Overcome doubt

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"Overcome doubt" By Diane Webb

John 14: 6—"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only way to achieve life. There is no other life outside him. He is life itself. It is interesting he says to "follow me" first. Is it possible to follow the way of Jesus yet not totally believe until later? Is it necessary to believe first before you can begin to follow Jesus? Some of the disciples seemed to doubt periodically even after following Jesus for quite some time. They don't expect him to be able to multiply the loaves and the fishes (Matthew 14: 16, 17). Peter doesn't really believe he can walk on water even when he is doing so (Matthew 14: 30). They don't give the impression they expect much after the crucifixion (Luke 24: 13-35). So, it appears it is possible to follow Jesus and still doubt his truth. It takes following Jesus AND believing in Jesus' truth to have a meaningful life on earth and life eternal. Doubt is one of the biggest stumbling blocks for many people. They have doubt in themselves, doubt in others, doubt in their purpose, doubt in tomorrow, doubt in scripture, and doubt in God. Once doubt begins to creep in, it will grow and distort the truth. Since Jesus is the truth then doubt distorts our view of Jesus. To doubt is to lack confidence or to be unsure of something—to question the factual basis. It is the need to always see proof—like Thomas who had to see the scars in Jesus' hands before he would believe (John 20: 24-29). It's similar to what a lady use to say when explaining why it's a waste of energy to try and prove love. She said, "Love is like God—you can't see it—you just have to believe". In other words, believe, enjoy, and quit trying to prove one way or another. God is love so trying to prove God is no more productive than trying to prove love. To try to prove something indicates you have doubt or you are playing into someone else's doubt. Did walking on water really prove anything to Peter? Didn't he later lose his faith and deny Jesus anyway (John 18: 27)? Didn't he doubt Jesus was still in control in the fulfillment of scripture? Had not Jesus told his disciples what was going to happen (John 12: 32, 32)? Did seeing the nail scared hands really help Thomas? What did he go on to do after the ascension? He does not seem to be as active as the other disciples who finally did believe without doubting. Even Peter eventually stopped doubting and what a difference there was in the way he lived after that. Doubt interferes with truth it does not strengthen truth as doubters mistakenly believe. It is not helpful and is based in fears or insecurities. Any effort to overcome doubt by proving something only leads to more doubt. Doubt is only overcome by faith—just believing. Putting faith in Jesus 100% will erase all fear and insecurity. With belief in Jesus—what Jesus says—we are able to see the whole picture. We need not doubt or fear because we understand what is in store for us after life on earth. He promises, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14: 2). So, all we have to do is follow Jesus' way, believe the truths he shared (without doubt), and we will have eternal life because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

My heavenly Father, help me ignore all doubt. Help me believe what Jesus has said 100% without allowing any room in my mind or heart for doubt of any kind. Give me the words to strengthen me against doubt so I can follow Jesus' example on earth and live with him forever in eternity. I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

Restore my soul

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"Restore my soul" By Diane Webb

Psalms 23: 3—"He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake."

The way Jesus restores our soul is by leading us in the paths of righteousness. Only by following the paths of righteousness—where Jesus takes us—can our soul be restored. Follow Jesus. You read this phrase everywhere—pamphlets, bumper stickers, and T-shirts. It is only two words but it is THE way, the only way, to wholeness and restoration. Sometimes we look for complicated methods to achieve wholeness. We light candles, say prayers, use calculators to figure out our tithes, count up how many hours we've given back to God (to make sure it's ten percent), and pray for forgiveness if we miss one of the fourteen days of revival at our church. We still look around to make sure no one sees us take the trash can to the curb on a Sunday. Somehow, some way we still feel the need to follow the Law of Moses as if Jesus is not quite enough—just to be sure. Something as simple as "Follow Jesus" seems too good to be true. It's not. Simplicity is most often the more excellent solution. Have you ever over-colored a picture and then had to throw it away? Humans seem to complicate things just for the fun of it! "Just one more" we say. If it is simple, easy, and works why change it? The way to wholeness has worked for about two thousand years. The Psalmist knew about Jesus' way before Jesus was born. The prophets of the Old Testament pointed to the coming of Jesus. Who are we to come up with a new plan? Perhaps it's the interpretation of "righteousness" that causes people to complicate things. The list of what constitutes righteousness seems endless when looked at from a legalistic perspective. Jesus was not an attorney although he is the wonderful counselor (Isaiah 9: 6). He disputed the idea that salvation is achieved by following the law. Jesus says all we need to do is to follow him. Jesus says in John 14: 6, "I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me". Philippians 3: 9 says, "And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith". Stop trying to make it harder than it really is. Follow Jesus and he will show you the paths of righteousness (notice that paths is plural). Jesus may take you down many paths of righteousness. This is how he restores you—how he renews YOU. To be restored is to be made like new—or even better. Think of an old, historical home or building that has been neglected for many years. The roof is damaged, the paint is chipped off, shutters are hanging askew, and the windows are broken. Suddenly, one day, you see someone has purchased the home or building and is restoring it. Over the next several weeks trucks and workers surround the place. Then, one day, it's done. It looks so beautiful and new again. You can't imagine it ever looked ugly or neglected. You wonder if it looked this good when it was originally built. This is what Jesus does for us. We are like an abandoned house which, over time, will crumble and fall if left alone. The building cannot repair itself. It requires the loving hand of a carpenter. We require the loving hand of a carpenter. All we have to do, like trusting but ignorant sheep, is to follow our Shepherd. We don't have to think, to figure, to chart, to read, or to write to account for ourselves. All we have to do is trust Jesus to lead us where we need to go.

Heavenly Father, help me to trust you, to follow Jesus where he leads me. Help me not to try to second guess the way he takes me. Help me just follow and trust. I pray humbly in Jesus' name, Amen.

Greater works

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"Greater Works" By Diane Webb

John 14: 12—"Verily, verily I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father".

