Sacred Whispers Devotional 1

As you read today's devotional, play "YOUR SPIRIT" from the Sacred Whispers Playlist.

Spiritual

SITTING BY THE FURNACE

By Marlin D. Harris

“He will sit as a refiner, and purifier of silver…”

Malachi 3:3

Sometimes I like to just sit with a good book. I mean, to really become present with the writer and to become one with the story. 

Great literature is like that, you can’t truly appreciate it if your mind is racing and your thoughts are concentrated in other places. No, you actually have to ‘sit’ with great literature, and allow the story that it tells to wash over you. I recently had the rare privilege to do just that when I read Elie Wiesel’s seminal commentary on the Jewish Holocaust, a thinly veiled memoir novel entitled, Night. 

Elie Wiesel is a Romanian Jew, who spent an unforgettable part of his childhood in the Nazi concentration camps of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, Germany in the early 1940s. There in Auschwitz, he witnessed the gruesome death of his parents and his younger sister, as well as countless other men, women, and children. At the end of the fourth section of Wiesel’s book, he describes in vivid detail, the scene of a young bagpipe player being hung from the gallows. The bagpipe player was only a child. Even though thousands were killed in the gas chambers or in the human ovens of Buchenwald, the execution of this innocent child seemed to infinitely propel the cruelty of the concentration camps to levels unimaginable. Here Wiesel recounts a moment when the question is uttered by someone in the crowd looking on in disbelief as this young boy is strangled by the rope and fighting for his life: “Where is God”? “Tell me, where is He”?!. Wiesel’s character in the memoir offers this sobering thought as his response: “And I heard a voice within me answer him: “Where is God? God is here! — Here He is, hanging with him on the gallows…” In all of the evil around him, Wiesel could still see God with this young man in his suffering.

A scene like that is enough to rock your faith to its core. It forces you to look at the cruelty of evil and to find a way to quiet the raging voice in your soul that is crying out, like the man in the crowd that day, “Where is God in all of this”.

As I sat with that book, I started drifting and staring into the bay of windows facing my chair. I couldn’t help but ask, “Lord, where were you?”. Part of me was afraid to admit that I had the same question as the man in the crowd, and part of me was afraid to deny it as well. But God knew my question before I ever asked it, and He reassured me that He was Big enough to face my questions, if I was humble enough to hear His answers. The answer God gave me that day was strange. He took me to His Word (where He has placed all of His answers). My mind raced to Malachi 3:3 – “He will sit as a refiner, and purifier of silver”. At first glance I sat there, more confused than I was when I first started the conversation. But then the Spirit spoke to my heart, in a way that only He could, and said, “I was there with him that day, sitting beside the refiner’s fire.”

I kept thinking about the job of a Refiner. It is his duty to sit in the most extreme heat beside the oven that melts the precious silver and keep his watchful eye on the flame until the fire has accomplished its purpose. This is not needed for worthless ore, but the more priceless the metal, the more care must be given to the fire. The refiner must subject the metal to extreme temperatures in order to burn away the dross, and bring out the luster and glory of the silver. If the heat is too low, then the silver will be tainted, and if the heat is too high then the silver will be ruined, it must be just the right temperature, in order to yield the purest metal possible. The silver that adorns the palace of the king, is only crafted into a royal vessel after it has been subjected to this kind of heat. 

But rest assured, a good refiner never leaves the furnace. The metal never burns alone. He ‘sits’ by the fire, watching the heat purify the silver of its dross. 

He checks over and over to see if the process has achieved its goal. Then, only when the refiner is able to look at the silver and see his face reflected in the liquid metal, will he know that the process is complete, and then he extinguishes the flame. That day, like every other day, God was like the refiner of silver. He sat by the furnace, managing the purifying flames.

Now I can’t explain why I was overcome with such emotion, but I could hardly control my tears as I read those words. I realized that is where God was when ships left the West African docks loaded with enslaved people headed for the Americas; He was with them in the boats, sitting by the furnace managing the flames. That’s where He was when countless numbers of Rwandan’s were massacred in the Rwandan genocide; He was with them, sitting by the furnace, managing the flames. That’s where He was when you lost the loved one you held so dear; He was sitting there by their bedside managing the flames. That’s where He was when the car slid on the ice, and the resultant accident nearly took a precious life; He was sitting in the car, holding the hand of its fearful driver, managing the flames. He has never left the refiner's fire. He has never allowed the fire to burn without a purpose in mind. He has never let death, or pain or tragedy fall, without a pure vessel of silver being produced on the other end. 

We must know that there is no sickness, no pain, no disease, and no heartache where God is not sitting near and keeping watch. He sits so that the fire will never be more than is necessary. 

Like the refiner of silver looks for his reflection in the precious metal, so our Lord is looking at our lives watching for the reflection of His character and faith in our hearts. He knows that the only way to get the purest character out of our lives is to allow the furnace to be heated. It is in the fire that our pride is humbled, and our hearts are softened to the truth of His Word. It is in the fire that we see our brother as ourselves, and we learn to let petty grievances go. It is in the fire that our priorities are straightened and our hearts become focused on the things that truly matter. We learn the value of real love in the fire, and the dross of self-centeredness and indifference is burned away. This fire is called a “refiner’s fire” for a reason. It is meant to refine us and make us vessels worthy of the Master’s use. This fire makes it so that God “who has begun a good work in us will continue to perform it until the day that Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6).

My heart aches for those who are currently in the fire, but it aches even more for those who have never been touched by its flames. They are still living in the naivety of their sinfulness, and in the ignorance of their own moral immaturity. They are blind to the truth, and have been left to their own devices. Oh, how I wish they could have a moment in the furnace, and allow it to soften their hardened heart and turn their eyes toward the Refiner.

