Time Out! Devotions

Another question in me
One for the powers that be
It’s got me thrown
And so I put on my poker face
And try to figure it out
This undeniable doubt
A common occurance
Feeling so out of place
Guarded and cynical now
Can’t help but wondering how
My heart evolved into
A rock beating inside of me
So I reel such a stoic ordeal
Where’s that feeling that I don’t feel

CHORUS:
There was a boy who had the faith to move a mountain
And like a child he would believe without a reason
Without a trace he disappeared into the void and
I’ve been searchin’ for that missing person

Under a lavender moon
So many thoughts consume me
Who dimmed that glowing light
That once burned so bright in me
Is this a radical phase
A problematical age
That keeps me running
From all that I used to be
Is there a way to return
Is there a way to unlearn
That carnal knowledge
That’s chipping away at my soul
I’ve been gone too long
Will I ever find my way home

CHORUS

He used to want to try to walk the straight and narrow
He had a fire and he could feel it in the marrow
It’s been a long time and I haven’t seen him lately
But I’ve been searchin’ for that missing person

I have fallen to my knees
As I sing a lullaby of pain
I’m feeling broken in my melody
As I sing to help the tears go away

Then I remember the pledge you made to me

[CHORUS:]
I know you’re always there
To hear my every prayer inside
I’m clinging to the promise of a lifetime
I hear the words you say
To never walk away from me and leave behind
The promise of a lifetime

Will you help me fall apart
Pick me up, take me in your arms
Find my way back from the storm
And you show me how to grow
Through the change

I still remember the pledge you made to me

[BRIDGE:]
I am holding on to the hope I have inside
With you I will stay through every day
Putting my understanding aside

And I am comforted
To know you’re always there
To hear my every prayer inside
I’m clinging to the promise of a lifetime
I hear the words you say
To never walk away from me and leave behind
The promise of a lifetime

I know you’re always there
To hear my every prayer inside
I’m clinging to the promise of a lifetime
Looking back at me
I know that you can see my heart
is holding to the promise of a lifetime

Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. Psalms 31:5 (NKJV)

When was the last time you put your trust in someone or something, only to be let down? Was it a product that was advertised as being the answer to all your problems…but when you got it home and put it to the test it was a total bust? Or perhaps it was a person who promised up one side and down the other to do something for you…but in your moment of need, he or she didn’t come through.

We all know what that’s like. At one time or another, we’ve all had that sinking realization that we were wrong to invest our confidence in that thing or that person. They were fake and phony. They let us down. We had an impression of them, an impression that wasn’t…emet.

What? Emet is the Hebrew word that represents the trueness of God, His certainty and dependability. It’s that component of His character that never leaves us with that sinking feeling the way products and people do. Emet points to the fact that God is always as good as advertised, always capable and faithful to come through in the clutch. It means He will always follow through on what He’s promised. Every single time. Without exception.

Many have become disillusioned or disappointed with life because they were promised one thing and got something else. In some cases, they were even let down by something or someone who was supposed to represent God. And the result is that they’ve written the whole “God thing” off as fake and phony.

If that’s you, it’s time to know God for who He truly is. It’s time to know Him as El-emet, the God of truth, who can be completely trusted with every aspect of your existence.

Think about it…

What does this passage reveal to me about God?

What does this passage reveal to me about myself?

Based on this, what changes do I need to make?

What is my prayer for today?

(the Active Word devotional by Pastor Bob Coy from Christianity.com)

2 Timothy 4:6-18 (NCV)

⁶ My life is being given as an offering to God, and the time has come for me to leave this life.⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸ Now, a crown is being held for me—a crown for being right with God. The Lord, the judge who judges rightly, will give the crown to me on that day—not only to me but to all those who have waited with love for him to come again.

⁹ Do your best to come to me as soon as you can,¹⁰ because Demas, who loved this world, left me and went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus went to Dalmatia.¹¹ Luke is the only one still with me. Get Mark and bring him with you when you come, because he can help me in my work here.¹² I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When I was in Troas, I left my coat there with Carpus. So when you come, bring it to me, along with my books, particularly the ones written on parchment.

¹⁴ Alexander the metalworker did many harmful things against me. The Lord will punish him for what he did. ¹⁵ You also should be careful that he does not hurt you, because he fought strongly against our teaching.

¹⁶ The first time I defended myself, no one helped me; everyone left me. May they be forgiven.¹⁷ But the Lord stayed with me and gave me strength so I could fully tell the Good News to all those who are not Jews. So I was saved from the lion’s mouth.¹⁸ The Lord will save me when anyone tries to hurt me, and he will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. Glory forever and ever be the Lord’s. Amen.

Today’s passage captures a painful time in the life of Paul the apostle. As he sat in a prison cell, he knew that death was imminent. He had devoted the last years to teaching, training, and winning souls for Christ, but he now stood alone, unsupported during his trial and time in jail. Loneliness must have felt overwhelming.

Paul felt abandoned, yet he didn’t blame anyone or pity himself. Instead, he met the suffering with courage. What motivated him to stand with strength during this trying time?

For the apostle, an awareness of Christ’s presence gave comfort and motivated him to persevere. Having a copy of Scripture in his cell no doubt encouraged him in this way (2 Timothy 4:13). And he not only knew God was right there with him in the current moment; he also recalled earlier times when the Lord had intervened. For instance, years before, Paul had had a vision telling him not to fear during a storm on the sea. And though the ship ran aground, all of the men survived (Acts 27:22-24).

For those of us who know Jesus Christ as our personal Savior, strength is readily available in His intimate presence. Our heavenly Father promises that He will never abandon His children—even when everyone else has left.

Have your circumstances left you feeling lonely? Remember times when God was evident to you—when He clearly revealed His hand in your life. And read His Word so that the truth of His presence can comfort and encourage you. As a believer, you are truly never alone.

(devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley from the June 2010

issue of In Touch magazine)

Psalm 25:15-21 (NIV)

¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare.¹⁶ Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.¹⁷ The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish.¹⁸ Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.¹⁹ See how my enemies have increased and how fiercely they hate me!²⁰ Guard my life and rescue me; let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.²¹ May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.

I know the pain of loneliness. I was the only child of a single mother who had to work long hours to support us. My adult life has been marked by periods of emotional isolation as well. However, God has never abandoned me to these feelings.

The Lord desires that all people feel connected to Him and to each other. And in fact, we can be quickly comforted when we respond wisely to loneliness.

The first step is to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Believing He exists is not enough. The Lord created mankind for fellowship, which is why a relationship with Him gives people a sense of oneness. The love of Christ squeezes loneliness out of the lives of God’s children.

Second, we must admit that we’re lonely. Some Christians incorrectly think they shouldn’t be susceptible to normal human feelings. But nothing in the Bible says we won’t endure emotional isolation. Not only men like David and Paul, but even the Lord Himself knew the ache of feeling deserted (Psalm 25:16, 2 Timothy 4:16; Matthew 26:40; 27:46).

Finally, we ought to develop godly friends. These are the Christian brothers and sisters who will laugh, cry, and empathize with us. Above all, believers need friends who will continually point them to God and pray over them.

We can’t deny feelings of loneliness, nor can we run from them. A person who seeks ways to escape those feelings only broadens the gap between the Lord and himself. There is just one way to close the chasm and conquer loneliness—by drawing near to the Lord.

(devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley from the May 2010 issue of In Touch magazine)