Refreshing

Daily
in Gods Word
Emphasis on

God

Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy

glory be above all the earth..

THERE ALWAYS WILL BE GOD

They cannot shell His Temple
Nor dynamite His Throne;
They cannot bomb His City,
Nor rob Him of His own.
They cannot take Him captive,
Nor strike Him dead and blind,
Nor starve Him to surrender,
Nor make Him change His mind.
They cannot cause Him panic,
Nor cut off His supplies;
They cannot take His kingdom,
Nor hurt Him with their lies.
Though we face war and struggle,
And feel their goad and rod,
We know above confusion,
There always will be God!
~ H. C. Ede

Proving God
January 1
Bible Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-14
Key Verse: Verse 13 - And I have seen folly in the
prophets of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and
caused my people Israel to err.
Key Words: And I have seen folly in the prophets

of Samaria; they prophesied in Baal, and caused

my people Israel to err.

The Bible teaches us that the existence of God can be

proven in three ways.
First, God can be proven through His creation: we read in
Romans 1:20, For the invisible things of him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by
the things that are made, even his eternal power and
Godhead; so that they are without excuse.
Secondly, God can be proven through our conscience.
Romans 2:14-15, For when the Gentiles, which have not the
law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these,
having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew
the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience
also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile
accusing or else excusing one another.
Thirdly, God can be proven through revelation. Hebrews
10:7, Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is
written of me,) to do thy will, O God.
But I have found that God does an excellent job of proving
Himself when someone is willing to search for Him with all
their heart.
I remember when I was in college, we had a pastor from
India who came to chapel and gave the testimony of his
salvation experience. He said, I desired to know the true and
living God so I prayed and asked the God Who created the
heavens above, and the birds that fly through the air, the God
Who made the trees and plants, the God Who made the dirt
and grass I want to know that God. Later a missionary
came by and said, The God Who created the heavens above
and the birds that fly through the air, the God Who created

the trees and plants, even the dirt and ground we walk on
He has sent me by to tell you how you can know Him.
The pastor from India said, That was no mistake. I found
the true and living God because I searched for Him with all
my heart. And so can you!
What to do:
Search for God with all your heart if you are
unsaved and unsure He exists.
As a believer, challenge those who do not believe in
God to sincerely pray the prayer of the pastor from
India.
********************

God and Creation

January 2

Bible Reading: Genesis 1

Key Verse: Verse 1 In the beginning God created the
heaven and the earth.
Key Words: In the beginning God created the

heaven and the earth

Since the atheist believes that God doesnt exist, he has

to justify through some means how man came to be. His
remarkable answer is evolution. Man evolved into being.
But if evolution is a process of progression, then why is
everything digressing?
It is said that Sir Isaac Newton had a perfectly scaled
down replica of the then known solar system built for his
studies. A large golden ball represented the sun at the
center, and the then known planets revolved around it
through a series of cogs, belts, and rods. It was said to have
been an incredible machine. One day while Newton was
studying his model, an atheist friend stopped by for a visit.
The man marveled at the machine and asked, Who

made this exquisite thing?

Without looking up and without hesitation, Newton
replied, Nobody.
Nobody? his friend asked.
Thats right, said Newton. All of these balls, cogs,
belts, and gears just happened to come together, and
wonder of wonders, by chance they began revolving in their
orbits with perfect timing.
His friend replied, Thats not possible.
Newton said, I know.
Then his friend, with a look of embarrassment, said, I
got it, Isaac.
Oh, that others would get it as well!

What to do:
Pray for those who fail to see.
Pray for our educational system which is blinding the
minds of our youth.
Pray for our country to turn back to God
Pray for the righteous to stand and do right.
********************

The Faithfulness of God

January 3

Bible Reading: Lamentations 3:22-36

Key Verse: Verse 23 They are new every morning:

great is thy faithfulness.
Key Words: great is thy faithfulness

Jeremiah, moved by the Holy Spirit, expresses in four

words one of the most powerful statements ever uttered when
he said, Great is thy faithfulness. God is faithful no matter
what we might be going through in life.
Roger Simms, hitchhiking his way home, would never

forget the date May 7. The heavy suitcase made Roger tired.
He was anxious to take off his army uniform once and for all.
Flashing the hitchhiking sign to the oncoming car, he lost
hope when he saw it was a black, sleek, new Cadillac. To his
surprise the car stopped. The passenger door opened. He ran
toward the car, tossed his suitcase in the back, and thanked
the handsome, well-dressed man as he slid into the front seat.
Going home for keeps?
Sure am, Roger responded.
Well, youre in luck if youre going to Chicago.
Not quite that far. Do you live in Chicago?
I have a business there. My name is Hanover.
After talking about many things, Roger, a Christian, felt a
compulsion to witness to this fifty-ish, apparently successful
businessman about Christ. But he kept putting it off, till he
realized he was just thirty minutes from his home. It was now
or never, so, Roger cleared his throat, Mr. Hanover, I would
like to talk to you about something very important. He then
proceeded to explain the way of salvation, ultimately asking
Mr. Hanover if he would like to receive Christ as his Savior.
To Rogers astonishment the Cadillac pulled over to the side of
the road. Roger thought he was going to be ejected from the
car.
But the businessman bowed his head and received Christ,
then thanked Roger. This is the greatest thing that has ever
happened to me.
Five years went by, Roger married, had a two-year-old
boy, and a business of his own. Packing his suitcase for a
business trip to Chicago, he found the small, white business
card Hanover had given him five years before. In Chicago he
looked up Hanover Enterprises. A receptionist told him it was
impossible to see Mr. Hanover, but he could see Mrs.
Hanover. A little confused as to what was going on, he was
ushered into a lovely office and found himself facing a keeneyed woman in her fifties.
She extended her hand. You knew my husband?
Roger told how her husband had given him a ride when
hitchhiking home after the war.
Can you tell me when that was?
It was May 7, five years ago, the day I was discharged

from the army.

Anything special about that day?
Roger hesitated. Should he mention giving his witness?
Since he had come so far, he might as well take the plunge.
Mrs. Hanover, I explained the gospel. He pulled over to the
side of the road and wept against the steering wheel. He gave
his life to Christ that day.
Explosive sobs shook her body. Getting a grip on herself,
she sobbed, I had prayed for my husbands salvation for
years. I believed God would save him.
And, said Roger, where is your husband, Mrs.
Hanover?
Hes dead, she wept, struggling with words. He was in
a car crash after he let you out of the car. He never got home.
You see I thought God had not kept His promise. Sobbing
uncontrollably, she added, I stopped living for God five years
ago because I thought He had not kept His word!

