Devot. Patriotism!

Hi Folks,

I hope you had a good week!   Our devotional topic is a piggyback to our previous devotional on freedom, so I am going to look at the topic of patriotism.

As I look at the state of our country, I believe that we are turning away from a sense of patriotism- a love of God, country and the flag, all 3 parts key elements in what gave our country a firm foundation to build on, the very essence of what made America truly great and made the US what it was.   

I was watching a very old patriotic movie over the weekend (Yankee Doodle Dandy, 1942) and was struck by how our country exuded a VERY proud, patriotic spirt.  Americans were PROUD to fly the US flag, wave it in their hand, sing the national anthem, and pray for our soldiers as they served in war. 

As I watched this film, I thought of how our country has been turning against Biblical values for some time, but it now seems more blatant than ever.  Our country is trying their hardest to rid themselves any Biblical symbols or expressions ("In God We Trust") that grounded the US. 

Our love and respect for "the grand old flag", the symbol of our nation is greatly diminishing.   Where once we greatly respected it, remembered all those who fought under, and shed their blood for it in the early days of our country, now folks in our own nation burn it in front of the White House without a second thought or argue over the "political incorrectness" of our early flag before it had all 50 stars on it (In other foreign countries, if a person would burn or disrespect their country's flag they would more than likely be jailed or killed for their criminal offense).   God help us....

2 Chronicles 7:14 states, "....if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 

If a country is blessed, healed and forgiven of their sins by humbling themselves before the Lord, sincerely praying/seeking Him in their lives, turning away from sin personally and nationally, what happens if the opposite occurs?

Blessings will be withheld.  We see though the Old Testament Scripture that God always withheld blessings and brought forth judgement when nations (we especially see the Nation of Israel in the OT) turned away from Him and worshiped false gods, idols (an idol is anything that we set up in our hearts and lives as more important than God, comes between us and Him- could be anything from a car to a person).

I think we are reaching that same point-of blessing behind withheld and God needing to do something to get our attention.  God is very patient (2 Peter 3:9), but He is also a jealous God when 100% worship, respect and reverence due Him is transferred, or discarded (Deuteronomy 4:24).  

So what is my point?  I believe that we need to pray, ask God to help each of us gaining a renewed or greater sense of reverence for Him, a love for a country and a respect for our flag and then pray that same spirit starts to permeate our nation.  God help us!

Below is a history lesson that I think will be useful to each of us and will be enjoyable to read.  It 's a link that gives a brief description of the true story behind the Betsy Ross Flag and the meaning of the 13 stars (I think we need to be educated in light of the news a few weeks ago from Niki) and I've included a patriotic devotional with a spiritual twist:)

Enjoy a short trip down a historical road this week and I pray that what you learn will be useful in educating someone else.  Lord bless you this weekend! 

Betsy Ross: http://www.ushistory.org/betsy/. (Taken from http://www.ushistory.org)

An Army With Banners: https://www.icr.org/article/army-with-banners. (Used by permission.  

Taken from https://www.icr.org/homepage/)

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/)