Daily Devotional

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 7, 2014 3:39:22 GMT -5 VisionHeirE likes this

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 7, 2014 3:39:22 GMT -5

What Should be My Profession? - By Adekunle Lawal

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13KJV)

It is amazing to hear some people segregating certain professions to a particular gender. Haven't you heard some people making a comment like this? "Peter said that he would like to become a nurse, I think that's odd, I believe females are quite suitable in the nursing profession; why can't he become a doctor instead?" or "I heard that Sarah is thinking of becoming a pilot, I think that should be a job for men."

This point of view is not in line with God's Word. Our Bible text says that you are empowered to do all things, including your choice of profession, through the Lord Jesus Christ who is able to strengthen you. This Scripture is not limited to only your profession, but it addresses all THINGS that you desire.

I believe you know that whatever you desire must be in agreement with the Word of God. Moreover, whatever you desire needs proper planning, and time to pray to God for guidance (Mark 11: 24). Doing all these makes you adequately prepared for the task. I pray that the Lord of heaven and earth will be with you in Jesus' name. Amen.

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 8, 2014 0:12:58 GMT -5 VisionHeirE likes this

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 8, 2014 0:12:58 GMT -5

Those Filthy Rags - by Toni Babcock

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6 KJV).
A housekeeper gets attached to her rags. Never mind the frayed edges and the stains that don't quite wash out. So when I spotted one of my housekeeping rags in the trashcan, I was miffed. I figured it must of have been a maintenance man that disrespected one of my rags.
Spiritually speaking, "…all our righteousness is as filthy rags…" (Isaiah 64:6 KJV). We don't deserve anything from God. Yet unfortunately, too often we continue to "get mad at the maintenance guy" - those people that disrespect "our rags." Can you relate to this? Have you ever been upset with another Christian for disrespecting your "rags" by discrediting you in some hurtful way? If so, pray for a supernatural humility.
God does not reuse self-righteous rags, so why should we? Our rags only get in the way. We are not given permission by God to wave our righteous indignations before another Christian in a self-righteous, retaliatory way. Let us prostrate ourselves before the God who died for our sins, and cry foul against ourselves first, and then deal gently and humbly toward another Christian when we feel wronged. This is what it means to love one another. It doesn't mean we need to be a doormat, but we can be a footbridge. We can be honest without being hurtful in return. This kind of honesty will go a lot farther in reconciling ourselves to our fellowman than pulling our indignations out of the trashcan and waving them around to make a point.
The psalmist says "I know that the LORD will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor, (Psalms 140:12 KJV). Simply put, we can leave our cause and our right in the hands of the Savior and let it go.

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 9, 2014 0:28:38 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 9, 2014 0:28:38 GMT -5

Dirty Lenses by Denise Marks

"For you are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness." 1 Thessalonians 5:5 (ESV)
God provides humanity with eye glasses in all shapes, colors, sizes and lens strength. It is up to us to keep the fingerprints of sin, differences, prejudices, and unbelief from clouding our view.
To clean the lenses through which we view life, we must first remove those things that obstruct our view. This requires more than a simple wipe of the shirt tail; it requires the right tools to thoroughly clean our heart:
· The Word of God: the solution that softens the dirty fingerprints on the lens of our heart
· Prayer: the extra boast needed to remove the fingerprints and smudges from our life
· Forgiveness: the cloth that wipes the lens of our heart and allows us a clear view of God's purposein our life
· Grace: the protective cover that keeps our vision from being clouded
God provides us with the tools needed to keep our vision clear and unclouded. Are you walking through life with dirty lenses?

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 12, 2014 4:18:39 GMT -5 VisionHeirE likes this

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 12, 2014 4:18:39 GMT -5

Sharing the Knowledge of God - by Phyllis Inniss

"But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel." (Proverbs 20:15)
My childhood found me spending most of Sunday in church, either morning service or Sunday school and ofttimes the evening service. I grew up believing in the love of God and felt He was a part of my life. However, I was not serious enough to put Him in my heart, and I took all the gifts I received for granted. Later in life, I tried to pass on the love of Jesus to my son and would use relevant examples to make my point.
I was taking my six-year-old son to the West End in London to shop. Now, Oxford Street, London, is one of the busiest streets you can find anywhere. I warned my son just before leaving home that if while we were out and he, by chance, became separated from me, then he was to wait wherever he was and I would come and fetch him. I reached the bank where I had some business to attend to and told him we were going in there. Because of the noise and the traffic, he did not hear me. When I looked for him he was not with me. I thought he was just waiting outside. When I came outside there was no sight of him. I continued walking in the direction that we were taking and a little way on I saw him standing. What a relief! Was it not the Holy Spirit guiding me to warn him that very morning? I thank God always that He guides me at the appropriate time. That was my first lesson to him about trusting God.
Folks, just put your trust in Him. He is an awesome God.

