Tag: Devotions

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. – II Corinthians 9:8

I had a conversation today with a friend who is going through similar circumstances in life.  I prayed with her and as I prayed, I was reminded of a couple of  things.  First, there is power in prayer. Something in me changed when I prayed.  The things that had only a few minutes prior laid heavy on my heart were put in their proper place-before the throne of God.

Secondly, I was reminded that God is able to do more in you or me or our loved ones than we can begin to think up. He is able to redeem your past, carry you in the present and give you a future.  This very idea is so heavy it’s hard to wrap our minds around, but today, I just want to sit in that very thought.  It is not oppressive in its weightiness, but rather an anchor.

We who have run for our very lives to God have every reason to grab the promised hope with both hands and never let go. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline, reaching past all appearances right to the very presence of God where Jesus, running on ahead of us, has taken up his permanent post as high priest for us, in the order of Melchizedek. – Hebrews 6:18-20

Give us this day our daily bread. – Matthew 6:11

My brain is on overdrive today.  If it were a cartoon, there would be little creatures zipping around out of control pinging off the sides and blowing things up (The blowing up resulting in spaced out moments).  You’d see little labels on carts and other vehicles with various words and phrases like “to do,” “dreams,” “ideas,” “must get done,” “want to do,” “Random (he he)” and so on.

Days like today, I love the simplicity of verses like Matthew 6:11.  I think it speaks to two things.  First, the word “daily” reminds me that my relationship with God is an every moment, every day thing.  God wants me to invite Him into every part of my life, not just when I set aside time for Him.  This is what abiding in Christ is about.

Secondly, I think the word bread is more than just literal bread, but those things that we need each day.  It doesn’t mean we get everything we want, but I do believe God wants us to come to Him and ask for the resources we need to accomplish our work for the day.  Some days that seems impossible, like asking for more time to get a project done.  However, God is our creator and the creator of time.  Nothing is impossible with Him.  Get in the habit of asking God for your daily bread and you might just find yourself in daily relationship with Him.

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.  -2 Kings 22:1-2

Have you ever wondered what might be said of you after you are gone?  I thought about this last week as I was reading in 2 Kings.  The lives of the Kings of Israel and Judah are summed up.  Most of the time, it seems they are summarized as evil.  Josiah was one of the few good kings. “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”

I don’t know about you, but my desire is that my life would be summarized like this. Josiah was good because he not only sought the Lord, he listened and obeyed.  He destroyed the idols and places of worship of other gods that led the people astray.  He led by example.  Listening to the Word of God is important, but the act of listening to the Word is not complete until the truth sinks into our soul and we move forward in obedience.  This is one of the ways we “grow up” in the Lord.

Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
– Psalm 110:105

I love Wednesday afternoons.  This is when I sit down to write these devotionals.  I get to do two of my favorite things-pray and write.  I always start by asking God for His word for you (doesn’t mean I always get it right, but that’s where I begin).  Most days, God is gracious enough to allow me to share His word through stories from my own life.  Then there are days like today.  I got nothin’. It may be I’m not really listening.  It may be there are too many things in my life “crowding” Him out.

Regardless of whether or not I have something, God does have a word for you.  His Word is full of His words and truth waiting to be revealed to you.  I encourage you to spend some time before going to bed this evening praying, reading your Bible and listening for His word for you.

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you!  – Isaiah 49:15

I am easily distracted.  I shared this with some of you a few weeks ago.  It’s the reason I like to sit up front during worship. I am able to listen and focus better on the message when I can’t see other people and their movements.  I have recently recognized this as a significant weakness of mine and have begun to actively work on it.

Even as I type this, I heard my Assistant say something on the phone and started looking at something else.  Two minutes later, I’m back typing. Go ahead and laugh.

I am so glad God is not distracted from His purposes and plans for our lives.  He’s not forgetful either.  This verse from Isaiah demonstrates that.  We see it again in Matthew 6:28-34.  If God cares for the wildflowers and sparrows, He certainly cares for you and me.  Need further confirmation?  Read Psalm 139.  Even when we’d like God to forget, He doesn’t.  He knows everything about us and cares deeply for us.

I forgot how I was going to close this, but I think you get the point.

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
– Proverbs 27:17

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.”– I Corinthians 15:33

Yesterday, I was treated to lunch along with some other women.  It was one of the most delicious and beautifully presented meals I have ever eaten.  However, even though the food was excellent, it was the conversation around the table that was perfectly seasoned.  It was full of life, humor and honesty about our journeys with God.  By the end of the meal, I felt spiritually refreshed and physically full.

I left thirsty for more.  I love those moments with friends where conversation flows with lighthearted laughter and humor and is mixed with testimony and faith.  I was reminded of the effect of the company we keep.  It can sharpen us and season our lives with God’s grace and love, but it can also lead to anger, frustration and even despair about life.  I wonder what kind of company you are keeping and what kind of company are you?  There’s some food for thought.

In his heart a man plans his course,
but the LORD determines his steps
-Proverbs 16:9

I caught a bug this week-a spring cleaning bug. I know…it’s a little late for spring, but I’m slow.  I cleaned my desk at work.  If you’ve seen my desk, then you know this is a task.  I also cleaned out my email.  Here’s hoping tomorrow I clean house.  This is one bug I don’t mind catching.

I’m not sure where I caught the bug, but I think it began incubating during our Single Adult VBS last week.  James Tippit shared some great teaching with us on God’s wisdom and grace.  In the middle of it all, he talked about wisdom and God’s goals for our life.  This particular evening sparked something in me that has been missing for a while.  It also refreshed my personal time with God.

There are a lot of things in life that I want, but last week, I was reminded that I need God’s wisdom in planning my course.    When was the last time you stepped back allowing God to do some cleaning in your heart?  When was the last time you sought His wisdom in setting goals?  If it’s been a while, perhaps it’s time for some spring cleaning for you as well.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. –Philippians 4:9

What comes to mind with the word “practice?”  I think about piano and tennis.  While there are aspects of both that I enjoyed, there was also much to make me cringe.  I wanted to play songs, not practice scales.  I wanted to play tennis, not run wind sprints and do drills.

In Philippians 4:9, Paul tells the Philippians to put into practice what they had learned and received.  When was the last time you, as a disciple of Christ, put into practice what you received through studying the Word, hearing a sermon or Bible Study lesson? Just as in piano and tennis, we learn and grow by putting our faith into practice.

When I was in college, I made a practice on Monday afternoons of reviewing my sermon notes and creating an action for the week to put into practice what I heard.  The following week, I reviewed my actions and journaled about what God was teaching me.  I remember this being a great time of spiritual growth because I was intentionally practicing my faith.

I don’t claim this as a full proof method for growth, but it helped me greatly.  My challenge to you this week is to put into practice what God is teaching you.  If you don’t know what He is teaching, perhaps you aren’t listening.

Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity  Colossians 4:5

How do you live out your faith on a daily basis?  This is a question I have thought about a lot lately. It is a personal question for me.  However, it is also a question I ask as I consider how I can help you live out your faith.

We are to live wisely among non believers. What does this mean?  For starters, it means that our faith life doesn’t end the minute the Sunday worship service ends. The next verse, goes on to say that our conversation should be gracious.  One translation says “full of grace and seasoned with salt.” What is your conversation like each day?

Our conversation is just one of the ways we live wisely.  There are other principles God shows us in His Word.  As you think about this verse, here are some other questions to consider.  Are you aware of and actively looking for God’s work in your life and the lives of those around you?  What is your sphere of influence and are you living out your faith in the sphere? Make the most of every opportunity.