“Make A Day” ….: For Someone You Love

Social Connections Jun 8

Mark 12:31

“And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

Although we live in a technological age aimed at keeping us connected, there seems to be a real “disconnect” when it comes to meaningful relationships. Jesus provides us with the answer to this dilemma in our verse. The word for neighbor means “near.” In other words, Jesus is saying we are to love those we encounter every day… not on devices, but in person. This would include family members, coworkers, classmates, fellow church members, and the countless people we cross paths with daily. We are to love them unconditionally – no strings attached. We are to regard them as more important than ourselves and put their needs ahead of our own. So let me suggest that you make a list of ways you can encourage and bless others and pray for the opportunities to do so. Believe me, you will make someone’s day!          I LOVE YOU…..

The Sabbath Day

Jun 2

Empty or Full? MATTHEW 5:3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”  ▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL Do you recall these words from an old hymn: “Nothing in my hand I bring; simply to Thy Cross I cling.” That is true. We have nothing to bring to God. You know, there are a lot of books about being filled. But one day I think I’ll write a book on how to be emptied. When Christ wants to come and fill us, we can be so full of self and stuff that there is no room left. We have to first of all become empty so that we can be filled, and the emptying begins with brokenness. We acknowledge that we are destitute in our own ability, in what we’ve done, or what we have, or where we’ve been. We are totally broken. Then we are ready for God to come and fill us up with Himself. It is a supernatural event – and it is the first step toward having a brand-new life. My Prayer My Lord and my Savior God. I come to You. I come empty, bare and on my own. I bring you my simple self. I am broken. I have sinned. I need your sweet cleansing. I give you my heart, my spirit and my life, that you will accept me as your child and wash me of my wrongful ways. I give you everything I am and everything I ever hope to be. Please fill me now with your presence that I might be made whole this Sabbath morning. I am sorry for offending you and for my sins. I wish to sin no more. Forgive me. Help me to keep a pure heart in You my Lord and Savior Jesus! I now give you my day….. • AMEN•

Jesus is it……..

The One Dimensional Man Jun 3

Philippians 3:10

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.” –

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

What gets you out of bed every morning? I’m not talking about an alarm, your spouse, your kids or your pets. What is “IT” that gives you a passion for life and focus of purpose? In our Scripture, Paul says he was all about “one thing” and he focused like a laser on that one thing: to know Christ. From the highest of highs – the power of His resurrection – to the lowest of lows – the fellowship of His sufferings, Paul wanted to know Jesus Christ and be all the Lord had called him to be. What is your one thing? I encourage you to describe it in a sentence like Paul did.  Whatever it is, I trust it will reveal a heart focused on Christ and on becoming more like Him every day – because Jesus is our One Thing. ••••••••••••••• “JESUS IS OUR ONLY THING.” • AMEN •

The Sabbath Day

You “Unwrapped” May 29

John 1:18

“No one has seen God at any time. The only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

When we talk about our hearts, we are not always referring to the organ in our chests. Instead, we are referring to the essence of who we are – what makes you “you” and what makes me “me.” With that in mind, our verse tells us that Jesus is “the heart” of God. The word used for “declared” is to “unwrap” something. Jesus has “unwrapped” God so all people can see and know Him. Through Christ we see a Holy God who loves sinners and would sacrifice His only begotten Son to save all who would receive Him. Let me ask: When your heart unwraps the real you, what do people see? If your heart is strong for Christ, people will see a godly person. So ask the Holy Spirit to create in you a heart that will reveal in you the “heart of God”, Jesus. Prayer Jesus….”I praise thee with my whole heart.” I open my heart now. I will share my heart in our world. My heart belongs to you. You can work in my heart to bring love to your world. Accept my heart and help me to open it completely for the love of others. Jesus I give you my “heart love” this Sabbath morning. • Amen •

The Weight of our Witness

May 23

Matthew 5:16

“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

The witness of our life carries more weight than the witness of our words. Did you hear that? That’s what Jesus is saying when He tells us to let our light shine. Certainly the words of our witness for Him are vital, but they ring hollow if our life does not back them up. You see, the world is looking for authentic Christians. We know one when we see one, and we all want to be one. How do we shine our light? First we must have a light to shine, by receiving Christ as Lord and Savior. We keep our light bright by growing in our relationship with Him through reading His Word, prayer and worship. As we grow in Him, we develop a hunger and desire to serve and please Him. This leads to the good works of service that shine before others. So I ask you now – Where can you shine your light for Christ today?

