Devot. True Freedom

Dear Friends,

I pray you had a blessed weekend! 

This devot. stood out to me and spoke to my heart in many ways.  It is honest and speaks to the condition of our nation and yet reminds us that what the world needs to hear is about Jesus and how we can go to Heaven through accepting Him and Saviour and Lord.   It's the only hope our world has. 

 

I remember teaching a song to my former church's kids choir that said, "What the world needs is Jesus, just a glimpse of Him. There is no other Savior, He can change men's behavior; What the  world needs is Jesus, He alone can save."   (Words/music by B.J. Baur.  Taken from Majesty Hymns, Majesty Music Inc.)

 

If you read the Gospel, when Jesus healed someone of their infirmity, He healed completely-physically and spiritually. He gave hope to the hopeless and changed people around totally. 

 

That is what we need desperately today.  A change of heart and behavior towards God's Word.  That change can start with us reflecting HIM in our lives.  You may be the only "Bible" someone may see this week.  We need to live it through God's grace and strength..  Lord bless and keep you and your families this week.

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/true-freedom  Used by permission. Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

Devot. The Law of Liberty

Dear Friends,

I hope you have had a good weekend!

This devot. is a reminder that we can be free from sin in our lives and live free because of the strength that God has promised to give us through reading HIs Word.  Pray it is a blessing!   Lord bless you and yours this week!

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

Devot. Liberty and the Word of God

Dear Friends,

I hope you have had a blessed week!  Since it is still July, I am going to share an "Independence Day" devotional. 

 

While it describes the liberty that the US is known for, and thankfully we still have up to this point, it points out the liberty that God's Word has given us.  The food for thought on my church's bulletin on Sunday was a quote by George Washington.  He said, "It is impossible to rightly govern a nation without God and the Bible."

Very poignant and very true-then and now.  

 I would like you to do something for yourself that I think would be good. My pastor showed us a 7 1/2 minute video clip on the history of the Star Spangled Banner.  It is produced by a organization  that promotes our nations history and also preserving it's Christian roots. 

I was spellbound by the narration, drama and it spoke deeply to my heart.   I am including the clip that I watched and would highly encourage you to watch  this week.

FYI: Did you know that the first verse of the Star Spangled Banner was written as a poem and the 4th verse was intended as a prayer? We get our motto "In God We Trust" from that verse.

 

I pray that the devot. and video clip are a blessing from the Lord to your weekend.  May the Lord watch over you and yours.  Clip/devot. below

Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDKfw8nysLA

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/liberty-word-god  (Used by permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

Devot. Genuine Liberty

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a blessed Memorial Day weekend!

 

The devot. for today encompasses 3 areas of liberty-political, personal and religious.

I think http://www.icr.org/  did an awesome job of giving a brief description of each area of liberty.   It gives some of the history of the country as well.  

 

My pastor reminded our church this weekend that as we celebrate our Independence, it is also a reminder of our Dependence on God and how we need to rely on God right now.   Holding onto our faith in Christ right now is more needful than never.   It is our only anchor in this turbulent world.   

 

Psalm 33:12 says, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord; "  Think for a moment if a nation doesn't acknowledge God as LORD? (This title being caps is Hebrew is Jehovah and it is God's personal name to His people Israel)   The nation will not be blessed by God. 

A sobering but realistic thought. 

 

 Each day that we still have of our political, personal and religious liberty is a gift from God and should not be taken for granted. 

 

Pray this devot. leads us to gratefulness for what we still have.   Have a very blessed, Christ focused week!

 

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

Devot. God's Memorial Day

Dear Friends,

I hope you had a good week!  The devot. for today is a good one!  I pray it is a blessing. 

I have also included a very important petition for the release of two pastors who are imprisoned overseas.  Their trials were  over the weekend and are still continuing.  They need voices to cry out for their release. 

Please sign and pass on. http://aclj.org/ has an update on the pastors the front page of their website.

 

 I have also copied a very important and crucial update regarding Pastor Saeed in Iran.  For those of you who do not know, Pastor Saeed is an American citizen and Iranian pastor who was jailed 980 days ago for trying to start underground church in Iran.  Our President has met with his wife just a few months ago and Congress has made legislative efforts calling for his release.   But our voices need to be heard and they can make a difference!  I have seen it first hand.

 

Lord bless and keep you and yours safe this weekend!    Devot and updates below.

