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Devotional for May 26-
Share your story “1) We have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. 2) With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. 3) It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them.” Psalm 44: 1-3 NIV Some of my earliest childhood memories are of my family’s annual family reunions. Each year we would travel to a different city hosted by a family member. I recall sitting around listening to the recollections of my great aunts and uncles. I would listen to them talk about growing up on the farm, life during segregation, and the accomplishments they had. Sitting there listening to them, I was in awe. Now that I am no longer a child and I think back on those stories, I sadly cannot recall any accounts of their transformation in Christ. But then in these scriptures, I envision the author and many others sitting around listening to the stories of the elders. These elders recall how merciful God has been. In their stories, they tell how it was God’s hands that directed and gave them the land of milk and honey. How God conquered their enemies and granted them favor when all seemed hopeless. They acknowledged that is was not by their strength that caused them to win the land they possessed, but it was Christ who did it all. In appreciation, they knew that all they were and are is due to the fact that God loved them. How wonderful those stories must have been. There were not shaded with the prideful ramblings of what they did that was so wonderful. No, the elders choose to tell the tales of an almighty and powerful God that showed them grace. Of everything they could share, they choose to share how good God has been to them. This is what we, as believers, also should do. We should share our stories of transformation in Christ. When you talk to your children, do they know your story of how God changed your life? Or are you ashamed to let them know what you use to do? We each have a choice on the inheritance we want to leave those around us. When my children recall stories of their childhood, I want them to be able to share with their children how God changed my mommy’s life, not only about the degrees I have or the places I have traveled. I want them to know that the house we live in is due to the favor of God, not because mommy and daddy had good credit. I want them to know that God is a forgiving God, faithful, loving, and merciful. Recalling childhood memories is fine, but when we tell our stories, let us share with others how God changed our lives too. Prayer Lord, thank you that you continue to love me even when I didn’t realize that I needed your love. Thank you that you stepped in when I was headed for death. Thank you for your protection, your grace, your love, and your mercy. Help me to have the boldness to share with others how awesome you are. Let me not be ashamed to share with others who you are in my life. Thank you for those elders who share their stories of grace and let us not forget all that you have done in their lives and in ours. Lord, I love you and I give you all praises and glory. In Jesus name, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Psalm 44: 1-25 Tuesday Deuteronomy 7: 6-11 Wednesday Joshua Thursday Amos Friday Jeremiah 24: 6 Saturday 2 Samuel Sunday Deuteronomy Application Take the time to share with someone your story of how God changed your life. About the author: As a wife, mother, educator, daughter, friend, I, Minister Mamie L. Pack, seek to be an accessible tool to the Lord. It is my desire to use my gifting of writing to reach the lost, encourage the believer, and teach the people through the Word of Jesus Christ Devotional for A Courageous Faith "6) Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. 7) Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8) Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9) Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1: 6-9 NIV “Be strong and courageous . . . . .Be strong and very courageous. . . . Be strong and courageous”. Within just four verses, God has repeated himself three times to Joshua. Why? What was Joshua missing? Why did God see the need to repeat himself so many times in one conversation with Joshua? Because Joshua saw the situation, but God knew the outcome. There Joshua stood. It was during this conversation that Joshua receives his divine call to lead the people into the promise land after the death of Moses. I can imagine Joshua sitting, mourning the death of Moses’, when he hears the voice of God. Isn’t it amazing how when we can look at a situation and see death and finality but God sees life in every situation. God already had a plan in place. The plan did not change just because the servant did. God’s first command to Joshua is “Arise” (Joshua 1:2) God never wants us to focus on our situations, problems, or worries. He does not attend pity parties. While giving further mandates to Joshua, God says to him, “Be strong and courageous”. God already knew that inside of Joshua there were hidden fears and insecurities. Joshua wasn’t sure he could be the kind of leader that he saw in Moses. If the people were challenging Moses, why would they listen to him? What was he suppose to do about the promise land? What about the giants? Oh, yes, I could just imagine all the thoughts that were going through Joshua’s mind. See, God knew that Joshua needed encouragement to complete the task that God had already commissioned him to do. Being strong and courageous in the world’s eyes is depending on yourself, never crying, being tough and even having a hard heart. In God’s eyes being strong and having courage is centered on His word. When we spend time with God by studying and applying His word to our lives, He becomes our strength; He becomes our courage. I am not sure what situations you may be facing that require you to be strong or exercise courage, but you don’t have to do it—God will if you will let him. This requires all of us to stay in His word. Meditate on them. Meditating on the word is not a difficult task. It simply requires us doing some creative inclusion. If you are sick, place scriptures that focus on healing on your bathroom mirror, in your car, above the sink while doing dishes. While brushing your teeth, you can meditate on the scripture you have read. Speaking life over yourself. To travel this journey of life, we do need to be strong and have courage, but when we are seeking God, He can provide all the strength, courage, joy, peace, healing, prosperity, completion we will ever need. Prayer My God, thank you that even though I may see a situation, you see your divine plan. Thank you that you are not swayed by situations like man. Thank you that you are the same today, yesterday, and forever. As I continue to grow in my relationship with you, help me to spend more time meditating on your word. I pray that I choose not to be consumed with television, internet, or cell phones, but instead choose to stay connected to you. Thank you that you have given me the strength and courage to walk forward in the plan you have for my life. Grant me understanding and wisdom so that I may apply your word to every area of my life. When I sit to read your word, please grant me revelation. I love you Lord, in Jesus name, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Joshua 1: 1-9 Tuesday Deuteronomy 31: 6-7 Wednesday Psalm 1: 1-3 Thursday Romans Friday Saturday Psalm 27:1 Sunday Psalm 90: 2 Application Find three scriptures that apply to a situation that you are facing and place them in areas that you frequent to be tools of meditation. About the author: As a wife, mother, educator, daughter, friend, I, Minister Mamie L. Pack, seek to be an accessible tool to the Lord. It is my desire to use my gifting of writing to reach the lost, encourage the believer, and teach the people through the Word of Jesus Christ.
