Build houses and settle down... seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you... Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.
Jeremiah 29:5, 7
We live in a fast-paced, move-it-or-lose-it society. We don't like to slow down because we think we'll miss out on the next big thing or incredible opportunity. We always want to be on top and ahead of the game. But when we zip through life like that, we miss out on the most incredible opportunities of all time—to bless those around us.
God wants to bless you. And he wants you to use those blessings to bless others. And that's not something you can do if you're flying through life at breakneck speeds.
Don't go through life overlooking the people who God has placed in your path. Take some time to slow down and take note of those around you. Ask God to show you opportunities where you can share your blessings. Remember, God blesses us so that we can bless others. Because when we do, we will experience the true power and excitement of living in the zone.
What are your thoughts on this devotional?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Thief
The Thief
Author Unknown
Jun 22, 2009
A reminder to turn on your security system!!!
A horrible thing happened to me today... a thief broke into my house.
It happened shortly after I awoke this morning. I got up and began rushing about. I had a thousand things on my list and was already running behind.
Quickly, I gulped down breakfast, took a shower and got ready for work. In my rush, I forgot to turn on the security system at my house. It was just about a half an hour later that the thief broke in. Of course, he didn't make a sound. Just kind of snuck inside, not drawing any attention to himself.
In fact, none of the neighbors ever saw him. But, I did. You see, I WAS HOME when the thief broke in. He naturally startled me, as I was unprepared for his visit. He, of course, didn't announce that he was coming and I certainly had not invited him over. And yet, I found myself face to face with danger and I felt so powerless. I also felt so very stupid, because this whole incident could have been avoided if I had just taken the time to turn the security system on. You better believe I'll be turning it on tomorrow morning!
I thought I'd warn you about this guy, because he's still on the loose. Chances are, he's in your area. Possibly even headed for your house. His name? His name is Satan. You see, this morning, when I jumped up in my haste to get started on my busy day, I skipped my prayer time, opting to "pray later today." In other words, I DIDN'T TURN ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM. My defense wasn't on, my guard was dropped... and when the thief came into my home to attack me, I was unprepared to do battle. He tempted me and I felt powerless.
As I said, I also felt so very stupid, because I could have avoided the incident if I had just taken the time to pray. My friend, the thief has come to "steal, kill and destroy." (John 10:10) And, as a Child of God, you are on his "hit list." He'll probably pop over to your house today. He may be lurking outside your door right now, just waiting to catch you off guard. Take time to pray this morning. Ask God to bind Satan from your very presence, to protect you and empower you to do battle. In short...always
dress with your Holy armor from head to toe and...don't forget to turn your security system on.
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." - Ephesians 6:11
Author Unknown
Jun 22, 2009
A reminder to turn on your security system!!!
A horrible thing happened to me today... a thief broke into my house.
It happened shortly after I awoke this morning. I got up and began rushing about. I had a thousand things on my list and was already running behind.
Quickly, I gulped down breakfast, took a shower and got ready for work. In my rush, I forgot to turn on the security system at my house. It was just about a half an hour later that the thief broke in. Of course, he didn't make a sound. Just kind of snuck inside, not drawing any attention to himself.
In fact, none of the neighbors ever saw him. But, I did. You see, I WAS HOME when the thief broke in. He naturally startled me, as I was unprepared for his visit. He, of course, didn't announce that he was coming and I certainly had not invited him over. And yet, I found myself face to face with danger and I felt so powerless. I also felt so very stupid, because this whole incident could have been avoided if I had just taken the time to turn the security system on. You better believe I'll be turning it on tomorrow morning!
I thought I'd warn you about this guy, because he's still on the loose. Chances are, he's in your area. Possibly even headed for your house. His name? His name is Satan. You see, this morning, when I jumped up in my haste to get started on my busy day, I skipped my prayer time, opting to "pray later today." In other words, I DIDN'T TURN ON THE SECURITY SYSTEM. My defense wasn't on, my guard was dropped... and when the thief came into my home to attack me, I was unprepared to do battle. He tempted me and I felt powerless.
As I said, I also felt so very stupid, because I could have avoided the incident if I had just taken the time to pray. My friend, the thief has come to "steal, kill and destroy." (John 10:10) And, as a Child of God, you are on his "hit list." He'll probably pop over to your house today. He may be lurking outside your door right now, just waiting to catch you off guard. Take time to pray this morning. Ask God to bind Satan from your very presence, to protect you and empower you to do battle. In short...always
dress with your Holy armor from head to toe and...don't forget to turn your security system on.
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." - Ephesians 6:11
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Getting Beyond Fear
Getting Beyond Fear
“There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
America is beset with an apocalyptic mindset. We have more fears today than I have ever imagined. Without question, we have some good reason to feel this way. The fall of the twin towers at the hands of a mindless evil still stuns us. Terrorism is with us to stay. A financial collapse. We have real reasons to be afraid.
TV programing has picked up on and amplified the hysteria. I’m a big Discovery Channel and History Channel guy. The line-up feeds on fear. "Destroyed in Seconds" and "Shockwave" show live destruction. "Storm Chasers" and "Wrath of God" show natural disasters. "Monster Quest" is about giant spiders, snakes, hogzilla and sasquatch. UFO Hunters! Now there's a real fear!
