Author Archives: jsjdevotions

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August 23, 2014

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God's Plan, Obedience, Trusting God

HIS PLANS

The Lord will work out his plans for my life – for your faithful love, O Lord, endures forever. [Psalm 138:8 (NLT)]

Lord, keep me from being so rigid in my life that I fail to accept and follow your plan for my life. I’m hesitant to surrender completely to your will because I fear what you might ask of me. Yet, in my heart, I know that you will equip me with whatever skills I need to do whatever you ask of me. Moreover, because you love me, I know you’ll give me a joyful heart as I do it! Lord, I am yours; direct me!

But as Scripture says: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined the things that God has prepared for those who love him.” [1 Corinthians 2:9 (GW)]

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August 21, 2014

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God's Grace & Love, Love & Works, Money & Wealth, Obedience

WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN GIVEN?

You should remember the words of the Lord Jesus: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” [Acts 20:35b (NLT)]

As I perused a glossy magazine dedicated to the wealthy, I saw short pieces about men’s handkerchiefs that sell for over one hundred dollars, a walnut portable bar (perfect for when you’re out hunting) costing about $7,600, Ferragamo sneakers that go for $1,200, and a $67,500 watch that covers all thirty times zones! An article about a Moroccan hotel mentioned its rack rate (ranging from $2,250 to $50,000 per night) but the advertisements for cars and watches didn’t even mention cost; apparently, if you have to ask, you clearly can’t afford them!

What a relief to then read about self-made billionaire Marc Benioff who has integrated philanthropy into his company’s basic philosophy; every year it donates 1% of its profits, staff hours and technology to various charities. Since 1999, over $53 million has been given away, employees have volunteered more than 500,000 hours, and company software has been made available to 20,000 non-profits. Recently, Benioff challenged twenty other technology companies to pledge a combined $10 million to fight poverty in the San Francisco area. Within sixty days, three out of four companies approached had signed onto the project. Benioff’s next goal is to raise another $50 million from one hundred more businesses this year. He was understandably disappointed by one wealthy entrepreneur’s response to his request: “What have I been given? Why do I need to give back?”

We’re not billionaires and the amounts asked from us are a pittance in comparison, but do we ever respond as coldly? Do we ask, “What have I been given? Why should I give back?” Let us never forget that everything we have has been given to us by God. Our talent, skills, intelligence, looks, parents, race, nationality and opportunities are all gifts from God. Yes, we’ve worked hard and struggled to achieve but what we’ve accomplished has much more to do with God’s hand than our efforts.

Why do we need to give back? That one’s easy: because we’re told to do so! Giving, however, isn’t just a way to be obedient to God; it is also a way to honor Him. Perhaps the best reason to give, however, is because of the joy that it brings, not just to the recipient, but to the giver as well!

The real joy in life comes from giving. … That’s the grace that pays out every single day for me. [Marc Benioff in “Forbes Life,” Summer 2014]

What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? [1 Corinthians 4:7b (NLT)]

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August 17, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Forgiveness, God's Word: The Bible, Peace of God

IS THERE SOMETHING YOU NEED?

Be like newborn babies, always thirsty for the pure spiritual milk, so that by drinking it you may grow up and be saved. [1 Peter 2:2 (GNT)]

If a baby is fussy or crying, my theory is that he is either hungry, tired or needs changing because he is soiled. That theory hold true of adults as well. When we find ourselves anxious or sad, we have a spiritual hunger. We need to feast on His word and drink in His spirit. When we’re short-tempered or tense, it’s time to rest in the peace of His presence and feel His love. When we’re irritable or oversensitive, there is usually something troubling our conscience: something that needs confessing and forgiving. Forgiveness (like a fresh diaper) gives us a clean start!

When you find yourself drained, replenish yourself with His word; when you’re weary, rest in His presence; and when you’re guilt-ridden, confess and be washed by His hand.

Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. [Matthew 11:28 (GNT)]

So let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, with hearts that have been purified from a guilty conscience and with bodies washed with clean water. [Hebrews 10:22 (GNT)]

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August 16, 2014

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Family, Friends & Fellowship, Joy, Thanks & Praise

FAMILY REUNIONS

great migration 10
Weeping with joy, he embraced Benjamin, and Benjamin did the same. Then Joseph kissed each of his brothers and wept over them, and after that they began talking freely with him. [Genesis 45:14-15 (NLT)]

My husband and I cautiously found our way through the minefield of blocks and toys on the floor, retreated to our bedroom, and closed the door. Simultaneously, we both said, “It’s so loud!” Being “empty nesters,” we’re accustomed to our routines and a clean quiet house. I admit it: we’re old folks and “set in our ways!” You see, we had been blessed by a family visit; four families and three generations had gathered under our roof!

Sometimes our blessings come with noise; they leave toys on the floor and dirty dishes in the sink. Sometimes our blessings cry, as babies do, or spill, as three-years old do. Sometimes our blessings never seem to run out of energy, like the older cousins, or stay up late talking, like the siblings who are usually separated by thousands of miles. Sometimes our blessings watch TV until all hours, talk all at once, or forget to put on a new roll of toilet paper. Sometimes our blessings leave wet towels on the floor and sometimes they argue with one another. Sometimes our blessings leave an empty gas tank, break a dish or eat the brownies hidden in the freezer for other guests. Do I have any complaints? Not a one. Did I heave a sigh of relief when the last departed? Yes! Am I looking forward to next year? You betcha! Why? Because, every minute spent with family is a moment to be cherished.

Although the venue will be different and no two families are alike, I imagine your family gatherings are not all that dissimilar from ours! There’s a little stress, a few tears, plenty of noise and disorder, but lots of love and joy!

Thank you, God, for the blessings of family and family reunions. Thank you for the chaos, confusion and happiness that come when we all gather together. Every family is made up of imperfect, quirky, disparate people and none of us are easy to get along with all of the time. Thank you for your gifts of patience, love and laughter that make it all possible.

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. [Psalm 127:3 (NLT)]

For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation. [Psalm 100:5 (NLT)]

 

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August 15, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Holy Spirit, Love & Works

A THORN IN THE FLESH

cactus (prickly pear) - NBG03270WEBSo to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. [2 Corinthians 12:7 (NLT)]

Paul wrote that he had a thorn in his flesh; some Bible scholars believe it was a physical ailment and others say it was a person. I don’t know which it was for Paul, but I do know we all have people in our lives who sorely test our tolerance and can even cause a rise in blood pressure. These are the people who, sometimes through no fault of their own, truly challenge our capacity to act as Jesus would behave. They try our patience, cause us to question our ability to love our neighbor, and test our capability to curb anger and tame our tongue. They challenge our generosity and exasperate, irritate, frustrate and annoy us. These people are what a friend calls our “Jesus meters.” Our behavior toward them is a clear indication of how much like Jesus we’ve become. Like Paul’s thorn, they keep us from becoming proud and self-righteous.

While it helps to remember that even the prickly pear cactus, with all its thorns, bears a beautiful flower and delicious fruit, the best solution is to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit and let Him guide us whenever we have a thorn in our flesh.

Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. [Ephesians 4:23-24 (NLT)]

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August 14, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit

A GENTLE REMINDER

Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel: Throughout the generations to come you must make tassels for the hems of your clothing and attach them with a blue cord. When you see the tassels, you will remember and obey all the commands of the Lord instead of following your own desires and defiling yourselves, as you are prone to do. The tassels will help you remember that you must obey all my commands and be holy to your God. I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt that I might be your God. I am the Lord your God!” [Numbers 15:37-41 (NLT)]

Unlike the Israelites, we don’t wear tassels on the hems of our coats  to help us remember our faith, but perhaps we should. I often wear a small cross around my neck. When I put it on, I try not to think of it as a piece of jewelry but rather as a visible reminder of who I am and how I should behave. It reminds me to let the Holy Spirit not the wholly me run my life. We shouldn’t need a cross on a chain or tassels on our coats, however, to remind us; it should be our nature. This morning, let’s put on the Holy Spirit and let his presence continually remind us to live His way, not ours.

Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. [Romans 13:14a (NLT)]