Divine Decree

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 

We’ve talked about the powerful influence others have on the way we see ourselves. Yet we should always remember that true value is granted by the One who created us in the first place. There is no greater sense of self‐worth than knowing that He is acquainted with me personally; that He values me more than the possessions of the entire world; that He understands my fears and anxieties; that He reaches out to me when no one else cares; that He can turn my liabilities into assets and my emptiness into fullness; and that He has a place prepared for me—one where earthly pain and suffering will be but a dim memory.

Indeed, the Lord of the universe places so much value on us that He gave His life to save us. What a fantastic message of hope and encouragement for those who are broken and discouraged! This is self‐worth at its richest—dependent not on the whims of birth or physical attractiveness or social judgment, but on the decree of our loving Lord.

Just between us…

• Do we base our self‐image on the Lord’s divine decree?
• What is it that really makes you feel valuable?
• Do I let you know often enough how much I value you?
• How can I better show how much I appreciate you?
• How can we remember that our worth as human beings is determined not by what we do or how we look or what we own, but by the fact that we are children of God? 

Lord, we want so much to view ourselves and others from an eternal perspective. May we build our lives together on Your grand scheme, not on what is temporary and insignificant. Help us to live each day by the truth of Your divine decree. Amen. 

From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

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The Daily Reading for May 4, 2016

Leviticus 26:1-20
You shall make for yourselves no idols and erect no carved images or pillars, and you shall not place figured stones in your land, to worship at them; for I am the LORD your God. You shall keep my sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the LORD. If you follow my statutes and keep my commandments and observe them faithfully, I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its produce, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. Your threshing shall overtake the vintage, and the vintage shall overtake the sowing; you shall eat your bread to the full, and live securely in your land. And I will grant peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one shall make you afraid; I will remove dangerous animals from the land, and no sword shall go through your land. You shall give chase to your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. Five of you shall give chase to a hundred, and a hundred of you shall give chase to ten thousand; your enemies shall fall before you by the sword. I will look with favor upon you and make you fruitful and multiply you; and I will maintain my covenant with you. You shall eat old grain long stored, and you shall have to clear out the old to make way for the new. I will place my dwelling in your midst, and I shall not abhor you. And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and you shall be my people. I am the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be their slaves no more; I have broken the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect. But if you will not obey me, and do not observe all these commandments, if you spurn my statutes, and abhor my ordinances, so that you will not observe all my commandments, and you break my covenant, I in turn will do this to you: I will bring terror on you; consumption and fever that waste the eyes and cause life to pine away. You shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down by your enemies; your foes shall rule over you, and you shall flee though no one pursues you. And if in spite of this you will not obey me, I will continue to punish you sevenfold for your sins. I will break your proud glory, and I will make your sky like iron and your earth like copper. Your strength shall be spent to no purpose: your land shall not yield its produce, and the trees of the land shall not yield their fruit.

Ephesians 1:1-10
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.

Morning Psalms

Psalm 119:
97   Oh, how I love your law! all the day long it is in my mind.
98   Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, and it is always with me.
99   I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your decrees are my study.
100   I am wiser than the elders, because I observe your commandments.
101   I restrain my feet from every evil way, that I may keep your word.
102   I do not shrink from your judgments, because you yourself have taught me.
103   How sweet are your words to my taste! they are sweeter than honey to my mouth.
104   Through your commandments I gain understanding; therefore I hate every lying way.

Psalm 119:
105   Your word is a lantern to my feet and a light upon my path.
106   I have sworn and am determined to keep your righteous judgments.
107   I am deeply troubled; preserve my life, O LORD, according to your word.
108   Accept, O LORD, the willing tribute of my lips, and teach me your judgments.
109   My life is always in my hand, yet I do not forget your law.
110   The wicked have set a trap for me, but I have not strayed from your commandments.
111   Your decrees are my inheritance for ever; truly, they are the joy of my heart.
112   I have applied my heart to fulfill your statutes for ever and to the end.

