My Journey 7/2 - 7/3

God's insight to me:

The devotionals that I share with God's insight to me for these three days are all from the same devotional, Daily Disciples Devotionals.

The Promise of God devotional speaks of peace, everyday peace. In the Bible verse quoted, that is God's promise to us. As I was reading this devotional my thought went to so many that can not find His peace. So many living with a temporary peace that is chosen with our worldly eyes and ears. I believe what has truly invaded our lives is the world of communication to us, advertisement. Slowly but surely we are being programed to live a worldly life. We end up thinking it is our choice but it is not, we are being conditioned to want something or believe we need something by constant advertisement. I thought to myself, "why would they want to do this to us?" The answer for me is two fold, money and control. And as they are succeeding in doing this, only if we let them, we remain without the peace that we seek in our hearts. So what is the answer? For me and a lot of true Christians, "Jesus!" I have found my worldly wants are diminishing and my hunger for Christ is increasing. In place of TV, newspapers and Internet garbage, have been with His Word, devotionals, and Christian fellowship. My way of life now! His peace is with me.

The devotional named "Step into New Land" brought back a memory of what the author wrote about in our "Experiencing God" Sunday school material. The author wrote to "watch where God is working in your life and meet Him there." What I like about what the devotional stated, "Some did and some did not." They call that "choice". Abram did not hesitate. He did as the Lord asked Him to do. My thoughts went to Jesus when prior to His death He made a choice, the Fathers will, as I found in The Message translation, Mark 14:36 (The Message) 35-36Going a little ahead, he fell to the ground and prayed for a way out: "Papa, Father, you can—can't you?—get me out of this. Take this cup away from me. But please, not what I want—what do you want?" Isn't it amazing that even as Jesus was asking His disciples, "come and follow Me", He already knew what was waiting for Him, "the Cross!" The disciples had to decide to give up everything for the sake of the Gospel message and the love they had for Jesus, just as Jesus gave up everything for the love of the Father and His love for us.

This is an early poem that the Lord blessed me with about 10 years ago.

Comfort Zone

Many, many years ago
while growing up at home,
times seemed happier then,
for I was in my comfort zone.

On most Sundays I would go to church,
to sing, and learn and pray.
As a youth I would listen to our leaders
and try to learn from what they had to say.

The message was the same back then,
as it is today,
believe in Jesus Christ our Lord,
for He is the only way.

He was nailed to a cross and crucified,
this man without sin,
He died because He loved us
and so that eternity we could spend with Him.

So in this troubled world,
fear not, for you are not alone.
Open your heart to Jesus my friend,
for He is our comfort zone.

E. P. Shagott


From God's heart, to mine, to yours,
Ed Shagott
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July 2

Daily Disciples Devotional

Today's Thoughts: The Promise of God

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Today, everyone is looking for peace. We want our desires fulfilled and we think that will bring us happiness. We hear promises of fulfillment on radios, see promises on billboards, become a part of them through television and after hearing these promises enough times, we sing about them and make daily choices because of them. What is the primary message that these slogans promote? The answer, "We've got what you need." Promises, promises! Promises of a fulfilled life, an improved life, a happier life and a more peaceful life suggest that this life is attainable through the things of this world. Commercials promise that you can "have it your way," "we do it all for you," "you asked for it, you got it," and "you deserve it." But can these promises really be true? And will these products bring us the peace we are all seeking?

Because of the inability to have these promises truly fulfilled from the world, it then seems hard to believe that all the promises from the Lord will come true. Unlike the promises of the world that are conditioned upon our spending money and time to benefit from their product, Jesus has given us the promises of God, which are free. The Lord does require something from us: our trust, belief and obedience. And in return He promises peace to His people. Our attitudes, goals and desires should not depend on the promises of the world, but on the promises of the Word. It's that peace that makes us different and gives us something that others want. That peace will affect the way we live in our actions, behaviors and attitudes. Acts 10:36 says, "You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all." Jesus promises us peace, not from this world, but from Him. His promises are not empty slogans but a way of life: for He is the way, the truth and the life.

Do you need to experience His peace today? If so, begin by asking Jesus to fill you with His loving peace. His promises will never fail you.

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July 3

Daily Disciples Devotional

Today's Thoughts: Step into New Land

Now the Lord had said to Abram: "Get out of your country, From your family And from your father's house, To a land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation; I will bless you And make your name great; And you shall be a blessing I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you; And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." So Abram departed as the Lord had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Then Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his brother's son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan. Genesis 12:1-5

The Lord called Abram out. He told him to leave his country, not just his home, but his country. God told Abram to leave his family and head towards a new land. Can we begin to imagine how Abram must have felt? I wonder if his family thought he was crazy. Let's see now—you are going to leave your home, family, country and head to a land that you have not seen yet? Abram did leave his home and country behind and went as the Lord directed him. Abram was a man of great faith. He believed in the promises of God and it was accounted to him as righteousness.

In the New Testament, Jesus told his disciples a similar message when he said, "Follow Me." To follow Jesus meant leaving everything else behind, including homes and families. Some did and some did not. The same is true today. How many of us are truly willing to forsake all for the gospel of Jesus Christ? Do we really have to go to such extremes in this day and age? In our hearts, we must answer those questions. Despite our behaviors and outward appearances, God knows our hearts. If we are willing to surrender all to Jesus, the Lord will do the rest.

Think upon these verses today. Maybe God has a new land that awaits you. Without a doubt, God has blessings planned for your life, planned from before you were born. Are you willing to step out of your comfort zone? If so, this could be the step that changes your life in amazing ways.

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