Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Daily Devotional - Arise from the wreckage

The title seems a bit alarming....let's find out. Great verse to begin with:
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28 (KJV)

Don't we all feel shipwrecked at times....God wants to test us to see what kind of Faith we have....what soil are you standing at. I am standing on the SOLID ROCK! Oooo how powerful this is!

I remember being blown around my someone else's sin....it is so crazy, it is root-binding....it can follow you through ministry....be careful to not allow the enemy's plan to be rooted into your life, it happened to me in the ministry. Sad but true.

Prayer and Praise....what a relief to be removed from the things that bind us daily and all we have to do is pray and lift up his holy name in PRAISE!

What an awesome devo today....LOVE IT!

God kept His promise to work all things together for the good of this man who loved Him and was called according to His purposes. As Paul depended on God and trusted His faithfulness in the midst of his adversity, many witnessed God’s power and believed.

And the same is true for us. God doesn’t waste our pain, our rejection or our “shipwrecks.” He uses them to bring about His plan—to position us so that others can see His transforming power at work in our lives and believe in the living God.

If that’s true, and it is, then our challenge is to rise from the wreckage, like Paul, so that our lives will give testimony that draws others to the Jesus. Today I will no longer sit on the sidelines of life full of self-pity. I choose to rise, pray and praise, so that God can position me to shine for His glory, and so that others will believe.

Dear Lord, forgive me for wallowing in self-pity and rejection. I trust that You see the bigger picture. I believe there is a purpose for my pain. Strengthen me to rise from my ashes so that others will see You are my help and my salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.



Monday, August 22, 2011

Daily Devotional - Monday, 8/22 - Planning to Rest

OMG - this is what Crystal was just talking to me about yesterday - how amazing, how plainly God speaks to us, this actual verse (she learned about it on Saturday when she went to service with her friend.)

“He said to them, ‘This is what the LORD commanded: “Tomorrow is to be a day of sabbath rest, a holy sabbath to the LORD. So bake what you want to bake and boil what you want to boil. Save whatever is left and keep it until morning.” Exodus 16:23(NIV)

This verse came to life yesterday when Hector realized how tired I was and you know what he told me, let's look at your budget and schedule for the maids to come right before Christian's b-day so that you don't have to work so much, isn't this amazing? God is so wonderful and shows us in such small ways. That just touched my heart so much.

We just have to stop, take the time and rest so that we are not so overwhelmed.

The Sabbath is a gift from a loving heavenly Father to His children. It is a day to breathe a sigh of relief, and rest from our labors. It is a day to soak in the companionship of those we love. My spirit, mind and body long for rest. - What an awesome way of describing the Sabbath, I love it.

Dear Lord, forgive me for the times I have made excuses and dishonored Your Sabbath. I know You gave me this day as a gift, and I have often rejected it in favor of my own way. Help me to plan the rest of the week wisely so that I’m prepared for a day of rest. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me another chance to obey You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. - AWESOME PRAYER, I am so blessed to be saved by grace! Hallelujah!

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Daily Devotional - It Just Takes One

What is that “one” thing you are waiting for God to send you right now? The peace that I want to have with certain things in my life. It is so awesome that it just takes "one" thing from God to make life better.

The need to believe, the need to walk in his prescence knowing we are free, the need to hear what he has to say to us. I love to focus on God's promises so that I can continue to focus on him at all times!

It just took one— one sacrifice, one resurrection, one hope for eternity. Humanity cried out for restoration and God responded by sending that One. (I love this!)

Mel - your one thing happened today - Praise the Lord! Happy for you! :-)

Whether it is a sold sign in your yard or healing in a relationship; turn to the Creator of all things with whatever is on your heart. Spend today reflecting on that one sacrifice He made on your behalf, because of His unfailing love for you. Trust Him to do what is best for you—whatever His answer may be—and live in expectation of the abundant life He has promised.

Dear Lord, help me to trust in You to send the answers I need. Help me to take my eyes off my circumstances and focus solely on You. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your precious Son so that I could have salvation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Tuesday's devotional - A Kindred Spirit

Awww, I barely have any friends because the majority have never been faithful or don't have the kindred spirit that this devotional is talking about.

"Whatever you say, I will do for you" (20:4). That's the promise of an intimate friend.

Friends won't talk against you. No pettiness, no envy, no jealousy. What a powerful message about friends....if only we all carried the kindred spirit. I miss some of my friends and can only pray for those that I miss to have this spirit.

Monday's devotional - Don't do it

I know that for some people this one is a little different and may apply to some and not to others but the sexual sin can happen to anyone or everyone. This devotional talked about adultery in general and how Satan traps us into it.

This line sums it up into three words...Don't do it! Don't allow Satan to trap you and fall into an adulterous situation. Trust in God and keep him before you at all times and you will not fall into this type of temptation.

I know this devotion is not for everybody. But if there is one woman out of the 200,000 or so that receive our Girlfriends in God devotions every day…just one woman who will turn away from the temptation that is knocking on her door today, then it is worth it.

Don’t do it. Turn to God and allow Him to fill the emptiness in your heart today. He’s waiting with open arms.

Let’s Pray

Dear God, I pray that I will be alert to the devil’s schemes today. Help me to see when and where he is tempting me to sin against You. Give me the strength to flee temptation and run straight into Your arms. I cannot do this on my own. I need the power of Your Holy Spirit to empower me to do what is right and good in Your sight. Thank You for being all that I need.

In Jesus’ Name,
Amen