Pride

Pride Path or Humility Way?

Pride leads to destruction; humility leads to honor.

This verse should be read with the two preceding verses. In verse 10 Solomon taught us that the confidence of the righteous is accurately placed in God and in His ability. When the righteous are in trouble they run to God and He becomes their strong tower of protection. On the other hand, in verse 11 Solomon taught us that many wealthy people make the mistake of putting their trust in riches. Instead of running to God, they lean on their money, because they find it hard to trust in anyone but themselves and their own ability.

So this is the picture Solomon has painted for us: one who trusts in God and His ability; and the other who trusts only in himself and his abilities. This is the setting for our verse this morning. As we read it we see the end result of the two divergent paths - one leads to destruction, the other to honor.

Which one do you want to travel down? Before you answer that, let's take a closer look at the two key words in our text: pride and humility. I looked up these words in Noah Webster's American dictionary of the English Language (1828). This version is often very different from our modern versions. This is what Noah Webster said back then:

Pride: Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one's own superiority in talents, beauty, wealthy, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and often in contempt of others.

Humility: In ethics, freedom from pride and arrogance; humbleness of mind; a modest estimate of one's own worth. In theology, humility consists of lowliness of mind; a deep sense of one's own unworthiness in the sight of God, self-abasement, penitence for sin, and submission to the divine will.

I wish our dictionaries today read like that. Webster helps us better understand what we already know; and that is that some place far too much emphasis on themselves, while others trust and lean on God, getting Him involved in every area and aspect of their lives. Believe me, I know from personal experience that if we choose to do things on our own and to leave God out of picture, that He will simply stand by and watch as we needlessly overexert ourselves. He will allow whatever we allow. He will permit whatever we permit.
He is not going to force Himself on us, but He will willingly get involved when we welcome Him in.

Don't allow pride to keep you from asking for God's help and when you do welcome Him to get involved, have the confidence that He will. Being humble doesn't mean that you lack confidence. I like to say that humility is controlled confidence; it is confidence pointed in the right direction. When you walk with God you should be completely confident in Him and in what He has blessed you to do.

Your relationship with the Father can enable you to be both bold and humble at the same time.

This way you avoid pride, because pride focuses its confidence in self, while humility focuses its confidence in God and the abilities that He has blessed us to possess.

So what does this mean to you ? It means that these two divergent paths lead to two very different places and they will provide very different experiences along the way. Do you want to travel down Pride Path or Humility Way? The choice is yours.

Father, I thank You for reminding me that pride leads to destruction and that humility leads to honor. I choose Humility Way this morning. I put my trust and confidence in You, in Your abilities, and in the abilities You have blessed me to possess. Even when faced with something that You clearly want ME to do, I still look to You because I know that You blessed me to be able to do it. I don't lean on the arm of the flesh. I don't place my trust in my abilities or possessions alone. I confidently believe that You will continually use me for Your glory and that You will show Yourself strong in my life over and over again. I have overwhelming confidence, but it is placed in the right direction - towards YOU! In Jesus' name. Amen!

God's Protection

(Prov 18:10 NIV) The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.

This verse almost seems out of place. When I read what Solomon is saying it seems like these words would find a better home in Psalms. This is something we can definitely sing about. The mere thought that we can run to Jevovah (which is the actual Hebrew name used for "LORD" in this verse) for safety can easily lead us into praise and worship. I often quote this verse and just reading it causes my mind to scroll through the many times I have called on Jehovah for protection.

I was raised in the Catholic Church and my Catechism teacher was a Nunn named Sister Benedict. Sister Benedict taught me as a very little girl to pray when I was in trouble. She told me that if I felt like I was in danger, that I should earnestly pray, and if I did, she promised God would protect me. I trusted her, so I tried it.

One of the first times I can remember this working was when I was walking down the hall in high school and I saw a group of rough girls the leader was named Elizabeth and for whatever reason she had it out for me so as they were heading towards me. I developed a "sixth sense" that alerted me when danger was pending. My "sixth sense" was in full gear. I knew these girls and they were always up to no-good. I had witnessed them beat up many other girls. When they saw me they started talking amongst themselves and preparing to do something (I am sure it was not going to be good) to me. I remembered the words of Sister Benedict and I started praying.

Now, it was nothing like I pray today. Believe me, it was nothing fancy, but it was definitely heart felt. And to my surprise, the girls walked right passed me. While that might not seem like providential protection to anyone outside of Maui High School, believe me, it was. So after that I prayed all the time and God protected me countless times. I have had guns pointed to me, knives placed on my thought, and have been in various seriously dangerous situations, at the hand of my EX but the LORD delivered me from them all. Thank you Father God!!!

Why? Because I called on His name and He became a strong tower (an impenetrable fortress) for me!

So what does this mean to you? It means Jehovah can be - believe me, He wants to be - a strong tower of protection for you. I know some of you reading this are in Iraq or Afghanistan. I understand how real the dangers are over there, but you must acknowledge how real our God is. Paul asked the question: "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Rom 8:31). Think about that for a moment. If you call on God and He takes on the task of protecting you, then who (or what) can penetrate His protection?

