My Daily Journey 4/20/2010

Each morning before I start my day I usaully begin by reading a few favorite devotionals and scripture. I also spend this time with God as He is fathering me through them. His timing is awesome as I read through these devotionals there is always something that I needed, and He knew that.

May the Lord bless you as you travel this journey with me.

From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott

*************************************************

Wonderful Comfort By Max Lucado

“What a wonderful God we have . . . who so wonderfully comforts and strengthens us.” 2 Corinthians 1:3, TLB

Encourage those who are struggling. Don’t know what to say? Then open your Bible . . .

To the grief stricken: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5 NIV)

To the guilt-ridden: “There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1 NIV).

*************************************************
Determining Your Course of Action by Adrian Rogers

"My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise." Psalm 57:7

When I was in college, I kept a motto on my desk that said,

"He who would not fall down ought not to walk in slippery places."

•Keep yourself clean.
•Keep yourself pure.
•Watch what you set before your eyes.

There needs to be discipline. Job said, "I made a covenant with my eyes not to look upon a maid" (Job 31:1). If we are to have a walk of purity in obedience to God, we must determine ahead of time what our course of action will be.

One big decision will take care of a lot of little ones.

Are you going on a trip alone any time soon? If so, make the decision right now to keep your walk pure and holy for God's glory.

*************************************************

The Dark Moments in Our Life by Charles Stanley
Acts 14:21-22

If you want a meaningful life, you will at times travel the road of adversity. However, every hardship in your path has a specific purpose. Our Father allows pain and trials into His good plan for our life (Rom. 8:28).

When we are facing dark times, the first word that comes to mind is usually Why? God welcomes our questions but challenges us to obey Him, even when we don't get answers (Prov. 3:5-6). In fact, we may have to wait months or years before knowing the purpose behind a trial. Sometimes the answers don't come at all in this lifetime.

Joseph spent 13 harsh, dark years in Egypt. He faced betrayal, separation from loved ones, and culture shock followed by slavery, false accusations, and prison time. His only evidence of a sovereign, loving God was that he consistently prospered, even during times of trouble.

Everything Joseph endured prepared him for a job as Egypt's prime minister. While still a boy, he learned the language, culture, and mindset of a foreign nation. Moreover, the man who emerged from hardship was the Lord's disciplined, faithful servant. In the end, Joseph was positioned to save more than a country; he rescued God's chosen people—the family tree of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

Living in the center of the Lord's love doesn't guarantee an easy, pain-free life. In fact, the opposite is true. God loves believers so much that He conforms each one to His Son's likeness through any means necessary. In His expert hand, we become servants whose victories and trials glorify Him.

*************************************************
From www.d365.org

Look around you right now. What do you see? Who do you see?
Look inside yourself right now. What do you observe?
Look now for Jesus, who wants to be seen by you.

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach; but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on some clothes, for he was naked, and jumped into the sea. But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they were not far from the land, only about a hundred yards off.

John 21:4-8

You know the situation. You hurt a friend’s feelings or let them down and now you don’t know what to do about it. You want to talk to them, to make it right, but it is too late to call or text and morning seems so far away. You can’t wait to know if things are going to be okay or if you can fix the problem.
Peter probably felt this way. In fact, he jumped in the water as soon as he realized it was Jesus standing there. He had to make amends. He had to say, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to deny you.” Can you imagine having the opportunity to apologize to Jesus?

You know what? It has already been done. Jesus already knows our weaknesses, and the best news is that he accepts us anyway. You don’t have to wait until morning to clean up the mess. You can talk with Jesus any time and he will listen. There may be something going on in your life today that needs your attention. Don’t wait until morning; you have the chance to set things straight right now.

Aleesa Naish

Jesus, thank you for allowing me the grace to falter and for giving me the strength to pick myself up again. Amen

*************************************************

Be Careful About What You Neglect
by Gail Rodgers

Some seasons of life are more hectic than others. It isn’t always possible to keep on top of all the things we usually tend to. When life gets a little too busy it’s easy to neglect small things. At first no one notices the little things left undone in the house or yard or the growing pile of papers that need tending to. Yet, as the weeds take hold outside and the paperwork and the closets are ignored inside, a growing chaos becomes evident.

The same thing happens in our inner lives when we neglect the regular care of our spirits. We begin to feel the growing chaos within. The reality of our lives becomes contrasted against the promises of our faith. We become discouraged in our spiritual journey.

God’s Word reminds us to be careful about what we ignore. In the book of Hebrews we are given reminders not to ignore the great salvation God has provided for us.

“Do you think we can risk neglecting this magnificent salvation?” Hebrews 2:1-4 (The Message)

It’s so easy to be caught up with the busy things of life that we overlook tending our inner lives. Then we often find chaos in our heart and mind and wonder why God seems distant. During those times we will most likely find our Bible starting to gather dust. God’s Word is nourishment for our souls.

If your life is chaotic and your spirit is dry… if panic is becoming more often present in your heart and mind than peace… check what you are neglecting. Make a beeline back to God’s Word and to fellowship with His people.

Make a fresh determination and declare the words that David declared so long ago in Psalm 119:16.

“I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches.
I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways.
I delight in your decrees;
I will not neglect your word.” (Psalm 119:16)

Keep God’s Word at the very core of your life. As a Christian you simply cannot risk living otherwise.