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Devotional for By Minister Mamie Pack He lives in Me “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2: 20 KJV I have a love for words, which I believe is one of the reasons I have a Bachelor’s degree in English. I am amazed at the ability words have to speak life and how we can take those same words to speak death. When I read this scripture, I must admit that what stood out most to me was the word NOW. Why did Paul choose to say “the life which I now live”? He could have just as easily said “the life which I live” and been grammatically correct. I believe the use of the word now is a charge to the believer. When we receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, this is but the first step in our walk with Christ. It is not the final one. During that time we transformed to new creatures in Christ and the old things are passed away. At the time of transformation, we die to our flesh, our will, our desires and we choose to accept, walk, and live the life that Christ has purposed for us in faith. So the I dies. But we allow our flesh and the enemy to make us believe those old things are still there. Christ chose to become flesh and be crucified for our sins. He did this for one reason—His love for us. He freed us from the bondage of sin and all that sin represents, death. We don’t have to conquer our old selves; Christ already did it when He allowed His blood to be shed for us. Although Paul, or us for that matter, may not have received the literal crucifixion with Christ and still lives, he has chosen to live his life NOW for Christ through faith. Not the faith he had yesterday or last year, but the faith he had in the moment. He was not relying on what he had done in the past to carry his relationship with Christ, but was focused on what he was doing right then and there. When we choose to live the life which we NOW live, it is a choice each day, moment by moment, to live a life of faith in obedience to the will of God. We must stop using excuses for why we didn’t pray, didn’t serve, and didn’t receive the word of God just so we can continue to live a live of complacency. It isn’t the unbeliever, but believers who have become very comfortable with sin and sinful practices. Where are you NOW in your walk with Christ? Having a relationship with Christ requires submission, commitment, time, and effort. It is a not a one way deal. We can either choose “the life in which I live” or “the life which I now live”. Are you willing to invest in your relationship with Christ so that He may live in you and be seen through the way you live your life? Prayer My God, forgive me for making light the life you have given me. I have carelessly used the gifting and time that you have given me on this earth in many ways. I am so grateful that you chose to die on the cross for my sins so that I may live an eternal life with you. Reveal to me those areas that I have become complacent and comfortable with that are not pleasing to you. I pray that the life which I now live is one filled with faith and obedience. Help me to make the most out the time, gifts, and relationships you have given. Strengthen me Lord and help me to know more intimately each day. I love you so much, in Jesus name, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Galatians Tuesday Romans 6: 1-6 Wednesday Ephesians 5: 2 Thursday 2 Corinthians Friday Colossians Saturday Colossians 3: 9-10 Sunday Romans Application What ways can you begin to live a life now in faith and obedience? 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. Click here for other writings available at the author's blog www.LifeINowLive.blogspot.com Devotional for By Minister Mamie Pack
“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3: 18 How easy it is for us to use our words so carelessly! Just think how many times you have walked into work or the church and said, “Good morning. How are you?” and kept right on walking. You asked the question, but never stopped to receive a response. That is but just one way that we have allowed ourselves to be comfortable just talking without even realizing what it is we are saying. It even gets so bad that some people will go ahead and tell you that they are doing fine, without you even asking because we are use to saying the words. Being a believer is more than your personal walk with Christ, it is the example of God’s love that you are showing to others. The more we love Christ, the more we are able to love others. First, we must understand that loving others is not about words, but about action and the condition of the heart. Christ loved us so much that He gave (the action) his life for us willingly (the condition of his heart). Christ didn’t have to be convinced that we were worth dying for nor did he expect to receive something in return for what he has done. You see, we have confused what we call “going the extra mile” for simply showing love through our deeds. When we do something for others, it is not to remind them of what we have done nor is it tool to get recognized among the group. Helping others, being kind, showing love are all characteristics that belong in Christian DNA. John spoke to the believer that saying the right thing is not as important as doing the right thing with the right heart. Sure it is easy to say, “Call me whenever you need to talk”, “If you need anything let me know”, “I am always here for you”. The words roll right off the tongue. Yet, what happens when someone takes you up on it. Are you ready to get up a When we show and give love to others, we show others through our actions that they are valuable to us because we choose to invest in them our time, our giftings, and our material goods. Giving love is not about manipulating others by reminding them about all that we have done and sacrificed for them but showing the mercy and grace of God’s love. Be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in ways that you are able to show God’s love through your time, giftings, or material goods. This may mean helping someone buy their gas or taking someone a home-cooked meal. Go by the nursing home and spend time with someone elderly. Showing love can be manifested in many ways as long as we remember to have a right heart and willing attitude. Prayer Dear Lord, I am thankful that you loved us so much that you laid your life down so that we may have the opportunity to live eternally in you. Help me to show your love through in deed and in truth in everything that I do. I pray that I show love not as a way to manipulate others or to receive recognition but in everything I do, I do unto you. I pray that I may be a willing tool to reach others. Heal my heart of any hindrance that prevents me from showing love to others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday 1 John Tuesday Ezekiel 33: 31 Wednesday Psalm 78: 30-38 Thursday Isaiah 29: 13-14 Friday Luke Saturday Acts Sunday 1 John 2: 1 Application Show someone God’s love through your actions. 