Just Pick Up the Phone
If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (John 15:7)
My mother was over to visit yesterday and we talked about buying tickets for a stage play coming at Christmastime. We both were unsure of what kind of seats to buy. My mom said to me, “Call your aunt. She went to see that play last year and she will know.” I hesitated to call her so my mom picked up the phone and called. When my aunt (my mom’s sister) answered, my mom didn’t even say, “Hello” but just asked the questions. My mom received the answers and hung up.
The Lord impressed upon me the difference between relationships. If I were to pick up the phone and call my aunt, I would have to go through a whole bunch of introductory comments first. I would have to say, “Hi, how are you? I haven’t talked to you in a while. What’s new?” and then, I could ask the questions. Because my mom talks to my aunt frequently, their relationship is different and their conversation just continues where they left off.
That is how it is with the Lord. When we develop this relationship with Him, we can just start talking and asking Him whatever is on our mind. However, if we haven’t spoken to the Lord in awhile, then we sense the need to reintroduce ourselves to get on the same page before really sharing our hearts. God wants a close relationship with us. He is very near to us; He is in our mouths and in our hearts. The kind of relationship we choose to have is up to us. I have had both kinds of relationships with the Lord and I can tell you that you will have so much more peace when you are closer to Him. Today, ask the Lord to help you learn to draw close to Him. You will find that you don’t even have to dial the phone to get His answers.
After reading this devotion my prayer is that we will take a moment and ask ourselves one simple question, what kind of relationship do I have with The Lord? Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. (James 4:8)
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 60, Romans 5
Fear is Contagious
Today’s verse is taken from a message that God gave Moses to give to the Israelites in preparation for their battles in the Promised Land. The Lord began preparing the people before they crossed the Jordan River to encourage them that He was with them and would fight for them. The Lord made a point of addressing the danger of fear in their hearts. He tells the “fearful and fainthearted” to stay out of the battles and to go home instead. Why? Because fear is contagious.
The message for us two-fold: we need to be aware of how our fears influence others and we need to be wise of those whose fears can influence us. Fear is a deadly weapon and a powerful tool used by the enemy. Unfortunately, it is easier said than done to rid ourselves of fear. Even if we can identify our fears, this does not mean we can overcome them on our own. The first step is to be honest with ourselves and with the Lord. When we bring our confessions to Him, the healing process begins. The next step is to read God’s Word and believe what it says. Faith and fear cannot exist together. Faith is built on knowing and believing the Word of God.
Does it still take time to change old habits? Yes.
Will the Lord lead us to make certain changes? Yes.
Are we responsible for following God’s guidance? Yes.
And, will the enemy continue to remind us of our fears? Yes!
But, the Truth sets us free, if we are truly willing to believe and apply it to our lives. Today, if you are struggling with fear, examine your closest influences and the fears they may be invoking. Ask for wisdom in how to handle them. It is hard to fight your own battles when others are bringing discouragement. Be honest with the Lord in your personal battles with fear and prepare your heart to take a stand against the lies of the enemy. Christians in the world today are in warfare from all sides but Jesus told us to be of good cheer for He has overcome the world (John 16:33). It is our faith that is the victory that overcomes all of the fears that the world brings (1 John 5:4). The Lord will go before you and fight for you, just as He did for the Israelites.
Amen! When I finished reading this I thought, Wow, What truth! Let’s be aware of how our fears influence others and remember we need to be wise of those whose fears can influence us. Fear most certainly is a deadly weapon and a powerful tool used by the enemy. Faith and Fear cannot exist together. Just a few points from today’s devotion that I wanted to mention again and bring to your remembrance. Let’s take a stand against the enemy today and don’t allow fear to rule your life. Face Everything And Rise!! Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 57, Romans 4
His Most Precious Gift
His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (Matthew 25:23)
My husband bought me a watch for my birthday. When I first received it, I cherished it and admired its beauty, not thinking too much its function. As time passed; however, I noticed that I was becoming careless with it. When talking on the phone, I would take it off, not noticing where I placed it. I would take it off by the sink and leave it there. One morning, I could not find the watch. I began to panic. Where did I leave it? It was amazing just how sentimental and valuable that watch became again.
As Christians, we sometimes treat our salvation the same way I treat my watch. At first, we cherish our salvation, knowing that it is a gift too precious to ever earn. We thank God for the privilege of knowing Him and we praise Him for His Spirit dwelling inside us. Then as time passes, we take our Christianity for granted, mostly because we get used to being a Christian.