So, there I sat; in my chair looking out of the windows and pondering over the words I had just read. I saw this young boy hanging from the gallows, and as Jeremiah the prophet declares that God took up a weeping and wailing (Jeremiah 9:10), I saw the tears of God weeping as he died. And in an instant – immediately – my mind went to Calvary! There was a different execution that day. A different One was being hung from the wooden gallows. He was the spotless, sinless, beautiful Son of God. Jesus hung on that cross and died for the sins of millions who would later reject Him, abuse Him, curs Him and deny Him. But He died anyway. That was the depth of His love, and the heat of His furnace. Many have asked throughout the ages, “Where was God that day?” 

Well, God was the same place He was when that young lad perished in the gallows. God was sitting beside the refiner’s fire, managing the flames of His only Son. Had He stopped the execution of His Son, you and I would be hopelessly lost in our sins, and separated from Him eternally. He had to allow that furnace to be heated seven times hotter, as it were, in order for me and you to be redeemed. In the wisdom of God’s redemptive plan, the fire was not allowed to be too severe. On the third day, the flames were cooled, the heat subsided and the Son of God arose from the dead. This good news is called “the Gospel”! This is the anchor that keeps the ship of our life in the harbor. If God can bring this ‘good news’ out of great tragedy, then how much good can He bring out of the furnace of our lives.

Beloved, trust Him today. 

He is a skilled refiner. He is making precious silver out of you. He is sitting with you in the fire, waiting until He can see His face shining back at Him in your heart.

PRAYER

Loving Father, remind us daily that You are sitting with us by the furnace of our life, managing the fire. 

May You see Your character reflected in our hearts. We humbly submit to the refining process until Your Will is made clear. In Jesus Name, Amen.

DAILY SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

Find a good, Christ-honoring book, curl up in your favorite chair and look for God in its story. The best Book to do this with is the Word of God.

Practical

A DEVOTION FOR GOOD HEALTH

by Grace Fox

Content taken from Posted in Devotions for Good Health,

“They [our bodies] were made for the Lord, and the Lord cares about our bodies.”

1 Corinthians 6:13 (NLT)

Your body and well-being remains in God's hands.

Wrong thinking about my physical health landed me in dire straits. For too long, I allowed my schedule to override my body’s need for exercise. I don’t have time to take a walk now, I reasoned as I worked at my computer desk. I’ll walk later. But later never came. At the same time, I justified eating chocolate bars—big ones.

“My brain’s tired from thinking so hard, so I’ll give it a little boost”, I thought. One bite led to another and then another. Before long, I’d eaten the entire bar. Oh well, that’s no big deal. I’ll walk off the calories later. But later never came.

Wrong thinking said I could eat whatever I wanted whenever I wished and exercise was only for athletes. The ever-increasing number on my bathroom scale, chronic pain, and the loss of mobility for three months convinced me to make a change. I learned the hard way. But I learned a new way of thinking that transformed my life and restored my health.

Correct thinking about our physical health comes from understanding that we don’t own our bodies. God does. He bought them with Jesus’s bloodshed on the cross (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). Now we are Jesus’s temple, His dwelling place, and we’re responsible to be wise stewards of its care.

Since Jesus willingly paid for our bodies with His life, they must be worth a lot. Let’s value them with proper nutrition and exercise. Don’t learn the hard way as I did.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, may I treat my body like the precious gift that it is. My health is in Your hands. May I cooperate with You in bringing my body and soul to a place of health and strength. 

In Jesus Name, Amen.

PRACTICAL ACTION TODAY 

Faith Step: Identify one wrong thought about your physical health and ponder its influence on your behavior. Now identify one step you can take to improve your health beginning today.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Download Fasting Guide

Listen To Sacred Whispers Playlist

As you read today's devotional, play "SHALL NOT WANT" from the Sacred Whispers Playlist.

Spiritual

“WOW”

By Marlin D. Harris

“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained… O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!”

Psalm 8:3, 9

Helicopter pilot, Ray Asgar, flew over Gilcrest, Texas, and took a photo of a single little yellow house belonging to Warren and Pam Adams. What is remarkable about this house is that it is the only house left standing after Hurricane Ike completely demolished nearly every home and business in this small, once-thriving community. Ike blew through Gilcrest, and in the fury of its wake, it leveled every raised structure that stood in its path. 

Complete buildings were torn to pieces and now scattered across a half-mile stretch of land. Nothing escaped the stormy blast of Ike’s ferocious winds. The Post Office in Gilcrest was gone, the local grocery store was gone, small eateries and restaurants were gone, dozens of houses were reduced to unrecognizable debris, and even every house of worship was completely destroyed, but – almost in defiance of the storm – this little yellow house was still standing amid the rubble, all by itself!

When Warren and Pam Adams returned to their town, they were spellbound by the wreckage. They said all they could do as they stood in front of their little house, miraculously standing alone, was to say, “Wow”. What other word could they say? No word could express their disbelief and utter amazement at that moment better than ‘Wow’.

‘Wow’ is sometimes the only appropriate response that the mind can conjure up when it has just witnessed the impossible, or seen the magnificent, or experienced – what Webster’s Dictionary calls – the ‘sublime’; something that inspires awe and wonder. Who among us can pass by a majestic snowcapped mountain range, or look at the mesmerizing beauty of a cascading waterfall, or peer up in the sky on a dark summer’s night and see an innumerable host of twinkling stars, each one competing to outshine the other, and not literally have our breath taken away in awe and wonder? 

There are some things so wonderful, so beautiful and so awe-inspiring that the only response our hearts can give when our eyes behold them is – “wow”.

