Listen and Obey
The message of the Lord to His prophet, Elijah, is readily accepted by the reader. Because the Lord’s commands are past tense, we have hindsight to say, “Isn’t it great that Elijah obeyed and did what God told him to do?” But if this was a command that God gave you, would you be as obedient? Let’s take the black and white words of the Word and look at this in living color. God told Elijah to hide, to drink from a brook and to eat road kill from ravens. These commands would be hard for me to accept. Personally, I would doubt if I was really hearing God’s voice speaking to me and I would wonder why I was the one running and hiding. But the Bible says in verse 5 that “he did what the LORD had told him.”
God will only give us as much as we can handle. As we become faithful to do what the Lord tells us in the small things, He will entrust us with bigger commands. Elijah knew what it meant to listen and obey. He had a mighty ministry but the works of the ministry meant nothing in comparison to the obedience of his heart to do what the Lord had said. God can entrust a mighty ministry to an obedient heart. And an obedient heart just wants to please God regardless of the extent of the ministry or the commands.
We have the Bible; the Bible is the book of what God wants for us. The Lord will speak to you through the Bible if you are really willing to listen. The Lord will lead you if you really want His direction. The difficulty comes when God’s word doesn’t seem to make sense to our situation. So instead of doing what He says, we choose our own ways. Faith goes against the flesh. Most things God says to me make no sense to my intellect or feelings or circumstances. But, when I listen and obey the smallest of commands, I have seen His faithfulness develop my faith to handle the next command like Elijah. I want to do all the Lord tells me to do. I want to run the race He has set before me, even if it means hiding out and eating ravens’ food.
Lord, help me to be faithful with the little things so that I may be faithful with all You have for me. Amen!
What a devotion!! What trust from Elijah, my prayer today is that no matter the calling or direction on our lives from God, that we would be ready and willing to say, Yes Lord, lead me and I will follow. It’s so easy to say but far more difficult to put into action. Especially when we think we got it all figured out, we must be faithful over the little things and when He says go we go and when He says stop we stop. He is so real, we can have that kind of relationship with Him just as Elijah did but it’s the moments that we have to go outside our comfort zone that we stop and do what feels comfortable but I am reminded of this quote, the sooner you step away from your comfort zone; the sooner you’ll realize that it really wasn’t all that comfortable. Allow God to show you the truth behind that. Be obedient and trust Him, He has so much in store for you, listen and obey.
Have a blessed day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Romans 8:39
Just the Truth
Where does “truth” really exist? Do we actually believe that anything written in print is somehow more believable? The Bible says that “if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” So, in essence, we are all sinners and we are all capable of lying or falsifying information. I think we expect more integrity from those who make a living out of reporting the news. But the lesson for all of us is: don’t believe everything you read. There is only one source that is truth and it is the Holy Bible. Anything else written by man has the opportunity for errancy and deception. Why? Because we as human beings are sinners, capable of lying and deceiving at every turn. We even justify our exaggerations by calling them “little white lies” or “just stretching the truth.” The truth does not “stretch!”
Our only hope is in confessing our sins to “He” who “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins” and to save us from perishing in them. He is Jesus Christ. He is Truth. Today, we must plant His Word in our hearts and minds so that His truth will guide us in our daily lives. Why do we waste so much time reading and listening to the world’s news of death and destruction when we have the Good News that brings hope eternal? Think about it and make the switch today.
When I read today’s devotion I was encouraged to run to The Word and read it, even to those who say, I don’t understand the Bible, go to it, open it, read it, make time for it and I promise you, He will guide you in your daily life, if we will open The Word, plant His Word in our hearts and minds. The Bible says in John 15:4, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. His love never fails! He is Jesus Christ, He is truth!
Have a blessed day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Joshua 1:9
Strength in Jesus
The Bible is filled with stories and teachings that go completely contrary to the views of the world. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus warned us that we could not serve both God and mammon (money). Later, the apostle John would write: “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” (1 John 2:15) But today’s Scripture verse seems to go even a step farther. Paul tells us to “take pleasure” in the things in our lives that make us weak, such as sickness and all other types of distresses. How many of us can truly say that we find pleasure in being sick, having financial problems, family struggles or even persecution from various sources?
