| Daily Devotionals Post here your daily devotions and quiet time thoughts. |
 | | 
11th February 2010, 01:57 PM
|  | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64       
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 12,484
Blessings: 9,038,288 My Mood 
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,800) | |  Pour Out Your Heart
___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________
Daily Bible Study
Date: Feb 11, 2010
Topic: God's Care, Faith/Trust
Pour Out Your Heart
Ecclesiastes 3:7 tells us there is "a time to keep silence, and a time to speak." And Psalm 62 includes both a time of silent waiting before God (v. 1) and a time to pour out your heart to Him (v. 8 ). So, what does this "pouring out your heart" involve?
What Does God Say?
"Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us" (Psalm 62:8, ESV).
Pouring out involves a struggle during which the deepest gut-level emotions and needs of your heart flow out of you and into God's hands. We might call it "spilling your guts." It's when you're honest, earnest and purposeful in what you bring to Him.
Psalm 102 is described as "a prayer of one afflicted, when he is faint and pours out his complaint before the LORD" (emphasis added, notes in ESV). Here's just a sample of the writer's poured-out heart:
"Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry come to you!
Do not hide your face from me
in the day of my distress!
Incline your ear to me;
answer me speedily in the day when I call!
For my days pass away like smoke,
and my bones burn like a furnace.
My heart is struck down like grass and has withered;
I forget to eat my bread" (Psalm 102:1-4, ESV).
Among others, Psalms 28 and 31 show us what we can "pour out" to God: need for mercy, need for help, need for refuge, need to be saved from enemies. We can pour out specific needs or issues close to a person's heart; he or she brings to God what matters most and seeks God's face as well as an answer that meets their need and honors God.
My Thoughts
Look at prayers from an ordinary woman named Hannah and a king named Hezekiah.
1 Samuel 1:9-18
2 Kings 19:1-19
2 Kings 20:1-6
* What mattered most to the person praying?
* How was God addressed?
* What did they seek as a response or answer to their prayer?
* How do these prayers differ from yours?
My Part
Remember Psalm 62:8?
"Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your heart before him;
God is a refuge for us" (ESV)
Did you notice what comes before pouring out your heart? Trusting in God at all times, no matter what's going on in your life. It's a lot easier to pour out your heart or share what's really on your mind with someone you trust. Do you trust God with what's on your heart? He is the most trustworthy Friend you could ever have. Not only that, He's the only one powerful enough, wise enough, compassionate enough to take care of you.
What do you need to pour out to God today? Picture it filling a bottle or pitcher. Don't be afraid of what God might think or say about your struggle. Just pour it out, empty it from your heart and into His capable hands.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
 |
13th February 2010, 11:46 AM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 12,484
Blessings: 9,038,288 My Mood
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,800) | | Where's Your Trust?
___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________
Title: Where's Your Trust?
Date: Feb 12, 2010
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: Psalms 62:7-10
We all need money. That's a fact of life. It seems that the older we get, the more important money becomes. When we were younger, money was seen as the key to our dreams: our dream car, our dream house. As the years pass, money becomes a way to ensure that the retirement years are comfortable. It's no wonder many people put an emphasis on the money they have.
What Does God Say?
But for all its importance and power, the Bible tells us that money isn't worthy of our trust. David, in Psalm 62, tells us where we should place our trust.
"In God is my salvation and my glory;
The rock of my strength,
And my refuge, is in God.
"Trust in Him at all times, you people;
Pour out your heart before Him;
God is a refuge for us" (62:7-8, NKJV).
God, our Savior, our Glory, our Rock and our Refuge is the only one worthy of our trust. Money provides an inadequate substitute for the greatest need in our lives. In verse 10, David goes on to say,
"Do not trust in oppression,
Nor vainly hope in robbery;
If riches increase,
Do not set your heart on them" (62:10, NKJV).
What David is telling non-Christians (thieves and extortionists) is this: "If riches increase, don't put your trust in them."
But it's likely that every dollar you have came from hard work and saving or from an inheritance. For you David's advice is, "Don't set your heart on those funds." It's not the lack of money; it's putting your trust in money that will ruin you in the end.
My Thoughts
For what things do you trust money?
1. Are these verses saying that having money is bad?
2. How can you use and save your money wisely while still exercising trust in God for the future?
My Part
Money is not evil, but it often reflects a person's heart better than any mirror. What do your spending/saving habits reveal about where you place your trust?