Jesus declares that those who believe in him will do what he has done and even greater works than he has done. It's hard to imagine what could possibly constitute greater works than Jesus. He raised people from the dead, turned water into wine, fed thousands, and redeemed souls. "Believeth on me" is the key phrase in this promise. Believing on Jesus opens the door to greater works. Each of has at least one special gift or talent that, when rightly used in the name of Jesus, will constitute a "greater work than these". What area are you meant to be perfecting in the kingdom of God? What do you see as your "greater works"? Have you been told "I don't know how you do that" or "I could not do that" in reference to something you find easy? This tells you your talent or gift—your greater works. It is simple and no big deal for you but it's something everyone is not capable of doing. Meanwhile, you look over at someone else and think "I wish I could do that as well as they can". While everyone is looking over at everyone else no one is able to realize their "greater work". You may say, "But, Jesus performed miracles". We see miracles every day and are so use to it we don't call them miracles any more. We take for granted the amazing things people do in the name of Jesus. True, there is power manifested in the non-Christian world but it's temporary—the negative always outweighs the positive. When a miracle or great achievement is not of God, it ends up causing things to be worse in the long run rather than greater. We are empowered to make things greater through the gospel of Jesus. We have the opportunity to reach the entire world with missions, technology, and travel, as we spread the gospel. Although we are not all called to be preachers, we are all called to spread the gospel of Jesus. How we spread that gospel centers on one word—love. In Matthew 22:37-39 ^"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." That pretty much sums it up. We are to love God and love other people and doing so will lead to greater works. As we love God and others, we naturally spread the gospel out of this love. Remember the song line "they'll know we are Christians by our love" (Carolyn Arends)? If it does not demonstrate love then it is not Christian. Look at the example Jesus gave us in the Bible. He never yelled, put down, threatened, or guilt-tripped anyone. He loved people and it did not matter how those people treated him. He loved them when they did not love him back, did not listen to him, did not obey God's commandments, and did not say "I am sorry for hurting you". He is the only perfect example of Christian love we have. He is our example. Before every word you speak and everything you do, ask yourself "is this loving?" Our mission is not to hurt people in the name of God but to love people in the name of Jesus. This is how we spread the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is how we achieve our greater works.

 

Heavenly father, I know I don't always show love and do not always present a good example of Christianity; forgive me Lord for falling short; help me today to show the love of Jesus in my every thought, word, and action. Help me be a testament to what Christ has done for me and in my life. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Be Quiet

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"Be Quiet" By Diane Webb

Psalms 23: 2—"He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me by the still waters".

To lie down in green pastures is to rest. Have you ever noticed this verse says he "makes" me rest rather than he "allows" me to rest? This scripture implies rest is so important our good shepherd insists on it. God created the seventh day specifically for rest. The Sabbath was created by God, and was set aside as a day without work. It is so important it is even one of the Ten Commandments. Obviously respite is imperative and God wants us to take time to break. Are you one of those people who feel the need to be busy every waking moment? Are you the type to go, go, go until you are so given out you have no choice but to rest? Although it's true the scripture encourages industry, productiveness, and speaks against laziness, it also makes it clear periodic rest is necessary to the overall health and wellbeing of humans. Specifically, one day out of seven is to be spent in rest—one seventh of your time. Most people do not get enough rest—whether due to lack of sleep or lack of relaxation. Over time a lack of rest can cause a mental or physical fatigue. To rest, one must have quiet and stillness. A mental image of "still waters" brings to mind quiet, peacefulness, and calmness. A quiet time—a time of no activity, no noise, and no commotion—is like a vacation. The quiet moments are the time when you have one-on-one time with God. In the hit song "You raise me up" (Graham, Lovland, Universal Music Publishing Group) there is the line "I am still and wait here in the silence, until you come and sit awhile with me". We have to be still and quiet to meet with God. How can we listen for God and to God if our mind is filled to overflowing with lists, dates, names, and tasks? How can we be quiet and still if we are running around completing one project, duty, task, or chore after another? People need rest and God wants us to have rest. We need rest to restore ourselves and keep ourselves healthy. More importantly, we need quiet time to meet with God. Plan a regular time of peace, quiet, and solitude in your daily and weekly routine. Use this time to renew yourself and to listen to God. Developing a sense of listening to God is a skill that can be developed and improved over time. There are many books dedicated to increasing an ear for the Holy Spirit and spending quiet time with God. Some of these books are around the topic of "listening prayer". A listening prayer is one where you are silent and God is doing the talking. In traditional prayers we are doing all the talking to God. Developing the ability to hear God and listening to God opens up another dimension in your relationship with Him. The first step is to carve out time to spend in stillness with God. We must create the space within our minds and our lives for God to move in. If the space is filled with clutter, there is no room for God. Make a promise to yourself today, to begin clearing space in your mind and life for God's Holy Presence. Begin having special, quiet time with God. If you have never experienced this type of time with God, you are in for an amazing surprise—an intense spiritual awakening. As you open yourself up to God and are quiet enough to hear him, you begin to have a deeper, more personal relationship with Him. Lay down in the green grass beside the quiet stream—wait for God.

Oh God, please help me create and keep private, personal time with you. Help me get rid of the mind-clutter and busyness that makes me avoid the moving of the Holy Spirit. Dear Lord, show me the way to become closer to you and to listen to your voice. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.

Birds don’t worry

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"Birds don't worry" By Diane Webb

John 14: 27—"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth; give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Jesus gives these most comforting words to his disciples. He leaves them his peace—the peace of Jesus of which no one in the world can give. Do not be deeply troubled and do not let your heart be afraid he tells them. Jesus left all of his followers—even us—the comforter which is the Holy Spirit. Peace is the absence of stress or anxiety. Are you at peace? Are you troubled and afraid? Take the peace Jesus has offered you and fill your heart with it. Jesus specifically left us the Holy Spirit—the third person of the trinity—to comfort us and give us his peace. It is the peace that passeth understanding and you know it when it's there (Philippians 4: 7). There is a poem by Elizabeth Cheney that demonstrates this peace:

"Overheard in an orchard"

Said the robin to the sparrow,
"I should really like to know,
Why these anxious human beings
Rush about and worry so."

Said the sparrow to the robin,
"Friend I think it must be,
That they have no Heavenly Father,
Such as cares for you and me."

A line from another poem by Rudyard Kipling also illustrates the concept of peace: "If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you".

It's hard to describe how peace feels but everyone knows what is meant by having "peace in your heart". When making decisions or looking back on your day it's easy to recognize when something disturbs your peace or does not leave you "at peace". The Holy Spirit working in your heart and life is like an internal compass—a personal guide who can lead you in the path of righteousness and alert you to wrong choices. To connect with this inner guild and achieve peace in your heart simple look to the Holy Spirit—check in with your heart—before making choices. Your heart will feel "at peace" when you are in accord with the Holy Spirit. Make decisions where you can say with certainty, "I will be able to sleep peacefully about this choice". It only takes a few seconds to ask the Holy Spirit.

There was a middle aged woman who dropped by the grocery store on her way to work one morning. She immediately went to the coffee and candy aisles. After loading her buggy with about $30 in coffee supplies and bags of candy for work, she hurried to the check out so as not to be late for the office. By the cashier's lane was a spinning book rack with a spiritual growth book which caught her eye. She read the back flap and really wanted the book. She looked at the price--$14.95. She agonized about buying the book. "Should I spend this money?" "Should I pay right at $15 for a book I will only read once?" She piously began to pray inwardly to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance on this major financial decision. The answer in her heart was immediate and precise, "you did not ask about the $30 for coffee and candy so why are you asking about the $15 book"? She smiled at her Heavenly Father's gentle chide and put the book in her cart. It's true there are some decisions we take no thought at all for yet others we hesitate. In either case it is so easy to just ask for the Holy Spirit's assistance. Then we can be at peace about all decisions whether it's $30 in coffee and candy or $15 for a book.