Psalm 119:
113   I hate those who have a divided heart, but your law do I love.
114   You are my refuge and shield; my hope is in your word.
115   Away from me, you wicked! I will keep the commandments of my God.
116   Sustain me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be disappointed in my hope.
117   Hold me up, and I shall be safe, and my delight shall be ever in your statutes.
118   You spurn all who stray from your statutes; their deceitfulness is in vain.
119   In your sight all the wicked of the earth are but dross; therefore I love your decrees.
120   My flesh trembles with dread of you; I am afraid of your judgments.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 68
1   Let God arise, and let his enemies be scattered; let those who hate him flee before him.
2   Let them vanish like smoke when the wind drives it away; as the wax melts at the fire, so let the wicked perish at the presence of God.
3   But let the righteous be glad and rejoice before God; let them also be merry and joyful.
4   Sing to God, sing praises to his Name; exalt him who rides upon the heavens; YAHWEH is his Name, rejoice before him!
5   Father of orphans, defender of widows, God in his holy habitation!
6   God gives the solitary a home and brings forth prisoners into freedom; but the rebels shall live in dry places.
7   O God, when you went forth before your people, when you marched through the wilderness,
8   The earth shook, and the skies poured down rain, at the presence of God, the God of Sinai, at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
9   You sent a gracious rain, O God, upon your inheritance; you refreshed the land when it was weary.
10   Your people found their home in it; in your goodness, O God, you have made provision for the poor.
11   The Lord gave the word; great was the company of women who bore the tidings:
12   Kings with their armies are fleeing away; the women at home are dividing the spoils.
13   Though you lingered among the sheepfolds, you shall be like a dove whose wings are covered with silver, whose feathers are like green gold.
14   When the Almighty scattered kings, it was like snow falling in Zalmon.
15   O mighty mountain, O hill of Bashan! O rugged mountain, O hill of Bashan!
16   Why do you look with envy, O rugged mountain, at the hill which God chose for his resting place? truly, the LORD will dwell there for ever.
17   The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of thousands; the Lord comes in holiness from Sinai.
18   You have gone up on high and led captivity captive; you have received gifts even from your enemies, that the LORD God might dwell among them.
19   Blessed be the Lord day by day, the God of our salvation, who bears our burdens.
20   He is our God, the God of our salvation; God is the LORD, by whom we escape death.

The Daily Meditation for May 4, 2016

From Forward Day by Day

Ephesians 1:7-8a In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us.

God’s grace is lavished upon us. Lavished.

What a rich, beautiful word, derived from an old French word related to a deluge of water. Imagine standing in a desert after a long hike. Dusty, achy, thirsting. Deeply thirsting. Then suddenly a deluge of needed, desired, and yearned-for water falls over you, cleaning your skin, cooling your tired muscles, quenching your thirst.

That is being lavished.

Life has a way of leaving us aching and thirsty for dignity and love. We have a way of leaving each other aching and thirsty for dignity and love. And in this deep soul need, God lavishes us with grace.

Too often we imagine God’s love as a small drip of scarce water that falls upon us in rare, meager amounts we must earn. But no. God’s grace is lavished upon us. Drenching us in grace, cleansing us in mercy, nourishing us in love. God’s grace is lavished upon us, not because of anything we do other than stand in need.

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His Princess Every Day - Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Devotionals for Women - Inspirational author and speaker Sheri Rose Shepherd imagines what a letter written from God to you would look like.

Peace

My Daughter,

When your heart needs a safe place to hide, when you feel your dreams are drowning in doubt and darkness, close your eyes and call out to me and you will feel your Daddy in heaven quiet your spirit and whisper "Fear not my child, I am with you." Never give into the worries of this world, because you are mine and you can count on me to care for your every need. I will give you peace that goes beyond your problems and the power to pray through anything that stands in the way of my plan for you, my precious girl!

Love,
Your Father, your Peace and comfort 

I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. - John 14:27 (NLT)

This devotional is written by Sheri Rose Shepherd. All content copyright Sheri Rose Shepherd 2015. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Visit HisPrincess.com for devotionals, books, videos, and more from Sheri Rose Shepherd.

Girlfriends in God - May 04, 2016

Small Adjustments Can Make a Big Difference
Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

Are you [actually] unaware or ignorant [of the fact] that God’s kindness leads you to repentance [that is, to change your inner self, your old way of thinking—seek His purpose for your life]? (Romans 2:4b, AMP)

Friend to Friend

I was speaking in Georgia that particular weekend. On day two of the retreat I woke up early and turned on the water in the beautiful tiled shower. As it heated up I noticed that the showerhead was mounted on an off-centered pole. It seemed very low, and was spraying straight along the plane of the wall.

I’m a tall chick, so as I stepped in and positioned myself under the showerhead I had to squat and stand very close to the wall. {Awesome. A quad workout! Shower bonus.}

As I shampooed my hair, my legs were on fire from squatting. And then a thought crossed my mind… MAYBE the showerhead can be raised! 

