Devot. Servant's Heart, Grateful Heart, Veterans Day

Hi Folks,

I hope you are having a great start week!  Our devot. today is on having a servant's heart which is also grateful to God. Mark 9:35 and 10:43, Jesus sat his disciples down and had a talk with them on just this subject.  

A mother of one of Jesus' disciples came to Him, asking that her each of her sons sit beside Him in His kingdom, one of the left hand, the other on the right, showing that they had authority to rule and reign as well.   Jesus asked if they were prepared to endure what He would in order to receive this (in the context of this Scripture He meant torture and death, which He did endure.) These men, James and John said they were willing, and based on church history, they were martyred for their faith in Jesus. 

Jesus told them that they would indeed endure what He would suffer, but it was not up to Him to establish this sign of authority, God the Father already had a plan of who would rule and reign. 

The rest of the 10 disciples were not too happy that these other 2 guys wanted to rule and reign with Jesus, what about the rest of them!! Then Jesus said in Matthew 20:27-28, "but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant.  And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (this was the ultimate point of service, dying so that others could be saved!)

Jesus served His disciples and the multitudes while on this earth, and was giving a general call to any who believed on Him to follow His example and serve to the point of giving ones life if necessary.  

This Biblical concept ties in perfectly to our national holiday this week-Veterans Day.   If you, a loved one, a friend has served our country, MANY THANKS from a grateful citizen!     Those brave men and women who have served embody Jesus' call to servanthood  to the point of giving one's life if necessary to save another.     

Even those of you who are family to a vet, have served as well!!  You have waited and prayed anxiously for your loved ones' safe return, missed quality family time, births, birthdays, special occasions as you faithfully supported the one you loved.  Many thanks to you as well!

In light of day, I have included a link that brought tears to my ears and inspired me. As I just said, the families of military sacrifice as well and deserve to be remembered in our prayers for their service.   This link is the short story of 3 amazing, heroic ladies who lost military loved ones in recent years and turned their grief into a blessing in a way to help others.  My hats off to these ladies!   https://video.foxnews.com/v/6101562864001/#sp=show-clips

As a closing note, if you, a friend, a loved one, co-worker has experienced loss, I know I've mentioned  Grief Share before and what an amazing blessing it has been to my parents and I when we experienced the loss of a loved one 15 years ago.  Other than our relationship with Jesus and His peace and presence in our lives  at that time, the other thing that tremendously helped us heal and cope was going through Grief Share.

It's a 13 week faith based program that walks a person through the stages of grief, how to handle flashbacks, the loneliness, even dealing with the personal possessions left behind.  I know many churches in the US host GF, and even host a special "Surviving the Holidays" GriefShare.  (which we and others also found useful).  Consider looking into one if you or someone you know has lost and hasn't dealt with it. I can promise you, you won't be sorry for looking into it.  GF also offers free, daily devotionals via email that you can sign up for on their website as well.  https://www.griefshare.org

I pray that as you consider the idea of being a servant, as Jesus was, and having a spirit of gratitude, the Lord would give you practical ideas of how you can live this out.  Lord bless you and yours this week!

Devot. https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion/date/2019-10-20?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion%202019-10-20&utm_term=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion. (Read and Share.  Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion/)

Devot. He Knows and Cares/ Bring Your Anxieties to God

Hi Folks, 

I hope you are having good week and staying healthy and well!

Have you ever had a day or period (and I'm sure we all have:) where it doesn't feel like anyone understands what you have or are going through, how difficult life seems at the moment?  

We all need a listening ear, compassionate person, an understanding heart that will be there, hear us out when we need a sounding board in the midst of trying moments.     But what if you do not have someone in your path at that moment?   Where do you turn when life is overwhelming, and you have no one to turn to?

I'm not trying to sound trite, but realistic, but if you have trusted the Lord Jesus as you personal Savior, He promises  “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  (Hebrews 13:5).  Deuteronomy 31:6 states, "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Below are 2 devots. for you this week, pick the one that most pertains to you.   The first is a reminder that God "Knows and Cares". and the second one is bringing "Your Anxieties to God."     I pray that the Lord uses these devots encourage and strengthen you through The Word this week.    

