Pursuing the Wandering Christian

In C.S. Lewis’s classic series, The Chronicles of Narnia, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucie wander into a magical world called Narnia. It was created by the powerful and mysterious Aslan, but is currently ruled by an evil witch, Jadis. The four are staying in the house of the Beavers when Edmund wanders off. Let’s listen to how they think they can help him, but how Mr. Beaver suggests best helping find Edmund. While Peter thinks they need to immediately go and find Edmund, Mr. Beaver urges them to find Aslan, the only hope for Edmund who has wandered off to her - to the white witch. 

"Be Not Far From Me" - A Devotion from Psalm 22

"My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?" Do you know who said that? If you said, "Jesus" you would be right. If you said, "David" you would also be correct. If you said, "me" then God bless you and keep you through your dark days.

One of the best things about the Bible is that it presents life as raw and real. The Bible does not ignore pain, suffering or evil. In fact, Jesus Himself experiences pain, suffering, and agony to the utmost - and it is not pointless! Today is called 'Good Friday' because today is when Christians particularly celebrate the Friday about 2,000 years ago when Jesus died an excruciatingly painful death on a Roman cross. He did this to forgive our sins. It was not a good day for Jesus (in one sense), but it is a wonderful day for anyone who believes in Jesus. Click HERE for a devotion.

The Unchanging God

God, I am looking out the window into the sky and see clouds moving across the panorama.  Megan told me that the clouds are constantly changing shape because the dust and moisture rise and fall.  Even the heavens change, but You remain the same.  Your love, Your grace, Your mercy, Your forgiveness, Your promises, Your faithfulness, Your justice – none of these changes.  You do not veer.  Your promises do not rust.  Your justice never erodes.  Your forgiveness never scrapes bottom.  God thank You so much for not only Your eternality, but Your consistency, Your immutability.  What if You did change?  I could not cling to Your promises. My hope in You would waver. Even the very existence, the air I breathe, would be tentative.  What if the earth titled away from the sun?  What if you no longer graciously forgave sin by the blood of Jesus?  You would not be God.  There would be none to worship.  Life’s meaning would vanish.  Hope would become myth.  Thank You, God, for not changing at all for any reason across all time.

Prayer is the Most Real Thing

May God be so kind as to bless all of us with a thirst and a burning that can only be satisfied by times of genuine, humble, desperate, glorious prayers.  In Isaiah 37:14-20 King Hezekiah prays first about the grim situation: the Assyrians were threatening to besiege and destroy Jerusalem.  

Never Stop Talking with God

James 5:13, "Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise."

I read this verse this morning and took great encouragement that no matter the circumstance, there is no reason to stop communicating with God. He cares about our troubles, and so we take those to Him. And we trust that He provides our joys and the blessings in our life, so we praise Him for those. Either way, we don't stop talking to our good and all-powerful God.