Devot. Discernment

 Hi Folks,

Our devotional topic for this week is "discernment."  

I was thinking Sunday night of how we are bombarded with messages of all sorts these days via the news, social media and the public in general.  It gets to a point where you wonder, "What is the truth?"  "What can I believe anymore?"   

This is the same sort of question Pontius Pilate asked Jesus when they brought Him for questioning before His crucifixion. "What is truth" (John 18:38), Pilate asked.  

I guess Pilate had never heard Jesus say that He Himself was the truth (John 14:6) and also say, " And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (John 8:32)

In a world of conflicting messages, how can we know what is the truth, what is hype, fabrication, a lie, or someone's opinion?   DISCERNMENT.

Discernment is the ability to judge whether something is right or wrong.  It is a gift of God, that sense of "I'm not sure this is right.." or "I feel God has given me His peace to do this.  It doesn't go against His Word, so I think what I'm doing as He would want me to."

I have heard through Dr. Charles Stanley from https://www.intouch.org. say that each person who comes to faith is Christ is given the gift of discernment when they receive Him, but if they do not use it, they lose it.

So how can we gain discernment?  

1. By getting into God's Word, reading it so we truly know the Truth, know right from wrong. 

2.  Don't fall hook line and sinker for whatever we are told, but use the minds God has given to us, pray, ask Him, "Is this a truth, 

is this the right thing, or is this a lie I'm being given and is this the wrong thing to go along with?  Does this match with the 

Truth of God's Word or is it contrary to it?"  If you are sincere in seeking, asking, God will show you.  

I also remember a former pastor of ours saying from the pulpit as he opened the Word of God to preach, "Don't take my word for it.  Get in The Book and read it! Search the Scriptures for yourself!"  

3.  I was telling a group of young ladies I mentor via zoom that peace or the lack thereof is another way God directs us in the right way, or steers us away from making the wrong choice.  If you don't have peace from God, don't do it, stay where you are.  If it is there peace, proceed in obedience to what He is asking you to do.

4.  God will never go against His own Word and what it says, but you will never know the truth from a lie if you don't read It. 

My mom and I frequently say, as God continues to teach us, how many Christians lack discernment in a very big way.  They don't see the subtle, spiritual  danger of things Satan is putting in their path, or they believe something that has us scratching our heads.  

My mom reminds me it is by God's grace that He has given us discernment to see these things, we have nothing to boast about (there go we before the grace of God), but to thank the Lord for it, stay close to Him and pray that He keeps giving us His insight though His Word, through prayer and our personal walks with Him, but that the reason others do not see what is in front of them is that they are not using the discernment God gave them when they received Him in their lives. 

Would you pray this week and ask the Lord to give you discernment in every area of your life? (The ability to know right from  wrong practically and spiritually)?

Would you crack His Word, start to read it, ask Him to teach you, open your eyes to what He wishes to show you in your own life?

Ask that He direct everything you do so that you may honor Him?

I can promise you from personal experience that you will not be sorry that you did...By doing so, you are asking the Lord to keep you under His care, protection and from spiritual and physical harm of any kind.  Satan is subtle and he would like nothing more than to open our lives to his influence.  By inviting God into our lives by asking for discernment, we effectively shut that down. 

Below are some very practical devotions on starting that journey.   I pray that the Lord would use them in your lives this week!

God bless and stay safe!

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

Developing Discernment (Short audio clip, 2 minutes) 

https://www.intouch.org/listen/todays-moment/developng-discernment

Developing Spiritual Discernment: (Devot.)

https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/developing-spiritual-discernment

The Need for Spiritual Discernment: 

https://www.intouch.org/read/magazine/daily-devotions/the-need-for-spiritual-discernment

Devot. Peace

 Hi Folks,

I hope you are having a good week!   I was pondering last night what devotional or topic that could be used this week and the thought of 'peace' came to my mind.  Even though most of us are used to Covid by now, living with it, there are still many who deal with anxiety, fear and lack of peace due to many things in their lives and in our world.  

My mom says the one thing she prayers for the most is peace in her life.

Philippians 4:7 says, "“And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."   God promises to those who have personally put their faith in Him, His peace.  It passes anything we could wrap our heads around or humanely understand, but He promises that this peace will guard or "keep" our hearts and minds directly because of Him.   And it is ours for the taking, how wonderful! 

The following devotions regarding peace give practical knowledge of what the above verses means more fully and  the prayers below are a reminder that we can ask God for that peace in our lives and He promises to give it to us through Him.

I pray that the below is a comfort and blessing for your week.  

Lord bless and keep you and yours!

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

The Peace of Christ:

https://www.icr.org/article/20274

The Peace of the God of Peace: 

https://www.icr.org/article/1227

Devot. Loving in the Tough Times

 HI Folks! 

I found 2 devots on love that I really liked. They were both practical and could easily be applied to everyday life.     I pray it would uplift your heart and give you ideas on how you could show the love of God to someone who needs encouragement this week.