How tremendously sad it is when we lose our sense of wonder; when nothing sparks that childlike feeling of awe. Somewhere along the way, we as a human race lost our ability to be amazed. I actually think that it’s a dismal combination of many of the disheartening realities of life. Disappointments assail us daily; we are heartbroken by a love that we thought would last forever; the dream that we spent a significant portion of our life waiting for, never arrived; or that one success that we thought would deliver for us the ultimate satisfaction has unceremoniously let us down; and just like that, our ability to be amazed is gone. Nothing is left except a cold, doubtful, cynical shell waiting for something wonderful to come along and give it life. I believe that this loss of wonder is at the very root of depression, which makes it so easy for some to lose hope.

The majestic things in life that leave us awe-struck is God’s way of broadcasting His presence without even having to say a word. It’s God’s way of spotlighting His power and showing forth His handiwork. In the courtroom of our individual consciences, God has called an infinite number of witnesses to stand and testify of His greatness and His power. Day and night take the witness stand and testify that they are products of the power of God. One has been commissioned to give light in the darkness, and the other has been commissioned to make it so that all of nature can quietly sleep. Both day and night operate at the wish and command of our Great God. The wind testifies that it is an extension of the breath of God, and the rain testifies that it has been commanded to refresh the earth at the wish and whims of God.  

All of this is from the genius and masterful hand of God. What more could be said of the colorful radiance of the flowers that bloom in the field, or the masterful creatures that swim in the depths of the sea, or the graceful birds that fly effortlessly in the heights of the sky? Like the psalmist, when we consider these things, we should break forth into singing, O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! This is the scripture's way of saying, “Wow.”

But you don’t have to go swimming in the depths of the ocean to be wowed by God, nor do you have to roam the open fields or climb a high mountain to be wowed. 

You merely need to look within your own heart, and deep within your own soul. There – yes, there – is where the real ‘wow’ resides. Just like that little yellow house in Gilcrest, Texas, you are still standing. You have endured the agony of a hundred heartbreaks, and yet you are still standing. You have endured evening sorrows and midnight tears, and yet you are still standing. You have been disappointed by tomorrows that never came, and yesterdays that never seem to leave, but yet you are still standing. You have walked along some lonely roads and carried some heavy loads, yet you are still standing. The weights that you carried didn’t destroy you, and the giants that you faced were not enough to make you quit. The sins of your youth didn’t destroy your future, and the grace that you were extended was more than you ever imagined. Beloved, the very fact that you survived should be enough to make you place your hand over your mouth, and in amazement, breathe out – “wow”.

So, how did we miss it? How did we miss the magnificent thing that God was doing in us? How did we not see that it was His hand softly guiding us through every challenging season of our life? How did we not recognize that it was his strength that carried us when we were too weak to continue walking? I don’t know how, but I know we missed it. I know this because we all have spent more time complaining about life than we have thanking God for it. Many of us rarely take the time to adequately say thank you. We never stopped long enough to embrace with joy the Hand that has been holding us up. We have never rested fully in His never-ending love or reclined completely in His all-consuming mercy. Simply put, we are the last house standing in a sea of wreckage and debris all around us, and somehow we failed to say, “wow”.

In essence, this is what praise is! Praise is the soul expressing saying ‘wow’ when it considers the mighty works of God. 

This is what Psalm 139:14 means when it says, ‘wonderful are Your works, and that my soul knows right well’. 

Here the psalmist is saying, “Wow”. 

In 1 Kings 19:13, when Elijah went up to Mount Horeb and heard the still small voice, the Biblical record tells us that he came out of his cave and wrapped his face in his mantle and stood up to hear what God would say. That’s Elijah saying, “Wow”. In Job 1:20,21, when Job lost everything that he physically owned, including the death of his children and the loss of his health, the Bible says that he fell down to the ground, worshipped and said, “the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” This was Job’s way of simply saying, “Wow”. There is passage after passage of great men and women in the scriptures, who never lost their ability to be awed by God. In times of great victory, and in times of great defeat, they were always able to say, ‘Wow’.

How about you and I? Can we look back over our lives and see the hand of God in every detail and in every circumstance? Have you taken the time to truly study your own life? You would be amazed if you did. There would be no room for complaining, or arguing with God about what you feel hasn’t been fair in your life. When you truly stop to think about all that God has done in your life, and most importantly in your heart, how can you say anything else but “Wow”.

PRAYER

Gracious God, may we forever be struck with awe and wonder at the mighty works You have done in our lives. When you forgave us of our sins, You did the impossible, and You saved us from the unthinkable. You have kept us, blessed us, redeemed us, and delivered us. When we think about it, all we can say as we stand before You is – “Wow”. In Your Awesome Name, we pray. Amen.

DAILY SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

Take a few days to sit down and write out all of the many blessings in your life. Start from your childhood, and go up through high school, college, your first job, your family, and every season of your life. When you think of difficult or hard days, only think of them in light of the fact that God brought you through them. Write it all down. Stop and think about each one. And at the end of this exercise, you will find yourself saying, “Wow”.

Practical

CARING FOR OUR BODIES

By Dale Fletcher

(Content Taken From the Faith and Health Connection Website)

We are marvelously designed by God. He made us in a way that all our body systems work together in unimaginable and intricate ways. Our soul, spirit, mind, and body are all connected and work together perfectly according to His design. Because we are designed by God, when we live according to His principles as outlined in the Bible, our life will be more full and we are more likely to experience a life of peace, joy, and hope. This will create an environment that favors good health.

We each have a body given to us by God. Isn’t it our responsibility to take care of it? That’s what Paul tells us to do in Romans 12:1 when he writes – “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” New Living Translation

Caring for our physical body certainly makes sense because each of us would want to be as healthy as possible but it’s also a commandment by God. Our physical health is affected by our emotional health and our emotional health is affected by our spiritual health.

