God's insight to me:
"The beloved before itself!" If you can grasp that then you can understand "The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier." Oh how He loves you and me.
In the devotional Remembering God's Priority it is state "they have missed the point". How many times we have, we are, and probably we still will. We are torn between two kingdoms. Well, I have made my stand. It started when I said, "Lord take control". Like the song, "Jesus take the wheel". Like the quotation states, "If God is your co-pilot, switch seats!" Father, if I get off track, please give me the necessary adjustments so I can stay focused on Your Heavenly destination. Thank You Jesus for showing me the way to the Father and also Your Holy Spirit to guide me home.
This last devotional is a little lengthy but necessary for so many to read. I have a friend that I met, through God's leading, on the Internet. As I was reading this devotional, "The Thrill of Victory", I thought about my friend Bob Bennett. He has dedicated his life to telling all that will listen to him about how through Jesus Christ he has victory (success, conquest) over depression. You can read more from his website http://www.victoryoverdepression.wordpress.com. When you read Bob's testimony you can feel the love for Christ coming through. Bob understands the victory was won over 2000 years on Calvary, when Jesus said, "It is finished"! That translates to "we are the victor's through Jesus". My Brother in Christ, Bob Bennett claims his victory, as each of us should, through the blood of Jesus. Are you looking for a victory today? I started claiming mine when I gave Him control to do so.
This past couple days I have been talking with several people that their lives is one battle after another. The Lord blessed me with this poem that I wrote for a friend of mine titled "When Life Keeps Giving You Lemons";
When life keeps giving you lemons
there is one thing you must do,
find a sweet friend that will
bring some sugar to you.
Squeeze all the lemons,
then do the same to your friend.
Take the sugar you are given,
and let the process begin.
Just because you keep getting lemons
does not mean all is lost.
God is probably just giving you,
another one of life’s bridges to cross.
So take all the ingredients
that life sends your way,
praise God that He gives them to you,
and make yourself some lemonade!
E. P. Shagott
5/30/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
May 31
God So Loved Us
By Max Lucado
“If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11, NKJV
Jesus humbled himself. He went from commanding angels to sleeping in the straw. From holding stars to clutching Mary’s finger. The palm that held the universe took the nail of a soldier.
Why? Because that’s what love does. It puts the beloved before itself.
*************************************************
May 31
Remembering God's Priority
Numbers 15:37-41
At times, people will say, "I've made Jesus a part of my life." But this statement reveals that they have missed the point. The truth is, Jesus can never be simply a part of life; at salvation, Jesus becomes our life—everything revolves around Him, because He is the central focus.
For the believer, the essence of living is to walk in childlike obedience to Christ. That means we express His righteous life simply by faith; to do this, we depend on the power of the Holy Spirit for enablement and divine grace for forgiveness when we stumble. And stumbling will occur because we live amidst two kingdoms that are in constant conflict. On the one hand, there's the pull of the world, and on the other, the pull of God. In other words, Satan throws temptations our way, but from our Father comes the appeal of holiness, peace, and joy in Christ.
That's why Jesus taught, "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." The way to do this is by opening God's Word daily and letting Him use Scripture to flush from our minds anything that doesn't fit with His priority (Rom. 12:2). We are also to remind ourselves frequently of His commands and His greatness (Ps. 105:4-5; Num. 15:37-41).
The battle is ongoing. And it rages not just in the realms of education, science, politics, and finances but also within every human heart. Since there's no way to make it in life without Christ, it's critical that we keep God's priority as our own and make continual course corrections to stay on track.
*************************************************
May 31
Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 13-14; John 12:1-26
Today's Thoughts: The Thrill of Victory
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. 1 John 5:4
Did you know that this word "victory" is used only six times in the New Testament? The Greek word for victory is "nike" and it means "a conquest" or "means of success." For many of us, the word Nike refers to the mega-sporting enterprise that sells shoes and clothing. Victory has been skewed by society standards to now mean something of extraordinary achievements. But Jesus would come and tell us to just have faith, for through faith we will be victorious.
How many of us as Christians today have victory in our lives? How awesome to experience the thrill of victory! But far too often we face the agony of defeat. Jesus did not come to earth, give His life, and leave us His Holy Spirit, just so we could enter heaven. Yes, He came to give us eternal life if we believe in Him, but He wants us to experience heaven on earth—today. Heaven on earth in this day and age? Is such a thought really possible?
Today's verse tells us that "whatever is born of God overcomes the world." If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior, then you have been born of God and are His child. To even accept Jesus indicates a position of faith on your part, for "by grace you are saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8). But real victory does not stop here, it begins here. Faith must be grown, matured and developed by the tests and trials of life. One reason prayer is so important is that our faith is increased every time we see God answer our prayers. And we must plant His word on our hearts and in our minds, for "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). Christians who have weak prayer lives and no time in God's Word will face the agony of defeat more than the thrill of victory. But Christians who pray, who read the Bible, and who seek the Lord with all their heart will have victory simply because of their faith. Just remember, however, that victory in Jesus is not always defined the same as victory in the world.
Does your life reflect more victories or more defeats? Where do you spend your time and what are you seeking after? Start today by asking the Lord to increase your faith. Start praying for God's help. Confess and repent from any worldly desires that steal your time and attention away from the Lord. Begin reading His Word and praying for more understanding of how to apply it in your life. At some point, we must decide which way we want to live; and then start acting on the faith given to us through Jesus. Then, and only then, will we have victory.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
My Journey - 5/30/2010
God's insight to me:
May 30th is a day I will always remember for it was the day I lost my mom, my best friend. Max Lucado's devotional especially the bible verse explains how I got through that day and every day after that. It was six years after my mom's passing that I gave Christ control of my life. On May 30th, 1991 Jesus was definitely walking with me that day, even though I didn't realize it. Yesterday I was talking with a woman that every aspect of her life was challenging. Any of my problems seemed small in nature compared to hers. She is a strong woman and I pray she knows Jesus like I do for He will get her to brighter days. He is the Son-light!
Interesting how the Lord is speaking to me today through these devotionals. Adrian Rogers devotional speaks about the Son-light. No matter what you are going through, or will go through, Jesus has conquered those storms before you. The beginning of John 16:33 states "In this life you will have trials and tribulation", yep, problems will come your way, but fear not, they are under Jesus feet. Praise God!
Charles Spurgeon's devotional seems also to fit together with today's devotional. I love the wording, "the eyes of The faith", Christ's eyes. "Nevertheless - hereafter", what a daily chant that should be for us all. Someone today, somewhere in this world will need to be saying and understanding this. Thank You Jesus for Your holy foresight that through Your sufferings we can lift up ours to You!
Today's insight will begin and end with Max Lucado. This last devotional is lengthy but very rewarding once read. I smiled when I came to this statement, "Old age has sucked their oxygen". Getting older, ministering to the elderly, I can understand that statement. As I read this devotional my mine thought of the elderly in church that has fought the early battles. My friends May 31st is Memorial Day. Please keep in mind someone has fought for you, someone has sacrificed everything for you, and they didn't know you. Jesus Christ sacrificed everything for us, and He knew us before we were born. Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the belly I knew you;
I want to close with this poem the Lord just blessed me with;
Think About Me
Please think about me today
for I gave everything for you.
Even though I didn’t know,
who you were or what you do.
I gave all I had,
because it had to be done.
Someone must pay the sacrifice,
to save each and every one.
Please don’t take for granted,
that your life will always be.
Someone has to fight for that,
Yes, someone just like me.
So take a little time today,
to just pause and give some thought,
for all the ones who paid the price,
and also thank Jesus for the Cross!
E. P. Shagott
5/30/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
May 30
He Knows Your Name
By Max Lucado
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13, NKJV
Relax. You have a friend in high places. Does the child of Arnold Schwarzenegger worry about tight pickle-jar lids? Does the son of Nike founder Phil Knight sweat a broken shoestring? . . .
No. Nor should you. The universe’s Commander in Chief knows your name. He has walked your streets.
*************************************************
MAY 30
He Has Overcome the World
by Adrian Rogers
"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you. His power is ever-present in your life as His child.
If I could have been there in the days of His flesh, I would have wanted to see Him walk across the sea and calm the waves. I can just see that kingly form with the wind in His hair, putting His foot steps on the sea, His garments billowing back. Smiling at the storm.
When the disciples saw Him walking on the water what was their biggest problem? The water. Jesus in essence was saying, "What looks like is going to be over your head, is already under My feet."
What are some problems that are drowning you in fear, in discouragement, in sadness today? Give them to Jesus. Remember what is over your head is under His feet.
*************************************************
May 30
Holy Foresight
by Charles Spurgeon
"Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven" (Matthew 26:64).
Ah, LORD, Thou wast in Thy lowest state when before Thy persecutors Thou wast made to stand like a criminal! Yet the eyes of Thy faith could see beyond Thy present humiliation into Thy future glory. What words are these, "Nevertheless - hereafter!" I would imitate Thy holy foresight, and in the midst of poverty, or sickness, or slander, I also would say, "Nevertheless - hereafter." Instead of weakness, Thou hast all power; instead of shame, all glory; instead of derision, all worship, Thy cross has not dimmed the splendor of Thy crown, neither has the spittle marred the beauty of Thy face. Say, rather, Thou are the more exalted and honored because of Thy sufferings.
So, LORD, I also would take courage from the "hereafter." I would forget the present tribulation in the future triumph. Help thou me by directing me into Thy Father's love and into Thine own patience, so that when I am derided for Thy name I may not be staggered but think more and more of the hereafter, and, therefore, all the less of today. I shall be with Thee soon and behold Thy glory. Wherefore, I am not ashamed but say in my inmost soul, "Nevertheless - hereafter."
*************************************************
Tender Words to the Tired Heart
May 30th, 2010 by Max Lucado
Brook Besor. Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of the place. Most haven’t, but more need to. The Brook Besor narrative deserves shelf space in the library of the worn-out. It speaks tender words to the tired heart.
The story emerges from the ruins of Ziklag. David and his six hundred soldiers return from the Philistine war front to find utter devastation. A raiding band of Amalekites had swept down on the village, looted it, and taken the women and children hostage. The sorrow of the men mutates into anger, not against the Amalekites, but against David. After all, hadn’t he led them into battle? Hadn’t he left the women and children unprotected? Isn’t he to blame? Then he needs to die. So they start grabbing stones.
This could be his worst hour.
But he makes it one of his best.
David redirects the men’s anger toward the enemy. They set out in pursuit of the Amalekites. Keep the men’s weariness in mind. They still bear the trail dust of a long campaign and haven’t entirely extinguished their anger at David. They don’t know the Amalekites’ hideout, and, if not for the sake of their loved ones, they might give up.
Indeed, two hundred do. The army reaches a brook called Besor, and they dismount. Soldiers wade in the creek and splash water on their faces, sink tired toes in cool mud, and stretch out on the grass. Hearing the command to move on, two hundred choose to rest. “You go on without us,” they say.
How tired does a person have to be to abandon the hunt for his own family?
The church has its quorum of such folks. Good people. Godly people. Only hours or years ago they marched with deep resolve. But now fatigue consumes them. They’re exhausted. So beat-up and worn down that they can’t summon the strength to save their own flesh and blood. Old age has sucked their oxygen. Or maybe it was a deflating string of defeats. Divorce can leave you at the brook. Addiction can as well. Whatever the reason, the church has its share of people who just sit and rest.
And the church must decide. What do we do with the Brook Besor people? Berate them? Shame them? Give them a rest but measure the minutes? Or do we do what David did? David let them stay.
He and the remaining four hundred fighters resume the chase.
David and his men swoop down upon the enemy like hawks on rats. Every Israelite woman and child is rescued. Every Amalekite either bites the dust or hits the trail, leaving precious plunder behind. David goes from scapegoat to hero, and the whooping and hollering begin.
And what about the two hundred men who had rested?
You might feel the way some of David’s men felt: “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and children” (1 Samuel 30:22).
A Molotov cocktail of emotions is stirred, lit, and handed to David. Here’s how he defuses it: “Don’t do that after what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and given us the enemy who attacked us. Who will listen to what you say? The share will be the same for the one who stayed with the supplies as for the one who went into battle. All will share alike.” (30:23–24 NCV)
Note David’s words: they “stayed with the supplies,” as if this had been their job. They hadn’t asked to guard supplies; they wanted to rest. But David dignifies their decision to stay.
David did many mighty deeds in his life. He did many foolish deeds in his life. But perhaps the noblest was this rarely discussed deed: he honored the tired soldiers at Brook Besor.
Someday somebody will read what David did and name their church the Congregation at Brook Besor. Isn’t that what the church is intended to be? A place for soldiers to recover their strength?
If you are listed among them, here is what you need to know: it’s okay to rest. Jesus is your David. He fights when you cannot. He goes where you cannot. He’s not angry if you sit. Did he not invite, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest” (Mark 6:31 MSG)?
Brook Besor blesses rest.
Brook Besor also cautions against arrogance. David knew the victory was a gift. Let’s remember the same. Salvation comes like the Egyptian in the desert, a delightful surprise on the path. Unearned. Undeserved. Who are the strong to criticize the tired?
Are you weary? Catch your breath. We need your strength.
Are you strong? Reserve passing judgment on the tired. Odds are, you’ll need to plop down yourself. And when you do, Brook Besor is a good story to know.
May 30th is a day I will always remember for it was the day I lost my mom, my best friend. Max Lucado's devotional especially the bible verse explains how I got through that day and every day after that. It was six years after my mom's passing that I gave Christ control of my life. On May 30th, 1991 Jesus was definitely walking with me that day, even though I didn't realize it. Yesterday I was talking with a woman that every aspect of her life was challenging. Any of my problems seemed small in nature compared to hers. She is a strong woman and I pray she knows Jesus like I do for He will get her to brighter days. He is the Son-light!
Interesting how the Lord is speaking to me today through these devotionals. Adrian Rogers devotional speaks about the Son-light. No matter what you are going through, or will go through, Jesus has conquered those storms before you. The beginning of John 16:33 states "In this life you will have trials and tribulation", yep, problems will come your way, but fear not, they are under Jesus feet. Praise God!
Charles Spurgeon's devotional seems also to fit together with today's devotional. I love the wording, "the eyes of The faith", Christ's eyes. "Nevertheless - hereafter", what a daily chant that should be for us all. Someone today, somewhere in this world will need to be saying and understanding this. Thank You Jesus for Your holy foresight that through Your sufferings we can lift up ours to You!
Today's insight will begin and end with Max Lucado. This last devotional is lengthy but very rewarding once read. I smiled when I came to this statement, "Old age has sucked their oxygen". Getting older, ministering to the elderly, I can understand that statement. As I read this devotional my mine thought of the elderly in church that has fought the early battles. My friends May 31st is Memorial Day. Please keep in mind someone has fought for you, someone has sacrificed everything for you, and they didn't know you. Jesus Christ sacrificed everything for us, and He knew us before we were born. Jeremiah 1:5 Before I formed you in the belly I knew you;
I want to close with this poem the Lord just blessed me with;
Think About Me
Please think about me today
for I gave everything for you.
Even though I didn’t know,
who you were or what you do.
I gave all I had,
because it had to be done.
Someone must pay the sacrifice,
to save each and every one.
Please don’t take for granted,
that your life will always be.
Someone has to fight for that,
Yes, someone just like me.
So take a little time today,
to just pause and give some thought,
for all the ones who paid the price,
and also thank Jesus for the Cross!
E. P. Shagott
5/30/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
May 30
He Knows Your Name
By Max Lucado
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13, NKJV
Relax. You have a friend in high places. Does the child of Arnold Schwarzenegger worry about tight pickle-jar lids? Does the son of Nike founder Phil Knight sweat a broken shoestring? . . .
No. Nor should you. The universe’s Commander in Chief knows your name. He has walked your streets.
*************************************************
MAY 30
He Has Overcome the World
by Adrian Rogers
"In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you. His power is ever-present in your life as His child.
If I could have been there in the days of His flesh, I would have wanted to see Him walk across the sea and calm the waves. I can just see that kingly form with the wind in His hair, putting His foot steps on the sea, His garments billowing back. Smiling at the storm.
When the disciples saw Him walking on the water what was their biggest problem? The water. Jesus in essence was saying, "What looks like is going to be over your head, is already under My feet."
What are some problems that are drowning you in fear, in discouragement, in sadness today? Give them to Jesus. Remember what is over your head is under His feet.
*************************************************
May 30
Holy Foresight
by Charles Spurgeon
"Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of Heaven" (Matthew 26:64).
Ah, LORD, Thou wast in Thy lowest state when before Thy persecutors Thou wast made to stand like a criminal! Yet the eyes of Thy faith could see beyond Thy present humiliation into Thy future glory. What words are these, "Nevertheless - hereafter!" I would imitate Thy holy foresight, and in the midst of poverty, or sickness, or slander, I also would say, "Nevertheless - hereafter." Instead of weakness, Thou hast all power; instead of shame, all glory; instead of derision, all worship, Thy cross has not dimmed the splendor of Thy crown, neither has the spittle marred the beauty of Thy face. Say, rather, Thou are the more exalted and honored because of Thy sufferings.
So, LORD, I also would take courage from the "hereafter." I would forget the present tribulation in the future triumph. Help thou me by directing me into Thy Father's love and into Thine own patience, so that when I am derided for Thy name I may not be staggered but think more and more of the hereafter, and, therefore, all the less of today. I shall be with Thee soon and behold Thy glory. Wherefore, I am not ashamed but say in my inmost soul, "Nevertheless - hereafter."
*************************************************
Tender Words to the Tired Heart
May 30th, 2010 by Max Lucado
Brook Besor. Don’t feel bad if you’ve never heard of the place. Most haven’t, but more need to. The Brook Besor narrative deserves shelf space in the library of the worn-out. It speaks tender words to the tired heart.
The story emerges from the ruins of Ziklag. David and his six hundred soldiers return from the Philistine war front to find utter devastation. A raiding band of Amalekites had swept down on the village, looted it, and taken the women and children hostage. The sorrow of the men mutates into anger, not against the Amalekites, but against David. After all, hadn’t he led them into battle? Hadn’t he left the women and children unprotected? Isn’t he to blame? Then he needs to die. So they start grabbing stones.
