A WORD FOR TODAY 

How is Your Walk?

(The Bible is food for your Soul)

Turning Back or Walking with Jesus? “Do you also want to go away?” (John 6:67). What a penetrating question! Our Lord’s words often hit home for us when He speaks in the simplest way. In spite of the fact that we know who Jesus is, He asks, “Do you also want to go away?” We must continually maintain an adventurous attitude toward Him, despite any potential personal risk. “From that time many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more” (John 6:66). They turned back from walking with Jesus; not necessarily into sin, but away from Him which leads to sin.

WATCH THIS: Many people today are pouring their lives out and working for Jesus Christ, but are not really walking with Him. One thing God constantly requires of us is oneness with Jesus Christ.

LISTEN: After being set apart through sanctification, we should discipline our lives spiritually to maintain this intimate oneness. When God gives you a clear determination of His will for you, are you striving to maintain that relationship by some particular method is completely unnecessary. WHAT AM I SAYING?

All that is required is – to live a natural life of absolute dependence on Jesus Christ. Never try to live your life with God in any other way than His way. And His way means absolute devotion to Him. Showing no concern for the uncertainties that lie ahead is the secret of walking with Jesus.

Peter saw in Jesus only someone who could minister salvation to him and to the world. But our Lord wants us to be fellow laborers with Him. In John 6:70 Jesus lovingly reminded Peter that he was chosen to go with Him.

And each of us must answer this question for ourselves and no one else: “Do you also want to go away?”

Americanism

"The Constitution, like a dutiful parent to its children, provides a loving, nurturing environment for the people of this country to grow and prosper in their own rights. But is this all that matters? Is all we care about in our families that we ourselves are safe, and not our loved ones as well? No, the Constitution as a parent provides an environment for us to protect our brothers and sisters as well. Benjamin Franklin, when asked what type of government the Constitution had created, replied, 'A republic, if you can keep it.' ""

The above quote is from a winning speech "Our Parent, the Constitution" delivered by 2011 American Legion High School Oratorical Scholarship Contest champion Anisha Guruyraj of Chesterfield, Mo.

For an inspiring 9 minute speech by this young lady watch the winning oration: @ www.legion.org/oratorical

Vision and Darkness - Devotional to ponder during these trying days

Vision and Darkness “When the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him” (Genesis 15:12)

Whenever God gives a vision to a Christian, it is as if He puts him in “the shadow of His hand” (Isaiah 49:2). The saint’s duty is to be still and listen. There is a “darkness” that comes from too much light—that is the time to listen. The story of Abram and Hagar in Genesis 16 is an excellent example of listening to so-called good advice during a time of darkness, rather than waiting for God to send the light. When God gives you a vision and darkness follows, wait. God will bring the vision He has given you to reality in your life if you will wait on His timing. Never try to help God fulfill His word. Abram went through thirteen years of silence, but in those years all of his self-sufficiency was destroyed. He grew past the point of relying on his own common sense. Those years of silence were a time of discipline, not a period of God’s displeasure.

There is never any need to pretend that your life is filled with joy and confidence; just wait upon God and be grounded in Him (see Isaiah 50:10–11) 10 - Who is among you that fears the LORD, that obeys the voice of his servant, that walks in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD, and stay upon his God. 11 - Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow. Do I trust at all in the flesh? Or have I learned to go beyond all confidence in myself and other people of God? Do I trust in books and prayers or other joys in my life? Or have I placed my confidence in God Himself, not in His blessings? “I am Almighty God …” —El-Shaddai, the All-Powerful God (Genesis 17:1). The reason we are all being disciplined is that we will know God is real. As soon as God becomes real to us, people pale by comparison, becoming shadows of reality. Nothing that other saints do or say can ever upset the one who is built on God.