Thoughts for Life: Walking Through Dark Valleys

Dr. Charles F. Stanley shares with
us today about walking through dark
valleys:
"As a teenager, Joseph lost almost
everything.

His family, his position as the favored son, his home, and his freedom were abruptly taken from him. (Google image).

How stunned he must have been by the hatred of his siblings and
such over-whelming loss.

But one thing he did take with him was his faith in God.

Life is like that at times for every one of us.

Sudden changes in health or finances, the unexpected death of a loved one, or abandonment by a good friend can bring us into a dark season.

We do not understand why the Lord has allowed the trial or lets the pain continue. Joseph probably wondered the same things, but he managed to hold fast to his faith.

Even as a slave in a foreign land, he experienced the blessing of God's presence. And recognizing that the Lord was with this young captive, his Egyptian master showed him favor (Gen. 39:2-3).

One of the keys to walking through dark valleys —those times when life seems to be crumbling and the future's looking grim—is to embrace the reality of the Lord's presence with us.

At the moment of salvation, the Holy Spirit comes to live permanently within the new Christian and seals him or her as belonging to God forever.

Google image

Because of the indwelling Spirit, we're never apart from God.

No circumstance, suffering, or loss
can separate us from Him or his love
(Rom. 8:35, 38-39).

Take a few minutes each day and
reflect on Jesus' promise to be with us always (Matt. 28:20).

The result will be that this truth becomes planted deep within
your soul to sustain you in hard times."

InTouch magazine, August '14 Page 50 of Daily devotions
from the sermons of Charles F. Stanley

Used by permission customercare@intouch.org

(Google images added)

When I Go to Heaven

"When I go to heaven

When this body is no more

I'll meet my loving savior

He'll greet me at the door.

He'll put his arms around me

He'll look me in the eye

He'll tell me that He loves me

And I will start to cry.

What did I do to earn this?

Why do you love me so?

You know that I'm not perfect

But You've never let me go.

My child, it's cuz you know me

Your faith was always there

You never gave up trying

You never ceased to care.

But Lord I did have dark times

I almost did give up

It was so hard at times Lord

At times it was so rough.

I know it wasn't easy

It's not supposed to be

I had to mold you into

The child that I now see.

So welcome home my daughter

Come here greet everyone

Come share in all the laughter

Come join in all the song.

Your trials are far behind you

You've earned a heavenly seat

Your tears are turned to laughter

Your joy is now complete."

Debbie McEwen

tmcewen91@yahoo.com

(Jean added color to Christ's

answers, with permission).

Post-Cancer Nutrition Changes

By JillSavage on Jul 21, 2014

"When I met with my oncologist after my last treatment he told me that I now have three jobs:

1) Exercise Regularly
2) Eat Right
3) Keep my weight down

As he explained, lifestyle changes can make a difference in “turning on” the cancer cells in our body. There’s nothing we can do that will 100% remove the cancer risk, but there are things we can do to lower the risk as much as possible.

So I’m changing the way I’m shopping, how we’re eating, and my exercise plan. I’m determined to do what I can do to stay cancer-free..."

(I hope you'll check out Jill's message, and forward it to anyone who's standing against cancer from recurring.)

Let’s pray:

Father, may we remember Your call
today: be quick to come to You with whatever we're dealing with.
Help us remember folks like Joseph
who kept his faith through every hurtful circumstance.
When life seems to be crumbling and the future's looking grim—help me to embrace the reality of Your presence with me.
I ask for grace to look to You, no matter what. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse:

(1 Kings 8:48 a) "And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive."

Today’s quote:

Cindy Sproles – “God never fully releases us from His grip until there is absolute denial. And if we’ve known Him and called out, the Father dunks us in His grace and mercy and washes all the stains away . . . again. He is a God of second chances. The man who stands tall in pride sinks to his knees in humility when his time approaches.”

Some thoughts today:

- The error of all religions: DO what is necessary to live good enough to please God. God was in Christ Jesus, and He was the one Who did what was necessary to please the Father!

- We're to live for Christ, and to walk a life that's honoring Him. He wants to be involved with everything that concerns you. Even in a tragedy, He will offer His comfort to you.

- Wherever you are, and in whatever situation you find yourself in, Jesus will be faithful to help you walk through it with the right attitude and spirit that honors Him.

3rd- evening's post: Tenderhearted
Ginny Merritt

5th- Tuesday's post: #107 Avoid the Dangers
C. Peter Wagner

7th- Thursday's post: #108 Spiritual Dependency
C. Peter Wagner

9th- Saturday's post: Behind the song: In the Garden
Diana Leagh Mathews

A helpful post:

After Surrender, What?

From DEVOTIONS for MORNING and
EVENING, with Oswald Chambers
“The whole of life after surrender is an aspiration for unbroken communion with God.”