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The Twelve Days of Christmas

November 22, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals, Devotional Links, Devotions For Teens, Family Devotions, Website Updates

Did you know this?

From 1558 to 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.  Someone during that era wrote this carol as a catechism song for young Catholics.  It has two levels of meaning:  the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.  Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious reality, which the children could remember.

  -         The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.

-         Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.

-         Three French hens stood for Faith, Hope and Love.

-         The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

-         The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.

-         The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.

-         Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit:  Prophesy Serving,     Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership and Mercy.

-         The eight maids a-milking were the eight Beatitudes.

-         Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:  Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control.

-         The ten Lords a-leaping were the Ten Commandments.

-         The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful Disciples.

-         The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles’ Creed.

 MERRY (Twelve Days of) CHRISTMAS!

And so, let us remember, that it is not OK to say “Happy Holiday” – when did that all come about? 

As CHRISTmas approaches, let us remember that it is a Christian celebration of Christ’s birth!  In order to give Him the praise and the glory – let us remember to say loudly and clearly to those we meet; to those we send greeting cards to; to them all let us say:  HAPPY CHRISTMAS  one and all!

http://pepeprays.wordpress.com

 

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Building A House On A Strong Foundation

August 17, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

We are building a house. We decided not to do the traditional wood, brick and mortar. We’re using steel. We have steel beams, steel studs, steel roof and steel siding. We are putting together a home that has already been through the fire and poured out to become stronger for it. Our foundation is made of concrete poured on top of hundreds of steel rods which reinforce the stability and strength of the concrete. Without a firm foundation, the steel girders and posts would not stand alone. A few Oklahoma wind gusts would level our house. Instead it is secured with thousands of steel bolts driven deep into the concrete. Likewise, Christians are secured to Christ as the foundation of His church. The church is strengthened by the indwelling power of God. We merely stand bolted to Him.

“Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22

God uses us to build His kingdom. We are His church. We are a portion of the beams, the walls, the siding. Jesus is our foundation, just as our house’s foundation is cement poured into a foundation of more steel rods. I think sometimes, me? I am the church for whom Jesus gave His life? I am the walls, the siding, the beams, the roof? Yes, and just as the materials used to build our house were put through the fire and tempered to make the strongest steel, the Lord gives us His power through His Spirit to withstand the trials of life…not that we can boast faith, wisdom or strength, no. Our endurance is because of the power the Lord gives us as we persevere and look to Him in faith.

“Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,” 1 Corinthians 3:16

When storms come, we are secured in our faith. When death pays its visit, we are secured by the blood of the Lamb and assured of eternal life with God where it cannot be taken away. Because the Spirit of God makes His dwelling place within us, He strengthens us greater than any steel beam could ever be strengthened.

Do you ever feel worthless in the kingdom of God? Ever wonder whether what you do or don’t do matters in the scheme of things? It matters. You matter. Jesus gave His life to ensure it matters. You are a part of His church. Open the windows of your life and let others see Jesus in you–the spirit who lives within you. Let people see the fruit the Spirit gives you. Peace, love, joy, kindness, gentleness, self-control and hope. When storms buffet and threaten your faith and commitment, remember your foundation is secure in Christ. No one and nothing is stronger than He.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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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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Thumbs Up for Rock-n-Roll

June 4, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

“13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. ” -Philippians 4:13

Watch this video of a little kid saying something we often need to hear….

What do you have in your life right now that you keep telling yourself you can’t do it? Is it an addiction you need to overcome? Is it a relationship you need to end? Is it asking someone forgiveness?

It is easy for us to beat ourselves up over our failures and mistakes. When I heard the words of this little boy I felt inspired. I felt inspired that I don’t have to settle for feeling like a failure. The innocents of this boy reminds us that we all had been in his shoes before. We all wanted to quit learning how to ride our bike or tie our shoes because it was too hard, but we figured it out. We kept at it and we can now ride bikes and tie our own shoes.

Paul said similar words to the church in Philippi. That Christ gives us the power to overcome those obstacles in our lives that seem to hold us back. The addiction, the bitterness, the jealousy, the forgiveness. Christ gives us strength to face the world.

So let the innocence of this little boy remind you that YOU CAN DO IT! Also let it remind you “THUMBS UP FOR ROCK AND ROLL!”

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We Are Warriors

May 27, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

We are warriors. I think sometimes we forget that. We remember the “peacekeeping, kind” part about being a believer and Christian. We forget that we are to fight a battle. We forget that we are to stand up and speak out.

It’s much easier to remember the gentle and peaceable part.

Isaiah 1:17

Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.

God calls us into action. We were never meant to stay behind our locked doors at home and not get involved in this world that He has placed us in. On the contrary; we were meant to be engaged and to fight for what is right.

It starts with doing right ourselves, of course. Then it goes onto defending those around us who are being oppressed. Sometimes that oppressed person could be us. Would we want to stand alone – or would we want our brothers and sisters in the Lord to surround us and support us?  We need to be there for one another – for the weaker person; for we never know when that day comes around that that “weaker” person is us.

We are also to protect and take care of those who need it. The orphans, the widows. Those who have no one to stand in the gap for them. The homeless, the starving. There are so many out there who need help. Who need love. Who need to know somebody gives a darn whether they live and breathe or not.

