Grace & Truth Life Devotionals

2008-05-02T03:02:00.000-07:00

Friday, May 2

Gear Up!

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy . . .
Luke 10:19 KJV

Samuel's Ear

2008-04-05T04:32:00.000-07:00

Friday, April 4

The Lord opened her heart to heed the things spoken by Paul.
Acts 16:14

Recommended Reading
Acts 16:11-15

More than forty men wrote the Bible, all of them using human letters, syllables, and words. In one sense, then, we should read the Bible as we read other books, applying the same reasonable laws of interpretation. The sentences in the Bible are informational and logical, and even children can understand them.

But the Bible was also breathed out by God as its writers were borne along by the Holy Spirit (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:21). Behind the human authors was a divine Master Author, inspiring the words of Scripture and recording them infallibly as inerrant truth. That makes the Bible a one-of-a-kind volume, unequalled by any other book ever written.

Only with the Holy Spirit's illumination can we really appreciate its message for our own lives. We must pray as Samuel did, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening" (NIV). And we must always cultivate a tender, willing, open, receptive heart toward Jesus, loving His Word, our hearts burning within us as we daily study our Bibles.

O give me Samuel's ear, the open ear, O Lord, alive and quick to hear each whisper of Thy Word.
James D. Burns

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2008-04-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

The Cushion of the Sea

Be still, and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10

Recommended Reading
Matthew 11:28-30

A number of years ago, a submarine being tested had to be submerged for several hours. Upon returning to harbor, the captain was asked, "How did that terrible storm last night affect you?" Surprised, the captain exclaimed, "Storm? We didn't even know there was one!" Their submarine had been so far beneath the surface that it had reached what sailors refer to as "the cushion of the sea"—a depth in the ocean where the waters below are never stirred despite any commotion on the surface.

In our fast-paced world, it is a challenge to slow down and remember that God is in control. We are a society of "do-everything," "go-everywhere," "get-it-done" people who mistakenly believe we can handle everything if we just keep going. In reality, we need to become so submerged in God's peace that no matter what's happening in our lives, we are able to remain as calm as "the cushion of the sea."

If you feel overwhelmed, bogged down, or burnt out, add one more activity to your daily schedule: Spend time with Almighty God. It is the only way to reach the depth needed to find true calm in the midst of any storm.

In the name of Jesus Christ, who was never in a hurry, we pray, O God, that You will slow us down, for we know that we live too fast.
Peter Marshall

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Coming Soon

2008-03-29T02:34:00.000-07:00