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. Click here for other writings available at the author's blog www.LifeINowLive.blogspot.com Devotional for August 18-14, 2008 by Minister Mamie L. Pack Giving to prosper “A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.” Proverbs 11: 25 NIV “It’s mine”, he says as he snatches the toy away only to then hide it under the pillow on the couch so that he can come eat dinner. Lately, my three year old has been going through the “It’s mine” phase. Everything he sees somehow belongs to him and he doesn’t want to share, even if he is not playing with it. Then to prevent anyone from being able to play with it, he will hide it under a pillow, blanket, even under the sink. Now to some of you this may be cute when the three year old does it, but the sad part is that we have 30 year olds doing the same thing. They buy things just to be able to say they own it. The give money in church to be able to say they gave. It is the person that always says what their child is doing, how much they love their spouse, or how exciting their career is compared to yours. Everything seems to be a competition. I am quite familiar with this raising three boys. Anything and everything can become a competition. Who can eat the fastest? Run the fastest? Who has the most toys? In the world’s system, giving is systematic but with Christ it is directed. The scripture in Proverbs teaches us that the person who gives will receive. He says, “He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed”. What are you doing to refresh others? We say that when we get this then we will do something. With Christ it is not about when you have the money to give. You are able to give every day in taking time out to share the goodness of Christ with someone at your job. You are able to refresh others by offering to babysit, so that a Godly couple can go and spend time together to refresh their marriage. You are able to refresh others by sending a card to say “I’m thinking about you.” We are able to refresh others in all sorts of ways. When we do, it is amazing how our spirits are encouraged and uplifted. Trust God to lead you on how you can help others, but have a willing heart go do so. In order to break our flesh of the “It’s mine” mentality, then we must feed our spirit by showing others the love of God by how we allow ourselves to help. Take the time to get involved in the helping ministries at your church. Help at the food ministries, visit a nursing home, attend prayer groups. Giving can happen in multiple ways, but it only happens when we stop being concerned about gaining our own wealth and be more concerned about helping the body of Christ. Prayer My father, thank you for all the abundant ways that you have blessed my family and myself. Help me to be more available to you in how I can refresh others. I pray that you may penetrate my heart and purge me of any selfish desires that I may have that hinder me from being a willing servant to you. Guide me in how you want me to help others whether it is with money, time, or my giftings. In Jesus’ name, amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Proverbs Tuesday Matthew 5: 7-8 Wednesday Luke Thursday Proverbs 22: 9 Friday Proverbs Saturday Proverbs 3: 9-10 Sunday 2 Corinthians 9: 6-7 Application Each day this week, choose to refresh someone else. 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. Click here for other writings available at the author's blog www.LifeINowLive.blogspot.com
Devotional for By Minister Mamie L. Pack Cry out! “30) Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" 31) The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!" 32) Jesus stopped and called them. "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. 33) "Lord," they answered, "we want our sight." 34) Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.” Matthew 20: 30-34 NIV There the blind men sat as they did each day, when they began to hear the uproar. They heard He was coming. Without hesitation, they began to cry out. I can just imagine how loud they must have yelled sitting there, unsure of where Jesus might have been standing. With the noise of other people calling out to Christ, it would seem that their cries would be fruitless? Yet, they called out to Him nonetheless. This type of cry is the same type of cry, or krazo, literally means to scream. It is the word to describe the cries of those who were demon possessed in Mark 5; the same cries of pain of a mother giving birth; the same cries of those who were insane. In short, their cries were loud, but most importantly constant. Over and over again, I imagine that they cry out to Christ in desperation. They knew only Christ could heal them of their blindness. This was there chance to get to Him, and nothing was going to keep them away. Even when those around them tried to silence them, they continued. The more they were told to be quiet the more they called out to Him. Desperation caused these men to call out to God. They knew only He had the power to heal what no other man could. We are to follow their examples as well. When we face areas of difficulty, challenge, or failure, we need to call out to God. Never stopping until He not only hears us, but answers us. This means constantly seeking Him in prayer, fasting, and mediation. We have a choice; we can continue to sit and stay in our blind state or we can choose to call out to Him in faith. The world will try to persuade you to seek comfort in other ways through food, sex, liquor, or pills. There will be those around you who will try to discourage you from your walk with Christ. These people may be your coworkers, friends, family, even your spouse. Please don’t be discouraged. In spite of their faith, continue to call out to God even more. Upon hearing them, He asks what is that they want Him to do? When we seek God, He says that He will give us the desires of our hearts. The key is seeking Him first. It was their faith in Him that allowed them to receive their sight. Notice that upon receiving their healing, they followed Him. They didn’t just get what they wanted and then go back to sitting. They choose to follow Him. Seeking God, believing that He hears and answers prayers is all about faith. Even thought their faith made them whole, they had the faith even before the miracle was performed. If you need a breakthrough or miracle in your life, are your crying out to Him? Are your cries consistent, or do you give up because it hasn’t come to pass yet? If you seek Him, He is there. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for hearing me when I call out to you. I am thankful for your mercy and grace which has kept me thus far. Help me to seek you more in every area of my life. I pray that I do not allow the discouragements and hindrances of others to keep me from having the faith to know all things are working to my good. I pray that I may have the patience to wait as you move and not attempt to handle things on my own. Thank you for loving me the way you do. In Jesus name, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Matthew Tuesday Mark 6: 53-56 Wednesday Luke Thursday 2 Corinthians 4: 4 Friday Philippians 4: 4-7 Saturday Matthew Sunday Matthew Application Spend time seeking God in prayer, fasting, and meditation as you call out to God for your breakthrough or miracle. 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. Click here for other writings available at the author's blog www.LifeINowLive.blogspot.com *******************************************************************
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