Do you seem to spend your cash on trivial things?
Just like every other area of our lives, our finances are something we ought to be bringing to the Lord daily in prayer. Look through your bank statements and other financial papers and ask God if there are any areas you can exercise more trust in Him.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
15th February 2010, 12:11 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 12,484
Blessings: 9,038,288 My Mood
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,800) | | Living In God's Presence
___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________
Daily Bible Study
Date: Feb 15, 2010
Topic: God's Care
Living In God's Presence
Amy Carmichael commented about God in her book, Gold by Moonlight: "It is not the sense of His presence; it is the fact of His presence that is our strength and stay."
Nothing is more comforting than the knowledge that God is always with you. But what does the Lord want you to know about His presence?
What Does God Say?
Joseph, son of Jacob, was mistreated by his brothers, who sold him to Ishmaelite slave traders Genesis 39:1-2 (ESV) tells us what became of him after that.
"Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master."
As a slave or, later on, as a ruler in the palace of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, Joseph never forgot that God was with him and never failed to practice God's presence in his life.
My Thoughts
Read Psalm 139:1-18, paying attention to God's closeness to you.
God has chosen to be with His people. As a believer, you may confidently claim His promise to Joshua: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9, ESV)
The following Bible passages tell you several things about God's being "with you." Find the passages and answer the questions below. Think about what each passage means to you personally.
* Psalm 27:4--What did King David desire above all else?
* Psalm 34:18-19--Where is God when you go through problems and difficulties?
* Psalm 140:12-13--What does God promise to believers who are persecuted?
* Isaiah 57:15--In what two places does God say He dwells?
* Jonah 1:3-4--What wrong notion did Jonah have about God?
* Jeremiah 23:23-24--What does God say about trying to hide from Him?
* Matthew 1:23--What name of Jesus reflects the truth of His presence with you?
* Revelation 21:3--What is God's eternal desire and plan for you and all His children?
My Part
Oswald Chambers, in his book, Run Today's Race, makes this observation about God's unchanging presence with us: "Unless in the first waking moment of the day you learn to fling the door wide back and let God in, you will work on a wrong level all day; but swing the door wide open and pray to your Father in secret, and every public thing will be stamped with the presence of God" (p. 26).
Memorize Psalm 23:4. Ask the Lord to give you the same kind of confidence David had about God's presence with him.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
16th February 2010, 04:55 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 12,484
Blessings: 9,038,288 My Mood
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,800) | | Time to be Quiet
___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________
Daily Bible Study
Date: Feb 16, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational
Time to be Quiet
It sounds crazy! Impossible! The idea of waiting before God and especially waiting in silence doesn't seem to fit with our noisy, busy world. We can't even wait at a stoplight or for our order at a drive-thru without making noise about it. But waiting quietly is an important part of connecting with God and listening to Him.
What Does God Say?
King David put it like this in Psalm 62:
* "For God alone my soul waits in silence;
from him comes my salvation.
He only is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken (Psalm 62:1-2, ESV).
Waiting means...waiting. The dictionary refers to "delaying action for a specified time or until some event occurs; to be expectant or on the watch." Waiting on God means stopping long enough for Him to speak, expecting Him to respond, being alert to His work. And you can't do that very well if you're rushing about, filling every moment with noise and activity.
David also talks about waiting silently or in stillness in verse 5 of this same psalm:
"For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him" (ESV).
Silent waiting means you're not doing all the talking--in fact, you're not doing any of the talking. You're ready, eager and confident that you'll hear from Him.
If you're willing to slow down, be quiet and wait, you might hear great things from God. David mentions:
"Once God has spoken;
twice have I heard this:
that power belongs to God,
and that to you, O Lord, belongs steadfast love.
For you will render to a man
according to his work" (Psalm 62:11-12, ESV).
Tapping into God's power and steadfast love, putting your confidence in Him as your rock and salvation--those things make the quiet waiting worthwhile.
My Thoughts
Psalm 62 isn't the only place that talks about waiting on God. Take a look at these passages.
Psalm 27:13-14
Psalm 33:20-21
Psalm 37:7
Psalm 130:5-6
* What can you do while waiting?
* What is not part of waiting silently?
* What do you gain from time spent listening to God?
* What do you learn about God in these waiting times?
