Look at the back of a one dollar bill. There you will see an eye above an unfinished pyramid with the Latin inscribed over it, “Annuit Coeptis,” or, “He favors our undertaking.”
Our work as a nation, as individuals, is incomplete. As long as you are willing to grow, you may be assured that the eye of God is watching over your effort.Our Heavenly Father favors an unfinished project, a person who is always at task, always open to learning, always eager to yield to the Higher Wisdom.
While there is breath in our lungs we are privileged to reach higher, work harder, and progress toward the prize which is the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.God’s word is clear... ”I can do all things through Christ.”
GospeLines Prayer:Omnipotent, All-Knowing God, if I become slothful in Bible-study, draw me again to the fountain of wisdom; if I grow complacent in my devotion, separate me from everything that has replaced You in my life; and if I become smug about our relationship, stretch forth Your nail-scarred hands for my fingers to touch again. Make spiritual ignorance detestable, stagnant Christianity abominable, and satisfaction impossible. Amen and amen.
13Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14but whoever drinks the water I give will never be thirsty. The water I give will become a spring of water gushing up inside that person, giving eternal life." 15The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so I will never be thirsty again and will not have to come back here to get more water." 16Jesus told her, "Go get your husband and come back here." 17The woman answered, "I have no husband."
Jesus said to her, "You are right to say you have no husband. 18Really you have had five husbands, and the man you live with now is not your husband. You told the truth." 19The woman said, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.20Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people must worship." 21Jesus said, "Believe me, woman. The time is coming when neither in Jerusalem nor on this mountain will you actually worship the Father. 22You Samaritans worship something you don't understand. We understand what we worship, because salvation comes from the Jews.23The time is coming when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, and that time is here already. You see, the Father too is actively seeking such people to worship him. 24God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
How many times have you heard the story of the Samaritan woman?Each time I do, I hear something different, even though the story remains unchanged.
I am very much like the Samaritan woman.I haven’t had five spouses, but I’ve had several and life can still be empty.Even when surrounded by beautiful things in a lovely house in a good neighborhood, driving an expensive automobile, wearing nice clothes and sporting beautiful jewelry, I am thirsty for more…the living water that Jesus provides.“Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus!”
There are times when I have looked to others for outward and visible signs of love and acceptance, only to have parched lips and a dry throat.I am suffocating in the midst of the hot, dry, desert.I am sick and there is no cure I can buy – no over-the-counter or prescription drugs available; no home remedy.But, with my Jesus, I will be sick no more!
GospeLines Prayer:Father, quench my thirst as only You can.You knew me before I was born and know all about me now.I confess that I am nothing without You and that You are my only way to eternal life.Your water sustains me like nothing or no one else can do.I want You to “Fill My Cup, Lord”… (words below)
Like the woman at the well I was seeking for things that could not satisfy;
And then I heard my Savior speaking: “Draw from my well that never shall run dry.”
There are millions in this world who are craving the pleasure earthly things afford;
But none can match the wondrous treasure that I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.
Refrain --Fill my cup, Lord, I lift it up, Lord!
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul;
Bread of heaven, feed me ‘til I want no more
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole!
Fill my cup, Lord.
In His Love,
Carla˙
≈ Devotional for Wednesday, December 5, 2007
"Freedom Under Attack"
(A Reflection on September 11, 2001)
Outrageous acts of terrorism have added September 11, 2001, as another infamous day in American history. People who remember Pearl Harbor have drawn bitterly accurate comparisons to the tragic events experienced on this terrible Tuesday.Initial reactions of shock and disbelief have turned to thoughts of retaliation.Indeed, if those responsible for the slaughter of American citizens within these hallowed borders believe their deeds will go unpunished, they have seriously underestimated the resolve of this great nation.
The Stars and Stripes were lowered to half mast on that dreadful day, but they still waved proudly, as if to announce to the world, “We may be bent by this terrorism but we are not defeated.” Courage does not shatter when peace is broken. It rises from the debris of twisted humanity and crumbled buildings with greater determination than ever before, not to forget the horrendous event, but to remember our dauntless heritage.
