My Journey 6/9/2010

God's insight to me:

My friends, as you read the insight that God is given to me on my daily journey with Him, I pray that through these words you are able to see His light kindled in me. This first devotional speaks volumes of what we as Christians should be to all others, not just other Christians. I love the A. B. Simpson's quote in this devotional, "We should feel always we may never have another opportunity for it."

As always Max Lucado's devotional hit home. So many people, probably daily have grown weary. Waiting, trying and still nothing. We have cast our worldly fishing line out into the waters wanting, healing either physically or spiritually but no bites. Listen to Jesus as He tells you once again, over here, cast over here! What you need is over here.

In Adrian Rogers devotional I can relate to what this devotional is about. There are very few TV shows that I watch and enjoy because of the substance in them. But one I did like from years ago was "Everybody Loves Raymond." Not too often but every now and then in some shows they did make light of God. In my spirit I would get a cold feeling and ask the Lord to forgive them. Just as Adrian Rogers stated, "We are never, ever to use His name unless we are serious".

Charles Stanley always has such great devotionals. This one I related to very well for a long time I couldn't open up to anyone. Like probably a lot of people I kept everything to myself. For sure that didn't help my marriage or relationship with other family members and friends. But ever since I have given control of my life to Christ that has all changed. The message that I bring to His many wounded and also all I come in contact with is, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" Of course the answer is "no one!" If you can truly believe that in your heart you won't have a problem relating to anyone, anymore.

Now this last devotional is a good follow up to Dr. Stanley's. Before and After could be the title of a great poem. Broken and Transformed could be another. With those few words it could explain Christian life. Being born again. A phrase that non-believers have a hard time grasping. I can tell you from my personal life, it is true. The old is gone, replaced by new.

Before and After

This life is always changing
each day brings something new.
What once was bright and shining,
with time turns dull it’s true.

Just like our earthly bodies,
that once was tight and firm,
we can now look in a mirror,
and see from time what we have learned.

Is there anything that will stay the same,
as through life we do proceed?
Yes my friends, it’s called God’s love,
given by His grace to you and me.

See it was there from the beginning,
and will be there in the end.
A gift for each and everyone,
all you have to do is choose, my friend.

E. P. Shagott
6/9/2010

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

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June 9

Days of Heaven Upon Earth Devotionals by A. B. Simpson

"Ye are the light of the world" (Matt. v. 14).

We are called the lights of the world, light-bearers, reflectors, candle-sticks, lamps. We are to be kindled ourselves, and then we will burn and give light to others.

We are the only light the world has. The Lord might come down Himself and give light to the world, but He has chosen differently. He wants to send it through us, and if we don't give it the world will not have it.

We should be giving light all the time to our neighbors. God does not put a meteor in the sky to tell us when to shine. We are to be giving light all the time wherever we are, at home, or in the social circle, or in our place in the church.

We should feel always we may never have another opportunity for it, and so we should always be burning and shining for Him. Let our lamps be trimmed and burning and full of the oil of the Spirit. Above all, let us be a steady light to the lost ones.

Let me dwell in Timnath Serah,
Where the sun forever shines,
Where the night and darkness come not,
And the day no more declines.

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June 9

Try Again
By Max Lucado
“We worked hard all night and caught nothing.” Luke 5:5 NASB

Do you know the feeling of a sleepless, fishless night? Of course you do. For what have you been casting? . . .

Faith? “I want to believe, but . . .”

Healing? “I’ve been sick so long . . .”

A happy marriage? “No matter what I do . . .”

You’ve sat where Peter sat. And now Jesus is asking you to go fishing. He knows your nets are empty. He knows your heart is weary . . . But he urges, “It’s not too late to try again.”

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JUNE 9

His Name Is Holy
by Adrian Rogers

"For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy." Isaiah 57:15

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain" (Exodus 20:7).

We all know that profanity is one way that you can take God's name in vain, but I'll tell you another way, and that's in frivolous talk.

That is, just taking the name of God carelessly or lightly. Ephesians 5:4 mentions "foolish jesting." What does that mean? God's name is holy. We are never, ever to use His name unless we are serious. Now if you use humor to illustrate something, that's fine, but it's repugnant to use the Holy name of God frivolously.

Begin the day by meditating on the holiness of God.

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June 9
Open Up to Others
By Dr. Charles Stanley
2 Corinthians 6:11-13

Social networking is big business. Things like Facebook, e-mail, and texting reveal our hunger to connect with one another, yet many people still feel lonely. The fall of Adam and Eve usually brings to mind the disconnection that sin created between God and mankind, but it also affected all human relationships from that time onward. As a result, fear and pride threaten to keep us in bondage to isolation and self-protection.

Surprisingly, many homes, workplaces, and churches are gatherings of strangers. Even husbands and wives can live in the same house without really knowing each other. Being able to list many facts about those we live and work with is not the same as really knowing them. To some degree, whether we are known by others is our responsibility. Even the friendliest person may not be able to penetrate someone else's self-erected walls. To be known, we must risk opening up and letting others in.

Paul pled with the Corinthians to open up to him as he had to them. Because they'd built emotional walls, their relation-ship with him and their effectiveness as a church were hindered. Of all people, believers are called to live in open honesty and accountability with one another. We cannot shut everybody out and expect to have an open relationship with God.

Relational walls can be hard to recognize. Unforgiveness, a sense of unworthiness, and fear of rejection are common reasons for self-protective barriers. Ask God to reveal any ways that you're shutting someone out. He will help you demolish all hindrances to your relationship with Him and others.

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June 9

devotional from www.365.org

I love home makeover TV shows. The "before" scenes capture the broken down, falling apart, and messed up houses that people are living in. For a variety of reasons people have come into hard times and they are chosen because someone thinks they deserve better. The "after" scenes are amazing, a work of tearing down the old and watching transformation take place. The change happens right before our eyes.
That is the power of the Good News. All of us are broken, falling apart, messed up. For a variety of reasons we are where we are today. The life-changing words are "but when God." "But when God" is welcomed into our messes, when God breaks into the hurt, confusion, disappointment of our lives, the old can become new. Change can take place.

Paul often told his "before and after" story of the change Jesus had begun and the way it continued to shape him.

Consider the broken places in your life that have been transformed. Remember the "but when God..." moments when you knew divine change was happening. Give thanks that God is always able to renovate. Pray for a willing partnership in the renovation work!

Cindy Gaskins