Father, I thank You for Your Word. Your Word says, "Some trust in chariots and some trust in horses, but we shall trust in the name of the LORD our God." Your Word says, "Call on me the in day of trouble, and I will answer you, and deliver you, and you will glorify me." Your Word says, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." I trust You and I believe Your Word. I call on You when I am in trouble. As a matter of fact, I call on You when I am not in trouble. I call on You every day and I get You involved in every area and aspect of my life. I truly believe that You are on me, in me, with me, and for me. Since You are on my side, who can be against me? I do not fear what man can do to me. Fear has no power over me. I enter this day with fearless confidence and with an overwhelming sense of praise and worship in my heart. I am safe in YOU! In Jesus' name. Amen!

The Deceitfulness of Riches

The Deceitfulness of Riches

Prov 18:11 NIrV) The wealth of rich people is like a city that makes them feel safe. They think of it as a city with walls that can't be climbed.


This verse flows in the same vein as the last. Now, you may be thinking: "Wait a minute. The last verse had nothing to do with this verse." So let me explain. The last verse said, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." In that verse Solomon was teaching us where the righteous run to for safety; and that is IN God. Our heavenly Father becomes the strong tower of protection for us. Solomon then compares those who trust in God with those who trust in their riches. Actually, the same Hebrew word for "safe" is used in both verses. One person seeks safety in God and the other seeks safety in money. Which one do you think is actually safer in the long run?

Now, so that I am clear, there is nothing wrong with having money, just as long as money does not have you. I have told you many times before that money makes an excellent servant, but a poor master. Having money is not the issue. The author of his passage (Solomon) was the wealthiest man in the land. Furthermore, if you look at his forefathers, men like: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David, you will see that they were also extremely wealthy. So the issue is not having money, but rather having the wrong attitude towards it. Many rich people make the mistake of trusting in their riches. If the current US economy has taught us anything, it is that money can come and go. Those with wealth should thank God for it, and seek to manage it wisely, but ultimately their trust should be in God.

If you allow yourself to have the wrong attitude about money, then it is only a matter of time before you start to idolize it; or "love" it. Having money is not evil, but loving it is. Paul said, "For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows" (1st Tim 6:10).

When you love money - when you crave it so much that all you can think about is making it - your focus get's so skewed that you will eventually neglect God and others in your pursuit of wealth. And worst of all, money can be deceitful. You can have it today and it can be gone tomorrow. However, if you pursue God, then He can bless you to be financially stable without aborting your relationship with Him and others in the process.

So what does this mean to you ? Simply put, it means that you must maintain the proper attitude about money. If you imagine your wealth to be your strongest defense, then you will be sadly mistaken. Money is necessary for most things, so it definitely has it's utility, but it can in no way replace God's position or protection in your life. Don't pursue things, pursue God; and before you know it, things will pursue you.

Father, I thank You for the reminder this morning. I maintain the proper attitude towards money. You can bless me to have money, because money will never have me. Money is my servant, not my master. I use all that You bless me to attain as a tool and to BE a blessing to others and to finance Your Kingdom. I never look to money for safety, because I know where my safety is, and that is IN YOU! I trust You Father with all my heart, my mind, soul, and my strength. I am committed to honoring with my thoughts, words, deeds, and checkbook. This morning I boldly declare that You are the center and circumference of my life and I will never forget it. In Jesus' name. Amen!

Danger of Laziness

Prov 18:9 He also who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys.

The more I prayed and thought about this verse the more I see how important this lesson is. Solomon tells us that a slack person is kin to a person who purposefully seeks to disrupt and destroy. The Good News Bible translation of this verse really makes it clear, it reads: "A lazy person is as bad as someone who is destructive."


To understand this verse we must first understand how both God and satan operate. In the New Testament Paul told us that God is NOT the author of confusion (or disorder), but rather of peace (1st Cor 14:33). When God is involved in something (a project, relationship, etc.) He seeks to promote it's good. If He is allowed to be involved, then God will always help establish an environment that is productive and progressive.

However, satan is the opposite. Satan loves confusion, disorder, discord, and discontent; and he always seeks to be destructive. If it's a Godly marriage, satan wants to see a divorce. If it's a Godly project, satan wants to see failure. If it's a Godly work environment, satan wants to see dissension. Understanding this we can see how both God and satan uses people to promote their agendas.

As a believer, I would hope that you would never want to be the one being used of satan to promote his damaging agenda. No believer should want to be used as a pawn in satan's plan and I would venture to say that most believers don't.

However, what many fail to recognize is that their laziness is just as destructive as the purposefully damaging plans of the wicked.

A poor or unfinished job differs little from a project that someone purposefully demolished; both projects are useless. A neglected relationship - whether it be marriage, parent to child, child to parent, etc. - will often end up in the same place as one that was destroyed on purpose, it will be broken, strained, or nonexistent. Carelessness in financial management/stewardship leads to as many bankruptcies as satanic attacks. And the list could go on and on. I could say the same about many things.