I also have one last resource.   The link  is to a book by a well know pastor who preaches the Word of God in a practical, understandable and Biblical way.   You can order the book for any amount.    My mom has been reading it and it has been a tremendous blessing to her, and I thought I would pass it along to you:).  The offer is good until this coming Saturday.    

Lord bless you and yours! 

Book:  https://store.ltw.org/p-1-leading-the-way-ministry.aspx?amount=50. (Taken from https://www.ltw.org)

Devot. https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion/date/2019-10-08?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion%202019-10-08&utm_term=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion 

Read and Share.  Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion)

Bring Your Anxieties to God:

https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/bring-your-anxieties-to-god

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

Devot. Pray in Times of Inadequacy

Hi Folks, 

Below is a devot. on praying during the times when you don't know quite know how to pray.  I have always included a link for some encouraging Scriptures this week.

Pray both are blessing to you!  Lord bless you and yours!

Devot. 

https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/prayer-in-times-of-inadequacy

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

Encouraging Verses to Strengthen Your Faith:

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/encouraging-bible-verses-to-strengthen-your-faith?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20190918EncouragingBibleVersestoStrengthenYourFaithArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

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

Devot. Do It Afraid

Hi Folks,

I hope you had a good week!

Have you ever had a fear of something you had to, needed to or even wanted to do?

Examples:

Maybe you needed to visit a sick relative, it was a long distance away, you dislike driving by yourself and busy roads.  The thought of what you had to do made you really nervous, but you pushed yourself to go anyway because you knew they needed you.  

Maybe you knew a job change was in order for a better salary or career path. You had worked at your current job for 15 years, you knew folks, felt comfortable there, but you forced yourself to seek new employment

Maybe you wanted to experience something new, like zip lining:) You're scared to death of heights, but you forced yourself to  "Do It Afraid" as a mean to push through your fear. 

These analogies could encompass any numbers of areas:  getting married, having kids, going through a medical procedure, walking with a loved one through their sickness, visiting a new church, moving to a new neighborhood, killing a spider or walking in the dark which scares you to death.   Our fears can be rational, logical and sometimes they are not.  But if it causes fear, then it is a fear.    Fear can become debilitating, paralyzing, can make you feel sick to your stomach, anxious. 

But there is a remedy for our fears, no matter what they are. 

1 John 4:14-16, 18-19 says,  "And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world.  Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him....   There is no fear in love;  [God's love]but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect [means spiritually complete, mature]in love.  We love ^[c]Him because He first loved us."

I had a dear friend remind me this past weekend of three things: 

1. The One who causes fear is Satan, and that he will push the buttons in my life, my insecurities, the things I worry about, present or future, to cause fear in my heart, mind and life (2 Timothy 1:7-verse states that God has not given us a spirit of fear.  So then we know Who does.)  

2. The Lord promises to give me whatever I need to do things (Deuteronomy 3:16, Philippines 4:13). 

3.  I may have to take a a step of faith on something and "Do It Afraid", as long as I do not cling to that fear, but walk with the Lord through it and gain courage from Him (Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 41:10).  

This piece of advice has come in very handy numerous times this week, hope it helps you as well.   I pray that the devot. below is used of the Lord to give you courage and faith to face whatever is in front of you this week, to walk with the Lord toward it, even if you are afraid at the moment.   

Also, consider looking up the verses I provided above, write them down and place them where you need a reminder.   Lord bless you and yours this weekend!

Devot. https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion/date/2019-08-19?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion%202019-08-19&utm_term=DaySpring%20Daily%20Devotion

(Read and Share.  Taken from 

https://www.dayspring.com/daily-devotion/date/2019-08-19)

Redemption City Church, Baltimore MD: New Sermon Series

Hi Folks,

 

I wanted to pass on a valuable resource I found online.  