Paul tells us to give our body to God and that it(our body) should be a form of sacrifice to Him. In fact, I believe Paul is telling us that caring for our bodies is a form of worship. Caring for our bodies is a way to demonstrate to God that we love Him. If you believe that God sent His only son Jesus to die for our sins, isn’t it only reasonable that we should care for the physical body that He gave us?

It is by our body that we function. It’s comprised of organs and cells which consist of protein carbohydrates and fats. Our body contains our nervous system with nerves and the brain. It’s through our bodies that we connect to the physical world with our five senses.  Psalm 139:14 says that “you are fearfully and wonderfully made.” 

Caring for our body means taking care of our physical health. Being physically active, eating well, getting adequate sleep and rest, being free from addictions, and managing our stress are a few key aspects of attending to our physical health. The beautiful thing is that the Bible spells out so many guidelines on how we are to go about doing this.

If you are a believer you have an extra incentive to care for your body. Once you accept Jesus as your savior the Holy Spirit takes up residence in your physical body. God actually lives in you. If you love God, and He lives in you in the form of the Holy Spirit, doesn’t it make sense to care for our body in the best way possible? I believe it does and I must admit sometimes I am too relaxed at some of my health-related behaviors, especially my eating behaviors. Coffee with its caffeine and sugar added, candy bars, and I could name many other items that are not healthy to be putting into my body where God lives. The wonderful thing is that God is a God of grace and forgiveness. In my case, he knows that I am slowly surrendering that area of my life to Him and asking for His help in changing that part of my behavior.

If you’re not taking really good care of the body God has given you, He can help you change that. If you make a decision… a conscious choice to change and ask God to help you, then He will. He will honor your intentions. If you’re not a Christian and you are struggling with an aspect of your behavior that affects your health, then God wants to be a part of helping you do that. You can make a choice to ask Jesus to come into your heart – and He will help transform the areas of your life that you ask Him to. It’s a matter of believing, asking, and surrendering.

Our physical bodies really do belong to God, and He wants us to take great care of them! So, with God’s help, we will make healthy choices.

PRAYER

Dear God, help me to realize that my body is meant to honor You. You have made it wonderfully, and all Your works are great. Help me to care for it, and nourish it with the good, healthy things that You have provided. I offer it up to You every day as a sacrifice of worship unto Your name. In Jesus Name, Amen.

PRACTICAL ACTION TODAY

In addition to your normal exercise regimen this week, add what I call ‘accidental exercise’. This is when you intentionally park your car at the furthest parking space available so that you can add extra steps to your day. Or when you choose to take the stairs instead of the elevator at your office or apartment complex. Or when you make it a point to walk to the local eatery for lunch instead of driving there, or riding with coworkers. All of these and things like them, make for great ‘accidental exercise’. Be attentive to when these little opportunities to move your body exist and make it a point to do it every day this week.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Download Fasting Guide

Listen To Sacred Whispers Playlist

As you read today's devotional, play "GRACEFULLY BROKEN" from the Sacred Whispers Playlist.

Spiritual

FINISH WELL, FINISH STRONG 

By Loretta Shelton and Pastor Marlin Harris

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

2 Timothy 4:7

The Apostle Paul uses an illustration in 2 Timothy 4:7 reminiscent of competing in the Roman Olympic games in order to demonstrate the Christian believer’s life of faithfulness. He says, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

What is remarkable is that Paul makes these comments while imprisoned in a Roman jail knowing he is at the end of his life and consequently at the end of his God-given mission. Throughout Paul’s Christian journey, he remained steadfast and loyal to his calling, despite the unimaginable obstacles and perils that he faced. Paul remained faithful to his ministry for the sake of Christ by fighting what he called “the good fight of faith” (2 Timothy 4:7). This means he maintained a godly character, lived by Biblical principles, and was unwavering in his faith and trust in God. This characterized Paul’s life regardless of the unpleasant circumstances he was often attacked with. He did not rely on his past service, but he persevered and served God until crossing the finish line at the end of his ministry on earth. 

Like the Apostle Paul, we must live this Christian life with the same convictions and grit as the athletes competing in the Roman games. Christians must run the race, fight the good fight, and endure hardships with bravery, in order to receive the prize of an incorruptible crown that never fades away. The qualifications required to receive this coveted prize are to run lawfully and diligently until we finish. Running this race means honoring God with our hearts and bodies, developing a character that looks more and more like Christ each day, and living a life that pleases our Father, and is worthy of the great redemption that we have been graced to receive. 

 We must start, run, and then finish the race. We will finish because no believer ever runs the race of his life alone. The Lord Jesus Christ runs with us, and He will get us to the finish line if we stay the course and “finish well and finish strong”. 

When you are running the race of life there are a few things you want to be sure to do. First of all, you must be spiritually prepared for the journey. This spiritual preparation is impossible without being filled with the Holy Spirit, for which there is no substitute. The scripture is clear that we are to be empowered by the Holy Spirit if we hope to accomplish anything in this life that brings glory to God. The Spirit of God empowers us with wisdom, strength, and godliness that causes the blessings of God to rest upon our journey. He alone conditions our hearts to endure the pain of the race and to not turn back or give up before we reach the finish line.

Secondly, we must endure the necessary disciplines needed to prepare us for the rigor of the race we are to run. When runners prepare for lengthy marathons they will often spend months preparing themselves physically for that one race. They will attempt smaller races and work their legs and test their endurance with exercise regimens. They do this so that when they are in the ‘big’ race, they will have the strength to finish. Finishing our Christian race is more about the strength of our spirit than it is about the desire we may have in our hearts. Many people start out with Christ, and they desire greatly to finish, but they have not developed the spiritual strength to endure the trials and tests that befall them along their journey and they, sadly, fall away.  

