Devot. Faith

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a super weekend! 

 

Below is a devot. that I found 2 weeks ago in my inbox.   It was a blessing to my week, and the Lord used it to speak to my heart at I time when I needed a reminder to have faith in the Lord and His work in my life.  

It also ties in with our devotional topic this week of Walking by Faith.

Pray it blesses you this week!  Lord bless you and yours.

Used by permission.   Taken from http://www.icr.org/homepage/

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August 12, 2018 Faith “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12) Scripture teaches that “by grace are ye saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8), and that faith (or belief, same word) in the substitutionary work of Christ on the cross is essential to salvation (John 3:15-18, etc.). But faith does not stop there; it grows as a Christian matures. Let us look at some of the characteristics of a growing faith in God. One who has accepted God’s gracious offer of forgiveness and salvation, one who, by faith, has found God trustworthy, comes to trust Him and His promises in other areas as well. Paul, who had been sorely persecuted for his faith, claimed, “Nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12). God will faithfully fulfill His promises, and we can have faith that He will. The great heroes of faith, some of whom are listed in Hebrews 11, all had one thing in common. They dared to trust God for great things, even impossible things, and moved out on that basis. Consider Joshua: “By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days” (Hebrews 11:30). Joshua was confronted with an impossible problem but dared to trust God for a solution. Then there is the mature faith that can “rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7) in the face of hardship and opposition. “For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD . . . shall inherit the earth” (v. 9). At every stage of our Christian lives, God allows us opportunities to exercise and expand our faith. Remember, “without faith it is impossible to please him” (Hebrews 11:6). JDM

Today Is Your Best Day Because of Faith: Walk by Faith

Hi Folks,

I hope you had a super weekend and a good start to your week!

We are going to be continue our series "Today is Your Best Day."   The topic for today is that who have trusted Jesus ("the just" as they are referred to in this devot.) should walk by faith.

 

 

Scripture says that we "walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7).    At least we are supposed to.

When we walk by our sight-what we can see in front of us, can touch, map out for ourselves, we only see through the lense of our own human perspective, and how much we miss when we do that.

 

When we walk by faith, it first of all increases our trust in God.  Secondly,  He has a different viewpoint than we do, a Heavenly one.   His eyesight takes in the past, present and future. 

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 says of God, "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."

 

We cannot see as God sees, so we need Someone to be or guide, light our way. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

 

 When we do this (walk by faith, allow God to be our guide), we can come to see all the wonderful things God sees.  We come to see life through His perspective.  Now, sometimes God allows us to see things on this side of eternity and sometimes not until Heaven.   But like I said last week,  if we would look around us and intently look for God at work, His blessings in our day, we would indeed see it.

 

Walking with God by faith is an adventure!     What is the fun of mapping out your life, planning every day down the second when God wants you to hand the reins of your life over to Him and let Him write your story, show you the plans He has dreamed of for your life?   Proverbs 16:9 says, "A man's heart deviseth (plans) his way: but the LORD directeth his steps."

 

 Does this mean we don't plan by saving money for an emergency or retirement, going to the doctors to make sure we stay well?   No, that is not what I mean at all.

Luke 14:28-30 speaks of planning ahead, "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish."

 

What I am staying is that life with Jesus is supposed to be an adventure of faith-not necessary knowing what is ahead but trusting that God's will will be accomplished in our lives because He has promised it (Psalm 138:8), that all things work together for good to those who love God (Roman 8:28), that beauty can come ou of the painful things (Ecclesiastes 3:11) and that He will guide our lives until the day we go home to be with Him  (Psalm 48:14, "For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death.").

 

I pray that these thoughts from Scripture and the devot. below are a blessing from the Lord this week in your life.   Lord bless you and yours!

 

Devot. https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion/date/2018-08-08?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion%202018-08-08&utm_term=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion   (Read and Share.   Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion)

Devot. Today is Your Best Day!

HI Folks,

 

I hope you have had a great start to your week!

We are starting a new series for today-"Today is Your Best Day!"

