Dear children, we must show love through actions that are sincere, not through empty words. [1 John 3:18 (GW)]
It’s not enough just to believe, or even to profess our belief; we must behave as if we believe!
Author Archives: famtree2014
Trust Him
Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths smooth. [Proverbs 3:5-6 (GW)]
Often we’re troubled because we want to know why God does what he does or asks what he does of us. It’s really not ours to know. The important thing to remember is that we don’t have to understand God to submit to him; we just have to trust him.
GIVE THANKS
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever. [Psalm 107:1 (NLT)]
Giver of all gifts, there is so much for which to be thankful. Give us appreciative hearts for all the blessings of the day.
Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn’t learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn’t learn a little, at least we didn’t get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn’t die; so, let us all be thankful. [Buddha]
THE PATH WE TAKE
You will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way. Follow it, whether it turns to the right or to the left.” [Isaiah 30:21 (GW)]
God sets a path before us, yet sometimes we’re discouraged before we even get started. All we see is the rough road, the steep climb, or the boulders blocking the trail. We need to trust the Lord and accept the route he gives us: just walk the road, climb uphill when necessary and work our way around the obstacles.
Dear Lord, let me hear your voice guiding me on my life journey. Give me the faith to take the route you’ve set, the endurance to make my way over the rugged parts, the strength to climb the difficult slopes, and the intelligence to find my way around any obstacles in my path. Please God, may I also have the vision to see the wildflowers and hidden blessings you’ve strewn along the way.
NO GREATER LOVE THAN THIS
There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. [John 15:13 (NLT)]
These were the words spoken by Jesus just hours before his betrayal, arrest, sham trial and crucifixion. It was love that brought him willingly to the cross.
Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. [Romans 5:7-8 (NLT)]
CHARACTER BUILDING
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they can help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. [Romans 5:3-5 (NLT)]
Lord, forgive me, but could we have a little less character building today? I know you love me and that in every trial there is a lesson to be learned, but sometimes it all seems a little overwhelming. Remind me that life without a few hardships, complications, and struggles would be rather boring. Give me a thankful heart for every difficulty and challenge; may your Holy Spirit fill my heart with confidence and strength.
Devotions of the Heart 