My Part
You can't "wait" in a hurry; you'll need more than 30 seconds on your way out the door in the morning. So, plan it into your time with God once or twice a week.
Historically, some Christian orders or communities would practice the discipline of silence, setting aside a period of time when talking was not allowed so a person could devote that time to prayer and listening to God. You also may want to set aside a quarter hour or so when you turn off all the other noise in your life, put your own voice on hold and be quiet before God. Keep your Bible handy because that's His Word to you.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
17th February 2010, 06:17 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 12,484
Blessings: 9,038,288 My Mood
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,800) | | Finding a Constant in the Midst of Chaos
___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________
Daily Bible Study
Date: Feb 17, 2010
Topic: God
Finding a Constant in the Midst of Chaos
There was a popular commercial a few years ago showing a guy going into an electronic store and buying a computer. The store associate promised him that it was the latest and newest computer on the market. It held more information, ran faster and outlasted all other computers. On his way home, the proud new owner drove by some men changing a billboard. To his dismay, in the ten minutes since he had purchased his computer they were already advertising an even newer and more updated model! Isn't that how most of life seems? Things are constantly changing, and we just can't keep up. But in the midst of our chaotic world, there is one person we can learn to lean on no matter what.
What Does God Say?
"I...wait quietly before God,
for my hope is in Him.
He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress where I will not be shaken" (Psalm 62:5-7, NLT).
"Why am I discouraged?
Why is my heart so sad?
I will put my hope in God!
I will praise him again--
my Savior and my God" (Psalm 42:5-6, NLT).
"I know the LORD is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me" (Psalm 16:8, NLT).
"I am the LORD, and I do not change" (Malachi 3:6, NLT).
What is the one thing that doesn't change in life?
What should we do when we're discouraged?
What images in these verses describe God?
My Thoughts
No matter how much we resist, things in life are going to change. We're going to grow older, people are going to let us down, our kids will leave home. But as Christians, we have confidence that God will never change. He doesn't need to change because He is already perfect. Because God never changes, He'll always remain faithful to us. We never have to worry that His character and His goodness will change. Consider these questions:
When life gets hard, do I try to hang on by myself or do I turn to God, my rock?
How has God proved faithful to me in the past?
My Part
God does His part. He remains faithful to us and is the rock we can hang onto when we're in the middle of a rapidly changing world. Hopefully you have begun to think about the ways that God has proved faithful to you in the past. Take it a step further and share that with others. Maybe there is someone in your life that needs to hear it. Send them a card or an email telling them how God has been faithful and unchanging in your life.
Also, take some time today to thank God for being the rock and the fortress in your life.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
19th February 2010, 03:27 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 12,484
Blessings: 9,038,288 My Mood
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,800) | | More Than a Virtue
___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________
Daily Bible Study
Date: Feb 18, 2010
Topic: Faith/Trust
More Than a Virtue
The third chapter of Ecclesiastes starts with these familiar words: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven" (Ecclesiastes 3:1, ESV). Sounds great, doesn't it? But if you're like most people, you'd rather be doing something than waiting for something to happen.
Many people will tell you to take life by the horns. "Stop waiting and make something happen." It sounds like good advice, but is it really?
What Does God Say?
David was a man who faced that choice. In the Bible, we read about how David was pursued by Saul the King of Israel. One day, David and his followers hid in a cave to avoid Saul's passing army. Saul, not knowing that David was there, also went into the cave. "Now's your opportunity," David's men whispered to him. "Here is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold, I will give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it shall seem good to you'" (1 Samuel 24:4, ESV). In other words, "Kill him and take the throne!"
David could've solved two problems if he'd taken their advice. First, David could have ended Saul's murderous pursuit of him; and second, David would be free to become king as God had promised. So, David made up his mind. Creeping forward in the dark cave, David took out his sword and cut off a corner of Saul's robe.
David told his men, "The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD's anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD's anointed" (1 Samuel 24:6, ESV).
David recognized that when God was ready to remove Saul from the throne and elevate David, God would do just that. We'll think about how to apply this kind of patient trust in God's plan to our lives in the next section.
My Thoughts
As you read through 1 Samuel 24:1-7, think about the following questions:
* How would David's life have changed for the better if he had killed Saul? For the worse?
* If you were in David's position, what would you have done? Why?
* Are you frustrated with where you are today? How does this passage affect your outlook?
