Thursday, October 29, 2009

Forgiveness


But if you do not forgive
men their sins, your Father
will not forgive your sins.

Matthew 6:15



Forgiveness goes against our God-given sense
of what is just. Yet, God calls us to forgive
those who don't deserve it. When we accepted
the Lord's forgiveness, we gave up all rights
to hold anything against anyone else. An un-
forgiving heart is miserable because it is far
from God, who is the source of all peace and joy.

~Charles Stanley~
from: In Touch Devotional Booklet

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

His Way


"I chose you..."

John 15:16




All of God's people are ordinary people who have
been made extraordinary by the purpose He has for
them. We are not workers for God by choice. It is
not that you have gotten God, but that He has gotten
you. God is at work bending, breaking, molding and
doing exactly as He chooses. Let Him have His way.

~Oswald Chambers~
from: My Utmost for His Highest

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The Wise










I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth,
that You have hidden these things from the wise
and prudent and revealed them to babes. Even so,
Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight."

Luke 10:21


Believing we are wise tempts us to evaluate the shortcomings
of others, yet be unaware of how much growth is still required
in ourselves.

Religious people with the most knowledge are sometimes the ones
least responsive to God's Word. Knowledge can easily lead to
pride, and pride impedes us from seeking God.

~Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Teach Me










Teach me your decrees, O Lord;
I will keep them to the end.
Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions;
I will put them into practice with all my heart.
Make me walk along the path of your commands,
for that is where my happiness is found.
Give me an eagerness for your laws
rather than a love for money!
Turn my eyes from worthless things,
and give me life through your word.

Psalm 119:33-37

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Bless Others









For just as through the disobedience
of the one man the many were made sinners,
so also through the obedience of the one man
the many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:19

Just as the obedience of one Christian
can bring blessing to others, the sin
of one Christian can bring harm to many
others. Your sin will have an impact
on others. Choosing to disobey God may
cost someone God's blessing. Diligently
seek to obey every word from God, for you
do not know how your disobedience could
affect those around you. Scripture promises
that if you will obey the Lord, your life
will be a channel of blessing to others.

~Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Monday, October 19, 2009

Never Too Busy



But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed,
came where he was. And when he saw him, he had compassion.

Luke 10:33


It's easy to become so busy that you are oblivious to those
in need. Your schedule can become so full of accomplishing
good things that you are of no help to the people around you.
God is at work in the lives of your friends, your neighbors,
your family members. He may ask you to interrupt your day
long enough to join Him as He ministers to them. Nothing on
your agenda, no matter how pressing, is reason enough to ignore
the voice of God when He tells you to stop and help. If you have
become too busy to minister to those around you, ask God to re-
establish your priorities so that you do not miss opportunities
to serve Him.

~Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

His Strength


I can do
all things
through
Christ who
strengthens
me.

Philippians 4:13




This is my favorite verse
and needs no explanation.

Monday, October 12, 2009

His Purpose


For everything there is
a season, and a time for
every purpose under heaven.
Ecc. 3:1




God has a purpose for everything that comes into
our life...even conversations. Nothing is trivial.
Be attentive because every day is an opportunity to
see Him at work.

~Charles Stanley~

Friday, October 9, 2009

Fear the Lord


The fear of
the LORD is
the beginning
of wisdom.
Proverbs 9:10



Photo by Donna Downey

To fear the Lord is to recognize God's attributes:
He is Holy, Almighty, Righteous, Pure, All-Knowing,
All-Powerful and All-Wise.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Government












Where there is moral rot within a nation,
its government topples easily. But with
wise and knowledgeable leaders, there is
stability. Proverbs 28:2 (NLT)


Father, how privileged I am to be able to
pray to You! You are God Most High, ruler
over the kingdoms of the world, infinitely
greater than all earthly authorities. What
a mighty God you are!

Bring about wise decisions in the government
and courts of our country. For the good of Your
people and for the spread of the gospel, overrule
bad decisions, mistakes, and evil plans. Do the
same for all city and state governments, for leaders
of other countries, and for the leadership of the
United Nations. Guide me to the current issues and
problems You want me to focus prayer on, both in
our country and in the world. Amen.

~Ruth Myers~
from: 31 Days of Prayer

He determines the course of world events; He removes
kings and sets others on the throne. Daniel 2:21 (NLT)

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Knowing God & His Word


Put on the full armor of God
so that you can take your
stand against the devil's
schemes...take up the shield
of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows
of the evil one.
Ephesians 6:11 & 16



As you decide how to respond in the various
situations that will arise today, I urge you
to remember that you are in a war. Satan's
strategy is to beseige your mind until he
wears down your resistance and captures your
thoughts. From the beginning, Satan has cast
doubt on the Word of God. He wants you to
question, doubt, distort, alter, embellish,
discredit, or ignore the Word of God. Dis-
guised as an angel of light, he will do anything
and everything he can to undermine God's Word.

Know your God.
Know His Word.
And live accordingly.

~Kay Arthur~
from: Lord, I Give You This Day

Monday, October 5, 2009

Words are Powerful





Photo by Donna Downey


A good person produces good words from
a good heart, and an evil person produces
evil words from an evil heart. And I tell
you this, that you must give an account on
judgement day of every idle word you speak.
The words you say now reflect your fate then;
either you will be justified by them or you
will be condemned.

Matthew 12:35-37



What comes out of your mouth has to do with the
condition of your heart. Our words can justify
or condemn. They can bring joy to us or corrupt
and dishonor us. The words we say can either
build up or break down the soul of the person
we are speaking to. What you say and how you
say it reflects the person that you are and what
is in your heart.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Obey Me


If you love
Me, obey My
commandments.

John 14:15






God has many ways to deter us from sin. One is to
provide reminders for us so that we never take dis-
obedience to Him lightly. God is absolutely just.
He loves, and He forgives, but He does not compromise
His righteousness. God deals with us uniquely. He
draws upon our experiences to teach us about Himself.
God will forgive us of our sin, but He may provide
stark reminders of the ugliness of sin. Let us thank
God that He loves us enough to remind us of the des-
tructive consequences of sin in our lives.

~Henry T. Blackaby & Richard Blackaby~
from: Experiencing God Day by Day

All those who love Me will do what I say.
John 14:23

He who has My commandments and keeps them,
it is he who love Me.
John 14:21