What to do:
Never doubt God.
Remember God is faithful even when you might not
think so.
List some way God has been faithful to you
********************

A Changeless God

January 4

Bible Reading: Malachi 3:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 6 For I am the LORD, I change
not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Key Words: I change not

One of the most calming and reassuring statements in

the Word of God is found in our key verse, For I am the
LORD, I change not.
A. W. Tozer points out that God cannot change, for all

change must be in one of three directions: 1) from better to

worse, 2) from worse to better, and 3) from one order of
being to another. Gods perfection rules out all three of
these possibilities. God changes not!!
The law of mutation, writes Tozer, belongs to a fallen
world, but God is immutable, and in Him men of faith find
at last eternal permanence.
In coming to God we need not wonder whether we will
find Him in a receptive mood. He is always receptive to
misery and need, as well as love and faith. He does not
keep office hours, nor does He set aside periods when He
will see no one. Neither does He change His mind about
anything. Today, this moment, He feels toward each of us,
toward babies, the sick, the fallen, and the sinful exactly as
He did when He sent His only begotten Son into the world
to die for all mankind.
Tozer also says, God never changes moods or cools off
in His affections or loses enthusiasm. For I am the
LORD, I change not.

What to do:
List ways God never changes.
List some personal ways in your life where you
have experienced Gods changelessness.

My Fathers House
January 5

 Bible Reading: John 14:1-13

Key Verse: Verse 2 In my Fathers house are many
mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I
go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare
a place for you, I will come again, and receive you
unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Key Words: In my Fathers house are many

mansions
Have you ever given much thought, I mean really deep
thought, about heaven? If you have ever had an immediate
family member go on to glory, you have, no doubt thought of
heaven often. The following article brought such joy and
comfort to my soul that I thought I would share it with you:
Among Americas greatest orators was John Jasper, a
former slave, who once began a funeral sermon, saying, Let
me say a word about this William Ellyson. I say it the first
and get it off my mind. Ellyson was no good mandidnt say
he was; didnt try to be good, and they tell me he died as he
lived, without God and without hope in the world. Its a bad
tale to tell on him, but he fixed the story hisself.
Jasper then shifted gears and took his audience on a
breath-taking tour of heaven. I loves to go down to the old
muddy James, mighty red and muddy, but it goes along so
grand and quiet like it was tending to business. But that aint
nothing to the river which flows by the throne. I longs for its
crystal waves, and the trees on the banks, and all manners of
fruits. This old head of mine often gets hot with fever and
rolls on the pillow, and I has many times desired to cool it in
that blessed stream as it kisses the banks of that upper
Canaan. The thought of seeing that river, drinking its water
and resting under those treesOh, to be there!
After that, Id stroll up them avenues where the children of
God dwell, and view their mansions. Father Abraham, Im
sure he got a great palace. And David. And Paul, the mighty
scholar who got struck down in the Damascus Road, I want to
see his mansion. Then I cut round to the back streets and
looks for the little home where my Savior set my mother up to
housekeeping. I expect to know the house by the roses in the

yard and the vine on the porch.

At that point, Jasper dramatically sprang back, clapped
his hands, and shouted, Look there!
See that one!
Hallelujah, its John Jaspers. Said He was going to prepare a
place for me. There it is! Too good for a poor sinner like me,
but He built it for me, turn-key job, and mine forever!
Jasper waxed on like this for an hour and a half, but to the
listeners it seemed like only a moment. That day, they
glimpsed glory.

What to do:
Praise God for His glorious plan of heaven.
Witness to your unsaved loved ones.
Know that your loved ones who have gone before
you are in glory.
********************

The Omniscient God

January 6

Bible Reading: Psalm 8

Key Verse: Verse 3 When I consider thy heavens,
the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars,
which thou hast ordained;
Key Words When I consider thy heavens
One of the greatest displays of Gods handiwork is a total
eclipse of the sun, turning noonday into darkness and sending
the chickens to roost hours before bedtime.
There was only one total eclipse of any great duration in
this century in the United States; and that took place on
March 7, 1940. The previous one of comparable duration in
the United States was in 1878. The next one is due in the year
2024!
The first recorded eclipse was on October 22 in 2137 BC.
It was recorded by two Chinese astronomers, Hsi and Ho.
The Chinese government blamed Hsi and Ho for causing a

dragon to eat the sun, and they were beheaded.

The pinpoint accuracy in which the planets rotate is no
accident. It is the divine omniscient plan of an omnipotent
God.
We speak freely of the love of God, the glory of God, the
power of God, and the justice of God. But do we magnify His
omniscience and His omnipotence as well?
We say that the more one shows love, the more he reveals
God through his life; but, is that not true as well of spiritual
knowledge? The more we know about God, the better we can
share Him with others.
I once heard someone pray, Lord, I thank you that Im
ignorant, and I pray that youll make me more ignorant. Not
me!!! My prayer is, Lord, give me wisdom. Give me the
wisdom to know more of you each day that I may share you
with others and know more of your mighty handiwork. Then I
can surely cry out, O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy
name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9

What to do:
Praise God for His being, His omniscience, His
omnipresence and His omnipotence.
Praise God that He knows you and is mindful of you.
Let your light so shine before men that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father which
is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

Gods Unlimited Power

January 7

 Bible Reading: Psalm 19

Key Verse: Verse 1 The heavens declare the glory of

God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
Key Words: The heavens declare the glory of God

The heavens have many ways of declaring the glory of

God. One example would be measuring the radiation energy
given off by the sun. If we bought the solar energy given off by
the sun in just one 24-hour period, at the rate of cents per
kilowatt, and paid for it in silver dollars, there would be
enough silver dollars to cover the whole earth ocean and
land, one mile deep. But it wouldnt stop there. Thats just
one days supply of kilowatt power. The sun, it is believed,
gives off enough energy in one year to generate enough power
to power the world for the next billion years. Astounding!!
If this sounds impressive, remember that the sun is only
one of some 100 billion stars in our Milky Way galaxy. Some
of these stars are 10,000 times brighter than our sun. To
grasp the power of God, multiply the suns energy by 100
billion and then multiply that by several trillion galaxies, and
you have a sampling of the power of God.
Peter Stoner, who teaches astronomy at several
universities on the East Coast, says, There is a larger
percentage of Christians among astronomers than any other
profession. An astronomer who is an atheist is mighty hard to
find. You cant study the heavens and see the tremendous
order of it without believing in an omnipotent Creator.
The heavens do declare the glory of God, thats the reason
we are told in Romans 1:20 that we are without excuse.