Jesus said that the world would know that followers of Jesus by their love in action for other Christians (John 13:25). Let's spread some of HIS love to others this weekend who need a remember that Jesus is only a prayer away and He loves them. 

Have a good week! 

(Devots. used by permission.   Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/)

6 Ways to Show Love this Year: 

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/ways-to-show-love-in-2018?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20210207WaysToShowLoveThisYearArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

Loving in the Tough Times:

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/loving-in-the-tough-times?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20210207WaysToShowLoveThisYearArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

Devot. In This I Boast

Hi Folks,  

I found a devot. that caught my eye today and was a blessing to me.   

I pray it would encourage your heart today.

Have a blessed week!

Devotional: 

https://www.intouch.org/read/features/in-this-i-boast

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

Devot. Finding Your "Life Verse"

 Hi Folks,

I hope you are having a great start to your week!

The first devotional is finding a 'life verse' for this year. 

 A Life Verse is a Bible verse or passage that is meaningful to your life in general or maybe for a season.  It's a personal reminder, a promise from God just to you.  It may give you a reminder that God is with you, promises to never leave or forsake you (Hebrews 13:5),  that He promises you give you peace and guard your heart and mind through Him (Philippians 4:7), that you are His child through faith in Him (Galatians 3:26), that Jesus loved you enough to die for you (John 3:16), that He will give you His strength to live the Christian life and be all He wants you to be (Ephesians 6:10-my life verse:), that everything will work out for your good, even the painful things, because you love and trust Him (Romans 8:28-my mom's life verse:)

I really liked this devotional and I think it has some very valuable, spiritual and practical lessons to be learned through it.  

Lord bless you and yours this week!

What is Your Life Verse:

https://www.dayspring.com/articles/whats-your-life-verse?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20210117HowToFindYourLifeVerseArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

(Used by permission.  Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/)

Devot. Inauguration Day

 HI Folks,

I hope you have had a great start to your week!!  Well, tomorrow is the big day, and I think it will forever change history.

Proverbs 14:33, 34 says, "Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding: but that which is in the midst of fools is made known.  

Righteousness (right living) exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people."  

We will see if the next few years folks across America choose to follow God's wisdom and right living or foolishness and sin...  We shall see.... 

I have below an email that was just sent to me, calling on those who have trusted Jesus as their Savior to offer a prayer for tomorrow.  The details are below, but it made me think...I could have a part in America being a nation that honors God just by my prayers  for the next 4 years ahead and making that decision personally...Wow! 

Below are some devotionals that are just perfect for Inauguration Day!    I want you to read every line, every word in the devots very carefully.   There is a message I wish you to "get," as the devots. contain some great Biblical truth and knowledge in them, which is vital in our lives right now.  I also have a sermon link entitled "God Bless America" that is hard hitting truth, but would encourage you to listen in snippets through the week and hear to the end. 

The hard hitting, honest to God truth is not popular today,  2 Peter 4:1-4 warned this would happen in the world someday.

"I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:  Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine (meaning 'teaching' and specifically referring to God's Word), but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, (ears that wish to hear what they want) they will heap up for themselves teachers;  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables (falsehoods)."

But what do we have an alternative if not the Truth-of God's Word or truth in general?  Lies.   The Bible says that Satan is "the father", the originator, of all lies (John 8:44), and that Jesus-He Himself and what He says through His Word, the Bible is Truth (2 Samuel 7:28, Psalm 119:160, Matthew 22:16, John 14:6).  Which would you rather?????    To be in darkness or walking in the light?   Now God allows us to choose darkness verses light, but He also holds us responsible for what He gives us.   I'm afraid many will not answer that question or turn towards the light until it is too late in their personal lives and in our nation.  But the best way also to turn darkness into light is grabbing a spiritual flashlight and shining it on the situation!  ( "Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path." Psalm 119:105)

I pray that you and yours have a safe and blessed week!  God bless!

(Prayer for our Nation, sermon link, devots.  below)