But what if we could lose our salvation? How are we treating this most precious gift? Are we careless or slothful? Do you share it with others? Are we thanking the Lord for it still… every day? Our salvation is the most precious of all gifts. How are we treating it? These are sobering thoughts. Personally, I want to be found faithful with the gifts and talents He has given me. These gifts are too valuable to be taken for granted. When all is said and done, I want to hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord!”
Today, ask the Lord to impress upon you where your heart is. Do you really value all He has done for you and appreciate all that you have? Ask Him to convict you of any careless behavior that is not pleasing to Him. At any time, you can ask the Lord to forgive your careless behavior regarding the privilege of knowing Him. Then, ask the Lord to return the joy of your salvation to lead others to Him. Jesus has given Himself to you as a gift; nothing is of greater value than that.
When I read this it blessed me and I couldn’t help but recall last weeks devotion when it asked a simple question, would you live differently if you thought The Lord was coming back today and I felt this was right in line with that question. We must live every day not taking our salvation for granted and in return we will be ready for His return at any time. Today ask yourself this question, where is your heart? Do you really value all He has done for you and appreciate all that you have? Let’s be completely honest with ourselves and with God, He knows your heart.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 54, Romans 3
Watching the Clouds
And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. (Acts 1:9-11)
The apostles had the awesome privilege of watching the Lord ascend into heaven. They gazed up to the heavens as He departed on the clouds! No wonder they all stood in awe and amazement. I am sure they dealt with thoughts such as “Where are you going? Are you coming back? Can I go too? When will we see you again?” And even, “I can’t believe I am seeing this.” But the angels had an answer to all these questions. They said, “….come back….” As a result, the apostles fully and completely believed that the Lord would be coming back in their life time. Time was short, the message needed to get out. They lived every day for the Lord. Think about it…would you live differently if you thought the Lord was coming back today?
I asked the Lord to impress upon me the immanence of His return. I want every day to count for Jesus. I want to be looking for Him, listening to Him and ready for Him. Often, when I look into the clouds, I pray to see Him. To live every day as if today was the day of His return has changed my priorities, my desires and my focus.
Pray for eternal eyes. Pray for an excitement for His return. Pray to live as if He is coming back today. And ask the Lord to remind you of His promise to return every time you gaze into the clouds.
There have been days, including today, when I have allowed my mind and thoughts to focus on the things in this life that just don’t matter and that do not benefit my soul for His kingdom. I was having “a moment” so I stopped to read this devotion and I’ll be honest, I cried my eyes out!! I don’t know about you but I needed this at this very moment, I have to truly start living every day as if today was the day of His return and I have to change my priorities, my desires and my focus. I pray you will do the very same, time is short, the message needs to get out. Would you live differently if you thought the Lord was coming back today? If I’m being honest my answer would be, yes. A very important question for all of us to think about and to answer honestly.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 46, Acts 28
Mightier than All
The Lord reigneth, he is clothed with majesty; the Lord is clothed with strength . . . (Psalm 93:1)
Iguazu Falls, on the border of Brazil and Argentina, is a spectacular waterfall system of 275 falls along 2.7 km (1.67 miles) of the Iguazu River. Etched on a wall on the Brazilian side of the Falls are the words of Psalm 93:4, “Mightier than the thunders of many waters, mightier than the waves of the sea, the Lordon high is mighty!” (rsv). Below it are these words, “God is always greater than all of our troubles.”
The writer of Psalm 93, who penned its words during the time that kings reigned, knew that God is the ultimate King over all. “The Lord reigneth,” he wrote. “Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting” (vv. 1–2). No matter how high the floods or waves, the Lord remains greater than them all.
The roar of a waterfall is truly majestic, but it is quite a different matter to be in the water hurtling toward the falls. That may be the situation you are in today. Physical, financial, or relational problems loom ever larger and you feel like you are about to go over the falls. In such situations, the Christian has Someone to turn to. He is the Lord, “that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us” (Eph. 3:20) for He is greater than all our troubles.
Lord, I know that You are powerful and greater than any trouble that might come my way. I trust You to carry me through. Amen.
When I read this devotion I was so blessed by it and at the very end it said this, Never measure God’s unlimited power by your limited expectations. The entire devotion is beautiful but that one sentence jumped off the page at me, it’s my motto, I’m going to write it down and remind myself of it each and every day. I pray it blesses you today and that you can take such truth and hold tight to it, for He is indeed far greater than all our troubles! Amen! Encourage someone today, you never know what they may be going through, they may be feeling as if they are in the water hurtling toward the falls and they may need to be reminded of this.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 93
The Pit or the Rock
The house in which I grew up was built in the late 1800’s and still had some of the relics from that period, such as an old cistern located in the backyard. I think at one time it had been a source of water. Since it was no longer used or needed, the opening was loosely capped with a rusty round lid. As a kid, I remember being in fear of accidentally falling into it. My imagination conjured up this image of a deep dark pit with a sinking bottom in which I would be forever trapped. I look back and think that maybe my fears were a little silly, but then I realize that sometimes as an adult I feel as if I wake up in that pit, dark and damp with no way out. Maybe a lot of us feel this way at times.