Yes, we are called into a battle. We are called to use our voices and to use whatever else God has given us to fight and seek justice; remembering in the process that we can fight for it – but if it escapes us – God will be the sole judge and jury at times. That’s hard to accept when things seem so unfair – but His hands are much better at handling things than mine are. All I can do is fight to the best of my abilities and know that I have tried.

Tried.  Have you tried? Have you tried to be a warrior for the Lord or have you been content being the peacekeeper and staying behind your safe walls?

It’s time that we each stand up. Stand up for what is right. For if we don’t – we can’t expect anyone else to either – and then where will be?

 

~ Dionna Sanchez

http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com

 

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God-Given Strength

April 8, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

Strength. Sometimes I strive for it in the wrong way. I try to muster up my own courage, I try to be stronger, or squelch any fear I may be having. I try. I try. I try.

And it’s all wrong. That’s why true strength can often elude us. WE are doing the trying. True strength and power comes from the Lord. It is HIS might that helps us.

Isaiah 30:15 “Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me.”

So many things I get wrong when I do all the striving and trying on my own.

“I.” I do the trying. I need to lay down the “I” and instead replace it with “HIM.” I need to depend on the Lord instead of depending on myself. If that means I need to acknowledge my weakness and humanness, then that’s what God wants for me to realize that it’s not by my own doing that I excel. The glory goes to God alone for getting me through life’s battles and giving me the courage and strength I need to be victorious in them.

I need to settle down. Often we can become little whirlwinds of activity trying to control the circumstances in our lives. We spin into motion trying to solve this or that. God often wants us to settle down and be still. Letting Him speak to us or move on our behalf.

God’s been teaching me a lot about His strength in the past year. He’s been showing me that so often we go at it backwards. When you want to be first, you need to be last. When you want to be at the top, you need to start at the bottom, and when you want to be strong, you must admit you are weak. Only then can we create room for God to work in us and FOR us.

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When You Are Overloaded

April 7, 2011
Filed In Daily Devotionals

I once broke a washing machine by adding a few pairs of jeans into my load of towels.  I wanted to save time.  I wanted to conserve water, laundry soap, and electricity.  However, sometimes I spin my wheels with all my efforts.  I end up just like my washtub, stuck in the spin cycle.   

When I broke our washer, I realized that overloading is not a good thing.  Overloading machinery is very similar to overloading our lives.  When we overload our lives with work, constant activities, we often fail to leave space for deeper cleansing breaths and relaxing meditation.  We may try to take shortcuts to squeeze in a few more minutes but the shortcuts simply cut into quality and effectiveness.  I crammed another pair of jeans into the tub, but it didn’t get the clothes clean; it didn’t take less time.  It took more time and even cost me money for repairs.

Are you trying to cram more into an overloaded life?  Do you add to your day and fail to eliminate something else?  What is suffering because of that?  who is suffering?

Jesus understood how we can get overloaded with responsibilities.  The apostle Mark references one time the apostles returned from a mission trip with all kinds of stories of all they’d done and taught:

“And He said to them, come away by yourselves to a deserted place, and rest a while–for many were coming and going, and they had not even leisure enough to eat.

And they went away in a boat to a solitary place by themselves.” Mark 6:30-32

Sometimes we need to take ourselves out of the schedules, the work, the appointments, the crowds and get away.  Then rest.  And pray…commune with God.

Do you lay down to sleep and your brain is so overloaded with tomorrow you think about things you didn’t get done today (or worse–you’re regretting things you did do and mistakes you may have made)?   When your system should be at rest, is it whirring and groaning just as my washer motor did when it couldn’t move the heavy load I’d placed upon it?

Let go of some stuff.  “Lay aside every weight.”  If necessary, get out a notebook and write down the stuff you need to stop worrying about, things you can eliminate from your schedule.  Cross off some of the activities.  You can’t possibly function forever with your body in overdrive.

Jesus spent a whole night in prayer after he’d spent a whole day preaching and teaching and healing.  Sometimes we forget we are human.   We cannot do what we need to do without His sustaining strength.  The disciples spent time and energy ministering to others, but the Lord knew they needed refueling.   It’s best we prioritize our lives in such a way we have plenty of time to talk with our Father.  Let Him know we need His help.  If anything needs to be written into our day’s planner, it is time with God.   Seek first the kingdom of God.  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

PRAYER:  Lord, help us to come away and rest with You.  Restore us in our weakness.  Replenish our strength in You.

© Hariette Petersen, SelahV Today, 2011

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10 Bible Verses about Strength

May 14, 2010
Filed In Inspirational Bible Verses

Do you need an inspirational Bible quote about God’s strength? Then read these powerful verses from God’s Word. They are wonderful for personal meditation or to share with a friend who needs to recall the strength that God can provide. All quotes below are from the English Standard Version of the Bible.

Strength Bible verses

10 Inspirational Bible Verses about Strength

Exodus 15:2 The LORD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.

1 Chronicles 19:13 Be strong, and let us use our strength for our people and for the cities of our God, and may the LORD do what seems good to him.”

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation.”

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Habakkuk 3:19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments.

Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Philippians 4:12-13 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.  (13)  I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

1Peter 4:11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies–in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

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