I turned around and tried to lift it higher. It went higher! YES!

What a difference! I was totally giddy … grateful that I could stand tall as I finished up. Not overly bothered by the fact that I was still hugging the wall to catch the water stream.

And then another thought popped into my groggy, haven’t-had-my-coffee-yet head… 

MAYBE the shower head also turns toward the center!? 

Cautiously optimistic, I raised an eyebrow and turned around one more time to give the head a wiggle. It was adjustable! FANTASTIC!

The space was amazing! I was free to move. Free to stand tall. Free to relax. And free to finish what I’d started with a fresh joy and gratitude.

A few small tweaks made all the difference!

In the book of Romans, Paul addressed a few areas where the early church needed to make some tweaks. He spoke of the sinfulness of all people and also about the difference in the way non-believers and believers see and address sin. He told the Roman believers to be humble in the ways they judged others and to recognize that God is the judge of all. He encouraged Jesus followers to examine their hearts and reminded them that it is the kindness of the Lord that leads us to repentance.

“Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you? Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your sin?” (Romans 2:4, NLT)

This is as important for you and me today as it was for the people of the early church back then. As I considered my funny shower challenge I was reminded that a few small spiritual tweaks each day can make all the difference too.

As a Jesus lover, I have the opportunity every day to step into the fresh grace of God - to be washed in His goodness. As I do He showers mercy and faithfulness over me that renews my soul. When I open my heart in prayer, His Spirit connects me to the path of His will and convicts me toward His holiness.

These moments of connection and conviction cause me to consider the condition of my heart as well as the circumstances that surround me. I’m forced to assess soul situations, my emotions, edgy responses, unkind words, missed opportunities, snippy attitudes, and the myriad rebellion I’ve got going on.

As the Spirit of God brings these matters to me I address each one, then ask the Lord to lift the showerhead of my heart up a little or over a bit. To align it in a spacious place where I can stand tall and free for the day ahead. His grace meets me in the asking.

And in the grace of Jesus, my soul finds room to breathe. I’m renewed. Positioned to move in a joy and gratitude that is rooted in His never-ending love. 

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord,
Thank You for giving me this day. As I quiet my heart before You, please show me the ways that I can grow more in Your holiness. Create a clean heart in me, Lord. Free me freshly in Your grace.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen. 

Now It’s Your Turn

Spend a few moments in prayer and reflection about a small tweak or two that the Lord might be leading you toward.

Read Psalm 51. 

More from the Girlfriends 

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MERCHANTS AND MOBS

But the Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason's house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. Acts 17:5

The next two groups of external tactics Satan used in the New Testament are merchants and mobs. Merchants or businessmen represent the economic establishment and are often opposed to Christians purely because Christians are a threat to their business.

The two clearest examples of opposition from businessmen in scripture are when Paul visits Philippi and later Ephesus (Acts 16 and 19). In Philippi, Paul and Silas ended up in jail because of the actions of the owners of a demon possessed slave girl who was healed. Seeing their source of income disappearing because of her conversion, her owners pressed a false case against Paul, and had him jailed for “disturbing the peace.” But the Scripture makes clear their economic motive, “when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone…” (Acts 16:19).

Then when Paul gets to Ephesus the impact of his preaching is so great it causes the former members of the Artemis cult to hold a bonfire of their trinkets and shrines. A shop steward called Demetrius, on behalf of the silversmiths of the town, figures anything that reduces the appeal of the temple of Artemis is going to be bad for business. He stirs up a riot and Paul has to hurry out of the city.

Mobs play a major role in persecution, often when an elite group cannot induce the government to do their dirty work for them. Mobs are easily manipulated. They can be believers swayed by the heady rhetoric of clerics, or ruffians ready to commit grievous bodily harm for the sake of money and excitement.

Christians in Pakistan and Indonesia face the constant threat of annihilation of their property by mobs. A news agency journalist said, “I am amazed at how quickly a mob can get going in Pakistan. It just takes three phrases from a mullah at Friday prayers, and five minutes later thousands are streaming out into the streets bent on inflicting injury or even killing Christians.” 

RESPONSE: Our enemy, Satan, uses every tactic possible to come against those in the kingdom of God.

PRAYER: Pray for Christians in areas noted above that they will be protected from Satan’s arrows.

Verse of the Day - May 04, 2016

2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) 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 I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Read all of 2 Chronicles 7