Reading the words of King David in this Psalm should give us all hope and encouragement. If David had such moments of despair, then we must know that our feelings of being trapped in a pit of miry clay are not unknown to our Lord. Jesus knew how David felt and He knows how we feel. The Lord hears our cries, the Lord inclines His ear to listen to us, and He will not only lift us up, but will lead us out. The key is to trust Him to do so. We must believe that the Lord is going to rescue us because we cannot do it in our own strength. Trying to climb our way out of the darkness is exhausting and depressing. And sometimes it is in that darkest moment, when we sense a hand reaching down, picking us up and setting our feet back on the rock. We did not need to try; we just needed to surrender our fears to the Lord.
Where are you today? Are you in the “horrible pit” or “upon a rock”? Regardless of the place you find yourself, just know that the Lord is right there with you. He is the only way out of the pit and He is the only one Who can establish our steps in the right direction. Pray today that you can trust Jesus for all your needs and that in trusting Him, you can wait patiently for His perfect timing.
When I read this three words came to my mind. God is good! His timing is indeed perfect. Again, I needed this reminder today. God amazes me, He always knows what I need when I need it and He speaks right to my heart. I pray today’s devotion speaks to your heart in such a way that you walk away changed, uplifted and encouraged. I know I did!! 🙂 Trust Him today for ALL your needs.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 40, Acts 27:1-26
A Weapon and a Tool
And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work. And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah. They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon. (Nehemiah 4:15-17)
Nehemiah left Babylon to return to Jerusalem because he had heard that the walls around the city were still in rubble. Though others had already returned to rebuild the temple, no one had determined to repair the walls and gates. This news brought Nehemiah to tears, as he fasted and prayed fervent prayers to God. He returned to Jerusalem determined to fix the broken walls, but he needed help and support from those around him. Nehemiah’s story is truly amazing in its purpose, preparedness, and planning. But even the best laid plans can come under threatening attacks–and his certainly did. Though they tried, those who were against the restoration of the walls and gates could not thwart Nehemiah’s plans. His men kept working, even as they had to strap a sword to their side for protection.
Our enemy is always lurking about us, roaming and seeking whom he may devour. But remember this: he cannot thwart God’s plans, even if he frightens us along the way. Nehemiah was aware of his enemy’s schemes and he did not allow those tactics to intimidate him or his workers. They kept a hammer in one hand and weapon in the other. Despite obstacles, persecutions and negative influences, we need to keep pursuing the things of God. Our enemy will use every trick in the book to keep us from being effective, productive and fruitful; but once we are aware of his schemes, we can fight back. Do not let fear, intimidation, insecurity or guilt keep you from being successful. Pray, plan and purpose in your heart to get going and do not stop. Be strong and courageous, and ask the Lord to guide your every step.
When I read this I honestly couldn’t think of anything more to add. What truth!! Today, I pray someone is as blessed by this as I am. I needed this today, no thing can thwart God’s plan! Amen!! Fast, pray and stay in The Word just as Nehemiah and his workers had a hammer in one hand and a weapon in the other hand, keep pursuing the things of God and do not allow the enemy to keep you from being effective, productive and fruitful. Fight back!! Pray, plan and purpose in your heart to get going and do not stop!! Amen!!!!!! 🙂
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 37, Acts 26
Who Has Your Hope? They Have Your Heart
For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. (Psalm 86:10-12)
A few years ago a man named Norm Wakefield said something I’ll never forget.
He was asking where I placed my hope—my real hope. He wasn’t going to let me off the hook with a cookie-cutter answer.
We dug deeper. And as I was honest, I realized how much hope I placed in things other than God.
I desperately wanted financial security. I was obsessed with people’s opinions of me. Put bluntly, I had an idol problem.
Then he told me: “Whoever has your hope, has your heart.”
What he meant was that wherever I trusted for ultimate happiness and satisfaction is where I placed my hope. And whatever I placed my hope in, had true control of my heart.
Today’s verses are a prayer from David—and he’s expressing this same sentiment when he asks God to “unite” his heart to fear God’s name.
David, like so many of us, was a man who struggled with a divided heart. Even though he was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22) his affections wandered.
That’s the crux, isn’t it?
