Devot. The Pilgrims

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving day and the last few days will be extra reminders of how the Lord has blessed you! 

 

I found this devot. the other day and it spoke to my heart, thought it was a neat one:)

 

Lord bless each of you and your families this week!

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/pilgrims   (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

Devot. Giving Thanks Beyond Our Lifetime

Hi Folks,

 

The devot. for today is just what I'd had on my heart.    It brings our hearts and minds back to the true essence of Thanksgiving.

When I think of the word 'Thanksgiving," I think of it backwards-Giving Thanks."  Psalm 107 implores, urges mankind 4 times through the chapter, "Oh that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!" Oh that we would praise Him for how good He is to us, undeserving sinners as we are!

Last week my co-Sr. High Girls Youth Group Leader gave us a challenge to think of 1 thing every day to thank the Lord for, something we were taking for granted.  I challenge you to do the same.    It can be as simple  thanking the Lord for clean water, a hot shower, a warm house.  When you start think of how much you have been blessed

with, it diminishes what you may not have.   

 

The old hymn, "Count Your any Blessings" says in Verse 1,

"When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done."    (Taken from http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/c/o/countyou.htm)

I leave you with 1 final thought and a song.   Consider inviting someone who does not have family to join you for Thanksgiving-an elderly neighbor, a single person, a single parent family, someone less fortunate.

Or if you are the one without family, consider going out to dinner and inviting some folks along who will be on their own.   You don't know the blessing an invite can be, even to someone you may not know well.

Pray for those who have lost loved ones as this time of year can be difficult (I'm thinking of the families of the police officers who were killed this past weekend in various US states).   Thanksgiving is a family time, but can be very painful if family is not there, so please remember folks like this in your prayers.

Last, I have included a song that embodies what our hearts should truly be thankful for.   

 

From my family to yours, may the Lord give you His peace and presence this week and Happy Thanks Giving!

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/giving-thanks-beyond-our-lifetimes  (Used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/)   

 

 Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld1fatQyvjM

Devot. Living Above Circumstances

Hi Folks,
I hope you had a good day and will have an even better close to your week.

As I was thinking of a devot. for the weekend and searching around I came across this one; https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/living-above-circumstances  (Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)

It seemed perfect to me in the face of folks still wondering and contemplating the US future.   

I have also included a link song I learned as a child about God making a way, a pathway, during difficult circumstances.  

Psalm 119:15 states, "Thy (God's)word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."      God's very Words give light to the spiritual or physical darkness in front of us if we read them, listen and obey.
I pray this devot. and song would uplift and encourage you this weekend!  Lord bless you!  

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zo3fJYtS-o

 

Devot. In What Ways Has God Blessed America?

Hi Folks,

Well, it's been quite a week, hasn't it?  Today and in the weeks to come I'm going to frequently remind you that God is in control, He knows that He is doing,  He knew this was coming and He set this in motion Himself-for HIS own specific purpose and plan at this time in history.

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 says, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.   For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."

My pastor preached a sermon Sunday with the title, "GOD Trumps All!"  My pastor has a tendency to use catchy titles, alliteration to help the congregation keep important  points in mind:_) 

 He gave the following as His opening statement, "God's __________ Trumps All" and then asked the congregation to call out words that could fit:  God's Mercy (Grace, Power, Love, Authority, Son), Trumps All."    Pastor reminded us though his points of how many areas God controls - Human Government, Creation, the hearts of mankind...

 

It was amazing, comforting and encouraging to see that God sees and knows all!  Nothing escapes His eyes. (1 Pet. 3:12 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+pet.+3%3A12&version=KJV)

He also gave Proverbs 16:33 as an interesting verse to show that God does ultimately chooses who is in authority:   "The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord."  

In Bible days, "the lot" was similar to casting a vote.     This verse is showing us again that that we cast forth our vote, but the whole outcome is up to the Lord.

For me, this is a comforting thought.   I may not know why my Heavenly Father does what He does, but I know He knows what He is doing:)

It is my heart's prayer that folks will turn toward having a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus, turn toward God and Godliness like we haven't seen since 9/11. 

 My pastor always says on 4th of July that we are declaring our INDEPENDENCE, but at the same time declaring our DEPENDANCE on GOD.  How we need that.....2 Chronicles 7:14 says that IF HIS PEPOPLE  (Those who have trusted Jesus as Saviour), will humble themselves, pray, seek his face, turn from their wicked ways,  He WILL forgive our sins, hear our prayers and heal our land.   It starts with us.....

I pray the devot. below is a comforting reminder that when we and our nation follow God in heart, mind and actions, God will bless our land!

