February 15 Going Against The Tide

James 1:6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

It can be so easy to develop the mindset, “just go with the flow”. This seems to describe the world we are living in today. People are driven and tossed like a wave of the sea. They easily waver when it comes to culture, convictions and even Christianity. As the old saying goes, “they do not want to rock the boat.” Why is it like this today? What is the underlying problem with society? Why have we traded patriots for pacifists? Why have we traded conviction for compromise?

Our verse tells us, that it goes back to the key elements of Christianity. It has everything to do with faith and prayer. Notice, the first phrase of our verse tells us to ask the Lord in faith, with nothing wavering. Whenever we seek the Lord in prayer, we should exercise complete trust in his Word. It is the prayer of faith that moves the hand of God. We cannot afford to waver in prayer. We cannot give doubt a moment’s thought when laying our petition before Him. We must go against the tide of doubt, and be firm in our faith. Faith builds character and conviction. Faith builds strength and confidence. It gives stability when things around us are being driven and tossed. Too many so called “Christians” today are like a wave on the sea. They allow anything to move them from where they stand, and what they believe. They are afraid to go against the tide, for fear of what others might say, or do.

My friend, if we are going to see our prayers answered, and find God’s wisdom and direction in prayer, it is going to take faith that does not waver when the winds of this world blow against us. If we will stand firm on our knees in prayer, we can stand firm in a world that is vastly sinking.

Pastor Rick Gravley

February 14 Our Amazing Bible

Psalm 119:97-104

97 O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.

98 Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser than mine enemies: for they are ever with me.

99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep thy precepts. 101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep thy word. 102 I have not departed from thy judgments: for thou hast taught me. 103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.

We often take our Bibles for granted. But have you ever considered how astounding it is that the God of the universe cared enough about humanity to give us His written Word so we could know Him? The Scriptures record God’s thoughts, words, desires, and purposes as well as His interventions in human history. The climax of His revelation is encompassed in the coming of His Son as our Savior, His plan of redemption, and Christ’s future return as King of Kings.

Amazingly, the Scriptures were compiled from the writings of more than three dozen people, recorded over period of about 1,400 years! Each book of the Bible reflects its human author’s personality, background, and vocabulary, yet every word was inspired as God Himself spoke through each writer (2 Peter 1:20-21). What’s more, though written by multiple hands over multiple centuries, Scripture is a cohesive compilation: Its message is consistent in truth, purpose, and prophecy.

Without God’s Word, we would know very little about Him and nothing about redemption. So never take your Bible for granted. Each time you open it, you are hearing God’s voice speaking directly to you. Take advantage of this privilege and read it regularly.

Charles Stanley

February 13 Finding True Wisdom

Proverbs 2:3-6

3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;

4 If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;

5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord giveth wisdom:out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.

Ever been called a know-it-all? Our Heavenly Father literally knows it all. He knows every detail of eternity past and eternity future. He knows the universe, He knows the nations, and He knows the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. He knows our hopes and our faith level. He is called “El Deah” in Hebrew, which is interpreted the God of all knowledge.

One of the great things about our Father is He loves to give. He promises to give us some of His wisdom. Want proof? If you own a Bible you have part of His wisdom and knowledge. But He promises to supply even more as our text promises. One author put it this way:

”God Alone is wise. He makes wisdom available to you, but you must first want it....feel the need of it...yes, REQUIRE it as essential in your life. Then, and only then, are you putting yourself in a position to partake of God’s wisdom and become wise.”

He said cry for my wisdom and knowledge. Seek wisdom like the hidden treasure of silver and I will supply. The other great thing about this all-knowing Father of ours is that we don’t have to worry. God knows what we need and He has good things ahead for His children!

Jeff