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Labor, Work and Other Blessings

September 2, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Labor. Employment. It’s not a curse on man to work.

It is a blessing. As Christians we know that because of Adam’s disobedience and rebellion against God in the Garden of Eden, God sent him and his wife packing from the bliss of perfection. God made that wonderful eutopia and told man to tend it and oversee the animals. He gave Adam a helpmate so he didn’t have to do it alone. The toughest thing they had to do was pick the ever-present fruit from trees of evey kind. It was a blessing to work all week and be able to rest on the seventh day. After their rebellion, their poor choices prompted God to add sweat and struggle to man’s labor. Weed-free gardens were no more. Eve would labor long and hard to give birth; and it would be painful. The curse was not the labor. The curse was losing the ease of their labor, the consequence for sin. Their disobedience even took away their immortality. Death would sting because of their sin.

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:57-59

Have you labored hard and long and had the seeds you’ve sown, wither and die the moment they sprout? Have you struggled to till your “field” and spend sunrise to sunset making your rows straight and then birds swoop in and scratch up the work you’ve done and steal away your seed? Have you eagerly watered and waited to see some result, only to see your plants spring to life be strangled by the weeds?  Do you wonder where you’ve gone wrong? Don’t fret. You cannot know the seeds that have yet to come to life beneath the soil of God’s grace and keeping. You cannot know where the bird may carry your seed and if it will drop to earth and bring forth a bountiful vine with branches ladened with grapes.

Let nothing discourage you. Don’t look back on what you’ve plowed and planted, my friends. You cannot undo what the world does. You can only control what you do. You can pray. You can teach, preach and make disciples. You can love.  Your labor is not for what you see harvested in your midst. “Stand firm.” Know your whole-hearted efforts are not empty baskets before the Lord. Rest in Him. Rest in what He does through your obedient ministry for which you are called. Whatever that ministry is, do it fully for the Lord.

Mother, you are not unappreciated for wiping runny noses, playing blocks, and disciplining and teaching them obedience. Homemaker, your hands are seen as you make that bread. Father, you are not forgotten in the labor some do not see as you work to provide for the children God has given you, to love your wife as Christ loved the church. Volunteers, God knows how freely you give your heart and soul to serve others in His name.

Preachers, teachers, ministers of all kinds, give thanks to God that Jesus has provided all you need to accomplish the tasks before you. What you cannot do, God can. God will. Rest in the joy of the LORD. It is your strength. Rejoice. Praise God. Be still and know that He is God. “Your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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Place It in His Hands

July 21, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Commit to the LORD whatever you do,

and your plans will succeed.

Proverbs 16:3

 

 

Commit to the Lord our works.

How easy it is to forget to do that. It’s easy to forget that we can pray with our kiddos over their schoolwork and commit that to the Lord in prayer.

It’s easy to forget that God cares about the things we care about. The housework that needs to get done, the groceries that need to be bought, and the time we want to invest in our marriage and our friendships.

We don’t even give it another thought when we plan a vacation or look to buy a new home. A new car purchase can be stressed over…but is it prayed over?

God cares about it all. He wants us to seek Him in it ALL.

I think sometimes the things in our life are harder than they ought to be. We stress over making the right decision when the only decision should be to lay it before the Lord and believe that He will guide us in the right direction.

We try to control too much – only giving Him the leftovers.

Commit to the Lord WHATEVER you do. That means the cupcakes you planned to make for your child’s class party, the table you are leading at Bible Study, or the new dress you are purchasing. Commit it all to Him.

And your plans will succeed. They will work out. Everything will fall into place – just as it should be. Because our priorities were placed in the right hands. With the right person. At the right time.

“Oh Lord, I’m so guilty of storming ahead on my own willpower with my own agenda. Never including you in my plans. Please forgive me. Help me be aware of your presence and caring in my life. Remind me that you’re ever-present and ever-watchful in my life, caring about even the tiniest of details. Help me consult you FIRST and commit everything I do – to you. Help me hand it over. The big, the small, the important and the not-so-important.

I love you. I live for you. I believe in you.