What to do:
Praise the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is
within me, praise His holy name.

Note: The information in this devotion came primarily from Peter

Stoner and his articles from Science Journals.

Not By Accident

January 8

 Bible Reading: Psalm 148

Key Verse: Verse 5 Let them praise the name of the

LORD: for he commanded, and they were created.
Key Words: for he commanded, and they were

created
Some say that creation was the result of chance. Others
say it was God.
Those who rely on chance have some big explaining to do.
Here is one simple illustration of the improbability of man
just happening.
Take ten pennies and mark them 1 to 10. Put them in your
pocket and give them a good shake. Now try to draw them out
of your pocket in order, from 1 to 10, returning each coin to
your pocket after each try.
Your chance of drawing number 1 on the first try is 1 in 10.
Your chance of drawing 1 and 2 in succession would be 1 in
100. On drawing 1, 2, and 3 in succession would be 1 in 1,000.
Your chance of drawing 1, 2, 3, and 4 in succession would be 1
in 10,000, and so on.
Now listen to this. Your chance of drawing the pennies in
perfect succession, 1 to 10, would be one chance in ten billion!
And yet there are some who say that all the complex and
essential conditions for life on our earth as we know it could
have occurred in the proper sequence just by chance.
Leslie Weatherhead said, It demands more of credulity to
imagine that the universe was all a huge accident than to
believe in the operation of a mind. How very strange that a
ball of matter accidentally happening, and accidentally
moving round the sun, should accidentally and purposelessly
produce a man who purposefully seeks truth and purposefully
asks how such an accident could happen, thus exhibiting a
more profound degree of intelligence than that which
accidentally produced this amazing universe.

I choose to believe for he commanded, and they were

created.

What to do:
If the God of the universe created the heavens, is He
not worthy of our worship and our service? So
dedicate yourself to worshiping and serving Him
faithfully.
********************

In a Box
January 9

Bible Reading: I Kings 8:22-30

Key Verse: Verse 27 But will God indeed dwell on

the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens
cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I
have builded?
Key Words: behold, the heaven and heaven of

heavens cannot contain thee

Solomon had the temple built as a dwelling place for God;

but even Solomon knew that as glorious and great as the
temple was, it could not contain God.
I marvel at how people attempt to box God into their little
world. We attempt to confine God to heaven or even into a
church building, but God is omnipresent. You cannot confine
God.
I recently read about the mother who had enrolled her
daughter into the K-5 program of a nearby school.
Occasionally, the principal of the school would speak to the
students by means of the intercom system. The children were
always intrigued when his voice came out of the little box (the
speaker) hanging on the wall.
After a few days, the mother asked her daughter if she had
made any new friends. Oh, yes, she answered, and I like all
the teachers but one.

And who is that? asked the mother. Oh, I dont know

his name, but he lives in a little box on the wall.
We smile at her answer, but that is what many people do
with God. They fence him in. They visualize God as being far
away or as someone who doesnt know them or care about
them, rather than being an omnipresent God Who loves them
and watches over them. So I close with Solomons words,
behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain
thee.

What to do:
Understand God knows you. He knows all your
cares, concerns, and, yes, even your secret sins and
lifestyle.
Live for God.
Know that He will never leave you nor forsake you.
********************

The All-Seeing God

January 10

Bible Reading: Psalm 34

Key Verse: Verse 15 - The eyes of the LORD are upon

the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
Key Words The eyes of the LORD are upon the

righteous

Have you ever really considered the fact that God is

constantly watching you? There is a great illustration of this
told by the English evangelist Henry Moorehouse, who is now
with the Lord.
Weeks ago I went into the library in Covington. As I was
approaching the door it looked dark inside..and I wondered,
Why are they closed? They are supposed to be open. I got
real close to the door and I could faintly see movement
insideso I tried the door and went on in. It just so
happened, that they had finished putting some of this dark

film on the windows and doors that only allows you to see
through one way. The effect of this reflective covering was
that I was able to look outside and see everything, but people
outside the building were unable to look in. In much the same
way, we dont always realize that God is watching us. As I
walked up the walk to the library, the librarian saw me
walking towards the building, but I couldnt see her. When
Scripture tells us Gods eyes are upon us, we know that God
sees us even though we cannot see Him. Yet we often act as if
we are behind reflective windows and God is unable to notice
us. We should know, however, that God is always observing
us and that nothing escapes His attention. He sees and hears
us. He is patiently waiting for us to come to him with our
prayers and petitions. As David says, The eyes of the LORD
are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.
[Psalm 34:15] Even though we cannot see God, we know He
sees us. And even though we do not hear an angelic voice
from heaven, we know that God answers our prayers.
It is only comforting to know you are being watched by
God when you are doing right.

What to do:
Do right. The eyes of the Lord are watching.
Write down a list of things you would like to
accomplish today for the Lord.
Treat others today the way you want to be treated.

Take Away the Dross

Bible Reading: Proverbs 25:1-10

January 11

Key Verse: Verse 4 Take away the dross from the

silver, and there shall come forth a vessel for the
finer.
Key Words: Take away the dross
Donald Grey Barnhouse tells the following in his book on
Gods goodness:
In the great bazaars of Istanbul, Damascus, or Cairo, you
will see men sitting at their places in the section of the
silversmiths. Beside them you will generally find piles of
United States twenty-five, fifty, and ten-cent pieces.
Thousands of travelers give American coins as tips, and all of
those monies are melted back into silver and poured into little
silver charms that are sold back to the tourists. This is done
in the most old-fashioned way. I have watched a silversmith
drop a coin into the molten silver; in a little while the coin is
melted down under the hot fire. Every once in a while the
man gets up, lifts himself over the little bowl of silver, and
goes back to sawing on some little pin that he is making, a
silver clasp or ornament. Again he will get up and look in the
bowl; he will take a sieve and scrape off the scoria that is on
the top. He takes away the dross, and if you should ask him,
What are you waiting to see, he would say, I keep it on the
fire until there is no more scum; when I lean over it, I can see
myself reflected there as in the best mirror.
That is what it means in Malachi when it says that God
shall sit as a refiner of silver. God says, I am going to keep
you in the fire until I see My face in you; this is what Im
working for. I want to purge away the dross. I want to make
you like the Lord Jesus Christ. I want you to understand the
particularity of love that Ive bestowed upon you, that I have
called you my sons; and whom I love, I chasten and scourge

every son I receive.

