from today's 'God Calling'

Have you ever read the Story of the Book God Calling which is edited by A. J. Russell? If not, you really should. I've read this book almost daily since it was first given to me in 1987. The words written by these Two Listeners, so long ago, continue to have new meaning for me, but better yet, their pages still hold the delights and seeming failures of old. This little quick read was something I held to in Basic Training in 1988, as well as all the training since. I don't replace the Bible with it, but I do look to these thoughtful words many times for encouragement. Life changes, but God's Word will never change. I believe God used these past two elderly and stricken women to minister to a hurting world just as he uses people now. True or not, it's good for me and hopefully someone else out there. If you're interested in the story behind this book of old, click here. --dm

Height of the Storm

"It is a part of My method to wait till the storm is at its full violence."

"Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." - John 6:68

I am with you both. Go forward unafraid. Health and strength, peace and happiness and joy - they are all My gifts. Yours for the asking. In the spiritual (as in the material) world there is no empty space, and as self and fears and worries depart out of your lives, it follows that the things of the Spirit, that you crave so, rush in to take their places. All things are yours, and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's. What a wonderful cycle, because ye are God's.

Be not afraid. Fear not. It is to the drowning man the Rescuer comes. To the brave swimmer who can fare well alone He comes not. And no rush of Joy can be like that of a man towards his Rescuer.

It is a part of My method to wait till the storm is at its full violence. So did I with My disciples on the Lake. I could have bidden the first angry wave be calm, the first gust of wind be still, but what a lesson unlearned? What a sense of tender nearness of refuge and safety would have been lost.

Remember this - My disciples thought that in sleep I had forgotten them. Remember how mistaken they were. Gain strength and confidence and joyful dependence and anticipation from that.

Never fear. Joy is yours, and the radiant joy of the rescued shall be yours.

"Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths." - Psalm 25:4