 

May the Lord send you His peace and presence this weekend as only HE can (https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john+14%3A27&version=KJV)

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/what-ways-has-god-blessed-america  (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

 

November is National Adoption Month!/Free Booklet

From http://familylifetoday.com/     Thanksgiving is fast approaching. Are you ready? In the midst of what can be a whirlwind time of the year, have you found the time to sit and rest? To truly feel thankful for all the Lord's blessings over the past year? As you think of the friends and family you're especially thankful for, will you add adoptive and foster families to that list? Thank the Lord for their willingness to open their homes. Praise God for the healing children are experiencing because of their adoptive families and for futures that can be restored. With November serving as National Adoption Month, hundreds—if not thousands—of families from around the country will finalize an adoption. Children will once again know the permanency of a family, and the gospel will be visible as God sets the lonely into families. While we're not all called to adopt, we can certainly be thankful for those families that follow the Lord's lead to open their homes to waiting kids. Say a special prayer for those families you know, asking for the Lord to show you specific ways that you can bring joy to adoptive families. Our free booklet "Wrapping Around Adoptive Families" has practical advice on how to express your gratitude and thanks.

Download Free Booklet»

This family ministry is made possible by the generous support of friends like you. DONATE TODAY»   Sail with Focus on our 40th Anniversary Cruise Nov. 2017. Book Now» Share This Email     Connect With Us   Marriage | Parenting | Today's Broadcast | Family Store

Devot. Sojourners

 Dear Friends,

 

I hope your weekend was good.  As I was sitting here thinking, "What should I pick for a devot. that will encourage," then I found this one.   

In light of the electon results, I know some are worried, scared, disappointed or apprehensive.

 

I want to remind you that if you have trusted Jesus, His death and resurrection as your only way of getting to Heaven, this earth is then just your temporary home.  This life and it's worries and cares are just for now, not forever.  Thank the Lord He has prepared someplace better!

 

He promised in John 14: 1-3, "Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.   And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also."

I have included a song link that shares this Truth very well.  As an added reminder don't forget the verses I shared earlier this week (Daniel 2:21 and Romans 13:1) that God Himself ordains, sets in place, the authorities we have.   God wishes for His purpose and will to be accomplished on this earth and He can do it through anyone He desires.   He knows what He is doing:)

I hope this devot. encourages you this week!  Lord bless you!

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJP5XGFbcUQ

(Scroll down a bit for the devot. Devot. used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

Sojourners September 7, 2011   "For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding." (1 Chronicles 29:15)   All of God's people, whether ancient Israelites or latter-day Christians, need to recognize that we are mere "strangers and pilgrims on the earth" (Hebrews 11:13). This world is not our home, as the old gospel song puts it, and we must not let our roots get down too deep in this materialistic world.   The words of our text are in David's last recorded prayer before his death. He was a great king and very wealthy in material things, but he still recognized that his real home was not in the earthly Jerusalem, but in heaven.   So should we. The apostle Paul wrote, "For our conversation |the Greek word here literally means 'citizenship'| is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ" (Philippians 3:20). We are merely serving in this world as "ambassadors for Christ," and our business here, representing the court of heaven, is to urge men, "in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:20).   Why should we spend so much time and money in beautifying a home on earth when Christ has gone to prepare a mansion for us in heaven (John 14:2)? Remember Abraham, who by faith "sojourned . . . in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob" (Hebrews 11:9). "But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city" (Hebrews 11:16).   Also remember Paul who had "no certain dwellingplace" (1 Corinthians 4:11), not to mention the Lord Jesus Himself who had "not where to lay his head" (Matthew 8:20). We do well, therefore, to "pass the time of |our| sojourning here in fear" (1 Peter 1:17)--that is, reverential fear of God (never fear of man), as good citizens of our heavenly country. HMM

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Devot. Election Week

Hi Folks,

I hope you had a good week!
I have a few thoughts, a few Scriptures that I have reflected on this week and a song link. 

I want to remind you that this election, like all others before, was in God's hands. 
First, did you know that Scripture says that God "ordains" (order or decree {something} officially) those who are going to be in office? "Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God." (Rom. 13:1)

God's Word is urging us to be "subject", under the authority of, the powers that be.  But we are also reminded that there is truly no power other than God's power, and that the earthly powers that exist are "decreed", "ordered" by God Himself!

Daniel 2:21 states, "And he {God}  changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings:  he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:"

God can set up someone in a place of authority or  remove them Himself.   So when we vote, we make our choices known and God Himself makes the ultimate choice.

Sometimes God gives us mercy in the person He picks, other times He picks what we as a nation deserve because of  how we have turned out backs on Him and His Word.

