What does it mean to be committed to something?. To keep your word. To say you will do something and be honorable in doing it. Commitment can come in form of saying that you will be committed to losing weight for instance. Maybe you need to be committed to be a regular at church, Sunday School, or Bible study and not just when you feel like it. As a new parent you can be committed to raising your child for the Lord and not in the worlds' image by saturating his or her day with things of the Lord. Proverbs 16:3 says to "Commit your works to the Lord and your plans will succeed."
The dictionary defines commitment as loyalty, responsibility, to fulfill an obligation, follow up on a vow. Marriage is a commitment but too many today have taken this commitment lightly. There are Biblical reasons for divorce but in todays' world not being or feeling "in love" seems to be grounds enough for pulling the plug on a relationship. What about the vow and commitment you took before your heavenly father? Many get up there on their wedding day all giddy and 'in love' and do not take seriously the vows they are making before God and man. Some wedding ceremonies today have even deleted the phrase 'as long as we both shall live" from the vows. Sort of a 'way out' humanly. Many churches never talk about divorce or adultery. Don't mention it and it is not there,right? Wrong!
To be committed is to be dedicated to something wholeheartedly no matter what. To be steadfast and true to your principles. To be honorable above all else. Commitment is keeping a promise to something or someone.
In Joshua 24:15 God wants us to be committed to Him. It reads, "Choose you this day who you will serve but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord." Matthew 5:10-12 talks about our commitment to serving the Lord no matter what, "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
"For I hate divorce!" says the LORD, the God of Israel. "To divorce your wife is to overwhelm her with cruelty," says the LORD of Heaven's Armies. "So guard your heart; do not be unfaithful to your wife."(Malachi 2:16) Marriage is the ultimate commitment and should not be entered into lightly. Shattered vows shatter lives. It is evident in our society today.
Commitment is pretty important to God. In a prayer group I lead Moms in Touch we there are the ABC's of Moms in Touch the 'C' standing for commitment. If you have trouble with this area ask God to help you take things seriously.
PRAYER: Lord God I ask that you help us to be faithful to people and things. Help us Lord to take our vows seriously. Forgive those who may have broken a vow and help them start anew serving you. We want to seek you and walk in ways all the days of our lives. Help us Lord to do this. Help us to not be fitted into the worlds' mold but into your mold. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
ONLY BELIEVE
I heard the saying once "Believe receive, doubt do without. "James 1:6 says "But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind." God is not a genie in a bottle or a magician but He wants to hear from us daily in prayer. We are not to just pray and ask for things but to lift up our praises and thanks to Him as well. We are to pray and not give up as well. (Luke 18:1). Sometimes we keep praying and praying and it seems nothing may be happening. Why Lord? God answers prayers sometimes in ways we do not think of. Only trust Him.
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."( Luke 18:27) Trust God, live for Him, walk with Him and He will hear your prayers. Psalm 66:18 says "If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Your heart has to be right too. Do not go to the Lord harboring resentment or sin in your heart.
In Matthew Chapter 6 verses 7 and 8 it reads "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Talk to God like you are talking to a friend. He wants to hear from you. You do not need to use thee's and thou's to get through to Him. He is waiting. Call on Him. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)
PRAYER: Lord Jesus search us today and know our hearts. Lead us in the path you want us to walk. Forgive us for the times we have ignored you, put you on the shelf, and tried to do things our own way. In Jesus Name. Amen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRiTqfqz4zU
Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."( Luke 18:27) Trust God, live for Him, walk with Him and He will hear your prayers. Psalm 66:18 says "If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened." Your heart has to be right too. Do not go to the Lord harboring resentment or sin in your heart.
In Matthew Chapter 6 verses 7 and 8 it reads "And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him." Talk to God like you are talking to a friend. He wants to hear from you. You do not need to use thee's and thou's to get through to Him. He is waiting. Call on Him. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3)
PRAYER: Lord Jesus search us today and know our hearts. Lead us in the path you want us to walk. Forgive us for the times we have ignored you, put you on the shelf, and tried to do things our own way. In Jesus Name. Amen!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRiTqfqz4zU
Thursday, November 4, 2010
PEACEBUSTERS REVISITED
There are tons of distractions in our day to day lives and our world that can rob us of peace. Unexpected changes in our schedule, spilled milk, lost items, world problems, health issues, phone solicitors, financial issues, losing a job, and the list goes on. I am sure you can add to it. It is how we choose to deal with setbacks and peace robbers that matters. Staying focused on Christ and what is positive is what we need to try to do.
