The Funny Farm

By Lisa Jones, She Speaks! Graduate

  “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Luke 22:31-32 (NKJV)

Devotion:

One time while I was going through a serious trial in my life, I felt as if I were all alone.  I felt discouraged and powerless.  I would spend hours every day in prayer for everyone else and their situations, asking God to intervene on their behalf, and yet I wondered who was praying for me.  Was there anyone out there who cared enough about me and my suffering to bring it before God and beg Him to touch my life?  Was there anyone who shared with the Lord that I was hurting?  Shortly after that God encouraged me through His Word, and through today’s verse, that His Son Jesus does care for me and prays for me faithfully.

I wander what would have happened to Peter after he denied Christ if Jesus had not previously prayed for him?  Would he have turned to the world, denying Jesus for eternity?  Only God knows the answer. But the good news is God would not have it happen. Instead, God heard the prayers of Jesus for Peter.  Therefore, after denying the Lord three times, Peter wept, repented, and drew near to God.

 Jesus prays for me as well.  He intercedes on my behalf.  He knows what is set before me and desires that my faith in Him will not fail.  He prays that I will have the strength to keep my eyes on Him, never straying too far behind, and that I will stay close to His side.

 Jesus is my prayer partner.  I am indebted to the Lord for He is at all times working on my behalf.  He is my High Priest, mediating between me and God.  Because of Jesus, I am made strong when I am weak.  Because of Jesus’ faithfulness to me, I have experienced what joy feels like! 

 Jesus prays for you as well.  He understands that Satan wishes to sift you like wheat.  Do not despair, Jesus has prayed for you!  He desires to wipe the tears from your cheek and replace it with the joy that faithfulness brings.  When you feel all alone and like the world has forgotten you, when you feel as if you can continue no longer, do not fret—the Savior is there praying for you!  His Father always hears his prayers.  They will strengthen you, and then in turn you can help strengthen others.

                                                                                                                                                                         Dear Lord, sometimes I feel all alone and weary, as if I have no strength left within me.  Yet, I will seek You in prayer.  I will make my request before You, for I know You are there for me and interceding on my behalf.  You know what is before me and what I need.  Give me strength when it feels as if Satan is trying to sift me like wheat.  Create within my heart faithfulness and steadfastness.  Thank You for praying for me, taking my request to the Father so, through You, I may gain strength.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

 31 Days of Prayer by Ruth Myers

 Dear Jesus by Sarah Young

 Listen to Today’s P31 Radio Show

 Application Steps: 

Consider your personal prayer time with the Savior.  Are you spending time daily with Jesus building your relationship with Him?  If not, set time aside each day to talk with the Lord.

 Continue in God’s Word, seeking out His wisdom so that when the storms of life come along you will stand strong in the confidence that you are not alone!  Christ is there for you and will pray that your faith will not fail!

 Reflections: 

Am I coming before God boldly in prayer, making my requests known unto Him?

 If not, what is keeping me from coming to the throne of grace?

 Where do I seek out strength - in my own flawed self, or in the mighty strength of Christ?

 Power Verses:

Hebrews 7:25, “Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.” (NKJV)

Reprinted with permission of :  Proverbs 31 Ministries  www.proverbs31.org

God Knows the Big Picture

By Marybeth Whalen

 “They will know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them.  I am the LORD their God.” Exodus 29:46 (NIV)        

Devotion:

I’d been reading in Exodus when the Israelites were leaving Egypt and God told them to ask for gold and valuables from their neighbors.  He said, “Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” (Exodus 11:2)  Now, for the Israelites, this was probably very strange.  First of all, how awkward for them as slaves to approach their masters and ask them for, not just a handout, but a valuable handout!  They had to have been questioning what God was asking them to do.  Secondly, they probably were wondering why in the world God would have them tote all that stuff when they were obviously going on a long journey.  Hadn’t God heard the phrase, “Traveling light?” 