Dear Lord, help me today to remember to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance and comfort. I want to please you in all things—large and small. I want to be at peace over any decision I make. I thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit and I accept this gift. In Christ's name I pray, Amen.

Hate not hurt not

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"Hate not hurt not" by Diane Webb

"If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you."

Hate is a very strong feeling of dislike. It prompts action which most often causes harm. Hate does not usually lead to anything positive, wholesome, or good. It triggers a wave of emotion that can be overwhelming to experience. That wave of emotion then is directed at someone or something. Then there is hurt or damage of some kind. We've all had feelings of hate—toward someone or something that has caused us or someone we love harm. We see evidence of hate in the headlines daily. The crimes underscored by hatred are so heinous they have their own category for processing (as hate crimes). There is hate for entire groups of people which lead to further hate. Hate feeds on itself and is expressed through anger. Hate and anger go hand in hand. They fold back into each other often to the point it is difficult to distinguish one from another. Being the object of hate is a scary and uncomfortable feeling. We have a sense of what people are capable of when they hate and we do not want it directed at us. Sometimes hate is earned because we have done something wrong to someone else (betrayed trust for example). Other times hate is inherited—we are part of a group that another group hates. We are hated because we are a certain race, color, gender, religion, or nationality. This is the type of hate Jesus referred to when he warned his disciples of the hatred they may experience. Jesus was hated so intensely he was wrongly accused, beaten, and killed through crucifixion--a very cruel type of death. Crucifixion was a slow, painful, and deliberately degrading form of execution. It was meant to torture and humiliate. There were more humane forms of execution at that time. He could have been executed quickly by, for example, decapitation. Those who killed Jesus meant for him to suffer and die a degrading death. The reason Jesus was killed in such a de-humanizing and painful manner was hatred. Hatred creates the desire to hurt. The stronger the hate, the greater is the desire to hurt. Who can honestly say they have never wanted to hurt someone out of anger and hate? Popular theories of psychology sometimes encourages the expression of anger and hate, albeit symbolically. "Get it out" you may be urged. "Don't hold it in" is the warning. Although many healthy counseling concepts can be found in the Bible and supported by scripture, this one cannot. It is most certainly possible to move past anger and hate without spending any time at all processing, exploring, and expressing the negative feelings (Albert Pesso). Time spent on hatred or anger is energy wasted and can create harmful consequences. The impact on your body—through increased blood pressure and heart rate—over time can cause health problems. It can prompt you to make rash decisions you regret. It can also increase the hate and anger rather than decrease it. Overcoming anger and hate by expressing anger and hate is impossible. Hate and anger is overcome by eliminating it through love, patience, and understanding. Jesus loved his tormentors. He even prayed for them before he died, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do" (Luke 23: 34). Jesus forgave them and asked God to forgive them while they were in the process of killing him. He did not wait until they repented. He did not wait until they were sorry. They hated him and he responded with love. What better example can we have on the best way to respond to hate or anger?

God, please help me feel and show the love of Christ to all I encounter today. Help me deflect anger and hate using love, patience, and understanding. I know I cannot do this in my own strength, Lord, but I can in your strength. Please give me the strength I need to overcome hatred and anger both from me and directed toward me. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

I shall not want

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"I shall not want" By Diane Webb

Psalms 23: 1 "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want".

"I shall not want" for necessities because my shepherd is the Lord. This is what the psalmist is declaring in verse one of the 23^rd Psalms. The Lord will provide. The image of a shepherd and his sheep is calm and peaceful--of clouds, green grass, and a soft breeze. There is safety and security in this scene as well--rolling hills of green dotted with the white, gray, brown, and black of sheep. The shepherd stands watch to ensure no danger comes near. The shepherd moves the sheep to greener pastures when needed. The shepherd alerts the sheep to danger and intervenes to protect them. He provides all the necessities for the sheep—food, shelter, and water (they don't need clothes). "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want" for anything is another way to read the passage. Having a feeling of want is like having a hole that never fills. The want keeps gnawing inside prompting a constant searching for something—but not knowing what it is. This gnawing is familiar to most of us at one time in our lives. We've all experienced that feeling of missing something—of not being quite complete on the inside. We think we know what we want but when we get it we realize it really did not satisfy us like we thought it would. "The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want" anything else is a third way to look at this verse. It points to contentment--being happy with what you have and not yearning for more and more things. It is the decision to stop the search. You buy a new watch and that "want" is satisfied for a week or two (sometimes only a day or two). You buy a new car and the want is filled again for a while. There is always something to want. As soon as you get that thing you were saving up for a new want surfaces. Like a child preparing for Christmas, the list is endless. On Christmas morning you see your list has been fulfilled yet you ask, "Is that all"? You mentally prepare a new list. The things you have acquired need more things to go with them to make them even better. Your neighbor landscapes now you want to landscape. A co-worker travels to France now you want to travel to France. Your brother and his family take a cruise; why can't we take a cruise? It never ends. The traditional way of looking at the 23^rd Psalms first verse is to know God is your provider. This is the true meaning of verse one. However, the phrase "I shall not want" is a good way to fight the constant feeling of lack in your life—the desire to buy, have, and acquire material things. Every time you look at a commercial and think for a second "I want that", immediately come back with "I shall not want". As you learn to ignore that hole that never fills, it begins to fill; not with possessions but with the Holy Spirit. By following your shepherd, accepting what he provides, and being content on your little green hill, you can feel whole inside and eliminate the feeling of want in your life. "I shall not want" things. What a wonderful feeling it is not to want things. When you reach a point where your head is no longer turned by the latest electronics you begin to experience a greater satisfaction inside. Your mind and heart are free to focus on the things that are really important in life—which are not things at all. "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want".

Dear heavenly Father, I thank you for being my shepherd and for all you have provided for me. I ask you today to help me stop wanting things so I can follow you better. Help me recognize you are my provider and my supply comes from you. Keep me from worry Lord, and keep me from want. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Be different

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"Be different" By Diane Webb


John 15:19--"If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you".


