Devotion 2/28/11

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Fear has a way of redirecting our lives. Fear grabs onto us with a grip that can be unimaginable at times, a grip that we feel cannot be released. Although fear has power, it does not have the right to control our lives. For those who are saved by the blood of Jesus, there is within them the power to overcome any fear that walks into their lives. As we are walking with God, God will provide the power we need to conquer fear. As we are right with God, He will bring to us the calmness of heart needed to walk through any given situation that progresses in our lives. This power comes from our faith, for we are taught within scripture that God will not give us more than we can handle. As we are in the midst of the handling, He will be there.

Prayer Starter:

Lord, help me come to walk powerfully within my faith, knowing that You are there, thus there is no reason to fear.

Devotion 2/27/11

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I am honored to share with you daily devotions, but I will do this only six days a week…So let me encourage you to enter the house of God, on His day, the Lord’s Day, and receive your message from one of His many dedicated servants. May God bless you as your enter His house to receive His message and His guidance

Devotion 2/26/11

Proverbs 21:25 The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.

What is the sluggard’s craving? The sluggardly crave the destination of nothingness. They prefer to sit about doing nothing constructive, setting aside the necessary tasks that need to be performed. As they sit about wasting valuable oxygen, they also have a tendency to bring claims against all others in an attempt to bring justification to their own actions or lack thereof. True sluggards will seek to bring to light the imperfections of others, while pretending theirs do not exist. Their fingers point outwardly into the life of another, when they should be pointing at their own reflections within a mirror. It is not our job to judge the actions or inactions of others, but it is our job to utilize this blessing of a life to the fullest of our abilities.

Prayer Starter:

Lord, help me become the best servant I can, so others will begin to seek Your presence within their lives.

Devotion 2/25/11

2 Thessalonians 3:6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.

Why should we keep a distance from those who are idle? Why should we refrain from time spent with those who have a lackadaisical attitude? When we place the bulk of our time within those who are not acting within a Godly perspective, their attitudes and life purposes eventually begin to transfer into our own lives. In essence, we can state that their habits, good or bad, will eventually influence our habits. Thus we learn the importance of surrounding ourselves with positive, Godly influences.

Prayer Starter:

Lord, help me surround myself with those who are focused on You within their lives.

Devotion 2/24/11

Ecclesiastes 10:18 If a man is lazy, the rafters sag; if his hands are idle, the house leaks.

As we neglect our responsibilities, we cause, at times, irreparable damage. This may seem to be a harsh statement, for some things can be rectified. However, the example we have demonstrated can be irreversible. It must become our desire to place within all that we do, all that we are a part of, our all. Others must see us setting the bar high. They must observe the attitude that all we do, we do for the Lord; therefore, it will be done in a manner that brings glory to His name. For if it is not, it is doing the opposite.

Prayer Starter:

Lord, guide my steps, empower my service, and find joy in watching me do all things in Your name.

Devotion 2/23/11

Proverbs 26:16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who answer discreetly.

Within society there are many different types of people, most of which are productive in their own certain style. They go about their tasks and requirements not always in a manner that others would choose, but they do see them to fruition. Also within society we will find those who seem to believe that they are productive, but their productiveness lacks action. They send off claims enlarging their imaginative efforts, hoping others will see them in their elevated state. But in the end, their true colors are exerted and understood. Where we are in life should matter only to God. If God is the director of our paths, if God is the power within our purpose, if God is our reason for existence, then only His opinion of us will matter. If we seek to elevate ourselves within this world, then, as the Bible states, we have received our reward.

Prayers Starter:

Lord, help me see clearly what I must accomplish for Your glory.

Devotion 2/22/11

Galatians 6:7-10 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

What we put into life is what we receive from the same. This concept is nothing new, but it seems to lag within the understanding of many people. Most want to share in the fame and success of the minority, but the majority of those want it handed to them without having to exert themselves. This is a serious problem because it leads to finger-pointing. Those who believe something needs to be done one way tend to complain and point their fingers at those who are, in the least trying to get things done. This gives the finger-pointer the illusion that he is striving to serve, while in fact he is doing nothing but causing strife. Christians need to focus their work on the desires of God within their lives. And as they do this, the finger-pointers can point all they like, because God is giving them a thumb’s up for their efforts.

Prayer Starter:

Lord, help me not only continually serve You, but help me find joy within that service.

Devotion 2/21/11

Proverbs 18:9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys.

OUCH! Proverbs has always brought nothing less than the truth of God within its writings. It flows from the heart and desire of God, seeking to bring restoration into the hearts of Christians and directions into the presence of God for all who read what it presents. These words today present to us a different picture than that of the world’s opinion on the subject. The world shouts if you can get away with it, do as little as possible, while the Bible states that those who follow this direction bring about destruction. This destruction comes within their own lives as well as bleeding, through their example, into the lives of those within their presence. We have but a short time within this world, and if we are Christians, our time should be spent displaying and passing along the image of God through our lives and actions. Let us resolve to move throughout society, exemplifying what it means to be followers of Christ in all aspects of our lives.

Prayer Starter:

Lord, help me serve You with excitement and stamina, striving to make Your presence known within this world.

Devotion 2/20/11

Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

I am honored to share with you daily devotions, but I will do this only six days a week…So let me encourage you to enter the house of God, on His day, the Lord’s Day, and receive your message from one of His many dedicated servants. May God bless you as your enter His house to receive His message and His guidance

Devotion 2/19/11

Proverbs 14:30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.

The longer envy festers within us, the more damage it creates. The longer envy guides our lives, the farther from the presence of God we travel. We might see envy as healthy, for it only wants us to reach for greater heights. But envy is not healthy, it is a virus. We must reach for greater heights. We must seek to go beyond our potential, but the only person we should be in competition with is ourselves. When we focus our energy on excelling above another human being, our reasoning is tainted by the de-elevation of another, and that is unbiblical to say the least. The Bible teaches us to help others, to live at peace with them, and not to reach up and pull them off the ladder so we can climb above their position. Envy guides us upon the path that leads to destruction, but the peace of God can help us be happy with whom we are and the direction we are called to progress.

Prayer Starter:

Lord, help me be at peace with who I am in this world.