No more procrastination "I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands." Psalm 119: 60 NIV When I was out in the world, I had no problem staying up late to go the most recent party or making sure I was prepared to go on a date. If that meant I needed to finish my work so that I could go, I made sure it was done. I had my mind made up. Why is it that when we are after sinful pleasures we have no problem doing whatever is needed to make it happen? We don’t mind staying up late, spending money on fruitless gains, or making sure we have a ride to get where we want to go. Then when some of us get saved, we take our time getting out of bed on Sunday mornings, throwing on whatever is available. We leave the house in a rush, because we weren’t prepared. I know that there have been times that I have looked at the weather and said to myself that it was raining too badly for me to take the kids out to go to church. But I know that I would not do that when it comes to them going to school or if I had to go to work. At that time, I made a decision on what was more important and worth going that extra step. Living a life for Christ is not meant to be an arduous task. God wants us to serve him with gladness in our hearts. Yet, so many of us see it as something we have to do, like paying bills. Some are going to church because they know they are suppose to or because they want to keep up appearances. There is not this burning desire on the inside of them to get closer to God. The psalmist says that he will hasten, or be quick, to obey God’s word. He understood that when we are obedient to God’s word then we will have all the direction, guidance, blessings, and abundance that we could ever need. It is when we are slow to come to God for repentance, guidance, forgiveness, praise, or worship, we open ourselves up to the likeliness of sin. Procrastination is a deterrent in our relationships with Christ. We say, “I’ll read my Bible tomorrow today I am just too tired”; but had no problem watching that two hour movie or staying on the phone for 45 minutes. We say, “I don’t have anything to wear to church” but had no problem spending money to buy an outfit for a date or concert. See it is about the condition of our hearts. So the next time you begin to put off doing something later for God, think what if He put off answering your prayers, protecting you, waking you up this morning. Something to think about. Prayer Awesome and loving father, thank you for loving me the way that you do. Even though I have procrastinated many times in my relationship with you, I am thankful that you don’t treat me the way I treat you. Please create in me a fire to serve you more, learn more about you, to be taught more. Lord it is my desire to be all that you have created me to be. Help me to have my priorities in order keeping you as the head of my life. I pray that I not allow my relationships, career or any other commitment be used as an excuse to delay serving you. Forgive me for not making haste to keep your commandments. In Jesus name, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Psalm 119: 57-64 Tuesday John 2: 5 Wednesday 2 Timothy Thursday Luke 9: 62 Friday 2 Chronicles 35: 21 Saturday James Sunday Matthew Application Write down the areas that you have been procrastinating in regarding your relationship with Christ, then go to God in prayer for help in those areas. After prayer, be active in improving those areas. About the author: As a wife, mother, educator, daughter, friend, I, Minister Mamie L. Pack, seek to be an accessible tool to the Lord. It is my desire to use my gifting of writing to reach the lost, encourage the believer, and teach the people through the Word of Jesus Christ.
