7-8-13 Daily Devotions “Feed Yourself” (S) 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (O) Those who eat solid food are mature in their walk with the Lord. They are expected to know right from wrong. They are expected to understand how to function in righteousness. Those who are infants in their walk are still in the learning stage and still have trouble understanding right from wrong. (A)When we talk about Christians who eat solid food, it isn’t about how long a person has been a believer. Eating solid food is about the knowledge and understanding of the Word of God. A believer can be saved for many years, but still may be drinking milk. That’s why it is essential that we as believers feed ourselves the Word of God, so that we can be mature in the Word, being able to distinguish right from wrong. We need to spend time in his word daily by doing our daily devotions and memorizing scripture. So that the Word of God will be forever in our mind, hearts, and soul. “8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” (Joshua 1:8) (P) Father God, thank you for giving us your divine Word. Help me Father to write your word across my heart, so that it will manifest itself in my behavior. Father god I love you and your Word. Thank you for your Son’s blood and his body that has given me life eternal and abundance. Amen.

Forever Blessed

<sup>5-1-12

Daily Devotions

Forever Blessed
(Obedience)

12</sup> If your sons keep my covenant
    and the statutes I teach them,
then their sons will sit
    on your throne for ever and ever.
--- Psalm 132:12


God is talking about obedience to all of his laws and decrees. If we obey God, then we will be blessed through generations. If our sons and daughters and their sons and daughters obey, then we will be lessed through generations.


Before we can obey God, we need to know God. We need to develop an intimate relationship with God, so that we will know what God loves. We will know how God thinks, and how he feels about everything under the son. We need to align ourselves with God first. Then we need to teach and disciple our children, so that they may grow to know and have an intimate relationship with God.


Mighty God our Father, we ask you to please bless our household so that we will know, understand, and follow who you are. Let the Holy Spirit speak to our hearts so that we may follow you in everything that we do. Please Father God, will you teach us and gives us the tools to disciple our children, grandchilden and their children. Thank you in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

In Secret

Daily Devotions


"In Secret"
(Don't gloat)


1 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. (Matthew 6:1)


Whether it be giving to others or in prayer. Do it secretly. Don't do it so that everyone will see. Don't advertise. Do it in secret, because God will see and God will know.


I will be aware of this scripture when it comes to sharing with those less fortunate. I will also remember to pray in private, because that is between me and God. Besides God already knows the pleadings of my heart.


Mighty father in Heaven please give me discernment and courage to do the right thing anonymously and in secret. When it is done in secret it is done with the right heart and spirit unto you. Amen.

"Deny Thyself"

3-1-12



Deny Thyself
(Lose Your Life)


34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? (Mark 8:34-36)


I always struggled with this passage in the past. Thanks to the Holy Spirit for revealing it's meaning to me. The goal of every Christian is to become more Christlike. To build and maintain a relationship with the Godhead. The only way that it will happen is to put aside our own needs and desires and to pursue the things and affairs of God. God already loves us and will give us our heart's desires. Our wants and needs are to be put aside so that we can live wholly for Jesus.


I will die to myself daily and live for Jesus.


Almighty God, we thank you for your grace and love. We thank you for your son Jesus. Help me Holy Spirit to stay close to you and to help me to pursue God and the things and affairs of God. Amen.

Obedience

2-27-12


"Obedience"
(Having Faith In The Lord)


39 Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. 41 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. 42 They all ate and were satisfied, 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand. (Mark 6:39-44)


It was obvious to all of the disciples that they did not have enough food to feed the thousands who were there that day. But they obeyed Jesus, and did as they were instructed to do by the Lord. We need to behave in the same manner. Sometimes we can see what a situation is, but with Jesus, we need to undersdtand that being obedient is more important that what we can see. A situation in Jesus' eyes is much different than what we are able to see.


I will remember this story for the obedience and the faith shown by the disciples. I will remember to apply these priciples in my daily walk with the Lord. First, be close enough to be his disciple. Second, listen and hear the Lord. Third, obey and have faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ will be able to work miracles. I must and will believe and have faith in him.


Thank you god for all of your blessings. Thank you Lord for my deliverance. Continue working in me so that I may be overflowing in with Holy Spirit. Continue opening my eyes and allowing my ears to hear your voice.

Martyrdom

2-14-12


"Martyrdom"
(True Sacrifice)


13 Then Paul answered, "Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." 14 When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, "The Lord's will be done." (Acts 21:13-14)


Paul exhibited true sacrifice and love for God. He was willing to give his life and would not bend to the pressure from society. He was not afraid to give up his life, to show how much he believed in Christ Jesus.


Paul overcame a true human emotion. That is self preservation. Self preservation is a natural tendency in these types of situations. It is not only natural but it is also a very strong emotion. Most people would do whatever it takes to save their own lives. Paul overcame that natural emotion in order to show his committment to loving and believing in Jesus Christ. I will commit to loving God and Christ Jesus the same way.


Mighty God, thank you for this story about Paul's love for Jesus Christ. Please give me the courage to do the same in the same or in similar situations. Thank you Jesus. Amen.

Simplicity

2-13-12


"Simplicity"
(Simple Example)


20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and faith in our Lord Jesus. (Acts 20:20-21)


This is a simple example of our life, or what our life should be. It actually gives us instructions on what we should be doing and how we should be doing it.


I will read this often and make sure that I remember my plan and purpose. Declare to all, that they must repent, and have faith in Jesus Christ.


Mighty God, please help me to know and understand the simple plan that God has set before us. Teach the Gospel from house to house. Declare to others that repentance is necessary. Also declare that they must follow Jesus Christ. Amen.