Fitful Dreams – He Said

Fitful Dreams

As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. Genesis 15:12 (NIV)

Listen to Fitful Dreams – He Said

There is a sickness that settles in the pit of my stomach when I sense the absence of God’s presence. My ears ring, skin becomes cool and moist. Nausea overwhelms me. The symptoms are similar to motion sickness and perhaps that’s what it is—an unholy motion of me moving into a thick and dreadful darkness without Him.

I can recall with vivid clarity the terror I felt sitting in the Atlanta airport with no ticket, no cash, and no way home. My only comfort came through the promises of God, so I opened my Bible and highlighted words, claiming His pledge of provision. I remember the dread I felt stepping into darkness in Granada, Nicaragua. Alone and unable to speak the language, I repeated His assurance of protection.

The Psalmist writes: “The Lord God is a sun and a safe-covering. He holds nothing good from those who walk in the way that is right…They who look for the Lord will not be without any good thing…The angel of the Lord stays close around those who fear him, and he takes them out of trouble… Because you have made the Lord your safe place, and the Most High the place where you live, nothing will hurt you. No trouble will come near your tent.”

Powerful promises. And yet Abram fell into a nightmare full of darkness and dread. He’d walked with God into a strange land and found a famine. He’d believed God’s promise of a son but his wife remained barren. He’d pitched his tent in the shadow of God’s mountain but evil, death, and war raged around him. Promises from God—problems from man.

In desperation Abram asked, “O Sovereign Lord how can I know…?” Isn’t that the question we ask? How can I know? How can I be certain there is a God? And if there is, how can I be certain he loves me?

In the depths of Abram’s nightmare, God appeared to him as a blazing torch and a smoking firepot. Hardly comforting images. But in response to our questions of His love and sovereignty, God exchanged His son for us and the swap was executed in a brutal manner. The writer of Hebrews reminds us: “It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Terrifying indeed.

That night in the Atlanta airport, God provided me with a faster and cheaper flight home. That night in Granada, He provided me with safe and affordable shelter.

Do you sense a dreadful darkness sweeping over you? Perhaps the gloom you feel is the shadow of the Most High leaning over you as He prepares to scoop you up in His arms.

Cold, Hard and Dark – She Said

Cold, Hard and Dark

As the sun was setting, Abram fell into a deep sleep, and a thick and dreadful darkness came over him. Genesis 15:12 (NIV)

Listen to Cold, Hard and Dark – She Said

The swinging door creaked open and the ultrasound technician poked her head through. “You need to come. Now!” My heart sank. Something was seriously wrong.

The doctor dropped his pen into his coat and sighed. “It’s a blood clot stemming from his calf into his abdomen. His blood pressure is extremely high because the heart can’t pump the blood efficiently around the clot and…” he pointed to a spot on the ultrasound. “This is a clot ready to break free. If that happens, he’ll have a stroke.”

My soft, gentle husband sat on the cusp of death and he didn’t know the severity. I knew and I was horrified. Outside his hospital room the doctor spoon-fed me the words you hear on television, “If he pulls through the next 24 hours…”

My stomach twisted as the reality of my husband’s immortality rushed forward. Tim could die and the one thing I feared the most…life without him, stared me in the face. God please don’t let him die. I watched every rise of his chest as he slept. Darkness fell over me and I was completely consumed.

God knew Abram’s fear and it wasn’t the battles around him or the famine and hardship he faced. His problems lay in the darkness when Abram dreamed. Fear and doubt fell over him in the blackness of night. But God promised Abram, I am your reward and so he hung on.

I’ve fought fear, sadness, insecurity and loneliness—felt the heaviness as the darkness of night fell over me. Nights dragged into days and my eyes never closed nor did the rest come. I dreaded nightfall.
Still, through it all, when I squinted hard, I could see a pinhole of light. Hope. Enough to grasp hold of and pull toward. A pinhole that grew larger the closer I came; warmer, comforting. And when I stretched out my hand the fingers of God tightened around my wrist. The harder I held the stronger the grip of God grew. And then, daybreak came.