Then I got to the part when God instructed the Israelites to make the priests’ garments and the tabernacle furnishings.  As He carefully listed off what the people should make and how to make it, it was clear that God was thinking ahead when He asked them to take the gold and other valuables from the Egyptians.  He knew in advance what He was asking and how it would all turn out.  Exodus 12: 35-36 says, “The Israelites did as Moses instructed and asked the Egyptians for articles of silver and gold and for clothing.  The Lord had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and they gave them what they asked for; so they plundered the Egyptians.”  Even though the Israelites couldn’t see the big picture of what they were facing, God could. He had it all under control.  He didn’t ask them to do anything He hadn’t already prepared them to do. 

 This story was a great comfort to me today as I pondered the “Egypts” in my life.  I thought of the times when God asked me to trust Him and obey—even when what He was asking sounded crazy.  I thought of how He knows the future and provides our needs ahead of time.  I thought of how He can soften hearts as He did with the Egyptians and how I can trust every situation to Him.  He sees the big picture, when all I see is what is right in front of me.  I need to rely on Him when the future looks scary.  I need to say “yes” to whatever He asks of me, instead of arguing based on my limited view.  I can only have a big picture of life when I see it through His eyes.  That truth continues to bring me peace—even in the midst of this crazy, mixed-up world.  I hope that it will bring you peace and hope today in whatever you may be facing in life.

 Dear Lord, help me to rely on You, and not on what is in front of me.  Help me to trust in the outcome simply because I know it is in Your very capable hands. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Related Resources:

What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst

 Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer journaling by Tara Furman

 Do You Know Him?

 Application Steps: 

Has God asked you to do something that sounded crazy in the past, yet later made perfect sense?  Journal about that incident so that you will have it to go back to as a record of His faithfulness in your life.

 Reflections: 

What does your Egypt look like?  Is there something God is asking you to take from there in order that you might be equipped for His purposes? 

 Power Verses:

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV) 

 I Corinthians 2:9, “However, as it is written: No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” (NIV)

 Exodus 23:20, “See, I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared.” (NIV)

© 2008 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

I Hate to Burden You

Renee Swope

  “Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.” Ephesians 6:18 (CEV)

Devotion:

Although my email was intended to be a prayer request, it started out more like an apology. I needed my friends to pray, but I was hesitant to ask them. I didn't want my request to be a burden. After all, the group of friends I was sending the email to already had so many burdens of their own: illness, job loss, death, stress, relationship strains, overloaded schedules, etc.

I wondered if my need rated high enough on the urgency “Richter” scale? Was it bad enough to ask for prayer or should I wait to see how things turned out?

The first sentence in my email went something like this: "I hate to add to your list of burdens, but I need prayer for JJ."

My husband had signs of a health problem and was having tests done that week.  I didn’t know whether it was going to be anything serious in the end. I just knew that I didn’t want to walk through it in fear, in denial, nor in my own strength. I didn’t want to go through it alone either. I wanted my man to have as much spiritual protection as possible. I wanted those doctors to be anointed in prayer, and I knew if my girlfriends were praying, it’d be all right!

Within fifteen minutes after I hit “send” my friends who were on their computers started telling me they were praying. Not only did they pray, they thanked me for sharing what was going on and for letting them be there for me. One friend shared how someone she knew had been through a similar situation. Another asked questions and made some great suggestions. Then another cracked a funny joke that made me laugh, which I really needed to do!

The night before we went to the hospital, I got an email from my friend Amy saying, "I've been lifting prayers heavenward for your family since your last email. Know that you'll be in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow. Let us know as soon as you hear results. We're all in this with you, friend."

As I read her last sentence, it was as though I could feel the softness of her hands gently squeeze my shoulders and hear her voice saying, "We're all in this with you, friend." 

What if I had not shared our need with my friends? I would’ve missed out on the comfort of having them “with me” and the peace that came as a result of their prayers.

They would’ve missed out on the opportunity to be the “Body of Christ” by guarding our hearts and minds with God’s promises and the power of prayer. They also would have missed the joy of celebrating medical tests that went really well, peace that surpassed our understanding and recovery that was quick. Even as we wait for the test results, their prayers and God’s peace remain as our constant companions.

I am so glad I didn’t listen to those thoughts that made me feel like my request was a burden.