Dear Friends, Have you noticed that 2021 has started just as 2020 ended? Are you straining to understand the implications of all this turmoil in the first few weeks of the new year? My heart has been heavy as I have watched the unrest in Washington, D.C., and other parts of the country — as well as the ensuing rhetoric and silenced voices. It is all deeply troubling. We're already a divided nation, and these significant new challenges add to the real hurts you and I feel. The coronavirus pandemic continues to leave us isolated, stressed, and vulnerable. Marriages and homes are contending with relational and financial strains. Families are juggling constant changes with school, work, and daily life. Churches and pastors are encountering pressures they've never faced before. We need healing. We need peace. We need the presence of our Father in heaven. As I looked to Scripture for perspective, I was reminded of God's faithfulness time and again, even when His people were disobedient. One of my favorite accounts is from a leader who also sought wisdom — King Solomon. As the temple was completed and about to be consecrated, he entreated the LORD to make provisions for His people knowing that they were sinners. God answered with four conditions for a right relationship with Him. "If My people who are called by My name 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." (2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV) Did you catch all four? Humbling ourselves, praying for forgiveness, seeking His holy presence, and repenting of our wrongdoing. This is what you and I must do. That is why I am calling on leaders at Focus on the Family to join me in a time of prayer for our nation, for those in authority over us, for marriages, for parents and families, for those who would stand and advocate for life, for those who preach the Gospel. I want you and your family to join me, too. Tomorrow is Inauguration Day, and I want us to come together at 10 a.m. ET across the country to pray and humbly seek God's face. Will you join us for this very important moment for our nation? Follow this link to the Focus on the Family YouTube channel to pray with us LIVE or watch and pray as you are able: FocusOnTheFamily.com/NationalPrayer In the coming days, I will share more about what I see God doing across our land and how we can join Him in that work. These are trying times, but our LORD is sovereign and good. He keeps His promises, and His love never fails. Because of that, because He first loved us, we can love our neighbors around us. I'll see you tomorrow! Yours in Christ, Jim Daly President Focus on the Family

Sermon:

"God Bless America": 

https://livestream.com/opendoorchurchlive/services/videos/215865032. (Move cursor to 24:25 point for sermon)

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

Commander to the People:

https://www.icr.org/article/commander-people

Righteousness in Authority:

https://www.icr.org/article/righteous-authority

The President's Heart:

https://www.icr.org/article/18782

Devot. A Word for the Year

Hi Folks,

I hope you had a good weekend!! Below I have a short devot., a quiz, a sermon link and a short song.  I found this devotional last week and thought it was another timely devot. for the start of this year!

I have heard of folks who pray, ask the Lord to give them 'a word' for the year. Just one word that will help them to grow more abundantly in their walk with Him, an area they need to work on in their personal life or, Scriptures they can find in the Bible that reflect that word. It may be 'peace', 'kindness', 'patience', 'selflessness'...etc.... 

The devot. better explains that finding 'a word for the year' will help a Believer live with more intentionality in the year ahead.

Below that is a quiz to help find your 'word' for the year. There is nothing magical or random about the quiz. I took it and the questions asked made me think of who I wish to be for the Lord this year, what I wish to accomplish in my life.

The word I came up with at the end of the quiz was "transform" and it was how I had been praying to the Lord 2 weeks ago! I asked God to remake me into who He wished me to be, chisel off the rough edges, so that I could be used in a greater way for Him and to bless others. Now I will be reading my Bible and looking for verses with that in mind-finding verses that show me what the Lord and I need work on in my life and how to do it:). 

I encourage you to read the devot. above and then take the quiz! It will really make you think and I believe will help you to see "This is who I wish the Lord would help me to become this year. This is who He wishes me to become and made me to be!!  I'm not going to be stagnant in my relationship with Him in 2021!"

The sermon link is practical and follows along the same lines. It was a big blessing and timely for me to listen to.  I was thinking last night of how the biggest way we can grow in our walk with God is to read His Word, and hear it spoken.

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Hebrews 10:17)

"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving." Colossians 2:7

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." (Psalm 119:105-God's Word gives us light as we walk through life)

God's Word is our 'roadmap for life.' We will not know how He wishes us to live our lives for Him, what purpose He has for us down here without it. We may think we are ok in life, know where we are going and what we are about, but without reading /hearing what God says on the matter, we are really in the dark. Just as a plant needs water, air and sunlight to grow, we need God's Word and a walk with Him to grow. I have heard it said that "God did not save us, lick our back, throw us up against a wall hoping we would stick." :) He wishes to be a part of our everyday life. 

Lastly, the song below ties into everything-it is an encouragement to "Thrive!" To, "grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. " (2 Peter 3:18.)
It was an encouraging reminder for me, pray it blesses you as well.

I pray you have a very blessed weekend!

Devots. used by permission. Taken from https://www.dayspring.com/)
How Finding a Word for the Year Helps You Live Intentionally:
https://www.dayspring.com/articles/finding-a-word-for-your-year?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20201220HowChoosingAWordForYourYearHelpsYouLiveIntentionallyArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List

Word for the Year Quiz: How It Works.
(Love their explanation about what 'finding a word for the year' means.)
https://www.dayspring.com/yourwordquiz?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=NEBNANN20210103PostHolidayFatigueArticles&utm_term=DaySpring%20Newsletter%20%2B%20Daily%20Devotion%20List#/home

Sermon:  The Value of Faith:
https://livestream.com/opendoorchurchlive/services/videos/215837268
(Scroll to the 19 minute mark for the start of the sermon. I will listen to sermons in snippets while catching up on emails late at night, over lunch break or friends have done so while driving to and from work or washing dishes, so there is a way to stick it in:)

Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQ71RWJhS_M