Category Archives: Daily Devotionals

Daily Devotionals

Waiting…..

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Have you ever thought about the word “wait” and all that it means?  How the word “wait” is actually a double sided word? When we go into a restaurant, the “waiter” comes to us for our order, and then we have to “wait” while it is being put together. The waiter brings it to us and then “waits” on our needs while we enjoy the meal.

One of the hardest things in the world is to wait for something. In this modern world, everything is expected to be instant….everything is faster and smaller and more disposable as the next model comes along.

We read in the Bible that before the Lord can bless a person, He has to “wait” on them. He waits for them to turn and call on Him so He can be gracious to them and bless them. This is the way He waits on His people, by giving them His blessings and all that they need as they ask Him.

On the other hand, as we wait on Him for the answers to our prayers, we are blessed as we see how He works in our lives to give us the answer that we need. Those who do not turn to Him, can never know His blessings, any more than a person can expect a meal at a restaurant without paying for it.

Isaiah 30, verse 18…..    And thus will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.

 

Daily Devotionals

Don’t Get Scammed!

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PROVERBS  Six…. (v.1-15)

DON’T GET SCAMMED!!!! Solomon here is warning his sons to not stand as guarantor for anyone…..friend or stranger! How many times have people got caught out doing just this!!

This warning stands good for every single person….. it is better to give straight out, rather than to lend hoping to get it back one day. People’s word of mouth is not enough……how many friendships have gone sour because of broken promises! Don’t feel sorry for the other person, or you will end up feeling  sorrier for yourself in the long run.

This seems to be hard advice, but often people get themselves into a mess because of their own foolishness, and the only way they will learn is the hard way. Paul too, expands this thought when he definitely says to keep away from being tied to an unbeliever in any way, shape or form! This rule is for our own good and peace of mind.

Often the other person is in trouble because of their own laziness or carelessness…..take a lesson from an ant! It is busy and forward looking, preparing for the future. Keep away from those who try to sponge on you……they are only there for what they can get out of you !!

Give, don’t lend,  is good advice, To keep one’s friend is better;            Don’t let yourself then get  enticed, Or you’ll be tied, by  lawyer’s letters!!!

 

Daily Devotionals

Through the Furnace

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       We had some visitors from another area, and were taking them around the local sights. One of these was a glass blower at  work behind the gallery that was selling a lot of his work. There were some beautiful pieces on display, all brightly colored and different shapes. The man was in his workshop at the back of the gallery which was open for people to watch him at work.

    We went in and up the stairs where we could look down on him plying his art. The furnace was heated up and the tongs he was using were red hot. As he pulled the shaped vase out of the heat, he pulled and twisted at the neck of it to form a shapely edge. But time and time again, he had to put it back into the heat because he wasn’t satisfied with how it looked.

    It reminded me of the Master Glass Blower at work in our lives, as He molds and perfects His people to make them become what He wants them to be. We may not like the heat of the fire we have to go through, or the pulling and twisting that we are subject to, but when it is all over, we are more like the finished article that He wants us to be….a thing of beauty and fit for His use!

Daily Devotionals

Watch it, Son!

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PROVERBS  FIVE…. (v.1-23)

This entire chapter is about Solomon warning his sons against the wiles of wicked and scheming women and the dangers of loitering around where they congregate. One can’t help wondering what age Solomon was,  when he wrote these things!

It is one thing to be wise in matters concerning others and another to be wise concerning oneself or one’s family! How many times people can lay down the law (quite rightly in many cases!) for others, but bend the same rules for themselves or  their children!

Let us always remember that God’s laws apply equally to ALL, and let us also front up to the wrong we are allowing in our own lives, and admit our weaknesses to others.

    Solomon’s weakness for foreign women led to his ultimate downfall in direct disobedience to God’s commands. God never makes rules to spoil our fun, but to protect His people. If we feel ourselves slipping, let us do as James says…..humble ourselves to admit our weaknesses to others and ask them to pray with us in the matter. We will be doubly strengthened to withstand, and be blessed for it.

      God’s rules are made to keep His own,  From falling and a-tumbling     We cannot walk this life alone, But need God’s help to keep from          stumbling.

