Summer Devotional July 19th, 2017

Job 37:14:  “Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders.”

I know “stop and smell the roses” is such a cliche, but it’s something we all need to do.  Today I encourage you to stop and take in the wonders of nature (God’s hand) all around you no matter in a big city or a small town, forest or sea, mountains or prairie.  God is everywhere in everything and we often miss Him in all of our busy-ness.  He created this world for us and we miss Him when we ignore the animals and trees and sky around us.

Pet a cat or dog.  Look up in the sky and enjoy the hawk or the gull.  Visit a park and sit and watch the grass and trees sway in the wind.  Go on a hike.  Or a run.  Take a walk with friends.  And stop when you see a blooming flower in bright orange or red or yellow or purple.  Then thank Him.  For all He’s given and all He’s done.  You’ll be amazed at the change in your outlook if you do.

Summer Devotional July 4th, 2017

Happy 4th of July!!

Galatians 5:13:  “You, my brothers, were called to be free.  But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.”

On this day of celebration of Independence, let’s not forget who grants us independence:  God.  With our freedoms we are to do good, not harm.  We are to remember others and remember those who sacrificed for our freedoms.  Christ gives us the ultimate freedom in him.  On this side of heaven, God grants us individual freedoms to be used for His good.  Don’t take those (or Him) for granted.

 

Summer Devotional June 30th, 2017

Luke 1:31-32:  “You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.  The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.”

One of the greatest joys in life is finding out you will have a baby.  From that moment on, all mothers envision their baby as perfect and growing up to do great things.  Imagine having God confirm this.  Imagine birthing the Savior of the World.  Imagine raising Jesus.  Imagine the overwhelming happiness, awe, and fear all at the same time.  None of us what to screw up our kids.  Especially Mary!  Thought I’d end the week on a happy note:  Parents, God has your child.  All you have to do is follow Him.  He does the rest.

Old Post Made New from July 16th 2012 HERE

Summer Devotional June 28th, 2017

Ecclesiastes 2:24-25:  “A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink and find satisfaction in his work.  This too, I see, is from the hand of God, for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?”

As June draws to a close and July comes marching in and we watch our summer trickle by, a reminder to enjoy each and every day.  God creates us for His joy and to be joyful.  If every day is a drudgery, then you’re wasting your life and again insulting God.  With Him, we find joy and provision.  With Him, life becomes the most precious gift that we MUST NOT WASTE.  So every day be grateful, joyful, and look around you.  It is His gift to us.  All of it.  Embrace it.  Love it.  Cherish it and all those in your life.  Soon, very soon, it will be over.

Summer Devotional June 26th, 2017

Proverbs 3:24:  “When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

This is for all the insomniacs or at-times insomniacs out there (so all of us) who lie down at night and who cannot turn off their brains from the worries, the heartaches, the struggles of life this side of heaven.

Rest is so important to everything we do.  We need to shut off our brains, heal our bodies, and regenerate in order to do God’s work every day, day in and day out.  Mediate on Him and His word at these times.  He will grant you rest.  And one day it will be for eternity.

Summer Devotional June 21st, 2017

Ecclesiastes 7:10:  “Do not say, ‘Why were the old days better than these?’  For it is not wise to ask such questions.”

Don’t live in the past!  Quit beating yourself up over something long over.  You can’t change it.  You can only move forward.  Each day is a new opportunity to live God’s fullest potential for your life.  Don’t waste one more minute of it!  It’s an insult to God to waste what He has given.  Carpe Diem!

Father’s Day Devotional June 18th, 2017

Ode to Fathers:

Proverbs 4:1-2:  “Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.  I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.”

Hug your dad today, tomorrow, and every chance you get.  The sacrifices they made/make for their children every day is infinite and beyond words.  One of God’s greatest gifts to us:  Mom and Dad.

Happy Father’s Day!!

Summer Devotional June 14th, 2017

Micah 6:8:  “And what does the Lord require of you?  To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”

Sounds so simple, right?  Except when the baby is crying.  Or creditors are calling.  The bills are mounting.  You’re job searching.  You get a flat tire.  The grocery store is out of milk!

My challenge for you today:  pick one of the Lord’s requirements:  either 1) act justly 2) love mercy or 3) walk humbly.

THEN:  1) Pray to the Lord and just thank Him and ask Him to help you be more of that one attribute.

THEN:  2) Pick one thing you will do today to either act justly (e.g. rewarding people at work for a job well done) or love mercy (e.g. be nice to the person not being nice to you) or walk humbly (let the car merge in front of you–you aren’t in that big for a hurry).  Simple things towards God’s simple requirements.

Summer Devotional June 9th, 2017

2 Corinthians 9:11:  “You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

Since we do all of our work for God (Colossians 3:23) and we give Him thanks for everything (1 Thessalonians 5:18), He blesses us and in turn we are able to bless others.  So today:  be generous.  Hold the door for someone.  Give a compliment.  Smile.  Give of your time.  Give of your energy.  Give yourself.  It’s nothing compared to what God has given us (Jesus).