As Christians, we are told not only to believe in Jesus, but to follow Him. In Luke 14:27-28, Jesus speaks of those who choose to follow Him, that they must leave everything else behind. He tells them to count the cost before they make their decision. We live in a world today that promotes “self” and all of the accolades that go along with self gratification and self satisfaction. We want to be comfortable, we do not want to suffer. Even the weather can dampen our spirits. We have our days so well-planned, so tightly-scheduled, that even one deviation from our plan can send us into a frenzy. Add sickness or some other types of problems and we soon find out where our strength is based. If our strength is not in Christ, then we are headed for a fall. Some of us fall several times a day. Jesus says that when we are weak, He is strong. When we truly follow Jesus, we discover just how weak we really are. It is in the weakness of our lives that He is able to show His power and might. Paul learned to glory in his weaknesses because that is when he saw the Lord work in a more powerful way through him.
We will have troubles in this world, despite our efforts to avoid them. We will have sickness, needs, and distresses, but contrary to the world’s teachings, we can take pleasure in these times of weakness. Why? Because Jesus will show us His strength and power in glorious ways. Sin brings these bad things into our world, but Jesus has made a way for us to live through them with peace and joy. Today, instead of complaining about your circumstances, regardless of how painful they may be, ask the Lord to give you His strength through them. Allow yourself to be weak and dependent on Jesus. And, finally, give Him thanks for all that is happening in your life. Look up and see the glory of the Lord, for He is above and controls the activities of this world.
I feel we can all take a little something from today’s devotion. It touched on so many truths that we all face from day to day in one aspect or another. I am guilty of having my days well planned and scheduled and at times I’ve allowed myself to get frustrated when things don’t go “as planned” but God has been working on me to be open to opportunities and to allow myself to grow even through the disappointments. I am not who I once was, He has brought me so far and I know He can work through you to make you a better you. Trust Him and follow his lead every single day. Be open to change, disappointment, hurt but above all else be open to Him for He is above all things and controls all things and He will guide you, teach you and strengthen you if you allow Him the opportunity. He’s waiting for you today to be open and sup with Him. Strength in Jesus!! Amen!!!
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 2:8
What God Calls You
Have you ever thought of yourself as royalty? Most likely, you have not. We think of kings and princes as royalty, with luxuries and extravagances that far exceed our ways of life. But what is “holy” royalty? Have you ever thought of yourself as holy royalty? Did you know that you are considered holy – special– chosenby God? Look closely at the verse and you will see that the second word is “you.” The Lord is speaking to you, personally. So often we tend to see ourselves in the negative. We may believe that Jesus saved us from our sins, but to believe that He sees us as royalty is much harder to accept. Today, Jesus wants you to know and believe the truth of this verse. You are His own special person. He chose you; He loves you; and He calls you His royal priesthood. Jesus called you out of darkness so you can live in His marvelous light.
If we could only truly grasp how much Jesus loves us! While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). When God looks at us, He sees His Son, Jesus. Because we are covered in the blood of Christ, we are holy and blameless (Philippians 2:15) before God. What are we to do in return? We are to proclaim the praises of God. We should be singing God’s praises from the rooftops, giving glory and honor to His unfailing love and unending mercies. Despite being in the midst of a crooked world, He has set us apart to glorify Him.
Take time today to thank the Lord for choosing you as His own and for calling you out of the darkness. Spend time worshiping and praising Him for His goodness. The Lord has clothed you in royalty and righteousness. Look up, see His glory and believe with all of your heart that He has a plan and a purpose for your life. (Jeremiah 29:11) Proclaim your praises of Him to others and let your light shine so that others may see.
This devotion blessed me. So many times we allow the enemy to beat us up mentally, discourage us emotionally and we become complacent. God wants so much more for our lives, if we would only grasp today’s verse, He has set us apart. Let’s start praising Him from the roof tops with our head held high. I am reminded of a verse in Psalms 35:28, And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long. May this be our anthem today. One small change can change everything. Start today by giving glory and honor to His unfailing love and unending mercies and remember you are royalty.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 36:5-7
Dealing with Delay
One of the Bible’s great examples of patience is Joseph, who was sold to slave traders by his jealous brothers, falsely accused by his employer’s wife, and imprisoned in Egypt. “But while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him” (Genesis 39:20–21). Years later, when Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dreams, he was made second in command in Egypt (ch. 41).
The most remarkable fruit of his patience occurred when his brothers came to buy grain during a famine. “I am your brother Joseph,” he told them, “the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. . . . So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God” (45:4–5, 8).
In all our delays, brief or long, may we, like Joseph, gain patience, perspective, and peace as we trust in the Lord.
Father in heaven, in all of our delays may we trust Your faithful hand of guidance and experience Your presence with us in every situation. Amen.