We see this repeatedly in Old Testament history.  The nation of Israel would be doing fine spiritually, obeying God's laws and then then would fall away from Him.
God would send a prophet (a 'town crier' so to speak),  to warn the people that if they did not turn away from their sin and turn back to Him, He would have to discipline them (just as  parent does to their child who disobeys). 
The people would choose to live as they were, worshipping false gods and living in sin and along would come a foreign nation, taking them into captivity and making them serve in their nation as slaves.
The people would cry out to the Lord, repent, help would be sent, they would be set free.   The would live for God for a period of time, maybe a good amount of years, and then the whole vicious  cycle would start again.

In the Old Testament, the prophets were sent to warn the people.   In the New Testament who have the Lord Jesus Christ who as spoken through His word, the Bible.  John 16: 8 says of Jesus, "And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:"

Psalm  33:12 states, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord;..."  You can imagine the flipside of this.

Secondly, We are to pray for those in authority.   1 Timothy 2:1-2 says, "I exhort therefore, ( strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something:- Oxford Dictionaries) that, first of all, supplications, prayers,  intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;  For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty."

In New Testament days this referred to the Caesars that ruled.  In modern day vernacular, since we don't live under a monarchy,  it refers to those who we have in leadership today- the president, senators, congressman.

Is it tough to pray for someone you didn't want in office and didn't vote for?  Yes:)  Was it STRONGLY ENCOURAGED  in Scripture?   Yes!

What is the reason?  The reason is given in the verse, "that we may lead a quiet and peacable life in all godliness and honestly."   By our prayers for those in authority, differences can be made and we can lead a more quiet and peaceful life in Christlikeness and honesty because of it.

Scripture says that God can change the hearts of kings, (those in authority),  "The king's heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will."

There is much more on my heart that I look forward to sharing with you next week.  For now is song link that I think befit the week. The song itself has been used in presidential funerals, and national tragedies.  
Keep "looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith"  (Hebrews 12:2)  and Lord bless each of you this weekend!

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oI7JYSw-gOU

Devot. The Qualifications of Leadership

Dear Friends,

I hope you had an enjoyable week!  

Well, Election Day is next week.....today's devot. is on the qualities/qualifications we look for in a leader.  What does Scripture have to say on this topic?

A family friend and I were talking last week about the elections and how our consciousness come to the front in this.  I was thinking as we talked and I stated, "If I imagined the Lord standing in the voting booth with me, could I in conscious vote the way I'm thinking?" 
What I said hit both of us like a ton of bricks!  Could I vote in conscious for the person  I'm thinking of supporting? 

Yes, who gets elected that will support our beliefs or uphold the Supreme Court is important, but we will answer to the Lord for how our conscious', God's workings in our heart, prompted.

This same family friend sent me a link for "another choice."  As she stated in her email, "If you cannot in conscious vote for either
side, here is another choice" and she gave this link: http://castle2016.com/home/

Now, as I've said all along it's not my business to tell you WHO to vote for, but WHAT to vote for.  I am simply including this for those of you who may not know what to do about this election (You may ask yourself, "Is it even worth it to vote this time?")  or ("Can I vote  for either one?")    This is simply an added resources, a 3rd choice, that's it.

Also another family friend sent this to me this is definitely something I am jumping on board with.  I believe it can apply to men or ladies and  it can only help us this coming week:   http://onemillionmoms.com/   (First banner displayed on site-day of prayer)

Lastly, my pastor sent a link he had received from the Christian Coalition.   They look at each state, candidates running and give a breakdown on what each person supports/opposes when it comes to the issues at hand.   I found it eye opening and useful.   Hope it assists you as well:  http://www.cc.org/download_2016_voter_guides


May the Lord guide and direct your lives this weekend.  

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/qualifications-leaders (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

 

Devot. Choosing to Pursue Wisdom

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a productive week!  I felt the Lord wanted me to send this one. 

 Why is it so important to choose spiritual wisdom over the wisdom of the world?

 

Colossians 2:3, 8 says, "In whom [speaking of Jesus from the previous verse] are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.  Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."

It's easy and subtle to start to have your mind transformed to think as the world thinks, and not as God's Word states.    These verses above are warning against that and urging believers to seek the wisdom that Christ has to offer through His Word (the Bible).

I pray this devot. will give you spiritual insight.   Maybe some of you are in the process of making a decision and you don't know which way to go.  

 

I hope this devot. helps and you will learn something new and useful! 

 

Lord bless you and yours this weekend!

 

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/choosing-to-pursue-wisdom (Used by permission. Taken from https://www.intouch.org/)