Thursday, February 28, 2013

Thursday, February 28, 2013 -- Memories

When I was a little girl, my mom would greet me with a special treat on cold, chilly mornings. Draped across her arms, fresh from the dryer, would be the clothes I would be wearing for the day. My memories of slipping under the covers to put on the warm, toasty clothes makes me smile just as much as the actual mornings. The memories we make as we journey through each moment of our lives form our faith and mold our reactions. There will be times in our lives when our experiences will give birth to unpleasant memories rather than the good. Yet, even in pain our memories are still necessary to bring us closer in our walk with our Lord. It is in remembering that we learn compassion, increase our hope, and ease our own suffering. I pray that today brings good memories your way and that in each moment you will find praise for the omnipotence and wisdom of our Mighty God and Father.

I shall remember the deeds of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. - Psalm 77:11 

 

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Tuesday, February 26, 2013 - Rest


Did you know your body can go longer without food than it can without rest? A mind deprived of sleep is not as sharp. One cannot think clearly or process answers readily. We think on the surface, too tired for deep contemplation. When we are exhausted or fatigued, Satan becomes alert. He sees us grow weary in our routine and prods us with thoughts of monotony and tedium, standing ready to attack.  It is our duty to seek the rest we need, physically and spiritually. Make the time to withdraw from the day to day, if only for a moment. Stepping away to spend time with your Heavenly Father will quiet your mind, refresh your spirit, and replenish your soul.


So they went off in the boat to a lonely place where they could be by themselves. - Mark 6:32

Monday, February 25, 2013

Monday, February 25, 2013 - Compassion


As long as we remain on this earth, we will experience conflict and disagreement with others. We were not created to share the same point of view, but rather, to use these separate views for creativity and advancement. Helping another to feel good about their accomplishments when things have gone off course can be difficult as a parent, teacher, or an administrator.  Betty Clipman, acclaimed chorus director of Sweet Adelines International teaches that, "correction without compassion is brutality.” Our goal must be to help advance the other person, never to bring them down.

 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. – Luke 6:36

Friday, February 22, 2013

Friday, February 22, 2013 - Support

We pray for strength and support in times of crisis, of a troubled soul and spirit, of physical weakness. God is good and answers all prayers, but He expects active support from us. Do not sit and wait passively for the miracle. Continue your life’s journey with faith and trust, doing all things right and to the best of your ability. Show mercy and kindness to all who cross your path. Complete your tasks. Persevere in your mission. You may be delightfully surprised to find the miracle you’ve been waiting for is rooted in you. – Becki


That is why we do not waver; indeed, though the outer human nature of ours may be falling into decay, at the same time our inner human nature is renewed day by day. – 2 Corinthians 4:16

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Thursday, February 21, 2013 - Careless


Scene:  Kitchen set up with a bar sink that opens out into living area. The faucet for the sink has a pullout spray head. A cloth-covered sofa sits on carpet just a few feet from the bar.  Daughter #1 is washing dishes in front of the sink. Daughter #2 is antagonizing daughter #1 from the living room side. The pullout spray head makes a great weapon. Your imagination may fill in the rest. It is a fun and happy memory, now.

 

There are many times in life where we become caught up in a moment and never look beyond the immediate.  The damage done does not lie in just that moment or stay physically confined in a straight path. Our responses may find ourselves deep in a massive cleanup afterward. Even a moment of joy can set off a reaction that could affect others negatively.  As we grow in our relationship with Christ, we begin to take on His nature and put ours aside. Praying unceasingly and keeping His peace within us will train us to react through His eyes in both joy and pain. As we live in His Light, we hold hope that all of our spontaneous moments will become happy memories.

 

But I tell you that for every careless word that men shall speak they will be held accountable on the day of Judgment. - Matthew 12:36

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 - Repentance


Sometimes I know I'm headed into the wrong direction, but I still allow my pride to take me there. The thought that others will think I'm a failure or, worse, taunt me with 'I told you so’s' becomes more prevalent in my mind than the fact that I am on a path of demise. Yet, Our God Creator of all Mankind repented of the evil He had threatened to do to Nineveh when He saw the pain and sorrow of His people. If God’s compassion can set us on a different course, can we not swallow our own pride and follow Him?

 

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened. – Jonah 3:10

Monday, February 18, 2013

Monday, February 18, 2013 - Sins

It is not about living a narcissistic lifestyle. It is not about cheating, lying, stealing, or a lack of loyalty or honor. It is not even about murder. Jesus' death absolved all of our sins once and for all. The condemning nature of sin comes when we flaunt this nature before God and refuse to change our ways. Each time we give in to temptation, our heart hardens just a little more. After time, we grow so cold, we no longer can recognize our nature as sinful. Desiring God above all things, frees us from these temptations. In His love, we are strengthened in faith and fortified to change our lives to honor our Savior. Jesus has paid the price for our sins. It is up to us to choose Him over them.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. - Psalm 51:17

Friday, February 15, 2013

Friday, February 15, 2013 - Fasting

It is not giving up candy for Lent that makes us a better Christian. It is the fact that giving up something we love, and crave, strengthens our self control. Learning to control our physical desires is an integral part in learning to control our emotional and spiritual natures. Choosing to leave behind our own pursuits, frees us to be ready when God calls us to His.


if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD’s holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob.”
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.

