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By: Randy Chambers
Bible verse reference: "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night." Psalm 1:1-2 NIV:
Message: Consider the things we delight in—the things that bring us pleasure. They are things that will occupy our thoughts at times throughout the day. They are things we look forward to with great expectation. They are the things we choose above many other things we could spend our time or energy on. Imagine if you will, that as you go through your day, you find yourself anticipating your time with God. With great expectation, you look forward to some free time in which you will be able to sit and read your Bible, or reflect on passages you have committed to memory. There are other things you want to do as well, but they fade in comparison to time with your Creator. As the children of God, it is a truth, and blessing for us, that our Heavenly Father delights in us. May it be that we live lives that delight in Him as well.
By: Carl H Stevens
Bible verse reference: "But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
Message:
There are four specific kinds of strength a believer receives as he waits upon God, according to Isaiah 40:31. He is given inward strength through God's process of renewal. He can "run and not be weary" refers to outward strength. He mounts up with "wings as eagles" speaks of upward strength. And the fact that he can "walk and not faint" means he now has onward strength.
The Christian can be sanctified in each of these areas of strength by simply waiting on God. Those who do not wait upon Him will not obtain these things. They will grow weary, faint and at times, will react to others because they have not learned the secret of waiting.
No one who learns to wait upon God ever gets frustrated with His grace. No one who waits on Him feels unloved, because he receives love as he waits. He will not feel empty, because he is filled with God's fellowship as he waits.
It does not matter what sin we have committed in the past, or how guilty we feel. If we have appropriated I John 1:9 by confessing our sins to God, He considers them to be buried in the deepest sea (3). Our guilt is removed (4). We can wait upon God and receive inward, outward, upward and onward strength.
By: Carl H Stevens
Bible verse reference: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee" Isaiah 26:3. "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" Philippians 2:5.
Message:
The Word of God has much to say about right thinking, or faith thinking. Much of the book of Proverbs deals with the subject of wisdom and how to get wisdom, how to nurture wisdom, and how to guard wisdom. This is why these devotional messages are made available. It is our prayer that these words will provide food for thought. Just as our physical bodies need necessary nutrition, our minds need spiritual and mental sustenance. It is so important for us to learn how to think with God’s thoughts from His Word.
By: Carl H Stevens
Bible verse reference: Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. (Psalm 126:5)
Message:
As we continue to grow in our Christian lives, we experience the matchless honor of receiving the impartation of His character. We know His everlasting love for others because it is burning in our own hearts (2), and though we are nothing before Him, we can do all things through Him (3). Our communion with Him takes us beyond our human limitations, and we become an expression of His Person to those around us. We become living vessels revealing the mind, power and love of a living God to those who have never known Him.
God truly "works all things together for good." There may be times when we will serve Him by sowing the Gospel in tears, but God has promised that we will always "reap in joy" (Psalms 126:5). There may be times when we will have to go forth weeping, bearing the precious seed of the Gospel. But the Word reassures us that we will return with rejoicing in our hearts (4).
At the end of the road, we shall see that these heartaches have worked for us and for others a "far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (II Corinthians 4:17b). All of heaven will look back with us, shouting and rejoicing, because a single life was committed to the praise and glory of God.
By: Max Lucado - You Have Our Attention, Lord
Bible verse reference: God will always give what is right to His people who cry to Him night and day, and He will not be slow to answer them. (Luke 18:7 NCV)
Message:
Our friends lost their house
The co-worker lost her job
The couple next door lost their retirement
It seems that everyone is losing their footing
This scares us. This bailout with billions.
These rumblings of depression.
These headlines: ominous, thunderous -
“Going Broke!” “Going Down!” “Going Under!” “What's Next?”
What is next?
We’re listening. And we’re admitting: You were right.
You told us this would happen.
You shot straight about loving stuff and worshipping money.
Greed will break your heart, You warned.
Money will love you and leave you.
Don’t put your hope in riches that are so uncertain.
You were right. Money is a fickle lover and we just got dumped.
We were wrong to spend what we didn’t have.
Wrong to neglect prayer and ignore the poor.
Wrong to think we ever earned a dime. We didn’t. You gave it. And now, tell us Father, are You taking it?
We’re listening. And we’re praying.
Could you make something good out of this mess?
Of course You can. You always have.