Isaiah 26:3 states, "I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee." Situations are basically out of our hands and no amount of fretting or manipulation is going to really matter. All it will do is keep us tied up in knots inside and eventually lead to possible health problems both emotional and physical. In John 14:27 is says,"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." This is a spiritual discipline to practice just like with any discipline you have to keep doing it til it becomes a habit. So training your mind to not fret or worry is a matter of staying in the word of God daily in order to maintain peace and stability in your life. God is ultimately in control and things are out of our hands. Let your mind be filled with good things. Philippians 4:8 basically says "Whatsoever things are good, pure,perfect to think on these things." In other words focus on good things and not things that you will obsess over or will drag you down into a pit. God does not want us to be in a pit.
PRAYER: Father today we thank you that no matter what happens I know you care and are in control. I choose to maintain a peaceful spirit. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Isaiah 26:3 states, "I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee." Situations are basically out of our hands and no amount of fretting or manipulation is going to really matter. All it will do is keep us tied up in knots inside and eventually lead to possible health problems both emotional and physical. In John 14:27 is says,"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." This is a spiritual discipline to practice just like with any discipline you have to keep doing it til it becomes a habit. So training your mind to not fret or worry is a matter of staying in the word of God daily in order to maintain peace and stability in your life. God is ultimately in control and things are out of our hands. Let your mind be filled with good things. Philippians 4:8 basically says "Whatsoever things are good, pure,perfect to think on these things." In other words focus on good things and not things that you will obsess over or will drag you down into a pit. God does not want us to be in a pit.
PRAYER: Father today we thank you that no matter what happens I know you care and are in control. I choose to maintain a peaceful spirit. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
PRAY FOR YOUR ENEMIES
Now if anything goes against human nature it is loving and praying for your enemies. Human nature wants to lash out and strike back. But that is not God's way. It may not be a real enemy per se. I for one hate no one. I may have been wronged or hurt but we have to keep our eyes on Jesus.Someone may have wronged you and not even realized it nor did they ask for forgiveness but we have to choose to forgive or a root of bitterness will grow."Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled" (Hebrews 12:15). It makes us feel bad to be mistreated but God wants us to turn the other cheek and love the person regardless of how they are or have treated us.That is one of the hardest things to do. "But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."(Matthew 5:39)
Matthew 5:44 says "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Humanly we want to say, " Hey you. Why are you acting like this? Why are you treating me this way? I do not deserve this! I did not do anything to you to deserve this!" But we have to choose to move on, forgive and forget. I John 4:20 says "If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen."
Wow for someone who has been hurt by a friend this whole journey to forgive and move on is very difficult.Whether we have done something to 'deserve it" or not does not matter. It does not bring glory to God to live with with anger or hate in your heart towards someone. Only with God's help are we able to have victory.
PRAYER: Lord God I pray you will give strength to those who need it to be able to forgive someone who has wronged or hurt them. This person may not even realize they hurt someone so that is even tougher to give it up and let go. Father I ask for your power to be able to do this and move on in life. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Matthew 5:44 says "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." Humanly we want to say, " Hey you. Why are you acting like this? Why are you treating me this way? I do not deserve this! I did not do anything to you to deserve this!" But we have to choose to move on, forgive and forget. I John 4:20 says "If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen."
Wow for someone who has been hurt by a friend this whole journey to forgive and move on is very difficult.Whether we have done something to 'deserve it" or not does not matter. It does not bring glory to God to live with with anger or hate in your heart towards someone. Only with God's help are we able to have victory.