This could be his worst hour.
But he makes it one of his best.
David redirects the men’s anger toward the enemy. They set out in pursuit of the Amalekites. Keep the men’s weariness in mind. They still bear the trail dust of a long campaign and haven’t entirely extinguished their anger at David. They don’t know the Amalekites’ hideout, and, if not for the sake of their loved ones, they might give up.
Indeed, two hundred do. The army reaches a brook called Besor, and they dismount. Soldiers wade in the creek and splash water on their faces, sink tired toes in cool mud, and stretch out on the grass. Hearing the command to move on, two hundred choose to rest. “You go on without us,” they say.
How tired does a person have to be to abandon the hunt for his own family?
The church has its quorum of such folks. Good people. Godly people. Only hours or years ago they marched with deep resolve. But now fatigue consumes them. They’re exhausted. So beat-up and worn down that they can’t summon the strength to save their own flesh and blood. Old age has sucked their oxygen. Or maybe it was a deflating string of defeats. Divorce can leave you at the brook. Addiction can as well. Whatever the reason, the church has its share of people who just sit and rest.
And the church must decide. What do we do with the Brook Besor people? Berate them? Shame them? Give them a rest but measure the minutes? Or do we do what David did? David let them stay.
He and the remaining four hundred fighters resume the chase.
David and his men swoop down upon the enemy like hawks on rats. Every Israelite woman and child is rescued. Every Amalekite either bites the dust or hits the trail, leaving precious plunder behind. David goes from scapegoat to hero, and the whooping and hollering begin.
And what about the two hundred men who had rested?
You might feel the way some of David’s men felt: “Because they did not go with us, we will not give them any of the spoil that we have recovered, except for every man’s wife and children” (1 Samuel 30:22).
A Molotov cocktail of emotions is stirred, lit, and handed to David. Here’s how he defuses it: “Don’t do that after what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and given us the enemy who attacked us. Who will listen to what you say? The share will be the same for the one who stayed with the supplies as for the one who went into battle. All will share alike.” (30:23–24 NCV)
Note David’s words: they “stayed with the supplies,” as if this had been their job. They hadn’t asked to guard supplies; they wanted to rest. But David dignifies their decision to stay.
David did many mighty deeds in his life. He did many foolish deeds in his life. But perhaps the noblest was this rarely discussed deed: he honored the tired soldiers at Brook Besor.
Someday somebody will read what David did and name their church the Congregation at Brook Besor. Isn’t that what the church is intended to be? A place for soldiers to recover their strength?
If you are listed among them, here is what you need to know: it’s okay to rest. Jesus is your David. He fights when you cannot. He goes where you cannot. He’s not angry if you sit. Did he not invite, “Come off by yourselves; let’s take a break and get a little rest” (Mark 6:31 MSG)?
Brook Besor blesses rest.
Brook Besor also cautions against arrogance. David knew the victory was a gift. Let’s remember the same. Salvation comes like the Egyptian in the desert, a delightful surprise on the path. Unearned. Undeserved. Who are the strong to criticize the tired?
Are you weary? Catch your breath. We need your strength.
Are you strong? Reserve passing judgment on the tired. Odds are, you’ll need to plop down yourself. And when you do, Brook Besor is a good story to know.
Saturday, May 29, 2010
My Journey 5/25-5/29/2010
God's insight to me:
As I was reading Max Lucado's devotional I was wondering, what does Jesus see in me? Matthew followed Christ without a second thought. As I am obedient to God's calling on my life, through the "God's Love Outreach Ministry", I must admit it took a while before it sunk in. Many a times I questioned God to be sure this is what He wanted for me. Matthew got up and followed Him. I stumbled, stalled, restarted and questioned The Creator! What did He see in me? The same thing that He sees in all of us,"love"!
In the next devotional it states "life goes on." I have said this so many times when things goes astray. Life goes on. But the reality of it is in the next line, "will cease and pass away." So this earthly life does not go on. So many people have their priorities all mixed up. They are worrying about what tomorrow will bring in this world but fail to understand it could be over in a wink of an eye. God should be your #1 priority. As the author put it, "Are you ready?"
Charles Spurgeon's devotional about fruit made me recall "green seedless grapes." I am always amazed that you can not tell if the grape is going to be sweet or bitter by the look. This is also true I believe about some Christians. Oh they may look good, talk a good game but the true sweetness of God's grace just doesn't come through. So many one-hour Christians on Sunday. May we all strive to be better fruit bearing for Christ.
Wisdom is not what you know but what you sow! That is a powerful sentence from the devotional Heavenly Wisdom by Phil Ware. Likewise is this statement "sacrificial earthly action!" Simply put I believe it means, get your eyes off yourself.
I have often heard the quote, "He who hesitates is lost." In the devotional by Kenneth Copeland I understand how this can happen. In the beginning of this insight I mentioned how I questioned God when He called me for an outreach ministry. I stepped out in faith but then took a step sideways or just stood still. Thank You Jesus for the faith You have in me to accomplish the Father's will.
*************************************************
May 25
Follow Me By Max Lucado
“‘Follow Me,’” [Jesus] told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” Matthew 2:9, NIV
You gotta wonder what Jesus saw in Matthew . . .
Whatever it was, it must’ve been something. Matthew heard the call and never went back. He spent the rest of his life convincing folks that the carpenter was the King. Jesus gave the call and never took it back. He spent his life dying for people like Matthew, convincing a lot of us that if he had a place for Matthew, he just might have a place for us.
*************************************************
May 26, 2010 - Daily Disciples Devotional
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 28-29; John 9:24-41
Today's Thoughts: One Thing Will Remain
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35
Time passes and life goes on, but there will come a day when the world as we know it will cease and pass away. Heaven and earth will be gone. In Noah's day, even as he built the ark and told the people of what was to come, they continued on as usual. They ate, drank, married and did all the things in life just as they always had done. Then the rains came, and within 40 days every living thing was under water, except for Noah and his family. Noah's family was safe in the ark. They listened to God's words and were saved.
The Bible is filled with prophecies concerning the last days. Many biblical scholars who study prophecy fully believe that we are in the last days and that at any moment our lives will be forever changed. Jesus could return at any moment. Are you ready? Or do you think that your life will just keep going? God did promise us that one thing would continue. He told us that His Word will never pass away. His Word through His Son, Jesus, will save us. All we have to do is believe in Him to live forever with Him. Our bodies will die but our eternal life will go on and on. We need to live for that day when we hear the Lord say, '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' (Matthew 25:23).
*************************************************
May 27
As the Life -- So the Fruit by Charles Spurgeon
"For if these thing be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:8).
If we desire to glorify our LORD by fruitfulness, we must have certain things within us; for nothing can come out of us which is not first of all within us. We must begin with faith, which is the groundwork of all the virtues; and then diligently add to it virtue, knowledge, temperance, and patience. With these we must have godliness and brotherly love. All these put together will most assuredly cause us to produce, as our life fruit, the clusters of usefulness, and we shall not be mere idle knowers but real doers of the Word. These holy things must not only be in us, but abound, or we shall be barren. Fruit is the overflow of life, and we must be full before we can flow over.
We have noticed men of considerable parts and opportunities who have never succeeded in doing real good in the conversion of souls; and after close observation we have concluded that they lacked certain graces which are absolutely essential to fruit bearing. For real usefulness, graces are better than gifts. As the man is, so is his work. If we would do better, we must be better. Let the text be a gentle hint to unfruitful professors and to myself also.
*************************************************
May 28
Heavenly Wisdom
by Phil Ware
James 3:17-18
"The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
Thoughts on today's verse
Now I know why righteousness is so hard to find: there aren't many sowers! Heavenly wisdom is full of sacrificial earthly action. That's a powerful reminder to me that wisdom is not what you know but what you sow!
Prayer:
Holy and Wise Father, thank you for demonstrating purity, peace making, consideration, submissiveness, mercy, good fruit, impartiality, and sincerity in Jesus. I ask for the power and the courage to demonstrate those qualities this week as I seek to live more like him. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*************************************************
May 29
Don't Hesitate by Kenneth Copeland
He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
– James 1:6-8
What happens when you hesitate to do something God has told you to do? Your adversary takes the first step. The devil gets the jump on you.
If you want to live by faith, hesitation is one of the most hazardous habits you could ever have. It comes from being indecisive. The Bible says a man like that is "unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels, decides" (The Amplified Bible).
If you are double-minded, the decisions you make are split. You try to live by faith and protect your fear at the same time. You make faith statements like "I believe God is going to heal me." Then your fear whispers, "But I wouldn't want to say I'm well just yet." You're so busy going back and forth between faith and fear, you can't make any progress at all.
Kick the habit of hesitation today. Make a solid decision to trust in and act on the Word of God. Settle it forever. Resolve never to entertain doubts again. When doubt comes to your mind, cast it out quickly.
When God speaks, don't waste a moment. Step right out in faith. That way, you can always keep the devil a step behind you!
As I was reading Max Lucado's devotional I was wondering, what does Jesus see in me? Matthew followed Christ without a second thought. As I am obedient to God's calling on my life, through the "God's Love Outreach Ministry", I must admit it took a while before it sunk in. Many a times I questioned God to be sure this is what He wanted for me. Matthew got up and followed Him. I stumbled, stalled, restarted and questioned The Creator! What did He see in me? The same thing that He sees in all of us,"love"!
In the next devotional it states "life goes on." I have said this so many times when things goes astray. Life goes on. But the reality of it is in the next line, "will cease and pass away." So this earthly life does not go on. So many people have their priorities all mixed up. They are worrying about what tomorrow will bring in this world but fail to understand it could be over in a wink of an eye. God should be your #1 priority. As the author put it, "Are you ready?"
Charles Spurgeon's devotional about fruit made me recall "green seedless grapes." I am always amazed that you can not tell if the grape is going to be sweet or bitter by the look. This is also true I believe about some Christians. Oh they may look good, talk a good game but the true sweetness of God's grace just doesn't come through. So many one-hour Christians on Sunday. May we all strive to be better fruit bearing for Christ.
Wisdom is not what you know but what you sow! That is a powerful sentence from the devotional Heavenly Wisdom by Phil Ware. Likewise is this statement "sacrificial earthly action!" Simply put I believe it means, get your eyes off yourself.
I have often heard the quote, "He who hesitates is lost." In the devotional by Kenneth Copeland I understand how this can happen. In the beginning of this insight I mentioned how I questioned God when He called me for an outreach ministry. I stepped out in faith but then took a step sideways or just stood still. Thank You Jesus for the faith You have in me to accomplish the Father's will.
*************************************************
May 25
Follow Me By Max Lucado
“‘Follow Me,’” [Jesus] told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.” Matthew 2:9, NIV
You gotta wonder what Jesus saw in Matthew . . .
Whatever it was, it must’ve been something. Matthew heard the call and never went back. He spent the rest of his life convincing folks that the carpenter was the King. Jesus gave the call and never took it back. He spent his life dying for people like Matthew, convincing a lot of us that if he had a place for Matthew, he just might have a place for us.
*************************************************
May 26, 2010 - Daily Disciples Devotional
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 28-29; John 9:24-41
Today's Thoughts: One Thing Will Remain
Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Matthew 24:35
Time passes and life goes on, but there will come a day when the world as we know it will cease and pass away. Heaven and earth will be gone. In Noah's day, even as he built the ark and told the people of what was to come, they continued on as usual. They ate, drank, married and did all the things in life just as they always had done. Then the rains came, and within 40 days every living thing was under water, except for Noah and his family. Noah's family was safe in the ark. They listened to God's words and were saved.
The Bible is filled with prophecies concerning the last days. Many biblical scholars who study prophecy fully believe that we are in the last days and that at any moment our lives will be forever changed. Jesus could return at any moment. Are you ready? Or do you think that your life will just keep going? God did promise us that one thing would continue. He told us that His Word will never pass away. His Word through His Son, Jesus, will save us. All we have to do is believe in Him to live forever with Him. Our bodies will die but our eternal life will go on and on. We need to live for that day when we hear the Lord say, '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' (Matthew 25:23).
*************************************************
May 27
As the Life -- So the Fruit by Charles Spurgeon
"For if these thing be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our LORD Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:8).
If we desire to glorify our LORD by fruitfulness, we must have certain things within us; for nothing can come out of us which is not first of all within us. We must begin with faith, which is the groundwork of all the virtues; and then diligently add to it virtue, knowledge, temperance, and patience. With these we must have godliness and brotherly love. All these put together will most assuredly cause us to produce, as our life fruit, the clusters of usefulness, and we shall not be mere idle knowers but real doers of the Word. These holy things must not only be in us, but abound, or we shall be barren. Fruit is the overflow of life, and we must be full before we can flow over.
We have noticed men of considerable parts and opportunities who have never succeeded in doing real good in the conversion of souls; and after close observation we have concluded that they lacked certain graces which are absolutely essential to fruit bearing. For real usefulness, graces are better than gifts. As the man is, so is his work. If we would do better, we must be better. Let the text be a gentle hint to unfruitful professors and to myself also.
*************************************************
May 28
Heavenly Wisdom
by Phil Ware
James 3:17-18
"The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness."
Thoughts on today's verse
Now I know why righteousness is so hard to find: there aren't many sowers! Heavenly wisdom is full of sacrificial earthly action. That's a powerful reminder to me that wisdom is not what you know but what you sow!
Prayer:
Holy and Wise Father, thank you for demonstrating purity, peace making, consideration, submissiveness, mercy, good fruit, impartiality, and sincerity in Jesus. I ask for the power and the courage to demonstrate those qualities this week as I seek to live more like him. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.
*************************************************
May 29
Don't Hesitate by Kenneth Copeland
He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
– James 1:6-8
What happens when you hesitate to do something God has told you to do? Your adversary takes the first step. The devil gets the jump on you.
If you want to live by faith, hesitation is one of the most hazardous habits you could ever have. It comes from being indecisive. The Bible says a man like that is "unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels, decides" (The Amplified Bible).
If you are double-minded, the decisions you make are split. You try to live by faith and protect your fear at the same time. You make faith statements like "I believe God is going to heal me." Then your fear whispers, "But I wouldn't want to say I'm well just yet." You're so busy going back and forth between faith and fear, you can't make any progress at all.
Kick the habit of hesitation today. Make a solid decision to trust in and act on the Word of God. Settle it forever. Resolve never to entertain doubts again. When doubt comes to your mind, cast it out quickly.
When God speaks, don't waste a moment. Step right out in faith. That way, you can always keep the devil a step behind you!
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
My Journey - 5/24/2010
God's insight for me:
As I was reading all the devotionals for this day I smiled because I normally always start off with one by Max Lucado. Reason being he is listed first in my favorites for devotionals. Also his is usually the shortest but to the point. I like how in this one he starts out with the word "even". As sinners we all have fallen and failed God. But because of Jesus we are made right with the Father. Thank You Jesus. Because of Jesus, eternity awaits.
Adrian Rogers devotional is a good follow up to Max Lucado's. In his devotional Adrian Rogers writes "Jesus can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future." My friends I am a living testimony to that. But I had to ask. It was my choice. I think this is a good place to share one of my early poems, titled "Thank You Lord"
Thank You Lord
I thank you Lord,
for giving life to me.
I thank you Lord,
for the earth, the sky, and the sea.
I thank you Lord,
for showing me all that’s good.
I thank you Lord,
for giving me a livelihood.
I thank you Lord,
for always caring for me.
For when times get tough
and seem so hard to bear
I thank you Lord,
for always being there.
E. P. Shagott
Richard Vinson's devotional from 365.org is so true for today as it was back when Jesus walked the earth. After 9/11 a lot of people were looking for God. Probably not many found Him for it was from fear and doubt that they were looking. Jesus probably would want to smack us all along side of the head as He would say to us, "You just don't get it!"
Dr. Bright's devotional speaks volumes of some Christians today. We know it is not right, but we keep doing it. Well, fear not for the Apostle Paul felt the same way. A sin is a sin. The only difference today is how we sin. So many Christians feeling just as the person named Harry in the devotional, a hypocrite - miserable, defeated, frustrated. I've been there, felt that. But praise God, thank You Jesus, not any more.
The last devotional from "Daily Disciples Devotionald" speaks of what my life is about now, pleasing Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I wake up in the morning saying, "Good morning Lord, what can I do for You today? Believe me if you truly want to please Him, you will not want to do what doesn't please Him. If you falter, ask Him to forgive you, learn from it and continue to do His work. May that ending prayer be each of our prayers.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
5/24/10
I’ll Give You Eternity
By Max Lucado
“God makes people right with himself through their faith in Jesus Christ.” Romans 3:22
Even if you’ve fallen, even if you’ve failed, even if everyone else has rejected you, Christ will not turn away from you. He came first and foremost to those who have no hope. He goes to those no one else would go to and says, “I’ll give you eternity.”
*************************************************
MAY 24
The Life-Transforming Power of Christ by Adrian Rogers
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." John 20:31
The same Jesus who turned water into wine can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future. This same Jesus is still in the miracle working business. And His business is the business of transformation. And when we believe that Jesus is the Christ, we will receive life through His name.
Someone has well said that nature forms us, sin deforms us, penitentiary reforms us, education informs us, the world conforms us, but only Jesus transforms us.
What are you to trust Christ for today? A miracle? Or for more of Him? Your very next breath is a miracle. Thank God for the miracle of life He has given you today.
*************************************************
May 24
A devotional from 365.org
“Just show us God — that’s all we’re asking! One little peek, and we’ll be satisfied.”
I suppose Philip wanted something zippy-zappy: Jesus would wave his arms, there would be a big cloud of smoke, and God would be standing there in front of them. What would God look like? Would God be holding a lightning bolt?
Maybe Jesus considered whacking Philip upside the head, because he had missed the point of what Jesus had been saying over and over in this Gospel. “What? How can you ask me that? Whoever has seen me has seen God. My words are God’s words. All those miracles — God did those through me.”