Isaiah 58:13-14


Technorati Tags: fast, day by day, praying, praying day by day, devotional.

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Thursday, February 14, 2013 - Love

When you wake up every morning, you are faced with a choice. Let it be one to love. 

And we believe and we know the love that God has for us, for God is love, and everyone who dwells in love dwells in God. - 1 John 4:16

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Tuesday, February 12, 2013 - Stand

We should never use God as a platform for our cause. Rather, our cause should use God to justify its existence. Never stand on Him suppressing His Way, but step within Him and allow His Spirit to penetrate your very soul. With this, your spoken words will find Truth and your life will be glorified.

And you reject the word of God for the traditions that you deliver, and many things like these you do.” - Mark 7:13

Monday, February 11, 2013

Monday, February 11, 2013 - Actions

Yes, we know God can, but are we truly worthy enough that He would want to? If He wants to, is it right for Him to intervene? Would helping me hurt someone else? Am I more loved because he spared me and not another? Questions abound that can make our faith very shaky. And as long as we brood on these questions, we will never have an answer. Actions speak louder than words. When we find ourselves questioning God's motives, stop, for in all probability, we will never find the answers while we are still on this earth. What we must do is keep moving forward in faith. Place your thoughts into actions and become His hands to help another, His heart to love each other, and His voice to speak for another. When times are hard, we can be there in His compassion and hope. When we put our thoughts into action, we will find our answers. - Becki


They begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed - Matthew 14:36

Friday, February 8, 2013

Friday, February 8, 2013 - Self Knowledge

My mother used to say, "Be careful what you ask for.  It just may come true." Many times temptation enters into a split second decision. Pressure to act immediately may very well send us down a wrong path. For a person of prayer, these moments are less frightening when they occur. Walking closely with our Lord, makes us receptive to His discernment and our decisions become a whole lot easier. Facing a choice is so much easier with a clean heart and clear conscience.

When You said, "Seek My face," my heart said to You, "Your face, O LORD, I shall seek." - Psalm 27:8



Thursday, February 7, 2013

Thursday, February 7, 2013 - Whine


I catch myself doing this a lot: whining. It is not very flattering. I become annoyed listening to it in another. I've tried to justify this by saying, "I'm just stating an 'awe' moment. I'm amazed that I have the endurance to get through this." But, the truth be known, I'm whining. God places every moment in our lives for us to enjoy. Let me repeat that. We are to enjoy every moment. I've buried loved ones, endured great sickness, watched my children hurt. How can I enjoy that? Merriam-Webster defines enjoy as "to have for one's use, benefit, or lot". Dictionary.com states "to experience with joy". Our loving God surrounds us with His Grace. It is up to us to open our hearts and minds to find Him in the moment. God is our only source of joy. This truth just becomes more apparent in our pain and despair.  

 

Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire. – Hebrews 12:28-29

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Wednesday, February 6, 2013 - Discipline

The word discipline is often associated with punishment.  As a child, I received a quite a lot of discipline as consequences to my actions.  Yet admonishment comes in many forms throughout our lives.  Without it, we would be void of compassion, consistency, focus, and self-control. These are the qualities we must possess to live a peaceful and fruitful life. Do not be discouraged when life becomes hard to bear. We must remember that trying times are allowed by God, for these struggles awake our senses and bring us to total reliance on God. In the discipline of His mighty hand, we will be saved from a greater demise and can learn to walk in dignity and grace.

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son.” - Hebrews 12:5-6

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Tuesday, February 5, 2013 - chances

We are placed on earth to help each other. We are also here to accept that help. As brothers and sisters in Christ, we find many opportunities to succeed. Sometimes a door is opened and we discover that allusive opportunity just by being along on the other person's journey. It is good and commendable to stand on our own. However, we must think long and hard before turning away a helping hand. Christ just might be the one extending it. - Becki

He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John, the brother of James - Mark 5:37

Monday, February 4, 2013

Monday, February 4, 2013 - Simplicity

Life’s choices do not have to be complicated.  Simply order each with this one assessment:  Is the moment God driven or self-driven?  It’s your choice. - Becki

 

Love uprightness you who are rulers on earth, be properly disposed towards the Lord and seek him in simplicity of heart. – Wisdom, 1:1