Martha

Noebel

The Gospels shared the life of a Christian by the examples of those who first met Jesus. After a time of many challenges in his own life, which included the times of fasting and testing by Satan, Jesus walked into the season of ministry. The difficult moments only made him stronger. Jesus was ready to face the calling of His ministry to the world.

He knew that a group of followers that would also become preachers/teachers were necessary to reach as many people as possible. Jesus was stepping into the future by calling men to "Come, follow me." The first two brothers he met were working on the sea shore and casting their nets which was a daily routine for them. His words invited the fishermen to lay down their nets, their means of livelihood, and to follow Jesus into what was in store for them. He later met two more brothers who were mending their nets in their boats and the same results occurred. They were asked to follow Jesus into a life of becoming "fishers of men." "Immediately they left the boat… and followed him."

The theme for these followers is found in

b, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." These disciples eventually reached a total of 12 men who left everything to share the word of God to a lost world. The Good News would be carried to all who would listen. These men would not have any regrets concerning leaving their nets, livelihoods, family, and friends; but would find learning from the Master and giving voice to his message a true joy. Lives were being changed and a world filled with pain and sorrow was receiving true Light.

Now I am not saying we are to walk out our front doors of our homes, never to return, and begin preaching a salvation message to the lost. But I am suggesting that we consider following Christ. When we ask the Lord to forgive us our sins and to come into our hearts, our lives should be ones of continually following him. Our actions should be of learning from the Master how to live a Christ-like life and to show others all that God has to offer them.

shows us how to live. The fruit of the Spirit is:

1. Love
2. Joy
3. Peace
4. Patience
5. Kindness
6. Goodness
7. Faithfulness
8. Gentleness
9. Self-Control

We, like the disciples, should leave our nets behind (which is our previous way of thinking and acting). Our lives are to possess the new life, the life of knowing Christ. Our hearts should be filled with so much joy and peace that others will notice the difference. Trusting the Lord and walking in His ways is the life of a true Christian. As we evaluate ourselves there will be opportunities to grow, challenges to face, and a true heart of following Christ. His call is to us all: "Come, follow me."

Copyright © 2012 Martha Noebel. Used by permission.

There are so many people with issues that seem to overwhelm them. Whether it is a father out of work, sickness in the home, broken down cars, not enough food on the table, or even a runaway child looking for their own way in the world, our hearts may seem to long for peace.

From experience, I have found that as long as I try to fix the problems without trusting the Lord to deal with them, then I am left feeling frustrated and without hope. Peace comes as I lean on God for the answers and wait on His timing.

At one particular season of my life, I was living far from family and friends. My husband had a job in which he traveled one hour from home. I had a teenage son, a toddler, and I was pregnant. There was barely enough money for food and expenses; except for the gas money to get my husband to work. It was a scary time.

I wish I could say that I immediately filled my heart with an abundance of faith and never doubted God’s ability to bring us through for a single moment. But my attitude was to face things one day at a time. I am so much wiser now. Having seen so many miracles in these recent years I know that He is more than capable of working all things out for our good.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 Close Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together* for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

(KJV)

The Bible even shares how, in Matthew 15, Jesus saw the multitude was hungry after listening to Him teach for three days. Jesus, being full of faith, told the disciples to gather the seven loaves of bread and fishes. He blessed the food and sent the disciples into the crowd with these items. After they all ate and were full, the leftover food filled seven baskets. The crowd consisted of four thousand men and included the women/children. Now that is how faithful our God is when a need is presented to Him.

So what is your concern today? How much faith do you possess? Even faith the size of a grain of a mustard seed is all you need to see the victory in your life.

“…Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Matthew 17:20 Close Matthew 17:20 "You don't have enough faith," Jesus told them. "I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, `Move from here to there,' and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.*" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

NIV

The paths you are following are hard to understand at times. God is with you! He is passionately in love with you and cares about your every need. The trials of today will one day be over and as you look back you will see how far you have come. As I share in a previous devotional: Hope Is Real.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

John 10:10 Close John 10:10 The thief's purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

NIV

With a heart full of faith and hope for the days ahead, move onward. Trust the Lord. You will be amazed!

