1 Thess 5:16 Rejoice always…. (NIV)
God’s certainly helping me live my faith this morning. I just spent half an hour typing my reflection on my cell phone as is my daily habit, and as I was copying it to proof before posting, I inadvertently deleted the entire thing. Fun times. But in this world, there will ALWAYS be reasons to be sad, mad, or grumpy. If we focus on the things of this world, joy will NOT be our default.
Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (NIV)
The secret to choosing joy is focusing on our precious Savior. He has blessed my life in so many ways. I deserve none of His grace, none of His mercy, none of His love. I can’t earn those things, and yet He freely and abundantly lavishes my life with all three daily. I see them in the sunrise and sunset, in the faces of those I love, in the gentle breezes and the rainbows and flowers around me. If I pay attention, I see them everywhere. Thank You, Jesus.
Phil 4:4 Always be joyful in the Lord! I’ll say it again: Be joyful! (GWT)
Lord, Thank You for this day and this reminder to rejoice in You always, even when the world is clamoring for my attention, even when I inadvertently delete an entire reflection, even when things just aren’t going my way. Thank You for providing me with so many reasons to rejoice. If I focus on this world, I run the risk of being sucked into a cycle of perpetual chaos. Help me to keep my eyes firmly fixed on You. Draw me closer. Help me to choose joy every moment of every day. Amen.
1 Thess 5:16 Always be joyful. (NLT)
Have a blessed day.
Strength and encouragement…. (devo reflection)
Rev 3:8a …See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut….
I am a firm believer that if I seek God’s direction and pay attention, He WILL direct me in the way that I should go. I still haven’t gotten the unmistakably clear flashing neon signs that I would love to see, but I have seen Him close doors firmly and open doors wide that seem to indicate the way that He would have me to go. Thank You, Jesus.
Rev 3:8b …I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept My word and have not denied My name.
That doesn’t mean the path is easy. And I am bad for allowing myself to get overwhelmed with the scope of the work that He’s calling me to do, but my precious, faithful Savior strengthens me for whatever task He’s called me to do. Sometimes He calls me to physical tasks like feeding, comforting, or educating His children. Sometimes He calls me to persevere in difficult situations. Regardless of what He’s called me to, He can use ALL things to encourage His people in ways I can’t even imagine. Thank You, Jesus!
Isaiah 41:10 Fear not, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you….
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this scripture. Thank You for guiding and directing me as I seek to do Your will. Thank You for giving me strength and encouragement for whatever task You call me to. Thank You for using my words, my thoughts, and my actions to uplift and encourage others in ways I cannot even fathom. Draw me closer. Help me to shine Your light. Amen.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
Have a blessed day.
The state of my heart…. (devo reflection)
Acts 24:16 So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.
This scripture put me in mind of a poem entitled “The Man in the Glass,” which basically says that you can fool everybody but yourself when it comes to who you are and how you got where you are in life. To me, Acts 24:16 speaks to being able to look at yourself and know that who you are, who the world thinks you are, and who God knows you to be match.
Acts 23:1 … “I have conducted myself before God in all good conscience to this day.”
I know my caustic inner critic often makes a squeaky clean conscience difficult, but sometimes a stinky attitude can be just as bad as motives that are less than honorable. One devotional I read today did not equate blamelessness with perfection but rather with doing the correct thing in all situations. If you mess up, apologize. If your attitude is stinky, change it (and apologize if you offended while you were in that mindset).
1 Cor 10:32 Do not become a stumbling block….
Lord, Thank You for this day and this scripture. Thank You for the reminder that my attitude is important and that You and I both know what my heart looks like, even if I can fool the world. Help me always to be honest with myself and with You about the state of my heart. If my attitude is stinky, help me to be aware and to actively seek to change it. Help me not to be a stumbling block to others but instead to point them to You. Draw me closer. Amen.
Phil 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Have a blessed day.
Spreading the Good News…. (devo reflection)
Phil 1:12 And I want you to know…that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.
Perspective can make a significant difference in a situation. Unfortunately, when bad things happen, my first response is often, “Why me? Why this? Why now?” One of my readings today asked: “Are you willing for God to use your circumstances to demonstrate His saving power to those around you?” Jesus, Help shift my focus so that, no matter my circumstances, I seek to show others Your saving power through my reaction.
Gen 50:20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good….
That shift in focus feels revolutionary. With it, my question shifts from “Why me?” to “How can I use this to shine Your light?” And that is truly what I want more than anything—to show others the fierce love and unfathomable grace of my Savior. Help me, Jesus.
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him….
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this reminder. Thank You for the difference made by a slight change in perspective. Help me to view my circumstances through the lens of “How can I use this situation to shine Your light for others?” Draw me closer. Give me strength. Amen.
Luke 21:13 This will be your chance to tell the Good News.
Have a blessed day.