Jesus speaks about this reality in Matthew 13:1-9 when He shares the Parable of the Sower, where he outlines four different scenarios of seed-planting. One of his 4 scenarios involves a farmer who sowed his seeds in soil that was cluttered with rocks. He says that the soil received the seed quickly, but because the ground had not been tilled and prepared, the rocks were too numerous in the soil and made the soil depth shallow. Soon the seed died in the soil because there was no depth created by tilling. This is what happens to any of us who set out to run this Christian race, and we have not had the hard, stony rocks in our hearts, minds, and habits broken up and tilled away. Without the discipline of dedicated study of the Word of God, the daily practice of prayer, and regular worship and thanksgiving to God, we will not be able to break those hard rocks that have settled into our hearts and have made them resistant and impervious to the convictions and truths of the Word of God.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, every sincere believer must have an ardent and passionate desire to finish their race well. 

God placed that desire in your heart when you gave your hearts to the Lord Jesus Christ. The only way to satisfy that aching and longing in your soul to finish well is to daily discipline your life with the Spiritual practices of prayer, worship, and time in the Word. As you attend to the things of God, He will attend to the cares and desires of your heart. Let’s lay aside the weights and the many distractions, and run this race with all we have so that when we are finished, we will feel our Master’s embrace and hear him say, “Well done”.

PRAYER

Holy Father, we all have our own individual race to run. May You grant us the strength and the conviction to run our race well. Remove the hindrances from our path, and unchain our feet from the heavy weights and burdens that have weighed us down. Lord, grant us the freedom to run and not get weary, and to walk and not faint. In Jesus’ Strong Name, I pray. Amen.

DAILY SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

Spend today surveying your life to determine what are those weights and distractions that make it difficult for you to finish your race well. Consider those challenges, temptations, and tests that you are engaged in daily, and actively name them before the Lord, and make the decision to do whatever is necessary to lay them aside. Seek the Lord for His strength and lean upon the Holy Spirit for His guidance.

PRACTICAL

WHAT’S YOUR S.H.A.P.E? – A BRAND NEW YOU IN 2022

By Loretta Shelton

“But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. “

1 Corinthians 9:27

As we enter the year 2022, we are on the horizon of becoming a brand new person. Many of us make New Year resolutions to get in shape, modify eating habits, lose weight and grow spiritually. This transformation depends on setting goals and a made-up mind for a continuous state of improvement (e.g. better health, longer life and/or renewed spiritual growth). Goal-setting requires a certain amount of discipline to achieve desired results. Self-discipline is key to usefulness in the kingdom of God, and also what is needed to achieve any goal that you may set in life.  

Physical lifestyle changes can result in a “better you” if you focus on a mindset of discipline in seeking to reach your goals. In 1 Corinthians 9:27, The Apostle Paul writes about the need to gain control over his body through personal self-discipline. He speaks about not indulging in fleshy desires in order to have an effective ministry. He adopted this mindset which would prevent him from being disqualified from obtaining the ultimate prize of heaven. As Christians, we must seek to develop a similar mindset – a mindset of discipline, service, and surrender, to obtain the prize of heaven.  

One way to become more impactful in your personal ministry, as well as your personal life, is to understand, utilize and exercise your spiritual S.H.A.P.E.  S.H.A.P.E. is a simple acronym used by Pastor Rick Warren, and stands for  Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experience. Each of these areas, when surveyed, will help us to better understand who God created us to be, and what He intends for us to do with our lives. Our life’s goals are to fit our S.H.A.P.E., and we should use everything about our unique personhood to fulfill the purpose for which God made us. Knowing and living in your best S.H.A.P.E. is essential in preventing us from being disqualified and missing the mark that God intended for us to hit.

Knowing and understanding your S.H.A.P.E. will provide you a deeper perspective of the design God has for your life. Understanding and developing each of these areas provides a unique roadmap of how God wants to use you to advance His Kingdom’s purposes on earth – and in your life as well.

Knowing our spiritual S.H.A.P.E. is a critical and indispensable part of our spiritual growth. But also, knowing what kind of physical “shape” we are in is very important to our spiritual development and overall health as well. We cannot forget that our bodies are the earthly temple of the Holy Spirit. When we allow unhealthy habits and practices to hinder us from becoming our “best selves” physically, we may not realize it, but we are also allowing those things to stop us from becoming our “best selves” spiritually also. Becoming your ‘best self’ means focusing your heart on your spiritual and emotional health, as well as giving careful attention to ensure that your physical health is free from illnesses and diseases that are caused by unhealthy habits and unwise choices.

Therefore, it is important to practice personal discipline and self-care in order to be prepared for the physical and spiritual calling that we all have in our lives. Sometimes we can become lax and unmotivated in continuing with our physical journey, which might lead to us getting out of physical “shape” and spiritual “S.H.A.P.E.”.  

This actually happened to me when I became a caregiver for my mom for 4 years. I lost my focus on physical discipline and was inconsistent with exercise, all while developing poor eating habits, which resulted in me gaining 40 pounds. 

My doctors considered me overweight for my height and age. This was not healthy, and I knew that it didn’t honor the Lord, nor did it honor the body that the Lord had entrusted me with. I made up my mind to reverse my slow, downward spiral towards illness and poor health by pushing my heart towards discipline and re-directing my efforts towards a transformative, healthy lifestyle. I am far from perfect, but by God’s grace I am achieving success in transforming my life by exercising more and eating a daily nutritional diet.

The following exercise tips have been very helpful for me, and perhaps they can assist you in your physical journey towards getting in ‘shape’ and in “S.H.A.P.E.”.