Darkness constantly ensues us. Satan shoves the black coldness at us, hoping to block the glimmer of the Father’s light—working to force us away from the promises of a God who is faithful. He pushes at us relentlessly, but this is how Satan attacks…in a dreadful and continual darkness.

God answered my prayers for my husband. We held to His promise to protect us, provide for us. He gave us peace. With Him as our shepherd, we did not want.
When darkness beats you down, when you feel as though things are cold, hard and dark; don’t be afraid. Reach for the promises of the reward that God brings to us when we are fully in Him.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and cofounders of ChristianDevotions.us. They cowrite the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host Blog Talk Radio’s Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio . (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust – A Journey to Financial Dependence.

…your God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. Deuteronomy 8:2 NIV

“Mamaw,” Kara asked me, “is Jesus really in my heart?” Tapping on her little chest, she asked again, “I mean, in my heart?”

Kara, our granddaughter, was about nine-years-old and visiting our Tennessee home from North Carolina. At bedtime, she said she had some questions for me. She said, “You can get your Bible if you need to.” She had never before asked deep questions.

I wondered how I could explain to a child that Jesus being in her heart meant that she had accepted Jesus into her life as her Savior (which she had). Yet, I felt I needed to go a little further and tell her that everyone has a body (you know– skin, arms, legs, head). We also have a soul (the same as our heart) which includes our mind, will, and emotions. Then, everyone has a spirit (their awareness of God).

I explained how we decide in our heart to ask forgiveness for our sins and serve Jesus, and our spirit comes close to God’s Spirit to help us learn about God. We say that Jesus is in our heart because our mind and will (our heart) made the choice to serve Him. She comprehended the best she could for such a young age.

God led the children of Israel on a long journey in the wilderness for several reasons. One of those reasons was to know what was in their heart. He already knew their hearts, but He wanted them to understand that their hearts were selfish and full of rebellion.

When Jesus is in your heart, your spirit is alive and aware of God daily. He inspires us to pray to the Father, hear His voice within us, and obey His commands. Do you know what is in your own heart? Look deep.

Phyllis Qualls Freeman has over two-hundred-fifty published devotionals, human interest, and other articles. She is working on her first book. Phyllis loves reaching out to touch those who have long-term, life-altering situations to share God’s love. Married to her college sweetheart for fifty years, they have three children and five grandchildren. Visit Phyllis’ web site: http://sanctuaryofhope.us  Read Phyllis’s devotions.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.  The one who sows to please his sinful nature,  from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Galatians 6:7-8

The Wild Oat plant, Avena fatua, also known as Oatgrass, produces seeds with projecting “awns.”  When moistened by humidity these projections turn the seed and drill it into the ground to ensure germination. In addition, Wild Oat seeds can go dormant, waiting for optimum growing conditions before sprouting. One plant can produce 60 to 2,000 new oats.

We often hear the excuses about “just sowing a few wild oats,” but we forget–God forgives us our sins but he does not remove the consequences of those sins.  Like a noxious weed seeding itself in our garden, our wild oats have a way of hanging about and causing trouble long after the deed is done.

When we sow one wild oat seed — the consequences are 60 to 2,000 weeds infesting our gardens.  Our wild oats, our sins, will bury themselves in our lives and in other people’s gardens too.  The consequences of our sins are reaped by ourselves and by those around us.

We are forgiven our sins, but we still endure the earthly consequences.  We sow and we reap wild oats.

The good news is that when we sow the seeds of the Spirit, we reap the rewards of the Spirit.  I know which I’d rather have in my garden.  What are you planting today?

Lochlanina Tobey uses her degree in English composition from Messiah College as an excuse for writing and teaching poetry. Her most recent prize winning poem, The Finality of Rain appears on UtmostChristianWriters.com. In 2008 she trained with CLASServices, Inc. as a professional Christian speaker and feels blessed to minister as a leader and speaker at women’s retreats. Read Lochlania’s devotions.

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse…Test me in this says the Lord God Almighty, and see if I will not throw open the gates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. Malachi 3:10

I am a tither—have been for years. Not bragging, not complaining, but simply stating a fact. But I’m not ashamed to state it. I believe that tithing is a great secret to financial success. It has been for me and I pray it will be for you.

