Finding Strength in Weakness

by Belinda Blevins

Verse for Thought:
Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Oh Sovereign Lord, remember me. Oh God, please strengthen me just once more, Judges 16:28a (NIV).

I wonder what would have happened if Samson had turned to the Lord before he found himself entangled with Delilah. I think the outcome would have been different. We are often confronted with sin daily. How do we resist temptation? Sometimes I turn to family, friends, co-workers, or spouse. Other times, I follow what I think is best for me, forgetting that my only defense is to turn to a Holy God. When I turn to him, the Holy Spirit teaches me and guides me so I will not lose hope. Personal situations distract us, causing our mind to be our own personal battlefield. We must put on the Helmet of Salvation daily for protection (Ephesians 6:17). When we go to God first, it is less painful. I know this week he was with me and I thank him.

If only Samson had called on the Lord before his flesh took over. Just remember our flesh is weak and carnal, wanting its own desires. Do you remember how your life was before you were saved? I know I felt like I was “looking for love in all the wrong places.” Remember King Solomon tried everything under the sun. He built beautiful building, bought slaves, and spent money on the finest wines and other fleshly desires. None of those things satisfied him. In the end, he realized he only needed to reach out to Jesus. Remember others are watching you. It is so important that even in weakness, we share what God is doing and has done for us on our journey. There is no compromise with God, only obedience to our ABBA. The Best is yet to come! Praise God!!

Let’s Pray:
Father God, thank you for being strength in our weakness. Thank you for allowing us to come to you for strength, help us to continue to trust you as we call on you. I pray that we find peace as we wait. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Take the Next Step:
Find someone to pray with today. If they are weak, encourage them that there is hope and strength. Share what God has done and is still doing for you. God Bless.

When your feet stick to the floor

by Shelia Gaines

Verse for Thought:
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. I Peter 3:15 (NIV)

a.      Everyday
b.      Once a week
c.      When your feet stick to the floor

These were the three choices to answer the question.  The question was “how often do you mop the kitchen floor?”  It was on a survey designed to reveal your housekeeping style.  I won’t tell you what my answer was or why I was interested in this survey.  However, I thought it a good example to use in considering how we maintain our walk with the Lord.

If we only read the bible when our spiritual feet symbolically stick to the floor (i.e. when things are not going well and we can no longer ignore the problem) then we end up with a very messy Christian walk.  In order to maintain our walk, we must keep our heart set apart, making sure we are always prepared as 1 Peter 3:15 admonishes us to be.  This means getting and keeping our house (our spiritual temple) in order.  We have all heard people say, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”  This statement is not in the bible as some believe, although the command in I Corinthians 14:40 to let everything be done decent and in order may be close.

Let’s Pray:
Dear God, thank you for the opportunity to come to you for daily.  Show me how to be continually open to receive your word, always willing to allow you to create in me a clean heart.

Take the Next Step:
If you are not sure where you are today in maintaining a “clean” walk, it’s not too late to begin.  Why not let today be the first day of your daily walks with God?

Walking by Faith

by Belinda Blevins

Verse for thought:
For we live by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7. (NIV)

I have been a believer most of my life and I know that we should walk by faith.  However, there are times when I still struggle to hear and apply God’s wisdom. Sometimes when I have been hurt or disappointed, it’s hard to forgive, even though I know that I must.  If I am going to remain committed to God and stay on the right path, I know I must follow God’s word no matter what.  Even when I don’t understand why I have to go through some things, I still have to determine in my heart that I will follow God no matter what.  I know that the best decision in any situation is to do what is pleasing to God, but I don’t always feel like doing it.
It reminds me of a song that refers to life as a “dress rehearsal.”  In order to get to our heavenly home, we must get it right down here with our sisters and brothers.  When that gets difficult, God is there to help us.

