19
Mar '20
Carrier of Peace
19
Mar '20
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4)
The prophet Isaiah describes the crucifixion and the suffering Christ would endure.
Here are highlights from Isaiah 53.
- He was despised
- He was rejected
- He carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him not
- He was stricken
- He was afflicted
- He was pierced
- He was crushed
- He was oppressed
- Upon him were the punishments that brought us peace.
Jesus chose the cross with all its’ agony so we could have peace.
During times of calamity we can model His peace as a way to share the gospel!
I will not add to fear! I will be a carrier of peace!
I felt this devotion needed to be shared today. May we choose not to add to fear but carry peace. Amen! Isaiah 53:5 goes on to say, He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. With his stripes we are healed, physically, mentally, spiritually, we are healed. Trust Him for the healing and embrace the peace that passes ALL understanding.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.(Philippians 4:7)
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
17
Mar '20
Serving Others
17
Mar '20
And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall thy light rise in obscurity, and thy darkness be as the noon day. (Isaiah 58:10)
One of the greatest antidotes to depression, fear, or anxiety is service to others.
“There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.”
If you are struggling today, I encourage you to take your eyes off yourself, the circumstances around us, and instead look for ways you can be the hands and feet of Jesus.
Any amount of serving others will do wonders for your soul.
Whether time, money, or prayers; we can all be of service to our communities right now…today.
There are so many families who could use your prayers. Stop this morning and pray for your friend, neighbor, co-worker, bank teller, grocery cashier.
We can serve others through simple encouraging words.
“One of the greatest ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.”
And, you can start serving right at home.
Look for ways to put others’ needs before your own and be assured of a miracle in your own life!
Lift others up who may need an encouraging word! Pray for all those around us and trust our God is sovereign and still in control! Amen.
This devotion blessed me. Right now, some of us are confined to being at home and we could easily think our power to serve is limited but prayer changes things. If you are breathing you can pray. Start serving right where you are. The most powerful weapon against trials, the most effective medicine against sickness and the most valuable gift to others is PRAYER.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
12
Mar '20
Repentance
12
Mar '20
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee; From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. (Matthew 4:12,17)
Our repentance is so important to God that he gave it to John the Baptist as his singular message!
When Jesus learned John was in prison, he began declaring the message himself…”repent, God is here!”
Let’s be honest: repentance has gotten a bad rap.
Repentance is viewed as a source of shame and guilt or reserved only for the really BIG sins.
But, the reality is repentance is both a blessing and a gift.
Repentance is a way to transform thought life and behavior.
Legalistic remorse says, “I broke God’s rules,” while real repentance says, “I broke God’s heart.” ~Tim Keller
Repentance is not about shame or guilt – It is about heart transformation! The result will be resounding joy as we lean in to God and turn away from our sin.
When was the last time you used the word repentance when you were talking to the Lord? When was the last time you repented to the people closest to you?
God I don’t want anything that I think, say or do to dull sensitivity to your voice. Help me develop a lifestyle of repentance.
Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. (Matthew 3:8)
Today’s Devotion blessed me. It’s not a subject that is brought up much anymore but it’s so important in our walk with The Lord! Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. We hold that key within our hands and it is ours to use it.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
10
Mar '20
Teachable
10
Mar '20
And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions. (Luke 2:46)
12-year-old Jesus stayed in Jerusalem, although Joseph and Mary had left the feast of Passover.
They found him sitting in the temple listening and reasoning with the elders.
Jesus sat and listened to the elder teachers; The King of all Kings was teachable!
He came to them in great wisdom and humility.
As you mature spiritually, mentors or teachers who can give you revelation may seem harder to find, but guard yourself from believing there’s no one out there for you or you no longer need elder teachers.
We are never too far along in our spiritual journey to not need counsel or guidance.
Humility is key.
There are wonderful spiritual mothers and elders in the body of Christ.
Look for opportunities to mentor others and/or pray for God to bring someone into your life who can mentor you!
Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end. (Proverbs 19:20)
When I read this devotion it reminded me of the example we have in Jesus. Everywhere He went He left a footprint for us to follow. Today, take a moment and reflect on this devotion. True humility is staying teachable regardless of how much you already know.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
06
Mar '20
Joy and Goodness
06
Mar '20
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. (John 10:10)
Sometimes we focus too much on the enemy and what he is up to!
Jesus came so we wouldn’t just survive life… but have abundant life.
God is so good that He didn’t just provide for our eternity; He provided for this life too.
God gave us Jesus so we would have abundant love, abundant laughter, abundant joy…abundant life!
Purpose yourself to focus on the joy and goodness of what He has done.
Take a minute to write down just a few things you already possess in abundance!
“… whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8)
I love this devotion today, it blessed me. What truth! When you focus on the good, the good gets better.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
05
Mar '20
Not Disqualified
05
Mar '20
As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison. (Acts 8:3)
In our hearts when we hear of someone persecuting and murdering innocents… we want justice.
God sees the wickedness, but he also knows the true identity He has for them.
