Devotionals

February 5, 2019

Psalm 138:1-3 The Message (MSG)

I love to say, “Thank you!”  When people are thoughtful and kind, it fills my soul with joy to express gratitude.  Appreciation blesses the giver and it blesses the receiver.  Does saying, “Thank you” to others come easy to you?  Does it graciously roll off your tongue?  If you understand how God feels about a grateful heart, you will make expressing gratitude to those around you a part of your daily practice. 

Expressing gratitude for the faithfulness of God should be part of our daily prayers.  God is so very good to us; always providing and sharing blessings with his children.  Every good and perfect gift comes from him.  So, start your day with “Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you…(you get the idea).

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February 4, 2019

1 Corinthians 2:10-16

There is a great deal I do not know or understand about life. Sometimes I sit back and just shake my head until it rattles.  However, because of Scripture, I know some of the most important things that affect the foundation of my understanding; I am grateful for that wisdom. I know I am loved by a holy and amazing Father.  He is my Creator and Source of life.  He desires only good things for me; He delights in blessing me.  Everything I have just shared about myself, is also true about you. God loves you and has a great plan for your life. This plan is something God desires to do in you in order to help others around you.  You hold the message someone else needs to hear.

In order to experience all God has for us, we must surrender to the work of the Spirit, because our “unspiritual self” cannot understand divine Wisdom.  Humanity gets lost in the maze of the mind and struggles to understand spiritual things.  Scriptures teaches we actually have “no capacity” to receive the things of the Spirit (1 Cor 2:14).  However, Jesus set the “no capacity—no room in the Inn thing” on its heels and made a way for us to be spiritually alive. Now, we have access to all God is doing in us; wisdom makes all the difference in the world. Dive deep into the depths of God and live His plan.

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February 1, 2019

Acts 19:1-4 The Message (MSG)

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul is visiting those who claim to be “disciples.”  As he observes their lives and listens to their words, Paul notices something lacking in these Ephesians.  He comes to them with a question about the Holy Spirit.  Think about this situation.  These disciples are more than likely teaching others about the need for repentance before God and to honor Him as Lord; this is the message of John the Baptist.  It is a good and sound message.  But, Paul knows this level of understanding is only the beginning in the story of God’s love and work of Christ Jesus for salvation.  The Holy Spirit is where we find the power for Kingdom living.

God wants to get down inside humanity—each individual led by the Spirit—not just invite people to be baptized and make a mental ascent to honor God’s authority.  He wants to save us from our sin and it takes the work of the Holy Spirit to accomplish this in our lives.  We are spiritual train wrecks without the impartation of the Spirit of Truth.  We will make up our own truth if the Spirit doesn’t guide our lives; actually, we will try to control others to live by our truth.  If we are going to be saved from sin and death, the Spirit must wash us and walk with us into Christ’s righteousness and wholeness.  This is the Good News! 

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January 31, 2019

Psalm 71:1-3 The Message (MSG)

When I pray I tend to talk to God the way I would speak to my closest family members and friends who care about me.  I simply share my heart as honest as I know how to do. The Lord loves his children and I always see my prayer time as a way to come boldly yet come as I am; his daughter.  Sometimes I cannot slow down my praise to take a breath and he laughs at my exuberance. Other times I need direction or his holy problem-solving and he delights in my desire for wisdom.  Lately, I have come with tears for several in my spiritual family who are suffering and he cries with me.

King David teaches the same thing with regard to prayer; David was a man after God’s own heart. We must remember God’s door is always open, so run in today and just sit and share your heart like you would with the most perfect Friend you have ever known.  When you finish talking, sit and listen for his heart and enjoy his beautiful presence.  You will come away refreshed and ready for your day of Kingdom Living.

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January 30, 2019

Psalm 119:92-96 NLT

Recently, I have had to limit my caffeinated coffee intake; I don’t like it, but I feel calmer!  I have chosen to limit my carbohydrate intake, as well; I don’t like it, but I feel healthier!  I have to leave some things behind and limit other things in order to move forward to greater wholeness.  Do you like limits?  I don’t like limits, but I know setting an amount restriction on these two areas is really good for me.  So, like it or not, I will embrace the change and honor the limit.

In life, we will have to face or implement a variety of limits in order to take care of these physical temples (bodies); we are carriers of the Word.  We need to be as healthy as possible; we need the healing grace of God every day.  Only the Word can heal us and help us limit the dominion of the world’s ways over our lives.  We are in the world, but we are not of the world. 

