Night Light for Couples - A Time to Be Silent

“There is a time for everything… a time to be silent and a time to speak.” Ecclesiastes 3:1, 7

I (jcd) still remember the day, just two weeks before Shirley and I were married, when we proudly drove off a used car lot in the gleaming white 1957 Ford sedan I had just purchased. Five blocks down the road, to celebrate this historic event, I leaned over to give Shirley a quick kiss.

It wasn’t quick enough! At that instant two cars in front of us made an unexpected stop. I crashed into the first and knocked it into a second. The front of my gorgeous car crumpled like an accordion. Fortunately, there were no injuries, except to my pride.

Because of this stupid mistake, I couldn’t afford to buy Shirley a wedding ring with even a small diamond, and the car we had dreamed of buying for so long was severely damaged. Yet Shirley never let the accident tarnish the romantic aura of our early days together. I never heard a word of criticism about it, and on our first anniversary, I bought her the diamond ring. Forty years later, Shirley still hasn’t complained about my bad driving!

We urge you to think before you say hurtful and unkind words that will burn in the memory of your spouse for many years. Protect your romantic relationship, even when criticism seems justified. Your love for each other is a precious and fragile flower. Treat it that way.

Just between us…

• Do we actively protect the element of romance in our marriage?
• Are we wise enough to know when it is “time to be silent”?
• When life’s misfortunes strike, is there still a feeling of romance between us?

Lord, You ask us to keep our marriage partner’s interests uppermost in our minds, but sometimes this doesn’t come naturally. Help us to be more thought- ful, giving, and forgiving in how we tend each other’s hearts. Amen.

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

The Daily Readings for August 30, 2016

Job 12:1-1, 13:3-27
Then Job answered: But I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to argue my case with God. As for you, you whitewash with lies; all of you are worthless physicians. If you would only keep silent, that would be your wisdom! Hear now my reasoning, and listen to the pleadings of my lips. Will you speak falsely for God, and speak deceitfully for him? Will you show partiality toward him, will you plead the case for God? Will it be well with you when he searches you out? Or can you deceive him, as one person deceives another? He will surely rebuke you if in secret you show partiality. Will not his majesty terrify you, and the dread of him fall upon you? Your maxims are proverbs of ashes, your defenses are defenses of clay. "Let me have silence, and I will speak, and let come on me what may. I will take my flesh in my teeth, and put my life in my hand. See, he will kill me; I have no hope; but I will defend my ways to his face. This will be my salvation, that the godless shall not come before him. Listen carefully to my words, and let my declaration be in your ears. I have indeed prepared my case; I know that I shall be vindicated. Who is there that will contend with me? For then I would be silent and die. Only grant two things to me, then I will not hide myself from your face: withdraw your hand far from me, and do not let dread of you terrify me. Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me. How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin. Why do you hide your face, and count me as your enemy? Will you frighten a windblown leaf and pursue dry chaff? For you write bitter things against me, and make me reap the iniquities of my youth. You put my feet in the stocks, and watch all my paths; you set a bound to the soles of my feet.

Acts 12:1-17
About that time King Herod laid violent hands upon some who belonged to the church. He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword. After he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. (This was during the festival of Unleavened Bread.) When he had seized him, he put him in prison and handed him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending to bring him out to the people after the Passover. While Peter was kept in prison, the church prayed fervently to God for him. The very night before Herod was going to bring him out, Peter, bound with two chains, was sleeping between two soldiers, while guards in front of the door were keeping watch over the prison. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, "Get up quickly." And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, "Fasten your belt and put on your sandals." He did so. Then he said to him, "Wrap your cloak around you and follow me." Peter went out and followed him; he did not realize that what was happening with the angel's help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision. After they had passed the first and the second guard, they came before the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went outside and walked along a lane, when suddenly the angel left him. Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hands of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting." As soon as he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many had gathered and were praying. When he knocked at the outer gate, a maid named Rhoda came to answer. On recognizing Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed that, instead of opening the gate, she ran in and announced that Peter was standing at the gate. They said to her, "You are out of your mind!" But she insisted that it was so. They said, "It is his angel." Meanwhile Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the gate, they saw him and were amazed. He motioned to them with his hand to be silent, and described for them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he added, "Tell this to James and to the believers." Then he left and went to another place.

