Thursday Devotional...Struggle and Acceptance

                                     
      ....don’t take yourself too seriously—take God seriously.

2%  If you have been anywhere near a television or radio these last 2 days then you know we are a nation divided. Our President earned a second term in office by 2% (50% of voters chose President Obama, 48% chose Governor Mitt Romney, 2% chose other options). This split was apparent in other issues as well: new taxes, food labeling, legalizing marijuana, gay marriage, etc. Whether an issue passed or not, there was a divide. Some believe we, as a society, should do things one way, while the other portion believes we should do it another way. Both sides are convinced that their way is the best way.

It makes me think of marriage! My marriage has, like many others, been about two people who planned on becoming one but who both felt they knew the best way to make that happen. I wanted things done my way, and if I could make my husband happy as I did things “my way” how convenient! I didn’t actually compromise; I just squeezed him into my plans. It wasn’t until we truly learned to compromise and sacrifice for each other that we began to become stronger in our togetherness. That sounds just like our two major political parties: they propose what they want, then squeeze in a little of the other party’s plans and call it compromise.

There are many good things going on in our country, it is not all bad news. But clearly we are wrestling with some very big problems that the government, no matter how hard it tries, cannot fix for us. We must fix the divide ourselves because in the end we all need to live together in this country. So even when we don’t agree, or see eye to eye, we need to keep going. We must look for and acknowledge each other’s strengths, and be patient with our weaknesses, because we all have them (for all have sinned, see Romans 3:23). The government might be able to provide an empty dumpster but it takes the neighbors, you and me, to begin to clean up a neighborhood.

No matter what the election results have meant to you, whether good news or disappointment, God’s plans for you have not changed.

Jeremiah 29:11 (Amplified Bible)

11 For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord,

thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil,

to give you hope in your final outcome.

Micah 6:8 (Amplified Bible)

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,

what GOD is looking for in men and women.

It’s quite simple:
Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.

Dear Lord, thank You for all You have blessed me with. Please help me to recognize how I may be a blessing to someone else this very day. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

Wednesday Devotional...The Day After

Today I am doing the devotional. Sandy Billingham who usually does the Wednesday Devotional was unable to do it yesterday. I have some thoughts that are personal, and I think others may be harboring these kinds of thoughts as well. So, I am glad for this opportunity to write today.

When I wrote the Tuesday Devotional, I quoted this scrupture...

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 I will forgive their sin

and will heal their land.

2 Chronicles 7:14

I still believe this promise of God. Sometimes how God answers prayer is not in the way I had envisioned.  Also we are told in the Bible that God thinks in different ways than we do. Yesterday's election results is one example of this.

I need to remember that nothing--NOTHING--ever happens that God has not allowed to happen. In a way this is a freeing thought. It shows us that our job is to be the best person we can be, to love and trust God, and to release the things we cannot control to Him.

I come to you with a confession of my sin. I literally put a lot of energy into dispising our President. This is not pleasing to God, and I am repenting. For whatever reason it is what God has allowed for our country. As for me,I plan to clean up my attitude. Hate is a bad thing. If I allow such feelings, it would turn into a cancer of the spirit. It is as harmful as unforgiveness.

Scripture also tells us....

Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority,
because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account.
Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden,
for that would be of no benefit to you.

2.Hebrews 13:17

I think that there is one thing that, for me, needs to be done. All that I have written above does not mean that I think I need to accept floundering around pushed and pulled by high waves, feeling helpless and hopeless. However, I do need to put a coating of love over all I choose to do. Frost it with a giving attitude and put a candle of prayer to light the darkness--prayer that is to God for what I think bur also to Him with the heartfelt flame of...

          "Thy Will Be Done"

Written by Corinne Mustafa

Tuesday Devotional..11/6/12...Pray for Our Nation

...God is listening for your prayer

Today is a very important day for this nation. So much depends on the election. I decided to write this "devotional" to ask you to spend some time throughout the day praying for this country. Talk to God with words that He gives to you. Pray everytime it comes to your mind. Pray that He bring this country to the place where it was when this country was founded. Pray for forgiveness in our shortcomings. Pray it for everyone...especially the ones who don't even know that they need to be praying.

Stand in the gap with prayer and petition. And when tomorrow is over keep praying. Prayer changes things.

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 I will forgive their sin
and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

Written by Corinne Mustafa

Monday Devotional...Goodbye Rose Colored Glasses...

                                                                 ...and God will help you

                                                 as you begin to see the truth.

 

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”

John 8:32 NIV

Because of the things that happened in my childhood, I became very “broken” inside. By “broken” I mean that things didn’t quite “match” up. There were some places on the inside of me that were left exposed, with nothing to protect them. Other places were left jagged and sharp, with nothing to soften them.

I was still very young when I realized that I could make things “appear” to be whole. That is when I put on my rose colored glasses. The glasses “softened” the harshness of my world. Through them my life began to appear more normal and I loved the way that felt.

Although I didn’t know it at the time, these glasses would become a great hindrance to me. I wasn’t able to see the world as it truly was. I wasn’t able to differentiate between those whom I would be “safe” with, or those who would harm me. As a result, many of my closest relationships became very unhealthy. They were not founded on real truth, but rather on the make believe “truth” that I wanted and needed them to be.

As my walk with the Lord deepened, I began to notice some of these discrepancies. As I became more familiar to hearing His voice of truth, I also began to “see” more clearly. Although the truth was still harsh, I found that the Lord was able to strengthen me with His love and comfort. My faith and trust in Him began to grow and with His help I was able to face the many painful truths in my life. Eventually, I was able to say goodbye to my rose colored glasses.

