Post Card #4 - Enough

Can you imagine someone going on a trip in a car whose gas tank only held enough for one day's journey? Each morning before his trip began it would require yet another stop at the filling station. Imagine the consequences if the traveler decided he didn't want to bother with this mundane routine? He wouldn't get very far would he? So it is with us dear travelers; God gives us a daily supply of grace for the road we will travel this day. Whether we sense a heart of gratitude or not, as we fill our tank , it is still giving us exactly what we need. Our feelings are not part of the equation.

Charles Spurgeon supplies us with fresh fuel for our journey:

We cannot eat or wear more than the day's supply of food and clothing. Any surplus gives us the care of storing it, and the anxiety of watching against a thief. One staff aids a traveler--but a bundle of staffs is a heavy burden. Enough is not only as good as a feast--but is all that the greatest glutton can truly enjoy. Enough is all that we should expect--a craving for more than this, is ungrateful. When our Father does not give us more--we should be content with His daily allowance.

Beloved Christian reader, in matters of grace--you need a daily supply. You have no store of grace. Day by day must you seek help from above. It is a very sweet assurance--that a daily portion is provided for you. In the Word, by meditation, in prayer, and waiting upon God--you shall receive renewed grace and strength. In Jesus, all needful things are laid up for you. Never go hungry--while the daily bread of grace is on the table of mercy! Enjoy your continual allowance!

"Give us each day--our daily bread." Luke 11:3

Week 12 Assignments

Read Hebrews 4:1-11
Read Psalm 95
Bible Speaks Today - pages 89-92

NOTE: Coming up in the next couple of weeks we'll begin reading Grow In Grace, by Sinclair Ferguson. Make plans to buy a copy if you don't already own it.

Jesus Take The Wheel

I've heard it said that before you fall asleep while driving, you'll get the feeling that your car is standing still and the road is speeding past you. This is a warning sign to stop and take a break, or risk the chance of falling asleep at the wheel.

How often I've done this with my journey on Route 66; I sit down, Bible in hand; only to be immediately overcome with the sense that life is speeding past like lightning. and I'm going no where. What's the point?

The point is, we were never meant to travel alone. In fact, the Lord doesn't want us to even drive! He wants us to sit next to Him in the passenger seat and fully enjoy the view. There will be times when there isn't much to see, but we're with Him! That, my friend, is the point! Being with Him no matter what life is throwing your way gives meaning and purpose to the road we're traveling.

Maybe it's time for you to pull over and let Jesus take the wheel!

Post Card #3

WORTH SEEING

I've often thought about vacationers that come to Florida and all they see is International Drive. When they go home they talk about their time in Florida as if they've really experienced it. You and I know that I-Drive can't compare to a pontoon boat ride down the St. John's River, or a day spent on a quiet beach; That's the real Florida!

In the same way we can be tempted to think we've seen all that God wants us to see in His Word, when we've failed to see the best part! This is what makes commentaries so helpful - it's like a personal tour guide taking us to the real places of interest. I'm finding this to be true this week with the extra reading of The Enemy Within. It's opening my eyes to see the Word in ways I would have never known I'd missed otherwise. Thank you God, for this road trip that takes us to the not-so-popular places that are better than what I've ever seen before.

I pray your journey is progressing. If you've found yourself stuck in traffic on I-Drive - call a friend for help out of the city to a more peaceful place. It will be worth your time and effort - like a trip on the river...you never know what's around the bend.

Loving The Journey...

Week 10 & 11 Assignments

Read Hebrews 3
Read Psalm 95
Read Bible Speaks Today pages 82-88

We are also reading The Enemy Within over the next 2 weeks

Post Card #2

Have you ever been on a trip and realized that you missed something along the way that you knew you needed to see? So what do you do? You make a U-Turn and go back. This is what I just did - you see, my trip has been full of many distractions these past few weeks, and I missed something God wanted me to hear. It was Mark Altrogge's message on Gratefulness, and I'm so glad that I took the time to go back! I needed to hear what he preached on this day in these circumstances.

How is it with your trip? Are you speeding along and missing important stops along the way? May I encourage you that the goal isn't so much the trip as it is the journey! Take time to enjoy it, and when God prompts you to stop, even if you're slow to hear requiring a U-Turn, do it. You'll never know what God has for you if you speed along and miss God's main "points of interest". After all, this is the point isn't it? Seeing and enjoying what He has for us along the route.

Enjoying the Journey!

Week 9 Assignments

Read Hebrews 3:1-6
Read The Bible Speaks Today pages 74-81

For additional reading over the next three weeks read The Enemy Within, by Kris Lungaard

Week 8 Assignments

I don't know about you, but doing The Bible Speaks Today reading a little each day has been a bit disjointed for me. I end up having to read back over the previous days in order to remember the context of what I'm currently reading. I've decided to start reading the Hebrews Commentary portion of my devotions all the way through one morning (probably Monday) each week, and continue with my reading through the Old Testament the rest of the week. As a result I will post what our assignment is for the week on Sundays, and you can break it into daily readings yourself, if that format works best for you.

Thank you for your input through all of this. It has been a tremendous encouragement and blessing to travel this road with you!

Week 8

Read Hebrews 2:5-18;
Read Bible Speaks Today, pages 65-73