John 8:33-47
They answered him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. What do you mean by saying, 'You will be made free'?" Jesus answered them, "Very truly, I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not have a permanent place in the household; the son has a place there forever. So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you look for an opportunity to kill me, because there is no place in you for my word. I declare what I have seen in the Father's presence; as for you, you should do what you have heard from the Father." They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing what Abraham did, but now you are trying to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are indeed doing what your father does." They said to him, "We are not illegitimate children; we have one father, God himself." Jesus said to them, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now I am here. I did not come on my own, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word. You are from your father the devil, and you choose to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is from God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear them is that you are not from God."

Morning Psalms

Psalm 26 Judica me, Domine
1   Give judgment for me, O LORD, for I have lived with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.
2   Test me, O LORD, and try me; examine my heart and my mind.
3   For your love is before my eyes; I have walked faithfully with you.
4   I have not sat with the worthless, nor do I consort with the deceitful.
5   I have hated the company of evildoers; I will not sit down with the wicked.
6   I will wash my hands in innocence, O LORD, that I may go in procession round your altar,
7   Singing aloud a song of thanksgiving and recounting all your wonderful deeds.
8   LORD, I love the house in which you dwell and the place where your glory abides.
9   Do not sweep me away with sinners, nor my life with those who thirst for blood,
10   Whose hands are full of evil plots, and their right hand full of bribes.
11   As for me, I will live with integrity; redeem me, O LORD, and have pity on me.
12   My foot stands on level ground; in the full assembly I will bless the LORD.

Psalm 28 Ad te, Domine
1   O LORD, I call to you; my Rock, do not be deaf to my cry; lest, if you do not hear me, I become like those who go down to the Pit.
2   Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.
3   Do not snatch me away with the wicked or with the evildoers, who speak peaceably with their neighbors, while strife is in their hearts.
4   Repay them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their actions.
5   According to the work of their hands repay them, and give them their just deserts.
6   They have no understanding of the LORD'S doings, nor of the works of his hands; therefore he will break them down and not build them up.
7   Blessed is the LORD! for he has heard the voice of my prayer.
8   The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I have been helped;
9   Therefore my heart dances for joy, and in my song will I praise him.
10   The LORD is the strength of his people, a safe refuge for his anointed.
11   Save your people and bless your inheritance; shepherd them and carry them for ever.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 36 Dixit injustus
1   There is a voice of rebellion deep in the heart of the wicked; there is no fear of God before his eyes.
2   He flatters himself in his own eyes that his hateful sin will not be found out.
3   The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has left off acting wisely and doing good.
4   He thinks up wickedness upon his bed and has set himself in no good way; he does not abhor that which is evil.
5   Your love, O LORD, reaches to the heavens, and your faithfulness to the clouds.
6   Your righteousness is like the strong mountains, your justice like the great deep; you save both man and beast, O LORD.
7   How priceless is your love, O God! your people take refuge under the shadow of your wings.
8   They feast upon the abundance of your house; you give them drink from the river of your delights.
9   For with you is the well of life, and in your light we see light.
10   Continue your loving-kindness to those who know you, and your favor to those who are true of heart.
11   Let not the foot of the proud come near me, nor the hand of the wicked push me aside.
12   See how they are fallen, those who work wickedness! they are cast down and shall not be able to rise.

Psalm 39 Dixi, Custodiam
1   I said, "I will keep watch upon my ways, so that I do not offend with my tongue.
2   I will put a muzzle on my mouth while the wicked are in my presence."
3   So I held my tongue and said nothing; I refrained from rash words; but my pain became unbearable.
4   My heart was hot within me; while I pondered, the fire burst into flame; I spoke out with my tongue:
5   LORD, let me know my end and the number of my days, so that I may know how short my life is.
6   You have given me a mere handful of days, and my lifetime is as nothing in your sight; truly, even those who stand erect are but a puff of wind.
7   We walk about like a shadow, and in vain we are in turmoil; we heap up riches and cannot tell who will gather them.
8   And now, what is my hope? O Lord, my hope is in you.
9   Deliver me from all my transgressions and do not make me the taunt of the fool.
10   I fell silent and did not open my mouth, for surely it was you that did it.
11   Take your affliction from me; I am worn down by the blows of your hand.
12   With rebukes for sin you punish us; like a moth you eat away all that is dear to us; truly, everyone is but a puff of wind.
13   Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear to my cry; hold not your peace at my tears.
14   For I am but a sojourner with you, a wayfarer, as all my forebears were.
15   Turn your gaze from me, that I may be glad again, before I go my way and am no more.

