Daily Devotional
Are You the Target of “Cash and Cadillacs” Theology?
“Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters, they see the works of the Lord and His wonders in the deep. For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves of the sea…their soul melts because of trouble…Then they cry out to the Lord in their trouble, and He brings them out of their distresses. He calms the storm, so that its waves are still…so He guides them to their desired haven”
Psalm 107:23-30
February 19, 2020
Ponder This
God is the master of the winds and the waves. He is able to cause storms to come or to calm them.
A very shallow theology says if we’re in the will of God, we’ll always sail smoothly on the sea of life. We’ll have no sickness, no sorrow, no disappointment, know no separation. There’ll be no problems in our family. The “joy boys” get on television and say, “You just believe God and send me an offering, and you’ll never be sick, never know loss, everything’ll be fine.” That’s the gospel of cash and Cadillacs. Friend, there’s a Greek word for that—baloney.
No, we’re going to have difficulty. When it comes, you can say, “I’m governed by His providence, but I’m also growing by His plan.” God’s plan is not to indulge you; God’s plan is to enlarge you. “Thou hast enlarged me when I was in distress” (Psalm 4:1).
Practice This
Those of you who’ve been on the trail for awhile, who have walked a long time with the Lord, when did you grow the most? When everything was fine? When there was smooth sailing? Or when the storm came? Did you not grow more in the storm, in distress, when you were crowded to Christ, and when you had to call upon Him? You are growing by His plan.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
