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Devotional for By Minister Mamie L. Pack Work out “19) What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of Go, and ye are not your own? 20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s”. 1 Corinthians 6: 19-20 KJV Yet, while we do all the planning to get our physical bodies in shape, we should also be just as vigilant in working out the spiritual man in us. Let’s begin the New Year by working out our faith as well. Just like there are workout plans for the physical man, God has provided a work out for the believer as well. Some of His plan for us requires us to:
These are but a few of exercises that we can do to live a life that is pleasing unto God. Each day we have the opportunity to exercise love to others regardless of whether they are able to return our love. We are able to exercise our prayer lives by praying for those who are lost, those who are hurting, and those that are sick. We are able to exercise our faith by trusting God in knowing that He alone is able to be our provider, our guide, and our Savior.
Most heavenly and gracious Father, I am eternally grateful for your presence in my life. I am thankful to have your Word to guide me through every path. I don’t have to worry about having all the answers or focus on those things to come, for you have already worked everything to my good. Lord, I pray that I continue to build my relationship with you each day. I pray that I continue to exercise faith in all situations regardless of how they may seem. Thank you for the teachers, the pastors, the evangelists, the prophets, and the apostles that you have raised up to help us as we continue to run the race of faith. Forgive me for placing anything or anyone before you. I pray that my life may glorify you in all ways. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday 1 Corinthians Tuesday Mathew Wednesday 1 Thessalonians Thursday James Friday James Saturday John Sunday Proverbs 6: 3-4 Application Spend time each day building your relationship with Christ. 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
"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.” Psalm 55:22 In a household full of boys, there are bound to be multiple cuts, bruises and falls. I cannot count the number of bumps and scratches that I have had to nurse, kiss, and pray over. Before becoming a mom, I really did not realize just how easy it is that kids hurt themselves. Often times, they get hurt just by tripping over their own feet. Yet, when it happens, I have been known to use one very well-known phrase, "Just get up and shake it off". Just shake it off. Those four simple words are often our ways of teaching others not to allow that small something to be a stumbling block. It becomes our way of teaching that this is not something to be hurt by, to be distracted by, or in many cases, not even worth putting any attention to it. Actually in many cases, the phrase "shake it off" is often our way of saying "get over it", "move on", or "forget about him/her". So often my friends and I have guided each other to just forget about the most recent failed relationship in an effort to help each other heal or feel better about our pain. In our effort to guide others by just shaking it off, we can teach them to what is contrary to the Word. Guiding others to shake it off in various situations is not the problem as long as we are applying what the Word guides us to do. When we experience heartache, disappointment, failure, it isn't enough to just shake it off. Instead we are guided to cast it on the Lord. By casting it, or rather giving it to Him, we remove the weight of our emotions and trust in Him instead. Why would God even bother guiding us to put our cares, concerns, and worries in His care if He didn't already know that these things would come? He knew that we would experience them, but He provides us all a way in which to walk through them in a spiritually mature way. When we cast our care upon the Lord, He is big enough to not only care the weight but to also carry us through it. Casting our cares upon the Lord is a release from our need to be in control and to truly trust that He has everything in control. When we do, he gives us a freedom from the weight of the burden. So we don't just have to shake it off, instead we are able to be whole, complete, lacking nothing. His word promises us that by casting our cares on Him, He will sustain us through it all. We don't have to just "get over it" instead, God guides us on how to learn, how to grow, and how to be able to help others from the lessons we learn from our trials. There is no burden too small that it cannot be taken to God. What better way to start teaching our children than when they stumble? Instead of telling them to get up and shake it off, we can take that teachable moment to guide them to take that pain to God. When your friends come to you from heartache or maybe anger from a situation at work, instead of guiding them to just "move on" guide them to cast it upon the Lord. Prayer Heavenly Father, I am truly thankful to be your child. I thank you that there is no burden in my life that is too heavy for you to carry. I am grateful that I am able to go to you at all times and you are always there. Help me to continue to apply your word to every area of my life. I pray that your Word may continue to live in me and that I may be a living example of you before others. Suggested Weekly Monday Psalm 55:22 Tuesday Isaiah 12:2 Wednesday Psalm 46:1 Thursday Proverbs Friday Matthew Saturday Matthew Sunday Romans 12:2 Application When burdens come your way, cast them to Christ. 