The blood trickled down his eyebrow, over his nose, and onto his lip. Jason could taste the blood.
They had been dragged out of their home, before the city officials, and now resided in jail. For how long, he didn't know. Maybe forever.
Was this supposed to happen?
It had been like he had fallen in love - like they all had fallen in love. Even more intense then when Jason had met his wife. Jason and the others in his household had fallen in love with the Creator, the Savior, the One True God. He and his family committed themselves to God.
Immediately this happened.
One question kept running through his tired, defeated mind.
Light lit the jail cells, and the city officials made their way into the dank chamber. Their stony faces asked the same question that his soul cried out.
Was He worth it?
Based on Acts 17:5-9
"But other Jews were jealous; so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd. But when they did not find them, they dragged Jason and some other believers before the city officials, shouting: 'These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus.' When they heard this, the crowd and the city officials were thrown into turmoil. Then they made Jason and the others post bond and let them go." Acts 17:5-9
There is this infamous phrase about marriage. Perhaps you know it.
"The honeymoon is over."
It's meant to say that it's not all lovey-dovey, gooey and romantic anymore. Your spouse no longer has the ability to hang the stars in the sky. Now it's time to go through the trials, testing, and meaty stuff that make a relationship into something that will last.
As I was reading these verses, that phrase just kept running through my mind. "The honeymoon is over." And so soon! They were immediately persecuted and put on the spot. I can't help wondering what happened to Jason and the others. Did they remain faithful to God despite the persecution?
No matter how quickly the honeymoon ends, the relationship can still stand strong if they are committed.
Millions of people choose to not let the trials turn their love for God to rubble. I choose to walk through the fire with God and come out on the other side even more committed to Him. Will we fight for our True Love, our God, our King?
The honeymoon may be over, but the relationship is just beginning.
V. Joy Palmer
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Monday, February 8, 2016
"Wise Counsel"
Psalm 1:1-3
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditated day and night.
He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Lord, I pray that as your people, we would always be like the tree planted by the rivers of water as we continually draw from your life giving water! Lord, that Your word would be the delight that nourishes our body, soul, and spirit as we meditate on it day and night. Lord, that it would always find a heart that is quick to heed and faithful to obey. Holy Spirit, give us ears to hear so that we might readily receive and thus produce fruit that would not only further the kingdom but cause us to prosper in the works He calls us to along the way! O Lord, that Your wise counsel would always be the only counsel we seek! Amen!
God Bless!!!
Staff of Snack Time Devotions
Saturday, February 6, 2016
Plans
"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
This verse, apart from John 3:16 and Psalm 23, was the first verse that I can remember memorizing as a kid. I remember my youth pastor drilling it into me and our youth group again and again and again, because it was so important that we remembered this verse and understood it.
It's important to remember that God thinks about us, surely more than we think about Him. I mean, we can go days without thinking of Him at all, but God, He goes beyond just thinking about us. He makes plans for our futures. He makes sure that we know this, to give us the hope that we so desperately need. It seems like such a simple concept, but it is so important that we remember it.
Because of my youth pastor, in times when darkness seems to be winning, I remember this. Times when I lose hope, times when I've been hurt, times when I lose myself, I can turn from the darkness and remember that God still, STILL has a plan for me. Despite my flaws and failings, despite the times when I walk away. He never walks away from me, and He still has plans for me even in my failures. He can lift us out of even the worst places.
See, we often get bogged down in where we are, in what we are doing, in whatever horrible thing has its sights on us. It doesn't need to be like that. He has given us a future, and we should be focused on Him, not the stuff that tears us down.
Remember this verse the next time the enemy stands against you. You have a future. You have a calling. Most importantly, you have God on your side.
Sam
This verse, apart from John 3:16 and Psalm 23, was the first verse that I can remember memorizing as a kid. I remember my youth pastor drilling it into me and our youth group again and again and again, because it was so important that we remembered this verse and understood it.
It's important to remember that God thinks about us, surely more than we think about Him. I mean, we can go days without thinking of Him at all, but God, He goes beyond just thinking about us. He makes plans for our futures. He makes sure that we know this, to give us the hope that we so desperately need. It seems like such a simple concept, but it is so important that we remember it.
