Devot. Freedom!

Hi Folks,

I hope you are having a great weekend!!   

Our devotional for this week is on freedom, as I backspace to the celebration we had in the US earlier this month- July of 4th.

I was thinking this weekend on the word "Freedom" and remembering that my former pastor always said that folks think the 4th of July is all about independence, freedom from something (like oppression) and it is.  But he always said that the 4th of July was also our chance to declare our "Dependence On God."

Many people groups in our world today think that freedom from God in one's personal life, the marketplace, the political area, the schoolhouse, even the church scene produces a better life, an opportunity to do as one wishes in freedom.

Now look closely at our world today and think about all that is going on in a negative sense- shootings, not just in schools, corruption on many levels, innocent babies being killed even up to the moment of delivery, Christians overseas being persecuted (imprisoned, tortured, killed), the tolerance for anything and intolerance towards the things of God.

I personally don't think that our world has improved by its freedom "from God", instead that is has become more "enslaved" to many things that are ungodly, immoral and even hurtful to oneself (drugs for instance).  

As you will see in the devotes. below, Galatians 5:13 says, "For you, brethren, (Speaking to men and women who have trusted Jesus for salvation) have been called to liberty;  (freedom) only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, (not using liberty as a chance to do as we please) but through love serve one another."

Verses of Romans 6 says the same thing, (verses 1-2) "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?  Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" 

Verses 5-6, "....knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be [a]done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin."

Verses 14-16, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as [d]instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace."

These verses state our Christian liberty, bought by Christ's blood is not a ticket to sin, to live as we choose.  We actually make ourselves slaves, servants to sin and ungodliness when we live according to our desires.  When we live according to God's Word, where He shows us what a godly, Christlike lifestyle looks like, we live a life of true freedom, not a slave to sin but a servant of God,(verses 15-22) having the strength to live a life that reflects Him. 

Below are two devotionals.  The first one is the main one I want you to read, it gives a bit of history, which I love, and then ties it into Scripture. The 2nd one you can read later this week and it shows a unique parallel between 4th of July and Easter...very interesting.

Have a blessed weekend! 

(Devots. used by permission.  Taken from https://www.icr.org)

Genuine Liberty:

https://www.icr.org/article/genuine-liberty

4th of July and Easter:

https://www.icr.org/article/fourth-july-easter

Devot. Courage!

Hi Folks,

I hope you are having a great weekend! 

I was thinking last weekend of what devotional topic to cover and the word "Courage" came to mind.   "Courage" for me represents asking God to give me His boldness and lack of fear so that I can hand someone a Gospel tract as I run errands.  It can also mean sincerely being able to tell someone that isn't a Christian that I am praying for them as they share the week they have had.

"Courage" for you could mean making it through another day as you face a trial in life.   It could mean having the Courage to be honest in your work dealings if someone has asked you to do something that you know is "fudging" things a bit.  It could mean that God is convicting your heart that you must be truthful with someone who asks your opinion on something.   You know what God's Word says, they have asked you what you think, but you're afraid to tell the the truth. 

We live in a world where they are many Courageous folks-our law enforcement, emergency, military (even intelligence) personnel who risk their lives in order to save others.  We read stories in the news of ordinary folks who saw a danger, a need and ran to help, risking their own safety.

But we are also living in a changing world that is becoming so sensitive, or the polar opposite, so tolerate to the point of not being Courageous enough to speak the Truth for fear of offending someone.  New Testament Scripture encourages boldness where the Truth within God's word is concerned (Acts 4:29, Ephesians 6:20, Rom. 1:16) and yet being Christ-like, kind, respectful, but honest in the process (Colossians 4:6).  

Our world, in spite of what we see in front of us each day, is searching for answers and is hurting in the process of looking.  Just as Pontus Pilate asked Jesus at His mock trial when He was brought before him, "What is truth?" (John 18:38), our world is looking for it in all the wrong spots.  Jesus said in John 14:6 that He was Truth itself.   We as Believers carry the answers to life questions, the means of making it through the tough times, as found in Scripture.  The question is, "Do we have the courage to share It?"   

Below are 3 devots. that are about Courage.   I pray that you would find one this weekend that the Lord will use to meet you where you are.  May the Lord give us His courage to speak is Truth with honestly, but respectfulness to those looking for answers (1 Peter 3:15-16).  May He give you His Courage to face whatever is in front of you, knowing He is beside you (Joshua 1:9).

Lord bless you!

(Read and Share.  All 3 devots. taken from http://dayspring.com/articles)

Good Courage: 

https://www.icr.org/article/2161

The Impact of Courage:

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/take-me-deeper-than-my-feet-could-ever-wander?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20180923Articles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

Take Me Deeper:

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/take-me-deeper-than-my-feet-could-ever-wander?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20180923Articles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

Devot. Father's Day

Hi Folks,

I hope you had a good Fathers Day weekend either celebrating with your dads if they are still living or having good memories of him if he is no longer living.  