What to do:

Always understand God desires to make you more

valuable by removing the dross.
Always ask, Can others see Jesus through my lifes
actions and attitudes?
*******************

Gods Guidance

January 12

Bible Reading: Psalm 48

Key Verse: Verse 14 For this God is our God for
ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.
Key Words: he will be our guide
Following the guidance of God is a necessity for the
believer.
Dante said, In His will is our peace.
George Truett said, To know the will of God is the
greatest knowledge. To do the will of God is the
greatest achievement.
A. T. Pierson once said, To go as I am led, to go
when I am led, to go where I am led; this is the
prayer of my life.
One night as the famous Bible teacher F. B. Meyer stood
on the deck of a ship approaching land, he wondered how the
crew knew when and how to safely steer to the dock. It was a
stormy night, and visibility was low. Meyer, standing on the
bridge and peering through the window, asked the captain,
How do you know when to turn the ship into the narrow
harbor?
Thats an art, replied the captain, Do you see those
three red lights on the shore? When they are all in a straight
line, we turn into the harbor.
Later Meyer said, When we want to be guided by God and
know His will, there are three lights that occur: the light of
desire will appear, the light of Gods Word, and the light of
opportunity will come on.

In essence Meyer was saying, God will place a desire in

your heart; that desire will agree with Gods Word; and God
will open a door of opportunity for you to carry out the desire
He placed upon your heart.
There is nothing more exciting in the life of the believer
than following Gods guidance and doing His will.

What to do:
Do Gods will daily.
Do the little things; they always lead to bigger
things.
*******************

Listen: God is Speaking

January 13

Bible Reading: Hebrews 1:1-14

Key Verse: Verse 1 & 2 - God, who at sundry times

and in divers manners spake in time past unto the
fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days
spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed
heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Key Words: God...Hath in these last days spoken

unto us by his Son

The well-known theologian Charles Hodge wrote about his

early years at Princeton: It was my privilege to be the pupilassistant of Professor Joseph Henry, the illustrious scientist.
When, for the first time, electric signals were sent from point
to point, the earth itself being used for the return current,
Professor Henry put me at one end of the circuit, while he
stood directing the experiments at the other. I can well
remember the wonderful care with which he arranged them.
Very often, when the testing moment came, he would raise his
hand in adoring reverence and call upon me to uncover my
head and worship in silence. He would say, Because God is

here. I am about to ask Him a question.

Professor Henry was a God-fearing man and recognized
the Almightys presence in creation. He, therefore entered
into his experiments depending upon the Lord for the right
solutions. He believed that the voice of God could be heard in
the universe, for the Bible says, Day unto day uttereth
speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge (Psalm
19:2). Yes, we can hear Him speak, as it were through the
light and laws of nature. But the Almighty has also spoken
through the prophets of old; through His written Word, the
Bible; and through the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In nature we can learn about Gods greatness, power, and
intelligence. But His Word and His Son reveal most clearly
His love, mercy, grace, will, and plan of redemption.
Remember, GOD IS SPEAKING! He tells us all we
need to know. Its up to us to listen!

What to do:
Be good listeners (James 1:19).
Be good doers (James 1:22).
********************

When a Brick Spawned a Book

January 14

Bible Reading: Genesis 50:15-26

Key Verse: Verse 12 - But as for you, ye thought evil
against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to
pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Key Words: but God meant it unto good
The poet William Cowper has written: God moves in
mysterious ways His wonders to perform; He plants His
footsteps by the sea, And rides upon the storm. This suggests
that events which seem tragic to us often turn out to be rich
blessings from God. The selling of Joseph by his brothers,
which resulted in his coming to live in Egypt, was a wicked act

and cannot be excused. Yet in Gods overruling providence it

became the means of saving the lives of those brothers along
with their families. Literally thousands of stories could be
told by Christians who have seen triumphs come out of their
tragedies.
A modern illustration of the truth of the above text is
found in the life of Samuel L. Brengle. At one time in his
ministry, a wicked man attempted to kill him by throwing a
paving brick at his head. Brengle survived the dastardly
attack, but he had a long convalescent period. During those
months, he wrote many blessed and inspiring articles on the
sanctified life. Later, because of their value, they were put
into a book entitled Helps to Holiness. It was his best and
most useful work. Referring to that earlier incident, Brengles
wife would say, Had there been no brick, there would have
been no book! She was convinced that the Lord had allowed
the tragedy so that her husband would have time to write.
Because of this, she preserved the brick and painted on it the
words of our text: But as for you, ye thought evil against
me: but God meant it unto good...
How blessed to know that our Heavenly Father overrules
sin and error for His glory and our good.

What to do:
Take advantage of every opportunity to do
something for God.

Troubled By Your Troubles?

January 15

Bible Reading: Psalm 34

Key Verse: Verse 19 - Many are the afflictions of the

righteous; but the Lord delivereth him out of them

all.
Key Words: the Lord delivereth him out of them

all
Troubles come in all shapes and sizes, at all times of the
day or night, and at every stage in life. They respect no one,
neither excluding the young nor bypassing the old. They crop
up in all areas, touching our families, our finances, our jobs,
our physical health, and our emotional well-being. We may
go for long periods without them, but at other times they pile
up with such frequency and buffet us with such intensity that
we wonder if we will ever survive.
In thinking about this, I checked out the biblical reference
to the word trouble. Heres a brief summary of the results:
Trouble seems to be woven into the fabric of living
(Job 14:1).
Many of our distresses are caused by our own sin
and foolishness (Prov. 21:23, Psalm 78:32-33).
Some difficulties are created by other people (Psalm
9:13).
God allows trouble but is always in control (II
Chronicles 29:8).
We have a refuge and strong defense in the Lord
(Psalm 59:16).
He invites us to call upon Him in our distresses
(Psalm 50:15).
We can expect deliverance in keeping with His will
(Psalm 107:6, 143:11).
Perhaps we need to be reminded of what a wise old man
said to a boy who asked, What is lifes heaviest burden?
The man replied, To have no burdens to carry. His answer
has special meaning for you, dear friend. Through affliction
you can come to know the great Burden-bearer in a way that
might not otherwise be possible. Without distress you would
never know deliverance. As long as God is your refuge, you
need not be troubled by your troubles.