When I read this devotion it blessed me and I wanted to share it with you today. No matter what your facing, no matter what sort of week you’ve had, He has been present with you in every situation. Keep your head held high and take on today knowing He is right by your side guiding you despite what it may look like, trust Him. Don’t get angry and impatient with those who you feel may have messed things up or done you wrong, trust that God is working all things out for your good and for His plan towards a greater purpose for your life. Confidence in God enables us to live out our faith patiently. Delays are not defeats!
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Genesis 45:1-8
Seek His Promises
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. (Matthew 11:6)
God’s Word is filled with promises He gave in the past which can be applied to my present circumstances. I can give a very simple way of how I get a promise from God. First, I start by praying to Him about a burden while asking for His will to be done in it. It is not God’s will for me to be stressed out and unsettled, so I start reading the Word, looking for a passage that addresses what I am praying about. If a verse pops out, I will start meditating over it, asking God about it and looking up the cross references for it. I know that it is a promise from God if it addresses the burden on my heart in future terms while giving me a present day peace. I also know that it is a promise and not a command if I can’t do anything to fulfill it by myself. God wants me to trust and have faith and He will accomplish the rest.
Today, try to read segments in the book of Isaiah. God has given me so many promises in that book. Keep seeking the Lord’s will until He gives you a verse. Then trust Him. He is more than able to address and accomplish all that concerns you today and every day!
After reading this devotion I was reminded of a scripture in Psalms 105:4, Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. No matter what your facing today, no matter what your going through, seek His strength and His face. Go to The Word and you will find the peace and direction you are looking for. Seek His promises and wait on Him. He is able!!
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is 2 Timothy 3:16
As Christ Loves Us
Valentine’s Day is celebrated as a day to express love and most notably, romantic love. The history of Valentine’s Day, along with the saint for whom it is named, is shrouded in mystery. Both Christian and ancient Roman traditions make up its origins, but the exact details of what happened to St. Valentine are uncertain. What is certain is that through a series of events dating back to the middle ages, February 14 became the date to commemorate Valentine’s Day. Roses and chocolates will be sold at exorbitant prices and in massive quantities, all in hopes to express our love in that special way. What is the most special way to express our love?
The thirteenth chapter of First Corinthians is known as the lovechapter of the Bible. The apostle Paul writes about true love, what it is and what it is not. It “charity (love) suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up;” (verse 4). It “doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;” (verse 5). Paul puts it very simply in verse 8, “Charity (love) never faileth.” Flowers fade and candies melt, but true love never fades, never dies, never fails. The most special way to express our love is to practice these qualities Paul speaks of as we learn to love beyond ourselves.
Romantic love is a wonderful feeling and being in love is truly a gift from God. Those feelings of heightened joy and excitement seem to make everything else less significant. But today, let’s ask the Lord to help us love beyond the feelings of the gifts and the favors. Let’s pray that we can love as Christ loves us and that we can express that love in ways that bless those around us more than anything else we can give. Why not make today a day to take love more seriously than you ever have before? Pray that love becomes the motivation for all that you do. Enjoy the flowers and candies and candlelight dinners, but remember to keep love in your heart, not just in the festivities.
When I read this it blessed me. Love is far greater than any tangible gift we could be given. We must remember to love as Christ loves us and know that He loves each of us as if there were only one of us. What love!
Have a beautiful day in The Lord and a Happy Valentines Day!
Today’s Reading is 1 Corinthians 13
You are Not Alone
When I think of the sufferings that Christ endured here on earth, I am comforted that He understands my sufferings. No one was more rejected, ridiculed, misunderstood, and alone than Jesus. Even though He was fully God, He was also fully man. Jesus dealt with the same emotions and temptations in his flesh just as we do, yet He was without sin. But Jesus never focused on His own pain; His concern and compassion was for the people. Even when His friend Lazarus died, Jesus cried. He understood the pain that Lazarus’ sisters were feeling and He knows today the pain that we feel. For me, I try to remember these things in my weakest moments, and I know that I am not alone.
Are you hurting today? Maybe you feel as though no one really understands or even cares. Jesus says to “come boldly to the throne of grace” and there you will find help in your time of need. Come boldly today and seize the mercy and grace that is freely given by Jesus. His sufferings were for just this reason, so that we can all pour out our hearts to the One who truly understands and the only One who can truly help us. Go to Jesus today. He loves you, He understands you, and He will help you.
What truth! This devotion blessed me this evening. Maybe your day was full of disappointment and hurt, don’t lay your head down without first pouring out your heart to the One who truly understands and the only One who can truly help. I am reminded of Proverbs 18:10, The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. You are Not Alone!
