01
November
Devotion: A Ram In The Thicket
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”Heb. 13:16
Last night our church had a safe Halloween alternative with games, treats, candy of course and some entertainment. My boys really enjoyed this activity last year and wanted to bring a bunch of kids this year. Luke, my 12 yr. old, invited more kids than my car can hold. A few met us there, a few couldn’t go and one boy from his class came home from school with us so
30
October
Devotion: That Way About You!
“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.” Matthew 5:16
Billy Joel sang a song about His Love and the way she had about her. His lyric imply that he didn’t know what it was about her, but her smile could heal him and he felt he couldn’t live without her.
When you are a Believer in Christ, his spirit resides in your heart. He has a way of changing us and bringing out
27
October
Spiritual Fitness
“…like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation.” 1 Peter 2:2
When a person decides they want to become healthier, change their eating, get more exercise, they begin to make the appropriate changes for the desired end result. If someone wants to lose a few pounds and maybe tone up, they must switch their diet to cleaner whole food choices, increase their protein and decrease their refined carbohydrates. But to be able to maintain this one cannot simply
14
October
Devotion: Perception Is Reality
“I will walk within my house with a perfect heart.” Psalm 101:2
Everyday can be the best day of your life if your hearts mindset is right. Whether you have grand plans or daily chores, when you do it all for The Lord it can be amazing! How do you do it all for The Lord? A lot of that has to do with expectation. If you crawl out of bed sour and grumpy every morning you are expecting sour grumpy mornings every night before you go to bed. Just because
13
October
Devotion: Self Worth
“Faith looks up, doubt looks down and worry looks around.”
Where is your gaze today?
I love the movie Chariots of Fire, the true story of missionary Eric Liddell and his love of running. Some thought his love of the sport distracted his focus from God and wasn’t suitable for a man of faith. Eric was fast, fast enough to earn Olympic gold. In the movie there is another man of Jewish decent who runs fast as well. His sole purpose…best Eric Liddell. Both men run their hearts out toward the Olympic
09
October
Promises
Isn’t it fun to reflect on some things God has done in your life and how far you have come? I think it is. It makes me all warm and cozy inside and I begin to feel the gratitude down deep bubble up and flow out as I am reminded once again, how good God is and how grateful I am for all he does and how he cares for me.
Last night at my church the ladies got a chance to share from their women’s retreat this past weekend. Have
02
October
Devotion: Those Are Your Shoes!
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.”
1Corinthians 9:24
Last Saturday my husband and I cheered my son on as he ran at a very large cross country meet here in Northern California. It’s the first meet my husband has been able to attend. As my son came around the bend, my husband’s large booming voice echoed down the green encouraging our oldest boy. As soon as my son heard His Dad calling out
30
September
Devotion: Heavenly Perfume
“A woman came to him with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, which she poured on his head as he was reclining at the table.” Matt 26:7
Mary Magdalene poured costly perfume over the head of Jesus. She gave everything she probably had and I imagine, if she had more she would have given it. She held nothing back. Jesus spills love and Grace out over all of us. It was a costly sacrifice, but he held nothing back and he gave everything. Here’s what’s beautiful about this to me,
29
September
Devotion: Soul Thirst
“With Joy you will draw water from the wells of Salvation.” Isaiah 12:3
Joy usually abides and thrives best in a place called “Content”. Contentment is hard to come by in modern times for we have access to immediate gratification of every desire of our heart. It used to be young families bought a home and then over time maybe moved to a bigger nicer home or car and gradually add to life while purposing time toward a inheritance for the children. Now a days it looks more like, “I want
27
September
Devotion: God The Comforter
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings…” Isaiah 52:7
There’s almost nothing so comforting as a timely word of encouragement, especially it seems, that comes from someone who didn’t even know you needed encouragement.
Many years ago I was trying to get some things organized in my house. I had 3 kids and they were all very young so caring for them required allowing things around the house slip more than I like. I’d been kind of hard