Night Light for Couples - Set Up For Disappointment

“Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save.” Psalm 146:3

The media continually bombard us with images of broken trust: spouses who cheat on each other; politicians who break promises; corporate chiefs who steal from their employees.

The list goes on and on. People in positions of responsibility should be held accountable to the highest moral and ethical standards. Yet each of these people is a mortal creature with a natural bent toward sin. The minute we begin placing our deepest faith and trust in human beings, we set ourselves up for severe disappointment.

What does this mean for marriage? Even in the best of relationships, husbands and wives may err and break the other’s trust. That’s why we must rely on God’s power—not our own—to lead honorable lives. When husbands and wives commit themselves to live according to God’s ways, a bond of trust develops between them. Though none of us is perfect, we can give our heart confidently to our spouse when we know that he or she is genuinely seeking to follow God and His guidelines.

Just between us…

• Has someone in a position of responsibility ever broken your trust?
• Is it ever difficult for you to trust me?
• Knowing our sinful nature, how can we still earn each other’s trust?
• How do you think the Lord blesses spouses who trust each other?
• How might we develop an even deeper level of trust in our relationship?

Heavenly Father, thank You that You are completely worthy of our trust. As my spouse and I commit ourselves to being trustworthy with each other, empower us by Your Spirit. Grant us grace when we fail. And bless us, we pray, with joy and confidence as we make trustworthiness a priority. Amen.

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

Chocolate For Your Soul with Sheri Rose Shepherd - Being Like Christ

by Sheri Rose Shepherd
Click on the image below to watch this week's video devotional

Sometimes we are so set in our own ways, we can get in the way of God using us to lead others to Him. There is a fine line between being ourselves and being like Christ. God is so sweet to always meet us where we are and then raise us up as His children. Let's ask The Lord today to help us be whatever He needs us to be so He can work most effectively through us.

God's Letter to You

I believe if The Lord was going to write you a personal letter about battles this life brings it may read like this....

My child, 

I have asked you to lose your life so you can find your life in Me. However, many times you lose sight of why you’re on earth because you get lost in trivial things. The stuff that concerns you will not matter once you are finally home. Many times I allow disappointment as a divine intervention to get you to reflect on what really matters most to you and Me. Don’t allow disappointment to direct your path; instead, let it redirect you to reflect on and connect to Me again.

You wouldn’t question the roadblocks if you really trusted Me to pave the way I want you to walk. Now, My beloved, be still and reflect on who I really am in your life. Ask yourself if you dwell in My presence or in pursuit of happiness. In our quiet times of reflection, you will find renewed strength in our quiet times of reflection and I promise not a moment spent with Me will be ever wasted.

Love,

Your heavenly Daddy 

"Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it." -- Matthew 16:25

The Daily Readings for August 23, 2016

Job 6:1-15, 6:21-21
Then Job answered: "O that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash. For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. Does the wild ass bray over its grass, or the ox low over its fodder? Can that which is tasteless be eaten without salt, or is there any flavor in the juice of mallows? My appetite refuses to touch them; they are like food that is loathsome to me. "O that I might have my request, and that God would grant my desire; that it would please God to crush me, that he would let loose his hand and cut me off! This would be my consolation; I would even exult in unrelenting pain; for I have not denied the words of the Holy One. What is my strength, that I should wait? And what is my end, that I should be patient? Is my strength the strength of stones, or is my flesh bronze? In truth I have no help in me, and any resource is driven from me. "Those who withhold kindness from a friend forsake the fear of the Almighty. My companions are treacherous like a torrent-bed, like freshets that pass away, Such you have now become to me; you see my calamity, and are afraid.

Acts 9:32-43
Now as Peter went here and there among all the believers, he came down also to the saints living in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, for he was paralyzed. Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!" And immediately he got up. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord. Now in Joppa there was a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which in Greek is Dorcas. She was devoted to good works and acts of charity. At that time she became ill and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in a room upstairs. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, who heard that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, "Please come to us without delay." So Peter got up and went with them; and when he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs. All the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing tunics and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Peter put all of them outside, and then he knelt down and prayed. He turned to the body and said, "Tabitha, get up." Then she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then calling the saints and widows, he showed her to be alive. This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. Meanwhile he stayed in Joppa for some time with a certain Simon, a tanner.