(Note: These are only recommendations for becoming active. 

You should always check with your physician or medical care provider before attempting any exercise or movement suggestions.)

PRACTICAL ACTION TODAY

Beginners Level Equipment: 1 to 2-pound weights

Intermediate Level to Advanced Level Equipment: 5 to 10-pound weights  

Beginners Level  

- Jumping Jacks: 3 sets of 10 repetitions  

- Bicep Curls: 3 sets of 10 repetitions  

- Sit-ups: 3 sets of 10 repetitions  

- Ab Crunches: 3 sets of 20 repetitions  

- Calf Raises 3 sets of 15 repetitions  

- Squats: 3 sets of 10 repetitions  

Intermediate Level to Advanced Level 

- 1 minute of Jumping Jacks

- Bicep Curls: 3 sets of 15 repetitions

- Sit-ups: 3 sets of 25 repetitions  

- Ab Crunches: 3 sets of 50 repetitions  

- Calf Raises: 3 sets of 30 repetitions  

- Squats: 3 sets of 20 repetitions   

The above are suggestions only. Please feel free to adjust or augment as you deem appropriate for your health and comfort level of activity.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, thank you for blessing me with this very precious body. Help me care for it and protect it from disease by reminding me that Your precious Holy Spirit lives inside. May my body bring you glory. Let the choices and decisions I make today move me closer towards my “best self” physically and spiritually. In the Name of Your Son, Jesus. Amen.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Download Fasting Guide

Listen To Sacred Whispers Playlist

As you read today's devotional, play "FOR YOUR GLORY" from the Sacred Whispers Playlist.

Spiritual

THE COMFORTER

By Matthew Pryor

(Content Taken From The Body Tithe Devotional, Spiritual Encouragement for Your Journey)

And I will pray the Father and He will give you Another Comforter…

John 14:16

From time to time, I like to tackle do-it-yourself (DIY) projects. I’ve done simple things such as replacing light fixtures, ceiling fans, and plumbing hardware. I’ve done slightly more complex tasks: building bookshelves, window boxes, and raised garden beds. I’ve also done more advanced projects, including building a shed and finishing our basement. I’m certainly no pro and I know my limits. I also know that regardless of the project, at least one factor can determine my rate of progress: the tools I use. For instance, trying to unscrew faucet hardware with an adjustable wrench is an exercise in busted knuckles and utter frustration . . . not that I’d know. However, if you have a “basin wrench,” it takes seconds. Try ripping long, straight sheets of plywood with a reciprocal saw. Not gonna happen. You’ll be sanding for days trying to make your edges straight. Do it with a table saw, however, and they’re perfect every time. Even simple things, such as using a rubber mallet rather than a hammer to protect finishes, provide a better end-product. 

Each tool has a specific purpose and is uniquely designed for each respective task. If it can complete the job thoroughly and efficiently, it’s the right tool. Trust me, the right tool makes all the difference. 

Spiritually speaking, however, isn’t it just as easy to reach for the wrong tools? A bad workday or stressful moments with the kids has us reaching for pizza or chocolate or both. An argument with our spouse results in a mind-numbing escape to the internet for a couple of hours. A bad breakup has us renting sappy love movies. Then, rather than waking up early to spend quality time with God in devotion, we sleep in, postponing life for just a little while longer. 

Or perhaps it’s the opposite. The rough times we’re facing have us obsessed with working out. Soon enough, we are trying to outrun, out-lift, out-bike, out-stretch, and basically outwork our issues. The gym has become nothing more than a hiding place. Instead of calling out to God, diving into Scripture, or cultivating our hearts in worship, we spend our time 

doing something that yields no spiritual benefit at all. Rather than being still in Him or relying on the Holy Spirit in us, we try to self-medicate by reaching for the wrong tools in our own form of spiritual DIY. In so doing, the screws break, the wood warps, and we get splinters in our hands, and in our hearts. The “project” is a giant mess because the wrong tool falls short every time. 

Fortunately, for Christians, our Father specializes in fixing things. He is the “God of all comfort” (2 Corinthians 1:3–11), who “never leaves or forsakes us” (Hebrew 13:5), and has given us “eternal comfort” (2 Thessalonians 2:16–17). To express his abundant and never-ending goodness toward us, He sent His Son to die for our sins and purchase our salvation through His cross. Then He sent His Holy Spirit to minister to us and comfort us until we are united with Him. 

It is both interesting, and critical to note that the same Greek word used to describe the Holy Spirit as our advocate and counselor, parakletos, can also be translated as “helper” or “comforter.” How amazing to find, that no single word can adequately describe this wondrously beautiful Third Person of the Trinity. Now when we read John 14, we are able to do so in a whole new light: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever,”—verse 16.

A helper sent to comfort us, forever. A comforter who can satisfy us in a way that pizza and chocolate, exercise and sleep, TV, relationships, riches, and influence never could. Remember, we are notoriously bad tool pickers and, without fail, the wrong tools fall short every time. The Holy Spirit, however, never falls short. As with the right tool in some DIY projects, the Holy Spirit’s purpose is specific and unique for the tasks that we are daily confronted with. Whether we are facing a challenging marriage or wayward child; whether it is failing health or an uncertain future, the Holy Spirit can resolve the dilemmas and bring comfort to our aching hearts every time. 

In any DIY project, the right tool needs skilled hands to be productive. Not so with the Holy Spirit. He is wholly sufficient on His own. In fact, the more we try to do things on our own, the less effective we are. It’s like squirming in quicksand; the harder we try, the faster we sink. That’s why spiritual DIY doesn’t work. We can’t resolve the huge problems we face. We are not wise enough to navigate through the complicated predicaments we are often faced with. There are some issues that human effort and skill will never satisfy. We need more of Him and less of us. His guidance is necessary for our success in life. His strength is needed for our weaknesses. Therefore it is no surprise that God made provisions for our insufficiency. 

