Tag: Devotions

Therefore encourage one another and build each other up…
– I Thessalonians 5:11

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. – 1 Peter 5:8

This past weekend on our single adult retreat, we spent a lot of time talking about community, what it is and why it is important. Chris pointed out that there are a lot of “one anothers” in the Bible. Our faith isn’t meant to be lived out alone. All of us, whether married or single need community. It is where we learn and live out faith, where we are challenged and encouraged by the testimony of others.

As single adults, it is easy to isolate ourselves. When we are not part of a community, it becomes easier not to show up on Sundays because no one will know we are gone. Being part of a community requires intentionality and sometimes, we just plain don’t feel like working at it. I have a picture in my mind of a herd of zebras and gazelle in Africa. When they become ill or hurt and drift behind the herd as it moves, they become easy targets for predators. I think the same is true for us. When we try to do life on our own, we become easy targets for Satan to whisper lies into our ears.

I encourage you today to be intentional about being part of a community. I don’t know exactly what that will look like for you. I do know that it will mean letting your guard down and being vulnerable, but I believe in the long run, you will find yourself strengthened.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
– Psalm 27:14

Waiting is hard. I think it’s especially hard for those of us used to having whatever we need right at our fingertips with our magic phones, and tablet computers. We live in a society driven by getting things done fast. Growing up in Nigeria, it was typical to see a semi truck with the phrase “no hurry in life” written on the back. There are some days when I miss that slower pace of life. The truth is, however, that I am just as guilty of the desire for things to happen now as most. The Psalms are full of reminders to wait on God. Even back then, people wanted things on their own time frame and not God’s. The verse today reminds me that God is my strength and waiting on Him, His timing, His wisdom, His provision is so much better than anything I can cook up on my own. My encouragement to you today is to “be strong, take heart and wait for the Lord.”

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. – John 15:16

Last Friday, I was at a prayer retreat here at Tallowood.  I volunteered to read John 15:16, one of several verses read out loud.  It was one of those divine moments when God’s living and active Word seemed to jump of the page at me.  The moment I read the verse, I felt God was speaking directly to me.  Today, I want to share some of the things He spoke to me that I believe will encourage you as well.

• God chose me.  I could have stopped right there because there is something powerful about knowing you are chosen
• Not only did God choose me, He appointed me.  Wow!!  You have been appointed by God.  Remember that.
• You don’t get to rest on that.  God chose you and appointed you to bear lasting fruit.  What kind of fruit are you producing?
• “so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for using my name” Wow!!  The Message says “as fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you”.  That is some kind of authority.

I don’t know about you, but this verse is a great reminder to me of who created me, loves me and gives me all the authority I really need.

The Lord is my shepherd;
I have all that I need. – Psalm 23:1

This afternoon, I was reading Psalm 23.  I don’t know about you, but I find it easy to skim over passages such as this that are very familiar.  Today, I was reminded how foolish I am to think that I know what the Lord has for me just because it is familiar.  Today, I didn’t get past verse one.  God stopped me right there to remind me that I do have all that I need in Him.  I complain about things I want and things I think I need.  At the end of the day, though, I have all I need.  Think about that today.  Let it sink in and thank the Lord.

One who is full loathes honey from the comb, but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.  – Proverbs 27:7

Today was one of those days.  Lunch time came around and my stomach told me it was hungry, but nothing sounded good.  I held off for as long as I could but then had to make a decision.  Generally I end up at one of my “go to” spots.  More often than not, I end up eating far more than I need.  Today as I attempted to eat just enough to get me through the afternoon, I was struck by the fact that my “problem” was really a blessing.  How many people in the world don’t have food today?  How many of those that do have food have a choice of what they eat? Whatever problems I may have, I don’t have to worry about basic necessities.  How often do I envy what others have rather than recognizing what great blessing I have?  I have decided that from now on, when I experience this “dilemma,” I’m going to thank God and buy a meal for someone who is hungry. This is my conviction and confession today.  I hope it convicts and blesses you.

Are you cold enough yet?  I know some love this cold weather and others do not.  The talk everywhere this week has been of the cold.  I have been thinking about fire.  The word fire is used throughout Scripture.  Much of the time it is used to describe God.  Hebrews 12:29 says “Our God is a consuming fire.”

There are two sides to fire.  It is one of those things that can be very good or very bad.  It can do a lot of damage when uncontrolled.  Certainly none of us want to be on the receiving end of God’s wrath which is all-consuming.

The good news for us is that, as believers, we can experience the very good of God’s consuming fire as well in the form of the Holy Spirit.  In Luke 3:16, John says that another is coming who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. Later, during Pentecost, we read that “like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks.”  Oh that the Holy Spirit would burn like fire in our hearts.

What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are. But that’s also why the world doesn’t recognize us or take us seriously, because it has no idea who he is or what he’s up to. – I John 3:1 (MSG)

I have been thinking a lot about family today, spiritual family in particular.  It all started with a devotional Dr. Brooks shared yesterday followed by Beth Moore’s teaching last night.  Dr. Brooks asked us to spend some time remembering those who have been spiritual mothers and fathers to us.  This afternoon, I have been caught up in thanking God for the great spiritual heritage and family I have.  Early in life, I was shepherded by both a mother and daughter.   My faith has been greatly impacted by several single women who served on the mission field.  In recent years, I have learned from some amazing women who are great prayer warriors.  I am so grateful for these women and many more that have run, walked, and cheered me on in the faith.  I am also grateful for you-single adults at Tallowood for being a part of my spiritual family and for your partnership in ministry.

Whether or not you have a long heritage, or are just beginning, the good news is that you are part of a family of faith.  You are a child of God, but how often do you let that sink in to every crevice of your soul.  Doesn’t it lead you to worship?  Have you thanked God today for adopting you into His family?