I was challenged to start tithing as a young father with a very low income, a wife, one baby and one on the way, and lots and lots of bills. Writing down my income and expenses, it was obvious I couldn’t afford it. However, I decided to put God first and let all other obligations come later.

The things that happened when I started tithing amazed me. Money came to me from unknown and unexpected places. One of my major creditors refused to let me pay what I owed. My income began to increase regularly. It wasn’t long before I achieved financial stability and it has continued over many years.

God’s word calls us to give tithes and offerings to him through the church. He dares us to try it and he promises great blessings if we will. In reality, tithing is a faith move. Do you believe what God says? Do you believe he will do what he says?

Today, I’m a rich man. I don’t mean that I have millions in the bank. I mean that I have the Lord, people I love, and people who love me. Financially, I have all I need and want. A modern translation of Psalm 23:1 is: The Lord is my shepherd—I don’t need a thing.

Have you discovered this great financial secret? Have you put it to the test in your life and finances? If not, don’t wait until you can afford it. Do it now, and watch how God blesses!

Dr. Bob Wilkerson, is a native of Alabama. He has had sermons and articles published in several Christian publications: The Southern Baptist Convention’s Award Winning Sermons, Vol.4; Proclaim Magazine; The Alabama Baptist; The Rocky Mountain Baptist; and The Alabama Christian Life Commission Report. In addition, he writes a devotional column for a local newspaper. Read Bob’s devotions

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge. Selah Psalm 62:8b

My heart cracked–a literal physical ache from the amount of internal pain! Tears cascaded down my cheeks as I sobbed with my head in my hands. I needed to have it out with God! I dropped to my knees on a bed of fresh pine needles I’d found along my favorite wooded trail. My inward groaning erupted in a scream–”God where are you?”

Psalms says to “Pour out your heart before Him,” meaning to pour out like milk from a glass pitcher; spill it out, pour forth. It was not only an exercise of casting all my fears (and anguish) before God, but an exercise of faith. How would God answer the many questions I had? I needed to tip out of my heart all the anger, doubt, sadness, tears, and questions.

It had been less than three years since I’d lost my father unexpectedly to a heart attack, but to lose my 40-year-old younger brother the same way was too much for me to process. Both men appeared in good health–neither experienced any warning signs. Both were loved by the family and enjoyed the same love of working outside. They took their last breath in their homes a mile from each other. Both carried the same name to their graves. What kind of a mean joke was God playing on my family? I realized it was foolish to try and hide anything from an all-knowing maker and creator, so I “poured out” my thoughts into words. There is freedom and great release in being brutally honest with God.

Trust in Him at all times, O people… for God is our refuge. How can I believe one line of a verse and scrub the rest? I knew after I poured my heart out, I needed to let go and trust Him in faith. This time, as the verse says, “at all times” included death.

How about you? Have you poured your heart out lately? Will you trust Him in times of trouble, doubt, or grief? Will you let Him be your refuge? Pour your heart into the hands that never let anything slip through.

Darlene Lund is a Life Purpose Coach® for women and holds all five levels of certification under Life Purpose Coaching Centers International® (LPCCI®). She was trained to be a LPCCI® Life-time Instructor of Coaches and is a Grief Facilitator. She facilitates two-day intense life plans, and also one-day grief facilitations. Darlene targets the heart of women in her speaking, coaching, writing, and creation of curriculum. Darlene is married to Phil and has three teenagers. She is a lifelong learner and enjoys reading and walking! Contact Darlene@Heartswithapurpose.com or visit her website www.Heartswithapurpose.com

Read Darlene’s devotions.

I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me. Matthew 25:36

“I was in prison…”

“Inmate Spencer, Kevin…Inmate Spencer, report to the Front Gate. You have a visitor.”

That was me. I was Inmate Spencer, Kevin. But I wasn’t expecting a visit. It was a hot summer Saturday in Florida about halfway through my multi-year incarceration. Outside visitors for me were few and far between. I didn’t know anybody in the State of Florida who would be visiting me, and any out of state visits I always knew about in advance. So this was unusual, and in prison anything “unusual” was immediately stressful.

