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Monthly Archives: March 2012

Energy for the race

As I awoke this morning, feeling the pains of a very rough work week, my body is physically hurting. I was thinking of how I still have two more long rough days ahead, and what I needed to do to accomplish the tasks at hand. I needed physical energy and probably some Aleve pain meds too. It hit me the similarities of our lives and duty as disciples of Christ, and the energy and meds that we receive from Him. What I receive our here early every morning is much more than I can convey in these devotions. I can never accurately pen what He provides me in this labor of love. It gives me the energy to run that eternal race and press on towards that goal that lies ahead, to share what He has done for me, and can do for you.

 

Energy for the race

John 6:27 Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

Tired. Physically exhausted, mentally drained, the labor which drags us down as we seek to work and provide for our families and ourselves. And yes the older we get, the harder it gets. But we continue to press on, pushing ourselves for the tasks at hand, to obtain whatever goal lies before us, to reach the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. It may be at work or at play, but we press on towards that goal, of achievement and success.

The ultimate goal of eternal life is obtained simply through grace alone (Ephesians 2:8), but the burden that becomes placed on your heart is the desire to share what you possess with others. That is the “works” that Christ places in you, and does through you. As in preparation for that work that lies ahead, you must feed yourself on that spiritual food that prayer and time in His Word bring. These provide the energy to run the race that is set before you. This food is not obtained on Sundays only, but requires daily nourishment in time consecrated to Him. Take the time to feed your soul, along with your body every morning. You will find a strength you never knew you possessed, and an energy to face the day no matter how daunting the worldly tasks that may lie ahead.

 
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Posted by on March 16, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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SALT

SALT.

 
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Posted by on March 15, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

SALT

SALT

Matthew 5:13 “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

Salt is used many times to describe how a Christian should live in the bible. We are told to be “the salt of the world.” Salt is a fascinating and deep word study, and we all understand it’s application properties of enhancing the flavor of food. The application properties of it as a Christian are viewed primarily as bringing Christ’s Light into the world through our lives, and how He flavors those that we influence. There are different theological lines on how we are to flavor it, but once we possess that Salt, we are assured that our influences are being effected. How you conduct yourself every day is how you salt those that come into contact with you.

The more we value the “stuff” here in the world, the more we expose ourselves to it, the more our salt will tend to loose it’s flavor. If we are drawn to the world and place more value on it thank our relationship with Christ, do we possess the salt? “Remember Lot’s wife”(Luke 17:32).  Christ warns us in His telling us of the end of times. Spend time daily in keeping your salt pure through time in God’s Word. The salt of the gospel of Christ through His holy word, are the salt upon which we are all saved. The Word of God has the ability to penetrate you like none other, to convict or uplift you. Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Time spent with Him, will allow Him, to use you to add flavor to those around you every day.

 
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Posted by on March 15, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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I just don’t go……

I just don’t go…….

 
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Posted by on March 14, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

I just don’t go……

I believe, I just don’t go to church

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

“I believe, I just don’t go to church.” In your homes every day as a Christian disguised as a repairman, it amazes me how much I hear this. It always goes back to some experience, an event where Satan has caused division in the church and in your heart for the assembling of believers and the power that comes with it. “Consider one another” above is speaking of how we are not to think only of ourselves, but those who are struggling also. We are all beat down by the world all week and need that encouragement that our brothers and sisters who are dealing with the same, can deliver through how God has worked in our lives. God can deliver a direct word of encouragement to you through a brother or sister when you surround yourself with them on a regular basis.

You cannot do Christianity alone. You will become full of pride and you will fall at some time. Ecclesiastes 4:10 For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. God is working in all of us, and He is using that work, to encourage each other believer. How many times have you shared, and the receiver has told you that was exactly what they needed to hear? That happens when believers gather to exhort each other, and praise His holy name. Psalm 42:4 “I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise.” The uplifting of your spirit in a time of gathered praise together, with your arms in the air and your joyful heart poured out to God, is the power to face another week He charges you with. You learn the Gospel Truth, the applications to what you are facing, and the ability to share how God can use you where you find yourself six other days a week.

 
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Posted by on March 14, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Perspective Change

Perspective Change.

 
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Posted by on March 13, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

Perspective Change

Today is a marker in God changing my life. I won’t go into the long story, but becoming obedient and putting Him before all, the top of my list of priorities. My plans have changed as a result of Him changing my perspective of life, temporal and eternal, and which matters most.

 

 

Perspective Change

Jeremiah 29:11-13   For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.

James 4:13-15  Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.” We all have our plans, we all have our ideas of what we hope our futures will bring. We work hard, we strive to attain the goal, then change comes. It may come in the way of termination, or it may come in the way of perspective, but when it comes how do you respond? Do you embrace it with the understanding you are not in control, or do you begin the fight?

In Jeremiah above, God is ensuring all of us the hope that He places within us of eternal security. When we seek Him and understand that He is guiding our paths, we begin to gain a peace and hope of the future, not a dread of it. I do believe many in our midst with the world economy have seen their well laid plans changed drastically. As a result of those changes God is giving you the prompting to draw nearer to Him, or your pride can step in and run from Him. If you will humble yourself and seek Him as in Jeremiah 33:3 ‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.‘  Let go and let God lead. This is the voice of experience, for I too was that prideful one who planned on doing things my way, until my perspective was changed. Thank you Jesus.

 
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Posted by on March 13, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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What is the meaning of Life to you?

What is the meaning of Life to you?.

 
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Posted by on March 12, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

What is the meaning of Life to you?

What is the meaning of Life to you?

Ecclesiastes 1:2   “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher; “Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.”

Ecclesiastes was written by the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon. In this book he even gathered wise counsel to gain increased understanding of the meaning of life, the question that dwells inside us all, believers or not. In verse 3:11 we learn that “He put eternity into our hearts.” God placed that need that dwells from deep within to draw us to Him. We search and search for happiness, success, and meaning to fulfill that desire, yet when they are attained without, they still seem lacking. Until that void is filled, true happiness will never be attainable, but always just out of our reach however we pursue the thing. Verse 14 I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.

Vanity in this book means a “breath” or “vapor” which speaks of life as quickly passing away. It is found 38 times in this book, and is a key point to understanding Ecclesiastes. Once we learn how to possess that hope for eternity with God, our short time here can truly be enjoyed for we realize our security in eternal paradise. The trials of every day life in our personal and work environments will not carry the weight they once did before our understanding of this temporal life. That release of our lives to God, releases the burden we now carry trying to satisfy that question of the meaning of life. He has and He IS, the answer. John 11:25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

 
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Posted by on March 12, 2012 in Daily Devotions

 

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Use Me

Use Me.

 
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Posted by on March 11, 2012 in Daily Devotions