Like the Redwood – Carol Guthrie Heilman

Friday, January 25, 2013

God Sees Your Disappointment

Sharon Jaynes tells us, "Let’s face it. People let us down. They disappoint us.

And so does God.

Often our experiences fall short of our expectations for God to meet all our needs the way we think He should, and like a lover who has been wronged, we tend to guard our hearts against future disappointment by lowering our expectations and trust.

But make no mistake about it, God sees. God understands. He is not aloof.

One day I was sitting on the patio with my friend Beth and her stepfather, Sam, waiting for the grill to heat up before placing steaks on to cook.

Beth’s mom opened the door and gave Sam his orders—telling him what to do and how to do it.

When she went back inside, Sam made a hand signal, pointing in one ear and out the other. We all three laughed.

Then he placed his ruddy hand on Beth’s arm, a hand worn by years of working under the hood of cars of every make and model.

'She was pretty hard on you growing up, wasn't she?' he asked.

'You have no idea,' Beth answered with a sigh.

But Sam did have an idea. He understood. And that one simple gesture let her know that he had peered into her heart and had seen the truth.

The weathered, uneducated country mechanic had looked under the hood of her heart with wisdom and seen the damaged engine within.

A heart, though healed by Christ, that still felt the phantom pains of a little girl who felt she was never good enough, who was constantly told what to do and how to do it—and who never did it quite right.

Sam saw her heart, and for that, Beth loved him. And so did I.

How like God. He places His hand on your shoulders, looks into your eyes, and lets you know that He understands. 'I see you,' He says. 'I see what you are going through.'

Like Hagar who experienced a sudden glory moment with God in the desert; we too can know God as El Roi, “the God who sees me,” (Genesis 16:13).

The book of Hebrews tells us that we have a High Priest, Jesus, who understands what we are going through. He “sympathizes” with our weakness (Hebrews 4:15). The word “sympathizes” comes from two Greek words, smy and pathos, meaning, “suffer with.”

We are not alone in our suffering and there are glory moments to be found in the dark if we will keep our eyes open to see.

God did not write the story of your life and then sit back to watch it play out. He is in the story with you. As a matter of fact, He has the leading role. Oh, we try to butt in and take the spotlight.

We try to push Him out of the way and take over the lead. But when we get to heaven and look at the playbill, we will see that God had the leading role all along, and our names were there in supporting roles as a display of His glory.

Let’s Pray

Lord, I am so thankful that I have a High Priest, Jesus, who sees me, who prays for me, and who understands exactly what I’m going through. Help me to rest in the assurance that I am not alone, but in Your capable hands.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen."

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet without sin," Hebrews 4:15 NIV.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read the story of Hagar in Genesis 16.
What did she call God after He appeared to her and encouraged her?

God Sees Your Disappointment Sharon Jaynes January 14, 2013

www.girlfriendsingod.com

If this devotion touched your heart, chances are you've got some hurt in your life. So let’s don’t waste our sorrows!

What are you doing with the hurt? Using it for good? Picking at the scab and not letting it heal? Tough questions.

If you’re ready to heal and use what you've gone through for good, then see my book, Your Scars are Beautiful to God: Finding Peace and Purpose in the Hurts of Your Past.It’s time to turn that pain into purpose!"

Today’s quote: Sharon Jones – “So, what about you? Are you ready to start practicing some present tense believing…right now? Are you ready to start acting like you believe God tells the truth?” [11/26/12]

My prayer today: Father, As this message has touched my own heart, I now give You the hurts I've been holding onto. I choose to let them go, and will accept Your forgiveness and grace to take care of them. Thank You for Your grace that is sufficient for my every need. Amen

Our thought for today: Things of God are obtained by humble people who ask.

Tomorrow’s post: Upside Down Sharon Jaynes

A popular post: ONE BEAUTIFUL MOMENT {on Lake Michigan}

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So You Plan to Marry a Man

A 31-day devotional book for

Women contemplating marriage

And looking for godly advice.

Thursday, January 24, 2013

A Vision for the Youth: Prayer Note #110

Dutch Sheets shares with us, “A few years ago I was in Washington, D.C., for the National Day of Prayer with the Master’s Commission, a group of young people from Spokane, Washington.

My wife, Ceci, and I accompanied them because, while I had been ministering to them a couple of months prior, I had a incredible picture – I believe it was a vision.

The picture was of a stadium filled with young people who were radically committed to God. As I watched, this multitude of young people filed out of the stadium and flooded the nation, taking revival with them.

I shared the picture with these young people and a spirit of intercession came upon us that lasted for about 30 minutes.

It was truly an awesome time of prayer for the youth of America. As we finished praying, I felt I was to join these youths on their upcoming trip to Washington, D.C.

Shortly after we arrived in Washington, D.C., I sensed the Lord speak to me, I’m going to confirm to you on this trip that I am sending revival to this nation.

I’m also going to demonstrate to you that the youth will play a major role in it.”

Today’s Prayer Note #110 – A Vision for the Youth, taken from Dutch Sheets’ book, Intercessory Prayer (pgs. 228, 229)

The next Prayer Note: 1/29 The Vision Confirmed: Prayer Note #111

John 14:29 "And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe." [Said by Jesus]

My prayer today: Father, my desire is to believe what Your Word tells me. Help my unbelief, so I will become more effective in my daily living. Amen

Today's quote: “God values each one in His family. In His strength, the young can be bold in their faith, while those who are older can encourage those who are ’just kids.’ ” - David McCasland

“O Lord of all the upward road,

Keep strong our youth, we pray;

May age and youth together seek

To follow in Thy way. – Niedermeyer

Encouraging the young should never become old.”