Let’s Pray:
Thank you for being a loving heavenly father who honors our commitment to walk according to your will.  You are always there for us as we go through each day. Thank you for each step we take, for holding our hand, for being our peace, and for giving us joy as we go. Father help us to carry everything to you in prayer because we know you are the only one who has the answer, help us to trust you for the answer as we walk with you. Thank you in Jesus name.
AMEN

Take the next step:
Why not stretch your faith today by offering a prayer for someone with whom you have had or still have difficulty showing God’s unconditional love.  If you want to take it a step further, offer a kind word of encouragement to them personally or seek God’s help in offering true forgiveness.

Darkness and Storms at Night

 
by Belinda Blevins

Verse for thought:
Nothing in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus Our Lord  Romans 8:39 (NRSV)

Sometimes when it is storming and lighting and thunder is rumbling, it reminds me of my childhood.  I was really afraid during storms and my dad would always say,  “It is not going to hurt you.  It’s ok.  It’s just a storm.”   He would try to comfort me as the storm would continue.  Now, I think I know how the disciples felt when they were out on the  sea of Galilee and their boat was being tossed to and from by the waves. God is there to help us in our storms just like he was there to help them.   Only Jesus Christ can give us peace in the mist of all storms.
Calling on him and remembering the assurance in his is what gives us courage in the storms.  One thing to remember about storms is they always PASS.  Sometimes the leave destruction in their wake.  But, they do pass.  Are you going through a storm today?  Do you feel like it is so dark it will never pass, and you can’t see a way out?  Remember, This too shall Pass…The storm is almost over.

Let’s Pray:
Thank you for being a loving heavenly father who honors our commitment to walk according to your will even in the storm.  Let us remember that you are there for us as go through each day. Thank you for each step we take in the storm.  Thank you for holding our hand, for being our peace, and for giving us joy as we go. Father help us to carry everything to you in prayer believing you are the only peace in the storm.  When we are afraid, help us to trust you in the mist of the storm and not be distracted by in.  In Jesus name.  AMEN

Take the next step:
Why not stretch your faith today by offering a prayer for someone who is in a storm and needs to be encouraged.  Maybe it is someone who  just needs a sounding board, someone who has lost a loved one, or someone in the hospital.   Let the Holy Spirit use you today to help someone.  GOD BLESS YOU!!

Where's Your Resting Place?

by Stephanie Gaines

Verse for Thought:   Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matt. 11:28 (NIV)

We all have those days where we’re counting down the hours until we can sit down and relax.  For me, I think, I’m going to go home, turn on some music, turn off the lights and my phone, and curl up in my bed.  Others may curl up with a good book while others draw themselves a nice, hot bath to rest.  About a month ago, I was dealing with a lot of stress spiritually and emotionally and this scripture came to my mind. I was thinking to myself, I’ve been trying to rest but I still don’t feel quite rested.  Right after I said that I heard a distinct voice respond with, “Because you won’t come to me to rest.”  Ouch.

Sometimes, we get that way.  Life is getting hectic and stressful so we decide to have time to ourselves.  We shut out the world to finally get some peace, but sometimes we shut out God in the process.  So I ask you. Where is your spiritual resting place?

Let’s Pray:
Dear God, please help me to stay mindful of your presence during the weary times in my life. Help me to look to you to find rest and peace.  Comfort me with your embrace and give me the strength to continue on.

Take the Next Step:
Whenever you feel like you just need a break, try to intentionally find rest in God’s arms. Go to that secret place where you can tell God how weary you are.  Let him know that you want to be comforted and reassured.  If this is a normal instinct for you in weary times; be sure to encourage fellow Christians.  It’s comforting to know that there are others out there finding comfort, peace, and rest.

The Eleventh Hour Is Not Too Late

by Guest devotion writer, Dorothy Ware


Verses for Thought:
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.  Psalm 37:5

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.  Ps 30:5


                   He might not come when you want Him but He is always on time.
                                                   

As I reflect on the early years of my marriage, I think about the fact that neither my husband nor I were saved.  In fact, my husband, who later became an avid Muslim, was really responsible for me excepting the Lord into my life. Once I accepted the Lord in my life, “old things passed away and behold all things became new” (2 Cor. 5:17).  I was never the same, salvation made a difference in my life.
Even though my husband was not doing the same things he did before becoming a Muslim, he was still not saved and I knew he needed to meet Jesus. So my mission began. I prayed as the bible tells us to do, praying without ceasing.