What to do:
Remember God knows what youre going through
and will never forsake you.
Remember where there are no trials, there can be no
triumphs.
Keep your testimony during your troubles. Always
remember anyone can have a good testimony during
the good times; the test of your testimony is during the
times of trouble.
********************

Victory

January 16

Bible Reading: I Corinthians 15:50-58

Key Verse: Verse 57 - But thanks be to God, which

giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Key Words: But thanks be to God, which giveth us

the victory
When the Japanese launched their attack against the
Philippines, several thousand United States troops were on
those islands, totally unprepared. How bravely they fought on
Bataan, slowing the enemy and making him pay heavy losses
for each foot of gain! The men fought on, hoping against hope
that reinforcements would soon be available. But our fleet
had been severely wounded, and there were no
reinforcements available.
A year later, however, we were ready to launch the great
offensive in the Solomon Islands. The papers that told the
news of the great battle raging on Guadalcanal also published
an assurance from our Secretary of War. He said, There is
twice as much food as the soldiers can eat; there is twice as
much ammunition as the soldiers can fire; there is twice as
many nurses and doctors as would ordinarily be needed in
any military engagement; there are twice as many medical

supplies as could be needed; there are twice as many airplanes

as are possessed by the enemy. We are prepared for victory.
The Secretary of War spoke of a military victory. In
our text, the victory given by God is a spiritual victory that
does not come through mans effort, but through accepting
Jesus as our Savior. It is the greatest of all victories!! Are you
a part of the winning team? Have you accepted Jesus as your
Savior? If not, why not bow your knee and your heart to Jesus
right now, and ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, and
accept Him as your Lord and Savior?

What to do:
Join the winning side accept Jesus as your Savior.
If you are saved, live victoriously because you are on
the winning side.
********************

Facing the Wall

January 17

Bible Reading: I John 1

Key Verse: Verse 9 - If we confess our sins, he is

faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse
us from all unrighteousness.
Key Words: he is faithful and just to forgive us

Sir Edward C. Burne-Jones, the prominent nineteenthcentury English artist, went to tea at the home of his daughter.
As a special treat his little granddaughter was allowed to come
to the table; she misbehaved, and her mother made her stand
in the corner with her face to the wall. Sir Edward, a welltrained grandfather; did not interfere with his grandchilds
training, but the next morning he arrived at his daughters
home with paints and palette. He went to the wall where the
little girl had been forced to stand; and there he painted
pictures a kitten chasing its tail, lambs in the field, and

goldfish swimming. He decorated the wall on both sides of

the corner with paintings for his granddaughters delight. If
she had to stand in the corner again, at least she would have
something to look at.
When a Christian commits sin and is put into a corner,
God does not send him to hell. When a child of God sins, he
does not fall from grace. Wonderful it is that instead he falls
into grace. If your particular sin has been confessed, God has
restored you; when God put you into the corner, He went to
you there and painted a picture of His forgiveness and love.

What to do:
Many people can forgive everyone but themselves.
If God forgives you, why cant you forgive yourself? Go
and sin no more but you are forgiven!
If God can forgive others, why cant you? Try it! A
bitter, unforgiving spirit destroys the one not willing to
forgive.
********************

The Blind Officer

January 18

Bible Reading I Peter 3:1-7

Key Verse: Verse 4 - But let it be the hidden
man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible,
even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which
is
in the sight of God of great price.
Key Words: But let it be the hidden man of the

heart
Our text verse advises us that God prefers inward beauty
to outward glamour. I read recently about a young officer
who was blinded during the war. He met and married one of
the nurses who took care of him in the Army hospital. One
day he overheard someone speaking about himself and his
wife, and they said, It was lucky for her that he was blind

since he never would have married such a homely woman if

he had his sight.
He rose to his feet and walked toward the voices saying, I
overheard what you said, and I thank God from the depths of
my heart for blindness of eyes that might have kept me from
seeing the marvelous worth of the soul of the woman who is
my wife. She is the most noble character I have ever known.
If the conformation of her features is such that it might have
masked her inward beauty to my soul, then I am the great
gainer by having lost my sight.
The Bible teaches us that man looks on the outward
appearance, but God looks at the heart (I Samuel 16:7). If a
man or woman possesses physical beauty, they should be
thankful to God for it, but they should realize its really inward
beauty that matters to God.
What to do:
We have little control over our outward beauty, but
we do have control over our inward beauty work on
it!!
Outward beauty with no inward beauty still equals
ugly.
********************

God & Impostors

January 19

Bible Reading: Matthew 7:15-23

Key Verse: Verses 15 & 21 - Beware of false prophets,

which come to you in sheeps clothing, but inwardly
they are ravening wolves. Not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which
is in heaven.
Key Words: Verse 15: beware of false prophets

Verse 21: not every one that saith Lord, Lord

Police court records tell the story of a young man who

registered at one of the leading hotels in New York shortly
after the turn of the century. He wrote down one of the most
famous names in the United States, and the hotel clerk was
very deferential to him. He had an air of arrogance. When
packages began to arrive from several large furnishing houses
and a jewelry store, the hotel received them and paid the
accounts. After a few days the time for settling came; the
young man brushed them off with excuses, which aroused the
suspicion of the hotel management. They notified the police
and a quiet investigation revealed the startling fact that the
famous man whose name the young man had written on the
register with Junior after it, did not have a son. The young
man, confronted by the authorities, put on an air of bravado;
he blustered that there was some mistake. Finally, it became
necessary to take him down to Wall Street, to the office of the
well-known millionaire. The latter walked into the room and
looked at the culprit. He said simply, I never laid eyes on this
young man before in all my life. That sealed the doom of the
impostor.
Multitudes of people who claim that God is their Father
are just as guilty as was this young man. I trust today that you
are not an impostor, because God knows the difference!!

What to do:
Are you real or are you pretending? Be real.
Many impostors claim to be born again. Make sure
your salvation is genuine.