Boil down the Gospel of John to one sentence: If you want to know God, get to know Jesus. Sure, you can know God in other ways — by caring for God’s creation, by treating other people with God’s compassion, by listening for God’s voice inside you. But always check your conclusions about God by comparing them to Jesus. God hasn’t left us in the dark; anytime we want, we can check out the example of Jesus in the good old B-I-B-L-E.
Richard Vinson
*************************************************
He Sets us Free
May 24th, 2010 By Dr. Bill Bright
"I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't. I do what I don't want to - what I hate...When I want to do good, I don't; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway....It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong...So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I'm in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free"
Romans 7:15,19,21,24,25
Harry gave every indication of being a happy, joyful, fruitful Christian. He was active in every major event of the church and many large citywide Christian efforts. He always had a high visibility, and because of his extrovertive, outgoing personality he seemed to be a model Christian.
Then one day I saw the real Harry. He just blurted it out.
"I'm a hypocrite - miserable, defeated, frustrated. I've lived a lie and worn a mask all my life, never wanting to reveal my true self. But I need help. I'm seriously thinking of committing suicide. I just can't live the Christian life, no matter how hard I try."
As I began reading Romans 7:15-25, he said, "That is my biography, the story of my life. I've done everything I know to find victory - to live the Christian life as I know I'm supposed to live it. But everything fails for me no matter how hard I try."
I encouraged him to read on. Paul asks the question in the 25th verse, "Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature?" Then he answers that question by saying "Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free."
If you are living a carnal life, as described in Romans 7, you can be liberated to experience a full and abundant, victorious and fruitful life, as you by faith claim the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit day by day, moment by moment.
Bible Reading: Romans 7:18-23
Today's Action Point: By faith, I will claim the power of the Holy Spirit to enable me to live the abundant, supernatural life that Jesus promised, so that I can bring glory to God by bearing much.
*************************************************
May 24, 2010 - Daily Disciples Devotional
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 22-24; John 8:28-59
Today's Thoughts: To Please Him
And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." John 8:29
Jesus is a man who came from His Father to do those things that always please Him. And because of Jesus' obedience to His Father, His Father became our Father. It has bothered me to think that it pleased the Father to send Jesus to the cross. When I think of love, I do not want to equate it with suffering. But my perspective remains earthbound. God did not equate the cross with suffering as much as the cross was equated to glorification. The cross glorified the Son in restoring and bringing everything back under the authority of Christ. The cross brought salvation to us. As a result, we too suffer on earth for the greater call of glorification for eternity.
Because of Jesus' death, we can say with confidence that the Father has not left us alone. He has given us His Holy Spirit to intercede for us, counsel us, teach us and comfort us. We are never alone. But Jesus' words tug on my heart the most when He said, "I always do those things that please Him." Oh, how I pray that I can live a life that pleases Him. To hear Him so clearly, and know Him so dearly that nothing distracts or takes away from the call to please Him is the cry of my heart. Suffering becomes less and less the focus as my desire to please Him becomes more and more.
Oh Lord Jesus, You are my Savior and Lord but you are also my example. I want to be like You to please You. Let the things of earth become strangely dim in the light of Your glory and grace as I daily seek Your face. Amen.
As I was reading all the devotionals for this day I smiled because I normally always start off with one by Max Lucado. Reason being he is listed first in my favorites for devotionals. Also his is usually the shortest but to the point. I like how in this one he starts out with the word "even". As sinners we all have fallen and failed God. But because of Jesus we are made right with the Father. Thank You Jesus. Because of Jesus, eternity awaits.
Adrian Rogers devotional is a good follow up to Max Lucado's. In his devotional Adrian Rogers writes "Jesus can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future." My friends I am a living testimony to that. But I had to ask. It was my choice. I think this is a good place to share one of my early poems, titled "Thank You Lord"
Thank You Lord
I thank you Lord,
for giving life to me.
I thank you Lord,
for the earth, the sky, and the sea.
I thank you Lord,
for showing me all that’s good.
I thank you Lord,
for giving me a livelihood.
I thank you Lord,
for always caring for me.
For when times get tough
and seem so hard to bear
I thank you Lord,
for always being there.
E. P. Shagott
Richard Vinson's devotional from 365.org is so true for today as it was back when Jesus walked the earth. After 9/11 a lot of people were looking for God. Probably not many found Him for it was from fear and doubt that they were looking. Jesus probably would want to smack us all along side of the head as He would say to us, "You just don't get it!"
Dr. Bright's devotional speaks volumes of some Christians today. We know it is not right, but we keep doing it. Well, fear not for the Apostle Paul felt the same way. A sin is a sin. The only difference today is how we sin. So many Christians feeling just as the person named Harry in the devotional, a hypocrite - miserable, defeated, frustrated. I've been there, felt that. But praise God, thank You Jesus, not any more.
The last devotional from "Daily Disciples Devotionald" speaks of what my life is about now, pleasing Him, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. I wake up in the morning saying, "Good morning Lord, what can I do for You today? Believe me if you truly want to please Him, you will not want to do what doesn't please Him. If you falter, ask Him to forgive you, learn from it and continue to do His work. May that ending prayer be each of our prayers.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
5/24/10
I’ll Give You Eternity
By Max Lucado
“God makes people right with himself through their faith in Jesus Christ.” Romans 3:22
Even if you’ve fallen, even if you’ve failed, even if everyone else has rejected you, Christ will not turn away from you. He came first and foremost to those who have no hope. He goes to those no one else would go to and says, “I’ll give you eternity.”
*************************************************
MAY 24
The Life-Transforming Power of Christ by Adrian Rogers
"But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name." John 20:31
The same Jesus who turned water into wine can transform your home, your life, your family, and your future. This same Jesus is still in the miracle working business. And His business is the business of transformation. And when we believe that Jesus is the Christ, we will receive life through His name.
Someone has well said that nature forms us, sin deforms us, penitentiary reforms us, education informs us, the world conforms us, but only Jesus transforms us.
What are you to trust Christ for today? A miracle? Or for more of Him? Your very next breath is a miracle. Thank God for the miracle of life He has given you today.
*************************************************
May 24
A devotional from 365.org
“Just show us God — that’s all we’re asking! One little peek, and we’ll be satisfied.”
I suppose Philip wanted something zippy-zappy: Jesus would wave his arms, there would be a big cloud of smoke, and God would be standing there in front of them. What would God look like? Would God be holding a lightning bolt?
Maybe Jesus considered whacking Philip upside the head, because he had missed the point of what Jesus had been saying over and over in this Gospel. “What? How can you ask me that? Whoever has seen me has seen God. My words are God’s words. All those miracles — God did those through me.”
Boil down the Gospel of John to one sentence: If you want to know God, get to know Jesus. Sure, you can know God in other ways — by caring for God’s creation, by treating other people with God’s compassion, by listening for God’s voice inside you. But always check your conclusions about God by comparing them to Jesus. God hasn’t left us in the dark; anytime we want, we can check out the example of Jesus in the good old B-I-B-L-E.
Richard Vinson
*************************************************
He Sets us Free
May 24th, 2010 By Dr. Bill Bright
"I don't understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can't. I do what I don't want to - what I hate...When I want to do good, I don't; and when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway....It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong...So you see how it is: my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. Oh, what a terrible predicament I'm in! Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature? Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free"
Romans 7:15,19,21,24,25
Harry gave every indication of being a happy, joyful, fruitful Christian. He was active in every major event of the church and many large citywide Christian efforts. He always had a high visibility, and because of his extrovertive, outgoing personality he seemed to be a model Christian.
Then one day I saw the real Harry. He just blurted it out.
"I'm a hypocrite - miserable, defeated, frustrated. I've lived a lie and worn a mask all my life, never wanting to reveal my true self. But I need help. I'm seriously thinking of committing suicide. I just can't live the Christian life, no matter how hard I try."
As I began reading Romans 7:15-25, he said, "That is my biography, the story of my life. I've done everything I know to find victory - to live the Christian life as I know I'm supposed to live it. But everything fails for me no matter how hard I try."
I encouraged him to read on. Paul asks the question in the 25th verse, "Who will free me from my slavery to this deadly lower nature?" Then he answers that question by saying "Thank God! It has been done by Jesus Christ our Lord. He has set me free."
If you are living a carnal life, as described in Romans 7, you can be liberated to experience a full and abundant, victorious and fruitful life, as you by faith claim the fullness and power of the Holy Spirit day by day, moment by moment.
Bible Reading: Romans 7:18-23
Today's Action Point: By faith, I will claim the power of the Holy Spirit to enable me to live the abundant, supernatural life that Jesus promised, so that I can bring glory to God by bearing much.
*************************************************
May 24, 2010 - Daily Disciples Devotional
Today's Reading: 1 Chronicles 22-24; John 8:28-59
Today's Thoughts: To Please Him
And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him." John 8:29
Jesus is a man who came from His Father to do those things that always please Him. And because of Jesus' obedience to His Father, His Father became our Father. It has bothered me to think that it pleased the Father to send Jesus to the cross. When I think of love, I do not want to equate it with suffering. But my perspective remains earthbound. God did not equate the cross with suffering as much as the cross was equated to glorification. The cross glorified the Son in restoring and bringing everything back under the authority of Christ. The cross brought salvation to us. As a result, we too suffer on earth for the greater call of glorification for eternity.
Because of Jesus' death, we can say with confidence that the Father has not left us alone. He has given us His Holy Spirit to intercede for us, counsel us, teach us and comfort us. We are never alone. But Jesus' words tug on my heart the most when He said, "I always do those things that please Him." Oh, how I pray that I can live a life that pleases Him. To hear Him so clearly, and know Him so dearly that nothing distracts or takes away from the call to please Him is the cry of my heart. Suffering becomes less and less the focus as my desire to please Him becomes more and more.
Oh Lord Jesus, You are my Savior and Lord but you are also my example. I want to be like You to please You. Let the things of earth become strangely dim in the light of Your glory and grace as I daily seek Your face. Amen.
Monday, May 24, 2010
My Journey - 5/20 - 5/23/2010
God's insight to me:
Adrian Roger's devotional speaks of what I have been telling people for many years now, since I have understood this myself, "It is all about Him!" As human beings we try to put ourselves in there somehow because of our selfish pride. A pastor many years ago stated from the pulpit, "We must put ourselves down, as we raise Jesus up!"
In Max Lucado's devotional he states "The meek are those who are willing to be used by God." Human beings I believe have a hard time thinking of themselves as meek. Especially in today's time. But if you would notice many of the true servants of God and happy and content to be doing His work in the background. With sweat pouring down their face they have a song in their hearts, "Our God is an awesome God, He reigns with power and love!"
I loved Sharles Spurgeon's devotional, "Rain without clouds,never!" How true and what an wonderful way to describe this life. Oh, we have some sunny days along the way but those dark clouds can get to us if we let them. "Black chariots of bright grace!" Wow, I never thought about my trials in life as that. When I was doing a "God's Love" program recently I met a woman who said, "My life is over. I'm just waiting to die!" I told her that, "Your life is not over but has just changed." See she has her eyes and mindset on the black chariots but should be looking for the Son to be shinning through her for He is the bright grace in our lives.
In our Sunday School we have been learning from a book named, "Experiencing God." If you want to have abundant life, you must experience Him. Probably so many that do not know Him on a personal level would ask, how? I would say the first way is to be honest with yourself and Him and ask Him to make Himself real to you. Pick up the Bible and read His Word to us. Meet with people who know Him or some that are trying to know Him, yep at church! Once you understand that Jesus is as real today as He was 2000 years ago, then He can become a part of your daily life. He is what life is all about. Just as it stated in the first devotional.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
5/20/2010
Jesus Only by Adrian Rogers
". . . all things were created by Him, and for Him." Colossians 1:16b
Do you want to know the meaning of everything? It is Jesus only. You may think that is an overstatement. We live in a great big universe, billions of light years in expanse, and the Bible tells us that "all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). There is nothing made that was not made by the Lord Jesus. The answer to creation is Jesus only.
People say that the world needs saving, but what the world really needs is redemption.
So where is redemption going to come from? It's not from a creed, code, or cause but from Jesus only. The entire universe, the plans of God, and the sweep of all the ages, comes down to two words - Jesus only.
When was the last time you shared your faith? Maybe today you can begin a conversation with someone about the expanse of the universe. Who knows where that spark of truth will lead?
*************************************************
5/21/2010
Willing to be Used By Max Lucado
“The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalm 37:11
The meek are those who are willing to be used by God. Amazed that God would save them, they are just as surprised that God could use them. They are a junior-high-school clarinet section playing with the Boston Pops. They don’t tell the maestro how to conduct; they’re just thrilled to be part of the concert.
*************************************************
5/21/2010
Rain Without Clouds? Never! by Charles Spurgeon
"If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth" (Ecclesiastes 11:3).
Why, then, do we dread the clouds which now darken our sky? True, for a while they hide the sun, but the sun is not quenched; He will shine out again before long. Meanwhile those black clouds are filled with rain; and the blacker they are, the more likely they are to yield plentiful showers. How can we have rain without clouds?
Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will. They are the black chariots of bright grace. These clouds will empty themselves before long, and every tender herb will be the gladder for the shower. Our God may drench us with grief, but He will not drown us with wrath; nay, He will refresh us with mercy. Our LORD's love letters often come to us in black-edged envelopes. His wagons rumble, but they are loaded with benefits. His rod blossoms with sweet flowers and nourishing fruits. Let us not worry about the clouds but sing because May flowers are brought to us through the April clouds and showers.
O LORD, the clouds are the dust of Thy feet! How near Thou art in the cloudy and dark day! Love beholds Thee and is glad. Faith sees the clouds emptying themselves and making the little hills rejoice on every side.
*************************************************
5/22-23/2010
Unshakable Faith by Dr. Charles Stanley
Daniel 1:1-20
Daniel had unshakable faith. His belief in the Lord sustained him when he was uprooted from his home, taken into captivity, and sent to a foreign country. It strengthened him as he served under four different kings and faced many challenges.
Knowing God and trusting Him are the two key elements of deep faith. Daniel, who was part of the Israelite nobility, apparently learned about the Lord from a young age. While he was in captivity, his words and actions demonstrated that he knew the Scriptures and wanted to obey God. When offered a meal that had been sacrificed to idols, he took a great risk by requesting other food. God caused the official to show favor to him (Dan. 1:5-9). Like Daniel, we are to spend our lives learning and carrying out what pleases our heavenly Father (Col. 1:10).
Not only did this young man know what the Scriptures said, but he also trusted God to do as He had promised. Every time Daniel took a stand for godliness, he was demonstrating his confidence in the Father. And his friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—had unwavering belief as well. They did not know for sure that the Lord would rescue them from the fiery furnace, but they trusted that He would do what was right (Dan. 3:16-18).
Barriers to unshakable faith include pride (I won't admit I need God's help), arrogance (I know a better way—I don't have to ask God), and self-sufficiency (I can do it myself without His help). Which of these is keeping you from becoming a person of strong faith? Confess it and turn toward the Lord.
Adrian Roger's devotional speaks of what I have been telling people for many years now, since I have understood this myself, "It is all about Him!" As human beings we try to put ourselves in there somehow because of our selfish pride. A pastor many years ago stated from the pulpit, "We must put ourselves down, as we raise Jesus up!"
In Max Lucado's devotional he states "The meek are those who are willing to be used by God." Human beings I believe have a hard time thinking of themselves as meek. Especially in today's time. But if you would notice many of the true servants of God and happy and content to be doing His work in the background. With sweat pouring down their face they have a song in their hearts, "Our God is an awesome God, He reigns with power and love!"
I loved Sharles Spurgeon's devotional, "Rain without clouds,never!" How true and what an wonderful way to describe this life. Oh, we have some sunny days along the way but those dark clouds can get to us if we let them. "Black chariots of bright grace!" Wow, I never thought about my trials in life as that. When I was doing a "God's Love" program recently I met a woman who said, "My life is over. I'm just waiting to die!" I told her that, "Your life is not over but has just changed." See she has her eyes and mindset on the black chariots but should be looking for the Son to be shinning through her for He is the bright grace in our lives.
In our Sunday School we have been learning from a book named, "Experiencing God." If you want to have abundant life, you must experience Him. Probably so many that do not know Him on a personal level would ask, how? I would say the first way is to be honest with yourself and Him and ask Him to make Himself real to you. Pick up the Bible and read His Word to us. Meet with people who know Him or some that are trying to know Him, yep at church! Once you understand that Jesus is as real today as He was 2000 years ago, then He can become a part of your daily life. He is what life is all about. Just as it stated in the first devotional.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
5/20/2010
Jesus Only by Adrian Rogers
". . . all things were created by Him, and for Him." Colossians 1:16b
Do you want to know the meaning of everything? It is Jesus only. You may think that is an overstatement. We live in a great big universe, billions of light years in expanse, and the Bible tells us that "all things were created by Him, and for Him" (Colossians 1:16). There is nothing made that was not made by the Lord Jesus. The answer to creation is Jesus only.
People say that the world needs saving, but what the world really needs is redemption.
So where is redemption going to come from? It's not from a creed, code, or cause but from Jesus only. The entire universe, the plans of God, and the sweep of all the ages, comes down to two words - Jesus only.
When was the last time you shared your faith? Maybe today you can begin a conversation with someone about the expanse of the universe. Who knows where that spark of truth will lead?
*************************************************
5/21/2010
Willing to be Used By Max Lucado
“The meek shall inherit the earth, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalm 37:11
The meek are those who are willing to be used by God. Amazed that God would save them, they are just as surprised that God could use them. They are a junior-high-school clarinet section playing with the Boston Pops. They don’t tell the maestro how to conduct; they’re just thrilled to be part of the concert.
*************************************************
5/21/2010
Rain Without Clouds? Never! by Charles Spurgeon
"If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth" (Ecclesiastes 11:3).
Why, then, do we dread the clouds which now darken our sky? True, for a while they hide the sun, but the sun is not quenched; He will shine out again before long. Meanwhile those black clouds are filled with rain; and the blacker they are, the more likely they are to yield plentiful showers. How can we have rain without clouds?
Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will. They are the black chariots of bright grace. These clouds will empty themselves before long, and every tender herb will be the gladder for the shower. Our God may drench us with grief, but He will not drown us with wrath; nay, He will refresh us with mercy. Our LORD's love letters often come to us in black-edged envelopes. His wagons rumble, but they are loaded with benefits. His rod blossoms with sweet flowers and nourishing fruits. Let us not worry about the clouds but sing because May flowers are brought to us through the April clouds and showers.
O LORD, the clouds are the dust of Thy feet! How near Thou art in the cloudy and dark day! Love beholds Thee and is glad. Faith sees the clouds emptying themselves and making the little hills rejoice on every side.
*************************************************
5/22-23/2010
Unshakable Faith by Dr. Charles Stanley
Daniel 1:1-20
Daniel had unshakable faith. His belief in the Lord sustained him when he was uprooted from his home, taken into captivity, and sent to a foreign country. It strengthened him as he served under four different kings and faced many challenges.
Knowing God and trusting Him are the two key elements of deep faith. Daniel, who was part of the Israelite nobility, apparently learned about the Lord from a young age. While he was in captivity, his words and actions demonstrated that he knew the Scriptures and wanted to obey God. When offered a meal that had been sacrificed to idols, he took a great risk by requesting other food. God caused the official to show favor to him (Dan. 1:5-9). Like Daniel, we are to spend our lives learning and carrying out what pleases our heavenly Father (Col. 1:10).
Not only did this young man know what the Scriptures said, but he also trusted God to do as He had promised. Every time Daniel took a stand for godliness, he was demonstrating his confidence in the Father. And his friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego—had unwavering belief as well. They did not know for sure that the Lord would rescue them from the fiery furnace, but they trusted that He would do what was right (Dan. 3:16-18).
Barriers to unshakable faith include pride (I won't admit I need God's help), arrogance (I know a better way—I don't have to ask God), and self-sufficiency (I can do it myself without His help). Which of these is keeping you from becoming a person of strong faith? Confess it and turn toward the Lord.
Friday, May 21, 2010
My Journey - 5/19/2010
God's insight to me:
An excellent poem I found from the Streams in the Desert devotional. As I read it I thought about the many, many Christians whom face daily trials doing the Lord's work but stay steadfast in faithfulness. I truly believe that any opportunity that we give satan to distract us from doing the Lord's work, he will use to make us ineffective. I pray that as someone reads this poem and is suffering in Christ that it may bring them to a new understanding that you are truly blessed in Him!
In Max Lucado's devotional I loved the line "In just a few hours Judas’ feet would guide the Roman guard to Jesus.", I could picture the pain in Christ's heart as He washed the feet of the one who was about to betray Him.
Adrian Roger's devotional to me was very inspiring. I can relate to the new creature statement for my life has changed by accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Many a Sunday as our Pastor is preaching his sermon, I sit in the pew and understand the message, because my life has been changed.
The following devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley speaks of what I do now as trouble pops it unwanted head into my life. I praise God! I am also looking for what He is speaking to me about through the trial that I am going through. It's a true statement that if you are focusing on Jesus your mind is off your situation. So Praise Him, Praise Him!
In Charles Spurgeon's devotional the second paragraph says it all. For once you can understand "God in us", and release Him to do His purpose, that is what we were created for. We are one in Him! Amen.
*************************************************
Streams in the Desert Devotional
May 19
Blessed is he whose faith is not offended, When all around his way
The power of God is working out deliverance For others day by day;
Though in some prison drear his own soul languish,
Till life itself be spent,
Yet still can trust his Father's love and purpose,
And rest therein content.
Blessed is he, who through long years of suffering,
Cut off from active toil,
Still shares by prayer and praise the work of others,
And thus "divides the spoil."
Blessed are thou, O child of God, who sufferest, And canst not understand
The reason for thy pain, yet gladly leavest
Thy life in His blest Hand.
Yea, blessed art thou whose faith is "not offended"
By trials unexplained,
By mysteries unsolved, past understanding,
Until the goal is gained.
--Freda Hanbury Allen
*************************************************
It May Not Be Easy
By Max Lucado
“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and sat down again.” John 13:12
Please note, he finished washing their feet.
That means he left no one out . . . He washed the feet of Judas. Jesus washed the feet of his betrayer. He gave this traitor equal attention. In just a few hours Judas’ feet would guide the Roman guard to Jesus. But at this moment they are caressed by Christ . . .
That’s not to say it was easy . . . That is to say that God will never call you to do what he hasn’t already done.
*************************************************
MAY 19
New Life, a New Creation in Christ by Adrian Rogers
"For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light." Psalm 36:9
Jesus had a life that the grave could not keep. While He carried your sins to the grave and left them there, Jesus came out of that grave living, risen, and victorious! When Jesus rose, you rose with Him.
Christians are not just nice people, they are new creatures. We have the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
We have come out of the grave of the old life. Our old master has no more hold on us. The old debt has no more penalty that we have to pay. When Jesus came out of that grave, we came out with Him and we have been raised to walk in newness of life.
Are you walking around in the grave clothes of your old life? Shed them, my friend! Jesus came to give you new life! Believe that you are now a new creation in Christ!
*************************************************
May 19
Troubled? Try Praise! by Dr. Charles Stanley
Deuteronomy 20:1-4
A lot of negative emotions accompany hardship: frustration, despair, fear, and doubt. People ruled by those feelings often make poor choices. This is why I recommend that you decide now to respond to troubled times the way the Israelites did: with praise. Even in the darkest hours, worshipping God fills the heart with joy and the mind with peace. A believer who is filled in this way can wisely keep a commitment to obey the Lord no matter what.
Worshipping the Lord enlarges our vision. By doing so, we begin to see how He is at work in the world, perhaps in ways and places we never noticed before. More particularly, we see what God is doing in our situation and notice areas where He requires our obedience.
Our human tendency is to plot a course through a situation toward the easiest solution. But believers who strike out on their own do not mature in faith. Moreover, they miss out on the blessings of following the Lord's plan. Stopping to praise can divert us from the easy way out and direct us to the right path—namely, the way of God's will. Taking a step forward in faith can be frightening. However, believers are completely safe risking their whole future on the Lord's faithfulness. He has never disappointed anyone!
It's hard to despair while honoring the Lord for His love and strength. We can dispel doubt by recalling His past faithfulness—and ease frustration by committing our future plans to Him. Praise is not the obvious reaction to hardship, but it is the wisest response.
*************************************************
May 19
We May Speak for God by Charles Spurgeon
"Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before Me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as My mouth" (Jeremiah 15:19).
Poor Jeremiah! Yet why do we say so? The weeping prophet was one of the choicest servants of God and honored by Him above many. He was hated for speaking the truth. The word which was so sweet to him was bitter to his hearers, yet he was accepted of his LORD. He was commanded to abide in his faithfulness, and then the LORD would continue to speak through him. He was to deal boldly and truthfully with men and perform the LORD's winnowing work upon the professors of his day, and then the LORD gave him this word: "Thou shalt be as my mouth."
What an honor! Should not every preacher, yea, every believer, covet it? For God to speak by us, what a marvel! We shall speak sure, pure truth; and we shall speak it with power. Our word shall not return void; it shall be a blessing to those who receive it, and those who refuse it shall do so at their peril. Our lips shall feed many. We shall arouse the sleeping and call the dead to life.
O dear reader, pray that it may be so with all the sent servants of our LORD.
An excellent poem I found from the Streams in the Desert devotional. As I read it I thought about the many, many Christians whom face daily trials doing the Lord's work but stay steadfast in faithfulness. I truly believe that any opportunity that we give satan to distract us from doing the Lord's work, he will use to make us ineffective. I pray that as someone reads this poem and is suffering in Christ that it may bring them to a new understanding that you are truly blessed in Him!
In Max Lucado's devotional I loved the line "In just a few hours Judas’ feet would guide the Roman guard to Jesus.", I could picture the pain in Christ's heart as He washed the feet of the one who was about to betray Him.
Adrian Roger's devotional to me was very inspiring. I can relate to the new creature statement for my life has changed by accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Many a Sunday as our Pastor is preaching his sermon, I sit in the pew and understand the message, because my life has been changed.
The following devotional by Dr. Charles Stanley speaks of what I do now as trouble pops it unwanted head into my life. I praise God! I am also looking for what He is speaking to me about through the trial that I am going through. It's a true statement that if you are focusing on Jesus your mind is off your situation. So Praise Him, Praise Him!
In Charles Spurgeon's devotional the second paragraph says it all. For once you can understand "God in us", and release Him to do His purpose, that is what we were created for. We are one in Him! Amen.
*************************************************
Streams in the Desert Devotional
May 19
Blessed is he whose faith is not offended, When all around his way
The power of God is working out deliverance For others day by day;
Though in some prison drear his own soul languish,
Till life itself be spent,
Yet still can trust his Father's love and purpose,
And rest therein content.
Blessed is he, who through long years of suffering,
Cut off from active toil,
Still shares by prayer and praise the work of others,
And thus "divides the spoil."
Blessed are thou, O child of God, who sufferest, And canst not understand
The reason for thy pain, yet gladly leavest
Thy life in His blest Hand.
Yea, blessed art thou whose faith is "not offended"
By trials unexplained,
By mysteries unsolved, past understanding,
Until the goal is gained.
--Freda Hanbury Allen
*************************************************
It May Not Be Easy
By Max Lucado
“When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and sat down again.” John 13:12
Please note, he finished washing their feet.
That means he left no one out . . . He washed the feet of Judas. Jesus washed the feet of his betrayer. He gave this traitor equal attention. In just a few hours Judas’ feet would guide the Roman guard to Jesus. But at this moment they are caressed by Christ . . .
That’s not to say it was easy . . . That is to say that God will never call you to do what he hasn’t already done.
*************************************************
MAY 19
New Life, a New Creation in Christ by Adrian Rogers
"For with Thee is the fountain of life: in Thy light shall we see light." Psalm 36:9
Jesus had a life that the grave could not keep. While He carried your sins to the grave and left them there, Jesus came out of that grave living, risen, and victorious! When Jesus rose, you rose with Him.
Christians are not just nice people, they are new creatures. We have the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead.
We have come out of the grave of the old life. Our old master has no more hold on us. The old debt has no more penalty that we have to pay. When Jesus came out of that grave, we came out with Him and we have been raised to walk in newness of life.
Are you walking around in the grave clothes of your old life? Shed them, my friend! Jesus came to give you new life! Believe that you are now a new creation in Christ!
*************************************************
May 19
Troubled? Try Praise! by Dr. Charles Stanley
Deuteronomy 20:1-4
A lot of negative emotions accompany hardship: frustration, despair, fear, and doubt. People ruled by those feelings often make poor choices. This is why I recommend that you decide now to respond to troubled times the way the Israelites did: with praise. Even in the darkest hours, worshipping God fills the heart with joy and the mind with peace. A believer who is filled in this way can wisely keep a commitment to obey the Lord no matter what.
Worshipping the Lord enlarges our vision. By doing so, we begin to see how He is at work in the world, perhaps in ways and places we never noticed before. More particularly, we see what God is doing in our situation and notice areas where He requires our obedience.
Our human tendency is to plot a course through a situation toward the easiest solution. But believers who strike out on their own do not mature in faith. Moreover, they miss out on the blessings of following the Lord's plan. Stopping to praise can divert us from the easy way out and direct us to the right path—namely, the way of God's will. Taking a step forward in faith can be frightening. However, believers are completely safe risking their whole future on the Lord's faithfulness. He has never disappointed anyone!
It's hard to despair while honoring the Lord for His love and strength. We can dispel doubt by recalling His past faithfulness—and ease frustration by committing our future plans to Him. Praise is not the obvious reaction to hardship, but it is the wisest response.
*************************************************
May 19
We May Speak for God by Charles Spurgeon
"Therefore thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou shalt stand before Me: and if thou take forth the precious from the vile, thou shalt be as My mouth" (Jeremiah 15:19).
Poor Jeremiah! Yet why do we say so? The weeping prophet was one of the choicest servants of God and honored by Him above many. He was hated for speaking the truth. The word which was so sweet to him was bitter to his hearers, yet he was accepted of his LORD. He was commanded to abide in his faithfulness, and then the LORD would continue to speak through him. He was to deal boldly and truthfully with men and perform the LORD's winnowing work upon the professors of his day, and then the LORD gave him this word: "Thou shalt be as my mouth."
What an honor! Should not every preacher, yea, every believer, covet it? For God to speak by us, what a marvel! We shall speak sure, pure truth; and we shall speak it with power. Our word shall not return void; it shall be a blessing to those who receive it, and those who refuse it shall do so at their peril. Our lips shall feed many. We shall arouse the sleeping and call the dead to life.
O dear reader, pray that it may be so with all the sent servants of our LORD.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
My Journey - 5/18/2010
God's insight to me:
I guess as I read Max Lucado's short devotional, but to the point, I fall into that category. I was an introvert and very shy but look at me now. Reaching out for Jesus! Touching lives through the Holy Spirit. Would a shy person do this? Impossible? Not for God! to Him goes the glory!
Adrian Roger's devotional I agree with. I am now righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ and praise His Holy name, I am at peace. All is well with my soul! I pray for all eyes that read this they can say the same.
The last line of Dr. Charles Stanley's devotional says it all. "Bend your heart and mind toward the Lord, and He will enlarge your vision of who He is and what He can do on your behalf".
In the devotional by John Grant I can also agree whole heartily. My testimony is a living proof to that. Living what most would call an ordinary life. Then in 1997 I gave God control and at 67 years of age my life is dedicated to reaching out to all the lost, hurting and confused "wounded children of His". In 7 1/2 years I have brought His message, of His love to almost 30,000 people. Shamgar's name and my name last name have the same first three letters. Hmmm!
Charles Spurgeon's devotional "Losses Overcome" speaks of something that I always thought about, "What if I would of given control of my life sooner than at the age of 54 years?" Charles Spurgeon states God will give us those years back. Now I can see how, for I have more Christ tasks fit into a 24hr. day than ever before. Spurgeon calls those wasted days, "locusts of backsliding, worldliness, lukewarmness". Yep, that sounded like me. He goes on to state those wasted years by a miracle of love, can be restored.
Thank You Jesus! Use me, use me, use me.
The Task
God spoke to my heart and said,
“I have a task for you,
I want you to share My love
in everything you do.
No matter what the place,
or even the day or time,
it is important that everyone you meet,
knows that you’re a child of Mine.
The way for you to do this
is simple as can be,
just smile and tell them all,
“it’s because Jesus lives in me!”
So when this task is finished,
that I have asked of you,
be ready to come home,
for My Son will be coming for you."
E. P. Shagott
5/19/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
Making the Impossible Possible
By Max Lucado
“If you have faith, it will happen.” Matthew 21:21
God always rejoices when we dare to dream. In fact, we are much like God when we dream . . . He wrote the book on making the impossible possible . . .
Eighty-year-old shepherds don’t usually play chicken with Pharaohs . . . but don’t tell that to Moses.
Teenage shepherds don’t normally have showdowns with giants . . . but don’t tell that to David . . . And for sure don’t tell that to God.
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MAY 18
Standing for Peace and Righteousness
by Adrian Rogers
"Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means." 2 Thessalonians 3:16
One of the strangest verses that ever fell from the lips of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, is this: "Think not that I have come to send peace on the earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword." That's incredible, because the Bible calls Him "the Prince of Peace." What is He talking about then?
He is saying, "I came with a sword to put a line of demarcation between truth and error, between light and dark, between sin and righteousness."
When God's standard of righteousness is set, there will always be division. Without righteousness there can be no peace. Peace can never come where sin remains. God will never make a peace treaty with sin, never!
Some people think when others act righteously that they are acting religiously, and sometimes not very peacefully. How can you stand in the gap for peace AND righteousness?
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May 18
Praise in Troubled Times by Dr. Charles Stanley
2 Chronicles 20:1-25
Faced with his nation's certain demise, King Jehoshaphat responded with worship. Read his prayer in today's passage, and you may find it difficult to separate the petition from the praise. Going deeper than familiar expressions like "hallelujah" and "praise the Lord," his prayer celebrates God's personhood and extols His virtues.
Furthermore, the king led the nation in glorifying God for His past redemption. As the Israelites focused on the Lord (and away from the incoming armies), the people recalled anew how He had intervened, sometimes dramatically. This was exactly what God had told the Israelites to do—to instruct their children about His ways so they could honor Him every day (Deut. 6:7). This builds courage and strengthens faith.
The people's praise paved the way for their complete dependence upon Him. The odds of the small Israelite army beating the united force of three enemies were slim. However, in the people's worshipful state of mind, they could admit their weakness and await divine intervention. God gave them an outrageous solution to the problem: to do nothing. Even so, Israel was spiritually prepared to go against human reason and obey. God loves it when we throw ourselves upon His mercy, because then His power can be released in its fullness.
God is also willing to lead you to victory in troubled times. The Israelites' story is recorded in His Word so that all believers may apply its principles. Bend your heart and mind toward the Lord, and He will enlarge your vision of who He is and what He can do on your behalf.
*************************************************
God often calls the Ordinary to do Extraordinary Things
May 18th, 2010 by John Grant
“After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel.” Judges 3:31
In the Bible, as in everyday life, some people get more notoriety than others, but God created each of us for a purpose and for most it is low profile, but not necessarily unimportant. In the Bible we read so much about Moses, Abraham, Paul and all of the disciples, but many who get lesser attention play no less an important role.
One of those is Shamgar, who is mentioned only in two verses, both in the Book of Judges. We know little about him, but we do know a lot about the time he lived. The Philistines were the terrorists of their day keeping the Israelites in constant fear. In Judges 5, the only other place where Shamgar is mentioned, it says “the roads were abandoned; travelers took to winding paths.” So fearful were God’s people that they were afraid to travel on the established roads.
Shamgar lived in an area infested with Philistines. Shamgar was likely a farmer, as he is described as having only an “ox goad,” an instrument of wood about eight feet long, armed with an iron spike or point at one end, with which to spur the ox at plow, and with an iron scraper at the other end with which to detach the earth from the plowshare when it became encumbered with it.
