Passage of the Day: 1st Chronicles 29: 11 – 12 … 11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is Yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. 12 Wealth and honor come from You; You are the ruler of all things. In Your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all.
My Journal for Today: Yesterday my fellow readers here and I looked at the truth and reality that God owns everything, a truth we must recognize as Christians if we are to be effective stewards of God’s providence. Today’s passage, one verse of which was quoted in yesterday’s devotional entry, reflects this as well.
However, as I am influenced by John MacArthur’s devotional for this date in Strength for Today, he helps me (us) by taking his readers back to the story of Daniel being cast into the lion’s den, described in Daniel 6 – linked for your study. Here we read of the extent of Daniel’s trust of God’s sovereignty, which was put to the ultimate test, a life-threatening set of circumstances, from which Daniel emerged a winner! MacArthur also quotes the author Jerry Bridges from his book Trusting God, who writes, “God … so directs and controls all events and actions of His creatures that they never act outside of His sovereign will. We must believe and cling to this … if we are to glorify God by trusting Him.”
These last few devotional entries are not long and involved, because the issues are fairly straight forward [I didn’t say “easy” to deal with; … but they are “straight forward”]. As MacArthur and Bridges intimate, honoring God in our stewardship is a matter of belief and trust – a matter of faith. Do I trust God as it says in Prov. 3: 5 – 6 … in ALL things … at ALL times; or do I hold back, relying on my own understanding, searching for reasons which satisfy my own mind when I don’t comprehend what is happening or when I’m out of control? MacArthur (and God’s word) challenges me (and you) to dare to be a Daniel when circumstances are overwhelming or incomprehensible.
How about it? Are we ready to trust our sovereign God today?!! Are we willing to be the stewards of the God who gave us all for His glory?
My Prayer Today: Help me, Lord, to be a Daniel and to trust You totally. Amen
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2 comments:
A reliable word, as always, my brother.. I haven't seen an update, lately, on attendance for the retreat. But suffice it to say, I sure hope it's going through. Although I have never been able to attend, I know that you desire great things for needy men - and I trust God's will to be done in the matter...
Thanks for the affirming comment, my brother.
I assume you're referring to the Freedom Retreat, which will take place the 2nd weekend in Oct. BPM is once again a sponsor and promoter of the event.
The event will be a bit more concentrated - in attendance - than in the past. Hoping for 25-35participants. Right now, as in the past, last minute registration and the economy, we believe, is holding registration. We need 20 to make it a go financially. Prayer would be coveted in that regard. ... Bill
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