In March of 2000 my husband was stricken with kidney cancer but he still maintained his Muslim faith.  Every day I would pray with my husband and have him quote the scripture with me “I shall not die but live to declare the works of the Lord.  It seemed as if my efforts were futile, my husband was still closing his prayer with in the name of Ali.  I felt helpless and by the time October rolled around was ready to throw in the towel and not witness to him any more.

On October 16th, early in that morning I got up, determined not to witness to my husband anymore, but God had his own personal plan for my husband.  He wanted me to ask my husband once again, “Honey do you believe in Jesus”, my husband answered “YES I DO”, and from there, needless to say, and thank God, that on October 16th, 2000, about 5:00 am that morning, the Lord had me to lead my husband in accepting Jesus as his very own personal Lord and Savior. Hallelujah, praise the Lord.  God will give you a way to get to the heart of your love ones if you do not faint.

What am I trying to say to you?  The 11th hour is not too late. My husband passed away on October 20, 2000. Because of the prayers of the righteous, God will do what we ask of Him.   The bible declares that the effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much. James 5:17.  Thank God for His patience.

Let's Pray:
Dear God, we love you and adore you.  We thank you Father for you are true to your word.  Your word declares in Psalms 8:4 “What is man, that thou art mindful of him and the son of man that thou visitest him? Thank you for your love for us and your longsuffering, waiting patiently for us to line up with your word. I pray for my brothers and sisters who still have loved ones who are not save but they are constantly in prayer for their salvation.  Bless those loved ones heart to be turned to you and put a yes to your will in their heart.   Thank you Father for allowing us to have an open door to communicate with you, we count it a privilege and an honor.

Take the Next Step:
The next step is always the first step.  Never stop trusting God.  After 28 years of praying and staying before the Lord I almost gave up.  Giving up is never an option, we must always trust the Lord and the power of His might.  The 11th hour is never too late for God to save our loved ones. God’s word is a sure foundation and it tells us to “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not to thine own understanding”.  Proverbs 3:5 and   Psalms 34:5, Delight thyself also in the Lord: and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

The Tone of Things

by Shelia Gaines

Verse for Thought:
A gentle word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  Proverbs 15:1 (NIV)

There is a scene in the movie, "Facing the Giants", where the coach accuses one of the team members of judging others by their actions and judging himself by his intentions.  It made me wonder how often we are unwilling to make any adjustments on our own.  We would like everyone to accept us for who we are and receive the things that we say and do whether we do a good job of communicating effectively or not.  It goes without saying that we will occasionally do or say something that will be taken the wrong way.  The truth is even when our intentions are good, the results do not always bear that out.  However, it is still our responsibility to show God's love in everything that we say and do.  I remember saying something to someone in jest once that changed a relationship.  I did not know that until years later.  I spent all that time believing that the statement was taken as it was given (in jest), not realizing that it was taken to heart to mean something I had never intended.
In this blog's September 13th devotion, Belinda Blevins talked about the power of words to hurt and wound.  And, as I mentioned earlier words have the power to change lives and relationships without us even knowing it.  Recently my daughter and I discussed how my responses to questions or just to situations in general do not always come across as "loving" as I intend.  So, I find myself being even more careful in how I speak and respond to what's spoken to me.  I don't always get it right and my intentions are still misunderstood sometimes. However, that has helped me to realize that sometimes my intentions are not as honorable as I think they are.
 
Let's Pray:
Dear God, help me to let this verse from Psalms 19:14 be a way of life for me and not just words.  "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight,  O Lord, my strength and my redeemer."  Amen

Take the Next Step:
Read the devotion from September and then read Proverbs 18.  Ask God for revelation on how you might apply it to your daily life.  Why not let today be the day you begin on the path of speaking life?

