Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Today’s scriptures are the suffering and deliverance. This is a very fitting subject for this time of year, because although this is “the season to be jolly”, it’s also the season of depression, and record numbers of suicides. This is just one example of how the flesh rules mankind. The people of the world have convinced us, and our children, that we have to go into debt to give extravagant gifts, because it’s Christmas. The enemy doesn’t just manipulate us at Christmas time, but we live as slaves to our flesh all throughout the year.

I had a discussion with a few of my close friends today about the “Christmas Spirit” [or lack thereof] this season. We had realized that even we aren’t in the spirit, but we’re trying hard to experience the holiday cheer. When I mentioned the idea of writing my “blessings” list, they shared with me that they had been keeping a “thankful journal” for years. I’m going to follow their lead, so that I never forget how much Jesus Christ has blessed me, and become consumed with the pleasing the flesh.

I grew up in a “low income” neighborhood, so programs like Angel Tree helped us through some tough Christmases—God always gave my mom a way to make sure that our tree overflowed with gifts. However, there were friends and other family members who weren’t as fortunate, and I’ve seen and felt much despair over the years. There was a time that I lived life without Jesus, and I never want to imagine living like that again. It was a life full of strife and unrest. I felt as if there was a huge hole in my heart. I was full of love deep down inside, but didn’t know how to let it out. Finding Jesus was the best thing that has ever happened to me, and because of Him, my light shines bright for the world to see. I love without fail, because He first filled me with His love.

We need to encourage and pray for the people who are less fortunate than us, because Jesus will make a way for all those who believe, and our prayers will work miracles. I want you to always remember that Jesus is real, and this holiday is all about that. Don’t worry so much about how much you can give or receive, just give your love abundantly, and help where you can. After all, that’s what Jesus spent His life teaching. There’s no shame in not having the latest toys, games, phones or IPods, though the world will make you feel like there is.

God gave us the ultimate gift, the gift of a baby boy, born to the Virgin Mary, who was Named Jesus. Jesus lived His human life with poise and grace, but He too suffered. He grew from birth, in the flesh, experiencing life as the average person. He had to learn how to walk and talk, and how to hone His crafts just like us. He loved His family, but when the time came, He had to venture out on His own to follow God’s will for His life. We know that He suffered ridicule, beatings, imprisonment, hatred, and many other things that we haven’t had a chance to read about. Throughout all of His trials, He praised and glorified His Father in Heaven. He wasn’t above the temptations and strife of the world, but He handled it with the strength that God instilled in Him.

God allowed Jesus to experience this type of life for a reason, and He does the same for us. However, we’ve been freed from the bondage of the flesh, by the Blood of Christ. Jesus suffered unnecessarily for the sins of all mankind, but we suffer for our own sins. We go through a refinement process, to make us stronger and more faithful Christians. When we become followers of Christ, our “Righteous Spirit” is born, and we begin to grow and evolve into who we were created to be.

We will face many trials, as we learn from the life of Christ. Peter, one of Jesus’ Disciples wrote: And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. (1 Peter 3:13) This is true wisdom! We all will suffer, some sufferings allowed by God to promote growth, and others self-inflicted. As we grow, we’ll become better at discerning between the two. The times that we don’t understand why we suffer, will be revealed to us, and work together for our good, so embrace everything life brings you.

Take a few moments to think about where you are in life, right now. Would you say that you’re suffering, or have suffered a lot? Well you are not alone, and even Jesus can raise His hand to that question. The key to living a peaceful and joyous life is to be able to rely on God for strength when you feel like you can’t go on, and to praise Him upon deliverance. There’s nothing more gratifying then to see the rainbow after the storm, and as child of God, there’s a guaranteed rainbow through Christ—God promised never to leave nor forsake you. If you don’t know Jesus as Lord, then you don’t have a rainbow. If you want to find out how to always see a rainbow, take the God Quiz today! My favorite verse today is: These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb… (Revelations 7:14)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455552&dtype=Scripture