He says, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” (John 14:26) 

Struggling with your faith can send you reaching for the wrong tools. If you develop a habit of using them, they will not only make little difference, but eventually, it’s going to hurt. That hurt will have you longing for help. Stop. Listen to the voice whispering in the quiet of your heart. Hear Him? That is the Helper, the Master Comforter. Sent from the Master Craftsman, and only He can fully nurture your soul. He can remind you of all that Jesus, has taught us in the Word. When you hear the Comforter’s voice calling and feel Him working within you, follow in obedience. You’ll quickly see that the Holy Spirit makes all the difference. 

PRAYER

Father, thank You for sending the Holy Spirit to comfort me. Will You forgive me when I reach for the wrong tools? Please help me to get out of my own way and to allow the Helper to work within me. In the Name of Our Great Carpenter, Jesus, Amen. 

DAILY SPIRITUAL EXERCISE

Practice what I call “spiritual breathing” throughout the day. Spend time breathing in the peace and comfort that Holy Spirit brings, and breathing out the toxic worry and stress that self-effort brings. Breathe in the solace that comes with resting and trusting in Jesus, and breathe out the frustration and disappointment that comes with striving to gain success and power on your own. 

Also, pray for comfort, knowing that the Holy Spirit will direct us back to the Lord Jesus, reminding us what He has already said and done.

Physical

LET’S MOVE

By Loretta Shelton

Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of Motion states that “an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion.” Therefore, my sisters and brothers, in order to avoid becoming sedentary in our lives, let’s move to achieve our fitness goals. These goals will perhaps include spiritual fitness, emotional fitness, and/or physical fitness—- all with the end goal of finishing well and finishing strong. 

Walk, Jog, or Run: 

Due to life events, weight gain, and physical limitations, I am unable to run as I did 10 years ago. Due to the difficulty caused by the weight gain and physical limitations, I had inadvertently developed a slightly sedentary life. I soon realized that I needed to move from a sedentary lifestyle and return to the basics of understanding movement and the impact it has on my level of fitness. I regained my desire for moving and running by returning to the basics – ‘WALKING’. Depending on an individual’s level of fitness, I recommend walking at least 5,000 to 8,0000 steps per day. Intermediate to Advanced walkers should target 10,000 to 15,000 steps per day.

We have to sense the urgency of getting up and moving. Being sedentary and lacking movement in our lives, will cause our muscles and bones to slowly lose their strength and agility. All of us are getting older and the aging process can become even more difficult on our body when our bones, joints, and muscles are not being utilized. You and I can’t afford to not move. We have to keep our bodies healthy and strong. 

So…Okay, here we go ---- 1, 2, 3 ---- 1, 2, 3 ---- LET’S MOVE!!! 

Equipment that you Might Use: 

Invest in running or cross-training athletic shoes, running socks, a pedometer, or some type of tracking device to track your steps (e.g., watch, Fitbit, etc.), appropriate attire, and a “made up mind”. 

Be Sure to Stretch – Before and After Running

Here is a very basic and simple ‘moving’ exercise regiment that might help with becoming more active.  These are only recommendations for becoming active. 

You should always check with your doctor or medical care provider before attempting any exercise or movement suggestions.

1. 30 Jumping Jacks

2. 20 Squats

3. Standing Quad stretch – Hold for 30 seconds for each leg

4. Calf Stretch – Hold for 30 seconds for each leg

5.Arm rotations 15 rotations clockwise, 15 counterclockwise

PRAYER

Father, I thank you that you have given me the active use of my body. I am reminded at this moment of countless numbers of people who do not have the ability to walk, stand, or even do simple movements. Thank you for your blessings and grace in my life. Teach me to be a good and healthy steward of my body by moving, walking, running, and exercising. Give me the strength that I need to stay active. In Jesus Name, Amen.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Download Fasting Guide

Listen To Sacred Whispers Playlist

Share Your Story

As you read today's devotional, play "MY WEAPON" from the Sacred Whispers Playlist.

Spiritual

GOOD PRESSURE

By Frank Luke

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:14

Have you ever heard the saying, “Pressure will burst a pipe”? For those of you who have never heard this saying, it’s a metaphor that suggests that when you’re carrying a lot of stress, feeling overwhelmed with the excess negative weight of life, and not taking care of yourself, the pressure of life can break the strongest person down. Applying enough pressure to the strongest substance can break it down and crush it. However, today we are talking about a different kind of pressure. 

Rather than being pressed down by pressure from life, we will see that applying pressure to life, with God’s goals in mind, can build up even the weakest among us. 

Generally, when you go to the hospital for any medical condition, it doesn't matter if it’s a major or minor concern; taking your blood pressure will always be one of the first things that the attending nurse will do. The goal in checking your blood pressure is to see if it’s high, low, or what medical providers deem a good pressure reading. This is one of their first protocols because the status of your blood pressure has a significant influence on how your medical team will move forward with providing for your care. Your blood pressure levels are extremely vital for determining your overall well-being, as well as how doctors perform the necessary steps to help you get well. A good pressure reading assures doctors that although it may be something wrong with your body, your current blood pressure suggests that it’s not fatal.

This is why the Apostle Paul encourages us to PRESS, with a specific goal in mind. The goal is what the Apostle called ‘the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus’ (Philippians 3:14). This high calling is living in the fullness of our redemption and salvation. In essence, living a fulfilled and complete spiritual life. This full and complete life includes a universal aspect, as well as a personal aspect. Universally, there is a high calling of spiritual maturity and wholeness in our walk with God. Personally, there is the unique high calling of God’s specific will and plan for your life. 