Hitting Snooze

by Stephanie Gaines

Verse for Thought: 
If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.    Psalms 139: 11-12

My mother, of all people, can tell you that I am not a morning person.  If I don’t have to be up for any particular reason, there’s no telling what time I’ll actually roll out of bed.  When I have to get up early, I always set my alarm at least 30 minutes before I have to get up; just so I can hit snooze.   After hitting snooze at least six times, I realize I should probably go ahead and get up.   As I hit the snooze button this morning I realized how this can relate to our walk with God.

Maybe it’s just me, but there have been times when I’ve hit snooze on my walk with God.  Life will wear me down and I get so tired that I just keep saying, “Just give me five more minutes, God.”  Snooze.   I silence the alarm and go back to my life.  The life I feel I should have when I’m being selfish. The stress of trying to do everything right will get to me and I’ll just want to give up on it all.  Snooze.  I feel like I’m trying to please others and God and, again selfishly decide, I’m tired of this.  Snooze.  I continue to go through life and an opportunity presents itself, an opportunity to wake up and get back to my relationship with God.  Of course I think to myself, I’m not ready and not at a place where I will fully put my heart into it.  Snooze.  I go to church and just go through the motions, not wanting to fully get involved.  Snooze.  

This morning helped me realize that no matter how many times I hit snooze, my alarm is still there telling me to get up.  No matter how many times I tell God I’ll get back to him, that alarm will still go off and I realize it’s time to get up and continue my walk with God.  I get over my weariness and pain, I stop complaining about how hard life is, I get up and put on my “big girl” pants and get ready for the life God wants for me.

Let’s Pray:
Dear God, I thank you for your love and patience.  I know that even when I have strayed, your love has still remained.  Help me to be encouraged to be a faithful servant.  Give me the strength to challenge myself to continue to strive towards a closer relationship with you.

Take the Next Step:
Take some time to evaluate your life and relationship with God.  Are you running away from God’s calling by hitting snooze?  If so, don’t be afraid to ask yourself, why?  Be completely honest with yourself.  Make a list of things you need to work.  Don’t just remember it, WRITE IT DOWN!  Put the list somewhere you will see it every day as a reminder.

*If you feel you need an accountability partner, make sure you’re actually going to let them keep you accountable. Don’t ask them to keep you accountable if you plan to lie about your progress.

The Face of God

by Shelia Gaines

Verse for thought:
By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.   John 13:35 (NIV)

“When we love someone, we are really loving God.  Look in wonder at those you love, for they are the face of God.”  These lines are from the movie, The Preacher’s Wife.   The character in the movie did not just wake up one day and have this revelation.  He was a pastor who had gone through a very difficult time and was faced with losing his church.   He was struggling with his faith because many things were happening that made him feel like his work was somehow in vain.  After he prayed, God sent help through an angel.  The troubled pastor did not immediately accept that God was indeed answering his prayers.   An angel in human form was not how he thought the answer would come.  I think this happens with us sometimes.  We think God has not answered us when the answer does not come as we think it should.  Just like the character in the movie, we continue to search desperately for what God had already provided.   By the end of the movie, the pastor realized how much he was taking for granted.  As a matter of fact, he reminded us that sometimes we forget to cherish the ones we love most.

I was reminded of that line from the movie as I watched my grandson sleep.  There is something so pure about how a baby touches you.  You see all goodness and beauty and it draws you in a way that nothing else can. God’s love can do that for you.

Let’s Pray:
Thank you, God for all the love that you have placed in my life.  Thank you for your unconditional love for us.  Help me to model that agape love for those who need it the most and not take a single day for granted.  Amen

Take the next step:
Why not take the opening quote literally?  Take a few minutes today and look in wonder at those you love.   See some of what God’s love has shown you.  If you are not blessed to be able to do that in your own home, take a walk through the mall or sit in any public place and marvel at the beauty of human nature.   No matter what is going on in your life, or what circumstances or difficulties you may be facing, God’s love is all around you.

