Daily Devotional Day & Night

Happy Tuesday!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying another beautiful day. The weather was perfect today, not too hot or too cold. It was a little cloudy but an overall perfect late spring day. My grandmother is still doing well, she was in a little pain this morning, but that's to be expected. However, the blessing is that she's at home resting. I promised to cook her some Tortellini with crab and Gorgonzola cheese (recipe on my website www.divinecuisineepc.com). I can’t wait; I have all the ingredients at home already. I'm thinking about a Friday night card game, but we'll see. We usually do fish fry on Friday, and play some tunk, but we haven't done that in a while, I'll see if she'll be up to it. Keep those prayers coming, and thank you for the prayers you've sent up so far, it's written, "The prayers of a Righteous man availeth much"(James 5:16). Have a blessed day!

Today's scriptures are about walking in the ways of the Lord. We are representatives of Christ, and we should conduct ourselves in such a manner. I was recently thinking about my past, and some of the things I've done. I've been a Christian for most of my life, and I'm not sure how many people would've known it about 5 years ago. Jesus has always been in my heart, and the Holy Spirit has always been leading me, however I didn't always choose to follow. People close to me knew that I was a Christian, but the average person probably wouldn't have. It's important for us to take our roles as Christians seriously. None of us are perfect, but when we leave a room, we should leave a lasting impression on people. They should at least know that we love God, by our actions, mannerism, and outward praise. I've been on the Metro bus before, and heard teenagers sounding like they came right out of a bad rap video. They were loud and raunchy, and it made me wonder if I ever carried on like that. This type of behavior comes from a lack of discipline, and proper Spiritual teaching and influence. Our main focus is uplifting the kingdom of God, and we all know from Adam and Eve, that we have a very inquisitive nature. God told them what would happen if they ate from the tree of life, but they had to see for themselves. We could tell people about Jesus, and about how much God loves them, but they won't believe until they see Him for themselves, through us. They will watch our actions, and our way of life, and this will no doubt be a big part of their decision to follow God. It starts from within, we all know that God will bless the righteous, and our blessings not only affect us, but they act as testimonies for His love for us. It's important to openly praise and thank Him for every blessing. We shouldn’t worry about what other people think, live above the worldly ways, and be our own individuals for Christ. There are so many people that are depending on us for leadership. People who are lost are not happy that way, and they're looking for freedom. They'll either find false freedom through worldly lust, greed, and empty pleasure, or they'll find the only true freedom through the Lord Jesus Christ by watching and hearing us. Once people find out we're Christians we have an obligation to represent Christ well. Many in the world hated Jesus, so it's not that easy to fit Him into a conversation without controversy. On the other hand, we've been filled with the Spirit to help us in our walk, to be able to spread the Gospel of Christ (John 15:24-26). The saying "Action speaks louder than words” is a motto that we should live by. I don't expect to see my Pastor at the club on Saturday night, drunk on the dance floor. As well as you don't expect to see me in line at the grocery store, on my cell phone talking loud and using foul language, because that would be foolish behavior of any Christian. What messages will that send to the lost or baby Spirits? Living in this Modern society a lot of things are overlooked, because of the times that we're in. People think that fornication is okay because everyone is doing it. Marriage is taking lightly, because no one respects the covenant. Our children are corrupt because they're only going by what they see. The Government is too relaxed on FCC laws, and protecting our television and radio waves from filth. It's called "Freedom of Speech". These things are out of control, because of the "modern times", but we're key to changing the way our children are brought up. It all starts with us. We must work on strengthening our relationship with God; He's open to us anytime we have questions or concerns, because of the blood of Christ. We must walk in step with Christ. 1 John 1:7 says: But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. Once we're saved we're brought out of the darkness into his marvelous light, and for His sake, we must walk that way. If you don't know Jesus, but want to know Him, just pray and ask for forgiveness of your sins, and ask Him to come into your heart as your Savior. He'll start to renew you from the inside out. If you are a child of God, then act like one. Read Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John, and follow the life of Jesus for reference. No matter how modern the times are, Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever. My favorite verses today are: Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Col 4:5-6)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2454999&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=5200573&ct=7048027

I love you!