April 27, 2013
Today's Reading: II Samuel 2; I Chronicles 11; Psalm 142; Matthew 14
Scripture: Matt. 14:30 But when he [Peter] saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, " Lord, save me!"
Observation:
At least Peter did get out of the boat. Peter--prone to speak before thinking and to act impulsively. Never timid. What does he show us here? He alone trusted Jesus enough to step out of the boat into the water. As long as his eyes were on Jesus, he stayed on top of the water.
Application:
I get excited about God, about my faith, about activity, but do I totally trust Jesus? Do I trust Him enough to not only get out of the boat but to look only to Him for every step on the water? Most of the disciples stayed safely in the boat, but Peter WALKED ON THE WATER!!!
Prayer:
O God, give me water-walking faith--not just intellectual belief, but a moment by moment trust no matter how big ( or small) the storm.
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Do I let my emotions control me??? Debbie McGrath
We live in such a busy time and you truly have to make time to sit at the feet of Jesus.
When you do spend time with God, you will not get what you expect - you will get so much more!!
Today's Reading from Divine Mentor:
1 Samuel 30, 31, 1 Chronicles 10, Matthew 12
The verse I loved:
1 Samuel 30:8--David inquired of the Lord.
Observation: The Amalekites had attacked David's camp in Ziklag. The Amalekites are cowards - they attacked the camp when David and his men were gone. They burned Ziklag and took all the wives and children captive. David's men were so upset they wanted to kill David!
Application: David did not react toward his men or the Amalekites in anger or bitterness. The first thing he did was inquire of the Lord. David obviously did not let his emotions control him. Emotions can be the number one enemy because they can easily prevent us from doing the will of God. Out of anger, I would have immediately went and killed the Amalekites - especially if they had captured my child. I love the example of David - David trusted God - he knew god would be able to work good things out of what appeared to be horrible. In order to trust God we must daily renew out minds and attitudes through studying and mediating on God's Word. David found his strength in the Lord.
Prayer: Lord help me to inquire of you before I let my emotions control me!!
When you do spend time with God, you will not get what you expect - you will get so much more!!
Today's Reading from Divine Mentor:
1 Samuel 30, 31, 1 Chronicles 10, Matthew 12
The verse I loved:
1 Samuel 30:8--David inquired of the Lord.
Observation: The Amalekites had attacked David's camp in Ziklag. The Amalekites are cowards - they attacked the camp when David and his men were gone. They burned Ziklag and took all the wives and children captive. David's men were so upset they wanted to kill David!
Application: David did not react toward his men or the Amalekites in anger or bitterness. The first thing he did was inquire of the Lord. David obviously did not let his emotions control him. Emotions can be the number one enemy because they can easily prevent us from doing the will of God. Out of anger, I would have immediately went and killed the Amalekites - especially if they had captured my child. I love the example of David - David trusted God - he knew god would be able to work good things out of what appeared to be horrible. In order to trust God we must daily renew out minds and attitudes through studying and mediating on God's Word. David found his strength in the Lord.
Prayer: Lord help me to inquire of you before I let my emotions control me!!
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
All my single ladies...
Good morning, afternoon, or evening:)
I came across this little gem and thought it was worth sharing! Enjoy:) In yet another season of waiting this article written by a friend my age who has been through divorce and remarried to a wonderful man:) Her wisdom is far beyond her years!
http://thechristianpundit.org/2012/08/15/it/
I came across this little gem and thought it was worth sharing! Enjoy:) In yet another season of waiting this article written by a friend my age who has been through divorce and remarried to a wonderful man:) Her wisdom is far beyond her years!
http://thechristianpundit.org/2012/08/15/it/
Friday, April 19, 2013
A Day of Praising Him!
April 19, 2013
Today's Reading: I Samuel 22; Psalm 17, 35; Matthew 6
Scripture: Ps. 35:28 "And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long."
Observation:
David lived a life of trust in God that is beyond my understanding. He did not have the facts of Jesus' death and resurrection, nor did he have a church filled with Christian friends. The Holy Spirit had not even come. How did he do this?
Application:
We spend far too much time analyzing, debating, reading (books written by others), and talking about "stuff" and far too little time doing what David did-- praising the Name of God and His righteousness all the day long!
Prayer:
Lord, I praise You today for who You are. I thank You that this world is in Your control, even when it looks like it is out of control. You are all I need, and my one desire is to know You and trust You.
Today's Reading: I Samuel 22; Psalm 17, 35; Matthew 6
Scripture: Ps. 35:28 "And my tongue shall speak of Your righteousness and of Your praise all the day long."