For inmates there is comfort in routine. Having daily events happen when and how they are supposed to happen made our lives easier and safer. Having something happen that you didn’t expect was cause for immediate concern. I didn’t need anymore stress. Living behind bars was stressful enough, but lately I had begun to give up hope of ever going home. God had promised me years earlier, when I had gotten down on my knees and pleaded with him for help, that it would be okay. And while He had kept his promise, and kept me safe so far, I was losing hope. Home seemed so far away. And lately God had seemed pretty far away too.

I dug out my cleanest prison-blue uniform, the one I kept for my rare visits, got dressed, and walked up to the visitation room at the front gate. I really thought it was a mistake. It took awhile to be processed. By the time I was finally cleared into the visitation room, the Florida sun had created sweat stains on my clean uniform. I still had no idea who my visitor was.

I pushed open the door, walked through, and looked around. From a table across the room, a figure stood–the last person I expected to see. With a big grin and open arms, my best friend walked across the room and hugged me. I hadn’t seen Eddie since the troubles that had landed me where I was. I didn’t even know if he was still my friend. But here he was, big as life. Yes, there were tears in my eyes. Clumsily hidden, of course. I was an inmate, after all. But they were there. And the bleak and dark fog I had been living in, suddenly didn’t seem so bleak and dark.

I doubt Eddie knows to this day how much his visit meant; how much it restored me. How, for a couple of hours while we visited, home no longer seemed so far away. But God knew. He knew what I needed. And I should have known He wasn’t really that far away. He had promised me, and His promises are forever. Thank you Father…and thanks, Eddie.

Kevin Spencer lives in Tennessee with his beautiful wife Charlotte and grandson Caleb. A former prodigal son, Kevin is now trying to use the gifts God gave him, and by the grace of God has a life far better than he ever deserved.Read Kevin’s devotions

The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. Psalms 18:1-3

“I put on my big girl britches this morning!” I said as I bolted toward the nurse who attended my daughter. Due to some pregnancy complications, my precious, beautiful daughter was born ten weeks premature. At just two pounds and fourteen ounces, she spent the first eight weeks of her life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

My tiny daughter lay in her incubator with all types and colors of tubes coming out of her little body. I sat by my daughter in her incubator, talking with her and praying over her, when a nurse came by and said it was time to change out her IVs.

“You don’t have to stay in the room while I do this,” said the nurse.

“I’m fine; I wore my big girl britches today!”

I had awoken early that morning to spend some time with the Lord before heading to the NICU. During my quiet time with the Lord, I opened my Bible and read Psalms 18. These verses tell of the comfort and strength we can receive by holding on and relying on the Lord. There are many difficult situations we may be forced to deal with in life and God may ask us to step-up our faith or to “put on our big girl britches.”

What can we do to grow our faith? We can start with prayer, reading scripture daily, attending church and developing Christian friendships. During times of challenge, the most important thing we can do is to hold to the Rock of our salvation…Jesus Christ our Lord.

With a slight giggle from the nurse…a deep breath from me… and a high pitched cry from my daughter, the nurse removed one IV and reinserted another into my brave, precious daughter’s arms.

Be brave. Let God lead you through the difficult times.

Abbey Medcalf Cooler is a dynamic and energetic speaker with a heart for women. She has a Masters of Arts in Christian Education from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Education from Gardner-Webb University. Abbey has served as the Associate Director of Elementary Ministries and as the Preschool and Children’s Director before moving on to teach sixth grade. She is currently residing in Acworth, Georgia and is a stay-at-home mom. Abbey is married to Adam and they have a daughter, Ava. Read Abbey’s devotions

God: The One Percent Solution (photo courtesy of the La Vista Church of Christ )

God: The One Percent Solution – He Said

The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:14 (NIV)

Listen to God: The One Percent Solution – He Said

When God closes a door He opens a window. You can jump or be pushed but out you will go. As one nation under God we appear to be a people teetering on the ledge. Will we fly or fall?