God is teaching me much about prayer. For someone who hates to impose on others, I need to be reminded that asking for prayer isn't about putting burdens on my friends. It's about letting them walk by my side down a path that I was never intended to walk alone. In return, they let me do the same.
                                                                                                                                                                     

Lord, thank You for never seeing my prayers as a burden. Please teach me more about the power and the purpose of prayer in my life and in my friendships. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Visit Renee Swope’s blog for the rest of the story, and for more ways to connect with God and your girlfriends through prayer.

A Busy Woman’s Guide to Prayer, by Cheri Fuller

Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman

Application Steps: 

Ask God what friend He wants you to pray for this week, and who He wants you to ask to pray for you as well.  If you don’t have someone (or if you want to have more than one), visit Renee’s blog where she’s connecting women through prayer – sharing requests and praying for each other - for the next few weeks.

 Reflections: 

Is it hard for you to share prayer requests with others? Why or why not?

 Power Verses:

Psalm 68:19, “Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.” (NIV)

 Philemon 1:4, “I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints.” (NIV)

 Colossians 4:2, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” (NIV)

 © 2008 by Renee Swope. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

The Heart of a Lost Teenage Girl

Melissa Taylor

 “Now let your unfailing love comfort me, just as you promised me, your servant.”
Psalm 119:76 (NLT)

Devotion:

There was a teenage girl who seemed to have her life all together.  She had many friends, excelled in school, was kind to others, and made her mom very proud.  On the outside, this girl’s life seemed amazing. The inside revealed a much different story.

 I am this girl.  I know that looks can be deceiving.

 When I was 7, a neighbor sexually molested me.  When I was 8, I witnessed my grandfather falling out of his beloved rocking chair, the victim of a stroke.  At age 10, my dad went on a business trip, and never returned.  My parents were getting a divorce. My world seemed to get worse by the year.  What would happen next? 

 Tired of my heartache and circumstances, I decided to ask Christ into my life - only to be disappointed.  Why did I still feel guilty and dirty (sexual abuse), disappointed and scared (my grandfather’s stroke), unworthy and empty (my family was broken)?  Was it too much to ask for someone to love me? 

 Jesus, if you won’t fix my life, I’ll do it myself. I proclaimed. 

 I was able to satisfy the people in my life through my achievements, but on the inside I was a wreck.  My heart was still empty and aching. The outer me didn’t seem to satisfy the longing in my heart, so I tried other, more destructive ways.

 I gave into the temptation to feel loved and accepted by another person.  While on an un-chaperoned beach trip, I crawled into bed with another searching-for-love soul.  We were two people looking to feel complete – but looking in the wrong places.  This was a friend of mine, someone who loved and cared about me.  That made it okay, right?

 I had dreamed of what my first time would be like.  My plans had been to save myself for marriage.  I had visions of my groom carrying me into our beautiful honeymoon suite and there two would become one.  Instead of a honeymoon suite, I was in a run down motel room. Instead of my groom, I was with a lost high school boy.  I cried.  What had I just done?

 A friend picked me up the next morning and we drove home.  I don’t think I spoke the whole time.  Growing inside of me were the bitter seeds of guilt, shame, disgust with myself, and the familiar emptiness.

 After years of continuing to try to fill the emptiness in my heart with all the wrong things, I realized the truth.  Jesus was there.  He had been in my heart since the day I invited Him in. He was waiting and watching over me. I had to learn the hard way that He was the only One that could fill my heart completely. 

 I’m much older now.  I’m far from perfect, but I’ve learned that there is nothing in this world that can satisfy the desires of my heart.  Believe me, if it were available for purchase, I would’ve bought it.  If it came from good looks and pretty clothes, I could’ve had that too.  Or if it came from a human relationship, my heart would not hurt.  But none of these things can do what Jesus does. 

 Do not be fooled by the promises of this world; believe the promises of God’s Word. You are His precious child.  He loves you. He desires a relationship with you no matter what has happened to you or what you’ve done.  Trust and give Him the chance to be the One who fills your heart with love. 