PRAYER: Lord God I pray you will give strength to those who need it to be able to forgive someone who has wronged or hurt them. This person may not even realize they hurt someone so that is even tougher to give it up and let go. Father I ask for your power to be able to do this and move on in life. In Jesus Name. Amen.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
DO YOUR PART
(Wow my journey to get started writing and to write 30 devotions for friends has expanded and lo and behold I stand on the verge of completing number 100 tomorrow. Thanks to all my guineau pig friends who are willing to get these daily and thanks for your comments as well. I appreciate it. I hope you have been blessed.)
DO YOUR PART
Today is a very important day for freedom. We citizens of the United States get to go vote. Many decide their vote does not count and choose to just stay home but this is a privilege.How are we to have any hope to change things if we do not exercise this right and privilege? Currently we enjoy a democratic form of government. If we do not speak up and go vote we may not always be blessed with this freedom. Many nations are under dictatorships and do not get to choose. Right now thankfully that freedom still exists. Go exercise your right to vote and pray that God would direct you to men and women of honesty,integrity and good moral character and pray that men and women who are cheats and deceivers will be uncovered.
Right now we have a moral crisis in our country more than ever. What is good is being called bad and what is bad is being called good. We have gotten away from the way the Founding Fathers intended it to be. Proverbs 28:2 says , "When there is moral rot within a nation,its government topples easily, but with honest, sensible leaders there is stability." When you cut God out of the equation your society is not going to stand for long. But we have started doing it through the years and this nation has broken down and suffered as a result. When schools can not even display the Ten Commandments or allow the Gideons to bring the New Testaments in to give students then we are taking away the ability to teach right ad wrong according to God's word. Evil forces would love to take this nation out and they are within us. It is our duty as Christians and as citizens to stand up and save this land we love.
Proverbs 17:15 says "The Lord despises those who say that bad is good and good is bad." This past year we have had government leaders who have ignored 'we the people' and shoved through legislation, that if not repealed, will hurt this country and its' people. We said we do not want it but they chose to look the other way. They even admitted they did not know what was in a couple of the bills as they were so large. Proverbs 18:13 has something to say about that. "What a shame-yes,how stupid!-to decide before knowing the facts!". Lies have been told yet many believe the lies. That is because Satan is the great deceiver. It is the enemy who wants this country and he is working through people to tear it down. Tea Party citizens have risen up and said "stop it' we love this country and we are not going to let you take our freedoms away from us.
Proverbs 19:9 says "a false witness shall be punished and a liar will be caught." God is ultimately in control and he allows some things to happen for a reason. Maybe it is to wake us up as we have been in a slumber enjoying the freedoms we have ,not realizing little by little they are being chipped away at. Even preachers in the pulpit sometimes do not speak up against tyranny. Men and women who believe God's word have a right and duty to speak up. Proverbs 21:18 says , "The wicked will finally lose, the righteous will finally win. " See so we know in the end who wins.Never in my lifetime have I seen the assualts on our country from within our own government. It shocks me and saddens me. Proverbs 22:8 says "The unjust tyrant will reap disaster, and his reign of terror will end. " Hallelujah. We are not to rejoice and pray for them to be hurt or anything. Proverbs 24:17-18 says "Do not rejoice when your enemy meets trouble. Let there be no gladness when he falls-for the Lord may be displeased with you and stop punishing him."
So it is your choice. Many are praying and fasting today if they are able. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. " Lets do it. Take time today out of your busy schedule to lift up your hands to the Almighty asking him to save this land. Do not take your freedoms for granted. (http://www.praythevote.com/)
PRAYER: Lord give us wisdom today as we go vote. Open the eyes of the blind and deceived to see what is happening in this great land. We want our country back. This country was founded on a solid Constitution written by Christian men who loved this land and loved God. Lord God we pray our Constitution will be restored as you intended it. In Jesus Name, Amen!
DO YOUR PART
Today is a very important day for freedom. We citizens of the United States get to go vote. Many decide their vote does not count and choose to just stay home but this is a privilege.How are we to have any hope to change things if we do not exercise this right and privilege? Currently we enjoy a democratic form of government. If we do not speak up and go vote we may not always be blessed with this freedom. Many nations are under dictatorships and do not get to choose. Right now thankfully that freedom still exists. Go exercise your right to vote and pray that God would direct you to men and women of honesty,integrity and good moral character and pray that men and women who are cheats and deceivers will be uncovered.