The point is that we have a real enemy (satan), with real servants (demons), who seek to cause real damage, but many good hearted believers cause as much damage as satan and his demons when they lazily fail to fulfill their obligations at work, at home, at church, or anyplace else.

So what does this mean to you ? It means that you have a Godly obligation to be diligent in ALL your affairs. If you allow yourself to get lazy in any area of your life, then your laziness and neglect may very well cause as much damage as satan and his demons could. The Bible has a lot to say about resisting satan and his attacks, but wouldn't be a shame if you were successful in resisting satan, only to turn around and defeat yourself through laziness? Don't let this be said of you. Fulfill your obligations, work on your relationships, maintain your physical body, and do all that you can (literally) to become the person the Father desires for you to be.

If you do your part, God will do His! But if you fail to do you part, you hinder Him from operating in your life, because He will not force you to be blessed! God will allow whatever you allow.


Father, I thank You for this Word this morning. This is a good reminder and a great warning. I know that You are not the author of confusion and I also realize that satan is. I submit myself unto You, I resist the devil, and Your Word says that He must flee from me. I refuse to allow the enemy to get a foothold in my life. Furthermore, while I make every attempt to ensure the enemy does not defeat me, I refuse to defeat myself. I will be diligent in every area of my life and faithful to all that You have called me to do. I refuse to allow laziness and neglect to destroy all that You and I have both worked hard for. I do my part Father and I trust that You will do Yours. Together, we will complete my life's work and while it will not be accomplished in a day, WE will seek to do it DAILY! In Jesus' name. Amen!

The Mouth Trap

Prov 18:7 GNB) When a fool speaks, he is ruining himself; he gets caught in the trap of his own words.

This morning we continue our series entitled, Walking in the Wisdom of God. This message flows in the same vein as the one from yesterday. In yesterday's message I said: "You cannot disassociate yourself from what you say" and

"Don't let your tongue take you where the Holy Spirit won't keep you."

The point being that once we obligate ourselves to something, with our words, then we are obligated, like it or not. This being the case, then it is obvious why the fool would do much better keeping his mouth shut. The more the fool speaks the more he has to live up to and since he does not give thought to what he is saying, he often allows his mouth to trap him in situations that are beyond his ability to fulfill. We have all heard of (or used) a mousetrap. Well, this morning I believe Solomon is warning us from allowing our lips to become our mouth trap!

In Ecclesiastes Solomon said, "It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it" (5:5). In other words, it is much better NOT to obligate yourself to something, than to obligate yourself to it and then not do it. While many do not think much of the obligations they commit themselves to, with their words, God certainly does. God's promises, outlined in the Bible, are simply His words to us.

When God promised to do something for us, He obligated Himself, and He takes it very seriously. To help better understand this let's look at something Moses said. In Number Moses taught us: "God is not a human who lies or a mortal who changes his mind. When he says something, he will do it; when he makes a promise, he will fulfill it" (Num 23:19).
What has God obligated Himself to do? What He said! How did He commit Himself? With Words! Does God consider His words a binding obligation? Absolutely! Understanding this Moses went on to say: "When a man makes a vow to GOD or binds himself by an oath to do something, he must not break his word; he must do exactly what he has said" (Num 30:2).

To further drive home this point let's go to the book of Hebrews. The Hebrew writer said: "Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound Himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that He would never change His mind. So God has given both His promise and His oath.

These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to Him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us" (6:16-18). The only reason we can have confidence in God is because we truly believe He will do what He SAID He will do. Without confidence in what He SAID, we have nothing to hold on to. And since we are His children, called by His name, He expects us to operate the same way!

So what does this mean ? It means that you must not be like the fool who thoughtlessly commits himself to things he has no way of fulfilling. Don't allow your lips to become a mouth trap. Think things through, prayerfully consider the outcome, be led of God, and then say what you mean and mean what you say! This way both God and man will be able to trust you and your words!

Father, I thank You for this revelation. I understand that You ONLY speak those things that you fully expect to bring to pass and once You speak them you ALWAYS follow through. I am Your child, I am called by Your name, and I am developing Your character daily. As I mature in You I get to the point where I only speak those things that have been birthed out of my prayer life and I ALWAYS back up my words with action. I say what I mean and I mean what I say. My word is my bond. The more I live this way, the more You and others can trust me to be a person of my word. My lips will not be a mouth trap. I will use me lips to carefully commit to those things You want to bring to pass in my life and as I do, I trust that You will fulfill Your promises and manifest Your glory! In Jesus' name. Amen!

Gossip

(Prov 18:8 GNB) Gossip is so tasty-how we love to swallow it!

Here Solomon teaches us something I know I need to heed and I trust that many others do as well; it is a warning about gossip. There is clearly a negative stigma surrounding the word gossip (and rightly so), but most people that participate in it don't acknowledge it.

Gossip basically boils down to sharing information that in most cases either 'is not' or 'should not be' public knowledge, and sharing it in a pseudo-secretive way. The problem with this type of information is the fact that, like Solomon says, it seems "tasty."