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 13, 2014 3:39:34 GMT -5 VisionHeirE likes this

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 13, 2014 3:39:34 GMT -5

Love Lifted Me - by Anna Darlene Edmondson

"He reached from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters" (Psalm 18:16 Amp).
At times, we need honest-to-goodness love to get through countless situations. Sometimes I feel like David, the Psalmist in the Old Testament. Several of his Psalms indicates his need of real help for real troubles. Ever feel that way? There's a sweet hymn called 'Love Lifted Me' that says: "I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore, very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more; But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry, from the waters lifted me, now safe am I".
I'm guessing James Rowe, the person who wrote the song, also read Psalm 18. The best verse of the hymn, in my opinion, is the last stanza: "Souls in danger, look above; Jesus completely saves, He will lift you by His love out of the angry waves. He's the Master of the sea, billows His will obey; He your Savior wants to be, be saved today."
It sounds as if Mr. Rowe is telling us that Jesus is the only answer to our every need. He talks about angry waves. Has there ever been a time in history when anger is out of control? What is up with elementary school children now bullying, carrying handguns to class, and committing murder? Horrendous! We have a lot of praying to do, don't we?
Love is the answer. That is, God's love-and, His love can never be exhausted. Almighty God is able to heal, bring peace, and change a myriad of circumstances for the better. We can trust His faithfulness and love to lift our homes, neighborhoods, cities, counties and the ends of the world. Let His love lift you today!

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 14, 2014 0:18:49 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 14, 2014 0:18:49 GMT -5

With My Own Eyes ! - by Florence Simmons

"The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it" (I John 1:2, NIV).
In a letter to believers the apostle John confronts a heresy that he personally knew to be phony. He refutes the false doctrine of the Gnostic teaching that denied Jesus' humanity. Gnostics argued that humans' perception of Christ on earth was an illusion ‒ that He just seemed to have a body. They disputed that the divine Christ entered the man Jesus at baptism and left before He died.
In order to attain salvation, the Gnostics looked to gain special knowledge, rather than to follow Jesus' teachings. This clever tactic supposedly sanctioned the Gnostics to live their sinful lifestyle of debauchery, watered down the Gospel message and questioned Christ's sacrifice on the cross: that He alone could grant forgiveness of sin. The teachings denied Christ as the Son of God.
From the very start of his letter, John confronts this diabolic lie. John had walked with Jesus, heard Him speak, seen Him with his own eyes ‒ his hands had even touched Him. John asks the question, "Who is the liar?" and quickly replies, "It is the man who denies that Jesus is the Christ." By so doing, "He denies the Father and the Son."
Even today we have unwise thinkers who believe the lie that Jesus is just one of many religious icons of our day. They risk rejecting Jesus Christ, the only One who gives eternal life. Will you believe the Gnostics lies? I hope not. God holds each of us responsible to accept His Son. We must give an account of our decision before Him.

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 15, 2014 3:36:42 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 15, 2014 3:36:42 GMT -5

My Extended Family - by Keith Henry

"'Who are my mother and my brothers?' he asked. Then He looked at those seated in a circle around Him and said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.'" (Mark 3:33, 34 NIV)
For the last few years, my entire family has come together because of some life event; we have celebrated two weddings and my parent's fiftieth wedding anniversary. We have always been a close family, but once my siblings and I became adults we scattered to the four winds, in proximity we could not be farther apart. Though we remain close and always will be, I have often asked, "'Who are my mother and my brothers' when mine are so far away? Who stands in the gap left by the miles?"
"Here are my mother and my brothers!" I exclaim as I look around St. Paul's United Methodist Church--my family for fourteen years. This community of believers has literally helped to raise my three children, and now my two grandchildren. I have found brothers to horse around with and to confide in when mine are so far away. There are many sisters to pick on and to ground me when I cannot be near mine. Motherly advice can be found in the back row or walking with a cane on the patio. Fatherly wisdom is found playing bass in the band or standing behind the pulpit. This community has always loved my family, especially in our darkest hours; even when I turned away from them for a season. I love my biological family and I love my extended family; thank you SPUMC for everything.