I want my plans to succeed. And I want to know that they only succeeded because I submitted my will – to Yours. Amen.”

 

Dionna Sanchez (http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com)

 

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Re-Establishing Our Boundaries

July 14, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

What do we partake in, in this life that is not wholesome and good? What things do we allow into our hearts, homes, and lives that is impure?

It’s so easy to make concessions in life. We rationalize that that movie won’t hurt to watch just one time or that “hit” music has a good beat so we can ignore the words. But instead, we are letting our guard down and starting to desensitize ourselves to right and wrong.

“I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.”  Psalm 101:3

If God does not or cannot approve anything that is vile and He will have no part in it – what does that mean for us if we choose to let it into our lives? We are supposed to stand out from the rest of the world. Be different. Set apart. If we listen to the same music, read the same books, wear the same clothes….how are we setting a standard? How are we setting boundaries for our lives that God would want for us?

I know it’s hard. I have to reevaluate where I stand…often.  I’ve felt uneasy about certain decisions and then had to go back and tell my children that we were making a change and that I was doing it based on my morals and values.  It’s so easy to go off the path that God has in mind for us.

I want God to look on me with approval. I want Him to take part in all that I do in my life. In order for that to happen, I have to let my faith not just take up a section in my heart, but invade it and flow out to every area of my life. It has to be the scope of which I filter everything that I take in.

We can rationalize and give in all we want to the things of this world. But God has clearly set the standard for our lives.  It’s time to start regaining the territory we’ve allowed to be lost and realize that we are better off without listening to that music, wearing those outfits, or watching those things. It’s time we start feeling better about who we are as people; knowing that we are regaining a purity that has been so easily given away.

Vile is a strong word. Let’s not let anything into our homes or hearts that God could ever construe as vile. For if we do, we can’t expect Him to be a part of it….or of us.
~ Dionna Sanchez is a freelance writer. You can contact her at madetomom@yahoo.com.

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Serving With The Right Intentions

July 12, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

I heard someone say once that we can be very earnest about something – and yet be very earnestly wrong. It was a very profound statement.

So often I see this demonstrated in our society. I see people give all they have to causes that they are very passionate about. I see people pursue beliefs in life that may not be harmless, but may not be fruitful in the long-run either. It reminds me of the verse in Proverbs 16:2 that says, “All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord.”

We can pursue causes or give generously to them – but they can all be for nothing. If I’m giving to charities and serving others simply to “look good” to others – my works are meaningless in the long-run for the Lord knows and sees where my heart stands. He knows that I simply did things for “show.”   And if I give all my time and money to something I really DO believe in but that cause goes against the Word of God in some way or form – again – my invested time and money are worthless.

My heart and soul and what reside there are very important to the Lord. The intent, love, purity and motivation that live inside of each one of us weigh heavily with God.

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in doing what everyone else is doing, doing things for the fun of it, or doing things because it looks good….we forget that the only true way to do things is with love.

Romans 16:18 “For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naïve people.”

It is important for us to evaluate our own intent and actions every once in awhile to make sure that we have the right motivation and not that we are doing things simply to fulfill our own fleshly emotions and desires. It’s also important for us to be wary of who is in our lives and what kind of endeavors they bring into our homes and into our lives. Many people seem to have good causes but in actuality, they are stemmed from selfish ambition.

God does want us to serve. But He wants us to serve humbly. He does want us to pursue our passions. But with prayer. And He does want us to give. But with the right heart. If we keep these things in mind as our compass….we’ll never stray from serving Him with the pure goodness that He can use and flourish for so many.

 

~ Dionna Sanchez is a freelance writer and blogger. Visit her blog at http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com or contact her at madetomom@yahoo.com

 

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Under His Wings

June 21, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals, Devotions For Teens, Family Devotions, Inspirational Bible Verses

“Shew thy marvelous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.  Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, from the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.”  Psalm 17:7-9

A friend of mine was telling me about her chickens.  She lives in a rural area, enjoying a lovely garden and fresh eggs.  Her chickens delight in ranging their property, but at night, my friend gathers them into their pen.  One night not long ago, the chickens were very resistant to being penned up.  After a time, my friend gave up the fight, and left them to themselves.  The unfortunate consequence was the loss of two of the hens.  The rest went missing for a couple of days, hiding in fear for their lives.