Choosing What To Do

 

May 13

James 4:17

“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do, and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

When we know of something good we can do, and we don’t do it, God says that is sin. It is the sin of omission. Sometimes we can become blind to the needs around us. We have all kinds of opportunities to represent God, but we are not willing to give up the things that give us pleasure, or the things that are part of our lifestyle, in order to make a difference in the lives of others. I am my brother’s keeper.If there is something I can do that is good, and I withhold doing it, God will deal with that severely. There is a lot of good every single one of us could be doing. Isn’t it time that we – you and I –  invite God into our plans, our speech, and our decisions? And to ask Him:  “What would You have me say? What would You have me to do? How would You have me reach out and do that which is good for others today?”

Gods Change Formula

May 11

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 I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

▶︎ LISTEN TO THE DEVOTIONAL

To say these are troubled times in America is an understatement. In our verse, God gives His people the answer for such trying times.  We must humble ourselves and become open, teachable, and receptive to His Word. Next we are to pray and seek His face. We do this by spending time alone with God to know Him and His will for our lives and our nation. Finally, we must turn from the evil in our hearts and the wickedness of our actions. If we do our part of this verse, God promises to do His part – He will hear us, forgive us, and heal our land. If every believer followed these instructions diligently, I believe we could see a spiritual awakening in our land. So let’s do our part, and God will do His. And then … maybe … God will again bless America!

My Shepherd

Psalm 23:1

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” 

Because the Lord is my Shepard, I have everything I need. 

Prayer

My gracious Lord, I accept you as my caring and loving Shepherd. As one of your sheep, I am totally dependent on You. Thank you for your guidance, your protection and your provision. You provide everything for me, including my food, water, protection, and welfare. You graciously provide for me physically, emotionally and spiritually and I am completely dependent on you. I am one of your sheep. I now give you my life, my love and my adoration. Thank you…..my Father God for everything you have given to me.

• Amen •

Morning Prayer

…..let me rejoice and be glad in it.  

Good Morning my Lord, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with my projects. I need your protection this day. Help me to accept with a gracious heart all the opportunities you bring before me. I wish to be fruitful, but I also want to make sure I have time and energy to always keep my “holy communion” with you. Please guide me and bring calmness to my spirit today. I don’t want to bite off more than I can chew, or to let you and those who follow me down. I am capable of many things, but I now lay them all before you, as I bow my head with adoration and prayer to thank you for giving me strength, so that I can be a real encouragement in the many lives I touch. Thank you for your Holy Spirit and your “nearness” to me.  I love thee Lord Jesus. Be inside me today……I call out to you now.  Amen……

The Second SUNDAY of Easter

 

LISTEN TO YOUR HEART

It’s there (deep in my heart) that Jesus speaks to me. When I listen quietly, He speaks intimately with me. His voice is a gentle whisper. His voice is gentle LOVE. My special time of prayer…..I share with no other. I listen often because Jesus’ voice can be drowned by the activity and noise of my world.

John 7:37-39

On the day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shal flow rivers of living water.’ “

Prayer

My glorious God…..I am always thirsty for you, my God. The many vast water bodies of your world remind me of the goodness of your love and your grace. As I listen for You my God, and listen to my own thoughts, my unkind or angry thoughts can challenge me to overcome, so that I can keep my mind focused on your voice and your Love for me. I pray that you will help me with my practice of “attentive listening.”