Right now we have a moral crisis in our country more than ever. What is good is being called bad and what is bad is being called good. We have gotten away from the way the Founding Fathers intended it to be. Proverbs 28:2 says , "When there is moral rot within a nation,its government topples easily, but with honest, sensible leaders there is stability." When you cut God out of the equation your society is not going to stand for long. But we have started doing it through the years and this nation has broken down and suffered as a result. When schools can not even display the Ten Commandments or allow the Gideons to bring the New Testaments in to give students then we are taking away the ability to teach right ad wrong according to God's word. Evil forces would love to take this nation out and they are within us. It is our duty as Christians and as citizens to stand up and save this land we love.
Proverbs 17:15 says "The Lord despises those who say that bad is good and good is bad." This past year we have had government leaders who have ignored 'we the people' and shoved through legislation, that if not repealed, will hurt this country and its' people. We said we do not want it but they chose to look the other way. They even admitted they did not know what was in a couple of the bills as they were so large. Proverbs 18:13 has something to say about that. "What a shame-yes,how stupid!-to decide before knowing the facts!". Lies have been told yet many believe the lies. That is because Satan is the great deceiver. It is the enemy who wants this country and he is working through people to tear it down. Tea Party citizens have risen up and said "stop it' we love this country and we are not going to let you take our freedoms away from us.
Proverbs 19:9 says "a false witness shall be punished and a liar will be caught." God is ultimately in control and he allows some things to happen for a reason. Maybe it is to wake us up as we have been in a slumber enjoying the freedoms we have ,not realizing little by little they are being chipped away at. Even preachers in the pulpit sometimes do not speak up against tyranny. Men and women who believe God's word have a right and duty to speak up. Proverbs 21:18 says , "The wicked will finally lose, the righteous will finally win. " See so we know in the end who wins.Never in my lifetime have I seen the assualts on our country from within our own government. It shocks me and saddens me. Proverbs 22:8 says "The unjust tyrant will reap disaster, and his reign of terror will end. " Hallelujah. We are not to rejoice and pray for them to be hurt or anything. Proverbs 24:17-18 says "Do not rejoice when your enemy meets trouble. Let there be no gladness when he falls-for the Lord may be displeased with you and stop punishing him."
So it is your choice. Many are praying and fasting today if they are able. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. " Lets do it. Take time today out of your busy schedule to lift up your hands to the Almighty asking him to save this land. Do not take your freedoms for granted. (http://www.praythevote.com/)
PRAYER: Lord give us wisdom today as we go vote. Open the eyes of the blind and deceived to see what is happening in this great land. We want our country back. This country was founded on a solid Constitution written by Christian men who loved this land and loved God. Lord God we pray our Constitution will be restored as you intended it. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Monday, November 1, 2010
Devotion Correction 10-30-10
My devotion on Oct 30th said All Saints Day was Oct 31. I was told it was Nov 1st. I am sorry for any error or confusion. Writers dilemna not checking facts first. Thanks to those of you who helped me see this error.
THE WORLD IS IN A MESS
Today in America we are on the brink of a historic election where our very freedoms are at stake. This nation was in fact founded on the Bible and Christian principles no matter how hard educators and others try to brainwash us otherwise. The US is unique. We have been blessed all these years in our young nation because we have acknowledged God and followed him but now little by little we have taken our eyes off him, taken things for granted and in many cases pastors in the pulpit forget to pray for the nation. We coast along like everything is hunky dory and do not seem to see the threats of decay and collapse all around us. It is time to awaken from the slumber. We are like the proverbial frog in pot of water on the stove where the heat is slowly turned up and we do not realize we are being cooked alive.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. "(Psalm 33:12)" Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the LORD. (Psalm 144:15).Our national monuments in Washington have engraved in granite "In God We Trust" in one form or fashion all over them. Our money still thankfully says " In God we Trust."