Because of my youth pastor, in times when darkness seems to be winning, I remember this. Times when I lose hope, times when I've been hurt, times when I lose myself, I can turn from the darkness and remember that God still, STILL has a plan for me. Despite my flaws and failings, despite the times when I walk away. He never walks away from me, and He still has plans for me even in my failures. He can lift us out of even the worst places.
See, we often get bogged down in where we are, in what we are doing, in whatever horrible thing has its sights on us. It doesn't need to be like that. He has given us a future, and we should be focused on Him, not the stuff that tears us down.
Remember this verse the next time the enemy stands against you. You have a future. You have a calling. Most importantly, you have God on your side.
Sam
"Raining Bread From Heaven"
Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more cloth you, O you of little faith?
Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?'' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:28-33
A few days ago I shared a message with you about 'Manna' and the need to collect a daily portion. Since then I have had a verse and especially a phrase that has been stuck with me. It is Exodus 16:4 ...Then the Lord said to Moses, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain quota every day, that I might test them, whether they will walk in my law or not" The idea that He told them what He was about to do and the fact that that thing was going to be raining bread from heaven has been a thought that seems to hanging out in my spirit. He told them! He told them that He was about to rain bread from heaven. He told them that He was also testing them to see if they would Heed His words about this amazing event! He told them that they 'would eat meat at twilight and in the morning they would be filled with bread. And that they would know that He was the Lord their God because of it.' Exodus 16:12 He told them and they still ran around exclaiming, "What is it?" When morning came and He had truly done what He had said He would! He had told them He was paying close attention to see if they would heed His instructions. And yet some didn't! Some tried to store up extra causing a stench and worms. Some didn't and they tried to gather on the day of rest and found none available. Some didn't listen! He had laid it all out so clearly for them and yet ...
So why is His phrase, "Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you." Stuck in my spirit? Because ... sometimes I tend to worry about things. Sometimes I forget to keep my eyes on Him and I look at the circumstances instead. Sometimes my focus is on that last dollar in my pocket ... BUT THE TRUTH IS He laid it all out for us as well? Hasn't He, like with His promise to "rain bread from heaven" in the days of old, also promised to "add all these things" if we will but seek Him first in all these things. It's a pretty simple plan really. Look to Him and He meets our needs. Will we/will I trust Him? Will I obediently seek Him every day or will I be 'one of little faith?' Will I seek Him obediently as my provider or will I come up with my own plan like those who tried to store up extra? Will I be looking for provision in the wrong place and wrong time when He already provided what was needed like those that hadn't heeded His instruction about gathering for the day of rest?
Why is His Promise to rain bread from heaven stuck in my spirit? Because ... the question remains ... Will I choose to trust Him to sustain me, to cloth me in His righteousness, His glory, or will I strive in my own strength? Will I trust Him to meet all my needs ... even if it means He has to rain bread from heaven? Will you?
I will love You, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:1-2
Thursday, February 4, 2016
A Life for a Life
Panic gripped him. Thoughts came at him in a jumble. His knees weakened. Only a few words made sense to his shocked brain.
Earthquake.
Prisoners.
Escape.
Death.
He jumped from the bed in the side room where he had been sleeping, and ran to the cells. He skidded to a stop in the doorway. He could see his fate in the flickering torchlight. All the doors to the cells were opened.
All the prisoners had escaped.
He fell to his knees and pulled out his sword. This would mean his death. A horrible, painful death meant as punishment. Killing himself would be more merciful. Besides, he had failed. He deserved to die.
Just as he was about to plunge the sword into his heart, a voice stopped him. "Do not harm yourself. We are all here." Trembling, he stood up. Calling for help with the lights, he rushed to the voice that had stopped him.
It belonged to the men of God.
God...had saved him.
Based on Acts 16:25-34
"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, 'Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.' And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.' And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God." Acts 16:25-34
I just keep thinking about this jailer. He had locked Paul and Silas up, was loyal to the cause, and then all of a sudden commits his life to Jesus.
He recognized that God had saved his life, so he gave his life to God. A life for a life. It's as simple as that.
The jailer thought his life was over. He thought he was dead meat because he was sure all the prisoners had escaped. However, God kept the prisoners right there in their cells. God saved the jailer's life. So the jailer dedicated his life to God.
I know that God has saved my life. Again and again. Despite all my screw ups and selfishness. I know that Jesus gave His life for me, died for me. I owe Him everything. So I'm going to live my life for Him. Each day, each moment, each decision, I make is His.