 Dear Lord, I don’t even have to ask to You to love me, because You already do.  Oh God, please remind me often of how much You love me and help me not to give into what the world is offering me to make me feel better.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

 Want More Love? By Kathy W. Buchanan

 His Princess, Love Letters from Your King, by Sheri Rose Shepherd

 Application Steps: 

Visit Melissa’s blog today to read more of her story, or to share your story. 

 Reflections: 

Have you given into temptation, even when you knew it was wrong? 

Do you know that God can and will forgive you?

 What makes you feel important?

 Power Verses:

Matthew 19:26, “Jesus looked at them intently and said, ‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible.  But with God everything is possible.’”  (NLT)

 1 Samuel 16:7b, “The Lord does not look at the things man looks at.  Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”  (NIV)

 1John 2:16-17, “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.  These are not from the Father but from this world.  And this world is fading away along with everything that people crave.  But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.”  (NLT)

© 2008 Melissa Taylor. All Rights Reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.Proverbs31.org

Melanie Chitwood

“And the very hairs on your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30 (NLT)

 Devotion:

When I encouraged a friend at church to pray about a troubling situation, she responded in a way that, at some point, we may have all felt.  She discounted my suggestion by saying, “God has much more important things to worry about than my little problems.”  I assured her that nothing was too small to present to God, but I don’t think I convinced her.

 Later as I thought about her response, I wondered what had led her to this incorrect conclusion about God.  Had she heard this idea while she was growing up?  Had someone important made her feel like her needs were insignificant and then she transferred this idea to God’s thoughts about her?

 We have to be careful that our ideas about God come from God, not from someone else, not even from a Christian teacher or pastor or book.  To know who God is and how He views us, we need to go to God’s Word.

 When we look at Scripture we see that God’s character is strikingly different from this lady’s conclusion about who God is.  God’s Word affirms over and over that He is a God who cares about the details.  In Matthew 10:30 God is so intimately acquainted with us that “the very hairs on your head are all numbered” (NLT).  Psalm 147:4 tells us that God “counts the stars and calls them all by name” (NLT).

In Mark 5 we learn about a woman who has been bleeding for twelve years.  Perhaps this woman in Scripture is like my church friend.  She’s believed God has more important things to worry about than her small health problem.  However, in her desperate desire to be healed, she decides that if there’s even a chance that her suffering will end, she’s taking that chance.  Scripture tells us she “touched his cloak, because she thought, ‘If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.’ Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.” (Mark 5: 28-29 NIV).

Immediately Jesus stops and asks who has touched Him.  Considering the circumstances, it’s astounding to see Jesus pause for one woman.  With a huge crowd pressing in on Him, with dust and noise and pulls and tugs, Jesus stops.  He stops for one small woman who had the faith to reach out with one small touch.

Scripture tells us who God really is.  He’s not a God who loves from afar.  He’s a God who cares about the details of our lives.  Nothing is too small to present to Him.  Nothing escapes His attention, His care, and His love.

Dear Lord, I am amazed that You are intimately acquainted with the details of my life and that You, the Lord of the all the Universe, care about me and the small matters of my life.  Thank You for being such a personal God.  Thank You for the ultimate proof that You care about me, Your death on a cross.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

 Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer by Tara Furman

 Self Talk, Soul Talk by Jennifer Rothschild

 What a Husband Needs from His Wife by Melanie Chitwood

 Application Steps: 

Write down three words to describe God.  Find a Scripture verse to confirm that this characteristic truly describes God’s character.  Try using Biblegateway.com to search for the verses.  Write down the verses and reflect on them daily.

 Reflections: 

What relationships do you think have colored your view of God?

 Think of some circumstances which have influenced your understanding of God.

 Spend some time praying and asking God to reveal to you any inaccurate pictures you have of Him. 

 Power Verses:

Psalm 139:1, “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.” (NLT)

 Psalm 139: 14,15, “You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something.” (Message)

 © 2008 by Melanie Chitwood. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries   www.proverbs31.org

Zoe Elmore

“I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” Galatians 2:20 (NIV)

      Devotion:

One morning as I was gazing into the mirror to “put on my face” for the day, I heard the Lord whisper to my heart, “Why do you spend more time ‘putting on your face’ than you spend on your face before me each morning?” Oh my goodness - what a powerful question!