When a person is silent and does not speak up for evil and tyranny he is either blinded or more or less saying by his silence that he must in fact agree with it. Men and women for years have given their lives for the defense of these precious freedoms which are God given. Joyce Meyer said today on her show Enjoying Everyday Life, "Wouldn''t it be great if just one of our godly leaders in DC would speak up and say I think we should pray for 3 days." Wow that would be something else. Or wouldn't it be great to have a president that would say "Jesus is Lord'! Another big wow! But we sadly do not have the kind of leader right now that acknowledges the sovreignty of God. When a nation forgets God look out. (Read Deuteronomy Chapter 28 when you have about 5 minutes today. )
We are either for God or against him. No in between. In Revelation 3:16 it says "because you are lukewarm I will spit you out of my mouth. " That is pretty graphic and to the point. But we are not to despair. In the last election it depicted a candidate for president with the words 'hope' under his picture. Well we are to not place hope in any human man or exalt them to the level of saviour of the world. Only God is our hope and only he can save us. Acts 4:12 says "There is no other name in heaven by which men can be saved. "
Psalm 46:1 says "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
We need revival in this land. We are on the brink of losing our God given freedoms because we have let leaders who seemingly do not follow God to bully us and lord over us. There is either the power of God or the power of Satan. We are not to be angry at men but to be angry at the devil. This is a spiritual battle we are fighting. We all need to be armed and ready for battle.
Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
Nov 1st and Nov 2nd are being called days of fasting and prayer for the nation. Check the website http://www.praythevote.com/ for helps. And remember what it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14,"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
This is not about Democrat or Republican. This is about freedom and liberty and letting Jesus be Lord of this land again.
PRAYER: Dear Lord open our eyes to see the dangers lurking around us. Turn our hearts back to you 100%. Forgive us for not praying for this country and thanking you daily for the freedoms we enjoy. Help us Lord to put our trust in you and not man. In Jesus Name. Amen.
"Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. "(Psalm 33:12)" Yes, joyful are those who live like this! Joyful indeed are those whose God is the LORD. (Psalm 144:15).Our national monuments in Washington have engraved in granite "In God We Trust" in one form or fashion all over them. Our money still thankfully says " In God we Trust."
When a person is silent and does not speak up for evil and tyranny he is either blinded or more or less saying by his silence that he must in fact agree with it. Men and women for years have given their lives for the defense of these precious freedoms which are God given. Joyce Meyer said today on her show Enjoying Everyday Life, "Wouldn''t it be great if just one of our godly leaders in DC would speak up and say I think we should pray for 3 days." Wow that would be something else. Or wouldn't it be great to have a president that would say "Jesus is Lord'! Another big wow! But we sadly do not have the kind of leader right now that acknowledges the sovreignty of God. When a nation forgets God look out. (Read Deuteronomy Chapter 28 when you have about 5 minutes today. )
We are either for God or against him. No in between. In Revelation 3:16 it says "because you are lukewarm I will spit you out of my mouth. " That is pretty graphic and to the point. But we are not to despair. In the last election it depicted a candidate for president with the words 'hope' under his picture. Well we are to not place hope in any human man or exalt them to the level of saviour of the world. Only God is our hope and only he can save us. Acts 4:12 says "There is no other name in heaven by which men can be saved. "
Psalm 46:1 says "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."
We need revival in this land. We are on the brink of losing our God given freedoms because we have let leaders who seemingly do not follow God to bully us and lord over us. There is either the power of God or the power of Satan. We are not to be angry at men but to be angry at the devil. This is a spiritual battle we are fighting. We all need to be armed and ready for battle.
Ephesians 6:10-18 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints."
Nov 1st and Nov 2nd are being called days of fasting and prayer for the nation. Check the website http://www.praythevote.com/ for helps. And remember what it says in 2 Chronicles 7:14,"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."
This is not about Democrat or Republican. This is about freedom and liberty and letting Jesus be Lord of this land again.
PRAYER: Dear Lord open our eyes to see the dangers lurking around us. Turn our hearts back to you 100%. Forgive us for not praying for this country and thanking you daily for the freedoms we enjoy. Help us Lord to put our trust in you and not man. In Jesus Name. Amen.
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