You led slaves out of slavery,
Built temples out of ruins,
Turned stormy waves into a glassy pond and water into sweet wine.
This disorder awaits your order. So do we.
Through Christ,
Amen
By: Sutty's Crochet
Bible verse reference: "Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave them to the disciples to set before the people. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over." Luke 9:16-17
Message: You may be blessed with talents. You may be gifted academically. You may be intelligent, witty, or charismatic. You may even look at yourself and consider yourself to be average. Regardless, we are all fashioned for a function, and shaped to surrender all that we are to God for Him to use us as He intended. It is in our spiritual poverty that we truly see what we have to offer, and we offer it all. And God takes what we give, and He blesses it. And where as on our own what we have to offer would not seem like much; with God our little can become much, and can bless so very many. There are times we look at what we have and say, "Lord, who am I to do this?" or, "What have I to give?" Yet through faith we realize that Jesus can take what we have, look toward heaven, and give thanks¯and then do with it abundantly more than we could have ever imagined.
Your name: Pastor Jim Ryan
Bible verse reference: “It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation.” Romans 15: 20-21
Where do you keep your verse? In my heart
When do you use this verse? When I loose my ministry focus
How does this verse speak to your heart? This is my life verse.
Name: Pastor Jeff Steele:
Bible verse reference: O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy hill? … He swears to his own hurt and does not change; Psalm 15:1,4c
Where do you keep this verse?: In my heart
When do you use this verse?: All the time
How does this verse speak to your heart?: If I give my word on something, I do everything I can to follow through and keep my word. I finish what I start.
Name: Pastor Dave Krogstad
Bible verse reference: For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. 2 Timothy 1:12 (NAS)
Where do you keep this verse? In my heart
When do you use this verse? Almost daily
How does this verse speak to your heart? I have entrusted my salvation to Christ and He guards my salvation, it can never be lost!
Name: Linda
Bible verse reference: The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
Where do you keep this verse?: at the gate of my mind
When do you use this verse?: to fight off fear when life tries to overwhelm my mind
How does this verse speak to your heart?: It reminds me that I don’t have to fear because the Lord is my light and salvation. He is my stronghold. Whom shall I fear? No one – nothing! Praise God!
Name: Yolanda
Bible verse reference: Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Where do you keep this verse?: On a paper taped to my bathroom mirror.
When do you use this verse?: When I’m confused
How does this verse speak to your heart?: It reminds me to let go of “the problem” and my controlling. Submit to the Lord, trust Him, even when I’m unsure, I can trust He’ll make my way good if I turn from my pride and self will.
Name: Stacy
Bible verse reference: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30
Where do you keep this verse?: Often I just leave my Bible open to it
When do you use this verse?: doubtful times, hard and troubling times
How does this verse speak to your heart? God is truly there. He really, really cares. “Give it to Him.”
Name: Jean Matsuda
Bible verse reference: “The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your desire with good things.” Isaiah 58:11 (Living Bible)
Where do you keep this verse? In my powder room, on a plaque.
When do you use this verse? Daily, in my awareness in being thankful.
How does this verse speak to your heart? He answers my daily prayer for guidance and protection. Amazing Grace!
Name: Jack
Bible verse reference: No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:44
Where do you keep this verse? In my mind
When do you use this verse? When I question why He would take my sins upon Himself.
How does this verse speak to your heart? It tells me of God’s love for me long before I knew Him or believed.
Name: Connie
Bible verse reference: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Where do you keep this verse? In my heart
When do you use this verse? When the enemy tries to make me feel unworthy of God’s love
How does this verse speak to your heart? This verse reminds me of God’s forgiving power and that He wants us to live in victory through knowing His word so that we develop discernment in all things.
Name: Amy
Bible verse reference: Has the LORD redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies. Psalm 107:2 (NLT)
Where do you keep this verse?: Always on my mind
When do you use this verse?: to encourage and inspire friends and myself that witnessing is my delight, not so much my duty.
How does this verse speak to your heart? It boldly compels me to “speak out” and “tell others” of what the Lord has done to save me.
Name: Paul
Bible verse reference: “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Romans 13:14
Where do you keep this verse? On my computer
When do you use this verse? My verse for the week
How does this verse speak to your heart? This verse keeps my human nature in perspective and reminds me that I need to focus on who Christ is in my life.
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