Have your parents ever given you advice when you were younger that you value now? Or are there rules that at one time you thought were restrictive that now you see as beneficial? It is amazing that we as a society chant for freedom freedom freedom but one of the greatest moments of liberty we have are when we are not bound by fear because we obey the rules. God has given us many rules to walk to. However, many Christians don't acknowledge them as anything more than suggestions in today's society. What are a few of these rules? Well, the top ten are the ten commandments. Many believe that as a new testament believer we are not under the law. However Jesus himself said He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill the law. He even expounded on the commandments to an even greater level. Today is a challenge to return to the foundation of our guidance. The ten commandments. Take them and re-commit or commit them to memory. Its a great way to reestablish basic principles of a Christian walk.
Ex 20
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
March 11-18, 2011
Weekly Verses
John 8:36
Ps 17:8
1 John 4
Devotion for the week of Spring break. (11-18)
Be on Gaurd....
There are times in our lives where we are afforded breaks in order to rest, and be free. Yet, there are many living bound to some kind of chain, which even when we are free from the monotony of daily activities, still affects them. What are chains? Chains are things that hold is in bondage or things that confine or restrain us. As a Christian our greatest chains are those of sin. Sin grapples at us daily wishing to take us under, and one of the greatest times the devil seeks an opportunity bind us again is at the moment we are seeking rest from fatigue. In these moments we let our guard down and often fail to watch our guard for the devil. In moments of relaxing keep our mind must still focus on God, and ask to be hidden under the shadow of His wings. In addition, know what the devil will throw at you. He usually tries to place you in the same chains that you were found in. He tries to tempt the delivered alcoholic with alcohol, the delivered smoker with cigarettes; the delivered workaholic with more work. Knowing from whence God has freed you will help you be ready for the battle. The devil will bring many opportunities towards you this week: Family problems, addictions, and the like, but greater is He that is in you than He that is in the world. God has freed you from the law of sin and death to walk in Him.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
March 9, 2011
Encouraging thoughts from Julie Akerman Link...
If there is any such thing as a universal question, it may be this: Are we there yet? Generations of children have asked it. They have then grown into adults who have to answer the same question when their children ask.
Whenever I read the books of Moses, I wonder how many times he heard that question from the Israelites. Before rescuing them from slavery and leading them out of Egypt, Moses told them that the Lord would lead them to “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Ex. 3:8). He did, but first they spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness. This was no ordinary wandering, however. They were not lost; they were wandering for a purpose. After 400 years of slavery, the children of Israel needed to have their hearts, souls, and minds reoriented toward God. This was accomplished in the wilderness (Deut. 8:2,15-18), but not before an entire generation died because of their disobedience (Num. 32:13).
In life, it sometimes seems as if we are wandering in circles. We feel lost. We want to ask God, “Are we there yet? How much longer?” At such times, it helps to remember that the journey, not just the destination, is important to God. He uses it to humble us, test us, and show us what is in our hearts.
If there is any such thing as a universal question, it may be this: Are we there yet? Generations of children have asked it. They have then grown into adults who have to answer the same question when their children ask.
Whenever I read the books of Moses, I wonder how many times he heard that question from the Israelites. Before rescuing them from slavery and leading them out of Egypt, Moses told them that the Lord would lead them to “a land flowing with milk and honey” (Ex. 3:8). He did, but first they spent 40 years wandering in the wilderness. This was no ordinary wandering, however. They were not lost; they were wandering for a purpose. After 400 years of slavery, the children of Israel needed to have their hearts, souls, and minds reoriented toward God. This was accomplished in the wilderness (Deut. 8:2,15-18), but not before an entire generation died because of their disobedience (Num. 32:13).
In life, it sometimes seems as if we are wandering in circles. We feel lost. We want to ask God, “Are we there yet? How much longer?” At such times, it helps to remember that the journey, not just the destination, is important to God. He uses it to humble us, test us, and show us what is in our hearts.
