2 Corinthians 3:1-3
"Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or need we, as some others, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you? Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart."
How does your life read? Who you are as a person is revealed more by your actions and behaviors, than by anything you can say about yourself. We are the writers of our own stories through the way we live. Each day gives us a new opportunity to either continue writing the same story or to make changes to that story. Are you satisfied with the story of your life? Or do you seek to change the story of your life? By giving your heart to God, He will give you new opportunity for a fresh start in the story of your life.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Devotional of the Week February 15-21
Revelation 4: 6-8
"And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."
Around the throne of God angels cease not to give continous praise to Him. Truly, only God is worthy of all praise and adoration. While praising others for the good they have done is gratifying, no one, and I mean absolutely no one can claim holiness. Only God is holy, and as we lift our hearts in praise to Him, we will become changed by the power of His holiness. May the love of God rest and abide in our hearts this Valentine's and President's day, as we show love for each other and honor the Presidents who served this country. Let us give thanks to God for all that He has done through them, and let us remember that it is God who is ultimately deserving of the highest praise.
"And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."
Around the throne of God angels cease not to give continous praise to Him. Truly, only God is worthy of all praise and adoration. While praising others for the good they have done is gratifying, no one, and I mean absolutely no one can claim holiness. Only God is holy, and as we lift our hearts in praise to Him, we will become changed by the power of His holiness. May the love of God rest and abide in our hearts this Valentine's and President's day, as we show love for each other and honor the Presidents who served this country. Let us give thanks to God for all that He has done through them, and let us remember that it is God who is ultimately deserving of the highest praise.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Devotional of the Week February 8-14
Phillipians 1: 20-30
"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me."
Going through conflict is a natural part of life. As long as you are living, you cannot help but go through conflict. You do not have to create conflict to experience it, because conflict will find you, no matter how hard you try to avoid it. I have been through many conflicts in my life, and some have been my fault, while other conflicts have come from sources out of my control. Are you feeling overwhelmed by conflict? Are there problems in your life that are spiralling out of control? Sometimes things can get so bad that you feel like giving up, or ending it all. Here is the thing: Conflict is our teacher. From conflict we learn about ourselves and how we handle the world and life circumstances. It is during trying times that our character is severely tested to see what we are really made of. Conflict can either make or break us. Through Christ's power, we have the power to not only go through conflict, but also to be victorious over conflict. We must therefore learn to put our full trust and confidence in Him, to give us the victory. We must be patient, and learn how to endure while we are going through difficulties, for the one that endures will be victorious.
"According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not. For I am a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and be with Christ; which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. And having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith; that your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again. Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; and in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me."
Going through conflict is a natural part of life. As long as you are living, you cannot help but go through conflict. You do not have to create conflict to experience it, because conflict will find you, no matter how hard you try to avoid it. I have been through many conflicts in my life, and some have been my fault, while other conflicts have come from sources out of my control. Are you feeling overwhelmed by conflict? Are there problems in your life that are spiralling out of control? Sometimes things can get so bad that you feel like giving up, or ending it all. Here is the thing: Conflict is our teacher. From conflict we learn about ourselves and how we handle the world and life circumstances. It is during trying times that our character is severely tested to see what we are really made of. Conflict can either make or break us. Through Christ's power, we have the power to not only go through conflict, but also to be victorious over conflict. We must therefore learn to put our full trust and confidence in Him, to give us the victory. We must be patient, and learn how to endure while we are going through difficulties, for the one that endures will be victorious.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Devotional of the Week February 1-7
Psam 51: 1-9
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my trangressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities."
King David knew what it was to sin and then ask for forgiveness. If David, a king could ask for forgiveness, how about us? What wrongs have we done in which we need forgiveness? No matter what we have done, we can be assured that God is ready and willing to forgive, once we come with a truly repentant heart.
"Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my trangressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities."
King David knew what it was to sin and then ask for forgiveness. If David, a king could ask for forgiveness, how about us? What wrongs have we done in which we need forgiveness? No matter what we have done, we can be assured that God is ready and willing to forgive, once we come with a truly repentant heart.
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