Tag: Devotional

Taken from L.B. Cowman’s “Streams in the Desert,” Zondervan Updated Edition

“If anyone gives even a cup of cold water… he will certainly not lose his reward,” Matthew 10:42.

What shall I do? I expect to pass through this world once. Therefore any good work, kindness, or service I can render to any person or animal, let me do it now. Let me not neglect or delay to do it, for I will not pass this way again.—an old Quaker saying

Give what you have, for you never know—to someone else it may be better than you can even dare to think.—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Taken from L.B. Cowman’s “Streams in the Desert,” Zondervan Updated Edition

“This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith,” 1 John 5:4.

Trusting even when it appears you have been forsaken; praying when it seems your words are simply entering a vast expanse where no one hears and no voice answers; believing that God’s love is complete and that He is aware of your circumstances, even when your world seems to grind on as if setting its own direction and not caring for life or moving one inch in response to your petitions; desiring only what God’s hands have planned for you; waiting patiently while seemingly starving to death, with your only fear being that your faith might fail — “this is the victory that has overcome the world”; this genuine faith indeed. —George MacDonald

Taken from L.B. Cowman’s “Streams in the Desert,” Zondervan Updated Edition

“When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble,” (Proverbs 4:12).

The Lord only builds a bridge of faith directly under the feet of a faithful traveler. He never builds the bridge a few steps ahead, for then it would not be one of faith. “We live by faith, not by sight,” (2 Cor. 5:7).

Whether the barrier is a river, a mountain, or a gate, all a child of Jesus must do is head directly towards it. If it is a river, it will dry up as he comes near it, as long as he forges ahead. If it is a mountain, it will be removed and “cast into the sea,” (Mark 11:23 KJV), providing he approaches it with unflinching confidence.

Is some great barrier blocking your path right now? We sit and weep in vain, while the voice of the Almighty tells us to never stop moving upward and onward. Let us advance boldly, whether it is dark and we can barely see the forest in front of us, or our road leads us through the mountain pass, where from any vantage point we can only see a few steps ahead.

Press on! And if necessary, like the ancient Israelites we will find a pillar of clouds and fire to lead the way on our journey through the wilderness. God will provide guides and inns along the road, and we will discover food, clothing, and friends at every stage of our journey.

Taken from Mrs. Charles E. Cowman’s “Streams in the Desert,” Vol. Two

 “The Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand,” Psalm 121:5.

 There cannot be shade without sunshine. There is no night without day. There are clear skies above the clouds. Only he who has rested in the shade, kept vigil through the night, or walked under the clouds can light the paths for others.  —M.T.

God is above the clouds!

— the darkest; most depressing;

The clouds of disappointment, burden, anguish, pain;

The clouds of long suspense;

— of tidings most distressing;

God is above the clouds!

— and skies will smile again.

— J. Danson Smith (from “Thou Remainest,” London, England).

Taken from Mrs. Charles E. Cowman’s “Streams in the Desert,” Volume Two

“This is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith,” (1 John 5:4)

Oh, the wonders of prayer! Abraham’s servant prays…Rebekah appears. Jacob wrestles and prays and prevails with Christ…Esau’s mind is wonderfully turned from the revengeful purpose he has harbored for twenty years. Moses cries to God…the sea divides. Hannah prays…Samuel is born. Asa prays…a victory is gained. Jehoshaphat cries to God…God turns away his foes. Isaiah prays…the dream is revealed. Daniel prays…the lions are muzzled. Nehemiah starts a prayer…the King’s heart is softened in a minute. Elijah prays…a drought of three years succeeds. Elijah prays [again]…rain descends apace. Elisha prays…Jordan is divided. The church prays ardently…Peter is delivered by an angel.

The weapon of prayer against the forces of evil prevails. It brings power. It brings fire. It brings rain. It brings life. It brings God! There is no power like that of prevailing prayer. Dare to be definite with God; dare to lay hold of the promises and to wait in faith until the answer comes. Victory is through Calvary!

Taken from L.B. Cowen’s “Streams in the Desert,” Zondervan Updated Edition

“Look! I see four men, not tied, walking around in the fire unharmed; and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.”  Daniel 3:25

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into the furnace, the fire did not stop them from moving, for they were seen “walking around.” Actually, the fire was one of the streets they traveled to their destination. The comfort we have from Christ’s revealed truth is not that it teaches us freedom from sorrow but that it teaches us freedom through sorrow.

O dear God, when darkness overshadows me, teach me that I am merely traveling through a tunnel. It will then be enough for me to know that someday it will be all right.

I have been told that someday I will stand at the top of the Mount of Olives and experience the height of resurrection glory. But heavenly Father, I want more— I want Calvary to lead up to it. I want to know that the shadows of darkness are the shade on a road— the road leading to Your heavenly house. Teach me that the reason I must climb the hill is because Your house is there! Knowing this, I will not be hurt by sorrow, if I will only walk in the fire.—George Matheson

“The road is too rough,” I said;

“It is uphill all the way;

No flowers, but thorns instead;

And the skies overhead are gray.”

But One took my hand at the entrance dim,

And sweet is the road that I walk with Him.

 

“The cross is too great,” I cried—

“More than the back can bear,

So rough and heavy and wide,

And nobody near to care.”

And One stooped softly and touched my hand:

“I know. I care. And I understand.”