Hearing gossip is like eating a delicacy. A delicacy is something not everyone is able to eat and gossip is something not everyone is able to hear. Just like many people crave the delicacy, there is no shortage of people who crave the information (gossip). But there are many problems with gossip. In many cases the information is slanderous and unsubstantiated. Even in the cases where the information is true it is often hurtful and damaging. Gossip has a way of stirring up strife and contention, which are both things that we, as believers, should seek to avoid.

Not only can gossip be damaging to the person whom the gossip is about, it can also be damaging to the person who receives it and shares it. The Good News Bible translation of this verse reads: "The words of a gossip are swallowed greedily, and they go down into a person's innermost being." While gossip is often swallowed quickly and greedily, we have to be careful, because it will get down into our innermost being.
To explain this point I will bring up something someone just asked me about. We were talking about a movie and I said, "I liked the story of the movie, but I almost turned it off because it had too much cussing in it." He then asked, "Why? I can watch a movie with cussing and it does not bother me." I went on to explain that while it may not necessarily bother him, those words are getting DOWN INSIDE of him.
Our eyes and ears are gates to our soul. What we allow through our eye gate and ear gate eventually gets down into our heart. And it is only a matter of time before what is IN you comes OUT of you. Remember, we are what we eat. Garbage in, garbage out!
The Young's Literal Translation brings this out, it reads: "The words of a tale-bearer are as self-inflicted wounds, And they have gone down to the inner parts of the heart." Did you catch that? The words of the gossiper are literally self-inflicted wounds! The more he received and shares gossip, the more he is hurting himself.

So what does this mean to you? It means you must resist gossip at all costs. Now, I will be honest with you and admit that this word "cut" me this morning. I love a "juicy" story just as much as the next person, but I realize that I must keep my conversation upright before God and so must you. Solomon's analogy is right. It is as hard to refuse to listen to rumors/gossip as it is to turn down a delicious dessert. Taking just one morsel of either creates a desire for more. But you can resist rumors/gossip the same way a determined dieter resists candy-never even open the box!

Father, I thank You for Your Word this morning. Your Word often cuts me and teaches me what I should and should not do. I have been warned again gossip this morning and I declare, by faith, that I will resist the urge to splurge into seemingly juicy rumors and gossip. I protect my eye and ear gates. I keep my conversation pure, my reputation intact, and my witness solid. I will only share what should be shared, in ways that are acceptable and never harmful to anyone. I will not allow corrupt communication to proceed from out of my mouth and I will only share those things which are good, that it may minister grace to the hearers. I will use my lips to build up and never tear down. As I do I will shine as light in the midst of darkness! In Jesus' name. Amen!

Only One Thing

"You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Luke 10:41-42 (NIV)


Devotion:
I had a college professor who told our health class to be sure we had eight hours of sleep, eight hours of work, and eight hours of leisure. It was her opinion that this formula would bring about a balanced life.

I can see you rolling your eyes and thinking, "Really?"
While I don't agree with my professor's formula I do agree that our lives must have balance and in order to achieve that balance we must return to putting our relationship with the Lord first.

Remember the story where Jesus told Martha, the sister of Mary and Lazarus that she needed to rethink her priorities? Martha was upset with Mary because she dropped what she was doing to sit at the feet of Jesus. Martha, however, continued with her hostess responsibilities until she had enough.

"But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, 'Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!'" (Luke 10:40, NIV).But Jesus told Martha that it was Mary who had put her relationship with the Lord first in her life. "'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her'" (Luke 10:41-42,NIV).Martha was one smart lady and she learned her lesson well. After this encounter, when Jesus arrived to call Lazarus from the grave, it was Mary who stayed in the house and Martha who went out to greet Him.
I love that it was Martha to whom Jesus said: "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" (John 11:25-26, NIV).Her reply confirms just how much Martha's priorities had changed: "'Yes, Lord,' she told him, 'I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world'" (John 11:27,NIV).Setting priorities in today's fast-paced life can be challenging for sure.
We try to squeeze as much as we can into the twenty four hours in each day. Yet when we've had enough and can't take any more, that's when we find ourselves crying out to the Lord for help. If you're anything like me you will hear His sweet words whispering to your heart, "Only one thing is needed."The simple truth is when we put God first in our lives; everything else will fall into place. Our responsibilities will continue and the demands of life will go on but God will be there to help us bring order out of chaos. "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight" (Proverbs 3:6,NIV).

Dear Lord, I confess that my life is pulled in too many directions. When I am anxious about doing things I have trouble hearing Your Word. Help me to treasure the "one thing" that I need and trust You to put the rest in order. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Prioritize all the commitments and responsibilities you have.

Ask God to reorganize your list and follow His leading.
Reflections:
What is your number one priority today?

Power Verses:
Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (NIV)

Matthew 6:33, "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (NIV)


© 2010 by Zoe Elmore. All rights reserved.

Remember

"Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope."
Psalm 119:49 (NIV)

Devotion:
I recall the moments of despair. I couldn't see my way out. Three small children were depending on me and that thought was overwhelming. I would cry in the middle of my mobile home floor, feeling desperately lonely. I wondered if I would have food to feed them or a way to keep them warm.

