Reflecting God - gods restoring love

Below is today's devotional I receive via email. Enjoy!

John 21:7-25

John 21 is an intimate setting: a group of friends, breakfast on the beach, a walk, and an intimate conversation. Three times Jesus asks, “Peter, do you love me?” Surely Peter was already overwhelmed with grief at his betrayal of the Lord. Was Jesus being cruel? Never! Jesus often ministered by asking questions that cut through the fog of fear, self-centeredness, guilt or failure.

What Peter saw in himself was someone whose actions had failed the Lord. What Christ saw was someone who would allow God to use him fully. Jesus had been with Peter at every turn. He caught him when he sank (Matt. 14:31), corrected his attitude in the garden (Jn. 18:11), and looked directly at Peter when the rooster crowed (Luke 22:61).

We are not alone as we endeavor to follow Christ. He is here, leading us forward, walking beside, and directing from behind. He does not look at our failures with disappointment or disgust. He wants to lovingly restore in us all that falls short of His glory and goodness

Reflecting God - with us

Below in a devotional I receive via email I wanted to share. I did not write it, it is titled reflecting God. Enjoy!

Isaiah 63:7-14

God leads his people. But it is not always through the calm, balmy days of summer. It may be carving a path through the roaring chaos of overwhelming grief, or into shelter from the clash of anger and frustration, or even while being swept along on a flood of painful memories. Joining Jesus on the journey is not flood insurance policy, nor does it protect our possessions from fire or damage.

We can find confidence and courage, because “This is how you guided your people.” God once led and still leads His people himself. This is where our hope and security lie. He does not send a substitute to conduct the trip. He did not simply give us a map and send us on our way. No, God is with us on this journey, providing pillars of fire and cloud. He parts waters.  He sends His Holy Spirit to dwell within us and among us.

Trials and suffering need not lead us to despair, but hope. Isaiah reminds us that the God who has done it before and will do it again, with us!

Author: Julia Roat-Abla

Storm

Everyone has been in storms before.  I cant take credit for the post below.  I hope it will give peace to all who read it. The god who made us knows and cares and will fight for us in the midst of our storm.  

Streams in the Desert: Thou Wilt Revive Me Ps 138:7 - Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me Source: Daily Streams - http://www.youdevotion.com/streams/april/23

Follow first, see second

Below is my devotional for today, thought it was worth sharing.

Reflecting God - Follow First, See Second

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Follow First, See Second Posted: 17 Jun 2014 12:00 AM PDT John 1:35-51 “You don’t have to believe me,” a salesman proclaims. “There’s a money back guarantee! Absolutely no risk to you!” Lots of spray-on hair, food dehydrators, and wearable blankets have been sold under those promises. People are like that. We like to see some proof before we make a commitment. Perhaps that is why being fully devoted to Christ provides such a challenge forsome. Maybe it was a stretch for John the Baptist’s two disciples, when they asked Jesus where He was staying, because He didn’t directly answer their question. Instead, He invites them to follow. “‘Come,’ he replied, ‘and you will see.’” (John 1:39a). The order of the two verbs—come then see—is repeated later when skeptical Nathanael inquires about Jesus’ credentials. “‘Come and see,’ said Philip” (John 1:46b). In Christ, it’s follow first, see second. Often, when I have asked the Lord a question, I have sensed in His response not information but an invitation. In those instances, like John’s two disciples, I didn’t just simply see where Jesus was but who He is. Author: Brian Charette