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 16, 2014 16:47:34 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 16, 2014 16:47:34 GMT -5

GOD'S STAMP ON OUR LIVES - by Abby Kelly

"The Son radiates God ' s own glory and expresses the very character of God, and he sustains everything by the mighty power of his command. When he had cleansed us from our sins, he sat down in the place of honor at the right hand of the majestic God in heaven." Hebrews 1:3
What kind of character do you have? When I was little, we used "character sketches" in our family Bible times. These were short stories which used nature to highlight admirable character qualities. The English dictionary says that character is the combination of "traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing".
As Christians, we desire to develop godly character traits. We want our character to be made up of the Fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness and self-control. These qualities develop out of a relationship with God. Jesus was the perfect example of these qualities.
In Greek, the word character means: "the instrument used for engraving or carving, the exact expression of a person". Think of a rubber stamp. When you place it on the page, it leaves the exact representation of the stamp.
Hebrews 1:3 says that Jesus represented the exact "character" or stamp of God. As we seek to grow Fruits of the Spirit in our lives, we should look to Jesus. He showed us exactly what God looks like. As He is the exact imprint of God, so we want His imprint to characterize our lives.

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 17, 2014 17:24:02 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 17, 2014 17:24:02 GMT -5

Hidden Pride - by Sharon Dow

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18 NIV
Most of us are familiar with this verse describing the consequences of pride, and most of us are uncomfortable with the person who emanates pride. It is wearisome to be with people who constantly boast and brag about themselves and their accomplishments. We don't want to be like that!
However, pride might be hiding in our most secret places. I became aware of this recently when I asked God to shine his light into the secret places of my heart and search out thoughts and actions not in accordance with his will for my life. Imagine my surprise when he found pride lucking in the deepest corners. This led to an awareness of things I had not even considered as the sin of pride.
It always amazes me when he begins to peel back the layers of our minds and reveals things that we need to deal with; small things maybe, but still things that keep us from a close relationship with him. His desire is for us to be like Jesus. What a monumental task; one we cannot do without the grace of our Lord.
Have you asked God to search your heart? You may be surprised at what he finds. Don't be discouraged with the results; just surrender them to him and he's promised to remove them. As children of the Father, we no longer have to face the eternal consequences of our sins. He has covered that.
Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Proverbs 16:19. NIV

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 18, 2014 9:29:27 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 18, 2014 9:29:27 GMT -5

OUR DEFENDER - by Stephanie M. White

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense--Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 1 John 2:1 NIV
The Word was written to us; it's our weapon against our flesh and the sin our flesh produces. David said that he hid the Word in his heart to keep him from sin (Psalm 119:11). Sin can be avoided through our consistent intake of the Word; unfortunately, sin is never avoided entirely. We're in a Spiritual battle and we decide which nature controls us based on what we do with the Word. There will be days when we ignore the Word and sin will reign - what happens on those days?
John tells us that when we sin we have a defender. Jesus Christ is speaking in our defense when we sin. Wow! How many of us truly believe that? Many times we believe that we cannot go to God when we yield to our flesh; we believe that He is against us. God's Word is telling us the opposite, though. When we find ourselves in sin we can come boldly to the throne for the help we need because Jesus is our righteousness; He earned our right to come to God because we never could. Apart from Christ we can do nothing of Spiritual value. We need Him! Our flesh should open our eyes to our need for the Word in our lives; it should lead us into the open arms of Christ! If your flesh is keeping your from God, then it's being perverted. Your sin should emphasize your need for Christ and lead you to your Defender! We cannot overcome sin without Him!

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 19, 2014 5:36:19 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 19, 2014 5:36:19 GMT -5

Heir Apparent - by C D Swanson

And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29 KJV)
Abba is Aramaic for Father that suggests warmth, love, and intimacy. God doesn't want to be an "austere" Father. He wants His children to approach Him anytime.
We are His to do with as He pleases. Yet He gives us free choice. He wants us to come to Him unconditionally, because we believe and love Him. He could have created robotic personalities- but what would that've accomplished? How much more satisfying is it when one comes forward freely?
Think of the satisfaction our Father feels when His children walk according to His will, and do so of their own volition? As His children we all share in the promise of His word, and Holy Covenant, and therefore, are all heirs to His Kingdom.
Be tolerant of your brothers and sisters in this troubled world. Be a peace maker and deliver the "good news" of Christ. Endeavor to keep His Spirit alive in a world seemingly filled with iniquity and perverse modes of thought. Strive to do righteous acts- and bring as many "sheep home" as we can-so the Head Shepherd will rejoice at a job well done. Choose Christ and be rewarded. There is no shadow in His presence, a place we desire to be for all eternity.
If there be trouble within your family or the bounds of friendship, choose to go forward and seek to be a peace maker. Offer guidance, and counsel to bring amends to broken relationships. We owe that, and much more to Jesus.
"Father, I pray your children freely choose You and know your love, in Jesus name. Amen."