Have a beautiful evening in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 18:10
Extraordinary Prayer
There are numerous scriptures and stories throughout the Bible that encourage us to pray. Prayer is so important in our lives as Christians, yet it often gets reduced to either 911-type cries for help or routine words that we are accustomed to praying. In the case of Joshua and the battle with the Amorites, he asked the Lord for a miracle of major proportions. Joshua dared to ask God that the sun would not set until their enemies were defeated. Not only did God answer Joshua’s prayer but verse 14 further states that “there has been no day like that, before it or after it, that the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel.” The Lord listened and responded to the voice of man.
Does God heed the voice of man today? James 5:16 says that the effective fervent prayers of a righteous man avails much. Jesus tells us to ask, seek and knock and that whatever we ask in His name will be given. The key to answered prayers, however, is in praying God’s will. Because we have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, we can know how to pray God’s will for our lives (I should add “better know” because there are still times when we all struggle to truly understand how to pray the will of God.) But regardless of what we know or how we pray, the point is that we need to pray to the Lord for everything. We should not hold back from asking the Lord for anything we want. It is up to Him to decide if or how He answers.
This day in Joshua’s life was extraordinary to say the least. God gave him extra daylight time to completely destroy the five kings who had fled from him. God not only answered Joshua’s prayer, but He divinely intervened in this battle Himself. When God has a plan, no one can thwart or hinder what He is going to do. Sometimes we need to pray just for peace in the situation we are in, knowing that the Lord will have His way no matter what we do or do not do. God kept His promises to Joshua and the Israelites and He demonstrated His faithfulness to them in amazing ways.
Is this the same God in our lives today? Absolutely! Do not stop praying and do not allow the enemy to hinder your faith in your prayers. The Lord may not extend our days by keeping the sun from setting, but there are miracles that He does perform in our lives that hold just as much impact. Has God given you promises? Believe in faith that He will fulfill them in your life, maybe not in your timing or by your methods, but in His. He is the same God today as He was to Joshua. Are you expecting the same of Him?
When I read this devotion I felt it was so fitting for a Monday devotion, as we start this week out may we remember this when we get discouraged or distracted by the things that try to hinder our faith in our prayers. Trust in His timing! Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. (Hebrews 13:8)
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 3:5-7
but God is faithful
I used to have an answer for most problems in life. I had a lot to say on almost any subject. I now have few answers, and am often reduced to the simple phrase, God is faithful. I don’t say that lightly or without thought. I say that because it is true, and I have discovered that it is true no matter what is happening in my life.
With confidence, I add these words to the end of the worst statements in the world: My child is sick and I don’t know what to do . . . but God is faithful; I lost my job and I don’t know how I will pay my bills . . . but God is faithful; my husband left me and my heart is torn in two . . . but God is faithful.
I don’t mean that He will wave a magic wand and everything will fall into place; far from it. What it means is the darkest times in our lives we will learn to keep turning our faith towards Him for He is faithful. Faithful to be with us, faithful to watch over us, faithful to work in us to make us the men and women we are called to be.
Think of your own life. Stop for a moment and reflect on any situation where it seemed as if you were on your own, that it was hopeless, that you were forgotten. Remember how you could never have anticipated God showing up, but He did, with flying colors, even if it seemed like He left you dangling there for just a little too long for comfort!
I don’t know what the circumstances in your life are right now, or how fast you feel you’re falling, or whether you’re frozen on the bar, afraid to let go and grab God’s hands. What I can tell you is that He is there, right now and He won’t let you go. He will catch you in midair. The net of his faithful love will cushion you when you free-fall.
When I read this devotion it blessed me. I can relate from past and even very recent experiences, God is indeed faithful. I find myself, even in the midst of trials saying, it could have been worse, had He not had His hand in the midst of the situation. Even when He allows circumstances and situation to happen, it doesn’t mean He isn’t present, it only means He knows you are strong enough to handle whatever it is you’re facing and you can lean on Him to get you through it. Our experiences make us stronger and better, we can’t allow them to make us bitter. In the midst of whatever your facing, look up and say, but God is faithful. Let go and trust Him! I’ve mentioned this in previous devotions but it’s worth mentioning again today, When God pushes you to the edge of difficulty trust Him fully, because one of two things will happen, either He will catch you when you fall or He will teach you how to fly. Amen! but God is faithful.
Have a beautiful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Lamentations 3:20-24