Child support was $142 a month, but I rarely received it. I worked a full time job, took in laundry, and worked as a waitress during holidays. When all three kids would get sick at the same time, my life felt like a nightmare. The thought of driving off a cliff entered my mind more than once, but I couldn't bear to think what that would do to my kids for the rest of their lives.

I wanted someone (I would have settled for ANYONE at times) to just even pretend to care about me. Would rescue ever come?

Then one day I made the decision to look for the good. My baby went to the potty (hey, that was a big deal). My oldest waved from the school bus. My son poured on a heart-melting smile. Choosing to laugh more than cry and finding the fun in each day was often like seeking buried treasure. But most days the good was there; it just wasn't as noticeable as the bad. Focusing on those moments felt like breath in my lungs.

My theme song was Carole King's "Beautiful" that says, "You've got to get up every morning with a smile on your face." Gray had dominated my days for far too long, the sun needed to shine in my life again.

I remember purposely watching other moms who had happy kids to see what they were doing right. And those who seemed to have peace, even in the middle of their meltdowns particularly intrigued me. What did they have that my 'pull-yourself-up-by-your-bootstraps' mentality wasn't fulfilling?

Jesus. They simply had found the Prince of Peace who sends the Counselor into your heart when you accept Him. Watching those examples made me hunger for that relationship in my own life.

Now, as I look back, I see the string of choices, the dots that all connected. They all brought me to this very day. This day when I am sitting at my breakfast table, peering at the stars glistening in the sky, writing this note to you, my friend. The note says, "You can do this. We can't possibly see the road ahead or try to understand where it is going, but I guarantee you the Creator of the universe is connecting your dots."

Dear Lord, I need your help to make it through today. I need to notice the good. Don't let me forget You've brought me through every struggle I've ever faced. Remind me to share that good news with others who need to hear it. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Reach out to a single mom who needs a break. Offer her help.

Reflections:
What memories allow me to see God's divine hand in my life?

How do I share that hope with others?

Who may be watching me, hoping to find lasting Hope?

Power Verses:
Deuteronomy 31:8, "The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged." (NIV)

Genesis 21:16a-17, 19, "And as she sat there nearby, she began to sob. God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, 'What is the matter, Hagar? Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water." (NIV)


© 2010 by Luann Prater. All rights reserved.

Instead of Shame

"Instead of their shame my people will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace they will rejoice in their inheritance; and so they will inherit a double portion in their land, and everlasting joy will be theirs." Isaiah 61:7 (NIV)

Devotion:
I turned and walked away from God in anger and disappointment. I tossed away the calling of ministry on my life. The Lord had hurt my feelings, so I left my faith to find a fresh path.

This happened during my twenties. With two toddlers climbing up my legs during the day and crying intermittently during the night, I was physically exhausted. Emotional turmoil began to disintegrate my marriage. My immature faith lacked the stamina to hold to God tightly. So, for seven years I wandered through sin, divorce, and miserable meanderings of my own making. It was a time of spiritual drought—the years of shame.

Although I walked away from God, He did not walk away from me. The Lord allowed me to experience life in the wilderness of doubt, but He was right there watching over me and waiting for me to return to the call of ministry placed on my life at age eighteen.

Eventually, I allowed myself to feel His presence in my life. Little by little, the Lord Jesus wooed me back to Himself. I remember the exact time and place that I felt Him whisper to my spirit, "Let's start over and do it right this time." I wept with relief and joy. I began to study the Bible and allowed it to change my damaged spiritual heart. This time it wasn't going to be head knowledge, but heart knowledge.

My faith was back on track, but I did not think my calling to ministry could ever be restored. Hadn't I traveled too far off the godly path? Surely, God didn't want me anymore in service to His Kingdom. Surely, He had more qualified daughters that could minister to others without the shame of a sullied past such as mine.

However, that is not how God thinks at all. The Bible says, "For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable (Romans 11:29, NIV). The Lord desires for us to move beyond the shame of past mistakes and into His calling for our lives. He will restore us to useful service in the Kingdom. It takes time and it is a process, but the Almighty God still has a plan for each of our lives. He intends to replace disgrace with rejoicing, so that we may show our world that we are living miracles.

Do I hear an "Amen"?


Dear Lord, thank You for having mercy on me. Display Your will for my life. Enable me to fulfill the gifts and call in my life, so that others will understand Your grace and mighty power. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Reflections:
Do I feel I have lost my chance to use my spiritual gifts?

How can I begin to use my spiritual gifts to display God's mercy in my life?

Power Verses:
Joel 2:26, "You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the Lord your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed." (NIV)
Psalm 36:5, "Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies." (NIV)

Romans 11:29-30, "For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience." (NIV)


© 2010 by Susanne Scheppmann. All rights reserved.

What do you have?

