Saturday, March 25, 2017

March 25

As a part of my spring cleaning, I decided that one of my rooms needed fresh paint. I started painting using some paint that we already had. As I was cutting in, I noticed that the paint was making the trim look dingy. The trim color is not your usual bright white, I've always felt that it was too blinding. If I continued to use that color, all the trim would need to be repainted too, and my intention was just to do a touch-up on that. So, it's off to The Home Depot to get a more complementary color. Is your friend's character complimentary to yours? Or, do they make you appear to be dull? Sometimes we choose friends that make us look dingy, and their character does not match that of our Savior. We need to have people around us that will encourage us to be a better Christian and will walk with us towards holiness. If you continue to associate with a person of less than noble personality, you may become the same. Be wise in your choice of friends.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Friday, March 24, 2017

March 24

What is grace? A quick definition of grace is: free and unmerited favor. Look at the order of things God has set in place to bring you to where you are now. If you're currently going through a hardship, it will pass, and you will see that it was by God's grace that you managed to get through it. I know that it's not easy to look back, and just like everyone, there are some things in my life that I would rather forget too. But, even in those difficult times, I can see a silver lining and a piece of the plan God had for my future. When King David was just a shepherd, he didn't know that the difficulties in his life would lead to him becoming a great King, but he used every trial as a testimony. What are the things that led to your salvation and how is He using you now? Everything you have gone through is your testimony of God's grace and He will use it to help bring others to salvation. So, don't forget to share your testimony.

"Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you." And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city how much Jesus had done for him. Luke 8:39

Thursday, March 23, 2017

March 23

So, I opened the blinds in my room to let a little sunshine in. I love the beauty of the dappled light filtering in, it's so cheerful! As I'm sweeping the floor I noticed out of the corner of my eye that there is something that's not sweeping up, so I kept sweeping that same spot and it didn't budge. Then I smiled when I realized that I was trying to sweep up the sunlight! Just like that bit of light on my floor, no one can remove the light that's within you. People may come along and try to scrub it off of you like my broom to the floor, but as long as Jesus is the light that shines within you, it can't be taken away. We are challenged daily by others who are struggling to find happiness. They will often try to make those around them as miserable as they are, so it is very important that you remember who your Father is and that your loyalty is to the Risen King. Anyone who tries to dim your light will have to deal with our Almighty God!

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Wednesday, March 22, 2017

March 22

They will know you by your fruit. Many people along our way in life have disguised themselves as Christians for dishonest gain. We've all seen them! They show up as television preachers, singers, and others, looking for a quick buck or a walk into fame; we tend to notice the ones we see everyday on social media or television. They like to prey on unsuspecting and forgiving people. I guess they think we are weak. God knows these people, and sometimes He points them out as they reveal their true intentions. But, how do we protect our hearts from these types of people? We must stop hiding our heads in the sand and take a closer look. What do you notice when a person takes a selfie? Is it the person in the picture that you see, or do you give notice to what's lurking in the background?  We would all do well to notice both the background and the foreground. Are they producing Godly fruit? If not, use caution.

"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?... Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. Matthew 7:15-16, & 19-20

Tuesday, March 21, 2017

March 21

Have you noticed how God is refining you and seen the slag that is disappearing into the fire? Some of the trials that we go through are God's way of changing our hearts. We may not think we are too far from our example in Jesus, but when we start seeing the results and the sparkle of the precious gold beginning to show within us, we then realize how far from perfect we really are. There is an act of obedience and follow through that we are responsible for, but we are not the goldsmith. God is the one responsible for bringing out the best in us. It may take some time to bring us to perfection in our personalities, not because this is a hard job for God, but because we are so obstinate. It's sometimes like trying to pull a donkey when he has made up his mind that he's not going. That's probably why our trials seem to never end, because God is not seeing the results that He desires.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

Monday, March 20, 2017

March 20

Sometimes God asks you to do things that you are not accustomed to doing. In yesterdays devotional, I wrote about being stretched by God to do a video. Little did I know that He had plans to stretch me even more, but this time it was physical. We have a friend who just got out of the hospital and lives alone. She called us because she didn't have anyone else to turn to. Her head was unclear and just needed a little guidance and someone to help her get comfortable. You can ask any of my children, I'm not very comforting when it comes to illness. When they would get sick, I would give them their medication and send them to their room. Then I would spray down the house with germ killer. In a way that's what I did for this person. I got a little taste of what our nurses and CNA's go through. My hat's off to those professions! I found out that she's a child of God and He just wanted me to help a sister in need. This was the physical act of loving one another. He met her need and taught me a lesson.

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? 1 John 3:16-17

Sunday, March 19, 2017

March 19

In my great wisdom, I decided to jump into something new. I don't know if you noticed the common thread of the messages from this weeks devotionals, but I've been focusing on some of the attributes of God. He is my favorite subject to study. Why wouldn't He be? He's the only reason we live and have breath! I feel that He may be leading me in a new direction, so I've been studying and getting ready to dive right into this new adventure. It's exciting and scary at the same time, plus I don't know what to expect! So here it is, I recorded a video message! I know what you're probably thinking, 'oh, that's not such a big deal',  but to me, this is way outside of the cozy little box that I like to stay within. But, you know, if you are comfortable with everything going on in your life, you are probably not making much of an effort to advance the kingdom. So, get out there and do something uncomfortable for Jesus. 

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Who is God?


A quick study of Jeremiah 9:23-24. 

Other verses used in this study are: John 3:16 & 18 and 2 Corinthians 5:21. In the first few minutes of the video, I misread the verses used. 

This is my first video so please bear with my mistakes. I'll get better as I become more comfortable. 

Thanks for watching.