People who are not "of this world" have their minds, talents, and energies focused on something beyond material or earthly concerns. A Christian who has priorities on God does not seem to be overly concerned about things of this world. They don't always dress in the latest styles. Their haircut may be decades out of date. They may not be driving a late model car. Their self-worth does not seem to relate to material things or the opinion of others. They do not worry if others think they are old fashioned, out of step with the rest of the world, or strange. They are un-cool by the standards of the world. People of this world are concerned about earthly matters—houses, cars, jobs, clothes, pets, jewelry, or the latest electronics. It's about fitting in. The disciples did not fit in which made others hate them. The desire to fit in causes us to conform to the standards of the world. From childhood through adult hood humans have a built in desire to fit in with others. When we do not succumb to this pressure then others really have no power over us; this is where the hatred comes in. If someone cannot control us by our desire to be like them then people lose their power over us. When someone feels powerless, it inspires fear which then leads to hatred. The root of hatred is often, fear. When you cannot manipulate or control someone, you cannot predict their behavior in relation to you. Hatred based on fear is about control. Jesus could not be controlled. He was not afraid of the religious leaders and he was not afraid of those in power or government. He had his mind focused on his Godly priorities and the earthly ones were trivial to him. This made those who were in control hate him. When individuals have spent their lives building up power based on rules, regulations, image, or success; they are most threatened by someone who does not care for these things. There was an older gentleman who boarded a plane and took his seat. The passenger next to him, a famous movie star, was astonished to realize the gentleman did not recognize him. The movie star was further surprised that even his name, once given, was not familiar. The star was at a loss when his worldly power and prestige was not acknowledged. The older gentleman just shrugged and was obviously unimpressed. There was a woman who had grown up mostly sheltered from illegal drug use which, in the 1970's, was rare. As an adult, she was ignorant of much related to the drug culture of her part of the country. She inwardly was amused at another adult's routine efforts to put her down for her lack of "street smarts". It was as if they were trying to make her feel ashamed for not using illegal drugs (which she did not). People "of the world" want you to be "of the world". When you are not "of the world" they will often put you down for being different. Their goal is for you to be like them. As Christians, Jesus warns, you are not of the world. You will not fit in. You will be made fun of in obvious and not-so-obvious ways. People will hate you. Take heart and be glad when this happens. It can be your sign you are on the right track—not of this world means you belong to God. You have been chosen out of this world but are not part of this world.


My Father, help me recognize I am your child and, as such, I am not of this world. Take from me any desire to fit in or be a part of this world. Like the disciples, give me the courage to be different and not be ashamed. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Sheep’s Clothing

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"Sheep's Clothing" By Diane Webb


John 15: 20 "Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his Lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also".


Jesus is providing insight to his disciples so they will know what to expect when he ascends back into heaven and they are left to continue his work on earth (with the help of the Holy Spirit). Jesus reminds them they can expect to be treated the same way he was. Jesus, in effect, tells them they cannot anticipate better conduct from those who persecuted him. On the other hand, those who accept Jesus and the teachings of Jesus will also accept the teachings of the apostles. Jesus, in essence, is saying, "remember me" and you will know who you can trust or depend on and who you cannot. You can't trust everyone and you can't depend on everyone even if you would like to--this is the message. Look at how they treated me (Jesus tells them)—look at how they accept and apply my teachings—and you will know who will treat you kindly and who will persecute you. Imagine standing there with the disciples and hearing Jesus repeat these things to you. The same words do apply to you today—as a disciple of Jesus. Look around and notice who accepts and applies the words of the Gospel and who rejects them—not necessarily in words but in practice. This observation will give you the same information it gave the disciples. You cannot expect to be treated with integrity by those who have rejected Christ. You can, however, anticipate being treated well by those who sincerely accept Christ's word and live accordingly. This is not to say everyone who uses "I am a Christian" is to be trusted. Many people employ this proclamation to make you trust them when they are untrustworthy. Jesus warns in Matthew 7: 15, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves". A Christian shows their Christianity by their ways not their words. Anyone who has to tell you they are a Christian so you will know may be a wolf in sheep's clothing. Do not be gullible. So many of us see people the way we wish or hope they are instead of how they really are. We see the claws hanging out, out of the corner of our eye, but convince ourselves we don't. Instead, we chose to look at the smile on their face, the nice suit they are wearing, the cross on the wall, or the Bible they have sitting on the coffee table. The claws are still there even if we chose to ignore them. Little by little we are taken in by the disguise until it is too late. Once again we sit in bewilderment as to how we could have been fooled, hurt or betrayed yet again. "Why does this keep happening to me" we ask? This is the very reason Jesus found it important to warn his disciples—and us. If someone is disrespectful of Jesus, how in the world can you expect them to be respectful of you? The story of "Little Red Riding Hood" (Grimm) has two endings depending on which one you read. In one ending, Little Red Riding Hood pays attention to the clues she observes and escapes to find the wood cutter. In the other version, she ignores the evidence and ends up in the wolf's belly. The fact he was a wolf dressed as her grandmother did not change simply because she chose not to believe it. This is how it works with us. By paying attention to the signs (or red flags) we are better prepared to escape the ploy. By ignoring the evidence, we may be caught in the trap.


Dear heavenly Father, I pray today you will help me recognize wolves in sheep's clothing. Please help me see people and situations the way they really are instead of how I wish they were. I ask this in Jesus' name, Amen.

Thank you for the fleas

Cover of The Hiding Place

"Thank you for the fleas" By Diane Webb

Psalms 18: 32 "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect".

David, in verse 18: 32, says God encircles him with vigor and makes his way smooth and easy. Considering what David went through, it's interesting he describes his life as free of obstacles. It's like Paul describing what he went through as "light afflictions" (2 Corinthians 4: 17)--being shipwrecked, imprisoned, and beaten. The perspectives of these two men on life are obviously different than what many people have today. In our day, breaking a vase may cause serious tears. Locking the keys in the car is worth moaning about for days. Having to wait in line warrants heavy sighs and angry stares. What made David feel like fighting a giant, being turned on by Saul, being hunted by his enemies, having to live in a cave, and having his son conspire to kill him, were all part of a perfect way? How could Paul consider it a mild inconvenience to be shipwrecked? The perfect way is when you accept God is in control of your life. If you waited in line and used that time to enjoy chatting with strangers, it would not feel stressful. If you looked at locking your keys in the car as a lesson in not rushing, you would not be as upset. Each and every thing we go through, when we have submitted to Christ is part of a perfect way which leads to him. We learn new skills, we develop compassion, we become wiser, and we become more patient people as we live out each day knowing God is in control. With God's strength encircling us, everything becomes part of his plan. In Corrie Ten Boom's book THE HIDING PLACE, her sister Betsie illustrates this point. Betsie gave thanks for everything truly believing the scripture, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" (1 Thessalonians 5: 18). When Betsie and Corrie were assigned a barrack in the prison camp, it was infested with fleas. That first night, Betsie included thanks for the fleas in her evening prayer. Corrie mentally rolled her eyes. It was weeks later they noticed the guards did not raid their barracks like they did the other barracks at night. Because of the fleas, the guards stayed away thus allowing Corrie and Betsie to read the Bible to the other inmates each evening. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose" (Romans 8: 28). All Christians are called to God's purpose and because of our love for God (and his love for us) we can trust everything that happens will turn out for the good. It may take time to see the overall purpose but by trusting it is there, you will not get upset as you are facing "light afflictions". There was a mother who got impatient with every delay that kept her from getting on the road at the designated hour. Over time she became familiar with Romans 8: 28 and began to accept these delays as God's way of keeping her off the road for a specific time. She adopted the attitude that every delay may have been designed to help her avoid a fatal accident or some other tragedy. She, therefore accepted delays without fuss—when she was late she was late. She also thought of Betsie--in all things she gave thanks and believed that all things work for the good. This made the mother's way perfect, Like David and Paul, regardless of what was going on. The strength she gained through her God-given life experiences helped her minister to others in a more excellent manner.

