Divine Mentor: Remember this!!! by Debbie McGrath

Today's Reading:  Haggai 1, 2, Psalm 129, Luke 10

 Haggai 1:5 - Give careful thought to your ways.

The book Haggai is only two chapters but the content is so powerful!!
God calls Haggai to be His messenger. Haggai tells the people they need to rebuild the temple - it had been 15 years since anyone has worked on it.  God's people were too busy building their own luxury houses and they forgot about finishing the Lord's temple.  They were doing good things but they did not put God first. Amazingly - the people listened and they starting working on God's house!!

God has called us to serve Him first!

Remember this:

1. We are created by God and destined by God to transform and change the world around us. 

 2. When I think of myself, I have to remember, God choses the unlikely to do the unimaginable.  

God Made Me.

 God chose Me.

 God called Me.

 God saved Me.

 God is with Me.

3.  We are so much more than the limitations we often place on ourselves.

4.  You and I are the answer to someone else's prayer!!

Divine Mentor - Transform the Tongue - Debbie McGrath

Readings for Today:
2 Kings 17, 2 Chronicles 28, Psalm 46, James 3

The verse that really spoke to me: 
James 3:8 ...but no man can tame the tongue.

As the Scriptures say - the tongue is powerful.  With the tongue, we can praise our Heavenly Father and/or we can curse men who are made in God's likeness.

Too many times, I have said things that I wish I could take back.  
As soon as I say something that is not good for the moment, the Holy Spirit has a way of convicting my heart.  I am grateful for James who reminds us how much power is in the tongue.  The only way to transform our tongue is to saturate our mind in God's Word.  Romans 12:2 - tells us to be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is good, pleasing and perfect will of God.  When my brain is washed with the truth, my speech reveals I have been with God.  My tongue was created for Praise!

Divine Mentor - Anticipate Victory but Prepare for Battle - Debbie McGrath

Today's reading from Divine Mentor:  
2 Kings 13, 14; 2 Chronicles 25; 2 Timothy 3

Scripture that God showed me today:

S:  2 Timothy 3: 1-4

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God..

Observation:  (Paul is writing this to Timothy - At this time, Paul is sitting in a dungeon and Nero is torturing and killing Christians)

When I read this scripture, it can be discouraging.  I always try to be positive - because I do know the end of the story but I do realize there is a battle to fight.  Everyday as I watch the news, it is obvious that Satan is working very hard and doing well!  The above verse, I believe, describes our world today.
We live in a world where people live in the desires of the moment.  People have a sense of entitlement like I have never seen before.  It is also evident, that our world seeks the comfort and promotion of self over God.

Application:  As a Christian, how do I react to this??

I have to stay in the Word of God -saturate my mind daily in the truth. 
(Romans 12:1)

Pray without ceasing. I pray for those who do not know the truth.  I also pray that God will equip me to always stand up for the Kingdom of God.
(2 Thessalonians 5:17)

Teach my child: Yesterday my daughter(23 years) and I discussed the the Supreme Court Ruling on DOMA.  We talked about how this ruling was so against the Will of God. Because she has been raised with the scriptures, she totally agreed.

Prayer:  Dear Lord, I pray that all the days of my life - I will walk in your ways and teach the truth!

Rely on God - Debbie McGrath

Today's reading using the Divine Mentor Plan -
2 Kings 6,7; 2 Chronicles 20; 1 Tim. 3

As I was trying to spend time in the Word today, I realized how Satan prods to clutter our lives with a frenzy of distractions.  I wander how much time I waste looking at Facebook, Pinterest and emails.  I know in my heart - too much time.  Thankfully God has given us a spirit of discipline - 2 Timothy 1:7.

My favorite part of the scripture today came from 2 Chronicles 20.

Jehosphaphat is the king of Judah and as soon as he realizes multiple armies are coming after him - He turns to the Lord.  He tells all of Judah to fast and seek the Lord. I love this - neither did Jehosphaphat or the people complain about the problem, they immediately turned to the Lord and sought His face.
Jehosphaphat had a huge army but did not rely on his own strength - He knew he needed the Lord.  This demonstrates the humility of Jehosphaphat.

After seeking the Lord, God answers them and says - the battle is not yours.  God lets them know he is going to take care of everything.  The people did not doubt this answer, they had faith and believed.  They praised God for the victory before the battle ever started.

I have to ask myself - do I truly trust the Lord to go before me and work everything out?

Do I rely on God or do I do things in my own strength to help Him out?

Jehosphaphat is an example to all of us - seek, believe and praise God before He even answers our prayers.

God's Word is for our instruction!! Debbie McGrath

Today's reading:  
Proverbs 25-27, Romans 15

The readings today in Proverbs were awesome. So much wisdom to gain from in these verses.

The scripture that spoke to me today:

Romans 15:4
For whatever was written in the past was written for our instruction so that we may have hope through endurance and through the encouragement from the scriptures.

Observation:
Paul tells us the Old Testament was written for our learning and to give us hope, patience and comfort in our lives.

Application:
First, I love reading from the Old Testament!!!  When I read from the OT I gain wisdom from all the stories.  I love the fact that the Bible records it all, the good parts as well as the bad.  When I sit down to read, I am able to learn from Abraham, Lot, Moses, Miriam, Aaron, David, Esther, Jonah and the list goes on. The words of God give me wisdom beyond my years.  There is no other book that can give me encouragement and hope like the Word of God.  

Prayer:  Thank you Lord, for the privilege of reading your Word in freedom.
Give me a hunger for Your Word like never before.

Well done, good and faithful servant! Debbie McGrath

Today's Reading:
2 Samuel 15, 16, Psalm 32, Matthew 25

Verse that spoke to me:
Matthew 25:23

...Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things...