I've said it many times before, but I also sympathize if Father's Day is not the most pleasant of days for you.  Not everyone has a a father who is a good day or loves the Lord.  

I was very blessed to have a good father, but I realize that not everyone has and I've have met folks who did not have a happy childhood because of that.  But...they have come to learn, embrace and rejoice in the fact that because they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, they have a Heavenly Father who is always there for them and they feel His very real love.   

1 John 3:1 states, "Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of [a]God!"

Galatians 3:26 says, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

Romans 8:14-15, " For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father (means "Daddy, Poppa")."

When a child is adopted into a family, they are given the family's name and legal become apart of it. An adopted child also cannot be legally disowned.  When we receive Jesus Christ as our Savior, we are adopted into God's family.  He becomes our Heavenly Father who cares more about us than any human parent could in their humaness(He showed this by giving His life for us) and we are His child for eternity. 

My mom has told me that it was very easy for her to accept Christ as her Savior and see Him as her Heavenly Father because she had such a wonderful dad.  But maybe it's hard for you to see God that way because of how your dad was.   I have a devot below, "Knowing God as Our Father" that I would encourage you to read this week.   

The other devots. can apply to the dads, but I also say that they apply to the guys in general.  Until you are a father, you still may have a longer man looking up to you that you can mentor, be a Christ like example for.

How young men today need godly examples to look up to and follow! (The Glory of the Children is a good one, in my opinion for guys in general.

Ladies, if you are single, these devots. will give you an idea of what to look for in a future husband and dad for your children.    If you are a married lady, then maybe one of these devots. will catch your eye and you can encourage your husband to read it. 

I pray each of you will find something useful and encouraging to read that will spiritually encourage you.

Lord bless you and yours!  

(5 devots. below for you to choose from.)

(Both Devots below are Read and Share.   Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/articles/what-the-father-says-about-fathers?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANE20190616WhattheFatherSaysAboutFathersArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List)

What the Father Says About Father's Day:

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/what-the-father-says-about-fathers utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANE20190616WhattheFatherSaysAboutFathersArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

A Letter to My Son on Father's Day:  (Written from a mother to her son, but certainly the Biblical principles inside could be from a dad to a son or a good reminder to the guys in general.)

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/a-letter-to-my-son-on-fathers-day utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANE20190616WhattheFatherSaysAboutFathersArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

Do Father's Really Matter:  (Used by permission taken from 

https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/do-fathers-really-matter

Knowing God as Our Father: 

https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/knowing-god-as-our-father

(Both devots. from https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/) Used by permission taken from )

The Glory of the Children: (How a dad's "testimony", his reputation reflects on how his children will turn out.  Great Bible principle in general on our influence!)

https://www.icr.org/article/11321/. (Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.icr.org)

Devot. Living Out Our Faith

Hi Folks,

I hope you are having a good week!

Our devot. is on living out your faith in Jesus in such a way that folks can tell that there has been a radical change in your life (that only God could ever do).  You aren't the same person you once were and that can be a good thing!  

The Bible shares in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that when we have trusted Christ for salvation, we become a new "creature" in Christ.   "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."

God prunes us of our old nature and gives us a new nature, a desire to live for Him, be like Him in our lifestyle, speech and dress.   We are given His strength (not our own) to live in a Christ like way.  

I was speaking to someone just this past weekend about trusting Jesus as their Savior.  They had never trusted Christ for salvation, but their spouse had 5 years ago and they said that they definitely were not the same person that they married 10 years ago and for the better.  They were a changed person (by the power of God).   

This devot. shares that the strongest tool you have in talking about Jesus and sharing Him with others is your "testimony": your account of what has happened in your life and the evidence of a changed life because of Jesus being your Savior.   I've used this old expression before, "You may be the only Bible someone will read." 

Pray that this devot. gives you spiritual food for thought.  

Blessings! 

Devot. Living Out Our Faith

https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/living-out-our-faith

(Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.intouch.org)

Devot. Infusing Faith in a Busy Life

Hi Folks,

I hope you had a good week!

The devot. to for this week is how to Infuse Faith in Christ into your busy week, not just save it for Sundays, or "religious" holidays, but how to make your relationship in Christ personal to your everyday life and make time for it.

I can personally relate by saying that most mornings I hit the ground running and realize after the fact that  I didn't read even a small passage of Scripture to get my morning going.   On the flip side, I realize that when  I don't, my days don't usually go well.  I'm not patient as I should be, "others" focusing as I should be, I'm not thinking as Jesus would have me to think at all.   My day is "off."   

When I take the time to spend even just 20 minutes in the morning reading a few verses of Scripture and asking for the Lord to help me reflect Him through my day, have patience and His wisdom as I make decisions, I find that I can see Him actively helping me through every moment, esp. the times when I need Him the most.