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/gods-memorial-day (Used by Permission.  Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

 

Petition: http://beheardproject.com/sudan?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=bh#sign

Pastor Saeed Update: "980 days of torment. That's how long American Pastor Saeed Abedini has languished in prison for his Christian faith.

He is forced to spend his days scrubbing the walls of an unsanitary prison bathroom.  Pastor Saeed is one of four Americans held hostage by the radical Iranian regime.  It is time for the U.S. government to secure the immediate release of Pastor Saeed, Jason Rezaian, Amir Hekmati, and Robert Levinson - all U.S. citizens wrongfully held in Iran.  Bring the Americans home. That's the message Pastor Saeed's wife is taking to Congress tomorrow.
The deadline for nuclear negotiations is quickly approaching.  Congress now has a voice in any final deal. Demand they be Pastor Saeed's voice for freedom.  Go with Pastor Saeed's wife to Congress by signing our new petition. Demand action to free the American hostages before it's too late. Sign Our NEW Petition: Bring Saeed and Other Americans Home. " Jay Sekulow ACLJ Chief Counsel

Devot Lest Thou Forget

Dear Friends,

 

I hope you had a very blessed day with your families on Memorial Day!

I was thinking over a few things yesterday and how to share what is on my heart.

 

Memorial Day is a day to spend time without family and friends and relax, but it is also a day to remember. 

The word 'Memorial' as a noun means "something designed to preserve the memory of a person, event, etc., as a monument or a holiday."

As an adjective it means "preserving the memory of a person or thing; commemorative: "  (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/memorial)

 There are days in our nation's history that should be remembered.  I consider Memorial Day to rank up with 9/11 in that we must "Never Forget"

those who had/have the bravery to serve our country in order that our nation and families remain safe from terror (unlike our brothers and sisters overseas who live in countries where they and their families have terror in their backyards and are dying for their faith).   

 

These folks have done what I have not been bold  enough to do-enlist and serve my country and fellow citizens knowing that I may been called to give my life in order that others might live.    The food for thought on my church's bulletin Sunday said, "Freedom is not free.  All gave some, but some gave all." 

Our service men and women give up so much (family time, weddings, b'days, seeing kids grow up, their lives sometimes). I have seen this first hand as my best friend from high school takes over the raising of their children while her husband serves.   

 Whatever 'side of the aisle' you are on when it comes to your view of military service, we are one; we are brothers and sisters because of relationship with Jesus.

But Memorial Day is a day to remember bravery, sacrifice and courage and it shouldn't be forgotten.  It has kept us safe and these traits are threaded through our nation's history.

If you or a loved has served, 'thank you" and if a loved one is serving, thank you for giving up time with them so that they can protect me and my family.  I am grateful.  

 I have included a very touching news article I just saw this week.   It was a huge blessing to me and I pray it touches your heart as well.  I have also included a very important petition to free two imprisoned pastors (overseas).  Their trial is in 3 days and they need voices crying for their release.  Please sign and pass along.

Article, Devot. and petition is below.

Lord bless and keep safe you and your families this weekend.

Article: http://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/relationships/emotional-photo-of-marine-and-bride-praying-goes-viral/ar-BBkeNDu?ocid=u146dhp

 Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/18155 (Used by permission. Taken from http://www.icr.org)

 Petition: http://beheardproject.com/sudan?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=bh#sign

Devot. Grace for Grace

Dear Friends,

I hope you had had an awesome week!
After a conversation I had with someone last night, I was reminded about God's grace.

Something He gave us which we as sinners do not deserve in any way. 

He has given it to us, we have not earned it nor ever can in any way.

 

I found this devot. and it ministered to my heart.  I love the word "Grace" and how it is

used in Scripture and a salutation and blessing upon someone and as something God gives to us.    I also found a song that explains God's grace and from a Bible perspective.

and included the Scripture, 1 John 1:9,10, 2:1-2, that is the basis for this song.

Lord send you and your His peace, grace and protection this weekend!

 

Devot. http://www.icr.org/article/20772 (Used by permission. Taken from http://www.icr.org/)

 

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UYaHQOPkdk

 

Scripture: 1 John 1:9-10 and 2 :1-2

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  ¹⁰ If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.   My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:² And he is the propitiation ("an atoning sacrifice"- Merriam-Webster.com/dictionary/prepetition) for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.:"  (Scripture used by permission.  Taken from https://www.biblegateway.com/)