Copyright © 2015 Martha Noebel, used by permission.

While listening to the radio I heard Barry Manilow sing a song I had not heard before. It was "It's Just Another New Year's Eve." Immediately my spirit questioned that statement. You see, in just a few days it will be New Year's Day. Perhaps there are many people who look at each year as "just another year." Not me.

It is good to look back at the previous year to see the many experiences, good and bad, we have faced. We must believe they are stepping stones in our lives that help us grow. Certainly, it is important for us to learn from our past and to incorporate the wisdom we have obtained to help us in the future. No matter the situation, the Lord is with us. He will lead and guide us as we seek Him.

(NIV) teaches us:

"The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail."

Now as we look into the New Year we can look with fresh eyes filled with faith, trust, and hope.

(NIV) states:

"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you."

Also, the Word says in

(NIV):

"Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."

Barry Manilow may feel that New Year is just another day or each New Year is the same as the previous one, but our thoughts should be of expectation for what the Lord has for us. Whether it is a need for a better job, increase in finances, healing in our bodies, salvation of loved ones, a new home or car, or whatever your need may be.

I remember as a single parent having great needs to care for myself and my son. I did have a job and a car, but I was living with my parents. There weren't the finances to afford a house of my own to raise my son. One time, as I was crying out to the Lord for help, I heard His words to me, "Who have you blessed lately?"

This was a clear message for me to give to others even with my lack so I too could be blessed. It's a kingdom principle to give and it will be given to you.

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Luke 6:38 Close Luke 6:38 Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back.*" OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

(NIV)

Our lives will be full of blessings in the New Year as we trust God, share His love with those around us, and walk into each new day with great confidence of God's faithfulness.

(NLT):

"Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning."

Copyright 2014 Martha Noebel. Used with permission.

As I do each year, after the New Year rolled around, I looked to see what would be said in the Christian world about the upcoming year. I expected to hear preachers reminding us that we are in the “Last Days.” I looked at various Web sites for articles about “The End Times” and how it related to the year and found nothing. It was rather quiet, a scary kind of quiet. Nothing was being said to make me feel that anyone was thinking about the Lord’s return.

We are told in Scripture that the Lord is going to come again for those who are looking for Him.

states that He is coming for all who love His appearing.

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.” (

Matthew 24:44 Close Matthew 24:44 You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

 KJV)

Have we stopped looking for the Lord’s return? Have we forgotten how important it is to live a life pleasing unto God? Have we forgotten how necessary it is to tell as many people as we can about the love of God and their need to know Him? It’s important to stay focused on God. We should not be so caught up with the things of this world that we forget what really matters.

"The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires." (

Romans 13:12-14 Close Romans 13:12-14 The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don't participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don't let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

 NLT)

In our churches, we are finding those who only want a bless me sermon taught to them. How can I be blessed? It's the all-about-me mentality and it's seemingly permeating those in Christian circles today. But it’s not about us; it is about God.

(NLT) gives us clear instructions:

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths. But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.”

I guess my Pentecostal background is driving me to want to be reminded of the Lord’s soon return. I don’t ever want to forget that we must be anxiously looking for His appearing. I want to live a life pleasing to the Lord and be ready when He comes. I want to be busy making sure that everyone who wants to know God loves them, has the chance to find out. God loves us so much.

“Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.” (

Isaiah 49:15-16 Close Isaiah 49:15-16 "Never! Can a mother forget her nursing child?  Can she feel no love for the child she has borne?But even if that were possible,  I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands.  Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem's walls in ruins. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

 NLT)

Let’s be aware of His soon return. Let us be watching and waiting as we live our lives, we want to be ready.