John 6:60-71
When many of his disciples heard it, they said, "This teaching is difficult; who can accept it?" But Jesus, being aware that his disciples were complaining about it, said to them, "Does this offend you? Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But among you there are some who do not believe." For Jesus knew from the first who were the ones that did not believe, and who was the one that would betray him. And he said, "For this reason I have told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted by the Father." Because of this many of his disciples turned back and no longer went about with him. So Jesus asked the twelve, "Do you also wish to go away?" Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God." Jesus answered them, "Did I not choose you, the twelve? Yet one of you is a devil." He was speaking of Judas son of Simon Iscariot, for he, though one of the twelve, was going to betray him.

Morning Psalms

Psalm 5 Verba mea auribus
1   Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my meditation.
2   Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I make my prayer to you.
3   In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you.
4   For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, and evil cannot dwell with you.
5   Braggarts cannot stand in your sight; you hate all those who work wickedness.
6   You destroy those who speak lies; the bloodthirsty and deceitful, O LORD, you abhor.
7   But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy I will go into your house; I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.
8   Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness, because of those who lie in wait for me; make your way straight before me.
9   For there is no truth in their mouth; there is destruction in their heart;
10   Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
11   Declare them guilty, O God; let them fall, because of their schemes.
12   Because of their many transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.
13   But all who take refuge in you will be glad; they will sing out their joy for ever.
14   You will shelter them, so that those who love your Name may exult in you.
15   For you, O LORD, will bless the righteous; you will defend them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 6 Domine, ne in furore
1   LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger; do not punish me in your wrath.
2   Have pity on me, LORD, for I am weak; heal me, LORD, for my bones are racked.
3   My spirit shakes with terror; how long, O LORD, how long?
4   Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me for your mercy's sake.
5   For in death no one remembers you; and who will give you thanks in the grave?
6   I grow weary because of my groaning; every night I drench my bed and flood my couch with tears.
7   My eyes are wasted with grief and worn away because of all my enemies.
8   Depart from me, all evildoers, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
9   The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD accepts my prayer.
10   All my enemies shall be confounded and quake with fear; they shall turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 10 Ut quid, Domine?
1   Why do you stand so far off, O LORD, and hide yourself in time of trouble?
2   The wicked arrogantly persecute the poor, but they are trapped in the schemes they have devised.
3   The wicked boast of their heart's desire; the covetous curse and revile the LORD.
4   The wicked are so proud that they care not for God; their only thought is, "God does not matter."
5   Their ways are devious at all times; your judgments are far above out of their sight; they defy all their enemies.
6   They say in their heart, "I shall not be shaken; no harm shall happen to me ever."
7   Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; under their tongue are mischief and wrong.
8   They lurk in ambush in public squares and in secret places they murder the innocent; they spy out the helpless.
9   They lie in wait, like a lion in a covert; they lie in wait to seize upon the lowly; they seize the lowly and drag them away in their net.
10   The innocent are broken and humbled before them; the helpless fall before their power.
11   They say in their heart, "God has forgotten; he hides his face; he will never notice."
12   Rise up, O LORD; lift up your hand, O God; do not forget the afflicted.
13   Why should the wicked revile God? why should they say in their heart, "You do not care"?
14   Surely, you behold trouble and misery; you see it and take it into your own hand.
15   The helpless commit themselves to you, for you are the helper of orphans.
16   Break the power of the wicked and evil; search out their wickedness until you find none.
17   The LORD is King for ever and ever; the ungodly shall perish from his land.
18   The LORD will hear the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear;
19   To give justice to the orphan and oppressed, so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.

Psalm 11 In Domino confido
1   In the LORD have I taken refuge; how then can you say to me, "Fly away like a bird to the hilltop;
2   For see how the wicked bend the bow and fit their arrows to the string, to shoot from ambush at the true of heart.
3   When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
4   The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven.
5   His eyes behold the inhabited world; his piercing eye weighs our worth.
6   The LORD weighs the righteous as well as the wicked, but those who delight in violence he abhors.
7   Upon the wicked he shall rain coals of fire and burning sulphur; a scorching wind shall be their lot.
8   For the LORD is righteous; he delights in righteous deeds; and the just shall see his face.

The Forward Day by Day Meditation for August 23, 2016

From Forward Day By Day

Psalm 10:1 (NASB) Why do you stand so far off, O LORD, and hide yourself in time of trouble?

