Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

How was your first day of Lent? I know some people failed, and some persevered, but it's just day two, so dust yourself off and continue on the journey to grow closer to the Lord. Here's something that was placed on my heart that I wanted to share with you: “Moreover, when you fast, do not be like the hypocrites, with a sad countenance. For they disfigure their faces that they may appear to men to be fasting. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly."(Matt 6:16-18) The Spirit reminded me that whatever commitment I make to God is between me and Him, that's what makes it so special. The Black History Month quote of the day is: "The past is a ghost, the future a dream. All we ever have is now." (~Bill Cosby) Enjoy the remainder of your day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about hope in the Lord in times of trouble. It wasn't until I grew in my Faith walk did I start to notice certain things around me. When we're growing up in the world and learning new things, we get accustomed to its ways. Depending upon the way we're raised, we either learn to become immune to the evil ways of the world, or we rise above it. However, because we’re created with an inquisitive nature, we're going to test the waters, and experience several difficulties. Overall, the world is filled with a lot of evil and wicked things, and has been that way from the beginning of time. Take the story of the brothers Cain and Abel; one killed the other because of jealousy (Gen. 4). Then we also know of the Israelites who were freed from slavery, and lead to the Promised Land, by Moses. This nation of people fell into so much evil that they wondered in the wilderness for forty years, until they changed their ways. They were doing all types of ungodly acts, but God finally decided had mercy on them, and let them into the land promise to their people. Close to the end of the Israelites forty year journey, Moses wrote a song for this new generation, before his death. It was partly about the importance of praising God for the things of the past, to allow them to learn from the ways of their parents. He went on to remind them of the evil done, and the reasons they had to suffer so much. Although these people lost their way, and openly and intently disobeyed God, He still stayed with them, and continued to appoint great leaders like Moses and Joshua to get them back on the right path. After Moses recited this song to the people he left them with this: "Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess." (Deut 32:46-47 NIV) Everything happens for a reason, so we that are living in the year 2010 can take from this message great and wonderful things. We also learn from many who've come after Moses and the Israelites, but the most important thing we learn is that we're all vulnerable to evil, violence, sin, and failures, no man is above it. As long as we're in the flesh, wickedness will affect us in some type of way, yet we're still expect to maintain an upright life. We're expected to try our best to do right by God, and show others His ways. At the same time, we're not expected to do it alone, because God is always with us through our many periods of “wilderness”, and “Promised Lands”. He gives us free will, but sometimes we're so enthralled with our “worldly” life that we miss His calling. Now you may be asking yourself, "if evil is inevitable then way even bother with trying to be good"? Well the answer to that question lies in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He came in the flesh and was tempted in every way that we are, yet remained untouched evil. Through Him we have hope, because He offers us strength, righteousness, love, and most importantly Salvation. When we're covered with His the blood, we’re lead by the Spirit, and the love of God keeps us moving forward, and not constantly going in circles. That is a reason to rejoice! Through Jesus we're being renewed from the inside out, and when we nurture that relationship, and work towards growth in Him, we'll learn how to separate ourselves from evil. Remember it’s written, “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). The only way to do that is through the Jesus Christ, and right now He’s calling you, accept Him today. My favorite verses today are: For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer. (Isaiah 54:7-8)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455246&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/site/pp.aspx?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943197
http://www.intouch.org/site/apps/nl/newsletter.asp?c=cnKBIPNuEoG&b=4943547

I love you!