When we press towards that, we extend every measure of our faith and confidence in God, and our total dependence on the power of the Holy Spirit to navigate us through the waters of life’s ups and downs in order to bring us to God’s perfect will for our individual life. 

The level of pressure you apply towards being who God has called you to be, and experiencing the life that God has determined for you, will determine your success in reaching his goals for your life, even in the midst of the many difficulties you and I so often face. Much like a good blood pressure, strong pursuit of God keeps us in peace, when life seems to be falling apart. Just as exercise, healthy eating, and proper rest keeps our blood pressure at a good reading; digging into the word of God, praying daily, and standing on His promises keeps our life in a proper and healthy relationship with God.

Maintain a good pressure in seeking the upward call of God, and watch God bless you with a prize you will not have room enough to receive.

PRAYER: 

Father, although life sometimes gets hard, we know you are a way maker. Give us the will and the fortitude to push past the issues of life that often cause us to become stagnant, that we may obtain the promise you have stored up for us. We thank you for your promise to give us an expected end, which is good, and not evil. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

DAILY SPIRITUAL EXERCISE: 

“Win your first hour, win your day.”

- Start your day with prayer and worship.

- Stretch your faith every day by meditating in the Word of God.

- Exercise your faith each day by actively turning over every challenge you face to the will and power of God.

Practical

WHAT’S YOUR PAIN LEVEL TODAY?

By Gabrielle Jones and Marlin D. Harris

My God will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

Revelation 21:4

In my late 20s and early 30s, I lived with the constant pain of osteoarthritis in my left hip, which caused a slow and agonizing deterioration of the cartilage between my bones. Using a cane to walk and get around and regularly needing pain medication constantly made me feel out of sorts, not myself, and even depressed at times. 

Each doctor’s appointment started with the question, “What is your pain level today? I always said “5” because I didn’t want level 10 to be my identity. 

The prayer that I always lifted before God was, “God help me to just keep moving. I am hurting today, but I know you have a greater purpose for my life”. 

Every step that I took, I knew that I was taking it by His grace, and somehow I was strengthened to endure through the pain. At the age of 37, God blessed me with a titanium hip.  

We all experience physical pain to some degree – whether short-term or long-term. 

God used my pain over those young years of my life to help me appreciate His healing power and the perseverance I would need to endure the physical pain that would come with aging. Now at 59, I still have that same new hip, and God has kept me active and moving and being about His business.

I share my story with you because I want you to know how vital it is that as long as you can move your body, you must never stop moving. It is so easy to give in to chronic pain and discomfort and be tempted with the strong compulsion to quit. I understand what it feels like to see a flight of stairs in front of you, and in your mind, you are staring at an unclimbable mountain. During those days, I am so grateful that I found the strength to tackle those stairs one step at a time and keep climbing.

When you are mobile, you build up the muscles that are needed to assist the joints or bones that are causing you the pain. You also train your brain not to send the “stop” impulse to your body when you are mobile, you build the muscles that are needed to assist the joints or bones that are causing you the pain. You also train your brain not to send the “stop” impulse to your body, when it feels discomfort or pain. Movement and physical exercise is vital to helping you manage your pain, and not allowing chronic pain to manage you.

According to painHealth, a subsidiary of the Department of Health, exercise for those who are experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain can be considered medicine. Numerous medical reports state that if a pain patient can improve their functional abilities (e.g. household tasks, work, walking, stretching, even socializing, etc.) through movement, and exercise then it can have profound and beneficial effects, including reduced disability, reduced depression and improved physical conditioning and increased quality of life.[1]

For everyone, pain may not be chronic; sometimes it is common or related to stress, a sedentary lifestyle, or even a lack of proper sleep. The reality is that no matter what the source of your pain is, you don’t have to allow it to control your life. You can work on defeating your pain, one day at a time. Your answer may not be a new titanium hip, it may be taking a brisk walk three times a week, or choosing to exercise rather than watch your regular television show. No matter what activity you need to help you move closer to less pain, and even pain-free living, you have to believe that you have the power to do it. The only thing that is truly stopping you from trying to move more than you are, is your belief. You must believe that your mind has always been infinitely stronger than our pain.

PRAYER

Lord, I believe that all of my body belongs to you, including the part of my body that is hurting me the most right now. By your power, I refuse to allow the pain that afflicts me to cripple my faith or cheat me out of my push to heal. I pray for your strength when I feel that I can’t go on. Enable me to tackle each day from morning to evening moving constantly by the power of your Spirit. In Jesus Name, I claim victory over my pain. Amen.

PRACTICAL ACTION TODAY

Here are a few helpful tips that will help you become more active and begin your journey to decreased pain.

1. Identify a safe location to walk with a friend. Include paths or trails that have hills.
2. Pick a time of day when there is a fair amount of walkers at that location. 
3. Always stretch before you start walking.
4. Start with a brisk 30-minute walk 3-4 times per week. Walk slower if you have mobility issues.
5. Consistency is your key to success. Make every step a reminder of God’s grace and how He has brought you through every season of pain.
6. Remember to always be aware of your breathing to help you get through your walk or workout.  ‘And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life' (Genesis 2:7). Add cardio to your weekly exercise plan. Here are a few videos to consider.

Daily Stretch – What a beautiful name it is https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jZ9oCbS7Rgc

Christian Dance Workout – 15 Minutes (high impact and low impact) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9012h9L4bc

[1] Department of Health, Government of Australia. 

PainHealth Agency. https://painhealth.csse.uwa.edu.au/pain-module/movement-with-pain/

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Download Fasting Guide

Listen To Sacred Whispers Playlist