I love that, although the Lord saw and understood that those glasses were hindering me in my growth, He did not strip them from me. He took his time and was patient with me. He knew that I had been broken inside, and His purpose was to bring healing and wholeness. He allowed me to hold onto those glasses until I was ready to give them up. He never took them from me. He simply helped me to see the truth. He then stood patiently beside me while I made the choice to take them off.

Although the truth is often hard to see, I have come to believe that it is a gift. I no longer have that “rosy” hue on things and at times that has been difficult. However, I have found that once I am able to see the truth, then I am able to process through it. After that, I am able to make a better decision regarding how I will allow this truth to affect me.

Lord, thank You for the truth. Thank you for seeing and speaking the truth. Most importantly of all, thank you for being the truth. Amen.

Beverley A. Napier

11/3/2012

Sunday devotional 11/4/12: BROKEN

Sometimes we may feel utterly broken.  We may have great plans for our future, with years of preparation and expense, yet in the end they seem to have failed. We wonder if we have gone down the wrong path.  Perhaps we have been married and thought we were doing the right things, yet it seems destined to fall apart.  We may feel rejected or like we failed somehow.  Or maybe we have an activity that continually pulls at us and keeps us from doing the things we ought to be doing.  It may be so strong that it is an addiction.  Then the more we try to stop it, the worse it becomes until we have sunk so low we feel we can never get back up again. When we feel broken we may feel as though we are worthless and discarded.  Feelings of brokenness can be devastating.  

I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.  Psalm 31:12 NIV

But our Lord and Savior never throws us away.  He can use us when we are broken.  In fact, when we are in our weakest most defeated state, sometimes then we are most useful for his purposes.  We learn and grow through our trials.  As we turn to him and lean on his strength and power to carry us through, we witness to his great mercy.  When he heals our wounds and lift us up again, we have a unique perspective and can reach out to other broken souls.  No matter how shattered we feel, God still loves us and has use for us.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”  2 Corinthians 12:9a NIV

There is beauty in our brokenness.  When God puts us back together again, he is like a stained glass artist.  Individual shards of colored glass may appear useless and even dangerous, but soldered together in a pleasing pattern by a master at his craft they become a beautiful piece of art.  And when God shines forth from within us, it is then that we are most beautiful.  Praise God for my brokenness!

Dear Father Creator in heaven,  We thank you for making us so beautiful, even in our broken state. Help us to see that even in our weakness we are loved and can be useful as we shine your light to the world. Use us to your glory.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

written by Jan Andersen

Swaturdy Devotional...To Tell the Truth

                                                    ...it is still necessary to count the cost

My freshman year of high school, back in 19_ _, was the beginning of a new chapter in my life. I had been one of the quietest in my class in elementary school, and this would be a chance for a new, more outspoken me.

I had spent a lot of time listening, and learned that the popular kids were the ones who could make everyone laugh. There was one classmate who really had a way with words. He was very tall and very thin; wore glasses and had no interest or athletic skills to sharpen. So he sharpened his tongue.

After his words sliced through the air, and possibly into someone’s heart; he would push his glasses back up his nose and say, “I’m just telling the truth.” And we would all laugh, though some of us had to hide the fact that we had been cut by his words, even though they had been aimed at someone else.

How often have I allowed myself to “tell the truth”, no matter the cost? If I got a laugh, I scored some points, right? I thought that way for a long time. Until I started listening to what was really being said. What I said and what others said to me. When I acknowledged that my words were unkind. That my sense of humor was hurtful at times. The points I thought I scored meant nothing, if the laughter is covering pain or shame. If the words I use are ones that I would not want said about me by the people I trust, the “points” are negative.

This effort to eliminate unkind words from my conversation has left moments of silence at times. I have even been asked if I was feeling alright, because my motor mouth had been idling more often. And in those moments of wordlessness, I have been given a wonderful gift. I am hearing more of what others have to say. I am listening and learning about other people’s perspectives and different points of view. I am hearing the “still, small voice” much more. And He is telling me that He loves me.

If we are to love others as ourselves, we must find time to hear the voice inside. This is the voice that tells me how to love myself, because He created me. This voice may be speaking to you, but is muffled by the sounds we fill our days and nights with.

We can learn to love the voices around us, as we learn to use the voice inside as a filter. I do not have to react to the words I hear with words that hurt. I can use what God says to me to speak to the world around me. I can tell the truth and speak in love, if I wait for Him to speak His love into me before I speak.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

 but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,

 that it may benefit those who listen.”

Ephesians 4:29

Written by Lynda Kinnard

Friday Devotional...11/2/12...SHELTER

As I’ve watched the news this week of the devastating Super Storm “Sandy”, I’ve witnessed so many people that have lost their homes to the wind, rain and sea of this horrific hurricane. Homes that have been a shelter to thousands of inhabitants have been blown down or ruined by the surge of floods.

Most realize that life is the most important thing to be saved in such devastation, but one’s home is where the heart is. I can’t imagine losing a home, a shelter that has been a refuge, a place of resting, a place where family has been together for meals, sleep and enjoyment….a roof over their heads. To look at the ruins of ones life long accomplishments, memories are all they have left of what was once their shelter.

That being said, I thank of the Lord… for He is our shelter, our refuge and our fortress. 

“For thou hast been a shelter for me,

a strong tower from the enemy”.

Psalms 61:3

‘God is our refuge and strength

a very present help in trouble.

Psalms 46:1

Shelter is probably one of the most important things in life in which we live and have our being. Hopefully and prayerfully these citizens can once again rebuild, or find a dwelling place of shelter for safety and peace to re-establish their dwelling place once again. Lord help us all.

I am so thankful to know the Lord and his mercy. He truly is our place of refuge, our hiding place from the storms of life for he is our shelter.

Written by: Glenna Williamson