My Part
Patience is more than a virtue; it shows our faith and trust in God. David truly believed in God's promises, and so he was willing to wait for God's timing. In our world today we have all kinds of ways of speeding through life, from speed dating to get-rich-quick schemes. But let's take a lesson from David and learn to trust in the promises and the timing of God.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
19th February 2010, 03:28 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 12,484
Blessings: 9,038,288 My Mood
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,800) | | Revealing God's Wisdom
___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________
Daily Bible Study
Date: Feb 19, 2010
Topic: Christian Living/Situational
Revealing God's Wisdom
All of us want to be wise and want others to have that opinion of us. But many people don't know where to find wisdom. They look to human philosophies or the latest self-help books trying to find the answers to life. The Bible, however, tells us the source of genuine wisdom.
What Does God Say?
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (James 1:2-5, ESV).
* Wisdom appears in the context of trials and patience. How do these three subjects fit together?
* Where does wisdom come from?
* What is God's attitude toward those who ask Him for wisdom?
My Thoughts
Wisdom begins with becoming a Christ-follower and choosing to guide your life according to His Word.
"Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it" (Matthew 7:24-27, ESV).
My Part
Take time now to pray and ask God to help you spend time in His Word seeking His wisdom. Make it your goal to read His Word at least four times each week. For information on the positive results of reading God's Word four times a week, visit Back to the Bible - P4homepage. Sign up for Powered by 4 and absorb God's wisdom into your life.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
22nd February 2010, 10:53 AM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 12,484
Blessings: 9,038,288 My Mood
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,800) | | Firm Foundation
___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________
Daily Bible Study
Date: Feb 22, 2010
Topic: Holiness
Firm Foundation
On the day that a fortress' wall falls to an invading army, no one praises the wall for its many decades of solid support and protection. Anyone who cares will instead ask, "What made it collapse today?"
Wouldn't it be a shame to walk with God in faith all the days of your life and come down to the last years only to have the walls of your faith crumble because you don't have answers to the issues that face you?
I wonder if that was David's concern as he wrote Psalms 16.
What Does God Say?
David starts out Psalm 16 by reminding himself about where his strength really comes from.
"Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
O my soul, you have said to the LORD,
'You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.'
As for the saints who are on the earth,
'They are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight'" (Psalm 16:1-3, NKJV).
The strength of a wall, like the strength of a life, is only as good as its foundation. And for David, his foundation was the Lord. He put his trust in God--it was God who gave his life meaning.
David describes the fate of those who don't put their trust in the Lord in the next verse.
"Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god" (16:4, NKJV).
He then goes on to reaffirm his commitment to God.
"O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance" (16:5, NKJV).
David follows this up by telling us the way to remain steadfast, the way to remain strong in our faith even into our last days.
"I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved" (16:7-8, NKJV).
What a confident declaration! "I shall not be moved!" This statement gives David (and us) hope. "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices" (16:9, NKJV).
The secret to remaining strong in the faith even in the last seasons of life is to hold close that which made you strong in the first place: a commitment to a personal relationship with God. We'll look into this more in the next section.
My Thoughts
As you read Psalm 16, think about the following questions:
What benefits does David draw from his relationship with God?
How is verse 10 also a reference to Jesus Christ?
Where can you find true joy?
My Part
Write down Psalms 16:8,
"I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved."
Place this verse somewhere where it will be visible every day. Let it remind you as you go about your day to place God before you in everything you do. Pray that God will continue to strengthen your faith day-by-day and that nothing will move you.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
23rd February 2010, 02:58 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 12,484
Blessings: 9,038,288 My Mood
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,800) | | Living in Confidence
___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________
Daily Bible Study
Date: Feb 23, 2010
Topic: Faith/Trust
Living in Confidence
Getting swindled is one of the most humiliating experiences you can go through. A person sets you up by gaining your confidence and then misleads you in order to get your money or some other possession. It's called a "con game"--short for "confidence game." And it's as old as the Garden of Eden. Satan conned Adam and Eve. He was a beautiful and charming person, and they put their confidence in him. They lost not only their innocence, but their God-given dominion over the earth. Since that time, Satan has been the "prince of this world" and confidence games are played daily causing loss to thousands of unwary people.
Living in a world like this, you may wonder at times, "Is there anybody I can trust?"
God wants you to know where your confidence must be placed if your life is to be eternally blessed. Want a hint? Despite the advice of this world, it is not in "self-confidence," nor by trusting some other human being!