'"How many loaves do you have?' he asked. 'Go and see.' When they found out, they said, 'Five—and two fish.'" Mark 6:38 (NIV)

Devotion:
I glanced at the clock on the bottom of my computer. It was 6:47 pm and the email had been sent hours earlier. I kicked myself for not checking my email that afternoon and regretted not being able to respond to my friend's plea for prayer as she prepared to share her testimony in a small group at her church. I scanned through her email again and saw that the time she was supposed to begin was at 6:30. Feeling a little foolish, I typed a quick email:

"Dear Karen," I wrote, "It is 6:47 and I am praying your testimony will be effective in the hearts of those who listen." I had no idea why I included the time, it just felt like the right thing to do. I guess because I wanted her to know I did what I could as soon as I could. The next morning, I woke up to this email:

"NO WAY!!!!!!!!!! I was told to arrive at 6:30 and we'd start once the ladies got their kids settled. The leader had me start.....AT 6:47!!!!"

There are too many times that I have been in a situation like that and done nothing because I couldn't do it "right." I beat myself up with thoughts like: A better friend would have prayed as soon as the email came out. A more organized person would have checked her email earlier. How often do we feel like we fall short of what we could be doing as Christians? We wish we could give more, pray harder, speak up more, offer more time. And in the end, because we can't do as much as we want, we throw up our hands and do nothing. Because we can't do it all, we don't do anything at all.

As I read my friend's response, I was glad I did something, taking the little I had to offer and giving it anyway. I was too late by my timing, but not by God's. I had missed the opportunity to pray for my friend before but God miraculously had me open the email at the moment she was beginning and pray then.

In Mark 6:35-44, Jesus performs the miracle of feeding the 5000 men. The disciples told Him that they didn't have enough to feed the crowd. They were ready to give up. I love the question that He asks them in our verse today: "Well, what do you have? Go and see." When they turned over what they did have to Him, He was able to multiply it beyond what they could have imagined.

So many times I come to Him and say the same: "I just have this little tiny bit...of money, of time, of resources, of energy."

And He says, "Bring what you have to me. That's all I ask. Let me take care of it from here."

So I ask what little you might have to give? You might not be able to give $1000. But you could give $10. You might not be able to pledge hours and hours to serve at church. But you can serve once a month for one hour. You might not feel comfortable speaking to crowds. But you're great at sharing what God's doing in your life one-on-one. You might not be able to lead a prayer ministry. But you can pray for a friend who needs it, even if it seems like you're too late.

Let God take your little and make it much. Let Him take your 6:47 and make it right on time.

Dear Lord, show me how I can respond when I feel like I don't have enough. Help me to offer my little in Your name and watch You respond in multiples. Open my eyes to the times I need to offer what I can and let that be enough, trusting You with the rest. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Jesus is asking you: What do you have? Go and see. Spend time today seeing what you have.

Reflections:
What are the things that keep you from saying yes? Fear? Inadequacy? Insecurity? How can doing something little help you overcome these things?

Power Verses:
2 Kings 4:43, "'How can I set this before a hundred men?' his servant asked. But Elisha answered, 'Give it to the people to eat. For this is what the Lord says: 'They will eat and have some left over.'" (NIV)

2 Kings 4:44, "Then he set it before them, and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the Lord." (NIV)


© 2010 by Marybeth Whalen. All rights reserved.

The Dailyness

"Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." Proverbs 8:34 (NIV)

Devotion:
Life wouldn't be so hard if it wasn't so daily. As I sit here surrounded by laundry and dishes piled high in the sink, I see more than ever how life wears us down one day at a time.

Crumbs litter the floor and dirty smudges cover the windows. And I have yet to discover where that smell is coming from. For this mother of four, a simple trip to the grocery store requires an act of God and Congress - attempted only when we are down to powdered milk and Ramen noodles. Not thirty minutes ago a little one-year-old boy clung to my legs, belting out that scream - you know the one, bats can hear it. And I felt my coping skills slipping away. Not because he was crying but because he cries every day.
The daily-ness.

The job of motherhood feels so vast, and frightening, and unending. I am called to raise these children in the fear and admonition of the Lord and yet there are days that I can't seem to get out of my pajamas much less lead them in a time of prayer. I think anyone could endure the temper tantrums of a small child or the rebellion of a teenager or the constant needs of another if they lasted just one day. But the truth is that these things are the stuff of daily life. And when I am honest with myself, they grind down the rough edges of this woman. Because parenting can not be all about me when diapers must be changed, noses wiped and beds made.
In those moments I force myself to take a deep breath and thank God for this season of life. These children. The privilege of wiping noses and bottoms and countertops. A privilege many women would love to have, but don't. I remind myself that the days are long but the years are short. And one day I will look in the rear-view mirror and see empty seats. The cup that is overflowing right now will slowly drain. The stretch marks will fade. And I will find that a new set of daily struggles has overtaken me. When that day comes I will find the strength to face them as well because God gives the grace, daily.
The daily-ness.
As C.S. Lewis once said, "The thing is to rely on God... Meanwhile, the trouble is that relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing has yet been done."