Our Daily Bread

12/7/12

Our thought for toady: "We need to get under the spout of the Holy Ghost and get refreshed!

Tomorrow’s post: God Sees Your Disappointment Sharon Jaynes

One of the most popular posts: Daily Deeds of Kindness

jowildflowers@gmail.com

So You Plan to Marry a Man

A 31-day devotional book for

Women contemplating marriage

And looking for godly advice.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Like the Redwood

Carol Guthrie Heilman tells us that, "The towering giants dwarfed us all, one December while visiting a redwood forest near San Francisco.

Our teeth chattered and we shivered in our too-thin jackets, but we lingered long enough to marvel.

Those ancient, majestic trees seemed to reach into the heavens.

Aloud, we concluded their root system must grow deep inside the earth to keep them from toppling over and crashing to the ground.

'Not so,' our guide assured us. 'Notice no redwood grows alone, but in ‘families’ of other redwoods. Their roots intertwine with each other, hence their strength.'

'Cool,' our grandson said as I wrapped my arms around him to keep us both warm.

Our group headed back to the gift shop, the thoughts of hot chocolate hastening our steps.

As we held the steaming mugs to thaw our hands and sipped the warm sweetness, I thought about this: “A cord of three strands is not easily broken.”

The Lord expects us to get involved in the lives of those who are struggling to survive. Two friends can help one another, but three friends working together can develop an even stronger bond.

Like the redwoods, we need each other for support, encouragement, and strength.

We are created for fellowship and individuality, but not loneliness and solitude.

Some of us are blessed with a strong family structure filled with unconditional love.

We rejoice with those closest to us in the good times and we lean upon each other in the inevitable bad times.

Others, through death, divorce, or abuse, have no choice but to persevere alone. Whatever your earthly family, all believers are our Father’s adopted sons and daughters. We are a part of His family.

How can you reach out to someone who might be in danger of toppling over –someone trying to stand alone? Step out in faith and serve others, and serve Him."

"If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not easily broken." Ecclesiastes 4:10-12

Like the Redwood – Carol Guthrie Heilman

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Senior Editor, Cindy Sproles of www.christiandevotions.us

Photo courtesy microsoft.com free image gallery

Carol Guthrie Heilman is a published writer with articles and short stories in a number of newspapers, including Blue Ridge Country, Country Home, and Reach Out, a Christian magazine.

She is the co-writer of Just Go and is presently working on a novel. Carol lives with her husband in the mountains of NC.

Read Carol Heilman’s devotions.

Receive a daily devotion on your Kindle!

Used by permission www.christiandevotions.us

My prayer today: Father, like the redwoods, I see we need each other for support, encouragement, and strength. Help me to reach out to others to help them, as well as to receive their support, when I'm in need. Amen

Today’s quote: Corrie Ten Boom said, "Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible."

Our thought for today: If there ever was a generation that needed God, this is one!

Thursday's post: A Vision for the Youth: Prayer Note #110 Dutch Sheets

Friday'’s post: God Sees Your Disappointment Sharon Jaynes

A popular post: Sanctification

I recommend you looking at the "Snapshot" or "Mosaic" versions of my posts, found above to the left, as you scroll down on "Magazine".

jowildflowers@gmail.com

So You Plan to Marry a Man

A 31-day devotional book for

Women contemplating marriage

And looking for godly advice.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Talking to the Wall: Prayer Note #109

The Berlin Wall

Dutch Sheets tells us, “Several years ago the Lord sent Dick Eastman, president of Every Home for Christ, to Berlin.

How would you like to get this assignment from God?

The Berlin Wall was still up, and Dick felt the Holy Spirit prompting him with these instructions:

'I want you to get on an airplane, fly to Germany, go to the Berlin Wall, lay your hands upon it and say five words to it: “In Jesus’ name, come down!'

That was it – end of assignment! Five words and he could go home.”

How would you like to go to your spouse and say, ‘Uh, honey the Lord has told me to do something.’

‘Yes, what is it?

‘Well, He wants me to go to Germany.’

‘Okay, what are you going to do over there?’

‘Go to the Berlin Wall.’

‘Oh? What are you going to do at the Wall?’

‘I’m going to put my hands on it and say, ‘In Jesus’ name, come down!’ and then I’m going to come home.’

Wouldn't that make for an interesting discussion?

   That’s exactly what Dick did because he understood the power of prophetic action and declaration.

Dick would never claim to be the only person used by God to bring down the Berlin Wall.

However, shortly thereafter the Wall was torn down.”

Today’s Prayer Note #109 – Talking to the Wall, taken from Dutch Sheets’ book, Intercessory Prayer (pg 228)

The next Prayer Note:  A Vision for the Youth: Prayer Note # 110

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you."

My prayer today:  Father, may I learn to obey what You tell me to do. I really want to please You each day in my thinking, speaking, and actions. Amen

Today’s quote: Oswald Chambers - “The saint is hilarious when he is crushed with difficulties because the thing is so ludicrously impossible to anyone but God.” [Aug. 2, pg, 444 of his Devotions for MORNING and EVENING with Oswald Chambers]

Our thought for today: Be willing to do what's right.

Tomorrow’s post: Like the Redwood Carol Guthrie Heilman

A popular post: Who Can Pass Up Chocolate?