You know how couples will use "Best Day Ever" on chalkboards in wedding photos shots?

This series gives Biblical reasons why every day can be the best day ever in spite of what we may be going through.

 

Psalm 118:24 says, " This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."

This verse does not state "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it-because all is going well, my family is healthy, I have a good paying job."     

 

The verse talks about today being a day which God has created, we will rejoice in it, period.   Now within context, there are reasons why this is a good day (God has heard the cry of one who has called out to Him, salvation has been given, a prophecy about Jesus will come to pass-verses 21 and 22), but you don't read that's a good day because nothing is wrong.

 

I know that it can be tough to be cheerful and rejoice when a day or life isn't going well.   I think of Pastor Andrew Brunson who has been in a Turkish prison for almost 2 years .  The https://aclj.org/ has a quote from him saying, " "I desperately miss my wife and children. Yet, I believe this to be true, it is an honor to suffer for Jesus Christ, as many have before me. My deepest thanks to all those around the world who are standing with and praying for me."  (Taken from https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/after-third-day-of-trial-american-pastor-andrew-brunson-remanded-back-to-prison---more-delays)

 

I'm sure Pastor Brunson was thinking of 1 Peter 3:14,17 when he said that.   "But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; For it is better, if the will of God be so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing."   

 

I pray that this series is a boost and will help you consciously think through why that day is a good day (esp. during the times when it's a struggle).  

 

I think I have given you the hymn "Count Your Many Blessings."   It's says that when you count your many blessings, you will be surprised to see what the Lord has done.   My mom always says that if we purposely look to see God at work in our day, we will see His hand at work in our life and day (see His blessings).

 

 I have an update on Pastor Andrew below, if you have not seen recent articles in the main news stream: https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/american-pastor-andrew-brunson-to-leave-turkish-prison-and-allowed-to-return-to-his-home-in-turkey

 

I also have an update on another Iranian pastor you may remember from 6 years ago who was imprisoned and released, Pastor Youcef.    He has been rearrested, imprisoned, and it's not good news in his case.  Please pray for him and his family,  sign and pass the petition along if you can.   https://aclj.org/persecuted-church/iran-sentences-pastor-youcef-to-12-years-in-horrific-prison-including-2-years-of-internal-exile-for-promoting-christianity-

 

Lord bless you and yours this week!  Devot. below.

 

Devot.https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion/date/2018-08-06?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion%202018-08-06&utm_term=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion   (Read and Share.   Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/)

 

 

Devot. Foolish Talking

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a good weekend!

This devot. for today is a bit of a tough one.   We are told from Scripture that our speech is to be

be grace filled and "seasoned with salt" (Col. 4:6),but James shares how our speech can fluxuate between speaking this way and cursing. 

 

James 3:8-10, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude (likeness) of God.  Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."

 

The devot. for today shows the practicality behind this verse:  How we can speak in a way that honors God and blesses others, or how our speech can be degrading and hurt God's heart.   I think one of the biggest ways we do this using His name in a careless manner, like saying , "O my God!" or even "Gosh" (a derivative of 'God'), even "Jesus!"  Exodus 20:7 states, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain;  for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.  

 

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/vain/ says the word 'vain' means "empty, foolish, useless."   https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/vain says the word means ""of no value."  

 

If using the Lord's name in a certain way brings less value to it, then we are using His name is a way that promotes that it is NOT valuable at all, and it is!

 

Acts 4:12 says, "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."   God's name has the power to save anyone!  

 

Jesus said in Matthew 12:36 "But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."    God will hold us accountable for our speech someday in Heaven, that is weighty.......

 

I know that habits in speech are hard to beak.   You hear it at work etc...and it's very easy to pick up, I understand that, but let's each evaluate, listen to our speech this week though and ask the Lord for HIS help in re-conforming our speech so that we reflect Him and honor His name.  

 

Lord bless you and yours this week! 

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/2192   (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/homepage/)

Devot. Toot Your Own Horn/Talk is Talk

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a super weekend and are staying cool!  

