Di's Devotions
| Monday, February 06, 2012 Move On Out |
Topic: Christian Service |
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Hebrews 5:11-12 |
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He was an outstanding physician and surgeon. He attended church ten years without meeting the pastor and fifteen years without becoming a member.
He sat on the back row as an observer, deciding whether or not he enjoyed the sermon. He never dreamed that he could play a vital part in the work of God's kingdom.
Then one day he caught a vision of service. He shook hands with the pastor. He joined the church. He became a Sunday school teacher of young men and visited the ones who were ill and those who just needed a friend.
He began to truly tithe his resources. He made himself available for other services. He began to give instead of sitting, waiting to receive. In other words he was growing! And in his growth, he touched other lives.
We are warned in the scriptures about being spiritual infants by always waiting for someone else to do God's work:
"We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you still need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You still need milk, not solid food-----" Hebrews 5:11-12.
Although you may feel unworthy, or too busy, or too unprepared, you must move out of your comfort zone, make yourself available to Christ's church, and then let God do the rest. He will provide for your growth; He will stretch your time; and He will prepare you for service. You will then be ready for the solid food of His Kingdom.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane
If you would like to send Diane comments about this devotion, click here.
| Friday, February 03, 2012 Love is Sometimes Silent |
Topic: Forgiveness |
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Proverbs 17:9 |
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It is often necessary to overlook old mistakes when seeking reconciliation with others.
"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." Proverbs 17:9.
Although it may be difficult, love sometimes simply keeps its mouth shut. True forgiveness often comes more easily through silence. Listening with your heart will enable you to hear and to see another through the eyes of Christ.
It is much easier to work things out in the present if we have forgiven the sins of the past.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.
May we do for others what Christ has done for us.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane
If you would like to send Diane comments about this devotion, click here.
| Thursday, February 02, 2012 A Caged Bird Doesn't Sing |
Topic: Choices |
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1 Corinthians 10:23 |
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You have probably heard the expression: "A caged bird doesn't sing."
This may be true because all creatures embrace freedom.
Once you let the bird go free, it soars with excitement into the unknown, singing as it goes. It becomes responsible for its own survival. It must weigh the dangers; it must decide what is good and what is harmful.
As children of God, we are free in the same way. God allows us to make our own decisions---set our own boundaries. The difference is that He gives us the guidelines to know the dangers and He watches over us the entire journey.
As a free bird you must remember:
"Everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible, but not everything is constructive." 1 Corinthians 10:23. NIV.
Paraphrased this verse is stating: "Watch out! Freedom can be deceiving."
Make sure you seek His will before you make your choice, then your freedom will be filled with song.
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane
If you would like to send Diane comments about this devotion, click here.
| Wednesday, February 01, 2012 God Still Loves |
Topic: Eternal Life |
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Revelation 2:8 |
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You know the story! Adam and Eve had all the blessings of God, and still they reached outside the realm of obedience and tasted of the forbidden tree. God reacted---but God still loved!-----
"So the Lord God said, 'Man has now become like one of us, knowing good and evil. He must not be allowed to reach out his hand and take also from the tree of life and eat, and live forever.'" Genesis 3:22.
God did not want Adam and Eve (man)to live eternally without His presence. God found a way to protect them. He banished them from the paradise they had inherited-----but God still loved--------
"So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After He drove man out, He placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the Tree of Life." Genesis 3:23.
"To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the Tree of Life, which is in the paradise of God." Revelation 2:8.
In the new earth, evil will be destroyed, and all believers will eat from the Tree of Life and live eternally in the very presence of God-----GOD STILL LOVES!-----
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane
If you would like to send Diane comments about this devotion, click here.
| Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Call It Today |
Topic: Relationships |
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Hebrews 4:7 |
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I want to share a story with you. I think you will relate to this. It is the story of a father and his children, but I feel it can also be meaningful to everyone who cares about building strong relationships with others.
Two boys were dressed and ready to go. Their father had promised to take them to the circus. Just as they were about to leave, the phone rang. The boys listened as their father talked with the person on the other end of the line.
Their faces slowly dropped as they realized this was obviously a business call. The mother also overheard what she thought was the inevitable change of plans.
Then to their surprise, they heard Dad say, “No, I won’t be down. It will just have to wait until morning.” He called for his boys to jump in the car.
As he turned to kiss his wife goodbye, she smiled, and with a tinge of fear that he may have made the wrong decision, she said, “The circus keeps coming back, you know.”
Her husband replied, “Yes, I know, but childhood doesn’t.”
Lost time is never found again. One today is worth two tomorrows.
“Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it TODAY-----.” Hebrews 4:7
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane
If you would like to send Diane comments about this devotion, click here.
