THE FOOLISHNESS OF GOD... Sunday

Devotional for 10/13/13

What?  how can we possibly say that there is any foolishness when it comes to God, the Almighty?  He can't possibly have any weaknesses, can he?  

 

But that IS what the Bible says.  The way God came into this world as a human being in the form of a weak little baby born in a feed trough for animals, worshiped by lowly shepherds instead of throngs of royalty, ultimately to be crucified, appeared to be foolishness to many at the time.  But in God's apparent foolishness in the eyes of humans, he was actually wiser than any human being on earth.  His plan was amazing but not understood at the time, and even now is misinterpreted by many.  This weak little infant was actually a part of the all-powerful Godhead, stronger than any human strength.  God also chose to work through all kinds of people in the Bible, some who were seen as weak or worthless or horrible despised sinners.  But those are the people who are most likely to take on the tasks with humility and give all honor to God.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.  Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called.  Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth.  But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.  God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are,  so that no one may boast before him.  It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.  Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:25-31 (NIV)

God continues to work through all types of human beings.  No matter how weak or insignificant you may appear, how worthless you may feel, or how unimportant you may seem to be to others, God still uses you.  Whether you are strong or weak, big or little, educated or uniformed, you have a place in God's plans.  You may not even realize it, but when you do, remember to give God all the glory.

written by Jan Andersen

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Here is a YouTube video that gives some examples of how God has equipped the ones that he calls.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR7NYUxFZpQ#t=13

Believing Lets You Really See...Saturday

10/12/13

                  F or we walk by faith, 
                           not by sight”               

    2 Corinthians 5:7  

Are you walking by faith or sight today? In other words, are you choosing to believe God no matter what your circumstances look like, or are you making decisions and focusing your mind on what you can see.

As believers, we have to remember that we aren't just subject to this natural realm—what we can see, hear, touch, and smell. No, we have access to the unseen, supernatural realm where all the promises and blessings of God are stored. When you choose to walk by faith, you are opening a door from the natural realm to the supernatural realm and drawing the blessings of God into your life.

Remember: 

...with God seeing isn't believing; believing is seeing! Throughout the day, begin to declare, “Father, I want to thank You that my payday is coming. You said no good thing will You withhold because I walk uprightly. I believe even right now You’re arranging things in my favor.” As you walk and live by faith, you will live a life pleasing to God. You’ll see His blessing and favor in abundance, and you’ll fulfill the destiny He has in store for you!

 Written by 

 Angie Madison 
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Today's song is "Walk by Faith"
sung by Jeremy Camp.
Here is the link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r9WXUlERHKc#t=111

GOD'S FRIENDS...Friday

10/11/13

"With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles..." 

Numbers 12:8a

     This passage in Scripture is God's description of how He talked to Moses, just as a friend would -- face to face.  That if quite mind-boggling if you ask me.

     The reason this happened is because Moses knew God.  He spent time with Him and learned to listen to Him.

     Want to know something just as amazing?  God wants to speak to you and me today.  Jesus told His disciples that they were no longer servants, He called them His "friends."

     Do you want to understand the dreams and visions you have for your life?  Do you want direction for your life?  Do you seek guidance and wisdom?  Get to know the One who can reveal what dreams and visions God has planned for your life and how everything can be fulfilled for you.

     Don't give up on your future because you don't know how to accomplish what you want.  Get to know God as your friend.  It is He who can give you beyond what you can possibly imagine.

     Jesus longs to be your intimate friend.  Through faith in Him and grounded in His word, we may not see "face to face" as Moses did but we can truly know.  What a friend we have in Jesus. 

Written by

Carol Steficek

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Here is a song for Friday,,,
I am a friend of God sung by Phillips Craig and Dean.

Here is the link...

       http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcxKRsn-hGc&feature=player_embedded          

"My Only for His ALL"...Thursday

10/10/13

And they said to Him, "We have here ONLY five loaves and two fish." He said, "Bring them here to Me." Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass.  And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.  So they ALL ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.  Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.  Matthew 14:17-21

Have you ever noticed how God will take your "I only have" and make it something big?  In the story of the feeding of the 5000 (plus the women and the children) our God did exactly that.  He took 5 loaves and 2 fishes and made it something big.  I also want to bring to your attention that He not only just gave them a small amount to just get by. But an amount that would make them ALL full.  And if that was not a big enough miracle, there were leftovers.  One other detail, the word ALL in this from God meant EVERYBODY ate.  Not one person was left without.   When Jesus took the bread and fishes and gave thanks and blessed it He knew that there was more than enough to take care of them ALL. Jesus did not look at the little but at the bigness of our God.

Blessings,

Kathryn Hanson

CO-Director of CharisBibleCollege, San Jose, CA

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Here is the song for today

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HptiVBcXoys#t=32

"His Fiery Word"...Wednesday

10/9/13

  

I am always reminded how powerful the word of God is when I read the passage Jeremiah 23:29...

 "Is not My word like a fire?" 
says the Lord,

"And like a hammer that 
breaks the rock in pieces?"