The Forward Day by Day Meditation for August 30, 2016

From Forward Day By Day

Psalm 28:2 (NRSV) Hear the voice of my prayer when I cry out to you, when I lift up my hands to your holy of holies.

We all have pain, and we all need help. When we get knocked to our knees, sometimes it pays to stay there a moment, lift hands to the Lord, and cry out. It also pays to be vulnerable. Well-known sociologist and storyteller Brené Brown says, “The intention and outcome of vulnerability is trust, intimacy, and connection.”

Asking for help is near the top of the list of things that I don’t do well. I mean, who wants to appear needy? I was brought up to deal with things myself, to stand tall, to act like a man. One of the problems with this way of living is that it can make you insensitive to the pain of others. If I can stand on my own two feet, why can’t everyone else? But when I fall to my knees in need, I understand the fallacy of such a question.

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His Princess Every Day - I Will Bless You

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

My Bride,

It brings me such great pleasure to watch and see you enjoy the blessings I have arranged for you. I Love to surprise my bride with little gifts that only she can see. Let yourself receive from me today. Don’t let the difficulties of this life cause you to lose sight of who you are and all I have for you. Remember, my love, you are my royalty, you are my treasure. Now look to the heavens and smile because the best is yet to come!

Love,
Your Prince and blessing

Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever. - Psalm 23:6 (NLT)

Prayer to my Prince

My Generous Prince,

I feel like the most blessed bride to be yours. I love your little surprises. Today I open my heart completely to receive all you have for me. I don’t want to miss out on anything you have planned for our life together. Please pour out your favor and blessing upon me, May all the world around me see I am your princess. Thank you for the greatest gift of all... eternity with you!

Love,
Your Princess who celebrates all you do

They will tell of the power of your awesome works,
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They will celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness. - Psalm 145:6

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 - Don't Be Afraid to Feel

by Sheri Rose Shepherd

Weeping may last through the night but joy comes with the morning. — Psalm 30:5

If you feel lonely and rejected or fearful and ashamed, what do you do with your emotional pain? You may have been afflicted by the unloving blows of another person or maybe by your own disobedience. But whatever the cause, you don't have to feel guilty for crying out to God. When you do cry out, you are identifying with Jesus. You are learning to know Him and the fellowship of His suffering. When you hide out, you are identifying with Adam and separating yourself from the sweet fellowship of God.

There is no easy way to deal with emotional pain, but God promises that those who sow with tears will reap with joy and the same is true for you.

Just remember: The same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead will give you the power to deal with your pain and lead you to a more intimate relationship with Him! You will be able to experience excellence in your life in a way you could never have dreamed possible.

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 know you wonder where I am in the middle of your pain. Although you can’t see Me, My eyes are always on you, and I see every tear that has ever rolled off your precious face. My Father’s heart breaks as I look for ways to remind you that My comfort is only a whisper away. Your feelings will always deceive you, which is why I gave you My Holy Spirit. The next time your heart doubts Me, pray and reflect on the last time you were sure I had forsaken you. Remember that I was there all along, working out what you could not see in your moment of mourning. I have always been with you; I was there when you cried your first tear, and I will be there to catch your last tear on earth. This weeping will not last, My Love, but it will lead you back to Me, where your joy, hope, and love will once again be restored as you soak in My presence.

Love,
Your Tender, Loving God


Treasure of Truth
Our God does not waste pain . . . but He does wipe away every tear.

Girlfriends in God - The Lonely Antelope

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Friend to Friend

Dan and I have traveled to many foreign countries on mission trips. Our family vacations have taken us across the United States … but we had never been to Yellowstone National Park and had only driven through Montana on our way to another state. So when I booked a speaking engagement in Gardner, Montana, we decided to take a few days following the event for a mini-vacation.