Shamgar was minding his own business of plowing when the Philistines made an inroad upon the country to ravage it, and God put it into his heart to oppose them; the impulse being sudden and strong, and having neither sword nor spear to do execution with, he took the instrument that was next at hand. The weapon was weak, but God placed strength in his arm and he slew six hundred Philistines. An ox goad with God was a better weapon than the sword of Goliath without God. He overcame six hundred to one odds.
Shamgar was an ordinary man upon whom God called and equipped to do extra ordinary things. Shamgar and God partnered against a common enemy. Shamgar is an example of a man who was willing to be used by God for the purpose God designed for him. For the place and time God had for him.
Shamgar was ready when God needed him. And that is the main lesson we learn from Shamgar and the most important quote of that one verse is “that he too saved Israel.” By the world’s standards, Shamgar was a most unlikely candidate to save his country, but one person plus God can be a majority.
We learn four lessons from Shamgar on how to serve God:
1. Start where you are.
2. Use what you have.
3. Do what you can.
4. Depend on God for the rest.
Are you willing and ready for God to use you as a Shamgar? If you are, He will.
*************************************************
May 18
Losses Overcome by Charles Spurgeon
"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten" (Joel 2:25).
Yes, those wasted years over which we sigh shall be restored to us. God can give us such plentiful grace that we shall crowd into the remainder of our days as much of service as will be some recompense for those years of unregeneracy over which we mourn in humble penitence. The locusts of backsliding, worldliness, lukewarmness, are now viewed by us as a terrible plague. Oh, that they had never come near us! The LORD in mercy has now taken them away, and we are full of zeal to serve Him. Blessed be His name, we can raise such harvests of spiritual graces as shall make our former barrenness to disappear. Through rich grace we can turn to account our bitter experience and use it to warn others. We can become the more rooted in humility, childlike dependence, and penitent spirituality by reason of our former shortcomings. If we are the more watchful, zealous, and tender, we shall gain by our lamentable losses. The wasted years, by a miracle of love, can be restored. Does it seem too great a boon? Let us believe for it and live for it, and we may yet realize it, even as Peter became all the more useful a man after his presumption was cured by his discovered weakness. LORD, aid us by Thy grace.
*************************************************
I guess as I read Max Lucado's short devotional, but to the point, I fall into that category. I was an introvert and very shy but look at me now. Reaching out for Jesus! Touching lives through the Holy Spirit. Would a shy person do this? Impossible? Not for God! to Him goes the glory!
Adrian Roger's devotional I agree with. I am now righteous through the blood of Jesus Christ and praise His Holy name, I am at peace. All is well with my soul! I pray for all eyes that read this they can say the same.
The last line of Dr. Charles Stanley's devotional says it all. "Bend your heart and mind toward the Lord, and He will enlarge your vision of who He is and what He can do on your behalf".
In the devotional by John Grant I can also agree whole heartily. My testimony is a living proof to that. Living what most would call an ordinary life. Then in 1997 I gave God control and at 67 years of age my life is dedicated to reaching out to all the lost, hurting and confused "wounded children of His". In 7 1/2 years I have brought His message, of His love to almost 30,000 people. Shamgar's name and my name last name have the same first three letters. Hmmm!
Charles Spurgeon's devotional "Losses Overcome" speaks of something that I always thought about, "What if I would of given control of my life sooner than at the age of 54 years?" Charles Spurgeon states God will give us those years back. Now I can see how, for I have more Christ tasks fit into a 24hr. day than ever before. Spurgeon calls those wasted days, "locusts of backsliding, worldliness, lukewarmness". Yep, that sounded like me. He goes on to state those wasted years by a miracle of love, can be restored.
Thank You Jesus! Use me, use me, use me.
The Task
God spoke to my heart and said,
“I have a task for you,
I want you to share My love
in everything you do.
No matter what the place,
or even the day or time,
it is important that everyone you meet,
knows that you’re a child of Mine.
The way for you to do this
is simple as can be,
just smile and tell them all,
“it’s because Jesus lives in me!”
So when this task is finished,
that I have asked of you,
be ready to come home,
for My Son will be coming for you."
E. P. Shagott
5/19/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
Making the Impossible Possible
By Max Lucado
“If you have faith, it will happen.” Matthew 21:21
God always rejoices when we dare to dream. In fact, we are much like God when we dream . . . He wrote the book on making the impossible possible . . .
Eighty-year-old shepherds don’t usually play chicken with Pharaohs . . . but don’t tell that to Moses.
Teenage shepherds don’t normally have showdowns with giants . . . but don’t tell that to David . . . And for sure don’t tell that to God.
*************************************************
MAY 18
Standing for Peace and Righteousness
by Adrian Rogers
"Now the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always by all means." 2 Thessalonians 3:16
One of the strangest verses that ever fell from the lips of the Prince of Peace, Jesus, is this: "Think not that I have come to send peace on the earth. I came not to send peace, but a sword." That's incredible, because the Bible calls Him "the Prince of Peace." What is He talking about then?
He is saying, "I came with a sword to put a line of demarcation between truth and error, between light and dark, between sin and righteousness."
When God's standard of righteousness is set, there will always be division. Without righteousness there can be no peace. Peace can never come where sin remains. God will never make a peace treaty with sin, never!
Some people think when others act righteously that they are acting religiously, and sometimes not very peacefully. How can you stand in the gap for peace AND righteousness?
*************************************************
May 18
Praise in Troubled Times by Dr. Charles Stanley
2 Chronicles 20:1-25
Faced with his nation's certain demise, King Jehoshaphat responded with worship. Read his prayer in today's passage, and you may find it difficult to separate the petition from the praise. Going deeper than familiar expressions like "hallelujah" and "praise the Lord," his prayer celebrates God's personhood and extols His virtues.
Furthermore, the king led the nation in glorifying God for His past redemption. As the Israelites focused on the Lord (and away from the incoming armies), the people recalled anew how He had intervened, sometimes dramatically. This was exactly what God had told the Israelites to do—to instruct their children about His ways so they could honor Him every day (Deut. 6:7). This builds courage and strengthens faith.
The people's praise paved the way for their complete dependence upon Him. The odds of the small Israelite army beating the united force of three enemies were slim. However, in the people's worshipful state of mind, they could admit their weakness and await divine intervention. God gave them an outrageous solution to the problem: to do nothing. Even so, Israel was spiritually prepared to go against human reason and obey. God loves it when we throw ourselves upon His mercy, because then His power can be released in its fullness.
God is also willing to lead you to victory in troubled times. The Israelites' story is recorded in His Word so that all believers may apply its principles. Bend your heart and mind toward the Lord, and He will enlarge your vision of who He is and what He can do on your behalf.
*************************************************
God often calls the Ordinary to do Extraordinary Things
May 18th, 2010 by John Grant
“After him was Shamgar the son of Anath, who killed six hundred men of the Philistines with an ox goad; and he also delivered Israel.” Judges 3:31
In the Bible, as in everyday life, some people get more notoriety than others, but God created each of us for a purpose and for most it is low profile, but not necessarily unimportant. In the Bible we read so much about Moses, Abraham, Paul and all of the disciples, but many who get lesser attention play no less an important role.
One of those is Shamgar, who is mentioned only in two verses, both in the Book of Judges. We know little about him, but we do know a lot about the time he lived. The Philistines were the terrorists of their day keeping the Israelites in constant fear. In Judges 5, the only other place where Shamgar is mentioned, it says “the roads were abandoned; travelers took to winding paths.” So fearful were God’s people that they were afraid to travel on the established roads.
Shamgar lived in an area infested with Philistines. Shamgar was likely a farmer, as he is described as having only an “ox goad,” an instrument of wood about eight feet long, armed with an iron spike or point at one end, with which to spur the ox at plow, and with an iron scraper at the other end with which to detach the earth from the plowshare when it became encumbered with it.
Shamgar was minding his own business of plowing when the Philistines made an inroad upon the country to ravage it, and God put it into his heart to oppose them; the impulse being sudden and strong, and having neither sword nor spear to do execution with, he took the instrument that was next at hand. The weapon was weak, but God placed strength in his arm and he slew six hundred Philistines. An ox goad with God was a better weapon than the sword of Goliath without God. He overcame six hundred to one odds.
Shamgar was an ordinary man upon whom God called and equipped to do extra ordinary things. Shamgar and God partnered against a common enemy. Shamgar is an example of a man who was willing to be used by God for the purpose God designed for him. For the place and time God had for him.
Shamgar was ready when God needed him. And that is the main lesson we learn from Shamgar and the most important quote of that one verse is “that he too saved Israel.” By the world’s standards, Shamgar was a most unlikely candidate to save his country, but one person plus God can be a majority.
We learn four lessons from Shamgar on how to serve God:
1. Start where you are.
2. Use what you have.
3. Do what you can.
4. Depend on God for the rest.
Are you willing and ready for God to use you as a Shamgar? If you are, He will.
*************************************************
May 18
Losses Overcome by Charles Spurgeon
"And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten" (Joel 2:25).
Yes, those wasted years over which we sigh shall be restored to us. God can give us such plentiful grace that we shall crowd into the remainder of our days as much of service as will be some recompense for those years of unregeneracy over which we mourn in humble penitence. The locusts of backsliding, worldliness, lukewarmness, are now viewed by us as a terrible plague. Oh, that they had never come near us! The LORD in mercy has now taken them away, and we are full of zeal to serve Him. Blessed be His name, we can raise such harvests of spiritual graces as shall make our former barrenness to disappear. Through rich grace we can turn to account our bitter experience and use it to warn others. We can become the more rooted in humility, childlike dependence, and penitent spirituality by reason of our former shortcomings. If we are the more watchful, zealous, and tender, we shall gain by our lamentable losses. The wasted years, by a miracle of love, can be restored. Does it seem too great a boon? Let us believe for it and live for it, and we may yet realize it, even as Peter became all the more useful a man after his presumption was cured by his discovered weakness. LORD, aid us by Thy grace.
*************************************************
My Journey 5/17/2010
God's insight to me:
As I read A. B. Simpson's devotional I couldn't agree more. He called Jesus living in our lives a secret power, but not to the Christian He is living in. Christ in me! My life and His as one! I did a program for the God's Love Outreach Ministry at a convent yesterday. One of the Sister's that I was talking with asked me how can I do what I do and so wonderfully. I told her, "Sister you should know!" It is Him in me for sure.
A simple devotional by Max Lucado. So many times in my life I have said, "I can't go on!" But what I have discovered since I gave control to Christ I haven't said that lately. He never gives up!
As I was reading Adrian Roger's devotional it brought back a memory of a friend of mine Don Killingbeck. Every Easter from the time I met him at church he would send me an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper that he printed out with the words "The King is Coming!" At the end of Adrian Roger's devotional he asks the question "What if He came this very hour?" I tell everyone I meet, "My bags are packed"! As the lyrics say in the song "The King Is Coming", "Praise God He's coming for me!" I pray you too.
Charles Stanley's devotional about Paul was wonderfully written. I liked how Dr. Stanley showed the comparison from back then in Biblical times to today. Affliction is as real today as it was back then. Pain is pain. Suffering is suffering, and temptation is temptation. Satan is the same back then as he is today. The wonderful truth is Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His Word was left so we know we are joint heirs in His Kingdom. It is written He will never leave us nor forsake us. That is why Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Praise God!
From the Marks of Integrity by Charles R. Swindoll devotional as I was reading what he listed I found myself smiling for I see these in me and I believe others do to. Also you can see this in most Christians. I use the word most for we are all in different walks with Christ. How is your walk with Him?
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
Days of Heaven Upon Earth a devotional by A. B. Simpson
May 17
"To him that overcometh, will I give" (Rev. ii. 17).
A precious secret of Christian life is to have Jesus dwelling within the heart and conquering things that we never could overcome. It is the only secret of power in your life and mine, beloved.
Men cannot understand it, nor will the world believe it; but it is true, that God will come to dwell within us, and be the power, and the purity, and the victory, and the joy of our life.
It is no longer now, "What is the best that I can do?" but the question is, "What is the best that Christ can do?" It enables us to say, with Paul, in that beautiful passage in Philippians, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound, everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."
With this knowledge I go forth to meet my testings, and the secret stands me good. It keeps me pure and sweet, as I could never keep myself. Christ has met the adversary and defeated him for me. Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ.
*************************************************
God Never Gives Up
By Max Lucado
“He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us.” Micah 7:18-19, NKJV
When Joseph was dropped into a pit by his own brothers, God didn’t give up.
When Moses said, “Here I am, send Aaron,” God didn’t give up . . .
When Peter worshiped Him at the supper and cursed Him at the fire, He didn’t give up.
God never gives up.
*************************************************
MAY 17
The Greatest Event of All Ages by Adrian Rogers
". . . and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful." Revelation 17:14
The Second Coming of Jesus is going to be the greatest event of all of the ages. It is one of the grand theological truths taught in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
· The New Birth is vitally important, but it is mentioned only nine times in the New Testament.
· Baptism is vitally important, but it is mentioned only 20 times in the New Testament.
· Repentance is mentioned only 70 times in the Bible, as important and needful as that is.
· But the return of the Lord Jesus Christ is mentioned in God's Word at least 380 times.
One out of every 25 verses points with an eager finger to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
How are you getting ready for His Second Coming? What if He came this very hour?
*************************************************
May 17
The Affliction of Paul by Charles Stanley
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
It's easy to assume that problems in biblical days looked totally different from those facing us today. So you might wonder what a first-century missionary can teach us about triumphing over adversity.
Though Paul's culture was quite different from ours, some things remain the same—like temptation, hardship, persecution, and sin. Satan never changes either. Therefore, when the apostle wrote of being burdened beyond his strength, he had experience to back up his words.
Paul "despaired of life," but he trusted in a God who raises the dead. In other words, he believed the Lord would sustain him during that season of conflict. How could he be certain? Paul learned to trust the Lord during affliction in the same way that we d he was thrown into high-pressure situations with impossible odds and yet saw God triumph. We understand divine power when we reach the limits of our own strength and feel God's supernatural energy kick in.
Divine strength is more than adequate to overcome worldly hardships, satanic temptations, and consequences of sin. That isn't to say believers can avoid all sorrow and pain. Rather, we have the promise that God will meet our needs in every heartache and trial (Phil. 4:19). Our faith grows stronger when we trust Him in times of affliction.
God's strength is available to all believers who confess their weakness and inadequacy. Sometimes a troubled soul has only enough stamina left to admit, "Father, I absolutely cannot. If You don't, it is simply not going to happen." In effect, we throw ourselves upon God and wait for Him to keep His promise.
*************************************************
Marks of Integrity by Charles R. Swindoll
1 Corinthians 11:28, 31
Thanks to the Word of God, we can list several marks of integrity that God would have us appropriate into our lives. Do you have these marks of integrity?
•An excellent attitude
•Faithfulness and diligence at work
•Personal purity of the highest caliber
•Consistency in your walk with God
You have the scalpel in your hand. Self-examination is up to you. It is not only a good idea, it's a biblical imperative.
A reminder: Only you can do the surgery on your soul, only you. No one else can know the truth. You can cover up, twist the facts in your mind, rationalize, and ignore . . . and no one will know the difference—no one except you. But if you really want to strengthen your grip on integrity, you will come to terms with the whole truth, regardless of the consequences.
Read the Book of Daniel to see the biblical picture of integrity. Daniel refused to compromise and consequently was thrown into the lions' den. Look what God did. He honored Daniel's faithfulness. He'll do the same for you.
Sometimes when you exhibit real, unvarnished integrity, you get dumped into the lions' den. Remember, God's there, too!
*************************************************
As I read A. B. Simpson's devotional I couldn't agree more. He called Jesus living in our lives a secret power, but not to the Christian He is living in. Christ in me! My life and His as one! I did a program for the God's Love Outreach Ministry at a convent yesterday. One of the Sister's that I was talking with asked me how can I do what I do and so wonderfully. I told her, "Sister you should know!" It is Him in me for sure.
A simple devotional by Max Lucado. So many times in my life I have said, "I can't go on!" But what I have discovered since I gave control to Christ I haven't said that lately. He never gives up!
As I was reading Adrian Roger's devotional it brought back a memory of a friend of mine Don Killingbeck. Every Easter from the time I met him at church he would send me an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper that he printed out with the words "The King is Coming!" At the end of Adrian Roger's devotional he asks the question "What if He came this very hour?" I tell everyone I meet, "My bags are packed"! As the lyrics say in the song "The King Is Coming", "Praise God He's coming for me!" I pray you too.
Charles Stanley's devotional about Paul was wonderfully written. I liked how Dr. Stanley showed the comparison from back then in Biblical times to today. Affliction is as real today as it was back then. Pain is pain. Suffering is suffering, and temptation is temptation. Satan is the same back then as he is today. The wonderful truth is Christ is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His Word was left so we know we are joint heirs in His Kingdom. It is written He will never leave us nor forsake us. That is why Paul wrote in Philippians 1:21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Praise God!
From the Marks of Integrity by Charles R. Swindoll devotional as I was reading what he listed I found myself smiling for I see these in me and I believe others do to. Also you can see this in most Christians. I use the word most for we are all in different walks with Christ. How is your walk with Him?
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
Days of Heaven Upon Earth a devotional by A. B. Simpson
May 17
"To him that overcometh, will I give" (Rev. ii. 17).
A precious secret of Christian life is to have Jesus dwelling within the heart and conquering things that we never could overcome. It is the only secret of power in your life and mine, beloved.
Men cannot understand it, nor will the world believe it; but it is true, that God will come to dwell within us, and be the power, and the purity, and the victory, and the joy of our life.
It is no longer now, "What is the best that I can do?" but the question is, "What is the best that Christ can do?" It enables us to say, with Paul, in that beautiful passage in Philippians, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound, everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."
With this knowledge I go forth to meet my testings, and the secret stands me good. It keeps me pure and sweet, as I could never keep myself. Christ has met the adversary and defeated him for me. Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ.
*************************************************
God Never Gives Up
By Max Lucado
“He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us.” Micah 7:18-19, NKJV
When Joseph was dropped into a pit by his own brothers, God didn’t give up.
When Moses said, “Here I am, send Aaron,” God didn’t give up . . .
When Peter worshiped Him at the supper and cursed Him at the fire, He didn’t give up.
