Mar 11, 2026 – Marvel
JC – “Walk by faith, not by sight. As you take steps of faith, depending on Me, I will show you how much I can do for you. If you live your life too safely, you will never know the thrill of seeing Me work through you.” I’ve definitely had some “thrill” moments in my life, where I knew that I knew that I knew that God was answering, comforting, and/or leading me. I want more of those, but I also want to make sure it’s Him, not me, urging me toward something that perhaps isn’t the most comfortable, or even logical, option. Peace is the helpful deciding factor for next steps. Other’s may question a decision or direction, but if I have peace (through prayer and time listening to God), I can move forward with more confidence, even if He changes my course along the way – like with Abraham as he led his beloved son up the mountain. (See Genesis 22:1-14.)
Prevail #70 – Basing her thoughts on 1Kings 3:10, Larson offers what is likely the main reason for Solomon’s confidence as he took next steps in his life, “Solomon could have asked God for anything, yet he asked for wisdom.…Why didn’t he ask for relief from his enemies or wealth beyond compare? Solomon had enough wisdom to know that too much ease and too much material comfort [i.e. living “too safely”] would weaken him over time if he didn’t also have wisdom to steward those blessings…. [God] offers lavish amounts to anyone who asks for it.” Learning about something requires dedication and time spent, and learning from someone else requires relationship and time spent. Larson points out that, “There are certain prayers God loves to answer. Pray for what’s on His heart and you’ll marvel at how He works in your life.” I want to marvel.
Utmost – Though we’ve talked about not basing our faith on what we see, Chambers interestingly brings up the importance of vision, but of course not the physical kind, “If we lose the vision, we alone are responsible, and the way we lose the vision is by spiritual leakage…. The only way to be obedient to the heavenly vision is to give our utmost for God’s highest, and this can only be done by continually and resolutely recalling the vision…. We cannot attain to a vision, we must live in the inspiration of it until it accomplishes itself…. Waiting for the vision that tarries is the test of our loyalty to God…. It is essential to practise the walk of the feet in the light of the vision.”
Power – John 10:10 – “I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” Without thinking, we tend to have our hands open waiting to receive “happiness” from God; but, more often than not, His vision is to use us to deliver happiness to others which in turn fills us with happiness (joy despite our circumstances). Joyce gives us an idea of why Christianity is off-putting at times, “I think some people have a perception of Christianity as a stern, severe, and joyless lifestyle. That’s because many who call themselves Christians have sour attitudes and sad faces…. Those of us who love and serve God and His Son, Jesus Christ, should be the happiest people on Earth…. simply because we know God is present…. Happiness is an emotion that fosters well-being, and it is contagious…. be happy and enjoy all you do. Since everyone simply wants to be happy, if they see truly happy Christians, they will be open to learning about and receiving Jesus themselves.”
Streams – Using Joshua 1:1-2 (and God’s words after Moses’ death), Cowman takes us on a turn toward weeping and grief and how to then move forward as she draws from J. R. Miller to help guide our thinking. He tells a story about a father in battle who see the lifeless body of his son and pauses only briefly to kiss him, because “the duty of the moment demanded he press on with his charge…. Weeping inconsolably beside a grave will never bring back the treasure of a lost love, nor can any blessing come from such great sadness…. Yet sorrow that is endured in the right spirit impacts our growth favorably and brings us a greater sense of compassion for others. Indeed, those who have no scars of sorrow or suffering upon them are poor…. God has ordained our truest and riches comfort to be found by pressing on toward the goal…. if we will turn from the gloom and remain faithful to the calling of God, the light will shine again and we will grow stronger.”
Simpson takes the mention of God’s calling and adds, “We have been thinking lately very much of the strange way in which God is calling a people out of a people already called. The word ecclesia, or church, means called out, but God is calling out a still more select body from the church to be His bride – the specially prepared ones for His coming.” He tells the story of Gideon having a fighting force of 30,000 that God whittled down to 300 with whom, “through the power of God won his glorious victory. So, again, in our days, the Master is choosing His three hundred, and by them He will yet win the world for Himself. Let us be sure that we belong to the ‘out and out’ [whittled down] people.”
JA – “You can begin your day connecting with Me by praying: ‘Thank You, Jesus, for this precious day of life. Help me stay aware of Your Presence with me.’ Thankfulness keeps you linked to Me and anchored in the present. Worry, on the other hand, pulls you into the future, where you wander in barren places of uncertainty. However, you can always return to Me by whispering, ‘Lord, help me.’ To live consistently in the present, seek to become more grateful…. go into detail – express yourself enthusiastically!”
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24