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (

Colossians 4:5-6 Close Colossians 4:5-6 Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive* so that you will have the right response for everyone. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

 NIV)

Copyright © Martha Noebel, used by permission.

I would like to take a few moments to share with you about your Father's heart toward you. Yes, I am referring to your Heavenly Father.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (

John 3:16 Close John 3:16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

, NIV).

That's a lot of love. God loves us so much. The sins of this world have lead us to places we should not be going, doing things we should not be doing, and encouraging us to say things we should not be saying. But God's love is so great that no matter what the sin, He sent His son to die for us so that we can be forgiven and made whole. Someone had to pay the price; blood had to be given as a sacrifice. God sent Jesus, the only sinless one, to be the payment for our sins. He did this by giving His life as a ransom for our sins.

We have seen great fathers in this world. The story of the father who pushed, pulled, and carried his son through a triathlon is a great example. He swam 2.5 miles, cycled 125 miles through hot lava fields, and concluded by running 26.2 miles with his son. You see, he loved his handicapped son so much. His son's dream was to be in this contest. The father's heart was to meet that need for and with his son. No, they were not in first place or even second place, but they did finish just under the deadline. The father ran the race with the son.

Our Heavenly Father is running the race with us. We are all in a race. If we have asked Jesus, God's Son, into our hearts and to forgive us our sins, then we are pressing on to win the prize.

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (

Philippians 3:14 Close Philippians 3:14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

).

I also was thinking about the pastor of Dayna Curry and Heather Mercer. Their pastor certainly showed the heart of a father for these two young women as they were held prisoners in Afghanistan. He went overseas to help in any way he could. I think he was there for several weeks praying for them and trying to assist the best way he could. I was touched as I heard that story. He showed a very big heart for these two missionary women.

God's heart is so big for us. His love is so awesome. He wants only what is best for us. Our Father in heaven has a very big heart for us. He cares, wants us to be healed, cleansed from our sins, in right relationship with Him and others around us, and on our way to heaven. He has a wonderful place for us to go.

I pray that you can feel His heart of love for you today -- the heart of a true loving, gentle, and kind Father.

CBN.com --When I think about Christmas, I always picture a manger. We should think about the reason that Jesus, the Son of God, came to this world as a baby. Without a doubt, His great love for us caused Him to step out of the heavens only to begin the trip to the cross.

So I felt we should also have a picture of Calvary when we think of Christmas. I like the message on a Christmas card I received. It says:

As the King, He had a different kind of birth...
He had a different kind of kingdom...
And He wore a different kind of crown

That is not your typical Christmas card, now is it? And then I think of the scripture,

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life (

John 3:16 Close John 3:16 "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

).

The Living Water For The Soul Devotion I recently received said that God sets the pattern of true love here, the basis for all love relationships -- if you love someone dearly, you are willing to pay dearly for that person's responsive love. God paid dearly with the life of his Son. Jesus accepted our punishment, paid the price for our sins, and then offered us the new life he bought for us.

But what a sad picture to think about on one of the happiest days of the year. We do not want to picture our precious Lord on the cross, all bloody, torn, and dying. It is much easier to picture Him as the baby in the manger, all soft, warm, and cuddly.

Then I realized that we need to have hope and envision the completed cycle. The picture I would like to present to you is the one of the empty tomb. He rose from the grave and is no longer dead. He is very much alive. Better still, let's see Him standing at the throne of God, at the right hand of the Father. He is ever making intercession for us.

 

Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us (

Romans 8:34 Close Romans 8:34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

).

The price has been paid for all our sins. The King of Glory is risen to His rightful place. Death could not keep Him down, the grave could not hold Him, and our wrong doings did not place such a weight as to destroy Him. But instead His love paid the price we could not pay, with a love we don't deserve.

 

Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen (

1 Timothy 1:17 Close 1 Timothy 1:17 All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen. OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)

).

Martha welcomes your responses at dvtd2hm1@aol.com