God never gives up.
*************************************************
MAY 17
The Greatest Event of All Ages by Adrian Rogers
". . . and the Lamb shall overcome them: for He is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with Him are called, and chosen, and faithful." Revelation 17:14
The Second Coming of Jesus is going to be the greatest event of all of the ages. It is one of the grand theological truths taught in the Bible from Genesis to Revelation.
· The New Birth is vitally important, but it is mentioned only nine times in the New Testament.
· Baptism is vitally important, but it is mentioned only 20 times in the New Testament.
· Repentance is mentioned only 70 times in the Bible, as important and needful as that is.
· But the return of the Lord Jesus Christ is mentioned in God's Word at least 380 times.
One out of every 25 verses points with an eager finger to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.
How are you getting ready for His Second Coming? What if He came this very hour?
*************************************************
May 17
The Affliction of Paul by Charles Stanley
2 Corinthians 1:8-11
It's easy to assume that problems in biblical days looked totally different from those facing us today. So you might wonder what a first-century missionary can teach us about triumphing over adversity.
Though Paul's culture was quite different from ours, some things remain the same—like temptation, hardship, persecution, and sin. Satan never changes either. Therefore, when the apostle wrote of being burdened beyond his strength, he had experience to back up his words.
Paul "despaired of life," but he trusted in a God who raises the dead. In other words, he believed the Lord would sustain him during that season of conflict. How could he be certain? Paul learned to trust the Lord during affliction in the same way that we d he was thrown into high-pressure situations with impossible odds and yet saw God triumph. We understand divine power when we reach the limits of our own strength and feel God's supernatural energy kick in.
Divine strength is more than adequate to overcome worldly hardships, satanic temptations, and consequences of sin. That isn't to say believers can avoid all sorrow and pain. Rather, we have the promise that God will meet our needs in every heartache and trial (Phil. 4:19). Our faith grows stronger when we trust Him in times of affliction.
God's strength is available to all believers who confess their weakness and inadequacy. Sometimes a troubled soul has only enough stamina left to admit, "Father, I absolutely cannot. If You don't, it is simply not going to happen." In effect, we throw ourselves upon God and wait for Him to keep His promise.
*************************************************
Marks of Integrity by Charles R. Swindoll
1 Corinthians 11:28, 31
Thanks to the Word of God, we can list several marks of integrity that God would have us appropriate into our lives. Do you have these marks of integrity?
•An excellent attitude
•Faithfulness and diligence at work
•Personal purity of the highest caliber
•Consistency in your walk with God
You have the scalpel in your hand. Self-examination is up to you. It is not only a good idea, it's a biblical imperative.
A reminder: Only you can do the surgery on your soul, only you. No one else can know the truth. You can cover up, twist the facts in your mind, rationalize, and ignore . . . and no one will know the difference—no one except you. But if you really want to strengthen your grip on integrity, you will come to terms with the whole truth, regardless of the consequences.
Read the Book of Daniel to see the biblical picture of integrity. Daniel refused to compromise and consequently was thrown into the lions' den. Look what God did. He honored Daniel's faithfulness. He'll do the same for you.
Sometimes when you exhibit real, unvarnished integrity, you get dumped into the lions' den. Remember, God's there, too!
*************************************************
Friday, May 14, 2010
My Journey - 5/13 - 5/16/2010
God's insight to me:
As Adrian Rogers wrote about meekness I realize that is definitely a characteristic of mine. Yielded me? Yep, to Christ! See, I was broken by this world engulfed by sin. I found that as I lived each day the worldly burden became greater and greater to bear. Praise God I surrendered my life to Jesus! Now I have through Him, "strength under control"!
In the Streams in the Desert devotional A. B. Simpson writes about God knowing us. I once heard a song by the Gaither's about God looking for a few good men/women. Dependable, faithful, willing to bear the trials of life in the name of His Son Jesus. Are you one of them that is ready for God's calling? I am!
As I was reading Charles Stanley's devotional another Gaither song came to mind, "Just a Sinner Saved By Grace". Once we accept Christ into our hearts God's saving Grace begins to transform us. I am a living testimony to that. Do I still sin today? Sure, for this is a sinful world we live in. But it is becoming less, and less frequent as I now focus on Jesus. The sin that was pleasing to me is no longer controlling me. God has forgiven me of all past, present and future sin. Thank You, Jesus.
Rick Warren's devotional also speaks about surrendering to God. Mr. Warren quoted Mark 8:35 (LB) where God's Word states "Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live". I agree with that Bible verse whole heartily. My life is so much more enriched, fulfilled and meaningful now than ever before.
Gloria Copeland's devotional speaks about one of the most devastating priorities in our earthly lives. The love of money can ruin a family, break up friendship and worst of all separate you from God. I once read about a man who won several million dollars in a lottery. He was poor to start then became rich beyond his dreams. But what he said was, "I curse the day I won all that money!" He found that family, friends and people he never knew wanted his money, not him just his money. He was happier being poor. I remember one time when I was singing with a business men's group at City Mission, one gentleman who was there to get a meal and a place to sleep was constantly praising Jesus. My friends he is a rich person for knowing Christ, He will fulfill all our needs.
A. B. Simpson's devotional speaks of God's storehouse for us. From my own personal experience I can only say, "People do not realize how blessed I am". Each day through my devotion and love for Him, I am blessed beyond words that I can express.
Praise to God for loving me before I ever loved Him.
In the last devotional by Charles Stanley he writes about "The Attitude of a Saint". As I was reading this devotional I looked up and said, "Thank You Lord". I can see a lot of these attitudes in myself. Am I bragging about this? No. It is a fact of my life now. It is all about Christ! My yielding to Him. My desire to be like Him. My life now as He lives in and through me. As I was sitting in church yesterday, the Lord blessed me with this poem. I was thinking of so many people that still play church on Sunday then proceed through the next six days not letting Him be a part of their lives.
Six Days A Week
Six days a week
to try and get through.
Sunday to Sunday
what will we do?
We heard the Pastor's message
that from his heart he did speak.
Then Monday came
and we began to feel weak.
Tuesday and Wednesday,
more trouble came our way.
What can we do
to get through these days?
Thursday and Friday,
then Saturday came.
We looked above
and praised Jesus name.
Then we felt His presense,
and heard Him say,
"Why worry children of Mine,
I'm with you always, not just Sunday!"
E. P. Shagott
5/16/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
MAY 13
What Is Meekness? by Adrian Rogers
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5."
What does it mean to be meek? First, let me tell you what it is not before I tell you what it is.
Meekness is not weakness. The word "meek" means yielded. It literally has the idea of strength under control. When an animal, especially a horse, is domesticated, it is trained so that a rider can sit on its back or so it can pull a plow. The proper term for this process is that the animal has been "meeked." It has been broken. Now it yields to the rider or to the yoke. Now the animal exhibits strength under control. That's what meekness is.
Read Matthew 11:29 and 21:5. What does Jesus say about Himself, and how can you emulate Him?
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He Knows Us a Streams in the Desert Devotional
May 14
"I know him, that he will command his children" (Gen. 18:19).
God wants people that He can depend upon. He could say of Abraham, "I know him, that he will command his children . . . that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken." God can be depended upon; He wants us to be just as decided, as reliable, as stable. This is just what faith means.
God is looking for men on whom He can put the weight of all His love and power and faithful promises. God's engines are strong enough to draw any weight we attach to them. Unfortunately the cable which we fasten to the engine is often too weak to hold the weight of our prayer; therefore God is drilling us, disciplining us to stability and certainty in the life of faith. Let us learn our lessons and stand fast. --A. B. Simpson
God knows that you can stand that trial; He would not give it to you if you could not. It is His trust in you that explains the trials of life, however bitter they may be. God knows our strength, and He measures it to the last inch; and a trial was never given to any man that was greater than that man's strength, through God, to bear it.
*************************************************
May 14
The Transforming Grace of God by Charles Stanley
Romans 8:28-30
God has predestined every believer to be conformed to the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ. The process begins at salvation and continues until we join Him in heaven. The apostle Paul is a good example of the Lord's power to transform an unrighteous man into an image-bearer of Jesus.
God changed a sinner into a saint. Paul was deeply religious before his conversion, but he relied on good works and a pious nature to gain divine acceptance. When he met the Lord on the road to Damascus, the future apostle learned that all of his religious zeal meant nothing. The only way for people to be acceptable before God is to receive the saving grace of Christ—He replaces our sin nature with a righteous spirit.
And even though saints will sometimes falter and make mistakes, our heavenly Father remains patient and loving toward His children. He uses our failures to teach us more about Himself and His ways.
God changed a servant of sin into a servant of the Lord (Rom. 6:16). Paul was welcomed into the kingdom in spite of his hostility toward the church. He'd promoted blasphemy, punished believers, and cast his vote against those being put to death (Acts 26:10-11). The lesson here is that no one can sin beyond the Lord's capacity to forgive.
The Father shapes and chisels His children until they mirror His Son. He turned one of the early church's enemies into a wise and repentant leader. Commit to obey the Lord, and see what He will do in your life. He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in you (Phil. 1:6).
*************************************************
The Blessing of Surrender
May 14th, 2010 by Rick Warren
“Quit quarreling with God! Agree with him and you will have peace at last! His favor will surround you if you will only admit that you were wrong.” Job 22:21 (LB)
The Bible is very clear about how we benefit when we worship God through surrender: "Agree with him and you will have peace at last! His favor will surround you if you will only admit that you were wrong" Job 22:21 (LB).
In surrender, you begin to really live the life God intended: "Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live" Mark 8:35 (LB).
You are set free, liberated from self-preoccupation: "But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you've let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!" Romans 6:16-18 (MSG).
God is able to use you in great ways.
Why did God choose Mary, of all women, to be the mother of Jesus? It was because she was totally surrendered to God. When the angel explained God's improbable plan, she humbly responded, "I am the Lord's servant! Let it happen as you have said" Luke 1:38 (CEV).
Nothing is more powerful than a surrendered life in the hands of God.
*************************************************
May 14, 2010
Priorities of Prosperity by Gloria Copeland
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
– Matthew 6:24
God isn't against your having money. He's against money having you. He's against your making it your priority and putting your trust in it instead of in Him.
Why? Because He knows money makes a lousy god. Its power is limited. It will only buy so much. It will only go so far.
If you need healing from an incurable disease, money won't help you at all. If your family is falling apart, money won't mend it. But if you'll seek God first, His prosperity will reach into every area of your life.
God is so generous that He desires you to have the best on this earth, just as you desire the best for your children. His plan is for you to have all of your needs met according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Get in on that plan by keeping your priorities straight. Seek Him first and His righteousness.
Make pleasing God your number one priority. Set your eyes on Him above all else and all these things will be added unto you.
Scripture Reading: Mark 10:17-27
*************************************************
A devotional by A. B. Simpson
"I press toward the mark" (Phil. iii. 14).
We have thought much about what we have received. Let us think of the things we have not received, of some of the vessels that have not yet been filled, of some of the places in our life that the Holy Ghost has not yet possessed for God, and signalized by His glory and His presence.
Shall the coming months be marked by a diligent, heart-searching application of "the rest of the oil," to the yet unoccupied possibilities of our life and service?
Have we known His fulness of grace in our spiritual life? Have we tasted a little of His glory? Have we believed His promise for the mind, the soul, the spirit? Have we known all His possibilities for the body? Have we tested Him in His power to control the events of providence, and to move the hearts of men and nations? Has He opened to us the treasure-house of God, and met our financial needs as He might? Have we even begun to understand the ministry of prayer, as God would have us exercise it? God give us "the rest of the oil"!
*************************************************
May 15-16
The Attitude of a Saint by Dr. Charles Stanley
1 Corinthians 15:9-11
The apostle Paul had a certain mindset that Christians are wise to emulate (1 Cor. 11:1). His attitude included:
1. Humility. Pride cannot hide in the heart of a believer who understands divine mercy. Paul spread the gospel because he believed that the grace which was sufficient to save a sinner like him was adequate for anyone.
2. A sense of obligation. The apostle never lost sight of how far God's grace had brought him. He frequently reminded followers of his role in persecuting the church (1 Tim. 1:13). Paul's gratitude for salvation from that former life never waned. The book of Acts records the almost constant turmoil and heartache of his travels, and yet he kept praising the Lord for the privilege of serving.
3. A sense of dependence. To describe the source of his strength, Paul used these words: "By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). He knew what it was like to depend upon one's own goodness and work to be religious— and he wanted no part of it. Paul desired more of Jesus and none of himself (Phil 3:8).
4. A spirit of absolute confidence. At the end of his life, Paul was as certain as ever that God was real, in charge, and worthy of all honor, glory, and praise (2 Tim. 4:6-8).
Do you see these attitudes in yourself? If not, borrow a page from the apostle Paul's "playbook." Praise the Lord for all that He has done for you, and then get busy working for His kingdom. Do not allow His grace to be poured out on your life in vain (1 Cor. 15:10).
As Adrian Rogers wrote about meekness I realize that is definitely a characteristic of mine. Yielded me? Yep, to Christ! See, I was broken by this world engulfed by sin. I found that as I lived each day the worldly burden became greater and greater to bear. Praise God I surrendered my life to Jesus! Now I have through Him, "strength under control"!
In the Streams in the Desert devotional A. B. Simpson writes about God knowing us. I once heard a song by the Gaither's about God looking for a few good men/women. Dependable, faithful, willing to bear the trials of life in the name of His Son Jesus. Are you one of them that is ready for God's calling? I am!
As I was reading Charles Stanley's devotional another Gaither song came to mind, "Just a Sinner Saved By Grace". Once we accept Christ into our hearts God's saving Grace begins to transform us. I am a living testimony to that. Do I still sin today? Sure, for this is a sinful world we live in. But it is becoming less, and less frequent as I now focus on Jesus. The sin that was pleasing to me is no longer controlling me. God has forgiven me of all past, present and future sin. Thank You, Jesus.
Rick Warren's devotional also speaks about surrendering to God. Mr. Warren quoted Mark 8:35 (LB) where God's Word states "Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live". I agree with that Bible verse whole heartily. My life is so much more enriched, fulfilled and meaningful now than ever before.
Gloria Copeland's devotional speaks about one of the most devastating priorities in our earthly lives. The love of money can ruin a family, break up friendship and worst of all separate you from God. I once read about a man who won several million dollars in a lottery. He was poor to start then became rich beyond his dreams. But what he said was, "I curse the day I won all that money!" He found that family, friends and people he never knew wanted his money, not him just his money. He was happier being poor. I remember one time when I was singing with a business men's group at City Mission, one gentleman who was there to get a meal and a place to sleep was constantly praising Jesus. My friends he is a rich person for knowing Christ, He will fulfill all our needs.
A. B. Simpson's devotional speaks of God's storehouse for us. From my own personal experience I can only say, "People do not realize how blessed I am". Each day through my devotion and love for Him, I am blessed beyond words that I can express.
Praise to God for loving me before I ever loved Him.
In the last devotional by Charles Stanley he writes about "The Attitude of a Saint". As I was reading this devotional I looked up and said, "Thank You Lord". I can see a lot of these attitudes in myself. Am I bragging about this? No. It is a fact of my life now. It is all about Christ! My yielding to Him. My desire to be like Him. My life now as He lives in and through me. As I was sitting in church yesterday, the Lord blessed me with this poem. I was thinking of so many people that still play church on Sunday then proceed through the next six days not letting Him be a part of their lives.
Six Days A Week
Six days a week
to try and get through.
Sunday to Sunday
what will we do?
We heard the Pastor's message
that from his heart he did speak.
Then Monday came
and we began to feel weak.
Tuesday and Wednesday,
more trouble came our way.
What can we do
to get through these days?
Thursday and Friday,
then Saturday came.
We looked above
and praised Jesus name.
Then we felt His presense,
and heard Him say,
"Why worry children of Mine,
I'm with you always, not just Sunday!"
E. P. Shagott
5/16/2010
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
MAY 13
What Is Meekness? by Adrian Rogers
"Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth Matthew 5:5."
What does it mean to be meek? First, let me tell you what it is not before I tell you what it is.
Meekness is not weakness. The word "meek" means yielded. It literally has the idea of strength under control. When an animal, especially a horse, is domesticated, it is trained so that a rider can sit on its back or so it can pull a plow. The proper term for this process is that the animal has been "meeked." It has been broken. Now it yields to the rider or to the yoke. Now the animal exhibits strength under control. That's what meekness is.
Read Matthew 11:29 and 21:5. What does Jesus say about Himself, and how can you emulate Him?
*************************************************
He Knows Us a Streams in the Desert Devotional
May 14
"I know him, that he will command his children" (Gen. 18:19).
God wants people that He can depend upon. He could say of Abraham, "I know him, that he will command his children . . . that the Lord may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken." God can be depended upon; He wants us to be just as decided, as reliable, as stable. This is just what faith means.
God is looking for men on whom He can put the weight of all His love and power and faithful promises. God's engines are strong enough to draw any weight we attach to them. Unfortunately the cable which we fasten to the engine is often too weak to hold the weight of our prayer; therefore God is drilling us, disciplining us to stability and certainty in the life of faith. Let us learn our lessons and stand fast. --A. B. Simpson
God knows that you can stand that trial; He would not give it to you if you could not. It is His trust in you that explains the trials of life, however bitter they may be. God knows our strength, and He measures it to the last inch; and a trial was never given to any man that was greater than that man's strength, through God, to bear it.
*************************************************
May 14
The Transforming Grace of God by Charles Stanley
Romans 8:28-30
God has predestined every believer to be conformed to the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ. The process begins at salvation and continues until we join Him in heaven. The apostle Paul is a good example of the Lord's power to transform an unrighteous man into an image-bearer of Jesus.
God changed a sinner into a saint. Paul was deeply religious before his conversion, but he relied on good works and a pious nature to gain divine acceptance. When he met the Lord on the road to Damascus, the future apostle learned that all of his religious zeal meant nothing. The only way for people to be acceptable before God is to receive the saving grace of Christ—He replaces our sin nature with a righteous spirit.
And even though saints will sometimes falter and make mistakes, our heavenly Father remains patient and loving toward His children. He uses our failures to teach us more about Himself and His ways.
