Category Archives: Devotionals

Christian Growth, Devotionals

STRIP SEARCH

A strip-search inside an airport is humiliating. Today, we hear shocking stories of security agents forcing little old ladies to bare all. Fearing terrorist attacks, national governments have implemented precautionary measures at airports globally. I can only imagine how embarrassing such invasions of privacy could be to those who are innocent of all infractions.                                          SEPTEMBER 2014 002

Jesus was guilty of no crime.

“Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers. And they stripped him, and put on him a scarlet robe (Matthew 27:26-28 KJV).”

Mockingly, soldiers stripped the Savior.

Mercifully, he strips away sinful pride and searches hearts.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

JUST A MAN?

A common man may wonder why he fails to achieve financial success. Living a quiet life, he provides for his wife and children and has a deep love of God and country. Nearing death, he deals with doubts and feelings of inferiority.

He has done nothing of great significance, or so he thinks, and SEPTEMBER 2014 002assumes that people will quickly forget him. He is just a man. I wonder if Noah wrestled with feelings of insignificance before God called him to special service.

Just a man? No, a just man.

“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD. These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and walked with God (Genesis 6:8-9 KJV).”

Noah was not sinless; he was just a man. He found significance in life through worship of holy God. His LORD looked upon him with grace-favor. Today, I remember Noah, a just man. God still seeks the seemingly insignificant to work in His kingdom. Hear and heed his call.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Salvation

Know, Grow, Go!

A KNOW BLOG

 

“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved’/For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved (Romans 10:9, 13 NKJ).”

Know…SEPTEMBER 2014 002

“These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13NKJ).”

Grow…

“…but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen (2 Peter 3:18 NKJ).”

Go…

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’ Amen (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJ).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Prayer

Dropped Calls

A BLOG CELL PHONE

 

It happens and is very annoying. I’m in the middle of a phone conversation; the person on the other end is in their vehicle and calling by cell phone and we lose our connection. It is one of many dropped calls experienced daily. Then there is a tossup. Do I hang up and call back or wait patiently for the person to call me? SEPTEMBER 2014 002

At times, it seems my prayers are dropped calls to God. I am talking; He is listening and then I sense a prolonged silence. Will I try to reconnect or listen for an incoming message from Him?

Cell phone users frequently lose their connection when buildings, trees or mountainous terrain blocks their signal. In my prayer life, sin separates me from God, leading to the sounds of silence.

I clear the line and prepare for an incoming call.

“If we say, ‘We have no sin,’ we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9 HCS).”

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Benefits of Bible Study

       

 

I believe I benefit from the Bible, every book of the Bible, chapter and verse. Repetition is a great teacher and I have recently learned a new appreciation of the Book of Job.                                                                                       SEPTEMBER 2014 002

First, I share the first two words that come to mind when considering Job.

• Suffering
• Patience

Before I reveal a third I want to tell how I discovered it. Each year, I try to take a fresh approach to my Bible study, using different translations, read-the-Bible through plans etc. This year, for my very first time I am using the Nave’s Topical Bible; in my journal, I enter scriptures by themes. As examples: grace, mercy, peace and joy.

• Joy

I have just begun joy scriptures. To my amazement, I have found scripture references from Job!

• Job 8:21
• Job 22:21
• Job 22:26
• Job 33:26 “He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, he shall see his face with joy, for he restores to man His righteousness (NKJ).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Teachable Through Trials

Most school age children hope that peers never label them the ‘Teacher’s Pet.’ On the other hand, they secretly desire preferential treatment from their teachers. In the Christian life, Jesus is the Master teacher. Am I teachable through trials or petulant?SEPTEMBER 2014 002

“Who is the man that fears the LORD? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses (Psalms 25:12 NKJ).”

He is reaching, He is teaching…

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15 NKJ).”

I pray that I will remain teachable through trials.

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4 NKJ).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Marriage

The Threshold

A BLOG-BRIDE & GROOM

 

Stammering and wobbly kneed, a man and woman make a lifelong commitment. Exchanging wedding vows before God, clergy, family and friends, they promise to love and cherish until death do us part.

“You may kiss the bride!”                            SEPTEMBER 2014 002

At the wedding reception, a photographer gets a close-up of the happy couple cutting the towering cake. Unwed girls scamper in an attempt to catch the bouquet and be next down the aisle. Well-wishers throw rice and mischievous friends tie cans behind the grooms vehicle.
It is official; the man and woman are now husband and wife. Upon arrival at the honeymoon destination, the groom checks in and escorts his wife to their room. Lifting and raising her up into his arms, he tenderly carries her over the threshold.

We are the bride of Christ. Though difficult to comprehend, God the Father has raised Christ’s bride and carried her up above…
“But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:4-6 NAS).”

I yearn for the day when Christ will carry me over the threshold into my heavenly home. (John 14:1-3)

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Marriage, Relationships

Knows Best How to Bless

Is it a match made in heaven?

When love walks in, we hope and pray it is the till death do us part kind of courtship.

As love grows,SEPTEMBER 2014 002 we seek assurance of lasting commitments.

Is God in the picture, do we seek his blessing or do we issue demands outside his perfect will?

God knew precisely what and whom Adam needed.

“And the LORD God said, ‘It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him (Genesis 2:18 NKJ).”

Father knows best how to bless.

“Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man. And Adam said, ‘This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.’ Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh (Genesis 2:22-24 NKJ).”

God brought the first man and woman together; he still directs singles to mates of fulfillment. It is worth the wait.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

For Keeps

A MANSION

I inwardly squirm when I read the shalt not commandments.

I visualize the doctor telling me not to use salt. Instantly, I feel slighted and want to shake that table salt-shaker for all it is worth!

God gives two lists.

One has imaginary header reading ‘Do’ and the other ‘Do not.’ I am not free to disregard any of his commandments.

“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor anything that is thy neighbour’s (Exodus 20: 17 KJV).”

‘Covet’

I don’t often think on that shalt not. We have boundaries. I know that it is sinful to want what belongs to another. Bringing the terms up to current wording I sense that they cover material things as shelter, marriage sanctity, workforce and animals. What’s his or hers is theirs for keeps.

Let this not be said of thee or me…

“He coveteth greedily all the day long (Proverbs 21:26a KJV).”

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Christian Growth, Devotionals, Relationships

Handholding

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Handholding is not a new concept; I’m glad that it will never go out of style…

Daddy: “Take my hand; we’re going to cross the street.”

Daddy: “Take my hand; I’ll walk you to school.”

Young Admirer: “Take my hand, I’ll walk you home.”

First Steady: “Can I hold your hand?”

Fiancé to Girl’s Father: “I’m asking permission for your daughter’s hand in marriage.”

Pastor to Bride and Groom: “Please hold hands.”

Husband to Wife during child labor: “Squeeze my hand.”

Lifelong mate to his Beloved as she faces death: “I won’t leave you; hold my hand.”

Heavenly Father: “Child, take my hand.”

Godly Woman: “I see the Lord!”

“Nevertheless I am continually with thee: thou hast holden me by my right hand. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel; and afterward receive me to glory. Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever (Psalms 73:23-26 KJV).”

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