It did not take us long to fall in love with Montana. We flew into Billings and made our way to Gardner where we had booked a hotel. The drive was spectacular. The hotel was rustic and quaint, and the people could not have been nicer.

But Yellowstone National Park was unlike anything we had ever seen! The magnificent mountains, the lush green landscape, the breathtaking boulders and the steaming geysers that seemed to erupt in the most random places … it was overwhelmingly beautiful!

And the animals! I had never observed such a stunning array of animals. We saw dozens of buffalo, a black bear, a grizzly bear, deer, elk, moose, and even a bald eagle. But some of the most interesting and beautiful animals we saw were the antelope.

I had only seen antelope in zoos – not meandering across the grassy plains and even strutting across the roads in front of our car. I knew virtually nothing about them, but Google came to my rescue.

I soon learned that Antelope tend to live and travel in herds as a means of protection from predators such as lions. A lion may stalk a herd of antelope for days, patiently waiting and watching for an opportunity to attack. When a lone antelope wanders away from the herd, the lion seizes the opportunity to pounce and kill the antelope.

The devil uses the same tactic on us.

1 Peter 5:8 “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

God created us to do life together – in relationship. But we tend to think we can do life on our own. We could not be more wrong.

We all need connections to people who will point us in the right direction. We will inevitably take a wrong path or make a wrong turn, and there will be times when we have no idea which way to go or the right choice to make. We can then turn to God and to those who hold us accountable.

When the storms of life knock us to our knees, we need friends who will help us get back on our feet again. Life is filled with burdens that are too heavy for us to carry alone.

God places others in our lives to help us see things we cannot see, to encourage us and to build up, to correct, to love and to protect us.

When we separate ourselves from others, I can almost see the enemy licking his lips and saying, “Ah, now I have her. It will be easier to take her down."

When Jesus walked the earth, He did so with a group of twelve men. Jesus modeled the very important truth that we need one another – we need friends.

One of the most winsome aspects of Jesus was the fact that He was so transparent and did not remain aloof from His disciples. He lived among them, sharing every part of their lives. He ate with them, prayed with them, served with them, cried and laughed with them. Jesus repeatedly opened Himself up to the disciples. If Jesus needed to share His life with others, so do we.

Was He hurt; betrayed and rejected by those He called friends? Absolutely! He knew. Jesus knew the value of friendship outweighed the risk. Relationships are risky, but they are also an important source of encouragement and strength.

Are you lonely? Lay down your pride, throw away your masks, and tear down those relationship walls. Encouragement is like a boomerang. When thrown correctly, it will come back to you. Godly encouragement does not wait for an invitation to work. It looks for the opportunity to work.

Let’s Pray

Father, I confess that there are times when I long for a close friend, but am not willing to take the risk of reaching out. Please help me be more transparent and real in my relationships. Help me be an encourager. I choose now to pay the price that being a friend often demands. Thank You for being my closest Friend.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now it’s your turn 

• What are some of the barriers in your life to making new friends?
• What do you see as your greatest risk in reaching out to others?
• What does it mean to be transparent? Compare your answer to John 15:13.

More from the Girlfriends

A word from Mary: I have a weekly Online Bible Study, Light for the Journey. I am very excited about a new study beginning September 5, Taking Down the Giants in Your Life. Do you struggle with fear, stress, jealousy, anger, and depression … the roadblocks to happiness and joy? Let’s tackle each one and see what God has to say. Join now and get all of 2016 lessons plus bonus studies in the summer.

Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.

Seeking God? Click here to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God
P.O. Box 1311
Huntersville, NC 28070

info@girlfriendsingod.com
http://www.girlfriendsingod.com

Un Dia a la Vez - Beneficios de la sanidad

Amado, yo deseo que tú seas prosperado en todas las cosas, y que tengas salud, así como prospera tu alma. 3 Juan 2, RV-60

Estos días estamos aprendiendo lo importante y lo benéfico que es tener la sanidad del alma.

¿Sabías que muchas de las enfermedades son producto del rencor y la falta de perdón? Las heridas que han quedado abiertas nos mantienen frustrados y con raíces de amargura que con el paso del tiempo se manifiestan en enfermedades.