 My heart sank as I put the cosmetics away and went to my quiet place to spend time with Jesus. I had to confess out loud, “Lord, You are right.  I have been spending more time gazing in the mirror than praying or gazing into Your Word and Your face.” Once again, I was living like the old person I was before receiving Christ and not the new person I had been transformed into. Once again, I had allowed my desire for outer beauty to take priority over my inner beauty.

 Now don’t misunderstand me here; I’m not suggesting it’s necessary to put away my cosmetics forever and go through life looking frumpy. Honey, that is not likely to happen. I haven’t left the house without a little lip gloss and mascara since I was sixteen! But I need some balance. Maintaining balance is only possible if I remember to keep my priorities in the right order - prayer before primping.

 I have to remember that as a believer, Christ has moved in and dwells within my heart and within my life. As I allow this relationship to grow, my life will demonstrate His presence and others will see past my make-up to the make up of my heart. Proverbs 31:30 is the perfect reminder of this fact, “Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting: but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” (NIV)

 If you share my struggle of balancing the quest for outer vs. inner beauty, I want to encourage you to join me in memorizing four little words: “Pray before you primp.” I’ve put these words on my mirror as a daily reminder to keep Christ first.

 Remember friends, while the temptation to consider outer beauty more important than inner beauty is ever-present in our culture; those who believe in Christ can be delivered from it. Because Christ lives in every believer, we have hope of overcoming our unhealthy obsessions. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can live life in proper balance.

 I invite you to join me as we get “on our face before we put on our face”. As we pray and gaze into His Word to seek Him first, we will experience a change from the inside out and our lives will become a beautiful reflection of His presence.

           Dear Lord, forgive me for making outer beauty more important than inner beauty. Refresh and restore my desire to gaze into Your word and into Your face. I want my life to reflect Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

 Beautiful in God’s Eyes by Elizabeth George

 Authentic Beauty: The Shaping of a Set Apart Young Woman by Leslie Ludy

 Visit Zoe Elmore’s blog

 Application Steps: 

Seek God’s face before you put on your face.

 Print out the words “Pray before you Primp” and put them on your mirror.

 Reflections: 

Examine your inner beauty. Is it weak and lacking, or is it a strong reflection of Christ?

 What has God stirred in your heart from reading this devotion and what will you do in response?

 Power Verses:

Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (NIV)

 Joshua 24:15, “But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (NIV)

 I John 2:5-6, “But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.  This is how we know we are in him.  Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” (NIV)

  © 2008 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries

616-G, Matthews-Mint Hill Road

Matthews, NC 28105

www.proverbs31.org

 Micca Monda Campbell

       “My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.”

Psalm 62:6 (KJV)  

Devotion:

Children anticipate everything from birthdays to family vacations. Yes, they await good things with expectancy. There’s no doubt that we once did too. As we grew older, however, we lost some of our anticipation. Maybe it’s because we’ve been disappointed one too many times. Perhaps we don’t expect anything because we don’t feel worthy of receiving anything good. Or maybe, we just don’t believe it’s meant for good things to come our way.

 Take prayer for example. How many times do you and I petition the Lord and then fail to expect an answer? John tells us, “Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask; because we obey his commands and do what pleases him” (1 John 3:21-22). You and I can have this confidence. In fact, as obedient children of God, we should be so confident in Him that we expect good things like answered prayer, a healed relationship, the home coming of a wayward child, forgiveness of sins—whatever we ask.

 When my children ask something of me, they expect an answer. Then they anticipate the fulfilling of that answer. As children of God we should do no less. We should anticipate great things from our great God. We should expect Him to hear our cries and respond, so much so that we are looking with anticipation all around us for His answer and provision.

 Bible teacher, Henry Blackaby says, “After we pray, whatever happens next is God’s answer.” Wow. I sometimes miss God’s loving response to my prayer because I don’t anticipate a reply.