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Let Us Continue “9) Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10) Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6: 9-10 NIV As a parent, there have been many times I have questioned if I am getting through to my eldest son. There have been times that just as it seems to be improving, he would go and do something that would make me question what I was doing wrong. Especially, when I didn’t have the immediate results that I was looking for. The enemy would want me to believe that all my praying wasn’t working. I am sure that many other parents have and do feel the same way I have. Then I think of the relationship I have with my mother. How many times did she continue to stand in faith believing that at some point I would choose to live a life for Christ? She didn’t throw her hands in the air and give up. Were there times she wanted to just give up? I am sure there were numerous times, but she didn’t. She stood on the principals of the Word and held me accountable to them. Not giving up did not mean that she compromised the Word of God, but it meant she was willing to have the faith to believe in time it would come to pass. As a result of what she did with me, it has encouraged me to not give up just because I do not see immediate results in my own children. Doing good requires faith in Christ, godly wisdom, and hope. If you do not have an active connection to Christ in your faith walk, then it will become easy to get discouraged and to give up. As soon as you hit one speed bump in the road, you will say to yourself “What’s the point? They won’t get it anyway. In order to do good, we also need godly wisdom. Many of us have gotten in the habit of doing good because we seek to please people, to gain attention, or out of fear. As a result, the good we think we are doing can cause more harm than we realize. Having godly wisdom will help to direct you on how to do good, when to do good, and for whom it is needed. When we are doing good, we also are keeping alive the hope that lives in us through Christ that with Christ all things are possible. Hope helps us to believe that just as Christ has changed our lives and made us whole, He will do the same for our children, spouses, family members, friends, etc. When we have the opportunity to do good, we should. Be prepared that the enemy will say to you that your good will not be appreciated, that you are just being used, that it won’t make a difference. Doing good is not about getting a thank you from people, but about living to build up the kingdom in Christ. God sees the good we do and knows our hearts. It is He that will give us the greatest reward, not man. So sgt involved in the ministries in your church. Sow a seed into someone’s life. Take time to send someone a card just because. Doing good is not difficult, especially when we are doing good to please God and not man. Prayer My loving Father, who is creator of Heaven and Earth, thank you for giving me this opportunity to receive your Word. Thank you for giving us individuals who are willing to teach us and help us grow up in your Word. Thank you that you have placed people in our lives who never give up on us even when the world says they should. Help me to continue to do good in every area of my life and not seek approval from man. Lord thank you that you shall give me a harvest, if I choose to continue to sow. Show me whom, when, and how you want me to do good to others. I pray that I may be swift to do your bidding. In Jesus name, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Galatians 6: 1-10 Tuesday 1 Corinthians Wednesday James 5:7-8 Thursday Proverbs Friday 2 Peter Saturday 1 Peter Sunday 2 Corinthians 4: 1 Application After seeking God for guidance, go and do good for someone else. If you are willing, send me your praise reports doing good to the link below. About the author: As a wife, mother, educator, daughter, friend, I, Minister Mamie L. Pack, seek to be an accessible tool to the Lord. It is my desire to use my gifting of writing to reach the lost, encourage the believer, and teach the people through the Word of Jesus Christ. ***************************************************************** Devotional for June 23-39, 2008
Have Hope “4)For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5) May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.” Romans 15: 4-5 NIV I draw great comfort in knowing that I serve a God who constantly has my best interest at heart. Not only does He want what is best for me, but He designed me to have more than I even thought possible. I can only imagine how He must feel when He sees us discouraged, hurt, and on the verge of giving up. In my mind, I view Him like a father teaching a child to ride a bike. He already knows that there will be bumps, bruises, and some falls, but he also knows, eventually, that child will learn how to have balance to enjoy the journey. With each tumble, the father is there encouraging the child to get up, try again, and remind him/her that he is right there if it happens again. As our heavenly father, Christ is no different. He already knew we would face heartache, despair, discouragement, and so much more as we learn to walk in Him, but He has given us His word as encouragement to keep getting up time after time. See, our Father knew that it would take endurance to continue to walk in the holiness He has for us. Endurance is a word that we hear often when referring to athletics. Endurance in Christ requires us to be patient as Christ works; to not get weary in well doing; to continue to tithe and give in spite of circumstance; to praise and worship our Lord and Savior; to constantly abide in our relationship with the Lord. Endurance is needed to continue to believe that God will do what He said He would do even when others don’t believe or it seems to our natural eye nothing is being done. Notice that endurance and encouragement go together to receive hope. The only way we will be able to endure is through the encouragement we receive from reading, studying, meditating, and applying the word in our daily lives. This way, when the difficult times come and they will come, we have the word already placed on the inside of us to provide us comfort. It is during those times we can remind ourselves that our earthly situations are temporary, that Christ has already provided healing, that we have sound minds. The encouragement from the word gives us hope that all things are working to our good. It gives us hope that OUR God is with us every step of the way. If you are sick, gather scriptures that speak to your healing. If you are having difficulty in your marriage, gather scriptures that speak to characteristics of a Godly marriage. If you have a wondering mind, gather scriptures that speak to have a sound mind in Christ. Whatever your situation may be, in order to endure we must know what the scriptures say about our circumstance to have hope. Prayer Awesome Father, who never leaves me or forsakes me, thank you so much for continuing to be an ever presence in my life. I am thankful that you have provided your Word as a road map for my life. I know that in it I can find words of encouragement to be able to continue to press toward the mark of a higher calling. Thank you that you are not done with me and that you continue to forgive me and restore me when I fall. Help me to be an encouragement not just to myself but an encouragement to others. Thank you for the gift of your word. In Jesus name, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Romans 15: 1-6 Tuesday Romans Wednesday 2 Corinthians 1: 3-11 Thursday Philippians Friday 2 Timothy Saturday 1 Corinthians Sunday Romans Application This week, write 5 scriptures down regarding an area you would like to grow in regarding your walk in Christ. Whenever you begin to get frustrated, upset, or discouraged, read and meditate on them. About the author: As a wife, mother, educator, daughter, friend, I, Minister Mamie L. Pack, seek to be an accessible tool to the Lord. It is my desire to use my gifting of writing to reach the lost, encourage the believer, and teach the people through the Word of Jesus Christ.
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