No matter how far off track anyone has gotten, God is ready for you to live out your original design.
Saul was there when Steven, who was beautiful and precious, was stoned to death.
Saul, who approved of Stephen’s execution then, (Acts 8:1) went on to cross multiple continents on foot just to share the good news of Jesus Christ after his conversion.
None of us is disqualified from serving the King or His Kingdom! God, you have chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty. (1 Cor 1:27)
“…for Saul is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15)
When I read this devotion I was reminded of Matthew 5:44, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. Spend time praying for people instead of talking about them, I guarantee you will get better results. We have all sinned and come short of the glory of God but our sins are not greater than God’s mercy. As today’s devotions says, none of us are disqualified from serving God. He doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
03
Mar '20
Aligned With His Will
03
Mar '20
And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive. (Matthew 21:22)
I think this is a deeply loved and deeply misunderstood scripture.
If I could add a thought to this I would say whatever you pray for in faith within God’s will, you will see.
Often we are disillusioned with God because what we prayed did not come to pass.
It’s hardest when we have absolutely put our faith deeply into action by declaring the word, fasting, and praying… only to see something fail.
We get disillusioned with God, but were we praying in His will?
Even praying for good things can be in our flesh (heart) and not his spirit.
God let me not pair disappointments in life with disappointment in you.
Increase my discernment of what to pray and how to pray so I am in aligment with your will. Thy Will Be Done!
I was so blessed by this devotion. When I read it I felt it needed to be shared and read time and again. I pray it touches you and strengthens your walk with The Lord! Spending time with God is key to our strength and success in all areas of life. Be sure that you never try to work God into your schedule, but always work your schedule around Him.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
28
Feb '20
Love Others
28
Feb '20
Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:34)
Jesus cried out with compassion and mercy on those who were crucifying him.
He had every right to want revenge or to see his persecutors suffer.
But Jesus did not think of them as his enemies; he thought of them as God’s children.
Remember, those trapped in hate and all it’s deceptions are just that…trapped.
We were all born to share the gospel.
We all came from God – every one of us was intimately formed by God, out of love. (Psalm 139)
Jesus charges us with loving our enemies. But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. (Matt 5:44)
And, He has given us everything we need to be like Him.
Father, may your love fill me. May I love others with your love, not my limited human love. May I be filled with a sense of tenderness towards all your sons and daughters. Amen.
What I loved about this devotion is the fact that it’s so easy to be angry, to hold a grudge, to want revenge for being wronged but if we would take a step back for even just a moment and remember what God’s word asks us to do, we would live a much happier, peaceful and fulfilled life. If we would love others with His love we could change the world, it starts with you and I, we must be the change we wish to see in the world. As today’s devotion says, may His love fill you that you will be filled with a sense of tenderness towards all people. Lord, let them see You in me.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
27
Feb '20
The Outcome
27
Feb '20
For we walk by faith, not by sight. (2 Corinthians 5:7)
God calls us to consciously not always believe what we see in our circumstances.
He tells us we don’t put our trust and belief in our disappointments or bad news.
God calls us to put our hope and belief in His word and what He says about our situations.
After all, God does not change!
The same God who parted the Red Sea, made water spring from rock, and gave sight to the blind…is the same God who can fix your marriage or heal your depression.
Whatever your situation or circumstance, the God of the Universe is more than able to transform it and/or transform your heart in the process.
When we focus on Him, our faith grows. Our outcomes are in His hands.
I will mature and deepen my trust in the father by praying his word. My outcome is not what I can see, it is what the father can see and do. Amen.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)
This devotion blessed me. Our outcomes are in His hands. If we would truly grasp that, how different our lives would be from day to day. Pray, then let it go. Don’t try to manipulate or force the outcome. Just trust God to open the right doors at the right time. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5).
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!
25
Feb '20
Multiple Identities
25
Feb '20
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)
Mixture…when believers have multiple identities.
Mixture…When Christians conform to the world they have…
- friends they party with
- friends they gossip with
- friends they talk about Jesus with
- friends who are conservative
- friends who are liberal
- And they fit in with all of them
Each of us should have one identity that goes wherever we go.
We know if we have one identity, with one set of opinions and one set of boundaries, there will always be people who don’t like us.
The temptation to “dumb down” spiritually is real in a culture which views speaking openly about Christianity as inappropriate.
It is a life work to be transformed into our true identity.
God promises if we will renew our mind in His presence He will teach us who we are.
We will understand intuitively what is the good will of God.
God help me to conquer my moments. Help me to conquer one conversation at a time. I do not want mixture. I want holiness. Amen.
What a devotion, it’s not always received with open arms in the day and time we live but it’s necessary. Great holiness consists in carrying out the ‘little duties’ of each moment. He will help you conquer your moments, look to Him. Choose this day to not have multiple identities as today’s devotion speaks of. Holiness requires continual effort on our part and continual nourishing and strengthening by the spirit.
Have a beautiful and uplifting day in The Lord!