 The Bible teaches us that believing is seeing. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). We must believe in order to see God’s provisions. Let me ask you what I often ask myself: “Do you simply hope God will answer your needs, or do you see God’s generous hand at work in your life? Do you wait with expectancy or do you doubt His provision?” He may seem slow at responding, but He’s always right on time. While it would be nice if God owned the same watch as we do, you and I can always count on His perfect timing.

 We will see God when we anticipate His involvement in our lives. We will see Him when we can say, “His answer and provision may come slow, but they are sure to come, and I will wait with expectation.”

 Dear Lord, today I chose to anticipate Your work in my life. Show me great and mighty things that only you can do. And I will praise Your Holy Name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

 Intimacy with God Prayer Journal by Tara Furman

 Prayers to My King by Sheri Rose Sheperd

 Visit Micca Campbell’s blog

 Application Steps: 

Write your prayers in a journal and then record whatever happens next. Watch with anticipation as you record each response and see how God is working on your behalf.

 Reflections: 

Reflect on your answers to the questions within this devotion: Do you simply hope God will answer your needs, or do you see God’s generous hand at work in your life? Do you wait with expectancy or do you doubt His provision?

 Power Verses:

Psalm 27:14, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (NIV)

Psalm 145:15-16, “The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing.” (NIV)

Psalm 130:5, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.” (NIV)

 © 2008 by Micca Campbell. All rights reserved.

Reprinted with permission of Proverbs 31 Ministries

by Lysa TerKeurst 

 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

I Peter 3:15 (NIV)         

Devotion:

Do you know anyone who is trying out the latest New Age teachings entitled “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle?  Beware.  This teaching stands in stark contrast to the truths of the Bible.  As Christians it is vitally important for us to be grounded in truth so we don't inadvertently get swept up in the lies, and so that we can talk intelligently to those who are trying this stuff out.

The most dangerous theme I've discovered in this book so far is this notion that you don't have to weigh your current religious beliefs against this new age awakening. Let’s look at what it teaches.

 The Lie:  Tolle teaches you can keep all your current religious beliefs but this will help you put them into proper perspective. Those elementary ideas are a step toward spiritual progress. But if you want real success in your spirituality's effectiveness, you have to make a leap into "true enlightenment.”

In true enlightenment you will discover that "the light of consciousness is all that is necessary" for a more fulfilling existence.  Therefore, if Buddha works for you - great. If Hinduism works for you - great. If Jesus works for you - great. Tolle believes all these different avenues simply lead you to that first step toward awakening your consciousness.

According to Tolle, Jesus is basic. He was the light of your basic beliefs. But ultimately you, yourself, are the way... the truth and the life. No one comes to spiritual awakening but by reaching inside themselves and leaping to a higher consciousness of being.

 The Truth:  In John 14:6 Jesus gives us the truth which clearly refutes the notion that one can get to God through many avenues, “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”

 The Lie: Throughout the book, Tolle walks right beside Christian beliefs and uses just enough Christian lingo to make his writing appear, especially to the ungrounded Christian, truthful. For example, look at how he talks about sin:

"Sin means to miss the mark, as an archer who misses the target"... Yes! yes! I've heard this preached about at my church, a person might excitedly think. But wait, look at how he finishes this sentence:

"Sin means to miss the mark, as an archer who misses the target, so to sin means to miss the point of human existence."

 In other words, this book has been promoted as the guide by which you can find your purpose, therefore not missing the point of your existence. So, if you ascribe to this teaching and find the point of your existence, then you will not be a sinner. 

Dictionary.com has not caught up to this new definition of sin. It still defines sin this way:

1. transgression of divine law: the sin of Adam.
2. any act regarded as such a transgression, esp. a willful or deliberate violation of some religious or moral principle.

The Truth: A person who doesn’t consider themselves a sinner, is in no need of a Savior.  Do you see the slippery slope here?

 Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

The truth is sin is that which separates us from God. But God has made a way for us to be forgiven of our sin through Jesus Christ... the one and only WAY.