The Kingdom of God

January 20

Bible Reading: Mark 10:13-31

Key Verse: Verse 14,15,23-25 - But when Jesus saw

it, he was much displeased, and said unto them,

Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid

them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Verily I
say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the
kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter
therein. And Jesus looked round about, and
saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that
have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the
disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus
answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how
hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the
kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go
through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to
enter into the kingdom of God.
Key Words: Kingdom of God
As you read the Bible, you read about two primary
kingdoms: the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven.
The Kingdom of Heaven is heaven itself, the dwelling place of
God. On the other hand, the Kingdom of God is all that
belongs to God, both in heaven and earth.
That would include all born-again believers. Those who
are saved belong to God; they are a part of His kingdom.
John Hess Yoder, missionary to Laos, tells the following.
I discovered an illustration of the Kingdom of God while
serving in Laos. Before the Colonialists imposed national
boundaries, the kings of Laos and Viet Nam reached an
agreement on taxation in the areas. Those who ate shortgrain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated them
with Indian-style serpents were considered Laotian. On the
other hand, those who ate long-grain rice, built their houses
on the ground, and decorated them with Chinese-style
dragons were considered Vietnamese. The exact location of a
persons home was not what determined his nationality.
Instead each person belonged to the kingdom whose cultures
and values he or she exhibited.
So it is with us we live in the world, but we are to
identify with Gods Kingdom, not this worlds kingdom.

What to do:

Live by Gods standard, not the worlds.

You will be labeled by whose standards you choose.
Always ask, Can others tell by my dress, attitude,
behavior, and places I go that I belong to Gods
Kingdom?
********************

How Big is Your God?

January 21

Bible Reading: Exodus 14:1-22

Key Verse: Verse 13 & 14 - And Moses said unto the

people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation
of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for
the
Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall
see
them again no more for ever. The LORD shall
fight
for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
Key Words: Verse 13: And Moses said unto the

people, Fear ye not

Verse 14: The LORD shall fight for you

Have you ever considered what Moses had to go through,

and how he had to trust in God in order for him (Moses) to
lead Israel? Consider the following:
What would have happened had Moses tried to figure out
what was needed to accomplish Gods command? One of the
biggest mathematical miracles in the world was required in
the desert.
Moses led the people of Israel into the desertNow what
was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and
feeding 3 million people required a lot of food. According
to the U. S. Armys Quartermaster General, Moses needed
1,500 tons of food a day, filling two freight trains, each a mile
long. Besides, you must remember, they were cooking the
food (not to mention for keeping warm, and if anyone tells
you it doesnt get cold in the desert, dont believe them!). Just
for cooking this took 4,000 tons of firewood and a few more
freight trains, each a mile long and this is only for one day!!
They were forty YEARS in transit!!!

Lets not forget about water, shall we? If they only had
enough to drink and wash a few dishes (no bathing?!), it took
11,000 gallons EACH DAY enough to fill a train of tanker
cars 1,800 miles long.
And another thing! They had to get across the Red Sea in
one night. Now if they went on a narrow path, double file, the
line would be 800 miles long and require 35 days and nights
to complete the crossing. So to get it over in one night, there
had to be a space in the Red Sea three miles wide so that they
could walk 5,000 abreast. Think about this; every time they
camped at the end of the day, a camp ground the size of
Rhode Island was required, or 750 square miles.
Do you think that Moses sat down and figured out the
logistics of what God told him to do before he set out from
Egypt? I doubt it. He had faith that God would take care of
everything.
Let us have courage; we share the very same God.

What to do:
Remember we have a B-I-G God.
Can you name one need in your life God cant
supply?
Tell others about God.

Company Rules
January 22

Bible Reading: Proverbs 29:1-18

Key Verse: Verse 18 - Where there is no vision, the
people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is
he.
Key Words: but he that keepeth the law, happy is

he
In todays world many see laws, rules, and regulations as
restrictions to ones rights. But in reality laws, rules, and
regulations are for our safety. So rather than begrudge rules,
we should rejoice in them. Let me explain.
Timothy Munyon says, While living in Florida, I have
friends who worked cleaning rooms at a nationally known inn
located directly on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico.
They would spend their work breaks running barefoot in the
sand. The problem was that the inn required all employees to
wear shoes at all times while working. I noticed the
employees responded in two ways. The majority thought the
rule restricted freedom. The rooms had shag carpeting,
delightful to bare toes, and just a few steps away lay the beach.
To them the rule requiring them to wear shoes was nothing
more than employee harassment and intrusion into their
personal rights.
But a minority of the employees looked at the rule
differently. Sometimes late-night parties would produce
small pieces of broken glass. Occasionally a stickpin would be
found hidden in the deep piles of the shag carpet; and still
others knew the pain of skinning bare toes on the steel bed
frames while making beds. The minority saw the rule as
protection, not restriction.
So were Gods rules written to make life miserable, or were
they written by a loving Heavenly Father Who cares about His
children?
What to do:
Rather than complain about rules, rejoice in the
safety they produce.
Ask God to give you understanding in regard to
rules and laws.
********************

My Own Way
January 23

 Bible Reading: Isaiah 53

Key Verse: Verse 6 - All we like sheep have gone

astray; we have turned every one to his own way;
and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
Key Words: All we like sheep have gone astray

As you study the Word of God, it becomes very clear that

the problem in regard to Gods will is not in knowing it, but in
doing it.
Adam and Eve, Cain, and Jonah all knew Gods will but
failed to obey it. Time doesnt permit us to tell about
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and many others who at one point
knew Gods will, but failed to obey it.
Donald Grey Barnhouse tells the following in regard to
Gods will:
One day, one of my children came out of the dining room
with me and walked along to my study. There was a question
about what was to be done in a certain matter. As I sat down
at my desk I gave a clear and detailed answer. My child
hesitated, then broke in with a question. I kept on at my work
without looking up.
But, Daddy the child insisted, and phrased the matter
in another way.
Mother came along to find out what the delay was in
fulfilling the command.
The child answered, I am trying to find out what Daddy
wants me to do.
At this point I broke in: No. You are not trying to find
out what I want you to do. You are trying to find out if you
can make me relent on the conditions so that you will be able
to do what you want to do instead of doing what you know we
want you to do. Now go and do it immediately.
How many times the Heavenly Father has to deal with us
in this way! Our old nature is incurably addicted to having its
own way. This is inherent in the statement that tells of the
distance which separates the soul from God. All we like
sheep have gone astray; and we have turned every one to his
own way (Isaiah 53:6).