Have you ever felt that God was far away—absent—even out to get you? In the Old Testament reading for today, Job cries, “…the arrows of the Almighty are in me…the terrors of God are arrayed against me” (Job 6:4).

There have been times when I felt God was nowhere to be found. God wasn’t lost; I was. God was somewhere out there—just not with me. There have been times even when it seemed that terrors were arrayed against me.

I am a veteran of the Vietnam War. What an awful mess that was. I have been down to my last dollar. I have lost our home because of poor business decisions. I have spent time in jail. I have been near death. I have lost many things but never my faith.

Somehow a gracious and forgiving God keeps picking me up, dusting me off, and putting me back on the path. Oh, it doesn’t happen overnight. I get to wallow in self-pity for a while. But dear friend, never doubt that God is near, however it may seem at the moment. And never doubt that you are loved.

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His Princess Every Day - I Will Never Leave You

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


My Princess,

I know you live in a world where many relationships come to a bitter end, my love. But I am not man; I am your Lord and Your Prince. I will never leave you or forsake you, my beloved bride. As long as you walk with me you will never walk alone. I am with you wherever you are and I will never abandon you. If ever you doubt I am here, just ask Me and I will reveal myself to you in a very special way. I will do whatever it takes to prove my faithfulness to you. You can trust your heart in my care; I will not let you down as long as you look up.

Love,
Your Prince who will always be yours

Even when I walk through the darkest valley,
I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me.
Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. - Psalm 23:4 (NLT)

Prayer to my Prince

My faithful prince,

Thank you for being my one true love. Thank you for being the one that walks in when others walk out of my life. What a comfort to know I am never alone because I am yours. Your faithfulness is the foundation of my very being. Open my spiritual eyes that I may see you, that I may feel your presence and never doubt you are with me.

Love,
Your princess who wants to be close

Even if my father and mother abandon me,
The Lord will hold me close. - Psalm 27:10

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.

Chocolate For Your Soul with Sheri Rose Shepherd - That's Too Heavy for You to Carry!

by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. — Matthew 11:29-30

Your Lord is waiting and wanting to carry any and all pain that has burrowed its way into your soul. If you feel heavy hearted and weighed down, maybe it's time to cry out to God and let Him carry you to a place where your soul can find rest today.

King David cried out to God every time he was hurting, and he is known as “a man after God’s own heart.” We find another example of honesty before God in King Hezekiah. He was on his deathbed when he prayed and wept bitterly before the Lord. God heard his prayers, saw his tears, and healed him. If you truly want to be a woman after God’s own heart and want to know the complete healing God offers you, then run to Him every time you hurt. He is your Daddy in heaven, and He longs to comfort and heal you. No one can heal your heart or soothe your soul like your King can. No one loves you more, and no one else has the power or passion for you that your God has. He is the Lover of your soul, and He longs for you to run to Him so that He can bring you to perfect healing and perfect peace.

God's Letter to You

I believe if The Lord was going to write you a personal letter about battles this life brings it may read like this....

My Princess,

I am here my beloved, now let me carry your burdens for you. My shoulders are strong enough to hold all that is too heavy for you to carry on your own. I am your Lord and I am in your life to lighten your load. Now tell your prince what I need to take from you, that you may pursue your life in peace. What ever it is, my love, I can take it. Please open your hand and place your cares on me. I want to give you some rest for your weary soul and see you smile again!

Love,
Your Strong Prince


Treasure of Truth
"Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest." — Matthew 11:28

Girlfriends in God - When Life Seems Broken

by Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire. (Nehemiah 1:3, NIV)

Friend to Friend

Nehemiah was the cupbearer to the king of a land far from his home. (Which means he held a trusted position that allowed him personal access to the king.) When some old friends came to town he found out that his people, the Jews, were in a terrible situation. Deeply burdened by the news, he wept, mourned, fasted, and prayed. He took the devastation of his people to heart and responded on a soul level.

The Bible shows us that Nehemiah prayed. He was pressed but not crushed. He told the Lord that he was sorry for the way he and his people had rejected God and for the ways they had disobeyed His commands. He remembered the instructions of God to His people and reminded Him of His promises. And he asked God to hear his prayer, give him favor and lead his responses.

I read this and see a vibrant example of the way I should respond when difficult situations come my way. When my loved ones are hurting. When my homeland is unsafe and vulnerable to attack. Here are a few basic faith principles we can apply that Nehemiah modeled in his prayer and in the conversations that followed.

