Load Limits by Joe Stowell

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” 1 Corinthians 10:13 Daddy, can I help you?” It was my four-year-old son, Matt, who was watching me carry cartons of empty pop bottles to the car. Back then you could return them for a dime apiece, so after months of stacking them up in the garage, I was off to collect the cash bonanza. I said, “Sure, Matt,” and he picked up a carton of bottles and put them in the car. When we got to the store, he grabbed his carton of bottles and shuffled along next to me across the big parking lot. About half way to the store, obviously exhausted, he looked up and said, “Dad, I can’t carry this anymore.” Count on it, I didn’t say, “Listen, Kid, you started this, so pick up that carton right now and finish what you started!” Of course not! I took the carton out of his hands, because I knew it was too heavy for him to handle. As his earthly father, I understood what his limits were and helped him carry the load. Thankfully, our heavenly Father understands our load limit and comes alongside to help. It’s hard to stick it out during difficult times when the trouble in our lives seems far too heavy and there is no end in sight. It’s in times like these that we feel like giving up—like we can’t go on. But God’s Word reminds us that “God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). It’s important to note that this verse is talking about more than just bearing up under temptation. In the original Greek, the word temptation actually means “all kinds of trials.” Ever feel like you’re in the middle of all kinds of trials? The problem with problems is that they have a tendency to drain us of our strength—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And that’s when our adversary likes to launch his attack. When we’re weak, he haunts us with thoughts like: How could a loving God allow this to happen? and God has brought you to this place and has just left you here. Or, You’re beyond help—God can’t help you now. But when you start thinking these thoughts, you need to know that they are flat out lies from the pit. You can be sure that they don’t reflect God’s heart for you during difficult times. In the Old Testament, one of God’s names is Jehovah Jireh—our provider—and He always lives up to His name. He stands ready to provide abundant grace so that we can bear up until He has finished His work in the trial (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). He gives us a peace that passes understanding as we trust and rely on Him with a grateful heart (Philippians 4:6-7). He gives wisdom to see our tough times from His point of view (James 1:5). He gives us the assurance that He will stick it out with us and not leave or forsake us, so that we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What man can do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6). So, chin up! Our troubles and trials have not escaped the notice of the One who comes alongside to help when it seems like the load is too much to bear. The One who knows your load limit promises to limit your load!

Rejoice! by Rod Parsley

Rejoice! The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:20 In Luke 2, we are told that the angel of the Lord told the shepherds about the Savior's birth. The angel told them that is was a great occasion for rejoicing for everyone and told them where they would find the Messiah and how they could recognize him. The angels sang songs of praise to God. But then they left. The shepherds had to make a choice-were they going to go and see if what the angel said was true? Or would they stay where they were? They chose to act on what they heard... they moved in faith-for they believed what the Lord had said through His messenger. As the shepherds returned to their fields, they glorified and praised God for what the angels had told them and because they had seen Jesus. "The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told" (Luke 2:20). Do you praise God for all that you have heard about Him? Do you praise God for Jesus? Do you rejoice in the good news of salvation? It's time to rejoice! Further Reading Isaiah 55:10-11 Hebrews 6:18 Genesis 12 God Bless,

Love and Support by Dave Branon

I received this note from a friend serving in an orphanage in a developing country: “Yesterday, as I was sitting at my office desk, I noticed a trail of ants on the floor. As I followed it, I was shocked to see that thousands of ants had blanketed the walls of our office building—inside and out. They swarmed everything. Fortunately, one of the workers . . . set to work. Less than an hour later, the ants were gone.” After telling this insect story, my friend wrote, “So, how was your day at work?” Sometimes we need reminders of the needs of those who have left behind the comforts and conveniences of home. God calls each of us to different paths of service, and some paths are bumpy. Working in an office that is overrun by ants doesn’t appeal to anyone, but my friend is not there for the perks. She and many other believers have had their hearts captured by Christ and think that abandoning “essential” comforts and conveniences is a small thing to do to honor Him who loves us. They need our support in the way Paul depended on his friends in Philippi—for fellowship (Phil. 1:5), for finances (4:16), and for care (4:18). When we encourage our friends who have left their familiar environments to serve God elsewhere, we show our love for the One who sent them. Dear Lord, give me wisdom to know which of Your workers in the fields of the world need my help. Show me how my family can surround them with encouragement and support. The glory of life is to love, not to be loved; to give, not to get; to serve, not to be served.

Power and Authority by Rod Parsley

Power and Authority If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then...Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:1-3 When Jesus Christ came to earth as a man, He left behind everything He possessed in glory. He came to earth as a man like you and me. He was tempted in every way as we are, and yet was without sin. He had to rely on the Holy Spirit just like we do. When He shed His precious blood on Calvary and went back to heaven, it was only then that God gave Him everything as an inheritance. How did Jesus get His godly power and authority back? The Father gave Jesus a name above every name as part of His inheritance, "that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Philippians 2:10-11). Have faith in that name! Jesus said, "Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full" ( John 16:24). All you need is in the name of Christ Jesus. Further Reading Philippians 2:5-11 John 16:23-24 Hebrews 1:1-4 God Bless,

Preach Good News by Rod Parsley

Preach Good News He has anointed me to preach good news to the poor... Luke 4:18 "Jesus went through all the towns... teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom" (Matthew 9:35). Imagine Jesus walking from village to village and proclaiming the good news of His kingdom to anyone who would receive it. "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things" (Colossians 3:2). Jesus came to bridge the gap between man and God. Today, we have the advantage of looking back to the cross. On Calvary, Jesus saved us from an eternity spent in Hell and brought us into the glorious kingdom of God... and that's good news. The message of the cross never changes. Because of sin, there was an enormous breach between God and His creation. But God built a bridge through the cross. Now, instead of being separated from God by the chasm, we can have a personal relationship with Him. Galatians 3:13 says, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law." When you share the good news, you are sharing truth already accomplished. God's love will never change. All you have to look for is God's anointed time for people to hear. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8). It's the most wonderful gift anyone could hope for-share it! Further Reading Romans 8 Acts 8 Acts 26 God Bless,

Incense by Rod Parsley

Incense May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Psalms 141:2 God loves to hear our prayers. It says in the Word that the prayers of the saints are like bowls full of incense (Revelation 5:8), a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Maybe you've been led to believe that your prayers about everyday things are too small for God and you don't want to "bother" Him. Many people justify not bringing their prayers to the Lord because they don't want to bring Him "little things." Hear me on this: He wants us to pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and to pray about everything in our lives (Philippians 4:6). He cares about every detail! He wants us to bring everything before Him so that He can heal us, teach us, and demonstrate His love for us. Our prayers glorify Him. God treasures our prayers; each one is important to Him. He hears them all, and He will answer. Don't be caught up in a lie, believing that your concern isn't worth His time. Your prayers are precious to Him. The next time you pray, imagine your prayer as a sweet fragrance drifting up to heaven. When you come to God, you please Him, and He wants to bless you in return. Further Reading 2 Samuel 24:24-25 Ezra 6:9-11 Revelation 8:3-4 God Bless,