Month: April 2016

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Location, Location, Location

Chinese Gardens, Portland, Oregon

Where is your place of rest?

 You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Unlike Portland’s Japanese Gardens, which are located on a large piece of property, the Chinese Gardens are on a small tract of land in the heart of the city. This location creates a unique relationship between the gardens and the city of Portland.

Chinese Gardens, Portland, Oregon
Chinese Gardens, Portland, Oregon

Because of their location, the Chinese Gardens create a feeling of escape in the midst of the craziness of life.

Where do you find escape in the midst of your daily struggles?

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.”
Psalm 91:1 English Standard Version

It’s not easy living as Easter people. The message of the resurrection seems ridiculous to people who don’t know Christ, and we’re drained of energy living in the afterglow of Easter. We need to find shelter from the difficulties we encounter.

The resurrected Christ calls us to find rest under the shadow of his wings. He might not remove the difficulties and struggles we face, but in the midst of these struggles and difficulties he calls us to find rest in him.

When it comes to rest, it’s all about location, location, location.

Copyright Douglas P Brauner

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Rushing Toward Living Water

Water is Life.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

It’s a beautiful and most powerful sound—life-giving water rushing from the mountains to our rivers and eventually to our faucets. It’s a blessing that we in Colorado and many other states don’t take lightly, given our recent drought years. But we also have a continual spiritual thirst that we desire to be quenched. A glass of water won’t do, so we seek out the One who gives us the abundance of His living water.

Rushing WaterDB

“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
John 7:38 New International Version
“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.”
Revelation 7:17 New International Version

While we are thankful for the earthly water that God provides for us, once you have tasted the purest form of everlasting water then join with the heavens in praising our Savior for this wonderful gift!

Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
“Hallelujah!
    For our Lord God Almighty reigns.
Let us rejoice and be glad
    and give him glory!”
Revelation 19:6 New International Version

Text and Picture Copyright by Desiree Bustamante

 

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Navigating Turbulent Waters

 Finding balance. Trusting the Rock.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

The water on the upper part of the Arkansas River near Hayden Creek runs at a steady, calming pace for quite a few miles from its origins near Leadville, Colorado. Then the river bends abruptly and creates churning water. If you stand on that flat rock on the river’s edge and look straight down at the water you feel yourself moving with it.  Your equilibrium is off balance—the water’s agitation creates a fear of falling in. If you have your feet planted firmly on that rock and look up at the whole river you regain your sense of balance.

Arkanasas RiverDB

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.  
Isaiah 43:1-2 New International Version

There are times when we travel the river of God’s leading, we meander through it effortlessly. Each day can become such a familiar stream that we forget our main focus is not the river or the water’s condition. We look down at the churning water in our life and experience anxiety, stress or uncertainty. We lose our balance and fear sets in. Only when we have a solid relationship with Jesus, our foundation, are we saved from falling into the waters of destruction. Trusting Him in all things, we are held firmly in Christ Jesus our Rock.

Text and Picture Copyright by Desiree Bustamante