The Secret of Contentment

 





by Belinda Blevins

Verse for Thought:
For I have learned in whatever state I am to be content. (Philippians 4:11b) SFLB

I am often discontent even when all is going well. Consequently, I wonder how it is possible to be truly content during the most difficult times.  This is especially true when there seems to be no end in sight.  These are the times I ask myself, “What is genuine contentment?”  Before you know it, I have allowed my circumstances to cheat me out of the peace. It’s usually when I cannot change my situation that I feel discontentment.

In Philippians 4: 4-13, Paul shows us how he became content. No worries or frustrations about anything.  As long as our satisfaction depends on whether certain things actually work out, it’s not contentment.  Contentment depends on how I respond to certain thing when those feelings of uncertainty grip me. Paul tells us in how he went through many situations that were painful and seemingly hopeless (2Corn.11:24-30).  He learned the secret. He couldn’t dependent upon his circumstances or his feelings.  In order to know God’s peace that surpasses all understanding, he had to trust God and turn those circumstances over to him (Philippians 4:6-7).

Think about a situation in your life that you would change if you could. Is it painful and keeping you focused on the fact that you don’t like it? Choose to give it to God. Choose to wait until he changes it.

Thinking on these things helped me to move past discontentment a lot easier.  Now, instead of allow Satan to rob me of my peace, I persevere until God accomplishes in me whatever it he wants to. I choose to submit to him because he is trustworthy and loving. No fears or worries will have power. God has my best interest at heart. He tells me to not let my heart be troubled, just believe in him (John 14;10). I have nothing to lose. Amen

Let’s Pray:
Father God, thank you that we can trust you no matter what state we find ourselves in. Thank you for caring and giving us peace and rest while you work in our lives.  Please help us to learn to be content in a way that gives us your peace.   In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Take the next step:
If you are feeling angry, frustrated and out of control, choose to give it to God.  He is your source of peace.  Draw from him while you wait. His peace is available to you.

Mountaintop Experience

by Shelia Gaines

Verse for Thought:
He replied, Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. Matthew 17:20 (NIV)

Last fall, my husband and I went to Clingmans Dome, the highest peak in the Great Smoky Mountains and the third highest peak east of the Mississippi.   There is an observation tower at the top that provides a spectacular 360 degree panoramic view of  the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Simply breathtaking! It made the trip up there worth it, but as the old saying goes; the trip up there is not for the faint of heart.  Although it is a beautiful drive up the mountain, you can only get to the trail that leads to the tower by car.  The rest of the trip is a half mile hike.  Straight up the mountain!  There are benches available for resting along the way and signs advising you to take advantage of them should you become tired or faint. We met a lady who had had knee surgeries and made it as far as the bottom of the observation tower but did not go the rest of the way up the ramp to the top of the tower.   While I sympathize with her condition, it saddens me that she came that far and missed out on the whole point of the trip.  As someone pointed out, the long walk up the winding ramp was nothing compared to the half mile hike to that point.

How many times have you gotten so close to a goal only to fall short at the very end?  What are you doing about that?  Are you trying to have a mountaintop experience without climbing the mountain?   As we walked back down to our car from the tower, we overheard someone tell his friend that it was a good thing he wasn’t told of the half mile hike it would take to get up to the top.  He would have said no and missed out on an opportunity to “see God.”   The reward was definitely worth every bit of the effort.

Let’s pray:
Lord, when there are mountains in my life, please give me strength to climb them, but keep me mindful of my own times I spent in the valley.  Let me consider others who struggle in the climb.  Let me lift them up in prayer and not judge them.  Amen

Take the next step:
Instead of asking God to remove every difficult situation from your life, why not ask him to show you where he is in the situation, what you need to learn from it, and how he wants you to overcome it.  Why not make a list of your ‘mountains” and cross them off the list as you allow God to help you overcome each one?