All God’s testings have a purpose—
Someday you will see the light;
All He asks is that you trust Him,
Walk by faith and not by sight. —Zoller
Someday you will see the light;
All He asks is that you trust Him,
Walk by faith and not by sight. —Zoller
It’s the journey, not just the destination, that’s important.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
March 8, 2011
Daily Verse
Ps 51
Daily Devotion
Ps 51
Daily Devotion
Whiter than Snow
Every day there is a battle for our souls. No matter what we believe we are, we are innately sinners. Our good works are like filthy rags in the sight of God. There is a growing trend to state that we are just human and this is our nature, and we must recognize our nature and ask God to purify us each day, and wash us from the stain of the guilt that comes when we have fallen. Let us be honest with God in our failings. Only then can He return the Holy Spirit in our lives and restore unto us the joy we had when we first believed. Let us bring to Him our broken spirit and a repentant heart. He will make us whiter than snow.
Monday, March 7, 2011
March 7, 2011
Daily Verse
Ps 27:13
Daily Devotion
Today, is a day for inner questioning. Where is our hope, and whom or what do we place our trust? God is calling us to take time and seek His face. Will we answer yes Lord I will seek?, or will we choose to walk another way today? The Lord is our hope. He is our light and salvation, and whom shall we fear if we put our trust in Him? We must remain confident in this: that we will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. His goodness is ever pervading in every situation in our life. He has brought us to the place we are now. He has protected us from our enemies, He has set our feet upon a rock, and He has a purpose and a plan for each day including today. God is wanting to teach us His ways, and lead us in straight paths. Yet, how can we find these straight paths if do not choose God? Our own ways are crooked at best and though the judgment may be solid, it may not be the best for today. We trust in the Lord will all our hearts and lean not to our own understanding; in all our ways if we acknowledge Him, He will direct our paths. Trust in the Lord today.
Friday, March 4, 2011
March 4-6, 2011
Daily Verse
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." John 10:10
Daily Devotion
Life is too precious for us to waste a moment, believing we have a lifetime to get everything right. We only have one breath and one moment. We must ask God to teach us to number our days, and show us how fleeting they truly are. We are not going to live any longer than the time we've been given. We must rise up to action. We must take up arms. We must love like there is nothing left and above all we must live for God. Let not fear bind our hearts to a whipping post and allow our life and joy in Christ to he stripped away by the beating of the devil. Let our life be so freed. We know not how long. We know not the day ,nor the time, nor the hour. We must ask the Lord for His mercy to gently lift us or roughly free us this day from the things that tie us down and so easily beset us. God through Jesus has given us life and it is abundant. We must take His gift and not despise it and use it not for our glory but for His. We must live!
Thursday, March 3, 2011
March 3, 2011
Restore Your Soul
Do you believe in Gods promises ? If so then you know that it is God who restores our souls. Psalm 23 is a passage that many children learn but it is ever more important to us in life. The Lord is our shepherd; He must be our guide in every step we take, and if He is the one we are following we shall not want. He will allow us to lie down in green pastures and restore our souls, which is something we desperately need from time to time as exhaustion sets in.
Every challenge and every test we face in life and school may feel like the valley of the shadow of death. We should fear no evil if God is with us, but this is a daily invitation. The Holy Spirit does not come into our lives uninvited. We must know that His correction and gentle guidance are for our comfort. He will prepare a place for us in the presence of our enemies, and goodness and mercy shall follow us as we dwell with the Lord.
For the peace we seek; for the rest we seek; for the hope and joy that we long for... We must find it in him. Neither man, nor t.v. , nor success in school, nor friends, nor family will ever be able to take the place that the Lord, our shepherd, has in our lives. Invite Him in today. Enjoy His green pastures. Drink from His still waters. Restore your soul.
Psalm 23
Do you believe in Gods promises ? If so then you know that it is God who restores our souls. Psalm 23 is a passage that many children learn but it is ever more important to us in life. The Lord is our shepherd; He must be our guide in every step we take, and if He is the one we are following we shall not want. He will allow us to lie down in green pastures and restore our souls, which is something we desperately need from time to time as exhaustion sets in.
Every challenge and every test we face in life and school may feel like the valley of the shadow of death. We should fear no evil if God is with us, but this is a daily invitation. The Holy Spirit does not come into our lives uninvited. We must know that His correction and gentle guidance are for our comfort. He will prepare a place for us in the presence of our enemies, and goodness and mercy shall follow us as we dwell with the Lord.
For the peace we seek; for the rest we seek; for the hope and joy that we long for... We must find it in him. Neither man, nor t.v. , nor success in school, nor friends, nor family will ever be able to take the place that the Lord, our shepherd, has in our lives. Invite Him in today. Enjoy His green pastures. Drink from His still waters. Restore your soul.
Psalm 23
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