What to do:
It is not just knowing Gods will that produces joy, it
is doing Gods will.
The key to happiness is not getting your way but
letting God have His. Are you doing that today and
everyday?
List a half-dozen things that are Gods will for your
life today.
********************

None Good But One

January 24

Bible Reading: Mark 10:13-22

Key Verse: Verse 18 - And Jesus said unto him, Why

callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that
is, God.
Key Words: there is none good but one, that is,

God
In our text, a rich ruler comes to Jesus and does three
things:
1. runs to Jesus,
2. kneels before Him, and
3. addresses Him as Good Master.
Jesus responds by asking a question, Why callest thou me
good? there is none good but one, that is, God. The word
good in our text is a reference to having the power to give
eternal life. So Jesus was asking the rich man if he was
acknowledging that Jesus was the Way to eternal life which
He is!
In 1715 King Louis XIV of France died after a reign of
seventy-two years. He had called himself, The Good King,
and was the monarch who first said, I am the State! His
court was the most magnificent in all of Europe, and his
funeral was equally spectacular.

As his body lay in state in a golden coffin, orders were

given that the church should be dimly lit with only a special
candle set above the coffin to dramatize his goodness. At
the memorial, thousands waited in silence. Then Bishop
Massilon began to speak slowly, reaching down, he snuffed
out the candle and said, Only God is good!!

What to do:
Acknowledge that only God can give eternal life and
choose to do so through His Son, Jesus Christ.
Acknowledge the goodness of God in daily life.
(None of us deserve the blessings we have.)
Teach your children to appreciate the blessings of
God. Show them how they are blessed by studying
children in other countries, studying past history of
our country, and showing them that God loves them.
********************

The Potters Hand

January 25

Bible Reading: Isaiah 64:1-8

Key Verse: Verse 8 - But now, O LORD, thou art our

father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we
all are the work of thy hand.
Key Words: we are the clay, and thou our potter

Both Isaiah and Jeremiah (18:6) used the illustration of

God as the Potter and man as the clay.
Dear friend, if you have made a mess of your life, God can
take the mess and restore it to that which is useful and
beautiful. There is a beautiful illustration of what God can do
with a life that is blotted with sin given by D. L. Moody.
A friend once showed a cleaner a costly handkerchief on
which a blot of ink had been made. Nothing can be done with

it now, said the cleaner, it is absolutely worthless. The

owner of the handkerchief made no reply but carried it away
with him. After a time he sent it back, to the great surprise of
the cleaner who could scarcely believe his eyes! In a most
skillful and artistic way, the owner of the handkerchief had
made a design in India ink using the ugly blot as the center for
his design.
The principle is clear: a blotted life is not a useless life.
God can take that blotted life and make it beautiful and useful
for His service, if one would only yield to Him.

What to do:
If your life is blotted with sin, why not yield your life
to God today? (You can contact us at Mountain View
for help, if you so desire.)
If you know of someone whose life is in need of the
Potters Hand, why not help them by telling them what
God can do for them?
Make a list (out of love, not a gossip column) of
those who have messed up their life and pray for them
daily.

The Sparrow
January 26

Bible Reading: Luke 12:1-12

Key Verse: Verse 7 - But even the very hairs of your

head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of
more value than many sparrows.

Key Words: Ye are of more value than many

sparrows
James McConky tells the following in regard to Gods care
for us.
It was a beautiful winter day. I was sitting on the veranda
of a southern hotel enjoying the sunshine and sky. Suddenly I
became conscious of the swift flight of some small object
before my eyes. Then came a dull thud as of something
falling. There before my eyes, not ten feet away, lay the
crumpled body of a sparrow. He turned upon his back. His
little claws stretched appealing toward the sky. There was a
convulsive shiver as though in pain. Then the tiny eyelids
closed over the death-dimmed eyes. A quick, short gasp and
all was over. A tell-tale spot of crimson on the little breast
gave the story of the tragedy. His swift flight through the air
had evidently brought him into a death collision with a pole or
buttress and his sparrows life had been the price. It was only
a passing incident, this death of a tiny sparrow.
McConky goes on to say, But his death somehow gripped
my heart. I found myself almost in tears over concern for a
tiny sparrow. But like a flash, it came to my mind the
wonderful truth of God that I am more valuable than many
sparrows. God really cares about me, James McConky!!
And God cares about you as well.

What to do:
Thank God for His loving care for you.
Live your life for God in appreciation of His care.
Tell others that God cares about them as well.

Safety is of the Lord

January 27

Bible Reading: Proverbs 21:21-31

Key Verse: Verse 31 - The horse is prepared against
the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD.
Key Words: safety is of the LORD

Have you ever felt insecure? Often insecurity comes as a

result of a lack of preparation, and we certainly need to be
people that plan and prepare in advance. As a matter of fact,
our text verse tells us to prepare, The horse is prepared
against the day of battle. But with all my preparation, safety
is of the Lord. As our soldiers fight in Iraq and Afghanistan,
they have the best of weapons and equipment, but their safety
isnt in weapons and equipment, their safety comes from God.
It is reassuring to me to know that my safety is in the
hands of God.
During the building of the Golden Gate Bridge over the
San Francisco Bay, construction fell badly behind schedule
because several workers had fallen from the scaffolding to
their deaths. Engineers and administration could find no
solution to the costly delays. Joseph Strauss, the chief
engineer, made an unprecedented move by ordering a large
trapeze net to be placed under the workers. Bridge builders
had never enjoyed such luxury, so the added security made
the workers feel as though they could dance on steel.
So it is in the life of the believer, when we feel a lack of
security, our efforts cease, our thoughts are filled with fear,
and immobilization sets in. But isnt it great to know that God
has promised us safety in the war of life? So, dear saint, dont
panic because safety really is of the Lord.

What to do:
Always prepare, no matter what the task.
Be aware of impending danger.
But always remember that after youve done all you
can do, safety is of the Lord.
********************

Herein is Love
January 28

Bible Reading: I John 4:1-10

Key Verse: Verse 10 - Herein is love, not that we
loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be
the propitiation for our sins.