I have 2 short devots. for you today.   Each one is short on it's own, but combined together they make a really good topic for today-not boating of our own accomplishments (let someone else praise what we have done) and making wise decisions.

 

Proverbs 31:31 says of the virtuous (godly) woman (which can apply to any of us, and regardless of gender),

 "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."

 

In the previous verses, we read of all the accomplishments of this amazing, godly lady.  She is very selfless in taking care of her household staff, her family (verses 15, 21, 27), the poor (verse 20), she is a business woman (verses 16, 24) and she is even a gardener (verse 16). 

 

Even in the midst of all her selfless acts and service, she does not boast of her accomplishments.   You never see that anywhere is this chapter. It's the people who sing her praises.   Her family (verse 28), those who have been blessed by her, praise her acts of service.

 

Proverbs 31:29-30, "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.  Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised."  That is the crux of the matter-a person who has a reverential fear, awe of the Lord will be praised by others for what they have done in the name of the Lord and for others.

 

This lady also pours words of wisdom and kindness, "She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness."  Considering that it says she fears the Lord, I'm thinking that this lady gets her wisdom from Him, and therefore is able to make wise decisions and also pass on wise, godly advice to others.   Apart from the wisdom God can give us (James 1:5), we are sunk if we rely on our own wisdom. 

 

I pray these short little devots. will give you a bust of encouragement this week!  Lord bless you and yours!

 

(Devots. from Read and Share.  Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/)

 

Toot Your Own Horn:

 https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion/date/2018-07-10?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion%202018-07-10&utm_term=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion

 

 Talk is Talk:

https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion/date/2018-07-09?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion%202018-07-09&utm_term=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion

Devot. The Christian's Speech

HI Folks,

 

Happy Friday!  I hope you had a super week!

 

The devot. for this week is a wonderful throwback to Tuesday's devot. on our speech.

 

The theme verse for the devot. is Colossians 4:6 says, "Let your speech be always with grace

that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." 

 

Our speech must always be sprinkled with grace: God gave us His unmerited, unearned favor.

Other folks need His grace and many times God uses us!      

 

This verse is stating that we need God's grace in order to answer the questions that may come to us

(about our faith, how we would handle a situation that someone else is going through) and by having God's grace sprinkle our speech, we will also have insight from His Word on how to answer what comes our way, as it's the only reliable, steady insight we can give someone else.

 

 I pray that this devot. is a blessing and an encouragement to your weekend!
 

Lord bless you and yours!

 

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/18953  (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/homepage/)

Devot. Kind Words Are Like Honey

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a great week!

Our devot. for today is about our words.   Remember the old expression,"Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me."  It sounds positive, courageous, but it certainly isn't reality.

Words-how they are said, at what time, and even the tone of voice used- can make a positive or negative difference in someone's life. 

 

 Sometimes even certain types of joking can be harmful.   You may just be teasing someone, but if that comment is degrading or belittling (attacks their character, personality, looks), even if you are just kidding, it can still make someone feel worthless or discouraged.  

 

I always say that when God called the world into being, He did so by His words.  He spoke the world into existence, therefore our words have power

(Proverbs 18:21, " Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.")

 

Proverbs 16:24 says, "Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."  Cheerful, positive, encouraging words are like honey.   They are sweet to our hearts and even make a difference to our bodies (honey does have  properties that have a health benefits:)

 

I pray that this devot. is useful to all of us and reminder to consider our words this weekend. 

 

Lord bless you and yours!

 

Devot. https://www.dayspring.com/articles/kind-words-are-like-honey?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNAEN20180725PMContentSendKindWordsareLikeHoney&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter

(Read and Share.  Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/)

Devot. The Best of Creation

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a super week! 

 

The devot. for today is a throwback to our previous devot.-enjoying all of God's beautiful creation

that we see around us this summer.

 

I have also included a song link, a favorite of mine, that talks about creation praising the Lord.

 

Pray you have a blessed weekend!

 

 

Devot. https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion/date/2018-05-26?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion%202018-05-26&utm_term=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion   

(Read and Share.   Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/)

 

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