A survey of the cultural landscape leads me to believe Christians are not flying but fleeing to the hills, caves and fortresses. Christian book publishers continue to slash payrolls, cancel contracts and shun new voices. Churches flounder and fold due to soaring debt, dwindling tithes and an anemic spirit within the Body of Christ. Christian couples split and sue for joint custody as the “peace that passes understanding” is trampled on the steps of courthouses. Jobless and joyless we sit in the pews and mouth the words “How Great Thou Art” while secretly wondering as Gideon did, “Why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders our parents told us about?”

Born into the weakest branch of his family tree, Gideon considered himself to be the runt of the litter and yet God called him a mighty warrior. Could it be God views you as a mighty warrior, too?

For seven years the raiders of the East pillaged the land, stole crops, killed cattle and forced Gideon’s countrymen to hide in mountain clefts, caves and forts. Cowering in fear, they retreated from the battlefield. Christian businessman Peter J. Daniels notes, “The poverty mentality that has afflicted Christians in wealthy nations is a masterstroke of satanic genius. It has impoverished us for decades. It has denied that every Christian is of royal blood.” Could it be God is calling you from your hiding place?

When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, the boy didn’t break out into a praise-and-worship song. He didn’t fall face down in wonder. He dared to ask, “If I have found favor in your eyes, give me a sign that it is really you talking to me.” Are you waiting for a sign from God that He is calling you?

Any encounter with a living God will leave you changed. Gideon received a new title: “Mighty Warrior.” He received a new mission: “Strike down the enemy.” He received God’s power: “I will be with you.” He received God’s blessing: “God in the strength you have.” Will you accept the challenge to be changed?

The climax of Gideon’s quest to strike a blow against God’s enemies reads like a military blunder. God commanded this “mighty warrior” to pare down his troops until only 300 remained: One percent of a thirty thousand man army. But one percent of anything with God by your side is a recipe for success. “Our protection and prosperity does not come from the sword, or microchip or factories,” says Peter J. Daniels, “but from the hand of God.” Is God sending you? Jump from the window and go in the strength you have.

Do What?

Do What? – She Said

The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:14 TNIV

Listen to Do What? – She Said

I get scared. Call it past history, lack of self-confidence, what have you…but the cold hard fact is, I get scared. Some say scared and fear are the same thing. I don’t agree. Scared is temporary but fear can be eternal.  So when God said to me, “Don’t be afraid of what you need, but what you will get in the abundance of Me,” I had to ask, “Do what?”

I wondered if God wanted me to be afraid of His provision. He’s answered bunches of prayers. Why would I need to be afraid of what I get in the abundance of His blessings?

The ministry has a need. God knows this, and I carry this need to the cross every day. So does my ministry partner. But sometimes it’s so great financially and growth wise that I long for a peace about the decision. I’m from the weakest clan (the human race) and I’m the least of the bunch (wimpy). I get scared that I’m not the right person God is calling. If I am, can I really pull off the job? I forget…He’s sending me.

Gideon had his moments when he was equally as scared as me. God wanted him go against the Midianites who were so massive across the land, they seemed like swarms of flies. Gideon cried out to God, “Hey, I’m from the weakest clan and to beat all, I’m the least of the bunch. How in heaven’s name do you figure I can whip the Midianites?” God reminded Gideon, “Am I not sending you?” Despite his reservations, God called on Gideon to take responsibility in the abundance of Him.

What a wake-up call for Gideon and for me! I’ve been called, given the strength, have no need to worry about provision and I have a real reason to be responsible for gifts God has already given.

I’ve been given the strength to do the work the Father placed before me. But He expects me to grasp hold of the responsibility that lies within the abundance. Do the work. Trust Him. When I seek peace from being scared, God reminds me He will help me.

So the ministry has a need… my calling is to do the work, take the reins and move ahead. Accept the responsibility in the abundance He has already given. What about you? Do you need to grasp hold of the gifts of the mission and forge ahead? Don’t be scared. God has your back.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and cofounders of ChristianDevotions.us. They cowrite the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host Blog Talk Radio’s Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio . (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust – A Journey to Financial Dependence.

Do What?

