Tag: Devotion

Meditation Monday – Wise Lips

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Have you ever stopped mid-sentence and wished you could take back your words? Unfortunately we must suffer the consequences of our spoken words! If you find yourself walking away from conversations feeling regretful for what came of your mouth, it’s time to start limiting your words. Give advice only when asked, don’t offer information about others not present, and set a limit on your words. In doing this, you are practicing the art of wisdom!

“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.” –
Proverbs 10:19

Meditation Monday – All is Calm?

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When singing the Christmas hymn, “Silent Night”, I have always pictured peace. A night where the stars twinkled brightly, and the cool air was calm. Yet, reality more than likely tells a different story!

The barn was probably smelly and the animals dirty. Did Joseph have to clean out a stall before he made a bed for Mary in the dirty hay? Were they afraid of being caught in someone’s barn? Mary was probably exauhsted and in pain after giving birth!

Despite the reality of the situation, the world looks on the account of Christ’s birth with reverence and wonder. No one seems to dwell on the hardships that Mary and Joseph faced that night. All we see from scripture is their great faith and trust in God.

On a night that was filled with fear, God brought peace. On a night that seemed chaotic, God brought calm. On a night that must have felt lonely, God threw a celebration!

Why not trust God in your lonely, chaotic, and fearful night?

“And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.” – Luke 2:7‭-‬16″

Meditation Monday – The Art of Silence

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“He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.” – Proverbs 17:27

When someone has wronged us either in word or deed, it doesn’t take but a few milliseconds to come up with a response.  Often, those quick and thoughtless responses can be more damaging than the offending deed!  The Bible tells us to use our words sparingly.  We can’t undo what has been said or done to offend us, however, we can control how we respond. Using the art of silence can help us from saying things we regret in the heat of the moment.

“There is no law that says that we must comment on everything that is said to us or that we must critique everything that is done to us.  If something has been done that disappointed us, it has already been done and there is no undoing it.  There is no need for us to summarize our displeasure.  This is the time to use the art of silence.” – Jack Hyles

 

 

 

 

 

Meditation Monday – Being Led Away

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As new Christians, we become zealous in our walk with the Lord. We change the way we talk, dress, who our friends are, and even what music we listen to! 

Over time, as we grow in the Lord, some of our zeal tends to fade away. Some Christians even return to the things they had once given up for God. Peter warns us to beware! Don’t become so comfortable in your Christian walk, that you begin to fall from the things you once were steadfast about! Be determined to live in a way that is pleasing to God!

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” – 2 Peter 3:17

Meditation Monday – Sleepless Nights

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Insomnia usually goes hand in hand with anxiety. It can be a brutal cycle that causes the believer to cry, plead, and bargain with God!  I wish I could say I have learned to accept sleepless nights, but I still struggle. 

I have, however, learned a few truths about insomnia. God sees your struggle, He cares about it, and He wants to comfort you through it! Eventually you will sleep again. Meanwhile, turn on a loud fan, plug in your Bible reading app, and settle in for a sleepless night of fellowship with God. 

“I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search.” –  Psalms 77:6

Meditation Monday – Lonely Trials

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Feeling alone in your trial? Some trials can be so difficult, they take your breath away. You tell yourself no one can understand, and are even convinced that people are “talking”. Often, when we are in the midst of a trial, we begin to pull away from our support system, believing no one really cares.

Don’t let the devil fool you into thinking you are alone! The Bible urges believers to help each other out in times of need. If you are pulling away from your brothers and sisters in Christ, you are robbing yourself from God’s blessing in your trial! If you are a child of God, you are never alone! There is a Christian brother or sister somewhere, waiting to help “carry” your load.

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together…” – Hebrews 10:25a

“Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” – Galatians 6:2

Meditation Monday – PEACE

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What is the one thing in your life that you would give ANYTHING to find peace regarding? Millions of people all around this world are searching for some kind of peace. Some will pay any amount of money to gain it. They will take any kind of drug, do any kind of dangerous action in order to gain the comfort of peace. However, it is never a lasting peace. As soon as the money is paid, the drug worn off, or the action complete, the unsettled feeling returns again.

The Bible says we can have PERFECT peace! Not only is this peace free, it is lasting, and it is available for anyone! Focus on trusting God with your everyday (and extraordinary) circumstances, and you will find peace that is so perfect, you won’t be able to explain it!

