GospeLines Devotionals: 6/20/05 - 6/23/05
June 20, 2005
MORE REST
"There is a special rest still waiting for the people of God." Hebrews 4:9 (NLT)
Our oldest granddaughter, Faith, came in about 11:00 p.m. from Cheerleading Camp completely exhausted. She was tired, didn't like the camp, and did not think she was enjoying herself at all. From her perspective, at that time of the night, everything was wrong.
Her mother told her to go to bed, get some rest, and she would talk to her about it when she wasn't so tired and could be more rational in her thinking. The next morning Faith woke up refreshed and ready to go again. When we talked to her at noon she was having a wonderful time.
The physical rest had done wonders for her!
Physical rest is important. Our lives are affected, both spiritually and emotionally, by our physical rest.
But, there is another resting place waiting for us in heaven. Our daily rest in the Lord on this earth extends to an eternal rest that Christ is preparing for all who love Him and know Him as their Personal Savior.
Thank you, Lord, that we can enjoy daily rest and peace in you. Praise your Holy Name that rest does not end with physical death. Because you died on the cross for our sins we can then traverse into your eternal rest in Heaven.
Melva Cooper
www.melvacooper.com
June 21, 2005
"Shout Your Fame"
A song from the CD "Shout God's Fame" by Hillsong Music Australia
Words & Music by: Jonas Myrin, Natasha Bedingfield, Gio Galanti, and Paul Nevison
Performed by: Hillsong London
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Some say you're just a good man, some say you were kind
Some say you are in the grave, but I say you're alive
Some say you're just a prophet, some say you were wise
Some say you were just a man, but I say You are God, You are my God
Chorus (1)
I will shout your fame to all the earth
I will lift your name on high
And the world will know your greatness
You are my God, I will shout Your fame
I know you're the Messiah. You gave Your life for me
I know Your the only way, Jesus you are God, you are my God
Chorus (2)
I will shout Your fame to all the earth
I will lift Your name on high
And the world will know Your greatness
You are my God, Jesus I will shout Your fame to all the earth
I will lift Your name on high
I will show the world Your goodness
As I live a life that shouts Your fame
As I live a life that shouts Your fame
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
As you read the lyrics of this song, you can identify many of the "some" who say Jesus was a "good man" but that He's dead. You can identify many who say He was a wise prophet, but just a man. However, can you identify the "some" who say He's alive?
What do you say? Do you say He is God... your God? Do you shout His fame to all the earth and lift His name on high? If so, praise God, that's wonderful. However, do you only shout His name on Sunday mornings? What happens during the week?
How about that last line? That's the hard one. Do you live a life that shouts His fame? Does the world see His goodness by the life you live? If not, Jesus says that you can start today. Just ask Him into your heart and He will make you a new creature (2nd Corinthians 5:17). Then, from today forward, you can live a life that shouts His fame.
Ron KillenU
"Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus."
- Philippians 2:5
ron@gospelines.com
June 22, 2005
Build on a Rock
"Anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand." Matthew 7:26 (NLT)
Multimillion-dollar houses came crashing down a hill in Southern California. Power poles popped and cracked as they tumbled right before everyone's eyes. Grabbing their children and pets, many people fled as the streets beneath them buckled. Several injuries, but no immediate deaths, resulted from the humongous slide on steep sandstone hills covered with large homes.
Geologists have known for years those shifting sand hills were not safe to build upon. But, because of the gorgeous views from the Pacific coastal bluffs the area continued to be desirable real estate. Now, foundations of homes were left exposed and streets ended abruptly when the sand shifted below them.
Sometimes we find ourselves listening to what God says, but do not follow up with obedience. The people who built their houses on the sandstone hills learned how quickly they could come tumbling down following a particularly wet winter.
There are, also, consequences when we ignore God's Word and continue on our paths of destruction.
If you find that is where you are in life, begin today putting together a solid foundation by practicing obedience to Christ. Only our personal relationship with Christ and our obedience to Him will count at judgment.
Let's begin now to build on a "solid rock" as we listen to God's teaching and then follow through with obedience.
Melva Cooper
www.melvacooper.com
June 23, 2005
"Adoption is Final"
Two days after bringing him home, we took our beautiful ten day old adopted son to the best hospital we could find for an examination ordered by our family doctor. Our spirits sank when he told us a day earlier that Daniel had a heart murmur and felt we should get a second opinion. Following a thorough evaluation he was given a guarded report and we were optimistic that through prayer and determination he would grow out of it. That was thirty-one years ago!
Several months after the hospital visit, we were scheduled to finalize the adoption in family court. The judge ushered us into his chambers and explained the laws regarding adoption. He told us that there would never be another opportunity to change our minds, and that once we left the courthouse, we could not undo what we were about to do. Without hesitation, my wife and I signed the appropriate papers and had ourselves a baby! Glory!
Adoption is a blessed event in the family of God. It happens because we are chosen, hand picked, loved and nurtured. It can never be undone. Even if we disappoint our Father to the point of tears and frustration, we are still His, because adoption is final.
"For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." (Ephesians 1:5)
GospeLines Prayer: "Father, I was a ten year old spiritual orphan when You looked into eternity and picked me to become Your child, to enjoy all the privileges that go with being in Your family. You could have chosen someone more handsome, more talented, and less stubborn, but you didn't... You chose me! You make me feel so special. Thank you, Lord." Amen and amen.
Tommy Harrison, DMin
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