Now, even though there are limits in the natural world, there are no limits to the abundant provision of God’s Word or his salvation.  So live your Christian life today with a new perspective.  We serve the limitless God who stands ready to speak his blessings over us moment by moment.  Jesus called this limitless living “Kingdom life” in the abundance of God. We just need to follow his Word of Life! The enemy wants to rob steal and destroy, but Jesus came to give us life (John 10:10).  So, spend more time in the blessings of God and less time thinking about what you have to leave behind or limit.  Better things in the goodness of God await us…

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January 28, 2019

Romans 12:14-21 NLT

As we go through every day in our ordinary lives, we will encounter evil, negative, angry, and selfish spirits in people.  It is just a part of living in an unredeemed world where evil still has a space on the playing field with willing or oblivious hosts.  Scripture teaches we do not war with flesh and blood but with cosmic powers over spiritual darkness.  So, how are we going to contend with those who curse at us or hurl unkindness our way?  1) Will we return evil for evil?  2) Will we shoot off our mouths like we know it all in order to put others in a humble place?  3)  Or, will we surrender our flesh, dig down deep into the Love of God, and make a Holy Exchange for Christ’s righteousness so we can return the spiritual fruits of patience and goodness instead?  Make the decision how you will respond before the opportunity actually comes and it will be easier to follow Christ.

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January 24, 2019

Psalm 19:7-9 The Message

God is always sending messages to humanity in order to attract their wandering attention. We just have to be willing to receive his revelations. What do you think of when you hear the word “revelation?” According to biblical translations, the word “revelation” refers to God’s self-unveiling to humanity who cannot discover anything accurate about God or themselves without his help. We were made in his image, but what does that mean for individual human life?

When God gives us signs, connects our faith with the map of his plans, and guides our steps thereby causing us to walk in the right life direction, we are gaining glimpses of his holy character and his faithful love for us. For those who seek God’s heart and desire a relationship with him, their lives are truly pulled together in the joy of his salvation. If you have not experienced the joy the Lord has for you, then press in for more revelation. Ask God to reveal more to you about his love and plans for you. He will never reject your request if your heart is fixed on loving and knowing him. Please note there may be a huge chasm between your human plans and God’s holy plans; therefore, we need Jesus Christ to be our bridge and the Holy Spirit to be the power by which we shift in order to fulfill God’s plans. Remember, God is holy and his plans for us is to follow Jesus; so be willing to lay down your human life in order to pick up your new life in Christ.

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January 23, 2019

Luke 5:33-39 The Message (MSG)

For some odd reason our lesson today reminds me of pigs in a blanket (baked mini crescent hotdogs). lol! Go ahead and laugh; it certainly does not sound very spiritual, but it is a pretty good analogy of a spiritual condition called pride.  In our passage today, the religious leaders have basically wrapped themselves in self-righteous respectability; much like the hotdog being wrapped and covered by the crescent roll.

These religious leaders struggle against sin in their lives just like everyone else, but they prance around like they are spiritually flawless; wrapped in a form of godliness void of humble gratitude and love.  They need a Savior, too.  These leaders emphasize ridged religious rules and exercise judgment; they actually question the spiritual integrity of Jesus and his disciples.   In fact, these leaders abhor the fact that Jesus associates with sinners and attends celebrations with them. He never ever agrees with people’s sin, but he gathers with them in order to influence their understanding of how to please God through salvation.  Think about it; during Christ’s ministry the sinners enjoyed their time with the King of Glory and many of the religious leaders missed the party.  

We have to allow the Spirit of Christ to change our thinking and to renew how we see salvation and the work of redemption.  If you know Jesus, you are wrapped in his righteousness; it is a gift from God.  Please do not take credit for it, because it is all Christ’s doing.  He deserves the glory.  Our job is to cooperate and allow the Spirit to convict us and lead us away from all sin and unrighteous living, so our lives can bring glory to God.

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January 22, 2019

Psalm 145 The Message (MSG)

In our passage today, David shares his extravagant praise of God’s faithfulness.  David gives thanks and confesses the unfathomable greatness of God.  David’s praise is built on his appreciation for God’s kingdom and rule in his life.  God alone rules in righteousness and under His authority God’s people are safe in His care.  David sings about how God has always been there to help him through the difficult times with His healing grace.  Humanity was created to give God praise not because God needs it, but because praising God takes our eyes off from our humanity and places our hopes on Someone greater who sincerely and purely loves us. 

If you are going through a tough time, then bow in praise and thanksgiving to God.  Ask God to take care of you and everything involved in this trial.  Ask and you will find Him faithful.  Give fear no room in your thoughts or emotions.  God will always stick by you—He is faithful beyond human understanding—and He will provide for you in every way.  You have God’s Word or promise to be your Standby.  Let your faith in God be greater than your fears!  Praise Him because He alone is worthy to be praised!  I look forward to the day when everything on heaven and earth gives God praise and honor!

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January 21, 2019

Romans 12:9-21 The Message (MSG)

In our passage today, the Apostle Paul gives us a glimpse of how to love others authentically with the love of God. Our love is not to contain judgment; we have no right to judge another person.  Our greatest task and responsibility is actually to examine ourselves and judge our love walk as we encounter others. Christ calls us to model his love and use that love to honor others who may not realize they have been made in God’s image.  Chances are in their ignorance they will need forgiveness; we certainly needed God’s forgiveness.  By reflecting Christ, we are passing the healing grace of God on to those around us.  We have received from the mercy and grace of God, so let’s turn and be givers of healing grace.

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