http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio

http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional

I love you

Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Today's scriptures are about relying on the strength of the Lord. We all have those times when we're weak and weary, and just feel like we can't take another step. Whether it's dealing with a heavy workload, taking care of a family, or the many other physical and mental stresses of life, God will give us strength to get through them. The best jump-start to a weary heart is a jump-start from the Spirit of God. When we're connected to Him, we'll always run with supernatural energy and strength. Jesus said: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matt 11:28-30) This is a reason to rejoice, because this is a promise made to everyone who believes in Him. We no longer have to stand on our own, but Jesus gives strength and peace to all who come to Him.

I'm sure you've thought to yourself, at one time or another, "I don't know where I'm getting this energy from, but I'm grateful for it". That seems like an everyday thought for me. I'm always so busy, and on the go, and those nights I send the devotionals out at 1 or 2:00am, I'm literally just finishing up and sending it out, because I've fallen behind. I always wake up the next morning ready to do it again, because I ask God for the strength to get through the day. It's like I become plugged into His energy source, which carries me throughout the day. Then there are times when I'm mentally drained, where I'm bombarded with the pressures of life itself, including work, raising a teenager, writing, accomplishing my own goals, going through divorce, rebuilding a new life for myself, and being open to whoever needs an ear. I just got tired from adding in all of those commas, but that's just the half of some of the things that we go through in life. I'm sure there are people who are going through greater trials than I, but no matter the trial, they're all energy drainers, to say the least.

This makes me think of something I saw on a movie the other day, the first law of thermodynamic energy by Sir Isaac Newton, "energy is neither lost nor destroyed it is merely transferred from one party to the next." I believe this is very true, even in human beings. There are two types of energies, positive and negative. One drains your strength, and the other gives you strength. Some negative energy comes from the world, and the things we allow ourselves to ingest. When we surround ourselves with negativity, we're absorbing that negative energy, and it begins to suck the life right out of us. Then there are things that drain our strength, which we have no control over. We're all struck with unsuspected grief like the lost of a loved one, job, and/or the unexpected end of a relationship. When any of these things happen we must go to God for a positive recharge. We can’t be of any service to Him if we don't have the energy to cope with the world. His Word is the number one positive energy booster, because it's filled with His laws, promises, love, and the key instructions to live a positive life. The Holy Spirit is within us leading us in the way we should do, and He promotes growth. When we pray and ask Him for guidance, He'll speak to us through His living Word, He'll speak to God for us, and/or help us pray. He's that catalyst, which jumpstarts the energy that comes from Jesus, but we have to stay connected to Him.

As children of God we have natural strength that comes from within, and when serving the Lord, we'll have strength beyond anything that we could ever imagine. In my opinion the book Psalms is the best book to gain strength. These are accounts of the great men and women of the bible, who were having not so great moments. Even they got weary, but writing these songs, which give account of their pain and triumph, was their therapy, and is meant to give hope. One Psalmist simply said: The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation. (Psalm 118:14) When we purposely look to the Lord for everything, including our strength, we can better understand that He's our Savior! He's the reason we have life, and because we're in the flesh, we'll have moments of weakness, but not to fret, God said “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9)

If you don't know Jesus as Lord, then you're only relying on your own strength. Just imagine how much more you could accomplish with the strength of Lord. I am a living witness, and without Christ, I don't know where I would be. He's brought me out of some dark places and given me the strength to persevere. If you are a believer in Christ but still lack strength, then you have to tap into your energy resource. The only way to do that is to seek Him. My favorite verses today are: Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. (Isaiah 40:28-29)

ENJOY! http://www.bible.com/scripture-detail.php?juli=2455442&dtype=Scripture
http://www.intouch.org/broadcast/today-on-radio
http://www.intouch.org/magazine/daily-devotional

I love you!

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!