Even as those who jumped from the 90th floor to their deaths, hands clasped together, America joined hands and hearts with them. It is not, however, a leap to the death, but a leap of faith. Not since 1941, has this nation experienced the stench of war on her doorstep. For 60 years our prayer has been that it would never happen again. But it has.
Let us now pray that our leaders will act wisely, and not react hastily. Rise up, America, and seek the will of God rather than follow after the sins of savages, by avoiding undisciplined retribution upon the guiltless. We must find a way to safeguard the lives of innocent bystanders, while punishing those who shamefully stand by the terrorists they protect. No longer can freedom afford to give safe harbor to those who wish to steal it from us. As sure as I am that God will use our nation to bring justice upon this despicable crime, I am equally certain that the world will watch us, and God will correct us if we fail to act justly.
GospeLines Prayer:Almighty God, the events of this day have changed America forever!Yet, I fear not, for You are unchanged. Our continent is no longer unspoiled by outside aggression, but I will fear no evil, for You are all-powerful.Father, let this time of America’s discontent continue to draw this nation to her knees, not in defeat, but in renewed devotion to our God. Amen and amen.
"...if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2nd Chronicles 7:14)
"My People Will Be Healed"
What is God's will for His people?"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness.He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2nd Peter 3:9)
From the beginning it has been the desire of the Lord to walk in the garden in the cool of the day and talk with His children.God has made provisions for all of us to be healed of out infirmities (Matthew 8:17; Isaiah 53:4).
We have a great High Priest who has gone into heaven, Jesus the Son of God; so, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.For we do not have a High Priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have One who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet was without sin.Therefore, let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (Paraphrased from Hebrews 4:14-16)
"Our time of need!"When has our time of need ever been greater than today?When have our land, our families and the church needed healing more than now?Jesus prophesied that in the last days (now) the love of most Christians would grow cold (Matthew 24:12).So what can we do?How can we "approach the throne of grace with confidence"?
"...if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
Amen and Amen!
Pastor RonU
"…we can face Him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world."
(The testimony of a lady from New York who told me her 9-11story)
I had been at the Marriott Hotel, tower three of the World Trade Center, for over a week, waiting until my new apartment would be finished. Selling my house in California was quite an adventure but nothing like what I was about to experience.Everything I owned was in that room with me, including my cat.
My thoughts were on my morning workout. I dressed comfortably, stuck the card-key in my shoe and was about to leave the room when I heard what sounded like a loud sonic boom. From the window of my fifteenth floor room I could see debris falling and people scurrying on the ground below. I tried to call the front desk but there was no answer. It wasn’t clear what I should do because I wasn’t sure what had happened. So I stepped into the hallway to hear a woman say sternly, “Get out!”
It struck me how quiet it was in the hallway as I closed the door of my room, leaving behind my clothes, my purse and money, and my cat. We moved toward the stairwell where there was a man at the door who had come from the gym, my original destination. He was agitated and scared (Later I learned that a tire from the first airplane had fallen into the pool of the gym).
It was so quiet. We made it safely to the lobby, out the front door and saw that the street was covered with so much debris it looked like a huge bomb had exploded. I looked up to see the building in flames and people jumping out of it from the top floors. Some were holding hands as they jumped.
A second explosion startled me. Several of us went to a cafe nearby and watched CNN on television. When I went back outside, the first building imploded all around me. I literally ran for my life and felt bits of burning steel hitting me as I made my way through the cloud. Later that evening tower three collapsed, destroying everything I had counted precious on this earth.
In the weeks since September 11, I have struggled to get my life back together.I don’t know why I was spared from death, but I look at things differently now. I am certain that God has a reason for me being here and I want to find out what it is.
GospeLines Prayer:Father, I thank you for sparing the life of Allison. Let her story be an example that we should all search for the reason we are here. And when we find that reason, inspire us to focus more upon those things which really matter in life. Amen and amen.