Tolle's book is so popular right now because people want to find their way - they want to live a life that matters. They want to feel like they have a handle on their spirituality.  The problem is “A New Earth” is false teaching that will not stand the test of time. It will fall apart at the seams when life strains against it, and quite honestly, Tolle paves a quick road to eternal separation from God.
                                                                                                                                                                          

Dear Lord, open my eyes to your truth. You say if we ask for wisdom then you will give it to us.  Lord, I ask for Your wisdom and discernment to know the truth, so that I can stand firmly upon it.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

 Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

 P31 Woman magazine

 Visit Lysa TerKeurst’s blog

 Application Steps: 

Is there anyone in my sphere of influence that I need to discuss this message with? Along with your personal testimony, this could create a wonderful opportunity for you to share God’s truth.

 Reflections: 

Am I committed to studying truth on a daily basis?

Do I know what I believe and why?

 Power Verses:

I Peter 3:15, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord…” (NIV) 

 Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  (NIV)

© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

REprinted with permission by:  Proverbs 31 Ministries

The Faith of a Child

By Kathy Lay, She Speaks Graduate

 “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Mark 10:15 (NIV)

Devotion:

On a recent gorgeous afternoon my husband was eager to get out and enjoy the woods. The kids are always up for a hike and rushed to put on long sleeves, pants, and rubber boots so they could tromp around with Dad. My young son, Skylar, was bound and determined that he’d be in full camouflage and he found his camo pants with no problem. But his camo shirt wasn’t where it was supposed to be. He checked his pants drawer just in case it had found its way into the wrong spot, but to no avail. Then he did what any self-respecting six-year-old would do… “Moooooom!”

I went through the same procedure he’d already been through and even checked his closet in case I’d been really ambitious the day I’d put the shirt away, but it was nowhere to be found. I heaved a big sigh and said, “Buddy, just pick a different shirt. I can’t find that one.”

That’s when my boy, laying comfortably on the floor as he waited for me to search, said, “Can I pray to God and Jesus first, and then we’ll look again?”

Okay, here’s the part of the story that I wish could be different. This is the point I wish I could write that my response was an enthusiastic, “Yes, Skylar! That’s exactly what we need to do!” But instead, I actually hesitated. I mean, I had just looked through those entire drawers and that shirt was not there. So I ended up softly saying, “Go ahead, Buddy,” and biting my tongue so that I didn’t add, “but don’t be disappointed if we still can’t find it.”

I watched as my little man of faith rolled to his side, folded his hands, and prayed silently with his precious eyes screwed shut. I said my own little prayer that went something like this: “God, this could be a faith-breaker for this little boy. Please help us find that shirt!” But I confess I offered it up while already trying to decide how to phrase the lesson when the shirt still wasn’t there.

I can imagine Jesus shaking his head, saying to me “Oh, ye of little faith,” and smiling because he was about to astound me.  When Skylar said "Amen" the shirt drawer was opened for a third time and...Voila! There was the camo shirt! How had we missed it?  Sure it was buried, but I’d dug through the whole drawer.  I told Skylar with much ado that Jesus sure did hear his prayer and see his faith. But he simply put on his shirt and said, “Yep! Thanks, Jesus” very matter of factly, but happily. He was not surprised. He expected it all along. And I really hate that I didn’t.

Why are we like that sometimes? We know we are to walk by faith, not by sight. We know to ask in expectation, right? Today’s scripture illustrates exactly what happened: I didn’t approach the throne as a little child and that prevented me from entering into a higher realm in my relationship with God. Instead of Skylar’s, “Thanks, Jesus, I knew you’d come through” approach—which just added another solid layer to his faith—I was lagging behind, stupefied at what seemed a miracle. My faith increased too, but Skylar was in camaraderie mode and I was just kind of a dumbfounded observer.

I never want to lose my sense of awe, but I guess I want to move from being surprised when my prayers are answered to simply being appreciative and grateful. Just like a little child.

Dear Lord, Your Word tells us that the love You’ve lavished on us is so great and we are Your children.  Help us come to You with the faith of a child.  Help us to pray in full expectation of Your power being manifested in our lives, so that when we experience it, we marvel at it and appreciate it, but we’re not surprised by it. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:

P31 Woman magazine

Intimacy with God: Your Daily Guide to Prayer, by Tara Furman