The LORD turned to him and said, “Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you?” Judges 6:14 TNIV

Listen to Do What? – She Said

I get scared. Call it history, lack of self-confidence, what have you…but the truth is, I get scared. Some say scared and fear are the same thing. I disagree. Scared is temporary but fear can be eternal. So when God said to me, “Don’t be afraid of what you need, but what you will get in the abundance of Me,” I had to ask, “Do what?”

I wondered if God wanted me to be afraid of His provision. He’d answered bunches of prayers. Why would I need to be afraid of what I would get in the abundance of His blessings?

The ministry has a need. God knows this, and I carry this need to the cross every day. So does my ministry partner. But sometimes it’s so great financially and growth wise that I long for a peace about the decision. I’m from the weakest clan (the human race) and I’m the least of the bunch (wimpy). I get scared when I hear God call me to a job I think I can’t do? I forget…He’s sending me.

Gideon had his moments when he was equally afraid. God wanted him to go against the Midianites who were so massive across the land, they seemed like swarms of flies. Gideon cried out to God, “Hey, I’m from the weakest clan and to beat all, I’m the least of the bunch. How in heaven’s name do you figure I can whip the Midianites?” God reminded Gideon, “Am I not sending you?” Despite his fear, God called on Gideon to take responsibility in the abundance of Him.

What a wake-up call for Gideon and for me! I’ve been called, given the strength, and have no need to worry about the provision I will need. If I need to fear for anything, it’s that I’ll be responsible for gifts God has already given me.

Our work is blessed a thousand fold. We’ve been given the strength to do the work the Father placed before us. Last month we had the most visitors to our site we’ve ever had. But He expects us to grasp hold of the responsibility that lays within the abundance. Do the work. Trust Him. When I seek for peace from being scared, God reminds me He will help me.

The ministry has a need… so what? My calling is to do the work, take the reins and move ahead. Accept the responsibility in the abundance He has already given. What about you? Do you need to grasp hold of the gifts of the mission and forge ahead? Don’t be scared. God has your back.

Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and cofounders of ChristianDevotions.us. They cowrite the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host Blog Talk Radio’s Christian Devotions Speak UP! along with Scott McCausey.

And now you can catch them each Friday evening at 7 p.m. on He Said, She Said Radio . (Call in number, 646-929-0706 ). They travel with Christian Devotions Ministries teaching the art of writing devotions at writers conferences across the country. Eddie and Cindy are featured in Faith & FINANCES: In God We Trust – A Journey to Financial Dependence.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death… Philippians 3:10

During my childhood summers, we spent weeks at my grandparents’ lakeside home. Some evenings, my grandmother would send us down to the lake with tiny shampoo bottles and soap to bathe in our swimsuits. I guess she figured some soap and water was better than none at all…

We’d swim until the sun dipped low on the horizon and the smell of biscuits wafted down the hill. Then we’d climb onto the dock, lather hair, bodies, and bathing suits, and line up for diving. I remember those dives today. My body hit the silk of evening lake water and plunged forward. The warm top-water extended several feet below the surface. Plenty of room in that top layer to dive and be rinsed, but I didn’t want the top layer – I wanted what was below! I kicked into the lake, pushing myself down to colder water. My skin tingled. My body–relaxed from the warm water–charged back to life.
                                                                                                                                       Our relationship with Christ is like diving into the lake. Just knowing him at all is enough to get you clean. He surrounds you with his love if you dive just that deep.

But He wants to do more for you. And if you take action, if you dive beneath the surface layer of relationship with him, He will revitalize you and send you back to the surface with shouts of joy and praise. He will do this again and again and every time you dive deeper, you will get to know him better.

I spent parts of my summer for years at my grandparents’ house, and dove deep into the water hundreds of times. I never tired of it, but that tingle of lake water is nothing compared to the charge I experience when I dive deeper with Jesus. You can feel that charge every day of your life if you let go of the worldly surface and go a little deeper.

If a relationship with Jesus on the surface is so wondrous, can you imagine what He has waiting for you once you get to the heart of things? You can find out today; just tell him you are ready to dive.

Sarah Stasik lives on a crooked mountain in Virginia with her husband and son. Her writing has appeared in publications such as The Kid’s Ark, Penned from the Heart, and Standard Publishing’s Program books. Read Sarah’s devotions.