God changed a servant of sin into a servant of the Lord (Rom. 6:16). Paul was welcomed into the kingdom in spite of his hostility toward the church. He'd promoted blasphemy, punished believers, and cast his vote against those being put to death (Acts 26:10-11). The lesson here is that no one can sin beyond the Lord's capacity to forgive.
The Father shapes and chisels His children until they mirror His Son. He turned one of the early church's enemies into a wise and repentant leader. Commit to obey the Lord, and see what He will do in your life. He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in you (Phil. 1:6).
*************************************************
The Blessing of Surrender
May 14th, 2010 by Rick Warren
“Quit quarreling with God! Agree with him and you will have peace at last! His favor will surround you if you will only admit that you were wrong.” Job 22:21 (LB)
The Bible is very clear about how we benefit when we worship God through surrender: "Agree with him and you will have peace at last! His favor will surround you if you will only admit that you were wrong" Job 22:21 (LB).
In surrender, you begin to really live the life God intended: "Only those who throw away their lives for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will ever know what it means to really live" Mark 8:35 (LB).
You are set free, liberated from self-preoccupation: "But offer yourselves to the ways of God and the freedom never quits. All your lives you've let sin tell you what to do. But thank God you've started listening to a new master, one whose commands set you free to live openly in his freedom!" Romans 6:16-18 (MSG).
God is able to use you in great ways.
Why did God choose Mary, of all women, to be the mother of Jesus? It was because she was totally surrendered to God. When the angel explained God's improbable plan, she humbly responded, "I am the Lord's servant! Let it happen as you have said" Luke 1:38 (CEV).
Nothing is more powerful than a surrendered life in the hands of God.
*************************************************
May 14, 2010
Priorities of Prosperity by Gloria Copeland
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
– Matthew 6:24
God isn't against your having money. He's against money having you. He's against your making it your priority and putting your trust in it instead of in Him.
Why? Because He knows money makes a lousy god. Its power is limited. It will only buy so much. It will only go so far.
If you need healing from an incurable disease, money won't help you at all. If your family is falling apart, money won't mend it. But if you'll seek God first, His prosperity will reach into every area of your life.
God is so generous that He desires you to have the best on this earth, just as you desire the best for your children. His plan is for you to have all of your needs met according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Get in on that plan by keeping your priorities straight. Seek Him first and His righteousness.
Make pleasing God your number one priority. Set your eyes on Him above all else and all these things will be added unto you.
Scripture Reading: Mark 10:17-27
*************************************************
A devotional by A. B. Simpson
"I press toward the mark" (Phil. iii. 14).
We have thought much about what we have received. Let us think of the things we have not received, of some of the vessels that have not yet been filled, of some of the places in our life that the Holy Ghost has not yet possessed for God, and signalized by His glory and His presence.
Shall the coming months be marked by a diligent, heart-searching application of "the rest of the oil," to the yet unoccupied possibilities of our life and service?
Have we known His fulness of grace in our spiritual life? Have we tasted a little of His glory? Have we believed His promise for the mind, the soul, the spirit? Have we known all His possibilities for the body? Have we tested Him in His power to control the events of providence, and to move the hearts of men and nations? Has He opened to us the treasure-house of God, and met our financial needs as He might? Have we even begun to understand the ministry of prayer, as God would have us exercise it? God give us "the rest of the oil"!
*************************************************
May 15-16
The Attitude of a Saint by Dr. Charles Stanley
1 Corinthians 15:9-11
The apostle Paul had a certain mindset that Christians are wise to emulate (1 Cor. 11:1). His attitude included:
1. Humility. Pride cannot hide in the heart of a believer who understands divine mercy. Paul spread the gospel because he believed that the grace which was sufficient to save a sinner like him was adequate for anyone.
2. A sense of obligation. The apostle never lost sight of how far God's grace had brought him. He frequently reminded followers of his role in persecuting the church (1 Tim. 1:13). Paul's gratitude for salvation from that former life never waned. The book of Acts records the almost constant turmoil and heartache of his travels, and yet he kept praising the Lord for the privilege of serving.
3. A sense of dependence. To describe the source of his strength, Paul used these words: "By the grace of God I am what I am" (1 Cor. 15:10). He knew what it was like to depend upon one's own goodness and work to be religious— and he wanted no part of it. Paul desired more of Jesus and none of himself (Phil 3:8).
4. A spirit of absolute confidence. At the end of his life, Paul was as certain as ever that God was real, in charge, and worthy of all honor, glory, and praise (2 Tim. 4:6-8).
Do you see these attitudes in yourself? If not, borrow a page from the apostle Paul's "playbook." Praise the Lord for all that He has done for you, and then get busy working for His kingdom. Do not allow His grace to be poured out on your life in vain (1 Cor. 15:10).
Thursday, May 13, 2010
My Journey - 5/12/2010
God's insight to me:
Max Lucado's devotional spoke to me about all of God's children in the background, doing His work, His deeds through love. Those deeds that don't get noticed by many but stand out in God's sight. All the people that work in a Food Ministry, or care for the maintenance of His church, or just helping when asked. All as important as the minister standing in the pulpit preaching the message that the Holy Spirit put on his heart.
Adrian Rogers devotional speaks of being poor in Spirit. I can truly relate to that for I cried out for God's Spirit in my life and what a change it made in me. My spiritual gas tank was below empty. I had nothing left to run my life on. At that moment I could almost hear all of Heaven say, "He is ready now!"
Sylvia Gunter's devotional truly inspired me as I was reading it. So many times in my life, my family lives, my friends lives and all those around me that experience life's battles day after day need to read this. The God's Love Outreach Ministry ministers to so many senior individuals that their lives have been drastically changed either physically or mentally, battle after battle. I tell them time and time again, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" In my own life just knowing that makes the battle easier to fight. Do the battles disappear? No, sometimes it seems they may increase. But the victory is ours! It is written! Praise be to God! He is my Shepherd and because of that I have no wants.
How awesome God is for that leads into the last devotional by F. B. Meyers. How uplifting this devotional is. As I was reading it songs of praise entered my mind. Songs like, "He Is My All In All", "I Surrender All", and "To God Be The Glory." F. B. Meyers breaks our day down by following our Good Shepherd. This might be a devotional you might want to print out and keep handy as your life's battles come your way.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
The Power of the Good News By Max Lucado
“Do the work of telling the Good News.” 2 Timothy 4:5
For every hero in the spotlight, there are dozens in the shadows. They don’t get press. They don’t draw crowds. They don’t even write books! . . .
Behind a rock slide is a pebble. And a revival can begin with one sermon . . .
Tomorrow’s Spurgeon might be mowing your lawn. And the hero who inspires him might be nearer than you think. He might be in your mirror.
*************************************************
Poor in Spirit - What Does It Mean? by Adrian Rogers
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? Jesus is talking about being a beggar. He is saying, "Blessed are the beggars." He's not talking about finances here. He's talking about a person being poor spiritually.
Before a person can enter into the kingdom of heaven, he must first admit that no matter how much he may have in the material realm or psychological realm, he is absolutely and totally bankrupt spiritually and a beggar before God. If he doesn't see that, he will never, ever get into the kingdom of heaven.
I've often said that I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find food. Do you see yourself as a beggar in need of the Bread of Heaven?
*************************************************
The Battle is the Lord’s by Sylvia Gunter
Our enemies are God's enemies, and He is an active and aggressive Mighty Warrior against them. We face an enemy that has already lost the war but won't concede without a fierce fight. Many of the Psalms could appropriately be called "Battle Psalms." It was not by accident that the most excellent worshiper in the Bible was also the most successful warrior. David focused on praise in one of the great spiritual warfare passages in the Scriptures.
"Praise be to the LORD my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
My stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues peoples under me." Psalm 144:1-2
Throughout His history of dealing with His people, God asserted that the battle is the Lord's. Moses told the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still" (Exodus 14:13-14).
David gave God all the credit for His defense. "With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish" (Psalm 44:1-2). Generations later, God was still reassuring His faithless people, "Yet I will show love to the house of Judah; and I will save them, not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but by the LORD their God" (Hosea 1:7). In all ages, the purpose of battle is always to exalt the Lord and to cause us to draw near to Him, to see His glory, to praise Him for His victory. In fact, the psalmist prayed for God not to take away all his enemies, lest the people forget their God (Psalm 59:11).
O that we would not be faint-hearted when God has provided Himself as our El Gibbor, the mighty God; the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle; El Shaddai, almighty God; the Lord our defense; the Lord our deliverer; Jehovah Sabaoth, the Captain of the Lord's heavenly armies. Isaiah said, "They shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you' "(Isaiah 35:2-4 NKJV).
Take God's Word to heart for your defense and victory as a vital part of the whole armor of God. It is the sword of the Spirit that is ever-ready in the mighty hand of God.
*************************************************
A PSALM OF LIFE by F. B. Meyer
"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."-- Psa_23:1-6.
THIS IS "the Nightingale" among the Psalmist choristers! The first that we learn in infancy, the last we whisper with dying lips. It implies consecration, for God is this only to the soul which is wholly surrendered to Him. You cannot have all of God, or God in all, until you are willing to surrender your all. Do you want to put "My," the pronoun of possession, before the Name of God? Well, then, you must be willing to answer His voice, and follow where He leads. "My sheep hear My voice, and they follow Me, but a stranger will they not follow."
Morning! The Shepherd's leading. When He puts forth His sheep from the fold, in the dewy morning, He goes before them over the grass or up the mountain-track towards the pastures. It would never do for the flock to precede him. Whatever roughness you find on your path, remember that the Shepherd has gone before. "He leadeth me." Remember also that His name and character are involved in bringing you through "for His Name's sake."
Noon: The alleviations of rest. In all lives there are times when He makes us to lie down, or leads us by the waters of rest. Sometimes it is a period of convalescence after an illness. Sometimes a holiday, an interval between the pressure of engagements, a respite when the stress and strain of toil is over--these are our quiet pasture-lands. At other times, in the midst of life's rush and turmoil, our soul is kept at rest in God's peace. The heart rests for part of a second between its beats. "He maketh me to lie down!"
Night: the oil and the cup. The flock has reached the fold where it is to shelter. At the doorway stands the Shepherd, watching each one as it passes. This one has grazed and torn its head in getting through a hedge, and for it there is the anointing oil. Near His hand is the food and water, from which He fills the bowl, to wash the face, or give refreshment; and as it overflows, there is evidently enough and to spare!
Goodness and Mercy follow the flock, as the Shepherd precedes. "The House of the Lord" is the Fold from which we shall go out no more, and the Lamb shall be our Shepherd and abiding joy for ever.
PRAYER
O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, the busy work is hushed and the fever of life over and our work is done; then, Lord, in Thy mercy grant us safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at the last, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
*************************************************
Max Lucado's devotional spoke to me about all of God's children in the background, doing His work, His deeds through love. Those deeds that don't get noticed by many but stand out in God's sight. All the people that work in a Food Ministry, or care for the maintenance of His church, or just helping when asked. All as important as the minister standing in the pulpit preaching the message that the Holy Spirit put on his heart.
Adrian Rogers devotional speaks of being poor in Spirit. I can truly relate to that for I cried out for God's Spirit in my life and what a change it made in me. My spiritual gas tank was below empty. I had nothing left to run my life on. At that moment I could almost hear all of Heaven say, "He is ready now!"
Sylvia Gunter's devotional truly inspired me as I was reading it. So many times in my life, my family lives, my friends lives and all those around me that experience life's battles day after day need to read this. The God's Love Outreach Ministry ministers to so many senior individuals that their lives have been drastically changed either physically or mentally, battle after battle. I tell them time and time again, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" In my own life just knowing that makes the battle easier to fight. Do the battles disappear? No, sometimes it seems they may increase. But the victory is ours! It is written! Praise be to God! He is my Shepherd and because of that I have no wants.
How awesome God is for that leads into the last devotional by F. B. Meyers. How uplifting this devotional is. As I was reading it songs of praise entered my mind. Songs like, "He Is My All In All", "I Surrender All", and "To God Be The Glory." F. B. Meyers breaks our day down by following our Good Shepherd. This might be a devotional you might want to print out and keep handy as your life's battles come your way.
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
The Power of the Good News By Max Lucado
“Do the work of telling the Good News.” 2 Timothy 4:5
For every hero in the spotlight, there are dozens in the shadows. They don’t get press. They don’t draw crowds. They don’t even write books! . . .
Behind a rock slide is a pebble. And a revival can begin with one sermon . . .
Tomorrow’s Spurgeon might be mowing your lawn. And the hero who inspires him might be nearer than you think. He might be in your mirror.
*************************************************
Poor in Spirit - What Does It Mean? by Adrian Rogers
"Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:3
What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? Jesus is talking about being a beggar. He is saying, "Blessed are the beggars." He's not talking about finances here. He's talking about a person being poor spiritually.
Before a person can enter into the kingdom of heaven, he must first admit that no matter how much he may have in the material realm or psychological realm, he is absolutely and totally bankrupt spiritually and a beggar before God. If he doesn't see that, he will never, ever get into the kingdom of heaven.
I've often said that I am just one beggar showing another beggar where to find food. Do you see yourself as a beggar in need of the Bread of Heaven?
*************************************************
The Battle is the Lord’s by Sylvia Gunter
Our enemies are God's enemies, and He is an active and aggressive Mighty Warrior against them. We face an enemy that has already lost the war but won't concede without a fierce fight. Many of the Psalms could appropriately be called "Battle Psalms." It was not by accident that the most excellent worshiper in the Bible was also the most successful warrior. David focused on praise in one of the great spiritual warfare passages in the Scriptures.
"Praise be to the LORD my Rock,
Who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.
He is my loving God and my fortress,
My stronghold and my deliverer, my shield, in whom I take refuge,
Who subdues peoples under me." Psalm 144:1-2
Throughout His history of dealing with His people, God asserted that the battle is the Lord's. Moses told the people, "Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the LORD will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still" (Exodus 14:13-14).
David gave God all the credit for His defense. "With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish" (Psalm 44:1-2). Generations later, God was still reassuring His faithless people, "Yet I will show love to the house of Judah; and I will save them, not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but by the LORD their God" (Hosea 1:7). In all ages, the purpose of battle is always to exalt the Lord and to cause us to draw near to Him, to see His glory, to praise Him for His victory. In fact, the psalmist prayed for God not to take away all his enemies, lest the people forget their God (Psalm 59:11).
O that we would not be faint-hearted when God has provided Himself as our El Gibbor, the mighty God; the Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle; El Shaddai, almighty God; the Lord our defense; the Lord our deliverer; Jehovah Sabaoth, the Captain of the Lord's heavenly armies. Isaiah said, "They shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you' "(Isaiah 35:2-4 NKJV).
Take God's Word to heart for your defense and victory as a vital part of the whole armor of God. It is the sword of the Spirit that is ever-ready in the mighty hand of God.
*************************************************
A PSALM OF LIFE by F. B. Meyer
"The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life."-- Psa_23:1-6.
THIS IS "the Nightingale" among the Psalmist choristers! The first that we learn in infancy, the last we whisper with dying lips. It implies consecration, for God is this only to the soul which is wholly surrendered to Him. You cannot have all of God, or God in all, until you are willing to surrender your all. Do you want to put "My," the pronoun of possession, before the Name of God? Well, then, you must be willing to answer His voice, and follow where He leads. "My sheep hear My voice, and they follow Me, but a stranger will they not follow."
Morning! The Shepherd's leading. When He puts forth His sheep from the fold, in the dewy morning, He goes before them over the grass or up the mountain-track towards the pastures. It would never do for the flock to precede him. Whatever roughness you find on your path, remember that the Shepherd has gone before. "He leadeth me." Remember also that His name and character are involved in bringing you through "for His Name's sake."
Noon: The alleviations of rest. In all lives there are times when He makes us to lie down, or leads us by the waters of rest. Sometimes it is a period of convalescence after an illness. Sometimes a holiday, an interval between the pressure of engagements, a respite when the stress and strain of toil is over--these are our quiet pasture-lands. At other times, in the midst of life's rush and turmoil, our soul is kept at rest in God's peace. The heart rests for part of a second between its beats. "He maketh me to lie down!"
Night: the oil and the cup. The flock has reached the fold where it is to shelter. At the doorway stands the Shepherd, watching each one as it passes. This one has grazed and torn its head in getting through a hedge, and for it there is the anointing oil. Near His hand is the food and water, from which He fills the bowl, to wash the face, or give refreshment; and as it overflows, there is evidently enough and to spare!
Goodness and Mercy follow the flock, as the Shepherd precedes. "The House of the Lord" is the Fold from which we shall go out no more, and the Lamb shall be our Shepherd and abiding joy for ever.
PRAYER
O Lord, support us all the day long of this troublous life until the shadows lengthen and the evening comes, the busy work is hushed and the fever of life over and our work is done; then, Lord, in Thy mercy grant us safe lodging, a holy rest and peace at the last, through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN.
*************************************************
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
My Journey - 5/11/2010
God's insight to me:
As I was reading each of these devotionals a phrase came to mind that I have said many times, "It is not about us, but all about Him!" The poem from Streams in the Desert states "Only He whose wounded heart was broken with the bitter cross and thorny crown", Max Lucado writes God is Everywhere, Adrian Rogers wrote "Blessed Is the Man That Trusts in the Lord", Cheryl Davis writes about "God's Voice". Skip Moen and D. Phil writes about "what we do we should do it all for Him!", and of course one of my favorite Charles Spurgeon's devotional for morning and evening speaks about Him! In this devotional Charles Spurgeon calls God, the "One". Yes He is!
Each time I write about my journey, it is a journey with Him. Together through this life. Second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour for when you yield your life to Him, His life is your life. The devotional titled "I’m Gonna’ Let It Shine" I think was very well written. I have learned in ministry we must "always keep our eyes focused on Him", for as Christ works through you everything you do is magnified. It must always be done to His glory. To God be the glory, not mine. As I was doing a God's Love program yesterday, a woman said to me, "I could listen to you sing all the time." I looked her in the eyes and said, "You are not hearing me but Jesus singing to you!"