So much fear. So much anxiety. That’s the problem. We are anxious people. Without question anxiety does not mesh with faith. Anxiety requires a tremendous emotional investment. The tension it causes can take years off our lives (who can add one cubit?). It can also silence our gratitude.
Some fears are real. Most fears are not. All fears are covered by Jesus’ invitation: “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). Interestingly, only John, of all the gospel writers, records these words from Jesus. Also John had more to say about fear than any other letter writer in the NT. Like most every problem we face, John found the solution to fear in God’s love. If we trust in God’s love, then fear dissipates. “Perfect love casts out fear.”
The fears that threaten you as you read this devotional will be silenced only by a growing trust in a loving God. You must cling to the conviction that God’s providence is more powerful than the object of your fear. Delve more deeply into God’s perfect love for you. He will still the fears that assault you. He will give you the peace you need.
Dr. Terry Ellis
Pastor, Spring Hill Baptist Church
Mobile, AL
“There is no fear in love. Perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).
America is beset with an apocalyptic mindset. We have more fears today than I have ever imagined. Without question, we have some good reason to feel this way. The fall of the twin towers at the hands of a mindless evil still stuns us. Terrorism is with us to stay. A financial collapse. We have real reasons to be afraid.
TV programing has picked up on and amplified the hysteria. I’m a big Discovery Channel and History Channel guy. The line-up feeds on fear. "Destroyed in Seconds" and "Shockwave" show live destruction. "Storm Chasers" and "Wrath of God" show natural disasters. "Monster Quest" is about giant spiders, snakes, hogzilla and sasquatch. UFO Hunters! Now there's a real fear!
So much fear. So much anxiety. That’s the problem. We are anxious people. Without question anxiety does not mesh with faith. Anxiety requires a tremendous emotional investment. The tension it causes can take years off our lives (who can add one cubit?). It can also silence our gratitude.
Some fears are real. Most fears are not. All fears are covered by Jesus’ invitation: “Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27). Interestingly, only John, of all the gospel writers, records these words from Jesus. Also John had more to say about fear than any other letter writer in the NT. Like most every problem we face, John found the solution to fear in God’s love. If we trust in God’s love, then fear dissipates. “Perfect love casts out fear.”
The fears that threaten you as you read this devotional will be silenced only by a growing trust in a loving God. You must cling to the conviction that God’s providence is more powerful than the object of your fear. Delve more deeply into God’s perfect love for you. He will still the fears that assault you. He will give you the peace you need.
Dr. Terry Ellis
Pastor, Spring Hill Baptist Church
Mobile, AL
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
WEDNESDAY
I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me -- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
--Acts 20:24
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
How important is grace? Paul said it was more important than his life! Telling about grace was more important to Paul than his life! In fact, that was his life!
MY PRAYER...
Almighty God, Holy Father, thank you for your lavish grace demonstrated and fully expressed in sending Jesus to die for me. As your child, and in thanks to your sacrificial gift, I pledge to you my life, my love, and my all. Through Jesus. Amen
I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given to me -- the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace.
--Acts 20:24
New International Version
THOUGHTS ABOUT TODAY'S VERSE...
How important is grace? Paul said it was more important than his life! Telling about grace was more important to Paul than his life! In fact, that was his life!
MY PRAYER...
Almighty God, Holy Father, thank you for your lavish grace demonstrated and fully expressed in sending Jesus to die for me. As your child, and in thanks to your sacrificial gift, I pledge to you my life, my love, and my all. Through Jesus. Amen
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Don't Hesitate
Don't Hesitate
"He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
(James 1:6-8)
What happens when you hesitate to do something God has told you to do? Your adversary takes the first step. The devil gets the jump on you.
If you want to live by faith, hesitation is one of the most hazardous habits you could ever have. It comes from being indecisive. The Bible says a man like that is "unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels, decides" (The Amplified Bible).
If you are double-minded, the decisions you make are split. You try to live by faith and protect your fear at the same time. You make faith statements like "I believe God is going to heal me." Then your fear whispers, "But I wouldn't want to say I'm well just yet." You're so busy going back and forth between faith and fear, you can't make any progress at all.
Kick the habit of hesitation today. Make a solid decision to trust in and act on the Word of God. Settle it forever. Resolve never to entertain doubts again. When doubt comes to your mind, cast it out quickly.
When God speaks, don't waste a moment. Step right out in faith. That way, you can always keep the devil a step behind you!
"He that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways."
(James 1:6-8)
What happens when you hesitate to do something God has told you to do? Your adversary takes the first step. The devil gets the jump on you.
If you want to live by faith, hesitation is one of the most hazardous habits you could ever have. It comes from being indecisive. The Bible says a man like that is "unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything he thinks, feels, decides" (The Amplified Bible).
If you are double-minded, the decisions you make are split. You try to live by faith and protect your fear at the same time. You make faith statements like "I believe God is going to heal me." Then your fear whispers, "But I wouldn't want to say I'm well just yet." You're so busy going back and forth between faith and fear, you can't make any progress at all.
Kick the habit of hesitation today. Make a solid decision to trust in and act on the Word of God. Settle it forever. Resolve never to entertain doubts again. When doubt comes to your mind, cast it out quickly.
When God speaks, don't waste a moment. Step right out in faith. That way, you can always keep the devil a step behind you!
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