Dear God, as I go throughout my day, help me remember Betsie thanking you for the fleas. Help me adopt a grateful attitude and a trustful heart knowing you are in control and you know what's best for me. I ask this in Christ's name, Amen.

Stop trying to please people

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"Stop trying to please people" By Diane Webb

"But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me".

 Jesus warns his disciples the world will treat them the same way they treated him--because they do not know God. If they knew God, they would recognize Jesus is the son of God. As Christians, we inspire dislike and maltreatment in some people. We, like Moses, are strangers in a strange land (Exodus 2: 21, 22). We stick out as foreigners among native people. We are different. When we were adopted into Christ's family, we became disciples as well. The disciples were persecuted for teaching and preaching in the name of Jesus (Acts 4: 18) and we, too, can expect discrimination. All but one of the apostles was eventually put to death for their belief and teachings. The one who was not put to death was John who was exiled to the island of Patmos where he died. The book of John was unarguably written by one who was close to Jesus and lived during the same time period. There is no complete agreement on the actual authorship of John although tradition attributes it to John the apostle (the one who died on the Isle of Patmos). Others say it was written by one of the disciples of John rather than John himself. Regardless, it is clear the individual who wrote the book of John was close enough to the actual events to record them as historical facts. In the book of John, the writer indisputably refers to Jesus and God as one (John 10: 30). Jesus, as man and God, stood before these people, and basically told them, "You will be killed for being one of my followers and preaching in my name". In spite of this knowledge, they went on to teach and preach in the name of Jesus. Take courage from these early Christians as you, too, face harassment, jealously, meanness, teasing, and other forms of hardship for being a Christian. It may not be obvious forms of persecution and hatred related to your religion but it is just as powerful as what the disciples faced. Perhaps it is an undercurrent of hostility or something else you can't quite put your finger on. It would be greater cause to worry if you did not have someone who does not like you. Jesus himself said if you follow me people will hate you. So many of us strive to please everyone and in doing so really satisfy no one. People are a bottomless pit of want when your goal is to make them happy. The very idea you want to please everyone is a set up for people to take advantage of you. It is the weapon people will use to control you. If there is something they want you to do, and you don't want to do it, all they have to do is act displeased and there you go! If you could begin to understand it is not your place to please people, it would free you up to focus on the great commission, which is the same mandate to all Disciples of Christ. Matthew 28:16-20 reads, "Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, 'All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world'. Amen."

Heavenly Father, help me today to resist the urge to please people. Give me the courage to face displeasure, dislike, and people thinking badly of me. Help me keep my focus on pleasing you and fulfilling the great commission as you would have me do. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

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Pick up your buckler

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"Pick up your buckler" By Diane Webb

Psalms 18: 30 "As for God, his way is perfect: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him".

A buckler is a small shield worn on the arm to deflect blows from an opponent. In this passage, God is compared to a shield—one that protects and deflects. A buckler has to be strapped on the arm—it won't just passively protect. The arm has to move in order to position the shield between you and the blows coming at you. The comparison of God to a buckler demonstrates God's ability to protect us and also shows our role in putting on this protection as well as using it. God designed his armor for us to put on and actively use. There are times God does protect us in spite of ourselves however, typically we have to actively use the armor and weapons he has given us. He is the armor for those who trust in him. Many people have problems with trust and even trust in God. If you have been betrayed or hurt by someone, it's possible your distrust of people translates to distrust of God. The first part of Psalms 18: 30 states God is perfect—through history his record is unblemished. He is trustworthy. Begin exercising trust in God then he becomes your shield to protect you from the blows of others. The weapons God provides are given throughout the Bible. Ephesians 6: 10-18 provide a listing of specific components of the armor of God. This includes the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit (the Bible), and prayer. How might the word of God be used as a defensive weapon? All scripture quoting is not of God as is clear when Jesus is tempted in the wilderness by Satan who uses scripture too (Matthew 4: 6). Using the wrong scripture at the right time or using the right scripture at the wrong time will not provide the protection we need. God himself provides the scriptures we need in any specific battle we are fighting. This is why we are to put our trust in God. By studying scripture we get the words in our minds. During battle (hardship, suffering, attack) the right scripture will come to mind when needed. Some denominations call this a "word" from God. Any word truly from God lines up with scripture and is, in fact, from scripture. Have you ever had a week where you kept hearing the same thing over and over again from different people and from different sources? How many times did it take for you to realize the message was for you? How many times did God try to hand you the weapon or shield? The more time you spend with God—studying his scriptures and praying listening prayers—the more open you will be to his word. God will prove himself time and time again when you open up to him. Being open to someone is where the difficulty lies if you have problems with trust. The openness comes from developing that relationship where trust is grown. There are times God will protect us without our full participation in the process. However, for the most part, God provides the armor and weapons for us to use in order to protect ourselves actively. If your buckler is lying on the ground or sitting on a shelf somewhere, go get it and put it on. What better way to face the day than having God himself as your shield to block the arrows thrown at you?

Dear heavenly Father, I pray you will lead me to the scriptures I need today to fight the battle I am in. Give me the words to protect myself against whatever is thrown at me. Help me to continue developing my trust in you as I overcome the pain and hurt from my past. Help me Lord know it is you I can trust above all others. I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

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God knows you by name

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"God knows you by name" By Diane Webb

Nahum 1: 7 "The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him."

