Under Control                January 24, 2010

We tend to complain when rain washes out a church picnic, but in the middle of a drought our view
changes entirely. We search the sky for clouds as our lawns or crops wither and die.   As reservoir levels
dip we may even begin to pray seriously for a change of weather.  When rain finally comes-not just a
drizzle but a downpour-we feel God's blessing

How often do we see bad weather as a blessing?   We are more likely to lament the game that got
canceled or the snow that made our holiday visit impossible.

Let's remember that weather is not ours to command, but God's.   Unlike our daily schedules we cannot
control how much rain we get in a week or a year or when the next storm will come.   If it were left up to
us, we would probably quickly discover we're happy to leave the details to the Almighty.  Keeping up
with weather all over the world for even a single day would tax us beyond our powers.

Instead, we need to give thanks even for the daily blessing God gives us-rain that keeps wells and
reservoirs filled, enough snow to make a white Christmas, but not impede traffic or sunshine for special
outing that may be important to us.

When the weather doesn't go " our way", we can still thank God that He is in control.  Maybe our date
wasn't more important than a growing harvest or a well filled to near capacity. And we have an
overabundance of rain or snow we can count on it that He knows what He's doing.  After all, He has it all
under control doesn't He?

Psalm 147:8 He covers the Heavens with clouds, provides rain for the Earth, and makes the green grass
grow in mountain pastures.

PRAYER:  Dear Heavenly Father,  thank you for the glorious rain we've had this week. I understand that
you are in control and this rain has been a blessing.  Please continue to provide strength and
encouragement to those who've been touched by your  blessing. These favors we ask the name of Jesus.
Amen



Knowledge Vs. Wisdom                January 17, 2010

If asked, how wise are you, most of us wouldn’t know exactly how to answer. We talk a lot about
intelligence, but not very much about wisdom, so we don’t always know what wisdom looks like.
Solomon gives one sign that helps us recognize wisdom in our own life and the lives of others when he
writes of wisdom: “Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace” (Proverbs 3:17).

Nobody’s life is always and only pleasant. No one walks exclusively on paths of peace. Not even our
Lord, Jesus Christ, experienced such a life, and He was the wisest man who ever lived.  Billy Graham
writes "Knowledge is horizontal. Wisdom is vertical; it comes down from above".
But there can still be great insight gained by asking ourselves the question: do my decisions, attitudes,
words, and lifestyle create peace or discord? How we answer might suggest something about our current
state of wisdom—and how we can become wiser in this world with God’s help.

Proverbs  3:13-14, 17
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold. . . .
Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, help me to have the wisdom you desire of me to be of a peaceful heart and
mind.  I ask these things to be in your favor and grace, Amen




“RESOLUTIONS”                January 10, 2010

The easiest step and the hardest step is the first step.

What’s keeping you from getting started? Why are you wallowing in a self-destructive attitude or habit
that deep down you want to be rid of?

• Someone you won’t forgive
• A temptation you run toward rather than away from
• An area of your life that is weak and needs strengthening
• A sin from your past that needs restitution

Is it laziness? Is it procrastination? Is it stubborn pride? Is it a sense of defeat before you even start?      
Is it a past that haunts you?

Today is your day. It won’t be easy. But you can succeed, with God’s help.  But you must take the first
step.  Ask for God's help. Make it a resolution.

Philippians 3:14
I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 10:36
You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has
promised.

PRAYER:  Lord, I’ve lived with defeat too long. Please help me make a move, the first step toward
recovery and new life, beginning today. Amen.



A Loving Motivation                January 3, 2010

Following Her doctor’s strong advice for the New Year, the couple purchased a treadmill. For several
days she walked faithfully. Before long, however, she quit. When her husband confronted her, she
unfurled a list of excuses. “It’s boring” was the first. Her husband purchased a television and mounted it
on the wall above the treadmill. “It’s too hot,” she further complained. Her husband purchased a fan on a
stand and placed it near the exercise equipment. “My feet are hurting,” she moaned. Together they went
shopping and bought her a pair of walking shoes.

She finally understood her husband’s deep concern for her—he only wanted her to be healthy. She
decided to walk faithfully and quit using lame excuses. The time on the treadmill passed quickly when
she thought about how much her husband must love her.

Somehow it’s easier to persevere when we’re doing so for someone we love. Whatever God has asked
you to do, remember that He too loves you. Reflecting on His abundant love will make the task at hand
lighter and easier. It will make this glorious new year even easier to take!

Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

PRAYER:  Thank you Lord for opening this new year for me to step into. I know that You love me. Help
me to see Your love in each circumstance presented in my life, with loving motivation.         Amen.
Black Canyon Community Church
SonShine Learning Center
Black Canyon City, Arizona

Prayer
with
Diana