A Devotion May Be Someone's Only Bible
Focusing our minds on Christ. . .studying His word, drawing tight into a relationship that is unbreakable. This is when His Spirit lives in our minds helping us keep our eyes focused only on Him.
I watched almost every episode of the original Star Trek and the one that followed, Star Trek: The Next Generation. Captain Picard replaced Captain Kirk. With that replacement, he introduced a new one-liner command for his crew. As the USS Enterprise assumed new missions, Captain Picard gave the crew orders for that mission in one episode after another. During those episodes, the crew waited with enthusiastic anticipation for him to execute the order with, “Make it so.” Those on board rendered obedience, and off they went on a fresh adventure.
Similarly, when God declared Jerusalem holy through the prophet Joel’s prophecy, God’s authoritative word acted as the only basis. He declared His own “Make it so.” Before modern times, Jerusalem consisted of craggy rocks, large ugly boulders, and uneven terrain. For many observers, it seemed rugged and unholy. However, Joel referred to it as holy because God said so.
Holy means to set apart or sanctify. What God declares always comes true. Holiness arises from and encompasses His nature. He revealed His holiness to sinful people, showing desperate sinfulness and a fatal future for humanity. But for those He calls to Himself, He sets aside and grants grace to trust His word for salvation.
While God sanctifies through His power and Spirit, He also commands holy living. Through His grace, He also empowers believers to live holy lives. He guarantees holiness through the indwelling Spirit and also accomplishes what He guarantees. He exerts authority and power toward personal holiness and eternal life. He makes it so.
His declaration and power provide for our hope and assure our salvation. Jesus became God’s Mediator and Redeemer for setting the believer apart for God. For that reason, we owe Him complete allegiance and obedience.
God began the process of making you holy through His call. He will sanctify you as you battle against sin, Satan, the world’s allures, and doubt. He assures your eternal destiny by making it so.
How can you demonstrate daily your call to holiness?
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and pexels.)
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I had no idea I had been praying for him for almost nine years when I met him. I had prayed for his relationship with the Lord, faithfulness to his wife, and integrity. I had prayed for his ability to provide for his family, not knowing he was already a business owner. I had prayed for his relationship with his daughter, having no clue he would be Daddy to six of them.
Our families became friends and overlapped in ministry and life, so I prayed specifically for their mama as she homeschooled, their finances as they raised a large family and served their community through their business, and their relationships as the children grew, matured, and bickered as siblings do. I prayed for the salvation of their daughters.
Understanding dawned one night when my son said, “Mom, I think Becky is the one.”
God had answered my prayers for this known-only-to-God family and gave me a front-row seat to His mercy and grace. He had supplied my soon-to-be daughter-in-love with parents who loved Jesus. Her daddy led and served their family and loved them well. Her mama was gentle, kind, and thoughtful. Becky loved Jesus, and her foundation for a life with Jacob was firm.
Praying for all people is pretty specific in its generalities. We do not know all people, but some we do not know will affect our families and lives. We should pray for world leaders and those who have authority over us, but praying for all people also means those who influence my family’s future. Future in-laws, future employers, and future spiritual leaders. Asking God to raise leaders who love Him, families who follow Him, and employment opportunities is part of interceding on behalf of our children. Praying for God’s protection and blessing for those who will become family is part of loving those who already are family.
Abundant blessings await us when God reveals whom we have faithfully lifted to Him. Think of people known only to God for whom you can pray.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and doungtepro.)
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As Jane scanned her carefully tended lawn and flower garden, she realized something wasn’t right.
After a few moments, she realized she couldn’t see blooms on the flowering vine she’d planted beside the fence. Masses of green leaves hung on the vine as it draped itself up and over the fence, but no flowers appeared. This frustrated Jane since she looked forward to seeing the colorful blooms.
“Hey, Jane!”
Recognizing the voice of her friendly neighbor, Joe, Jane turned and saw him standing at the nearby often-used gate between their properties.