Nahum writes about the destruction of Nineveh, the Assyrian capital at the time, and the deliverance of Israel from its oppression. The name Nahum means comforter. His prophesy is meant to comfort Israelites caught in the cross-fire as Nineveh suffers from a series of invasions which destroy it. Imagine you are in a town and that place is being attacked from all sides—day after day, month after month until it is completely erased from the map. You have nowhere to go as the very walls around you are falling. This is the situation the Israelites found themselves. Among the Assyrians of Nineveh lived Israelites who were subservient to the Assyrians. Just as they were in Egypt, the Israelites were being subjugated in Nineveh. Nahum is telling the Israelites that God is a good God and he is where they go to for safety during the time of destruction. Nahum assures them God knows the difference between the Israelites and the Assyrians even if they do live side by side in Nineveh. When the dust settles, Nineveh is gone yet the Israelites survive. In the book, EVA, by Meyer Levin, the protagonist describes a scene during the bombing of a section of Auschwitz which contained buildings for German soldiers to work and live. Eva stayed In the middle of all the German-occupied buildings. Her structure contained several floors of prisoners. Eva and her friends were terrified the bombers would mistakenly bomb the prisoner barracks not realizing they were housed in the center of all the other buildings. Secondly, she was concerned for a particular German officer who had risked death by providing assistance to the prisoners--sneaking them food to eat and materials to knit scarves and gloves (it was very cold and the prisoners had inadequate clothing to survive the cold). After the bombing, the prisoners stand looking out the window at the rubble of the other buildings—glad the enemy was crippled yet sad because the good man obviously had perished along with them. Much to their surprise, out of the rubble emerged the one man—he had survived. God had, indeed, protected those who trusted him in spite of the bombing all around. This must be what it was like for the Israelites caught up in the invasion of Nineveh. Nahum's words were meant to comfort the Israelites then and his words give us comfort today. No matter where we are and what we are surrounded by, we can seek God for safety and protection. We can relax because God knows when we trust him. He promises to look out for us. We do not need to fear whatever is going on around us. We can trust God for his will in the outcome. Many people say "well I know good Christians who have been killed". Of course Christians die. However, we are promised eternal life regardless of physical death. When we trust in God, we know when we die it is because God, in his infinite wisdom, knows it is best for us at that specific time. There are many things worse than death on earth and sometimes God protects us from these things by taking us home with him. Our life on earth is just a temporary assignment. Our real life begins in death. This scripture is to comfort you as you face peril al around you--so you will believe God knows you by name and he will keep you safe. Nothing will happen to you if he has not given the go-ahead. He knows you by name.

Dear Lord, I do trust you. I believe anything within your will is what's best for me and my life. I believe you know what you are doing and I put my life completely in your hands. Please, Lord, remind me when I become fearful that you are my strong hold. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

"Jump over the wall"

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“Jump over the wall” By Diane Webb

Psalms 18: 29 “For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall.”

Doubt in our own skills is one way we reject the power of Christ in our lives. When we doubt we are limiting our capacity to do all we could do according to God’s will. Instead of doubting, ask God for strength and courage to continue his work in your life. There is a man who, when unable to figure out a problem, (whether it be crossed up wiring or an engine that won’t crank), prays a silent prayer for God to show him what’s wrong. Within seconds of praying, the man has a sudden idea of where the difficulty might lie. Sure enough, the problem is corrected. Only when he recognizes “I can’t do this by myself” and asks for God’s help, does he find the extra bit of knowledge he needs to finish the job. Doubting your own abilities is one thing but doubting God’s is another. When we doubt God’s ability to help us, as in “I am beyond help”, we are truly boxed in by the enemy troops. Maybe we just forget to turn to God and ask for help. Perhaps we don’t think our problem is worth bothering God over because, we think, God is busy helping more important people. People who doubt themselves and their worthiness are often ashamed in some way. Usually there is something from the past that keeps them feeling unworthy of present blessings. Shame is a lack of forgiveness of self. If you have a persistent problem with doubting yourself, look inside and see if shame is part of the problem. If you find shame in your heart, look for the things you may not have forgiven yourself for. Go through whatever steps are necessary to achieve full forgiveness from yourself. Guilt, on the other hand, is usually the result of other’s efforts to manipulate or control. They may use something from the past to keep you in oppression. There was a lady who borrowed a sum of money from a “friend”. Although she was paying her friend back in steady monthly payments, through guilt, the lady felt obligated to be at the beck and call of her friend every waking moment. She watched her friend’s children, helped her friend clean her house, and did anything her friend asked her to do because of the money owed. The free labor she provided did not subtract anything from the debt owed. She was in bondage to her “friend” because of guilt. God does not work this way. Shame, doubt, and guilt are feelings which interfere with asking God for help and hinder our ability to overcome obstacles. These emotions keep you prisoner in your enemy’s camp. While you are busy trying to appease your enemy, you miss the blessings and opportunities God has for you. By overcoming shame and guilt’s chains, you can pursue God’s will in your life. You do not have to be kept captive by the shame of past mistakes or guilt-trips of those trying to control you. You can jump over the wall of doubt and be free to explore the wide open spaces on the other side. When you have asked God for forgiveness, you do not need to dwell on past failures. Shame, guilt, and doubt are just stumbling blocks to keep you from bettering your life and fulfilling God’s purpose for you. When faced with shame, guilt, or doubt, remind yourself—“I belong to Jesus, he has paid for my sins, and I am free”; say out loud “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4: 13). Walk through your enemy’s troop and jump over the wall. May the Lord share his presence with you today.

Blessed father, I thank you for the gift of your son Jesus Christ who has forgiven my sins and wiped my record clean. I am no longer in bondage to my past mistakes. Jesus has paid my debt and I am free to seek your guidance, help, and strength in all I do. Please, Lord, help me to remember this truth. I pray in Christ’s name, Amen.

Take your Medicine!

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“Take your medicine” By Diane Webb

3 John 2 “Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

3 John is a letter from the “Elder” to a man named Gaius in order to establish a source of support for future missionaries in the area. A prominent Christian in the vicinity had rejected this particular group of emissaries for unknown reasons. Previous travelers had vouched for Gaius and his hospitality. Without hospitality, the early Christians could not remain long in an area. Jesus instructed his disciples to shake the dust from their shoes and keep walking if they were not received hospitably in a town or village (Matthew 10: 14). The shaking of dust off the feet was a common and well understood signal to any who witnessed it. Gaius, on the other hand, had been known to welcome missionaries; to provide shelter and food to Christians traveling to the area. Therefore, the Elder is writing a letter to Gaius to commend his hospitality and to ensure his home will continue as a reliable source of support. The greeting in this letter contains a blessing which links spiritual health and prosperity to physical health and prosperity. The Elder wishes Gaius physical health and prosperity in proportion to his spiritual health and prosperity. Derek Prince (1915-2003), a British-American bible scholar and teacher, would read his bible three times each day as a dose of medication to prevent and treat illness. Over time his pre-existing illnesses resolved and he remained healthy throughout his life and ministry. Through many scripture references, Prince, like the Elder, drew a connection between physical health and spiritual health. This is not to imply all illness is the result of poor spiritual health. It is to say one can and does affect the other. There is no real separation between the physical and the spiritual. The Elder makes it clear by the way he frames his wish or blessing that the spiritual prosperity, however, comes first. By focusing on increasing spiritual health and prosperity, the Elder acknowledges physical health and prosperity will be affected. If you are in poor health, fighting off an illness, or suffering financial hardship; turn to the Bible, prayer--our heavenly father--for guidance and your daily doses of medicine. By all means seek medical care if needed, but also increase your efforts to deepen and expand your knowledge and understanding of God, his Son, the Holy Spirit, and the Bible. Often when we are feeling poorly or having a hardship we may tend to stop our daily spiritual routines. Feeling under the weather may give us the desire to stay home instead of attending the service we originally planned to attend. Most times we feel better when we fight the urge to stay in bed and persist in our spiritual disciplines regardless of how we feel. Remember you are both a spiritual and a physical being. It is important to take care of yourself both physically and spiritually. Do not separate these from each other for by doing so you essentially work against yourself in the long run and both areas will suffer. While physical health demands attention, often spiritual health goes neglected. Look at both these areas in your life and determine to increase your efforts to nurture yourself both physically and spiritually. As you do so, notice as one affects the other and over time both begin to prosper.

