Completely Covered

According to Greek legend, Achilles was the greatest warrior who ever lived. In Homer’s Iliad, he was the hero of the Trojan Wars. When he was a baby, his mother wanted him to be invulnerable to injury. So, early in his, life she took him to the River Styx, believing that it had miraculous powers, held him by his heels, and dipped him in the water. Only his heels were not covered by the water. 

Eventually, he became a greatly respected and feared warrior! Unfortunately, he was killed in battle by an arrow that pierced his heel - the only spot that was not covered by the water from the River Styx. It is from this legend that we talk of “our Achilles heel.” 

Although it is only a legend, it teaches us a significant fact: Our surrender to Christ must be complete – it must include all of us: our hearts, minds, and bodies. Paul advises us that we are not “to let any part of our body become a tool of wickedness to be used for sinning...instead...let your whole body be as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.” 

Surrender is often difficult for some of us for fear that we will fail our Lord. Does this come from the idea that we think we are responsible for the victory over sin? We are not! It is God working in us and through us and for us that gives us victory over sin through Christ. Whatever we do not surrender to God is our “Achilles heel” and will be targeted by Satan and bring about our death.  

 Prayer:  Help us, Father, to remember that the battle and the victory are in Your hands. We know that if we surrender our “all” to You we will survive the attacks of Satan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today:  Romans 6:12-14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.  

Completely Covered

According to Greek legend, Achilles was the greatest warrior who ever lived. In Homer’s Iliad, he was the hero of the Trojan Wars. When he was a baby, his mother wanted him to be invulnerable to injury. So, early in his, life she took him to the River Styx, believing that it had miraculous powers, held him by his heels, and dipped him in the water. Only his heels were not covered by the water. 

Eventually, he became a greatly respected and feared warrior! Unfortunately, he was killed in battle by an arrow that pierced his heel - the only spot that was not covered by the water from the River Styx. It is from this legend that we talk of “our Achilles heel.” 

Although it is only a legend, it teaches us a significant fact: Our surrender to Christ must be complete – it must include all of us: our hearts, minds, and bodies. Paul advises us that we are not “to let any part of our body become a tool of wickedness to be used for sinning...instead...let your whole body be as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.” 

Surrender is often difficult for some of us for fear that we will fail our Lord. Does this come from the idea that we think we are responsible for the victory over sin? We are not! It is God working in us and through us and for us that gives us victory over sin through Christ. Whatever we do not surrender to God is our “Achilles heel” and will be targeted by Satan and bring about our death.  

 Prayer:  Help us, Father, to remember that the battle and the victory are in Your hands. We know that if we surrender our “all” to You we will survive the attacks of Satan. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

Scripture For Today:  Romans 6:12-14 Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.  

Need Directions?

Life’s journey is never simple, straight, certain or serene. It is like a complicated maze that has sharp turns and sudden stops. Getting from the beginning to the end is no easy task. Life is often like a “maze”.

How blest we are to have the Lord who is personally interested in each of us, is willing to guide us, guard us and give us detailed instructions. But we must be willing to surrender to Him and trust in Him. Not only will God rescue us when we ask Him, but He will guide us if we allow Him.

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths,” said David. He did not approach God asking for directions and say, “Lord, if You promise me an easy path I will cooperate with You.” He went to God before he started his journey and said, “Show me – teach me,” then I will make my next move. By voluntarily asking God for help before he started his journey, he could expect God to be with him and protect him on his journey. But he did not stop there.

He asked God to “teach him His path.”
When he asked God to show him his way he wanted more than directions. He wanted God to be his teacher – his guide through life – explaining His world and His ways to him. It is easy to ask God to show us where to go. But, it is difficult for us to open our hearts and allow Him to teach us His ways!

What a beautiful picture of surrender! Show me where to go, God, and teach me what I need to learn.

Prayer: Lord, fill us with an attitude of humility and trust and help us look to You as our Leader and Teacher. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 25:4 Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths.

Looking for God's Gift

A young child ran to his neighbor’s workshop in tears. His friend put his strong arm around the small boy’s shoulder and asked, “What’s wrong, my young friend? Why are you crying?”

“I can’t sing and I can’t play,” sobbed Antonio.

“Well, my little friend,” said Amati, “there are many ways of making music. If you have music in your heart, nothing else matters.”

Antonio felt better after hearing the comforting words of his friend. And the expression of concern he felt through the hug made him know that someone cared for him deeply. As a result of this kindness he began to visit with Amati and started to learn the craft of making violins. The day finally arrived when the violins made by Antonio Stradivarius were recognized as the finest violins in the world.

God has a perfect plan for each of us. He wants to take the “raw” gifts He has given us and transform them through His power into deeds of power and glory that reflect His grace.
Though at times it may seem as though we are struggling to find a purpose in life and a way to honor Him, we must always remember that He will never leave us or forsake us as long as we look to Him for guidance.

God wants what is best for us but we will never know what that is until we surrender our lives completely to Him.

Prayer: Help us, Heavenly Father, to recognize the fact that You have something unique for each of us to do to build Your Kingdom and willingly surrender ourselves to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 12:1,2 …I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship...Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will. 

Completely Covered

According to Greek legend, Achilles was the greatest warrior who ever lived. In Homer’s Iliad, he was the hero of the Trojan Wars. When he was a baby his mother wanted him to be invulnerable to injury. So, early in his life she took him to the River Styx, believing that it had miraculous powers, held him by his heels and dipped him in the water. Only his heels were not covered by the water.

He became a great warrior! Unfortunately, he was killed in battle by a poisoned arrow that pierced his heel – the only spot that was not covered by the water from the River Styx. It is from this legend that we talk of “our Achilles heel.”

Although it is only a legend it teaches us a significant fact: Our surrender to Christ must be complete. Paul advises us that we are not “to let any part of our body become a tool of wickedness to be used for sinning...instead...let your whole body be as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God.”

Surrender is often difficult for some of us for fear that we will fail our Lord. Does this come from the idea that we think we are responsible for victory over sin? We are not! It is God working in us and for us and through us that gives us victory over sin through Christ. Whatever we do not surrender to God is claimed by Satan and causes us to sin.

Prayer: Help us, Father, to remember that the battle and the victory are in Your hands. We know that if we surrender to You we will not be defeated. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Romans 6:12-14 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. 

Never Give Up!

Winston Churchill is recognized as one of the most outstanding leaders in the history of the world. He held England together during World War II and brought encouragement and hope to the entire nation and the world.

He attended a preparatory school that was recognized for having high academic standards and making students study and earn their grades by spending hours at their desks and in the library. He is known to have excelled in all of his studies.

Toward the end of his life he was invited to return to the school to address the students. When he was being introduced to the students, the Headmaster said, “Our Prime Minister is one of the greatest orators in the world. Listen carefully and take notes.”

Churchill stood to his feet, gazed intently at the young people who gathered to hear him and said, “Never give up. NEVER GIVE UP! NEVER!” And sat down.

Paul put this another way for Christians: “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.”

Often we work hard for the Lord yet see no rewards. However, we must “Never Give Up!” His reward will come when we need it most.

Prayer: Encourage our hearts, Lord, to know that we may not receive rewards in this world, but surely in the one to come with You in heaven. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture for Today: 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.