Observation:  God has give us talents and gifts that are to be used for the kingdom of God.

Application:  I do believe Jesus is coming soon!  Because of this, I believe there is an urgency to use our God given talents to get involved in meeting the needs of others simply because He says so!  When we remember who we are - a sinner saved by the blood of Jesus - headed to glory and we belong to HIM!
Our lives are no longer to be lived according to what we want but according to what He says.  We are his faithful servants.

Prayer:  I pray that today, I die to my selfish wants and reach out to others.

God hears our cries!! Debbie McGrath

God hears our cries!

Scripture: Psalm 34:17
The righteous cry out and the Lord hears them, he delivers them from all their troubles.

Observation:  
David is running and hiding because King Saul is trying to kill him.  Throughout this time, David cries out to God because he knows God hears him. He knows God will provide for his needs. 

Application: When going thru difficult situations it is comforting to know God hears our cries.  Sometimes God brings us to our knees so we will cry out to Him.  Only God can give us what we need when we are in a crisis.  It is so reassuring to know that God never leaves us nor forsakes us - He is always by our side!!

Prayer:  Thank you Lord for always be attentive to my cry. 

How would you describe God? Debbie McGrath

Today's Reading:
Judges 13-16, 2 Corinthians 2

Judges 13-16 talk about Samson - After watching the Bible Series, I realized Samson was totally chosen by God.  Samson had incredible strength - even though he strayed from God at the end of his life - He came back to God.

When I was reading Judges - this  verse really struck me -
Judges 13:18 - He replied "Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding.

Monah - Samson's father, was visited by God himself.  Monah did not realize it was God and asked him - what is your name.  Monah wanted to know his name so he could find him later - if he had questions about raising Samson.  When Monah asked the Angel of the Lord his name - God responded - It is beyond understanding.

This is a perfect name for God - BEYOND UNDERSTANDING!!
 I love it.  If I was to describe God, I would use words like:
Holy
Savior
King of Kings
Faithful
I AM
Never Changes
Living God
Counselor
Mighty.

But If I really had to describe God - I would say beyond my understanding.
When I lay eyes on my Savior for the first time, I know, I will fall on my knees and there will be no words to describe Him.  The reason I can't describe my Lord -He is too wonderful and He is beyond my understanding!

Is your time with God a ritual or a relationship?? debbie McGrath

Readings for February 15, 2013

Lev. 25, Psalm 25-26; Acts 22

Scripture that spoke to me:

 Psalm 25:5

Guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Savior,

and my hope is in you all day long.

Observation:  David expressing his desire to God for guidance.

Application:  How do I receive guidance – by sitting at the feet of Jesus daily.  As I read God’s word – I pray that He gives me insights so I can have wisdom in my day-to-day decisions. (He loves to  answer that prayer!).

By spending time in the Word – I truly realize my only hope is in Jesus Christ. And the best part of spending time with God is that I can be transparent and vulnerable.  My time with God is rest for my soul in the busyness of my crazy day. I must realize my time with God is not a ritual it is a relationship. Christ desires to spend quality time with me!! That is amazing!

 Can you imagine saying no to God when He is waiting on us every morning?

Prayer:  Thank you, that in our time together you provide a spiritual feeding that is so satisfying to my soul. Forgive me for the times I rush thru or missed our time together.  Those are usually the days - I am controlled by my emotions and circumstances.

Paul a Great Mentor!

Feb. 12, 2013

Debbie McGrath

Today's Divine Mentor Reading:

Lev. 18, 19; Ps. 13 Acts. 19

Scripture that spoke to me:

Acts 19:11

God did extraordinary miracles through Paul.

Observation:

Paul was speaking boldly and arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God in Ephesus, which was the center for black magic and occult practices.  Paul made tents, taught the Word, pastored, watched over God’s people, evangelized, planted churches and encouraged his new disciples.  What a servant of God! Paul was always expending himself for others. He could only keep up this pace thru prayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Application:

We are called to live like Paul  - to abide in the Word and to serve the Lord even when we grow tired, weary and frustrated. Wherever we go, we must do our best to share the gospel with others. Serving the Lord is the total opposite of the world we live in - we live in a world of Me-ism and hedonism and leisure. God has called us to be His Servant – do die to self – from experience, this is the most rewarding life we can chose to live.  There is no greater joy than serving God and others.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, thank you for a mentor like Paul. Thank you that we serve you – an all-powerful God!  Help us to walk in your strength, not in our weakness.  Make us bold with truth, aggressive in our walk and generous with your love.

Give me Boldness like Peter!

Give Me Boldness like Peter! 

by: Debbie McGrath

January 27, 2013

Today’s Scripture Reading:

Exodus 17-20, Acts 3

Scripture that spoke to me: 

Acts 3:19 – Peter talking – Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out…

Observation:

Is this the same Peter who denied Christ three times??

Peter and John thru the name of Christ healed a crippled man who was sitting at the temple gates.  Everyone who saw this crippled man walking was filled with wonder and amazement.

Peter immediately used this opportunity to share Christ.

First, he identified the source of the miracle.

Peter used several names and titles for our Lord – in front all the people in the temple courts – he said: Jesus, Christ, the Son of God, Author of Life and Holy and Righteous One.

Then he reminded his audience that they had denied Christ and crucified Him.  But he did leave them without hope – he told them that their sins would be wiped out if they repented and turned to God.

Application:

Wow!!  How I truly desire to be so bold in sharing my faith!!

I know there is power in the name of Jesus, so I should not be silent or stand in fear when I have an opportunity to witness to others. 

Prayer:

Forgive me for the many times I have been silent.

When the next opportunity comes to share my faith,

 Lord give me the boldness to share in Your Name!