Thank you God for my physical and spiritual well being; show me today how I might increase my health and prosperity in both of these areas; give me the desire and wiliness to establish healthy routines for both spiritual and physical health. I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.

"The light bulb coming on"

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“The Light bulb coming on” By Diane Webb

Psalms 18: 28 “For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.”

David, in Psalms 18, acknowledges his life comes from God and God will protect him from death when threatened by his enemies. In looking at the life of David--beginning as a small boy facing a giant (1 Samuel 17)--he never seems to fear death. He demonstrates great courage even when his life is imminently endangered. He steps out in faith trusting wholly in the promises God has made. David’s faith in God is inspirational to those of us who feel small when facing the giants in our lives. David’s faith is humbling to those who may have a fear of death and continuously hide out of that fear. Many people fear death—the manner in which they may die, the fate of loved ones left behind, and what happens after death. Others fear being incapacitated, being a burden, being helpless, or losing dignity in the years leading up to death. What is worse than a fear of death is a fear of life. People who fear life can’t enjoy even the good they have because they fear losing it. The day is wrought with fear and the night is haunted. Their life force or energy is wasted away—drained—by fear. Fear stresses the body and interferes with the mind. Decisions made out of fear are limiting and often self-fulfilling (the thing feared is brought about because of the fear). A good rule is to never make a decision based on fear. Fear is a trap which leads us to faulty thinking and making limiting choices. If we succumb to fear we will never take any risk or chance that is not 100% guaranteed a positive outcome. This demonstrates a lack of faith and is truly a life lived in darkness. Only God can light this darkness. Trusting in God and facing fears, like David did, is the only way to fulfill God’s purpose for your life. God is your light in darkness. As God illuminates, the darkness disappears. We have to walk though darkness sometimes but we never have to walk in darkness. God is the light that shines within us and as we walk through darkness the light surrounds the area we are walking. True, we may only see a tiny bit around our feet but we can see none-the-less. As we walk our path is in the area of light and all we have to do is to keep walking. Darkness is ignorance and the light is knowledge. Knowledge erases ignorance. We can be ignorant and one second later enlightened either by something we read, something we see, something we hear, or a sudden burst of understanding. “The light bulb coming on” is a common phrase used to describe this sudden burst of understanding; the moment when darkness leaves and light takes its place. Just as God is the giver of life and shines away the darkness of death and fear; he is also the light of knowledge and understanding that shines through the dark corners of ignorance. The only way to overcome fear is to face it—whether it’s fear of danger, fear of enemies, or ignorance. The only way to overcome ignorance is through knowledge. Read God’s word daily for the continuous development of knowledge. Through that knowledge, you can have more and more faith. Through faith you gain confidence. Through confidence you shrink fear. Over time, you too can become fearless in the face of life and face death with courage and faith in your God. Psalms 119: 105 states, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” As you go through this day (or this night), use God’s word, like David, to dispel your fears and shed light on your path—your walk with God.

Oh, heavenly father, I pray today you will help me overcome the fears that keep me ignorant to your truths, your promises, and your plan for my life. Open my eyes and help me see the path I am walking. Lead me to the scriptures I can use to fight both my ignorance and my fear. I ask this humbly in Jesus’ name—Amen.

"Excuse me--your fruit is showing"

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“Excuse me—your fruit is showing” By Diane Webb

Colossians 2:9 “For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”

Paul is explaining to the Colossians the danger of accepting rituals and traditions as a replacement for Jesus Christ. Paul is emphasizing Jesus alone is needed for salvation—not rituals or ceremonies. In Leviticus, God gives the children of Israel specific and lengthy instructions for worshiping him which includes rituals. Over time, these rituals and ceremonies of worship became the focal point rather than God. The book of Moses is called “the law” by Jesus (Luke 24: 44). The law includes all the rules and regulations set forth in Leviticus for the Israelites to follow in their worship of God and in seeking atonement for sins. Jesus fulfils “the law” (Matthew 5:17-19) which means the purpose of the law has been concluded. Jesus atoned for our sins once and for all. God encouraged the Israelites in the use of ritual, and ceremony to enhance the experience of worshipping him and to set forth the reverence for God’s presence. It was also important for the Israelites to have a visual representation of the consequences of sin. Once God is present, in the flesh through Jesus Christ, the purpose of the rituals, ceremony, and tradition has been fulfilled. Jesus became the physical manifestation and fulfillment of the consequences of sin—for us. This is not to say beautiful and structured worship services are wrong. With the focus on God, these things can add to a sense of worship and respect. As is true for anything, if we lose our focus, the rules and regulations of worship can become a distraction rather than a means for worshipping God. There is a scene in Angela’s Ashes (a book by Frank McCourt) describing a communion service during his childhood in Ireland. The host (the bread which represents Christ’s body) got scattered and it greatly upset the Priest. It appeared to the young McCourt rather comical because he did not see the bread as the actual body of Christ which the priest did. The young McCourt did not understand why the priest was treating bread crumbs as if it were God himself scattered over the table and floor. Forms of worship vary within the Christian community. Many individuals get upset, angry, or self-righteous over the differences instead of focusing on the common ground—a belief that Jesus Christ is the son of God, who came to the world in the flesh, to save sinners. Perhaps there are so many styles of worship because there are so many types of people. Maybe the Lord, in his infinite wisdom, recognizes the cornucopia of personalities he created. The world is full of the creativity, variety, color, and differences God made. It is logical there would be the same variety, creativity, color, and differences among his worshipers. The division among Christians is one of the greatest victories of Satan. Looking at Paul’s letters to the early churches, there is a theme of unity being encouraged and supported. In the early days of Christianity, the believers lived, fellowshipped, and worshipped together as a family. The body of Christ is the church (Colossians 1: 24). If one part of the body is injured or separated, it will affect the entire body. Try as you might, if one tiny part of your body is injured, you will be aware of it and it will affect the way you operate as a whole. As a Christian, promote unity among the body of Christ. Do not encourage conversations that put down another Christian denomination or individual who attends a church different from your own. Be careful not to judge who is “right’ and who is “wrong” in their style of worship. Avoid the temptation of feeling superior to other churches or other members within your own church. While churches and denominations bicker among themselves like young siblings, the work of Christ is affected. Many differences are not related to the essential gospel of Christ. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are evident among members of all Christian denominations. The fruits of the Holy Spirit are clear evidence of Christ’s presence in a person’s life regardless of the denomination they chose to worship in. Let these signs show you who your brothers and sisters in Christ are rather than a title, label, or style of worship. Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