What Does God Say?
* God is the only solid Rock in whom you can place all your confidence:
"On God rests my salvation and my glory;
my mighty rock, my refuge is God" (Psalm 62:7 ESV).
* You can have complete confidence in God because of His name and nature:
"Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God" (Psalm 20:7, ESV).
* Because of who God is, you should trust Him without wavering:
"Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward" (Hebrews 10:35, ESV).
My Thoughts
Your trust and confidence in Christ affects every part of your Christian life. Some areas where confidence is a necessity are listed below. Look up the related verses and read them in your Bible.
* Your ability to walk the Christian walk (Proverbs 3:26).
* Your need for God's care for yourself and your family (Proverbs 14:26).
* Your desire to be sure God hears your prayers and will provide (1 John 5:14).
* Your right to approach God when in need (Hebrews 4:16).
* Your hope for assurance of God's love in the judgment (1 John 4:17).
* Your longing to be unashamed at Christ's coming (1 John 2:28 ).
Neither you yourself (by working up '"self-confidence"), nor any other human being, can give you what you need for the Christian life and for facing the future. This comes only from God.
Write down some areas where you feel your trust in the Lord is weak. Meditate on Psalm 62:7 and think about how you can strengthen your confidence in God in those areas.
My Part
Memorize Hebrews 4:16 from the version of the Bible that you use. Repeat it out loud (or write it on a piece of paper) every time you feel your walk with Christ getting jittery.
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
26th February 2010, 12:02 PM
| | AKA: Tom - Saved By Grace
64
| | Join Date: 21st March 2003 Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 12,484
Blessings: 9,038,288 My Mood
Reps: 9,223,372,036,854,775,808 (power: 9,223,372,036,854,800) | | Trust At All Times
___________________________________
Bible Minute by Woodrow Kroll
Distributed Freely by Back To The Bible
Did you enjoy this devotional?
Send it on for a friend to enjoy.
Free Email Subscription
___________________________________
Daily Bible Study
Date: Feb 24, 2010
Topic: Faith/Trust
Trust At All Times
In Leicester, England, there is an inscription on the outside wall of an old church, "In the year 1653 when all things sacred were throughout this nation either demolished or profaned, Sir Robert Shirley Baronet founded this church. Whose singular praise it is to have done the best things in the worst times and hoped them in the most calamitous."
It may be easier to trust in trouble-free times, but it is also possible to trust in difficult times. The Bible teaches that we can trust 24/7, regardless of the situation or the times or the obstacles.
What Does God Say?
"Trust in the him [the Lord] at all times" (Psalm 62:8 NLT).
Here's the full verse:
"O my people, trust in him at all times.
pour out your heart to him,
for God is our refuge" (Psalm 62:8 NLT).
Who is God speaking to?
Is this a word of encouragement?
What exactly does all mean here?
Why are the people of God able to trust at all times and in all situations? Here are two truths that help us understand living by faith.
What is the first truth according to the following verse?
"Do not tremble; do not be afraid.
Did I not proclaim my purposes for you long ago?
You are my witnesses--is there any other God?
No! There is no other Rock--not one!" (Isaiah 44:8 NLT).
Now, what is the second truth found in the verse below?
"Trust in the LORD forever,
for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock" (Isaiah 26:4 ESV).
My Thoughts
We know that the Lord our God is the only God--there is no other and the Lord who is our God is the strong and solid Rock on which we stand and in which we find safety.
Do you believe that? Do you believe it with all your heart? Do you believe that it is true for you? For the Christian, there can be no separation between faith and trust.
"And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him (Hebrews 11:6 ESV).
My Part
Take time now in prayer for a moment of thanksgiving and trusting. Praise God for who He is and who He wants to be in your life. Then ask for His help, providing the courage and the faith to trust Him at all times and in all situations.
Good News! -- The Holy Bible is the WORD OF GOD! -- God The Father, God The Son, God The Holy Spirit - The Creator Of All Things! -- "GOD'S GRACE" and "OUR WORKS" -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1623 to 1863 ) -- Thanksgiving Proclamations ( 1961 to 2001 ) -- JESUS CHRIST - VERY GOD - LORD - SAVIOUR - MESSIAH - KING
__________________ Love In Christ,
Tom
Philippians 2:5-11 KJV Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
--
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
| | |
| Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes |  Linear Mode |
| | |
