and he responds.
He will never let you be tempted too much or stumble too far.
Let a tear appear on your cheek, and he is there to wipe it.
Let a love sonnet appear on your lips, and he is there to hear it.
As much as you want to see him, he wants to see you more…
You have been chosen by Christ… He has claimed you as his beloved.
When Christ Comes - Max Lucado

Holy Spirit

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:25:00 +0000

Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down every idol throne,
Reign supreme and reign alone. —Reed

The Christian’s heart is the Spirit’s home.

Reaping What We Sow

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:30:00 +0000

Sowing seeds of greed and hatred
Reaps corruption, loss, and pain;
But if we sow love and kindness,
We will reap eternal gain. —Sper

The seeds we sow today determine the kind of fruit we’ll reap tomorrow.

Death Destroyed

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:06:00 +0000

O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? —1 Corinthians 15:55

Medical researchers are working tirelessly to find a cure for cancer, a clue to the mystery of Alzheimer’s, and ways to conquer a host of other debilitating diseases. But what if you awoke to headlines saying DEATH DESTROYED! Would you believe it? Could you believe it?

The New Testament proclaims that for the believer in Christ, death has been destroyed—reduced to inactivity—rendered incapable of doing what it once did. “So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Cor. 15:54).

This good news is for everyone who will receive it—just as the angel told the shepherds when Jesus was born, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

The birth of Jesus was the beginning of the end for death. “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:56-57).

That is why we celebrate Christmas! —David McCasland

Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth. —Wesley

The birth of Christ brought God to man; the cross of Christ brings man to God.

Christmas Journey

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 13:23:00 +0000

When the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son. —Galatians 4:4

How far is it from Nazareth to Bethlehem? If you’re in Pennsylvania, it’s about 9 miles and takes about 10 minutes by car. But if you’re in Nazareth of Galilee, and you’re traveling along with your pregnant wife, as Joseph was, it’s about 80 miles to Bethlehem. That journey probably took Joseph and Mary about a week, and they didn’t stay in a nice hotel when they got there. All Joseph could find was a stall in a stable, and that’s where Mary delivered “her firstborn Son” (Luke 2:7).

But the journey for the infant Jesus was much farther than 80 miles. He left His place in heaven at God’s right hand, came to earth, and accepted our humanity. Eventually, He was stretched out on a cross to die, and He was buried in a borrowed tomb. But the journey was not over. He conquered death, left the tomb, walked again among men, and ascended to heaven. Even that is not the journey’s end. Someday He will return as King of kings and Lord of lords.

As you take a Christmas journey this month, reflect on the journey Jesus made for us. He came from heaven to earth to die for us, making salvation available through His death on the cross and His glorious resurrection.

Praise God for that first Christmas journey! —Dave Egner

When God stepped out of heaven above
And came down to this earth,
He clothed Himself in human flesh—
A Child of lowly birth. —D. De Haan

Jesus came to earth for us so we could go to heaven with Him.

Our Hope

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 14:48:00 +0000

The virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14

As we drove home from a Christmas party one evening, my family and I approached a small country church nestled between glittering snowbanks. From a distance, I could see its holiday display. Strings of white lights formed the capital letters: H-O-P-E. The sight of that word shining in the darkness reminded me that Jesus is, and always has been, the hope of humankind.

Before Jesus was born, people hoped for the Messiah—the One who would shoulder their sin and intercede with God on their behalf (Isa. 53:12). They expected the Messiah to arrive through a virgin who would bear a son in Bethlehem and would name Him Immanuel, “God with us” (7:14). The night Jesus was born, their hope was fulfilled (Luke 2:1-14).

Although we’re no longer waiting for Jesus in the form of an infant, He is still the source of our hope. We watch for His second coming (Matt. 24:30); we anticipate the heavenly home He is preparing for us (John 14:2); and we dream of living with Him in His celestial city (1 Thess. 4:16). As Christians, we can look forward to the future because the baby in the manger was, and still is, “the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1). —Jennifer Benson Schuldt

That night so many years ago
Which brought the Savior’s birth,
Gave promise of a brighter hope:
Good will—and peace on earth. —Anon.

The key word of Christmas is “Immanuel”— God with us!

Silent Night

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:52:00 +0000

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, all is bright.
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child.
Holy infant so tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight.
Glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia,
Christ the Savior is born! Christ the Savior is born.
Silent night, holy night!
Son of God love's pure light.
Radiant beams from Thy holy face
With dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth.
Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

One More Week!

noreply@blogger.com (Jill) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:46:00 +0000