Today's Devotional

In Matthew 10, Jesus was preparing to send out his disciples to preach. As his disciples here on earth, any advice to them also applies to us. As Jesus was laying out instructions, He told them that they would be as “sheep among wolves”.

            There is a distinct difference between the wolf and the sheep. Wolves are violent animals. Not only are they viscous hunters for their food, but they also fight and kill amongst themselves. Sheep are mild mannered and trusting almost to a fault. They are calm and peaceful creatures. Jesus is said to be “…The Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.”

            Jesus wanted His disciples to realize that though He was sending them into a volatile situation, they were to be as calm and peaceful as sheep. Through all of our difficult situations throughout the day, whether it is a problem at home, work, or personally, we should be as calm and peaceful as sheep. 

Today's Devotional

Colossians 3:13 - Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.        

Paul wrote to his churches with advice and we have been blessed to be able to read about it in the Bible. In Colossians 3:13, Paul is giving this church advice on forgiveness. He gives them one guideline for this subject: forgive all as freely as Christ forgave. Forgive as He forgave the Pharisees and those that killed Him. Forgive as He forgives our sins each and every day.

Anyone who has wronged you, or hurt you should be forgiven as Christ forgives. Don’t hold onto a grudge or hurt feeling. Instead, we should follow the example of Christ and liberally forgive.

“Father forgive them, for they know not what they do”

Today's Devotional

Col 3:17 - And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 

Most failure can, in some way or another, be accredited to not giving a full effort in the given task.  It is very easy to lose interest in something and not give your best effort. It is altogether too simple to give a half-hearted effort because of troubles and trials. But this is not what Christ intended. He desires that everything we do, spiritual or otherwise, be done to the glory and the honor of the Lord. If we study to the glory of God, work to the glory of God and love to the glory of God there is no way His people can fail at anything. 

Think on These Things

I keep this in my Bible. It is great encouragement. 

It is in the Valleys I Grow

Sometime life seem hard to bear,

Full of sorrow trouble and woe, 

It is then i have to remember, 

That it is in the valleys I grow

If I always stayed on the mountain top, 

And never experienced pain, 

I would never appreciate God's love,

And would be living in vain

I have so much to learn,

And my growth is very slow,

Sometimes I need the mountain tops, 

But it is in the valleys I grow

I do not always understand, 

Why things happen as they do, 

But I am very sure of one thing, 

My  Lord will see me through

My little valleys are nothing, 

When I picture Christ on the cross, 

He went through the valley of death, 

His victory was Satan's loss

Forgive me Lord for complaining,

When I'm feeling very low, 

Just give me a gentle reminder,

That it is in the valleys I grow

Continue to strengthen me Lord, 

And use my life each day, 

To share your love with others, 

And help them find their way

Thank you for the valleys Lord, 

For this one thing I know, 

The mountain top are glorious,

But it is in the valleys I grow!

-Tracy Mayfield

Just a Thought...

Jesus gave all for us. He gave His place at the father's throne for us. He even gave His life. Why then are we so reluctant to give up our worldly pleasures for Him?

Today's Devotional

2Cor. 10:12-15 - ¹² For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise. ¹³ But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure to reach even unto you. ¹⁴ For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: ¹⁵ Not boasting of things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you according to our rule abundantly,

We have all heard stories of those who believe they are in perfect health only to discover, upon a visit to the doctor, that they are near death’s door. We wonder how they could have gone from day to day not realizing that they were sick. They came to that conclusion by comparing “themselves to themselves.” When measuring themselves by the measure they come up short. 

 The same applies to those who are spiritually ill. Compared to others our spiritual lives seem to be in great shape. A visit to the Great Physician proves how near we are to eternal damnation. We need Christ to diagnose our spiritual condition so that we do not hear the words: “… thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” (Rev. 3:17)

Introduction

I thought that this would be a good format for my devotionals  You can see past ones and no longer will I be hindered by the e-mail format. This also makes it easier to share with friends and family. Going forward in the name of the Lord,
-Rebekah Weekes