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 21, 2014 1:45:51 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 21, 2014 1:45:51 GMT -5

Thank Before You Pray By Karen Pourbabaee

"Father, I thank You for hearing me." John 11:41
Jesus prayed this short prayer for His friend Lazarus, who lay lifeless in a dark tomb, just before his miraculous rising to life. It was a prayer of gratitude offered before Jesus' specific request. It spoke of a confidant trust that the Father was listening and paying attention to the events on earth that His beloved Son was walking through. Jesus knew he was not abandoned on His earthly pilgrimage. God the Father even heard the whispers of His heart.
Do you ever wonder if God is listening? Even after thousands of prayers over a lifetime, sometimes we may still wonder…perhaps because of seemingly unanswered prayer, unexplained delays, feelings of distance.
But like His beloved Son, He hears us. Even if He seems far away. To hear means to heed, mark, note, pay attention to, receive information. The Father who loves us as His own is paying attention as we speak, taking notes of our heart's cry. I imagine Him lovingly keeping the journal of our heart's pilgrimage on earth; alongside it sits the bottle of our tears. He will not forget our pleas. He perceives more than our words. He listens to our hearts. And sometimes behind the words of our prayers are unknown desires and dreams waiting to be revealed. Abba knows them well.
So His answers will come. He has written them in our journal. His answer will be revealed in His time, according to His will. Perhaps beyond our imagination. Like Jesus, let us give thanks for His hearing our words and our hearts as we kneel before Him.

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 22, 2014 7:48:04 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 22, 2014 7:48:04 GMT -5

See As Jesus Sees - by Susan Ferguson

They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. (Mark 2:17 KJV)
As I study the life of Jesus, I am moved by the love and attention He gave to people. He spent time with children, declaring them the greatest in God's kingdom. In a society that regarded women as not much more than slaves, Jesus welcomed them into His discipleship, raising their status beyond anything the world had seen. Jesus touched lepers, healed the sick, and showed compassion for the poor, weak, and oppressed. He recognized the deep needs of all people, including Zaccheus, a wealthy tax collector who was despised and rejected by the people. While passing through Jericho, Jesus spotted him in a sycamore tree, and said, "Zaccheus, come down, I must be a guest at your house today." (Luke 19:5). Salvation came to Zaccheus' house that day. Jesus cast out seven demons from Mary Magdalene, who was the first to see the resurrected Christ. He assured the penitent criminal, who hung next to Him on the Cross that he would join Him in paradise. Jesus talked and ate with sinners, recognizing their need for love and redemption. Jesus saw something worth dying for in every person He met.
As I look at Jesus' life, it's evident that my spiritual vision is unlike His. I've come to realize that it takes more than my mere knowledge of His life and teachings to see as Jesus sees. It takes growing and abiding in Christ, and letting Him live through me.

Deleted
Deleted Member

Posts: 0

Daily Devotional May 23, 2014 3:39:58 GMT -5

Quote

Post by Deleted on May 23, 2014 3:39:58 GMT -5

Cracked Shells and Undamaged Shields - by Lillian Rhoades

"…hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil" (Ephesians 6:16b NLT).
I don't think the Apostle Paul would object if I likened an egg shell to the "shield of faith." I was reminded of their comparative purpose to protect when I noticed a cracked shell on one of the eggs I was boiling for lunch. Nothing is more useless to me than an egg with a broken shell gyrating around in a pot of boiling water with its contents spilling out. The shell can no longer protect what's inside of it, and the egg becomes an unsightly anomaly unworthy of a good egg salad. Just before I pitched the offending, partially boiled egg into the garbage bin, I discovered that even a damaged egg shell can speak to my spirit.
The shell was either flawed before it encountered the flames, or it cracked under intense heat. There are times when I find myself embroiled in a dilemma, and my faith unyokes under the flames of adversity. It seems as if everything I know about God leaks out into the frenzied waters of unbelief. Why, I wondered, is my faith so often like a fragile egg shell when under fire? God quickly responded.
He reminded me of the Roman soldiers in Paul's time who did what was necessary to keep their shields from cracking. Every day they applied oil to the thick, leather armor, even when they were not engaged in warfare. And every day, I must keep my shield of faith well oiled with God's Word before I have to use it. Only then can my faith protect me when I'm in the furnace (Isa. 43:2).