Key Words: not that we loved God, but that he

loved us
Remember when you first fell in love and everyone said,
Oh, theyll get over it.
I am afraid thats the way our love for God is, so many
believers have gotten over it.
The following is taken from The Gospel Herald.
A gentleman who was a professed Christian was taken
seriously ill. He became troubled about the little love he felt
in his heart for God, and spoke of his experience to a friend.
This is how the friend answered him: When I go home from
here, I expect to take my baby on my knee, look into her sweet
eyes, listen to her charming prattle, and, tired as I am, her
presence will rest me; for I love that child with unutterable
tenderness. But she loves me little. If my heart were breaking
it would not disturb her sleep. If my body were racked with
pain, it would not interrupt her play. If I were dead, she
would forget me in a few days. Besides this, she has never
brought me a penny, but was a constant expense to me. I am
not rich, but there is not money enough in the world to buy
my baby. How is it? Does she love me, or do I love her? Do I
withhold my love until I know she loves me? Am I waiting for
her to do something worthy of my love before extending it?
This practical illustration of the love of God for His
children caused the tears to roll down the sick mans face.
Oh, I see, he exclaimed, it is not my love to God, but Gods
love for me, that I should be thinking of. And I do love Him
now as I never loved Him before. Herein is love, not that
we loved God, but that he loved us... (I John 4:10)

What to do:
Always remember that God wants you to love Him,
but He loves you, no matter what!

The more one matures spiritually, the more they

understand Gods love for them.
********************

The Unsearchable God

January 29

Bible Reading: Isaiah 55:6-13

Key Verse: Verse 9 - For as the heavens are higher
than the earth, so are my ways higher than your
ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Key Words: For as the heavens are higher than

the
earth, so are my ways higher than your
ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts
If one had to gather up all the golden sunlight that today
falls wide over all this continent falling through every silent
hour; and all that is dispersed over the whole ocean, flashing
from every wave; and all that is poured refulgent over the
northern wastes of ice, and along the whole continent of
Europe, and the vast outlying Asia, and torrid Africa; if one
could in any wise gather up this immense and incalculable
outflow and treasure of sunlight that falls down through the
bright hours, and runs in liquid ether about the mountains,
and fills all the plains and send innumerable rays through
every secret place, pouring over and filling every flower,
shining down the sides of every blade of grass, resting in
glorious humility upon the humblest things on stick, and
stone and pebble; on the spiders web, the sparrows nest, the
threshold of the young foxes hole, where they play and warm
themselves; that rests on the prisoners window, that strikes
radiant beams through the slaves tear, that puts gold upon
the widows weeds, that plates and roofs the city with
burnished gold, and goes on in its wild abundance up and
down the earth, shining everywhere and always, since the day
of primal creation, without faltering, without stint, without
waste or diminution; as full, as fresh, as overflowing today as

if it were the very first day of its outplays, one might gather
up this boundless, endless, infinite treasure, to measure it,
than might he tell the height and depth, and unending glory,
of the pity of God! The Light and the Sun its source are Gods
own figures of the immensity and copiousness of His mercy
and compassion.
--Author Unknown
What to do:
Do not argue with God, simply accept His way and
His words; for His ways are higher than our ways and
His thoughts higher than our thoughts.
********************

Gods Infinite Wisdom

January 30

Bible Reading: Romans 8:14-28

Key Verse: Verse 28 - And we know that all things
work together for good to them that love God, to
them
who are the called according to his purpose.
Key Words: All things work together for good
There have been times in my life that I have had to sit
back and watch and wait to see how seemingly tragic events
could work out together for good. One such example would
be the sudden death of my grandson, taken from this earth at
the young age of four; but God was true to His Word. As a
result of Austins death, we had the opportunity to see Gods
people being used for His glory over and over again. We saw
cold, hard hearts broken and revival fill the hearts of the cold
and indifferent. All things do work together for good.
The story is told of an only survivor of a shipwreck who
was stranded on an uninhabited island. After awhile he
managed to build himself a hut, in which he placed what little
he had salvaged from the ship. He prayed and asked God for
deliverance and anxiously scanned the horizon each day for
any passing ship. One day returning from a hunt for food, he

was horrified to find his hut in flames all he had had gone
up in smoke! It appeared that the worst had happened, but in
reality it was the best thing that could have happened. A little
while later while the man was sitting depressed and
discouraged on the lonely island, he heard a voice, Ahoy,
mate! We saw your smoke signal and have come to rescue
you. Indeed, all things do work together for good.

What to do:
Do not fret and worry. Pray and understand all
things do work together for good.
Thank God for even the hard things of life.
Always remember God is not doing something to
you, but for you
********************

The Eyes of the Lord

January 31

Bible Reading: Proverbs 15:1-9

Key Verse: Verse 13 - The eyes of the LORD are in
every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Key Words: The eyes of the Lord are in every

place

I once heard the story about a little fellow who spent his
summers with his sister on his grandparents farm. They
would go to the farm in the summertime and spend the
summer riding horses, playing with the cows, and running in
the woods. They just had a real big time.
One day the little boy decided he would make a slingshot.
He got to where he was quite an expert at hitting things with
it. So, he looked out and there was his grandmothers prize
goose.

Sure enough he hit that goose right on the head and he

killed it and he knew he was in trouble. So he said to himself,
Id better dig a hole and bury it before anyone finds out.
So he dug a hole and put the goose into it and he was
covering the goose over when he heard his sister say, I caught
you, I caught you, I caught you! I saw what you did. I saw you
kill grandmothers goose and Im going to tell on you!
She really had him. I mean she really had that poor fellow
and she made life miserable for him. When it was her turn to
get the water, he had to go get it because he was being
blackmailed. When it was her time to bring in some wood for
the stove, he had to do it because he feared she would tell on
him.
She just made life miserable for him. He was guilty and he
knew he was guilty. He was under condemnation and the
guilt of what he had done. It began to eat away at him and
finally he just couldnt stand it anymore. It was just eating
him alive and tearing his little heart up.
Finally, one day he went running into grandmas room.
He threw himself into her arms and said, Oh, grandmother.
I killed your goose. I did it. I didnt think the rock would kill
it. I buried the goose and I have been so afraid that sister was
going to tell you that I just cant stand it! Would you please
forgive me for killing your goose?
His grandmother said, Why son, I was looking out the
window and I saw you kill that goose. I have known you did it
all this time. I just wanted you to come and ask me to forgive
you for it.
It is true God is watching!!
What to do:
Live your life every moment of every day as if God is
watching because He is!

I deeply appreciate the

help of
Mary Parsons
Glenda Myrick
And my lovely wife, Linda

Without God using these

people to help, this
devotional would not
have been possible.
Dr. Mike Rouse

is a ministry of

5568 Chalkville Mountain Road

Birmingham, AL. 35235
(205) 854-2741
www.mountainviewbaptist.org