There are times we want to gather what’s precious to us, our children, and protect them from the evil that lurks in the shadows.  Unfortunately, despite our best intentions, our children resist and fight against the boundaries we set for them.

There is little we can do when they refuse the way of righteousness, except pray.  Jesus understood the heartache we feel when our children go astray.  Consider these words from Jesus found in Matthew 23:37:

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!”

It’s not just our children that go astray.  Sometimes we adults do too.  The consequences of living a sinful life are sometimes quite pricey.  When we separate ourselves from the protection of our Lord, tragedy is certain.

A simple step of disobedience can lead to a multitude of hurt and needless suffering.  Do we not believe that our Lord wants only what is best for us?  Where is our faith?  Our Lord cares for us so much, but we are resistant to His will.

If we follow Him wholeheartedly, we will not be disappointed.  He wants to gather us to Himself in love and mercy and grace, but we will not come to Him.  Sin is so much more enticing, isn’t it?

If you find yourself in disobedience in some area of your life, I urge you to put aside that heavy weight of sin and turn to Jesus in repentance.  He is willing to receive the repentant one.

Don’t let pride keep you from repentance.  When the weight of sin becomes too heavy, you will find Him still waiting on you.  He never grows tired of trying to bring you back under the “shadow of His wings”.

“Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me:  for soul trusteth in thee:  yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.”  Psalm 57:1


 

Copyright © 2011 by Linda Hull, Words of Encouragement

 

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What Is On My Father’s Mind

June 15, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

When I was a teenager, I had several opportunities to break my father’s rules–to go places he didn’t want me to go, to do things he didn’t want me to do.  I recall a time he made me copy three chapters of the Bible for joining my brother in smoking a cigarette. Today I think back on all the times I failed to live up to his standards.  As an adult, I see the pitfalls of disobedience.  I also see the promise and reward in following principles my dad encouraged and those my heavenly Father wants me to follow. Sometimes I wish I could turn back time and have do-overs with my dad. However, that is not possible.

Yet, as a Christian, all things are possible with my heavenly Father.  He pours out mercy and gives me new opportunities each day.  He gives me His Word to show me what He expects. He sent Jesus as an example. He gave me His Spirit to guide me. And His grace covers all my mistakes, and failures. Though I may falter and stumble, I find peace in His approval for the righteousness I have in His Son’s justification and atonement. 

“Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,” 1 Peter 4:1

What did Jesus think about?  Each time He was confronted with questions, obstacles, temptations, or enticements, Jesus had the Father on His mind.

When faced with the heartbreaking death of His friend Lazarus, and the grief of His friends Martha and Mary, Jesus considered the glory the circumstance would bring to the heavenly Father. When Jesus was faced with the impossible situation of feeding thousands of hungry people with a few loaves and fish, He saw the opportunity to show the power and sufficiency of the heavenly Father. When others condemned an adulteress woman, Jesus forgave her. When others ostracized the lepers, Jesus touched them. When His disciples pushed children away, Jesus called them to himself and told others to have the heart and mind of children. When faced with eternal destruction for all mankind, He obeyed the heavenly Father and sacrificed all–His life–to win the freedom and eternal life for all who believed in, relied upon, and received Him.

Since Jesus walked through life this way and suffered in the flesh for us, Paul tells us to “arm” ourselves “with the same way of thinking”–think like Jesus. When we take time to consider how God looks at a situation, we will be better able to walk like Jesus, forgive like Jesus, confront like Jesus, minister like Jesus and sacrifice like Jesus. Whatever we go through is pin-pricks in comparison to Christ’s sufferings. Can we think like Jesus?

PRAYER: LORD, fill our minds with Yours. Increase our wisdom. Open our eyes to Your purpose in each facet of our day. Arm us with the ability to look beyond each situation, each obstacle, and see the opportunity You intend.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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Has Your Heart Become Calloused?