Your daily-ness is probably different than mine, but it is nonetheless God-ordained. It is exactly what we need to live dependent on His grace instead of our own strength. The One who knows us best, who knit us together in our mother's womb, has allotted these days that are equal parts trial and triumph. And He knows that we will see Him most clearly from a place of dependence.
So today I embrace the normal things. The daily things. Another round of laundry. The ring in my toilet. The dust on my dresser so thick a child could write his name. But even more than that I want to celebrate the important things. A child slowly learning to read. A husband that finds his comfort in my arms. A baby who learns to walk and talk. Because all these are the things of life: some mundane and some holy. And all of them must be received daily.

Dear Lord, sometimes daily life is just hard. And we're tired. And overwhelmed. But You promised to be our strength and our hope and our comfort. So today we look to You for what we need. Would You meet us in this, our daily-ness, and help us receive Your grace? In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Pray that God will help you embrace your daily-ness, whether it be young children, a physical ailment, or financial difficulties.

Make an effort to honor God with an attitude of trust during this season of life.

Reflections:
How can trusting God with my daily struggles point others to Him?

How would my life be different if I started each day thanking God for this season and the struggles it contains?

Power Verses:
Matthew 6:11, "Give us today our daily bread." (NIV)

Luke 9:23, "Then He said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'" (NIV)

Titus 3:14, "Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessitates and not live unproductive lives." (NIV)


© 2010 by Ariel Allison Lawhon. All rights reserved.

Sweating in Church

"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Matthew 6:7-8 (NIV)

Devotion:

Recently, I was studying what causes people to feel spiritually frustrated. The two top reasons? Bible study and prayer. I get it. I can clearly remember sitting in church sweating because everyone else knew instantly how to get to every passage in the Bible the preacher man referenced. But not me. I was more interested in counting the preacher man's spit droplets than any of the fiery words he was spewing out.

Others seemed all wrapped up and excited in what this preacher man had to say. They'd shout loud, "Un-hunh's" and "Amens!" What was I missing?

And then there was my prayer life. Or the lack there-of. It's not that I didn't want to pray but the whole concept of talking to God felt weird. I tried to copy the prayers of those who seemed like they knew they were doing more than talking to the air.

But then my quirky self would sneak in and leave me feeling foolish for what I'd just said to the God of the Universe. "Dear Lord, take this food to the nourishment of my body. (Good so far.) And if you could change the molecular structure of these cheesy fries to be like carrot sticks that sure would be bomb-diggity." (Hunh?)

Like the saying goes, "We've come a long way baby." Except that I'm pretty sure you could still trip me up in finding certain passages in the Bible. And I'm pretty sure you might still hear me say bomb-diggity in my prayers. But according to what Jesus taught in Matthew 6:7, I think He's okay with that.

"And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like the pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."

For me, sincerity and simplicity are two keys to unlocking spiritual frustration with both my Bible study and my prayers. Why do we make it all so complicated? In Colossians 4:2 we are instructed to, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" (NIV). I am challenged by these words today. Do I get up from reading my Bible and praying and start intentionally watching for God? Do I sense His activity and remember to be thankful? Watchful and thankful are great words to ponder when I start trying to overcomplicate my time with Jesus.

I think a few honest moments spent with God reading His Word, sharing our heart, and listening for His instruction are quite perfect. I might even say they are bomb-diggity.

Dear Lord, I want to connect with You through my prayers and my Bible reading. Help me to be watchful and sense Your activity in my life. Help me to connect the verses I read and the prayers I pray to circumstances You bring my way each day. Thank You for loving me even when I'm sweating in church. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Read Colossians 1 and see what words stir your heart today. Write them on a 3x5 index card. As you go through your day be watchful and look to see why God drew your attention to these words. Then thank Him for His presence and His provision.

Reflections:
Do you find it interesting that Jesus told us not to babble in our prayers? Have you ever felt spiritually frustrated in your Bible reading and prayer life? How might simplicity and sincerity help with this?

Power Verses:
Colossians 4:2, "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful." (NIV)

Matthew 5:8, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (NIV)


© 2010 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.

Extending Grace

"'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" Matthew 22:37-39 (NASB)

Devotion:
Over the past three years, I have looked time and again at a small picture of my mother and grandmother together before they were estranged. I dreamed of having my mother and grandmother sitting with me and talking over a cup of coffee while I worked on a novel about the complexities of mother-daughter relationships. Both women were strong Christians who served in their churches. Each of them had a heart for others. And yet, conflicting loyalties dug a chasm between them in their later years.

What caused the estrangement? Quite simply, Dad wanted to retire to Oregon where he and Mom would have a better and more affordable retirement. This meant selling their California property, and the cottage in which Grandma lived. Mom had promised Grandma she could always live with them, and Mom and Dad planned to build the house and then move Grandma up north to join them. In the meantime, Grandma would live in Merced with my aunt. Upon completion of the house, my parents extended the invitation to Grandma to move in with them. They had built the house for possible elder disability: wider halls and doorways, and lower kitchen counters to make it accessible if any of the three of them ended up in a wheelchair.

Grandma refused to come.

