Today's Scripture
"The distance all around will be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on will be: The LORD is There." - Judges 6:24 NLT
Thoughts for Today
God, our heavenly Father, is always present and attentive to our needs. He is Jehovah-Shammah, which means "the Lord is there."
Many children grow into adulthood with an earthly father who is absent because of illness, work, unconcern or separation. Others have fathers who were present in the home but did not provide a positive and meaningful presence. Godly fathers can be a model of our heavenly Father by providing a feeling of security and helping their children grow spiritually and emotionally by "being there" for them.
However, our heavenly Father has some characteristics that our earthly fathers can never provide. Our heavenly Father is perfect. Our heavenly Father is all-powerful, present in all places at all times, and all-knowing. Our heavenly Father never changes.
Consider this …
When we receive Jesus as our savior and develop a personal relationship with him, we can experience the constant presence of God. When we are hurting … he is there. When we are lonely … he is there. When we are tempted … he is there. When we are joyful … he is there. He is always there for us, offering his comfort, his love, his guidance and his strength.
Growing in knowledge of our heavenly Father is a lifetime process. In future days, we will see the Lord face-to-face. But today and each day of our lives, we can experience his presence. Through the Bible. Through prayer. And through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He is always there. Always attentive to our needs. Jehovah-Shammah. "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest." Exodus 33:14 NIV
Prayer
Lord, help me remember that you are always there. Even when I don't "feel" your presence, help me remember that your Word tells me you are there and you will never leave me nor forsake me. Thank you for your never-ending love and presence. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …
The Ten Commandments: Applying the Foundations of Living to My Personal Life by Jimmy Ray Lee, D.Min. Knowing that there are absolutes that define moral conduct and ethical decisions is essential for believers surrounded by relativistic values. This guide helps us understand God's boundaries. It shows how the Ten Commandments apply today. It also discusses the biblical laws on which the legal codes of every civilized society are based. This guide is written in a way that helps people see the Ten Commandments in light of today's problems. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups, and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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