“I thought you were over here,” he said. “Say, my wife sure has enjoyed the flowers you have on our side of the fence. She’s had to stay in bed since the surgery and can see them from her room.” Jane’s confused pause was evident. “Yeah, sure cheered her up. Come look.”
When Jane stepped through the gate to the other side, she saw them. Numerous blossoms from her vine spilled over the top of the fence and down to the ground on her neighbor’s side—flowers unseen from her side but evident on his.
Sometimes, this happens in my spiritual life. Perhaps I briefly smile while listening to a friend share a problem. Or maybe I start a new area of service. But no matter what I do, it could benefit someone else I’ll never know about.
Actually, I don’t have to know. Yet in God’s plans for me, there’s an implication. I must be aware of possible unseen effects of what I do as I serve God. As Jane learned, an unconscious action may have an unknown and eternal impact.
What service might you perform over the fence? After all, Jesus said to let our lights shine.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and TheOtherKev.)
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We all live with expectation.
A hummingbird’s heart beats 1,260 times per minute, and their wings beat fifty to eighty times per second. When resting, they take 250 breaths per second. That’s astonishing.
My husband and I looked at each other for the one-hundredth time and said, “Why didn’t we know this?”
We both enjoy documentaries and books, which often surprise us with new information about the world. Hummingbirds have a particular fascination for us. Multiple species visit our garden, taking nectar from flowers we planted to attract them. Their iridescent feathers flash in the sun as they dart about, and we watch with awe. One bright green one drinks from the tangerine flowers while another darts into the lavender ones hanging from a vine. As we follow their busy flight, we wonder about their unlikely miraculous little bodies. Another surprise—they only exist in the New World. The Spanish explorers called them “flying jewels.”
Learning about creation fills us with delight, and today’s scientists keep adding to our wonder. The latest pictures from the James Webb telescope come to mind.
When God spoke to Job, he never explained suffering; He simply pointed out amazing facts about things He had made. He set Job’s life in the context of a complex world, giving him humility and admiration for the marvels of God’s creativity. The more understanding we gain of God’s creation, the deeper our joy.
God is a great engineer, author, artist, sculptor, and musician. We’ll never finish learning from all He does, but any understanding we gain adds to our appreciation.
An expectant heart that learns something daily and shares it with others can live aware of the miraculous. Even in times of suffering, wisdom and understanding bring a bright new perspective of joy.
Learn to live each day with expectation.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and Veronika_Andrews.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)
"Benjamin," my dad shouted, "can I have your watch back?"
It remains vivid in my memory as if it happened yesterday. My dad, who had previously gifted me a beautiful watch, suddenly decided to reclaim it. I had eagerly anticipated owning that watch for quite some time, so I was bewildered when he took it back. Perplexed, I left his room, only to be summoned back later for an explanation.
My dad pointed out that I hadn't uttered a word of gratitude upon receiving the gift. He emphasized the importance of always expressing gratitude whenever someone bestows something upon me. According to him, a simple "Thank you" acknowledges the giver's generosity and encourages them to continue doing kind acts for me. This valuable lesson taught me the significance of expressing gratitude whenever I receive something.
We may sometimes fail to receive more from God because we neglect to thank Him for the blessings He has already given us. Like the story of the nine lepers who failed to express gratitude after being healed, many Christians overlook the power of giving thanks.
We may remember when we went above and beyond for someone and how we felt when they never acknowledged our efforts with a simple "Thank you." Our motivation to continue helping that person probably diminished significantly.
Lack of gratitude has a profound impact on God. It sometimes hinders His desire to do more for us simply because we fail to express gratitude. Jesus understood the secret power of thanksgiving, which enabled Him to perform the miracle of multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish to feed a crowd of five thousand plus. Although what He had seemed inadequate compared to the need, He received an abundance through the power of thanksgiving.
Consider your current needs and make a conscious decision to thank God for what you already have instead of focusing on your lack. You will witness multiplication in that specific area that exceeds your expectations.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay and pasja1000.)
(For more devotions, visit Christian Devotions.)