My heavenly Father, help me today to overcome the human tendency to focus on unimportant details. Lead me to a greater understanding of Christ and his church—his body. I pray desperately to never be a tool of division or tearing down of Christ’s church. In Jesus’ name I ask and pray—Amen.

"Walk with God"

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“Walk with God” By Diane Webb

Psalms 16:9 “Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.”

David, in Psalms 16, speaks of his confidence in his relationship with God. He is joyful because God walks beside him—guiding him in all he does. David expresses great trust in God’s counsel and seeks it regularly. He never loses his optimism in his fellowship with God. Like a good friend, he experiences God with him in good times and in bad. He takes great pleasure in being in God’s presence and is therefore not fearful of death. He knows his soul will be in God’s company forever—that he will not be forgotten in death. He understands that living he is with God and dying he is with God. David speaks of both life and death in the same way—being in God’s presence. Because he is with God both physically and spiritually he can rest in hope of his eternity after physical death and not be fearful of living his life. How might you increase your awareness of God’s presence? Psalms 16 was meant to be sung before entering the temple to worship. It was used as part of the preparation for entering God’s presence. Going to church and entering the sanctuary today is still a way to enter into God’s presence. The church building is considered God’s house. We no longer have to go through the physical rituals to enter the church but we can benefit from being in a reverent state of mind and expectant of God’s presence. This will open us up to welcoming God’s presence and, therefore, feeling it stronger. The next time you go to church, keep in mind David’s psalm and go through a brief spiritual process making yourself ready to be in the company of God. It could be just a simple silent prayer before entering the sanctuary—a clearing of your mind of earthly things. By doing so, you can experience a greater fellowship with God during the service. You don’t have to wait until you are in church to experience God’s presence. Not only is church God’s house but your body is as well. Our body is called a temple throughout the Bible (I Cor. 3:16 for example). Therefore, recognize your body as God’s house as well and in doing so make it more inviting for him to dwell with you like he dwelled with David. Cleanse your body of anything that would make it difficult to experience God’s presence. Say a prayer for guidance in this area. By doing so, you can increase your experience of God’s presence in your life outside of church. David experienced God’s presence within the temple as well as throughout his day outside the temple. David lived a life with God by his side day and night. David considered God a close friend and a guide. Because of what Jesus has done for us, we, like David, can have a special relationship with God; a closeness that gives us the assurance of God’s presence both while living physically and living spiritually after death. We can feel God’s presence, by our side, the same as David did. We can experience God’s presence inside the church and out—throughout our daily life. With God by your side day and night, you have no need to fear whatever you face and can, therefore, rest in hope, rejoice in your soul, and be glad in your heart.

Dear God, help me today make myself ready to be a temple for you; help me recognize any area of my life that needs cleaning up in order to experience your presence more deeply and more frequently. My prayer is to be able to walk with you at all times; In Christ’s name, Amen.

"Recognizing false teachings" By Diane Webb

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“Recognizing false teachings” By Diane Webb

Colossians 2: 10 “And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.”

Paul writes to the church in Colosse in response to reports they have been listening to false teachers. Paul reminds the Colossians they are whole with Christ and do not need power or assistance from another source—even a supernatural one.  Paul emphasizes Christ’s supremacy over all creatures including angels—fallen or otherwise.  Principality and power, when seen in the Bible, refers to angelic rulers over geographic areas (Ephesians 6:  12 for example).  It seems the false teachers had some contact with, or were influenced by, these principalities and powers.    Verse ten makes it clear nothing and no one is above Jesus Christ.  No angel or power can add to what Christ has done for us and no angel or power can take it away.  False teachings do not come in the form of a black book with the words “false teachings” on it. Few people would go along with a doctrine clearly labeled as false.  False teachings come in the form of something that seems good and right—at least on the surface.  Most who espouse false teachings are doing so out of ignorance and believe the doctrines are from God or a representative of God.  Like Paul, this is meant to help you recognize if you are being misled by nice sounding doctrines not of God.  When you look at Colossians, Paul gives specific ways to distinguish false teachings.  His rule in verse ten is:  any teaching that makes you feel you are not complete with Jesus Christ alone, would have you add something to Jesus Christ, or would have you take something away from Jesus Christ, are all false teachings.  There was a man who was discussing his beliefs about the historical Jesus over dinner on a date.  He indicated he believed Jesus was a “great prophet”, a “great man”, but not God. Many false teachers say this about our Christ thinking to pacify us by acknowledging the greatness of Jesus while at the same time calling him a liar or a delusional psychotic.  Jesus himself said he is both God and man (see John 1: 1, 14 for example).  A great man does not lie or preach false doctrine.  The key way to recognize a false teaching or false prophecy is to look for the full recognition and acceptance of Jesus Christ, as the son of God, who was both God and man, and came to the world in the flesh.  Any person or doctrine that does not support this basic belief which is the foundation of Christianity is not of God even when the teacher may truly believe they are.  You cannot mix beliefs of Christianity with other doctrine.  It would be interesting to read exactly what the false teachers were telling the Christians of Colosse.  However, looking at the responses Paul gives in his letter to the Colossians; it is obvious those false teachers and prophets are still at work today.  The message is this:   no matter how innocent, spiritual, religious, or enlightening a teaching may seem to be on the surface, steer clear away from anything that appears to add to or take away from our Gospel.  Pray for those who have been misled and those who sincerely believe false teachings.  Do not criticize, talk down to, or wag your finger in their face.  Pray for these individuals to see the truth—God’s truth.  Pray for the veil of deceit to be lifted from their eyes, ears, and heart.  Pray for these things for yourself as well.  It is so easy to be misled without realizing it.  May God be with you and protect you from falling prey to false teachings today.

Heavenly father, I pray today that I will not be misled by nice sounding falsehoods that tweak the gospel ever so slightly as to pervert your truths.  Help me recognize when I need to pray for others and help me to never alienate people by my words, thoughts, attitude, or behavior.  I ask humbly in Christ’s name—Amen.