June 1, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Ever know you ought to do something, but just don’t feel like it?  The desire is not there.  You ought to encourage, but don’t.  You ought to give, but won’t.  You ought to change, but remain the same. I get that way sometimes and wonder if perhaps I’ve hardened my heart to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

“For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.” Matthew 13:15

When our hands become calloused, we are able to do work with less to no pain.  We can actually cut away some of the skin and not feel it.  The same is true with our hearts.  We become so conditioned to the world’s troubles we lose feeling for others.  We become so comfortable with our own security we cannot see the insecurity of others.  We are so consumed with our own needs, we cannot notice another’s.  We are so intune to our own thoughts, we cannot hear the despair of others.

Jesus spoke to his disciples in the above verse.  He was preaching to a crowd and some within the crowd were only there because of the miracles they’d seen Jesus perform.  Yet still, they could not see the Miracle before them.  Others, the leaders, only followed Jesus to gather information and trick him.  They really were not interested in what Jesus had to say.  They had no intentions of following Him; they’d calloused their hearts and made up their minds that they had all the answers.  Therefore they could not be healed–or saved.

I don’t want to be like that. I don’t want to feel calloused toward truth the Lord wants to show me.  I want to be so sensitive to God’s voice that I not only hear Him whisper, but discern a pinprick from the Holy Spirit upon my heart.

How about you?  Are your eyes closed to the truth?  Have you turned a deaf ear to His teachings?  Is there someone in your life with whom you need to reconcile?  What holds you back?  Is there some temptation you are unwilling to resist?  Will you turn it over to the Lord now and let Him heal you? 

PRAYER:  O LORD, for those who find these words touching them today, I pray Your grace abounds.  Let them accept the mercy You give.  Give them strength, and wisdom and discernment and let them live abundantly in Your goodness.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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When They Don’t Want to Obey

May 23, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Last week I went to pick up my granddaughters and take them on a picnic.  Before we left I told them to tidy up the living room and put away their toys, books, and other items which were strewn all over the carpet.  Four-year-old Kinsey protested.  “Haylee left the arrows out.  That’s Haylee’s book…”, on and on came the excuses. Kinsey’s balk was out of character for her; but I persisted.

“Okay, then while your mommy does Haylee’s hair, just pick up the tissues and the dolls you played with; Haylee will pick up her part.”  It was like pushing a freight-train through a keyhole, but I managed to get her to pick up one doll and the flip-flops before Haylee returned. I could have done it myself in less than 3 minutes if my back was agreeable, but it wasn’t.

Surprisingly, Haylee immediately picked up everything else without a word of protest.  It was a balm of peace to the struggle I’d had with her little sister.  When Haylee agreeably picked up her toys, Kinsey joined in without any whining.  I couldn’t help but wonder if that wasn’t how God felt when we readily obey, without balking.   

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling,” Philippians 5:12

I don’t know about you, but it thrills me when the girls agreeably obey without threats.  I admit that sometimes I’ve had to threaten to leave without them to get them to pick up their toys before we leave the house.  I’d much rather they obey straightaway without protests and complaints.  But I think this is part of teaching them.  It takes persistence.  And patience.  The hope is that someday they will obey without any reminders.

Children don’t always want to obey.  We have to teach them.  Sometimes we reward them with tea-parties for obedience.  Sometimes we give consequences when they choose disobedience.  Likewise, we Christians do not always obey our Father’s commands.  We follow after our own way.  We whine.  We get complacent.  We get lazy and rebellious.  If I am to obey my Father’s instructions to “train up a child in the way he should go”, then I cannot be swayed when they don’t want to do what they’re told to do.

My home and my life was not affected whatsoever by the mess the girls left on their mother’s floor.  However, they learned obedience by doing what I told them to do. I’m grateful I can lighten my daughter’s burden a bit by watching her girls while she runs errands.  When I validate her rules, it helps undergird her efforts as a Biblical mother and keeps a consistent flow of obedience to authority in their lives.

PRAYER:  Lord, give wisdom to parents today.  Help grandparents undergird and validate their adult children as they strive to be Biblical in mothering and fathering.  Help us not provoke our children to anger, and let all our instructions be tempered with love and mercy.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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