He Is the One
Jesus is the One,
that my life is all about.
With Him in my life,
it’s free from uncertainty and doubt.
I listen to Him speak,
from His Spirit in my heart.
He is the One who cared for me,
right from the very start.
He is the One,
that brightens up my day.
He grabs hold and steadies me,
as I travel along life’s way.
Yes, He is the One,
no other can compare.
It is no wonder why,
with others I want Him to share.
My life is now His,
justified through the Father’s Son.
No longer separated because of sin,
but now joined together as One!
E. P. Shagott
5/12/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
Mrs. Charles Cowman Devotional - Streams in the Desert
"When across the heart deep waves of sorrow
Break, as on a dry and barren shore;
When hope glistens with no bright tomorrow,
And the storm seems sweeping evermore;
"When the cup of every earthly gladness
Bears no taste of the life-giving stream;
And high hopes, as though to mock our sadness,
Fade and die as in some fitful dream,
"Who shall hush the weary spirit's chiding?
Who the aching void within shall fill?
Who shall whisper of a peace abiding,
And each surging billow calmly still?
"Only He whose wounded heart was broken
With the bitter cross and thorny crown;
Whose dear love glad words of Joy had spoken,
Who His life for us laid meekly down.
"Blessed Healer, all our burdens lighten;
Give us peace, Thine own sweet peace, we pray!
Keep us near Thee till the morn shall brighten,
And all the mists and shadows flee away!"
*************************************************
God is Everywhere By Max Lucado
“Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Psalm 139:7-8, NIV
Our asking “Where is God?” is like a fish asking “Where is water?” or a bird asking “Where is air?” God is everywhere! Equally present in Peking and Peoria. As active in the lives of Icelanders as in the lives of Texans.
We cannot find a place where God is not.
*************************************************
Blessed Is the Man That Trusts in the Lord by Adrian Rogers
"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Psalm 34:8
The Lord Jesus Christ gives us beatitudes - attitudes that ought to be. They are not platitudes. They are attitudes that deal with Christian character.
Your reputation is what others think about you, but character is what God knows about you.
The Beatitudes do not say, "Blessed are what you have," or "Blessed are what you do," but "Blessed are what you are." Most of the people in the world are doing what? They are seeking happiness. If you seek happiness you'll never find it. But if you get right with God, blessedness will find you.
Have you been finding your self-worth in what you have or what you do? Confess it before the Lord and meditate on the attitudes you ought to have in Matthew 5:3-11.
*************************************************
A devotional from 365.org
Have you ever heard God speak? I mean, seriously. I’m talking about hearing an audible voice. Honestly, I cannot say that I have ever heard God in that way. But in many other ways, I have learned to recognize a loving Voice along my journey of faith. Sometimes I hear this Voice in friends and loved ones who give guidance and support. Other times I have heard the Voice in books and authors whose words challenge my way of thinking and change my perspective.
Quite often, I hear this Voice in sermons, clearly echoing God’s call to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry and care for the poor. In pulsing rhythms, soaring melodies and quiet tunes, I also hear the Voice. And what the Voice seems to be saying most often is, in some form or fashion: do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
What do you hear the Voice saying to you today?
Cheryl Davis
*************************************************
I’m Gonna’ Let It Shine
May 11th, 2010 by Skip Moen, D. Phil.
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of other people so that they will notice you. Otherwise you cannot expect any reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 (translation R. T. France)
Practice Your Righteousness – If you grew up anywhere near Baptists, you probably remember the children’s Sunday school song, “This Little Light of Mine.” The intention behind the song is good. God’s character must shine through our lives if we are to be effective change-agents for the Kingdom. But if we are supposed to be salt and light, why does Yeshua caution His disciples not to practice righteousness in front of others? You might respond, “Well, He is really talking about pride. We should do God’s will without displaying it.” You would be right, if that’s what this verse means. Unfortunately, the English doesn’t capture the Hebrew idiom here. Once we understand the idiom, we will have a greater insight into Yeshua’s warning.
The Greek verb eleemosunen encompasses the entire English phrase, “practice your righteousness.” But this is really a Jewish idiom, not an exhortation toward personal ethics. The idiom is about acts of charity. In other words, practicing righteousness is a shorthand way of recalling the three required acts of religious observance – charity, prayer and fasting. Yeshua is not telling His disciples to avoid these things. He is telling them that their motivation for doing them is not to be governed by public display. This is about the manner and motive, not about the act itself. So, Yeshua is really saying, “Pray, fast and give without the intention to be recognized for what you are doing.” Does this mean that we are to pray, fast and give entirely in secret. Yes, if that’s what it takes to keep our egos down. But no, not if we have already settled the issue of recognition. Do everything for the audience of One. Let Him be glorified – and the rest of it will work itself out without another thought.
Are we to pray, fast and give with a reward in mind? Yes, we are. But the reward that we have in mind is not celebrity status as a great religious person. The reward is to hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into your master’s joy.”
Notice that Yeshua assumes that His disciples will perform these Jewish religious rites. Not once does He suggest they are no longer required. Prayer, fasting and charity are essential for growth in godliness. Why? Because they put aside our agendas and focus our actions on God’s agenda. Just doing them brings us closer to Him. The issue that Yeshua addresses is why we do them, not if we do them.
Do you want to increase your righteousness today? Do you want to do those things that emulate God’s character and draw you closer to Him? Then pray, fast and give. It actually doesn’t matter how you feel about praying, fasting and giving. Do them no matter how you feel about doing them. Just remember to clear the motivation issue first. Do them for Him – and the rest will be easy.
*************************************************
May 11 devotional by Charles Spurgeon
Morning
“I am with you alway.”
- Mat_28:20
It is well there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us. It is well there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life. O my soul, set not thine affections upon rusting, moth-eaten, decaying treasures, but set thine heart upon him who abides for ever faithful to thee. Build not thine house upon the moving quicksands of a deceitful world, but found thy hopes upon this rock, which, amid descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure. My soul, I charge thee, lay up thy treasure in the only secure cabinet; store thy jewels where thou canst never lose them. Put thine all in Christ; set all thine affections on his person, all thy hope in his merit, all thy trust in his efficacious blood, all thy joy in his presence, and so thou mayest laugh at loss, and defy destruction. Remember that all the flowers in the world’s garden fade by turns, and the day cometh when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth. Death’s black extinguisher must soon put out thy candle. Oh! how sweet to have sunlight when the candle is gone! The dark flood must soon roll between thee and all thou hast; then wed thine heart to him who will never leave thee; trust thyself with him who will go with thee through the black and surging current of death’s stream, and who will land thee safely on the celestial shore, and make thee sit with him in heavenly places for ever. Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell thy secrets to the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother. Trust all thy concerns with him who never can be taken from thee, who will never leave thee, and who will never let thee leave him, even “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.” “Lo, I am with you alway,” is enough for my soul to live upon, let who will forsake me.
Evening
“Only be thou strong and very courageous.”
- Jos_1:7
Our God’s tender love for his servants makes him concerned for the state of their inward feelings. He desires them to be of good courage. Some esteem it a small thing for a believer to be vexed with doubts and fears, but God thinks not so. From this text it is plain that our Master would not have us entangled with fears. He would have us without carefulness, without doubt, without cowardice. Our Master does not think so lightly of our unbelief as we do. When we are desponding we are subject to a grievous malady, not to be trifled with, but to be carried at once to the beloved Physician. Our Lord loveth not to see our countenance sad. It was a law of Ahasuerus that no one should come into the king’s court dressed in mourning: this is not the law of the King of kings, for we may come mourning as we are; but still he would have us put off the spirit of heaviness, and put on the garment of praise, for there is much reason to rejoice. The Christian man ought to be of a courageous spirit, in order that he may glorify the Lord by enduring trials in an heroic manner. If he be fearful and fainthearted, it will dishonour his God. Besides, what a bad example it is. This disease of doubtfulness and discouragement is an epidemic which soon spreads amongst the Lord’s flock. One downcast believer makes twenty souls sad. Moreover, unless your courage is kept up Satan will be too much for you. Let your spirit be joyful in God your Saviour, the joy of the Lord shall be your strength, and no fiend of hell shall make headway against you: but cowardice throws down the banner. Moreover, labour is light to a man of cheerful spirit; and success waits upon cheerfulness. The man who toils, rejoicing in his God, believing with all his heart, has success guaranteed. He who sows in hope shall reap in joy; therefore, dear reader, “be thou strong, and very courageous.”
*************************************************
As I was reading each of these devotionals a phrase came to mind that I have said many times, "It is not about us, but all about Him!" The poem from Streams in the Desert states "Only He whose wounded heart was broken with the bitter cross and thorny crown", Max Lucado writes God is Everywhere, Adrian Rogers wrote "Blessed Is the Man That Trusts in the Lord", Cheryl Davis writes about "God's Voice". Skip Moen and D. Phil writes about "what we do we should do it all for Him!", and of course one of my favorite Charles Spurgeon's devotional for morning and evening speaks about Him! In this devotional Charles Spurgeon calls God, the "One". Yes He is!
Each time I write about my journey, it is a journey with Him. Together through this life. Second by second, minute by minute, hour by hour for when you yield your life to Him, His life is your life. The devotional titled "I’m Gonna’ Let It Shine" I think was very well written. I have learned in ministry we must "always keep our eyes focused on Him", for as Christ works through you everything you do is magnified. It must always be done to His glory. To God be the glory, not mine. As I was doing a God's Love program yesterday, a woman said to me, "I could listen to you sing all the time." I looked her in the eyes and said, "You are not hearing me but Jesus singing to you!"
He Is the One
Jesus is the One,
that my life is all about.
With Him in my life,
it’s free from uncertainty and doubt.
I listen to Him speak,
from His Spirit in my heart.
He is the One who cared for me,
right from the very start.
He is the One,
that brightens up my day.
He grabs hold and steadies me,
as I travel along life’s way.
Yes, He is the One,
no other can compare.
It is no wonder why,
with others I want Him to share.
My life is now His,
justified through the Father’s Son.
No longer separated because of sin,
but now joined together as One!
E. P. Shagott
5/12/10
From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
*************************************************
Mrs. Charles Cowman Devotional - Streams in the Desert
"When across the heart deep waves of sorrow
Break, as on a dry and barren shore;
When hope glistens with no bright tomorrow,
And the storm seems sweeping evermore;
"When the cup of every earthly gladness
Bears no taste of the life-giving stream;
And high hopes, as though to mock our sadness,
Fade and die as in some fitful dream,
"Who shall hush the weary spirit's chiding?
Who the aching void within shall fill?
Who shall whisper of a peace abiding,
And each surging billow calmly still?
"Only He whose wounded heart was broken
With the bitter cross and thorny crown;
Whose dear love glad words of Joy had spoken,
Who His life for us laid meekly down.
"Blessed Healer, all our burdens lighten;
Give us peace, Thine own sweet peace, we pray!
Keep us near Thee till the morn shall brighten,
And all the mists and shadows flee away!"
*************************************************
God is Everywhere By Max Lucado
“Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” Psalm 139:7-8, NIV
Our asking “Where is God?” is like a fish asking “Where is water?” or a bird asking “Where is air?” God is everywhere! Equally present in Peking and Peoria. As active in the lives of Icelanders as in the lives of Texans.
We cannot find a place where God is not.
*************************************************
Blessed Is the Man That Trusts in the Lord by Adrian Rogers
"O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him." Psalm 34:8
The Lord Jesus Christ gives us beatitudes - attitudes that ought to be. They are not platitudes. They are attitudes that deal with Christian character.
Your reputation is what others think about you, but character is what God knows about you.
The Beatitudes do not say, "Blessed are what you have," or "Blessed are what you do," but "Blessed are what you are." Most of the people in the world are doing what? They are seeking happiness. If you seek happiness you'll never find it. But if you get right with God, blessedness will find you.
Have you been finding your self-worth in what you have or what you do? Confess it before the Lord and meditate on the attitudes you ought to have in Matthew 5:3-11.
*************************************************
A devotional from 365.org
Have you ever heard God speak? I mean, seriously. I’m talking about hearing an audible voice. Honestly, I cannot say that I have ever heard God in that way. But in many other ways, I have learned to recognize a loving Voice along my journey of faith. Sometimes I hear this Voice in friends and loved ones who give guidance and support. Other times I have heard the Voice in books and authors whose words challenge my way of thinking and change my perspective.
Quite often, I hear this Voice in sermons, clearly echoing God’s call to welcome the stranger, feed the hungry and care for the poor. In pulsing rhythms, soaring melodies and quiet tunes, I also hear the Voice. And what the Voice seems to be saying most often is, in some form or fashion: do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
What do you hear the Voice saying to you today?
Cheryl Davis
*************************************************
I’m Gonna’ Let It Shine
May 11th, 2010 by Skip Moen, D. Phil.
“Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of other people so that they will notice you. Otherwise you cannot expect any reward from your Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 6:1 (translation R. T. France)
Practice Your Righteousness – If you grew up anywhere near Baptists, you probably remember the children’s Sunday school song, “This Little Light of Mine.” The intention behind the song is good. God’s character must shine through our lives if we are to be effective change-agents for the Kingdom. But if we are supposed to be salt and light, why does Yeshua caution His disciples not to practice righteousness in front of others? You might respond, “Well, He is really talking about pride. We should do God’s will without displaying it.” You would be right, if that’s what this verse means. Unfortunately, the English doesn’t capture the Hebrew idiom here. Once we understand the idiom, we will have a greater insight into Yeshua’s warning.
The Greek verb eleemosunen encompasses the entire English phrase, “practice your righteousness.” But this is really a Jewish idiom, not an exhortation toward personal ethics. The idiom is about acts of charity. In other words, practicing righteousness is a shorthand way of recalling the three required acts of religious observance – charity, prayer and fasting. Yeshua is not telling His disciples to avoid these things. He is telling them that their motivation for doing them is not to be governed by public display. This is about the manner and motive, not about the act itself. So, Yeshua is really saying, “Pray, fast and give without the intention to be recognized for what you are doing.” Does this mean that we are to pray, fast and give entirely in secret. Yes, if that’s what it takes to keep our egos down. But no, not if we have already settled the issue of recognition. Do everything for the audience of One. Let Him be glorified – and the rest of it will work itself out without another thought.
Are we to pray, fast and give with a reward in mind? Yes, we are. But the reward that we have in mind is not celebrity status as a great religious person. The reward is to hear the words, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Enter into your master’s joy.”
Notice that Yeshua assumes that His disciples will perform these Jewish religious rites. Not once does He suggest they are no longer required. Prayer, fasting and charity are essential for growth in godliness. Why? Because they put aside our agendas and focus our actions on God’s agenda. Just doing them brings us closer to Him. The issue that Yeshua addresses is why we do them, not if we do them.
Do you want to increase your righteousness today? Do you want to do those things that emulate God’s character and draw you closer to Him? Then pray, fast and give. It actually doesn’t matter how you feel about praying, fasting and giving. Do them no matter how you feel about doing them. Just remember to clear the motivation issue first. Do them for Him – and the rest will be easy.
*************************************************
May 11 devotional by Charles Spurgeon
Morning
“I am with you alway.”
- Mat_28:20
It is well there is One who is ever the same, and who is ever with us. It is well there is one stable rock amidst the billows of the sea of life. O my soul, set not thine affections upon rusting, moth-eaten, decaying treasures, but set thine heart upon him who abides for ever faithful to thee. Build not thine house upon the moving quicksands of a deceitful world, but found thy hopes upon this rock, which, amid descending rain and roaring floods, shall stand immovably secure. My soul, I charge thee, lay up thy treasure in the only secure cabinet; store thy jewels where thou canst never lose them. Put thine all in Christ; set all thine affections on his person, all thy hope in his merit, all thy trust in his efficacious blood, all thy joy in his presence, and so thou mayest laugh at loss, and defy destruction. Remember that all the flowers in the world’s garden fade by turns, and the day cometh when nothing will be left but the black, cold earth. Death’s black extinguisher must soon put out thy candle. Oh! how sweet to have sunlight when the candle is gone! The dark flood must soon roll between thee and all thou hast; then wed thine heart to him who will never leave thee; trust thyself with him who will go with thee through the black and surging current of death’s stream, and who will land thee safely on the celestial shore, and make thee sit with him in heavenly places for ever. Go, sorrowing son of affliction, tell thy secrets to the Friend who sticketh closer than a brother. Trust all thy concerns with him who never can be taken from thee, who will never leave thee, and who will never let thee leave him, even “Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever.” “Lo, I am with you alway,” is enough for my soul to live upon, let who will forsake me.
Evening
“Only be thou strong and very courageous.”
- Jos_1:7
Our God’s tender love for his servants makes him concerned for the state of their inward feelings. He desires them to be of good courage. Some esteem it a small thing for a believer to be vexed with doubts and fears, but God thinks not so. From this text it is plain that our Master would not have us entangled with fears. He would have us without carefulness, without doubt, without cowardice. Our Master does not think so lightly of our unbelief as we do. When we are desponding we are subject to a grievous malady, not to be trifled with, but to be carried at once to the beloved Physician. Our Lord loveth not to see our countenance sad. It was a law of Ahasuerus that no one should come into the king’s court dressed in mourning: this is not the law of the King of kings, for we may come mourning as we are; but still he would have us put off the spirit of heaviness, and put on the garment of praise, for there is much reason to rejoice. The Christian man ought to be of a courageous spirit, in order that he may glorify the Lord by enduring trials in an heroic manner. If he be fearful and fainthearted, it will dishonour his God. Besides, what a bad example it is. This disease of doubtfulness and discouragement is an epidemic which soon spreads amongst the Lord’s flock. One downcast believer makes twenty souls sad. Moreover, unless your courage is kept up Satan will be too much for you. Let your spirit be joyful in God your Saviour, the joy of the Lord shall be your strength, and no fiend of hell shall make headway against you: but cowardice throws down the banner. Moreover, labour is light to a man of cheerful spirit; and success waits upon cheerfulness. The man who toils, rejoicing in his God, believing with all his heart, has success guaranteed. He who sows in hope shall reap in joy; therefore, dear reader, “be thou strong, and very courageous.”
*************************************************
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