Tag Archives: Devotionals

Christian Growth, Devotionals

A Prompter

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Have you ever worked in hometown theatrical groups? Maybe you enjoyed drama club in high school or college. In your speaking roles, the director expected you to know the dialogue. Even if you were an extra with only a small speaking part, memorization was mandatory. Oops, you forgot your line. Off stage, a prompter fed you your lines.

The Holy Spirit is prompting the faithful. “And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say (Luke 12:11-12 Pilgrim Study Bible).” Feed on His word and He will feed you your lines.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Validity of Divinity

 

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We are touchy-feel folk. We like to see a car with our own eyes, grip the steering wheel with both hands, and take it for a test drive around the block. Then, after exiting the sale model we firmly close the door, step aside and kick the tires. Seeing is believing. In faith, we believe before we see…

Doubting Thomas sets a clear example of setting feelings aside as validity of divinity. (John 20:19-29) “Jesus was standing among them and greeting them. Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger into my hands. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!’ ‘My Lord and my God!’ Thomas said (John 20:26b-28 Living Bible).”  

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Blind Will See

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I can be so blind. The optometrist may chart me as having 20-20 vision, yet I cannot see. I should see not only with my eyes but also with my spirit. There are forms of temporary eye blindness as well as permanent loss of sight. Spiritually, the Holy Spirit can remedy my temporary blindness.  The blind want to see… “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened (Isaiah 35:5a NKJ).”

Christ Jesus brought sight to the physically and spiritually blind. Afflictions can damage my visual perception. “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Corinthians 4:18 NKJ).”  What I am blind to is beyond description.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

The Simple Life

 

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My mother was a very beautiful lady. In many portraits, she looked more like a model than her role of worker in oils at the photography studio. Some family and friends compared her to popular starlet and singer Deanna Durbin. It was only natural that Mom became an admirer of the movie star.

 I remember Mom’s excitement when receiving a Christmas card from the celebrity.  Recently, I saw headlines of the death of Deanna Durbin at the age of 91. She had turned her back on Hollywood fame and notoriety after only a few years before cameras. She lived, and died, in seclusion in France. She preferred the simple life.

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody (1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 NIV).” Fans will remember Deanna Durbin; family will cherish her…

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Gong Show

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We moaned, we groaned; yet, we watched. In the 1970’s viewers tuned in for the Gong Show with host Chuck Barris. It may have paved the way for reality TV. Contestants were gonged when their performances were bad; humiliated, they cringed at the sound of the gong. No cymbal could have such a menacing ring.

“If I could speak the languages of men, of angels too, and have no love, I am only a rattling pan or a clashing cymbal (1Corinthians 13:1 Williams New Testament).” God hears my empty words. I visualize angels hitting a gong and my exiting the scene with my head hung in shame. He is the God of second chances; he also says, “Well done…” (Matthew 25:21)

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Hated, Despised and Rejected

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Jesus…hated, despised and rejected. This description is no over exaggeration. His opposition did not merely dislike Christ; they loathed Him.

“He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not (Isaiah 53:3 KJV).”

Do not be deceived; Jesus and his followers were and are still hated and maligned by many. “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you (John 15:18 KJV).”

Jesus took the truth a step further. “He that hateth me hateth my Father also (John 15:23 KJV).”   Do not despair.  God loved!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16 KJV).”

 

 

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Scientific and Spiritual Analysis

 

CROPPED NOVEMBER 2012 PROFILE PICTUREWho says science and spiritual analysis cannot mix? Today many scientists boldly take a stand for creation and archaeology has verified scripture. I believe Moses had both a scientific mind and a spirit in tune with the Creator. Seeing a burning bush spurred him into action.

“Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, ‘I will go over and see this strange sight-why the bush does not burn up (Exodus 3:2b-3 NIV). Scientists investigate and seek truth. Moses’ seeking led to a spiritual encounter.

“When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ And Moses said, ‘Here I am (Exodus 3:4 NIV).” God called Moses as his servant to carry a message of deliverance to the Israelites and to Pharaoh.

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Bible Studies, Christian Growth, Devotionals

Rejuvenation

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“He refreshes and restores my life (my self); He leads me in the paths of righteousness [uprightness and right standing with Him-not for my earning it, but] for His name’s sake (Psalm 23:3 Amplified Bible).”

Visualize a dog day of summer with sweltering three digit temperatures. You are caught in rush hour traffic; your vehicle AC is on the fritz and you are running thirty minutes behind schedule. Company is coming for dinner and you become frantic.

Swerving into your driveway, rushing inside your home, you hustle to your bedroom, slip out of perspiration-drenched duds and step into the shower. Cool water cascades down your shoulders and back; instantly you feel refreshed, restored and rejuvenated.

“He gives power to the faint and weary, and to him who has no might He increases strength [causing it to multiply and making it abound (Isaiah 40:29 Amplified Bible).” Draw from His well.

Forget the standard R & R get away for rest and relaxation. Seek the shepherd for refreshing and restoration. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened and I will cause you to rest. [I will ease and relieve and refresh your souls.] (Matthew 11:28 Amplified Bible).”  

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Mission Statement

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It is becoming the norm. A new ministry or business prepares to open its doors. The leader appoints a committee and gives them a great responsibility. They are to brainstorm, come up with a mission statement, and bring it back for final approval. Apostle Paul’s mission statement  wording would come  from scripture.

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me (Galatians 2:20 KJV).” Everything Paul did, every thought or action had Christ as priority and purpose.

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Christian Growth, Devotionals

Moral Majority

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Deceased, Reverend Jerry Falwell tagged concerned Americans as the Moral Majority. Are we still concerned, seeking a national moral renewal? Are we a majority, united in purpose and priority? We must not lose heart or we will lose the land. The words of Moses resound in our ears.

“I said to you: You have reached the hill country of the Amorites, which the LORD our God is giving us. See, the LORD your God has set the land before you. Go up and take possession of it as the LORD, the God of your fathers, has told you. Do not be afraid or discouraged (Deuteronomy 1:20-21 HCS).”

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