Years ago a rural farmer was driving his Model “T” into town when it stopped in the middle of a crossroad. He lifted the hood and was amazed at the wires and strange parts he had never bothered to look at previously. Confused, he walked around the car several times then got inside and tried to start it. Again and again he stepped on the starter.  The engine would start, run a few seconds, and then stop. In frustration he got out once again. This time, however, he slammed the door with all his strength. 

A gentleman approached him in an expertly tailored suit, white shirt and tie and said, “Sir, your carburetor is out of adjustment. May I help you?”

Puzzled at the man’s appearance and offer to help, he said quickly, “What do you know about this car?”

“Oh, I know very much about it,” came the reply. “I am Henry Ford, and I made your car. Since I made it, I can fix it.”

God created the universe from “nothing.” Man came from His creative power. Yet, when things go wrong in God’s universe among those He created, we generally look to other people to fix the problem or problems. Research is initiated, heads of state meet and negotiate, and conferences are held with resolutions that only last for a short time.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will, Father, is to be done on earth as it is in heaven.” It was God’s plan that the planet He created would reflect His will and bring glory to His name. We know, however, that the first man and woman He created refused to follow His plan. Because of their decision all of us are affected by its results – suffering, wars, and rumors of wars.

One day we know that He will return to earth, restore His creation, and reign over His Kingdom. He will be exalted, His will done, and His purposes accomplished!

Prayer: May our hearts be encouraged, Lord, as we look forward to the day You will return and become our exalted King and You “repair” Your work. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. Psalm 46:10b

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!

Years ago a rural farmer was driving his Model “T” into town when it stopped in the middle of a crossroad. He lifted the hood and was amazed at the wires and strange parts he had never bothered to look at previously. Confused, he walked around the car several times then got inside and tried to start it. Again and again he stepped on the starter.  The engine would start, run a few seconds, and then stop. In frustration he got out once again. This time, however, he slammed the door with all his strength. 

A gentleman approached him in an expertly tailored suit, white shirt and tie and said, “Sir, your carburetor is out of adjustment. May I help you?”

Puzzled at the man’s appearance and offer to help, he said quickly, “What do you know about this car?”

“Oh, I know very much about it,” came the reply. “I am Henry Ford, and I made your car. Since I made it, I can fix it.”

God created the universe from “nothing.” Man came from His creative power. Yet, when things go wrong in God’s universe among those He created, we generally look to other people to fix the problem or problems. Research is initiated, heads of state meet and negotiate, and conferences are held with resolutions that only last for a short time.

Jesus taught us to pray, “Your will, Father, is to be done on earth as it is in heaven.” It was God’s plan that the planet He created would reflect His will and bring glory to His name. We know, however, that the first man and woman He created refused to follow His plan. Because of their decision all of us are affected by its results – suffering, wars, and rumors of wars.

One day we know that He will return to earth, restore His creation, and reign over His Kingdom. He will be exalted, His will done, and His purposes accomplished!

Prayer: May our hearts be encouraged, Lord, as we look forward to the day You will return and become our exalted King and You “repair” Your work. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today:  I will be honored by every nation. I will be honored throughout the world. Psalm 46:10b

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!

Noise is a major distraction. It interrupts our thoughts, disrupts our concentration, and interferes with our conversations. It prevents us from going to sleep and even awakens us when we do not want to be disturbed. It is often used in athletic contests and sporting events to destroy the focus of team members at critical times.

Wisely the Psalmist advises us to “Be still and know that I am God.” Another translation presents it differently and with more clarity: “I will be still in Your presence, O God, so I can learn to know You more intimately.” For us to grow into the likeness of Christ we must become still in the presence of God.

The word still implies the need for the Christian to stop, look around, think, relax, and learn the meaning of the great events that God is performing in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Our minds are usually occupied with the ordinary, day-to-day things of life that demand our constant attention. Then, suddenly and with no warning, we are overwhelmed with an event that consumes us and requires our complete attention – night and day - until the threat passes. It is indeed difficult to be still during life’s challenges because life’s “noises” bring deafness to God’s voice.

However, when we do become still in His presence, He will bring calmness to our hearts and peace to our minds. And if we genuinely want to know Him, as He wants us to know Him, we will take time each day to do only one thing – experience Him as we experience any other person. We can only know others if we spend time in their presence, believe that they care for us, open our hearts to them in trust, share with them our deepest concerns and know that they do us no harm. It is the same with Jesus. Be still to know.

What a Friend we can have in Jesus if we take the time to be still to know Him!

Prayer: Help us, Father, to quiet our minds before You, open our hearts to You, and share our lives with You so that you can be our dear Friend. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Be still and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10a

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!

Noise is a major distraction. It interrupts our thoughts, disrupts our concentration, and interferes with our conversations. It prevents us from going to sleep and even awakens us when we do not want to be disturbed. It is often used in athletic contests and sporting events to destroy the focus of team members at critical times.

Wisely the Psalmist advises us to “Be still and know that I am God.” Another translation presents it differently and with more clarity: “I will be still in Your presence, O God, so I can learn to know You more intimately.” For us to grow into the likeness of Christ we must become still in the presence of God.

The word still implies the need for the Christian to stop, look around, think, relax, and learn the meaning of the great events that God is performing in our lives and in the lives of those around us. Our minds are usually occupied with the ordinary, day-to-day things of life that demand our constant attention. Then, suddenly and with no warning, we are overwhelmed with an event that consumes us and requires our complete attention – night and day - until the threat passes. It is indeed difficult to be still during life’s challenges because life’s “noises” bring deafness to God’s voice.

However, when we do become still in His presence, He will bring calmness to our hearts and peace to our minds. And if we genuinely want to know Him, as He wants us to know Him, we will take time each day to do only one thing – experience Him as we experience any other person. We can only know others if we spend time in their presence, believe that they care for us, open our hearts to them in trust, share with them our deepest concerns and know that they do us no harm. It is the same with Jesus. Be still to know.

What a Friend we can have in Jesus if we take the time to be still to know Him!

Prayer: Help us, Father, to quiet our minds before You, open our hearts to You, and share our lives with You so that you can be our dear Friend. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Be still and know that I am God! Psalm 46:10a

Please leave a comment and tell us how you were helped by today's devotional!