Psalm 34:13-14
13Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.
14Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
It’s hard to believe that this week the last month of the year will begin!
The time from Thanksgiving to New Years is actually one of my favorite times of the year. I love the Christmas decorations and the hustle and bustle. It’s a time of year where I am very aware of Peace on Earth and Goodwill towards Men.
Probably as a result of my childhood, seeking peace and maintaining peace is very important to me. This is why I choose Psalm 34:13-14 for my devotion today.
I will continue to seek peace and pursue it!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Looking forward to 2012
I kind of miss my “old” blog. My decision to use my blog to journey through my day of devotion has turned more into a chore. Not that’s it’s not good for me, more like it’s become part of a routine, or something I am acting out in a roll.
I have five more posts to do because I must see the journey through. I just can’t wait to return to my old way.
Yesterday, I actually took the time to read some past blogs. I miss the spontaneity. I initially thought I would do my normal blogs and my weekly devotionals, but it didn’t quite work out that way.
Anyway, looking forward to my random posts.
I have five more posts to do because I must see the journey through. I just can’t wait to return to my old way.
Yesterday, I actually took the time to read some past blogs. I miss the spontaneity. I initially thought I would do my normal blogs and my weekly devotionals, but it didn’t quite work out that way.
Anyway, looking forward to my random posts.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Week 47
11And it came to pass, as he went to Jerusalem, that he passed through the midst of Samaria and Galilee.
12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Luke 17:11-19
In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to use a scripture on being thankful for my weekly devotional. I was looking for a scripture in the Psalms, but then the story of the 10 lepers grabbed my attention.
There are so many things I have to be thankful for. I have friends and family who love me. I have my health. I have a good job. I have a home. I have resources to take care of my basic needs and some of my wants.
The most important thing I am thankful for is my relationship with God and the gift of salvation.
I want to be the first in line falling down on my face and giving thanks to God. And saying thanks doesn’t really seem like enough. How could one possibly muster of the words needed to express thanks for such a powerful gift?
I am trying to always be present and thankful. I am also trying to present my body as a living sacrifice, which isn’t always easy, but compared to the Cross…well it is my reasonable service.
12And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:
13And they lifted up their voices, and said, Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.
14And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Luke 17:11-19
In honor of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, I wanted to use a scripture on being thankful for my weekly devotional. I was looking for a scripture in the Psalms, but then the story of the 10 lepers grabbed my attention.
There are so many things I have to be thankful for. I have friends and family who love me. I have my health. I have a good job. I have a home. I have resources to take care of my basic needs and some of my wants.
The most important thing I am thankful for is my relationship with God and the gift of salvation.
I want to be the first in line falling down on my face and giving thanks to God. And saying thanks doesn’t really seem like enough. How could one possibly muster of the words needed to express thanks for such a powerful gift?
I am trying to always be present and thankful. I am also trying to present my body as a living sacrifice, which isn’t always easy, but compared to the Cross…well it is my reasonable service.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Week 46
For today, I decided to meditate on two sets of scriptures Ephesians 6:12 and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
This weekend, I went and saw the movie Immortals. The story line interested me, plus I think the lead actor is a good actor (not to mention terribly good looking).
I really, really liked the last scene because it showed a war going on in the heavens against good and evil. The scene was something my imagination could have easily conjured up while thinking about the spiritual battle that is going on around us. And it’s interesting to me that this concept is something that people scoff and joke about. If I was in a meeting and proclaimed something that happened was really just a spiritual battle unfolding, I’m pretty sure I’d be mocked, which is fine.
The truth is that we spend so much time warring against each other that we never take the time to think about the spiritual aspect of the conflict. So, I just wanted to remind myself that I am not at war with any of who may intentionally or accidently offend or hurt me. The picture is way bigger and complex that my mind can take a hold of.
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12.
“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
This weekend, I went and saw the movie Immortals. The story line interested me, plus I think the lead actor is a good actor (not to mention terribly good looking).
I really, really liked the last scene because it showed a war going on in the heavens against good and evil. The scene was something my imagination could have easily conjured up while thinking about the spiritual battle that is going on around us. And it’s interesting to me that this concept is something that people scoff and joke about. If I was in a meeting and proclaimed something that happened was really just a spiritual battle unfolding, I’m pretty sure I’d be mocked, which is fine.
The truth is that we spend so much time warring against each other that we never take the time to think about the spiritual aspect of the conflict. So, I just wanted to remind myself that I am not at war with any of who may intentionally or accidently offend or hurt me. The picture is way bigger and complex that my mind can take a hold of.
Week 45
I am very, very behind in blogging!
Never fear, I did fast week. I just didn’t have time to blog about it. Work was pretty hectic, and I worked very late three days last week. When I did get home, I was exhausted.
What was on my mind was something that I wrote about in week 39.
I revisited James 1:13-15.
13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
I can honestly say that nothing creeps up on me, or at least, not in retrospect. When I wonder where certain thoughts or desires spring up, I can often go back in time and pinpoint something I saw or heard. Or something I allowed my mind to linger on.
Temptation is all around me. It’s up to me to guard myself. I know my areas of weakness and my areas of curiosity.
I think this could have been a more powerful blog when the ideas were fresh in my mind!
Never fear, I did fast week. I just didn’t have time to blog about it. Work was pretty hectic, and I worked very late three days last week. When I did get home, I was exhausted.
What was on my mind was something that I wrote about in week 39.
I revisited James 1:13-15.
13Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
I can honestly say that nothing creeps up on me, or at least, not in retrospect. When I wonder where certain thoughts or desires spring up, I can often go back in time and pinpoint something I saw or heard. Or something I allowed my mind to linger on.
Temptation is all around me. It’s up to me to guard myself. I know my areas of weakness and my areas of curiosity.
I think this could have been a more powerful blog when the ideas were fresh in my mind!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Week 44
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28
For my devotional, I choose this scripture because quite frankly sometimes I need to be reminded of it. Every seemingly random act and every seemingly little action are all working together to fulfill a master plan in my life.
I remember randomly signing up for a bunch of training early in my career at the port. I took training in every software I could think of: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Illustrator, InDesign, etc. These trainings have helped me immensely in my work life and have even proved useful in my public life.
There are times when I scream internally why some bad things have happened. How can mistakes, judgment errors, accidents, horrible events work together for my good? I’m not always sure on this, but I try to accept that they do.
I know that there have been times when I wanted something so bad, and I was extremely crushed when I did not get it. Then there would be a point in time when I had an “aha moment” as to why the thing I desired so intensely was in fact just very bad for me.
I don’t have all the answers, but I will walk by faith that things are working out for me. Even if I can’t see it now or if I don’t see it all.
For my devotional, I choose this scripture because quite frankly sometimes I need to be reminded of it. Every seemingly random act and every seemingly little action are all working together to fulfill a master plan in my life.
I remember randomly signing up for a bunch of training early in my career at the port. I took training in every software I could think of: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Illustrator, InDesign, etc. These trainings have helped me immensely in my work life and have even proved useful in my public life.
There are times when I scream internally why some bad things have happened. How can mistakes, judgment errors, accidents, horrible events work together for my good? I’m not always sure on this, but I try to accept that they do.
I know that there have been times when I wanted something so bad, and I was extremely crushed when I did not get it. Then there would be a point in time when I had an “aha moment” as to why the thing I desired so intensely was in fact just very bad for me.
I don’t have all the answers, but I will walk by faith that things are working out for me. Even if I can’t see it now or if I don’t see it all.
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