Observation:
David lived a life of trust in God that is beyond my understanding. He did not have the facts of Jesus' death and resurrection, nor did he have a church filled with Christian friends. The Holy Spirit had not even come. How did he do this?
Application:
We spend far too much time analyzing, debating, reading (books written by others), and talking about "stuff" and far too little time doing what David did-- praising the Name of God and His righteousness all the day long!
Prayer:
Lord, I praise You today for who You are. I thank You that this world is in Your control, even when it looks like it is out of control. You are all I need, and my one desire is to know You and trust You.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
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.
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.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
For My God Is A Stronghold
Psalm 69: 16-17
"But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindess in the morning, For You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to You; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness."
In this Psalm written by David, we see the anguish that David is experiencing in his life. How he is being plotted against by his enemies, not because of anything he did but because his enemies are evil. He cries out to God and asks Him to save him and to be His stronghold, his refuge, his strength.
Application: My God is a constant refuge in times of trouble and in times of plenty/blessing. I will work to hid in the shelter of His wings, lean on His strength, remember His faithfulness, and how He cannot change. He is powerful and strong enough to handle my mess!
Abba, Father, thank you for the suffering of these great mentors so that I can learn your character, and how I can depend on you. Thank you that You did not leave it up to me to discover this stuff on my own but You offer me Your Word. Help me this week, especially with change coming right around the corner, to remain focused on You and to hid in the suffcient shelter of Your wings instead of getting burned when I stand outside that shelter.
Thank you Jesus!
"But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; Yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindess in the morning, For You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to You; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness."
In this Psalm written by David, we see the anguish that David is experiencing in his life. How he is being plotted against by his enemies, not because of anything he did but because his enemies are evil. He cries out to God and asks Him to save him and to be His stronghold, his refuge, his strength.
Application: My God is a constant refuge in times of trouble and in times of plenty/blessing. I will work to hid in the shelter of His wings, lean on His strength, remember His faithfulness, and how He cannot change. He is powerful and strong enough to handle my mess!
Abba, Father, thank you for the suffering of these great mentors so that I can learn your character, and how I can depend on you. Thank you that You did not leave it up to me to discover this stuff on my own but You offer me Your Word. Help me this week, especially with change coming right around the corner, to remain focused on You and to hid in the suffcient shelter of Your wings instead of getting burned when I stand outside that shelter.
Thank you Jesus!
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Partial Obedience is Disobedience
April 14, 2013
Today's Reading: I Samuel 15-16; I Chronicles 5; Matthew 1
Scripture:
I Sam. 15:15 "...for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have utterly destroyed."
Observation:
In verse 3 God, through Samuel, tells Saul that he is to "utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them [the Amalekites]". Saul disobeyed God, pure and simple. He thought he knew better than God, and he even tried to justify his actions. Later, he makes a feeble attempt to repent, but only after Samuel tells him that God is replacing him as king. Even then, he tries to blame the people for his disobedience. (Note also that Saul speaks not of my God but of the Lord, your God).
Application:
My daughter and son-in-law use the phrase "first time, all the way" when teaching obedience to their young children. Partial obedience is disobedience. How do I know what God wants of me? Continual prayer and daily study of His Word will show me every time.
Prayer: Dear Father, Your Holy Spirit lets me know when I have obeyed You and when I have disobeyed. Help me to trust You and follow Your lead in every area of my life "first time, all the way."
Today's Reading: I Samuel 15-16; I Chronicles 5; Matthew 1
Scripture:
I Sam. 15:15 "...for the people spared the best of the sheep and the oxen to sacrifice to the Lord your God, and the rest we have utterly destroyed."
Observation:
In verse 3 God, through Samuel, tells Saul that he is to "utterly destroy all that they have, and do not spare them [the Amalekites]". Saul disobeyed God, pure and simple. He thought he knew better than God, and he even tried to justify his actions. Later, he makes a feeble attempt to repent, but only after Samuel tells him that God is replacing him as king. Even then, he tries to blame the people for his disobedience. (Note also that Saul speaks not of my God but of the Lord, your God).
Application:
My daughter and son-in-law use the phrase "first time, all the way" when teaching obedience to their young children. Partial obedience is disobedience. How do I know what God wants of me? Continual prayer and daily study of His Word will show me every time.
Prayer: Dear Father, Your Holy Spirit lets me know when I have obeyed You and when I have disobeyed. Help me to trust You and follow Your lead in every area of my life "first time, all the way."
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