“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” -Isaiah 26:3

Meditation Monday – Those Crazy Moments

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It’s usually not until I’ve dropped my kids off at school, and I’m driving home in silence, that I realize my crazy morning had gotten the best of me. Tense muscles and a strong desire for a second cup of coffee are a sure sign that I was overwhelmed by my crazy morning! 

Let’s face it, we’ve all had moments that have overwhelmed us! Whether it’s a crazy schedule or a stressful situation, if you find yourself overwhelmed, try meditating on this: God was already in that crazy moment! 

“When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path.” – Psalms 142:3a

Not only can God see what is ahead on our path, He is there ahead of us, waiting to lead us through. When we are able to humble ourselves to God, and follow Him through the crazy moments, there is always rest on the other side! 

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Help Lord!

Published on by Carrie NehmerLeave a comment

Have you ever found yourself in a mess that you created? 

Financial problems, relationship difficulties, academic struggles, schedule conflicts, or job delimas – these things can at times be a result of poor choices we have made.

“So what”, you may ask? “Why are you rubbing my failures in my face? I can’t do anything about them.”

There is an account in 2 Chronicles, of a king of Judah named Jehoshaphat. He was a good king, who strove to please the Lord. God was blessing Jehoshaphat because of his faithfulness and service. 

“And the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the first ways of his father David, and sought not unto Baalim” – 2 Chronicles 17:3 

One day, the evil Ahab, King of Israel, came to ask Jehoshaphat to go into battle with him. 

“And Ahab king of Israel said unto Jehoshaphat king of Judah, Wilt thou go with me to Ramoth–gilead?”  

Jehoshaphat knew that Ahab was a pretty horrible man. Ahab and his wife served Baal, and it is said that worshippers of Baal sacrificed their babies to this false god. Not only that, his wife, Jezabel, was persecuting and murdering the prophets of God. 

What Jehoshaphat did next was pretty dumb. He agreed to help evil Ahab. 

“And he answered him, I am as thou art, and my people as thy people; and we will be with thee in the war.” – 2 Chronicles 18:3
2 Chronicles goes on to tell us that Jehoshaphat demanded for Ahab to call in a prophet of God, to seek wisdom from God if they should go to battle. 

“And Jehoshaphat said unto the king of Israel, Enquire, I pray thee, at the word of the Lord to day.” – 2 Chronicles 18:4

 Ahab reluctantly calls in a prophet named Micaiah, but he whines to Jehoshaphat that this prophet never tells him what he wants to hear.

“but I hate him; for he never prophesied good unto me, but always evil” – 2 Chronicles 18:7

Of course, Micaiah tells the kings to not go to battle, that they would not be successful. Ahab becomes angry, and demands he be put in jail. As the prophet is being dragged away to prison, you can hear his shouts to everyone in the room.

“If thou certainly return in peace, then hath not the Lord spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, all ye people.” – 2 Chronicles 18:27

For some reason, Jehoshaphat did not listen to the prophet. It was probably peer pressure. Instead, the kings suited up and rode off to battle. When they arrive at the battle field, Ahab has an idea. 

“I will disguise myself, and will go to the battle; but put thou on thy robes.”- 2 Chronicles 18:29

He convinced Jehoshaphat to wear his kingly attire in the battle, while he himself puts on a disguise. It becomes clear to the reader at this point, that Ahab was only using Jehoshaphat to divert the enemy’s attention away from himself. Unfortunately, Jehoshaphat is so taken with Ahab, he doesn’t see the foolishness in his decision to go along with the plan. 

The battle quickly becomes heated and Jehoshaphat finds himself surrounded by the enemy. They must have noticed him, or something. 

“And it came to pass, when the captains of the chariots saw Jehoshaphat, that they said, It is the king of Israel. Therefore they compassed about him to fight:”

It probably hit Jehoshaphat at that very moment, going into battle with Ahab was a stupid idea. 

Sometimes we don’t realize our folly until it is about to do us harm.

Jehoshaphat cries out to God at the last moment, begging for help. The next part is what amazes me. 

“but Jehoshaphat cried out, and the Lord helped him; and God moved them to depart from him.” – 2 Chronicles 18:31

Yes, you read that right. 

“AND THE LORD HELPED HIM.”

Have you ever done something so stupid that you decided praying about it wouldn’t help? God would never help you, because you got yourself in this mess to begin with?

Don’t believe that lie! If you are a child of God, He wants you to cry out to Him when you are in trouble. Even if the trouble is of your own making! 

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7