#1. BE HONEST ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS. Nehemiah wept and mourned in response to the situation. You don’t need to pretend that you’re “fine” when life hurts. Instead, You can do what Nehemiah did: cry. Be sad. Mourn. Grieve.

Because life is hard … and just because we’re Christians does not mean we get easy passes. Thankfully, God knows sorrow well and is the generous source of comfort we need.

#2. PRAY. Nehemiah’s powerful prayer included the following. I’ve bullet pointed them to be a useful guide:

- Begin with confession (on behalf of me and my people).
- Remember and remind God of His Word
- Petition on behalf of others (Pray for your people. Stand in the gap. Intercede.)
- Ask for success (Yes. You read this right. It’s okay to ask God to give you favor. Nehemiah did!)
- Ask for mercy (That the punishment we and our people deserve would be withheld.)

While following this template of Nehemiah’s prayer doesn’t guarantee any of us that God will answer our prayers as we expect Him to, it does give us a step by step path to follow that will focus our hearts God’s intervention.

Then, after Nehemiah prayed, the Lord allowed the king to see that something was wrong. And the Lord allowed Nehemiah to experience the favor he asked for. BUT he has to face his fears in order to step into the provision God had for him. And this shows us another great takeaway…

#3. DON’T LET FEAR HOLD YOU BACK. Nehemiah was heavy with sorrow and the king noticed. In chapter 2 the king asked Nehemiah what had made him sad. “So the king asked me, “Why does your face look so sad when you are not ill? This can be nothing but sadness of heart.” (Nehemiah 2:2)

Insightful king, right?

The next words Nehemiah writes are, “I was very much afraid, but I said to the king, “May the king live forever! Why should my face not look sad when the city where my fathers are buried lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire?” (Nehemiah 2:2-3)

Amazingly, the king cared! He asked what he could do to help, and then provided Nehemiah with everything he needed to go back to Jerusalem and help his people rebuild the ruins.

Nehemiah could’ve shrugged off the king’s question. He could’ve said, Nothing is wrong, my lord! I’m fine. All is well. But he didn’t. Even though he was afraid, he spoke truth. He didn’t let fear hold him back. And as a result, he was equipped with what he needed and was mobilized toward healing.

Are there complications that have your heart grieving and sifting through ashes? Perhaps you are trying to keep a stiff upper lip and carry those broken burdens quietly? Know today that God is all about rebuilding broken hearts and hopes. He specializes in transforming smoky ash heaps into beautiful displays of His grace. He moves you toward that beauty and healing as you move toward Him in distress as Nehemiah did.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, You are compassionate, gracious, faithful, and powerful. Please forgive me and my loved ones for the ways we’ve disobeyed You. Please bring redemption and healing to the following _________________. Pour out Your favor and mercy on us today, and help me to follow Your leading.
In Jesus’s Name I pray,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Nehemiah 1. Write out Nehemiah’s prayer, but make it your own.

Click to TWEET THIS: “God specializes in transforming smoky ash heaps into beautiful displays of His grace.” @GwenSmithMusic @TweetWithGIG

More from the Girlfriends

Ready to move toward the healing God has for you? Gwen Smith’s new book, I Want It ALL, gives you practical help that will connect your struggles to the solutions and strength of God found in the Bible. Order yours today from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ChristianBook.com or your favorite retailer.

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Un Dia a la Vez - El servicio: Viaje misionero al Perú

Alégrense en la esperanza, muestren paciencia en el sufrimiento, perseveren en la oración. Ayuden a los hermanos necesitados. Practiquen la hospitalidad. Romanos 12:12-13

Nunca antes había apreciado tanto la palabra «servicio» como en el viaje misionero al Perú. Un viaje que me dejó muchas enseñanzas y experiencias. Que me hizo reflexionar, valorar y reconocer que tengo el mejor Padre del mundo, Dios, y que soy bendecida de verdad.

El Señor hubiera podido determinar que tú y yo naciéramos en un hogar con extrema pobreza. Sin embargo, no fue así. Es posible que ahora estés pasando necesidades, yo también las he vivido en etapas de mi vida. Con todo, nunca ha sido una vida de grandes miserias.