Now I've had folks say to me, "I don't have time to read my Bible, I'm too busy."  

I understand completely.   However, I remember a former pastor of mine saying that I wasn't "Quantity", but the "Quality" of what you read that makes the difference.   He would suggest picking a book of the Bible to read, reading just a few verses and then pondering them through the day.   There are other suggestions I could make, but I will save some useful suggestions for later:)

What I will close with is that the Lord Jesus wishes to be apart of each of our days, and not just the hard ones.

We will discuss this more later.  Pray the devotional below is a refreshing, spiritual boost to your weekend!

Devot.

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/3-tips-for-managing-a-busy-life?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN2019-05-22InfusingFaithInABusyLifeArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

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

Devot. Memorial Day

Hi Folks,

I hope you had a good week and good day celebrating Memorial Day with family and friends a few weeks back!

In thinking about Memorial Day, I remember watching a video/news clip a few years ago.

A group of military moms met together to share their stories with each other and the nation.

One of the moms spoke and said that for most American families Memorial Day is a day 

to have picnics, spend time with family and friends and having fun, military families have a different perspective.   

It is a day for them to grieve, to remember their loved ones who are no longer with them and who will never return home.  

Hearing this military mom speak gave me a wholesome, new, reflective, perspective that I am so grateful for. It reminds me to pray for our military families on this day, to be sensitive to those who have lost, to be tactful, yet sincerely grateful as I thank ones who has served, as well as enjoy the time I have with my family.

I found the below quote in a newspaper article on https://www.msn.com.  George H. W. Bush said "Each of the patriots whom we remember on this day was first a beloved son or daughter, a brother or sister, or a spouse, friend, and neighbor."  

I pray that the links below are a blessing to your weekend!  Lord bless you and yours.

Short Video on the History of Memorial Day (I found this very heartfelt!, brought tears to my eyes.) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw1LjaFy9Mo

Memorial Day Scriptures: 

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/a-memorial-day-weekend-scripture?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNAEN2019-05-26MemorialDayWeekendScripturesArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

Prayer for our Military Families: 

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/a-prayer-for-military-families

(Read and Share articles.  Taken from http://dayspring.com/articles/)

Devot. Mother's Day, Part 2

HI Folks,

I hope you had a good week!

We are going to continue on the topic of Mother's Day. This devotional mentions a young man, Timothy, who was raised by his mom and grandmother and due to their godly influence in his life, became a preacher when he grew up.

As parents, uncles, aunties and grandparents, we wish for the young people in our life to grow, prosper and 

become something.   However, God sees that a young person who gives his life to Christ, choose to live for Him

to the fullest extent of his being, shares the Gospel, leads souls towards a personal relationship to Christ as accomplishing a great deal, maybe not in the world's eyes, but eternity far outweighs/outlives the temporal..   

This descries the young man Timothy.    How did he become such a person?  Time does not permit me to take you through the various New Testament passages that highlight all his spiritual accomplishes, but the two following passages show where his spiritual upbringing began and who was responsible for it:  

2 Timothy 3:14-15, "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."

1 Timothy 1:3-5, " I thank God, whom I serve with a pure conscience, as my forefathers did, as without ceasing I remember you in my prayers night and day, greatly desiring to see you, being mindful of your tears, that I may be filled with joy, when I call to remembrance the ^[b]genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also."

Timothy had the Word of God read to him, spoken about to him and instilled in him since he was a child (childhood was considered starting at age 2).  This personal faith in Christ began to grow and develop first in his mother and grandmother, and then they passed it onto Timothy. Now, faith is Christ is not given to our children/grandchildren etc.. through osmosis, thy must receive Jesus Christ for themselves, but we can then develop their love for the Lord through every day life and every chance we get.  This passage describes incorporating faith in God into everyday life; https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=deut.+6%3A4-9&version=NKJV

So Ladies and gentleman we can do the same, influence the young people in our lives for the Kingdom of God and turn out kids who make a positive, godly dent in this world!    

I hope the devot. below is a boost to your week and the sermon link I included is also helpful.  I heard it recently and thought how the principles stated from Scripture could apply to anyone who has has a young person in their life to any extent.   The sermon also dives in a great deal deeper to who Timothy is, who influenced his life and how he turned out to be such a godly young man. There is a lot of wisdom continued in the sermon of how to turn out a godly kid whether you are a mom, grandma, auntie, uncle or teacher.  Pray it's useful to your week!

Pray you have a blessed weekend!

Devot. https://www.icr.org/article/arise-call-her-blessed. (Used by permission.   Taken from https://www.icr.org)

Sermon:  https://www.faithcombible.org/sermons.html. (Under Assorted Topical Sermons, click on Influential People from Mother's Day 2019.)