Every Sunday we sing songs that agree with verse 10: “For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God.” Then on Monday our hope wanders from the one who is “God alone” and trusts in so many other things. So many idols.
Remember what God said about idols in Isaiah 44:20? The people “have no knowledge who carry about their wooden idols, and keep on praying to a god that cannot save.”
And what are David’s words? “Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth…”
Idols lie—they simply can’t deliver on their promises.
So, for anything that has your deepest hope, ask yourself these questions:
*Can this save my soul, or will it leave me empty?
So, who has your hope and your heart today? Pray with David for a united heart.
When I read this I initially thought, this is a bit lengthy but then when I couldn’t shake the importance of the message it was getting across I had to share it with someone today. Let’s take the time to truly ponder those four questions and maybe even write the answers down and then pray over them, earnestly pray and seek The Lord, be honest with yourself and watch God help you make the changes necessary to unite your heart. Who has your hope and your heart today?
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 86:10-12
God’s Wall of Fire
For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her. (Zechariah 2:5)
Today’s verse describes “a wall of fire”, amazing, powerful and yet protective, not destructive. God’s wall of fire encloses around us to keep us in His presence. God’s wall of fire burns with the power of His glory in our midst. What a sight (or thought) to behold! Fire is used in the Bible to describe God’s presence, a consuming fire of holiness. For us, we are to revere God’s presence for His holiness and perfection, but to also take comfort in knowing that He is that fire of protection around us.
When I walk the beach or gaze upon a mountainside, I am reminded of God’s indescribable creative power. He is truly an awesome God. His hand of protection is always upon us. His love is evident in everything around us. Take time today and reflect on the beauty of God’s glory. Ask the Lord to show you things you have never seen before, maybe you will get a glimpse of His wall of fire and His glory in your midst. Spend time intimately with the Lord and you will find that you pay less attention to things that truly do not matter to your life. May He fill you with His love, joy and peace.
What truth! I pray that today you will choose to spend time intimately with The Lord, even if that means sitting quietly in a park, on your drive into work, in your back yard or as your walking around through your day, pause for a moment and ask The Lord to give you a glimpse of things you may have never seen before. Let’s take the time today and do as it says in this devotion, reflect on the beauty of God’s glory. He is truly an awesome God and His hand of protection is always upon us. Amen!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 29, Acts 23:1-15
What Is There to Fear?
The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? (Psalm 27:1)
My dog Buddy is a consistent source of insight and amusement in my life. For you animal lovers, you know what I am talking about. God’s creatures are simply unique and amazing in wonderful ways. My dog is all of those things to me and I am amazed at how the Lord teaches me certain messages through Buddy. For example, my husband and I had taken Buddy out to some property where deer and coyote roam freely. Buddy was quick to take off, running through weeds so high that all I could see is the white tip of his tail. He crawled through a barbed-wire fence, jumped over a creek, and dragged himself through thickets and brush that left him covered with briars. He was in heaven, loving every minute of his excursion, and without a care of any danger seemed to enter his mind. Later that evening when we got home, I heard Buddy whimpering outside near the back door. I thought he was hurt or that something was wrong with him. What was wrong? There was a twig lying on the concrete and he was afraid to step over it.
One minute my dog was walking through the jungle with no fear; the next, he was whimpering over a twig. Why? Because his fear was based on something unknown and unfamiliar to him, though we know that a twig is far more harmless than plowing through rattlesnake weeds out in the country. How often do we allow fear of something harmless to stop us in our tracks and keep us from going forward? How often does the Lord look at us and think we look ridiculous (as I did of Buddy)? We so often let the fear of the unknown keep us from having all that God has for us.
Do you have fears in your life that stop you in your tracks? Are you consistently afraid of the unknown? Sometimes we are far more comfortable in dangerous places just because we are familiar with them. Let’s be willing to be uncomfortable sometimes and let the Lord truly lead us. The Lord tells us to trust Him and to step out in faith. The Lord promises to protect us, regardless of where we go with Him. Just as I was watching Buddy closely, just in case that twig jumped up at him–the Lord is always watching out for us too.
I don’t know about you but I needed this today. God is so good. Who knew He would use a dog to speak to my heart, my fears. How simple and yet so powerful, Trust Him! I myself have been guilty of being more comfortable in dangerous places because I am familiar with what could happen and I think I can control what could happen and yet when my fears are big or small I must rest in Him, I must trust Him completely. I will not allow the enemy to stop me in my tracks. In those moments when fear grips our heart, my prayer is that our spirit will instantly know who our strength is, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. So when you have a moment of fear, stop and ask yourself, what is there to fear?
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 26, Acts 22