Jamás seremos capaces de entender y valorar tanto esto como cuando tenemos contacto con la necesidad de otros. Eso fue lo que vimos en la visita que hicimos a la plaza de Canadá, en el Callao, durante este viaje misionero. La vida sencillamente no vale nada. Hay calles a las que ni las autoridades pueden entrar porque allí reinan la droga, la prostitución y la inseguridad.

Cuando llegamos, la gente nos miraba con extrañeza. No obstante, a medida que pasábamos horas en el lugar, se acercaban a nosotros. En esa plaza se realizaron servicios evangelísticos donde cada noche más de ciento ochenta personas recibieron a Jesús. Además, se les llevó servicio médico bajo carpa y se les entregaron medicinas y ropas. Daba gusto ver las caras de felicidad y agradecimiento.

Cuando tengas la oportunidad de servir, no lo dudes ni un instante. Es el mejor regalo que puedes darle a la humanidad.

Verse of the Day - August 23, 2016

Psalm 94:18-19 (NIV) When I said, “My foot is slipping,” your unfailing love, Lord, supported me. When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.

Read all of Psalm 94

Standing Strong Through the Storm - JOY IN THE MORNING

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. James 1:27

God’s love compels us to feed the hungry, empower the poor, defend the weak and help those who are suffering. When we do these things, it includes encouraging and strengthening those persecuted for their faith in Christ. The Church has often led the way in education and medical services in developing countries until governments or other local agencies take over.

Brother Andrew says that giving humanitarian aid is a picture of Jesus knocking at the door of our hearts (our lives) in Revelation chapter three. The doors of many hearts in the church are closed to acts of mercy and love in action. Therefore, Jesus stands knocking at the door of our hearts asking that we open that door and let Him in. His coming into our lives enables us to do acts of love.

“They killed my husband before my very own eyes. As if that wasn’t enough, they destroyed everything by burning down our house including my dear husband’s workshop.” These were the words of Esther, the widow whose husband was killed by jihadists in Nigeria in January 2010.

For the mother of seven, life became unbearable. The house that her children called home no longer existed and the daunting absence of an income was an inevitable reality. To worsen their circumstances, the in-laws abandoned Esther and her children. Surrounded by walls of a room too small for eight people, depression threatened to overshadow her and Esther cried night and day, asking God for a way out.

She truly needed a shoulder to lean on. A friend told us her story and from there Open Doors provided financial support for this family. As a result the family was able to move into an apartment in a Christian area, with enough room for everyone. The new home lent enough space for Esther to even start working from home. She is a tailor by profession and hopes to rent a shop in the near future.

Esther thought it wise to take some of the money and start a vegetable garden on a small scale. The idea is to feed her family and at the same time generate an income from it. She is confident that her vegetable business will grow to the point where she will be able to send the children to school.

“If Open Doors had not come to my aid,” Esther concluded with tears, “what would have become of me and my children? For all I know, we all would have been dead, either by the hands of Jihadists or hunger. As for my husband’s killers—though it’s been difficult—through your prayers and encouragement I’ve been able to forgive them.”

RESPONSE: Today I will live in awareness of those around me needing help and respond appropriately.

PRAYER: Lord, give me Your compassion for people in need. May I be an agent of Your love today.

Daily Devotional by John Piper - God Is Not an Idolator

When he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. (2 Thessalonians 1:10)

People stumble over the teaching that God exalts his own glory and seeks to be praised by his people because the Bible teaches us not to be like that. For example, the Bible says that love “does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5, NASB).

How can God be loving and yet be utterly devoted to “seeking his own” glory and praise and joy? How can God be for us if he is so utterly for himself?

The answer I propose is this: Because God is unique as an all-glorious, totally self-sufficient Being, he must be for himself if he is to be for us. The rules of humility that belong to a creature cannot apply in the same way to its Creator.

If God should turn away from himself as the Source of infinite joy, he would cease to be God. He would deny the infinite worth of his own glory. He would imply that there is something more valuable outside himself. He would commit idolatry.

This would be no gain for us. For where can we go when our God has become unrighteous? Where will we find a Rock of integrity in the universe when the heart of God has ceased to value supremely the supremely valuable? Where shall we turn with our adoration when God himself has forsaken the claims of infinite worth and beauty?

No, we do not turn God’s self-exaltation into love by demanding that God cease to be God.

Instead, we must come to see that God is love precisely because he relentlessly pursues the praises of his name in the hearts of his people.