The Tailor’s Name Is Change, Part Two
God did not give us His Word to satisfy our curiosity; He gave it to change our lives. Can you name a couple of specific changes God has implemented in your life during the past six or eight months?
Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
God did not give us His Word to satisfy our curiosity; He gave it to change our lives. Can you name a couple of specific changes God has implemented in your life during the past six or eight months?
When you boil life down to the nubbies, the name of the game is change. Those who flex with the times, refuse to be rigid, resist the mould, and reject the rut—ah, those are the souls distinctively used by God.
“No, child. Always love. That’s the final word. That’s what I want you to do. Always love.” Always love.
Have you ever played for a coach who wasn't tough? If so, guess what you did all season—lose! Great coaches are tough-minded; they attract people who do their best for them. Winning requires being tough!
Thank You for the hope that Your people have because of the Saviour. May it not make us indifferent and distant from the lost, but—on the contrary—may we be sensitive, available, in touch, aware, in step with today. Keep us clear-headed, compassionate, and willing to help.
Thank You for the tenderness and compassion mothers contribute to a world that's cold and raw and careless and harsh. Thank You for their affirmation and words of affection in the midst of a society bent on high achievement, self-serving goals, and short-sighted pursuits. Thank You for their hours of investment in others. Thank You for their contribution to You in the work of the church down through the centuries.
Our Father, in a dry and barren world, where sin is so rampant and society is so filthy, we need a fountain of fresh, clean water full of blessing, truth, and strength. We need water that's never bitter...always sweet to the taste. Most of all, we need You. "Come Thou fount of every blessing."
Marriage. A husband and wife coming together as one. Family. Rearing children. These things are so much of what life is about, our Father. They give us hours of pleasure...and hours of frustration. There's probably nothing that most of us work harder at and sometimes feel more guilty about than those things. What a mystery!
Give us new hope, Lord—hope that we can one day get beyond the struggle raging for our lives. We look forward to that day soon when Christ will once and for all win the victory that already belongs to Him because of the cross.
Lord God, fear threatens to overtake us, to hinder us from trusting You. We often seek to rely on ourselves, trusting in our own strength to accomplish our own desires. Because we recognize the realities and the dangers of this distressed world, we thank You for making Your plan clear to ultimately remove all fear and anxiety and worry.