Beside the Well
A weekly devotional for everyday life.
Wednesday, March 13, 2024
Week Eleven - The Comparison Trap
Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Week Ten - The Hand of God
Then, I went to my little study to do my morning devotions, and God, through the writings of Spurgeon from over a hundred years ago, met me there.
"The hand of God," Spurgeon wrote, "strengthens my soul and lifts the spirit upward toward eternal things." And that is what I had already experienced in my early morning prayers. God's hand heals, "cooling the heat of my burning brow and staying the tumult of my palpitating heart." Unwearied, the hand of God bears "the earth's huge pillars up and sustains my spirit." Loving me and all the saints, in majesty, "breaking the enemy into pieces to subdue my sins."
The hand of God upon my life gives me confidence, assurance, pleasure, comfort, and peace. I am always humbled and blessed when I meditate on God's loving hand involved in every area with love, power, and faithfulness.
A quick look through the Word reveals more about God's hand.
In 2 Samuel 24:14, David fell into God's hand for blessing.
In 1 Kings 18:46, Elijah was strengthened by the hand of God, and in Ezra 7:6 & 28, Ezra's was strengthened by the same.
Psalms 118:1 and 16 tell us God's hand does valiantly, and in Proverbs 21:1, we read that the king's heart is in God's hand.
If you have ever read the book of Ezekiel, you will find the mention of God's hand throughout the book. This prophet knew God's power, and His hand was upon Ezekiel's life and ministry.
When we turn to the New Testament, we read that the hand of God was upon Jesus in Luke 1:66, on the disciples in Acts 11:21, and on the apostle Paul in Acts 13:11.
And, it is upon us, His children, for blessing, direction, protection, and all we might need.
So, when we come to John 10:29, we can humble and thankfully receive the promise of security. Nothing, no one can pluck us out of the hand of God, our Father, or our Saviour's hand. We are doubly secure.
Dear friend, do you know assuredly that God's hand of blessing is upon your life? I hope so because the flip side isn't as beautiful.
God's hand is also known as a hand of judgment against those who stand against Him. And His is the final judgment. None of us escape the hand of God. So today, make sure you are on the right side of this truth.
Monday, February 26, 2024
Week Nine - More, More, More
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
Week Eight - Apprehended
Philippians 3:12-14 reads, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
When the Bible says apprehend, it isn't the idea of being captured by the law; it means to lay hold of, obtain, understand, or comprehend. It's fun to reread those verses and switch apprehend for these various meanings. When you do that, the definition becomes more apparent. By the way, the word attain is the same basic word as apprehend, so you could change out that one, too.
When I meditate on these verses, I understand that Paul knew whose he was, where he came from, and where he was going. With focus, he humbly set his heart toward knowing more of Christ. That challenged me!
I began thinking: I was apprehended, by today's definition, when Christ captured my heart. However, according to the Bible's definition, there should also be an ongoing desire for apprehension. The love of Christ constrains me; holds me fast. Like the side of apprehending which means to lay hold of, I am captured and held by His love. Not only that but I long for more of that love and to know Him more fully.
Phil 4:6-7 reads, "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
Do you see the idea of apprehending here? It is understanding that we seek. It alludes to us, passes all understanding, yet draws us in. It is the resting of our souls into the knowledge of God that brings us peace in all situations. It keeps our mind, meaning it guards and watches over us. And there again is the idea of apprehended. Apprehended by Christ, guarded, protected, watched over.
Look at one more passage with me. Ephesians 3:17-19 says, "That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God."
When we apply the definition of apprehend to this verse, the word we want to consider is comprehend. It is virtually the exact word as apprehend, meaning to lay hold of, understand, and make one's own. When we allow the Word of God and the love of Christ to lay hold of our lives, our eyes are opened to the vastness of His love and the power of His Word. We are captured by His beauty and in awe of the pearl of great price given for us and to us, making us His own.
Let me challenge you to allow your thoughts to be apprehended (captured) by this beauty. Meditate on what it means to be apprehended by Christ and lay hold of the truths given to you. You will be left in awe of whose you are, how far He has brought you, and where He will take you as you seek to apprehend (understand) His love.
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
Week Seven - Trust Your Heart
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Week Six - Positive Reinforcement
Another thing that makes me laugh is the game show The Price is Right. I have fun guessing the prices and enjoy watching the competitors' reactions. I've always loved game shows and playing board games.
Some people get positive reinforcement from food. Some gain strength from hugs, music, or family. I know others who need shopping therapy. They enjoy the search, the scents, and the bargains. For others, just knowing they did a good job or learned a skill to meet a goal is their happy place. While others enjoy puzzles, sports, or even a good walk.
Whatever you use to regain a positive outlook, lift your spirits, or make you happy, I hope you recognize that they are temporary. I should only drink one iced coffee. A steady diet of them, and they would lose their attraction. The same goes for almost anything we enjoy. All things are to be enjoyed in moderation, right?
How quickly something we enjoy today can be spoiled by overuse. But I have found this same principle does not apply to the Lord. Why? Because He is always fresh and new. His mercies are renewed every morning. He is the everlasting spring of refreshment and positive reinforcement.
The positivity of the Lord is directed to us with patient perseverance. His thoughts toward us are more than the number of the sand and always for our good. We are loved with an everlasting love that always outlasts my iced coffee.
Dear friend, if you want something to lift your spirits, don't settle for a cup of coffee or a temporary fix. Bring yourself to the everlasting well of life where you will never thirst again. Let your heavenly Father be your eternal source of positive reinforcement.
ADVERT: If you are seeking encouragement, please check out my devotional books at www.gailgritts.com
Wednesday, January 31, 2024
Week Five - Monday Mornings
Speaking of prayer, the author writes, "Although I fall down undone at times, I always get up renewed, transformed, victorious . . . and most of all renewed . . . It's on our knees before Him where we find balance."
This has been my experience of prayer as well. Sometimes, I come entirely broken, disheartened, and confused. But the Lord meets me there and revives my spirit. How about you?
Then he says, "I kept on cooking for God, but I had kicked God out of the kitchen." I've done that, too; I've gotten so busy working in ministry that I forgot God. Suddenly, I would notice I was doing things in my own strength. I'd kicked God out. How about you?
Consider this one. "When the axe gets dull, we will have to spend double the energy to obtain half the results." Oh, my! I've been a dull axe. I've found myself expending double the energy and seeing less happen. Have you? It forces me to stop my whirling and return to my spiritual center. No amount of my effort accomplishes more than my faith in God's ability.
Let me quickly list a few more short quotes.
"Serve as you pray and pray as you serve."
"God loves fellowship more than work."
"Don't work for God; work with God."
"Do not make changes in times of storm."
And I could continue on with the wealth of wisdom held in just this one book. If you are in ministry and struggling, get yourself a copy and enjoy the beauty of the story. If you are looking to grow in your spiritual life, glean from the experience speaking and see if God doesn't use this book to encourage your heart.