I would like to wish a happy birthday to GSY Renee, my wife. Thank you for all you do for the Order and sharing this Templar journey together, have a blessed day.
Troubles can either drive us away from God or draw us near to God. Our response does not depend on the kind of trouble. Rather, our response depends on our heart and on our view of God. We can view Him either as the source of our trouble or the source of our tranquility.
Troubles can either drive us away from God or draw us near to God. Our response does not depend on the kind of trouble. Rather, our response depends on our heart and on our view of God. We can view Him either as the source of our trouble or the source of our tranquility.
If we view God as the source of our trouble, we will likely be resentful and self-pitying. But if we view Him as the source of our tranquility, we will draw near to Him knowing that He will draw near to us. As James wrote, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4:8). And as Paul wrote, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
If you are in a time of trouble or testing, let your experience drive you closer to God rather than away from Him. In His presence, you will find the answers you need.
I would like to wish a happy birthday to GSY Renee, my wife. Thank you for all you do for the Order and sharing this Templar journey together. Have a blessed day.
In the midst of his suffering, Job’s wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) Job had a choice: curse God or bless God.
In the midst of his suffering, Job’s wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) Job had a choice: curse God or bless God.
Job had accepted great good from God up to this point. He had ten children and owned herds of thousands of sheep, camels, oxen, and donkeys. He was the greatest man of his day (Job 1:1-5). Job showed his gratitude to God by living a righteous life in every regard. But when God allowed Satan to remove all of Job’s many blessings, he was faced with a choice: bless God in spite of his difficulties or curse God because of them. To his credit, Job refused to curse God—though it took time for him to understand why he should continue to bless God (Job 42:1-6).
If you are looking for a reason to bless God in the midst of your difficulties, meditate on Romans 8:28-29.
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.”1
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in thee; let the water and the blood, from thy wounded side which flowed, be of sin the double cure; save from wrath and make me pure.”1
The biblical city of Jericho is one of the oldest continually inhabited cities in the world. Modern archaeological excavations have revealed the city’s fortifications consisting of massive towers and walls. But those fortifications were not enough to preserve it when the Israelites entered Canaan (Joshua 6). Protection in the ancient world was centered around towers and walls.
So it is no surprise that the Israelites referred to God as a “strong tower” in whom could be found safety and protection. Proverbs 18:11 says that the rich man considers his wealth to be a strong city with a high wall—that is, safety is found in wealth. But that notion has proven to be false. Only God’s name—His attributes—are a permanent source of safety.
Do not hide yourself in the wealth of this world but in the Rock of Ages.
Visitors to America from underdeveloped nations are often amazed at the variety on the shelves of the typical grocery store. But what if you went to the grocery store everyday for forty years and found only one product available: a whiti... moreA daily devotional by Dr. David Jeremiah https://www.davidjeremiah.ca/magazine/daily-devotional
Visitors to America from underdeveloped nations are often amazed at the variety on the shelves of the typical grocery store. But what if you went to the grocery store everyday for forty years and found only one product available: a whitish wafer with a semi-sweet taste?
That was the experience of the Israelites as they traveled in the wilderness for forty years prior to entering the land of Canaan. Their daily diet consisted of manna which appeared on the ground like dew every morning. It was a food they had never seen before. Indeed, manna got its name from the Hebrew expression, “What is it?” (Exodus 16:15) Jesus used manna as an illustration of His own role as the true Bread of Life that came down from heaven (John 6:32-33). Just as the Israelites were to be nourished daily by the manna God provided, so are we to be nourished daily as we feed on Jesus Christ, the Bread of Life.
Make sure you are setting aside time each day to be nourished by feeding on God’s living and written Word.