Though my parents made numerous trips south to visit her, Grandma never changed her mind. Nor did she ever travel north, not even to visit or see the beautiful home my parents had built. A few years later, Grandma had a stroke. Mom and Dad rushed to be at her side, but Grandma died before they could arrive. Mom grieved deeply. In tears, she said to me, "I think she willed herself to die just so we'd never be able to talk things out." Those words haunt me.

After my mother's death, my brother sorted through the family papers and boxes of pictures. We talked about Mom and Grandma's relationship. I told him how I wished they had worked things out and could have loved one another the way they did in the picture he had sent. My brother believed the picture indicated they had. My aunt, on the other hand, felt certain Grandma never forgave Mom.

I look at their faces now as I write this. I see how they leaned into one another. Their lips are relaxed and curved, their eyes shining. And I pray whatever grievances Grandma held so tightly, she relinquished in the end. God can work right up to our last breath. Of this I am certain: Grandma believed in Jesus. So did Mom. I hold to Jesus' promise that He would not lose a single one who belonged to Him.

Yet, having seen their earthly pain, I do not want to make the same mistakes with my daughter. I want to share my life with her, offer my experience and hope - and, above all, my faith in the God who will watch over and guide her, and fulfill the plan He has for her life. In order to encourage, I will say often, "I love you." "You are God's gift to me." "You are a daughter of the King of kings."

Dear Lord, I thank You for the mother and grandmother You gave me. I thank You for the lessons they taught me. You have a plan for each of us, Lord, and it is a plan to build up our faith and not tear us down. I love You, Father. I trust You. I rest in You. In the name of Your precious Son, Jesus, I pray, Amen.

Application Steps:
Have you shared your past experiences with your children?

What holds you back?

Reflections:
Do I need to make amends with anyone?

If making amends might in any way harm the person I have hurt, how else might I make amends?

Power Verses:
John 15:12, "This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you." (NASB)

Ephesians 4:32, "Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (NASB)

1 Peter 4:8, "Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another because love covers a multitude of sins." (NASB)


© 2010 by Francine Rivers. All rights reserved.

God the Builder

"For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything." Hebrews 3:4 (NIV)

Anything my nine year-old son sets his mind to, he can build. Whether he is working with Legos, K'nex, or hammer and nails, you can count on him to build a masterpiece. When he was only seven he informed me he planned to build a clubhouse from scrap wood the "workermen" from the construction site down the road had given him.

I gave him a list of logical reasons why he could not build a clubhouse. My little guy listened, and then proceeded to tell me his logical reasons for how he could build a clubhouse. I knew in my mind I was right, but there was no convincing my "workerman."

It turns out I was wrong. He built that clubhouse: a floor, four wal ls (including cut outs for doors and windows) and a roof. This was proof positive he was born to build.

There was another young man who was born to build: Jesus. Jesus' earthly father Joseph was a carpenter by trade and customary to the times, taught his son carpentry skills. I picture Jesus as a young child carrying His tools of the trade, honing His skills. He probably hammered a nail or two in places His mother preferred He not. Perhaps He built benches for their humble home. Maybe Jesus even entertained thoughts of building a clubhouse! Yes, Jesus was born to build.

Jesus was born to build, but His primary building project was not buildings, furniture, or other wood items. Jesus was born to construct the majestic splendor of a living temple of God - His church. He does this through the lives of God's children. Jesus is our builder, fashioning us to reflect the image of God.

The Greek rendering for the words "built" and "builder" in our key scripture is t he same. The definition for these words is quite interesting: to furnish, equip, prepare, make ready; of one who makes ready for a person or thing; of builders, to construct, erect, with the included idea of adorning and equipping with all things necessary. Commentaries further explain the "house built" in our key verse is not a literal house, but a spiritual house.

God our Builder wants to erect, furnish, and prepare us to be ready to reflect His image. His desire is to adorn and equip us, His "living temples," with all things necessary to fulfill the purpose for which we were born. So many times we deny God access to our lives, giving Him logical reasons why we could not possibly be built into His image. He stands ready to give you reasons why you can be built into the image of God.

Are you ready to say yes to God's master plan for your life? He is the Builder of everything. He wrote the blueprint of your life before you were born. Will you let Him cr aft your life into the masterpiece it is meant to be?

Dear Lord, today I give You the keys to my heart, Your home. Forgive me for keeping You locked out of parts of my life. I want You to come into my heart and life to begin construction. You are the Master Builder; I give You permission to do all things necessary to craft me into the masterpiece I was meant to be. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

"Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted." (Psalm 127:1)
Do You Know Him?

Application Steps:
In a quiet place, read Psalm 139.

Reflections:
What ways do I reflect the image of God?

What areas of my life do not reflect the image of God?

Am I willing to allow God my Builder to do all things necessary to build me into His image?

Power Verses:
Psalm 127:1, "Unless the LORD builds the h ouse, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (NIV)

2 Corinthian 5:1, "Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands." (NIV)

1 Corinthians 3:16, "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?" (NIV)

© 2010 by Wendy Pope. All rights reserved.