July 18th

In spite of the years I have known Jesus and served Him, I still have thoughts and attitudes which are unworthy. Self still jumps up once-in-a-while to shout, “I want to be boss!” … and I listen! Sometimes, when I am not fully yielded to the Holy Spirit, I am blind-sided by some error which seems so reasonable, but not so often as I once was. Why? Because God is teaching me to listen more closely, to obey more fully, and to stick closer to Him. If I do these things, when something happens which I don’t understand, I can relax and say, “You know all about it, Lord.” He makes note of my trust and blesses me with the strength to endure and wisdom to see things His way.

THE TIE THAT BINDS
The tie that binds our hearts to God
Is faith in His true Word.
Though error blinds and minds are flawed,
Our prayers are ever heard.
Each time we say, “Tis all right, Lord,”
Though understanding fails,
Each time we pray, God doth record
Our faith that He prevails.
If we confess each wrong we do,
Believing He’ll forgive,
We then express our faith anew
That `tis through Him we live.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to test my faith as You do, for fruit grows out on the limb.