 

 

Daily Devotionals

Proverbs Four…..

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Verses 11-27

It is one thing to know the right thing to do, and another thing to put it into practice!! Hang onto what you know is right, and don’t deviate from it.                                                                                                                                                       The best way to use wisdom is to avoid temptation in the first place….don’t go where temptation abounds…..avoid it like the plague, don’t even look towards it! Use your head before you lose it!! Don’t ever deliberately  go into, or  start, anything doubtful  thinking you can handle it. You won’t be able to, because God won’t be there  with you in it. Those ways are the paths of darkness, and you will surely stumble.

The ways of God’s wisdom are the paths of light, life  and strength. Don’t turn to the right hand or to the left, but keep a straight course with your  eyes fixed on the goal of
God’s wisdom and righteousness!

S-I-N is a very little word, But it often spells disaster,

You must leave it very much alone,  Or it will become your Master!

 

Daily Devotionals

Devotions from Proverbs Three

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Verses 19-26

Solomon tucks in here a basic truth which is so relevant in this day and age where evolution is so freely taught..

It is God who created all the things and Who gave us the principles of nature. It is not MOTHER Nature, but FATHER  God! This knowledge and wisdom tells the believer that God has all things under control and there is no need to worry about Global Warming, ozone layering or overpopulation  of the Planet!

We must hold firmly on to this knowledge and not waver from it, so we will have sound wisdom and perfect peace with the confidence that God’s word gives. Hebrews tells us that our Lord is upholding all things by the Word of His Power . He is ALIVE, and sitting on the right Hand of God RIGHT NOW! He is taking care of the universe, and He has taken care of man’s sin problem, if only man will turn to Him.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         The Lord in His wisdom, has founded the earth,  And this wisdom is of the utmost worth;                                                                                                                      It’s  all in  control, we need never fear,  But praise Him for this and be of good cheer!

 

Daily Devotionals

Proverbs One (Part Two)

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Verses 1:20-33                                          

This is a serious warning indeed! The wisdom of God calls out to every person to “TAKE HEED!” “LISTEN!”  “ACT NOW!”

What could be more plain than the warning above? Those who respond to it are wise; those who don’t are foolish, scorners and simpletons! God has done everything in His power to save people from their sins…..all they have to do is to tell Him they accept His invitation or else suffer the consequences. Those who don’t believe the Son of God, will not see life, but God’s wrath (anger) will stay with them for ever. Just as a child who disobeys and gets burned in touching a hot stove, so the soul who disobeys God will suffer the fires of God’s wrath for ever.

God says, “I called you and you wouldn’t listen…..you’ve ignored me continually and despised My Word while there was time, and why should I hear you now?” Why indeed? The principle of cause and effect works just the same for a believer as for a non-believer in enjoying the peace of God…..if a believer obeys God’s word, he will reap the fruit of the Spirit ( love, joy, peace etc); if he sows to the flesh, he will reap the consequences of  that life style (which includes lack of peace and joy)

                                                  The soul who ignores His God’s sweet call,                                                                    Will reap results of man’s hard fall;                                                                              To respond will bring God’s great rewards,                                                 Of love and peace which He  affords.

 God’s Word will never take you, where God’s grace can’t safely keep you!

Daily Devotionals

The Peaceful Man

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       Psalm Four

                    Hear my call, O My Lord, and have mercy on me,                                                 I know You will hear  my cry unto Thee,                                                                      I will stand still in awe, and not commit sin,                                                      I will lie on my  bed, and commune within;                                                      I will offer  the sacrifice of praises and sing,                                                          And my trust to the Lord, I’ll continually bring,                                                   You put joy in my heart which will only increase,                                                  And I’ll lie down and sleep, in peace perfect peace.

Notice how the Psalmist here makes his call to the Lord for help, and then affirms his belief that God HAS heard his cry. He thinks of any sin he might have done and confesses it, then gets into bed still thinking of the things of the Lord. What a pattern for us to follow! There is nothing like a good rousing hymn for raising the spirits, and we can think of the words of many of these as we lie in bed, and then drop off into a peaceful sleep. This pattern is better than any sleeping pill and brings glory to God, even in a small way.                                                                                                                                                                                          ***   ***   ***