 

A brand new church in Baltimore City MD is doing a sermon series on Sunday mornings entitled "This Is Us: A Series on Relationships."   They are covering such topics as Friendship, Dating, Sex, Singleness, Gender Roles, Parenting, Conflict and Diversity.   These topics are very much  look  applicable to life, and they are looked at through the lens of the Bible.

 

 Our world today is really making life confusing in these above areas, so regardless of your age, I really encourage you to take the time to watch/listen to these sermons, even in 10 minute increments at a time.   I think it will make very clear how God wishes each individual to handle these areas in a  way that will bring blessing, fulfillment, joy, instead of pain, grief, and confusion to their life.

Jesus said in John 10:10, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly."

 

I have been impressed with the way the topics have been presented.  The sermons are practical, helpful to life, easy to understand.  I have learned a great deal from God's Word by listening to these sermons myself.  I am very impressed with how the Word of God is taught honestly, forthrightly, in the love of Jesus and with much hope for the hearer.   I think you will learn a great deal if you take the time to listen and learn!

 

Website: http://www.rccbaltimore.org/ 

Click on the link at the top, right hand corner that says "Sermons."

Twitter Page:  https://twitter.com/baltimorercc

Devot. Rosh HaShanah: The Jewish New Year

Hi Folks,

 

I hope you had a good week!

 

Have you ever wished that you could start the New Year all over again, have a fresh start? Well, for the Jewish people, Monday 9/30, was the start of their New Year-Rosh HaShanah!  Most of  students see this as a day to get out of school, but there is a lot of significance behind this day.  

I have an article written by one of my favorite musicians. He is Jewish, but also believes Jesus is His Messiah (Savior).   He shares the traditions behind Rosh HaShanah, his memories and the biblical significance of this day.   If you have co-workers, friends, neighbors who are Jewish, this article would be handy to read.  I have also included a resource where you can order a free booklet where you can learn the significance of the Jewish holidays.    There is a tremendous about of Biblical significance  behind the traditions and holidays.

I have also included a short devot. "The Lamb's Book of Life" which is a term frequently mentioned in the article.

 

I hope you learn something valuable this weekend, spiritually and otherwise!  Lord bless you and yours!

Traditions of Rosh HaShanah: https://www.martygoetz.com/current-newsletter   (Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.martygoetz.com/)

Free Resource: https://www.cbn.com/israel/jewish-holidays-guide/

 

Devot. https://www.icr.org/article/lambs-book-life   (Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.icr.org)

Devot. The Battlefield of the Mind, Part 2

HI Folks,

I hope you are having a good week! 

 I'm going to continue a bit on the topic, The Battlefield of Our Minds.

(Part 1 is here: https://thejourneyheavenward.blogspot.com/2019/09/devot-battle-of-mind.html)

 

Our minds are bombarded with so many thoughts in one day!  Thoughts that bring joy,hope distress, anxiety, worry, fear, anger, impure thoughts that lead to sin.   Our minds are a battlefield that can be for the Lord or for the Evil One.

Romans 6:12-13 says, "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 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."

2 COrintians 10:3-6 says, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal,  (means merely human) but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."

The fight against our human side is not just human,it is very much spiritual in nature.   Whether it is fighting against anxiety so it does not overtake our minds or fighting against an impure thought, it is a spiritual battle. 

One of the devots. from last week encouraged thinking on Scripture that is relevant to your thoughts (pick a Scripture that fits your struggle), repeat it yourself or pray it back to God in time of need (I do this frequently). This is one way to fight our thoughts, no matter the nature of it. 

I have included 2 devots. below and you can take your pick on which one fits where you at right now.

The first one you can watch the video in increments if you have time through your week, like during lunch or on your way home from work, or read the sermon notes on the right hand side of the screen as or devot.   The second link is a 'read only' devot. but both share how 

this battle for our thought life is a spiritual one and how we wag war against our minds in a way that we can win the war through the Lord. No matter what you are facing this week, I pray it encourages you!  Lord bless you and yours this week!

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

 

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/watch/facing-a-satanic-attack

 

Devot. https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/overcoming-the-flesh