If you recognize what God has done for you, and you want to do something about it, be like the jailer. When he thought he was about to lose his life, he really gained it.
V. Joy Palmer
Earthquake.
Prisoners.
Escape.
Death.
He jumped from the bed in the side room where he had been sleeping, and ran to the cells. He skidded to a stop in the doorway. He could see his fate in the flickering torchlight. All the doors to the cells were opened.
All the prisoners had escaped.
He fell to his knees and pulled out his sword. This would mean his death. A horrible, painful death meant as punishment. Killing himself would be more merciful. Besides, he had failed. He deserved to die.
Just as he was about to plunge the sword into his heart, a voice stopped him. "Do not harm yourself. We are all here." Trembling, he stood up. Calling for help with the lights, he rushed to the voice that had stopped him.
It belonged to the men of God.
God...had saved him.
Based on Acts 16:25-34
"About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone’s bonds were unfastened. When the jailer woke and saw that the prison doors were open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul cried with a loud voice, 'Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.' And the jailer called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them out and said, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' And they said, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.' And they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their wounds; and he was baptized at once, he and all his family. Then he brought them up into his house and set food before them. And he rejoiced along with his entire household that he had believed in God." Acts 16:25-34
I just keep thinking about this jailer. He had locked Paul and Silas up, was loyal to the cause, and then all of a sudden commits his life to Jesus.
He recognized that God had saved his life, so he gave his life to God. A life for a life. It's as simple as that.
The jailer thought his life was over. He thought he was dead meat because he was sure all the prisoners had escaped. However, God kept the prisoners right there in their cells. God saved the jailer's life. So the jailer dedicated his life to God.
I know that God has saved my life. Again and again. Despite all my screw ups and selfishness. I know that Jesus gave His life for me, died for me. I owe Him everything. So I'm going to live my life for Him. Each day, each moment, each decision, I make is His.
If you recognize what God has done for you, and you want to do something about it, be like the jailer. When he thought he was about to lose his life, he really gained it.
V. Joy Palmer
Tuesday, February 2, 2016
She Would Not Be Silent
Is this what it felt like to be stabbed in the spirit? Everyday it was struggle, a war within her, as she desperately tried to be heard.
She had had no idea the decisions she made would lead to this...this...
Beast.
Demon.
She could see the men with her physical eyes. They talked about Jesus, the Son of God. She could hear the demon cursing them and God in her head.
She didn't want to live like this anymore.
The war grew more fierce, but suddenly she found herself in front of those men shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." The demon within her shrieked. He tried to portray it as mockery in the days to come, but she dragged them back everyday, sure that this was the key to her freedom.
She would not quit. She would not stop fighting. She would not be silent.
Based on Acts 16:16-17
"As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.'"
Acts 16:16-17
Does this amaze anyone? This girl was demon possessed. Controled and occupied by a demon to the point that her own spirit was being snuffed. Yet even the demon couldn't stop God's message from being proclaimed. Not even the demon could keep her quiet.
V. Joy Palmer
She had had no idea the decisions she made would lead to this...this...
Beast.
Demon.
She could see the men with her physical eyes. They talked about Jesus, the Son of God. She could hear the demon cursing them and God in her head.
She didn't want to live like this anymore.
The war grew more fierce, but suddenly she found herself in front of those men shouting, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation." The demon within her shrieked. He tried to portray it as mockery in the days to come, but she dragged them back everyday, sure that this was the key to her freedom.
She would not quit. She would not stop fighting. She would not be silent.
Based on Acts 16:16-17
"As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, 'These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.'"
Acts 16:16-17
Does this amaze anyone? This girl was demon possessed. Controled and occupied by a demon to the point that her own spirit was being snuffed. Yet even the demon couldn't stop God's message from being proclaimed. Not even the demon could keep her quiet.
V. Joy Palmer
"His Workmanship"
Think about it! You and I, because He is the Master Craftsman, have been gifted for good works! Gifted for right here, right now, in this day, and in this hour! Gifted to work His will, His purposes! Gifted to work good works in and through Him! Gifted to work the good works that reveal His glory in the earth today. Gifted to walk in such a way that all men are drawn into a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Think about it! He considers you some of His best work and He has gifted/prepared you to be a gift for and to others!
"Yet who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14
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