Tú deseas un hogar, unos hijos y una vida en paz y feliz. Por eso necesitas mirar hacia dentro y pedirle a Dios que te muestre esas partes de tu vida que necesitan sanidad y libertad. Te sentirás diferente cuando le permitas a que Dios obre en ti.

El Señor nos da promesas de libertad y de bendición. Lo que a veces sucede es que nosotros mismos detenemos esas promesas. Siéntete libre hoy y dile a Dios tu deseo de cambiar.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - THE WITNESSING POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses…” Acts 1:8a

Prior to her Christian husband being released from prison in Iran, Maheen, feared that she might be arrested too. So she seriously prayed, “Dear Lord, I am not ready to go to a solitary confinement because of my Christian faith. It is such a closed and dirty environment. As you know I was born and brought up in a wealthy family and had a comfortable life. Please don’t test me beyond my ability.” She told God she would not be able to handle being arrested and mentioned her fear that she might give the names of all believers in the house churches to the police or even deny Jesus.

Three days later, the secret police knocked at her door. She said to God, “I have already asked you not to put me in this temptation. So whatever happens, it is not my fault. Because I had already told you that I am not a strong person and can’t stand against these security people and can’t tolerate persecution.”

She said, “The police blindfolded me and took me to the solitary confinement. I was scared to death and felt sick as the place was very smelly.” They put her in a cell and a few hours later brought her in for interrogation. She added, “I sensed the presence of the Holy Spirit very strongly. And I felt that God’s peace came down on me and my fear went away.”

When Maheen stood before the high official, she courageously testified of her Christian faith. “It is an honour for me to talk to people about Jesus. I will be very happy to talk to you about Jesus and salvation too. Like all other people and Muslims, you also need Jesus in your life. Without Jesus a person does not have any peace and life is hopeless and without any purpose. Jesus laid his life down for you too so that you can have salvation and will not perish.”

The official responded in anger, “Do you know what the consequence of all this will be for you? You can’t evangelize me. It will cost you a heavy price.”

On the third night the official came to her cell. Maheen was frightened fearing that he came to abuse her sexually or to beat her up. But the official told her, “Don’t be afraid of me. I need your prayers. When you shared about Jesus with me, it had such a powerful impact on my life. I need to be saved. I need Jesus in my life. I believe God has sent you to come to this prison so that you can share about salvation with me. I am now completely aware of the fact that without Jesus I will be a miserable and hopeless person and I will perish. Please pray for me that I can be set free from this hell I live in.”

Maheen had the chance to share about Jesus for three hours with him and at the end he repented of his sins and committed his life to Jesus. The official testified that for the first time he experienced the real peace and love of God in his life.

Maheen and her husband were both released from prison and are in touch with this official and his wife secretly. The wife of the official has committed her life to the Lord too.

RESPONSE: Today I will walk and talk in the power of the Holy Spirit and trust God to use me as a witness wherever He places me.

PRAYER: Thank God for the power of His Holy Spirit among committed brothers and sisters in Iran.

Daily Devotional by John Piper - Yes to All God’s Promises and More

All the promises of God find their Yes in him. That is why it is through him that we utter our Amen to God for his glory. (2 Corinthians 1:20)

Being “in Christ Jesus” is a stupendous reality. It is breathtaking what it means to be in Christ. United to Christ. Bound to Christ.

If you are “in Christ” listen to what it means for you:

1. In Christ Jesus you have been seated in the heavenly places even while he lived on earth. Ephesians 2:6, “God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."
2. In Christ Jesus all the promises of God are Yes for you. 2 Corinthians 1:20, “All the promises of God find their Yes in Christ."
3. In Christ Jesus you are being sanctified and made holy. 1 Corinthians 1:2, “To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus."
4. In Christ Jesus everything you really needed will be supplied. Philippians 4:19, “My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
5. In Christ Jesus the peace of God will guard your heart and mind. Philippians 4:7, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
6. In Christ Jesus you have eternal life. Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
7. And in Christ Jesus you will be raised from the dead at the coming of the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:22, “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.” All those united to Adam in the first humanity die. All those united to Christ in the new humanity rise to live again!