Precious Promises

There is no better known symbol of precious stones than the diamond. But of even greater value are God’s promises in the middle of the real struggles in our lives. Peter writes these words as he faces the end of his own life at the hands of executioners. He looks back for a moment remembering how at the Lord’s invitation he had walked on water. In his mind he still sees the fish and loaves multiplied for 5,000 and a blind man by the roadside receiving sight. He could still recall his own tears when Jesus had looked at him while words of denial echoed in his mouth. Then only a few days later Jesus met with him to renew His promise that Peter was still loved and had been specially chosen to care for people just like us. How amazing and precious are these promises that Peter now passes on to us!

Our High Mountain Places

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord , I will joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:18

Rejoicing is not a response to our situations it is a step of faith. Habakkuk was witnessing the complete destruction of his people. He could have been angry and filled with hatred. But instead of bitterness he chose to trust in something he knew he might not live to see – God’s restoration. He decided that if God had given him a mountain of difficulty God would also give him the strength to climb it.

Whatever mountain we are facing we can also choose to rejoice. By faith we can claim His promise of feet like a deer to walk on our highest mountain paths.

Daily Bread

Tonight my wife was in a baking mood so she decided we are having homemade bread. The aroma of it in the oven is enough to get my taste buds tuned up for the big pot of chile simmering on the stovetop.

When Jesus taught us to pray for daily bread it was not only as a check on our tendency to worry; but also out of a fatherly concern for us to have a healthy spiritual diet. Friends will be stopping by later just to be able to eat a piece straight out of Nancy’s oven!

We need to take more seriously our prayer for daily bead. If we ask Him our Father has promised to provide fresh daily bread. Then maybe folks will stop by not only for my wife’s famous recipe bread, but for also for some bread straight out of God’s own oven!
Those who pray best, pray for today’s not tomorrow’s needs. Our prayers for tomorrow’s needs may be unnecessary because tomorrow might not exist at all” E M Bounds