As we read and delve into His word, it enlightens, warms and deeply penetrates our hearts. His word sheds truths to our heart that will forever change us and draw us closer to Him.

As we are surrendered to Jesus, His word will burn away the chaff and will turn stony hearts to hearts of flesh. He will inflame us with His unfailing love.

Truly His word brings great comfort and warmth continuously as we meditate on His word and allow Him to penetrate our hearts.

His word resounds ever so powerfully and completely in our hearts to the place where we never be the same! 

In His Fiery Love, 

Sandy Billingham
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Here is a song for you for today,
It is "Speak Life" sung by TobyMac

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rK6O0YtBRY#t=19

Belonging…Tuesday

10/8/13

How many memberships do you have? I have one each for the grocery store, AAA, our insurance company, a few school associations, Facebook, the bank, etc. How about you? Do you belong to the gym, a community care team, a local arts center, or a favorite interest group? There are a lot of ways we belong. We belong to our city, our neighborhood, our apartment building, or our dorm floor. We belong to our job, our department, and our team. We belong to our family, near or far.

But I know all of this belonging is not the same.  It doesn’t mean we have someone we can pour our heart out to in time of trouble; or that we can call any time just to talk. But we should be connected to others in just such a way; for their benefit and our own good.

I know it can take a lot of effort to get and stay connected with people. I have times when I am surrounded by many friends, and we are in and out of each other’s lives by phone, in person, and via texting. Then I have times when my life has become so busy that I am just barely in contact with others. When I am in a quiet season, it quickly becomes a disconnect season. It is just so much easier for me to wait for someone to reach out to me than for me to reach out to them.

But in the depth of my heart I know I am really saying to myself, if they want to talk to me they’ll call. Maybe they have called, and they got tired of me not calling them back? But in my usual self-focused manner, I wouldn’t remember that little detail. It even happens in my own home. Five people are living together, but are we really connecting with each other?

In everything, therefore,

treat people the same way

you want them to treat you,

for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12 NASB

In response to all he (GOD) has done for us,

let us outdo each other in being helpful

and kind to each other 

and in doing good.

Let us not neglect our church meetings,as some people do,
but encourage and warn each other,especially
now that the day

of his coming back again 

is drawing near
.                           Hebrews 10:24-25
TLB

Dear Lord, thank You for reminding me that true belonging is based on relationship. Please give me eyes to see and a heart that understands what you are showing me about the relationships and lack of relationships in my life. Thank You for not leaving me where I am in the midst of my troubles. Thank You for leading me closer to Your Truth. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

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Follow this link to hear Amy Grant sing “I’ll Be Your Friend”: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJ2IWpUSUdU

How To Live...Monday

10/7/13

 Live in harmony with each other.

 Romans 12:16a
NLT

A very short scripture verse with a very strong advice. It could be a tall order for many.

What is harmony? Some other synonyms for “harmony” include...

·         Agreement…
People who are in agreement share an understanding that helps them to get along with each other.

·         Accord…
When you are in accord with others your thoughts and behaviors show a consensus between you that helps you to get along with them.

·         Concord…
When two people share concord they have a friendship that is peaceful.

·         Synchronization…
This implies that two or more people are working and living in tandem.

·         Congruence..

       When people are in congruence they show a similarity of thought and values.

·         Coordination…
Coordinated people are moving in the same direction in their lives and choices.

·         Coherence…
Moving with coherence means that behavior and thought has a consistency between a person and her associates.

Yes this scripture may seem short, but it is powerful and filled with concepts that shine light on the God approved way we should live. The world is sadly lacking in these skills these days. Families are in discord over many things. Adult children are estranged from their parents and siblings. No agreement! Neighbors fight with neighbors over landscaping, parking infringements and noise just to name a few things. No congruence! City residents argue about the way the mayor and city council administer the city. No accord! Citizens of our country disagree and dispute the correct style of government…conservative or liberal. No congruence! Nations fight nations. No commonality or compassion!

But God has instructed us how to live in many stories and lessons we read about in the Bible. And he He has summed it up in the scripture…

Live in harmony with each other.
~ Romans 12:16a, NLT

In AA there is a prayer that is a wonderful prayer where God is asked to help keep the one who prayes it on the straight and narrow and to totally give all issues to Him.

“God, I offer myself to Thee – to build with me and do with me as Thou wilt.
Remove me from the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will.
Take away my difficulties that victory over them may bear witness
to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life.
May I do Thy will always!”

To pray this prayer will put us in the position to submit to God and to do as He wills. This will be in all things including seeking harmony in all our relations with our fellow human beings.

Heavenly Father...
Thank you for showing the way and teaching me how You want me to live. All I have to do is strive to obey. Thank you for giving me strength when I am weak and for loving me when I fall short. I am privileged to be your daughter. Help me always to surrender to you, to do your will, and to fully rely on You.                                                             Amen.

Written by

Corinne Mustafa

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Here is the Monday song...
"I Surrender" sung by Hillsong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcnfT4arZtI#t=59