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 “A man’s heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps” Proverbs 16: 9 KJV The other day while driving on my way home from running errands, I sat listening to the traffic update on the radio. The announcer was stating that there was an accident on I-95, which closed one lane, so expect a delay if you were planning to get off on certain exits. It just so happened that one of the exits she listed was mine. Determined not to sit in lengthy traffic when it was getting close to dinner time while there were three very hungry boys in the back seats already complaining about “starving”, a decision had to be made. I decided to accept the warning and prepare to make a detour that would keep me away from the trouble ahead and get me home within a decent time. For those who are morning commuters or for those who are eagerly trying to get home, having information about lanes that are closed, accidents, or traffic jams are particularly important. Knowing where delays are on your way to work, appointment, or school is helpful especially when you might have slept just a little too late or just couldn’t find that other shoe. It can change what stops you might plan to make or if you think you have enough gas to get you there. Ah, yes, those traffic updates can make a world of difference. While I continued listening to the announcer, I began thinking on how God directs our steps while on this spiritual journey. He provides direction for us and enables us to recognize those incidents that can hinder us and/or take us off His path. He gives us warnings to take detours that help us in reaching our destination even though we may now have to take a different route. Those detours are available and revealed to us through the Word of God when we submit ourselves to His will, listen to guidance of the Holy Spirit, obey, and/or receive help from those God has placed in our lives to give us wise counsel. There can be delays in the form of unhealthy relationships, unassigned tasks, or excess weight. There can be accidents, some fatal, that come as a result of disobedience, doubt, and/or an unforgiving heart. Or even jams that may look like anger, pride, or bitterness. Some lanes, or doors, may even be closed unless we repent for the sin that has caused us to stray from the path He created for us. It is God’s desire that we make it to the end of the journey, but He gives us the freedom of choice to trust and obey or doubt and disobey. It is up to us to choose to follow His path in obedience as He directs our steps. When we do, we are never forsaken and no weapon formed against us can prosper. We are more than conquerors to him who believes. Prayer Heavenly Father, it is a privilege to be able to come to you in prayer knowing that as I speak you are there listening to every thing I have to say. I cannot thank you enough for being with me in the moments of joy and being there to wipe every tear when I am hurting. Lord, I thank you for every person you have put in my life to guide me along the path you have created for me. I pray that I may listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit in every situation possible. I continue to submit my will for yours. Have your way in every area of my life. For I know that it is you who gives me strength, peace, and joy in spite of the situations around me. I love you Lord and I am thankful that you first loved me. In Jesus name, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Proverbs 16: 9 Tuesday Proverbs 3: 5-6 Wednesday 2 Thessalonians 3: 5 Thursday Psalm 37: 3-5 Friday Hebrews Saturday Jeremiah Sunday Proverbs Application When making decisions, be obedient to the Word of God. 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 Still up “I lift up my eyes to the hills—where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over It is almost Quickly getting up, I turned him on his side. Once our little one was finished, I knew that my night was far from being over. Time ticked by as I removed his clothing and his bedding. It continued ticking as I washed him, placing fresh clothing on his body. Then off I went to the laundry to begin washing at As I walked back to my room from the laundry room, I just chuckled to myself. How many nights have I found myself up taking care of the children way into the night ensuring that they are alright? How many nights have I stayed awake holding them in my arms, keeping them close while I comfort them from their aches and pains? Thinking of how I have cared for my own children, I began to think of how Christ has and continues to care for us. I thought of my own areas of sickness that have come in the form of sin, in which He has been there to care for me. There have been so many times that Christ has cared for me in His arms helping me to heal from the aches and pains of life that I have encountered that sought to keep me discouraged, blind, and burdened. No matter how damaged I was, Christ has always been there for me with open arms for me to come as I was. Although our bodies tire, thankfully, Christ never does. He never sleeps. He is in all places at all times. So, He is there when we cry tears in the Prayer Awesome and loving Father, I am so thankful that as I go about my day, you are always with me. You are my strength when I am weak. You are my guide along my path. You are a present help in a time of trouble. Thank you Lord for always being with me even when I don’t always realize that I need to reach out to you. Thank you for being my protector, my provider, my healer, my everything. I seek to continue to use everything I have to glorify you. Forgive me for trying to “help you out”. Instead I pray that I may seek you in all things and continue to be humbly submitted to your will. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Psalm 121 Tuesday Psalm 41: 2 Wednesday Isaiah 40: 26 Thursday 1 Peter 5: 6-7 Friday Psalm 4: 8 Saturday Psalm 127: 3 Sunday Jeremiah 33:3 Application When making decisions, be obedient to the guidance of Christ. 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 _____________________________________________________________________
By Minister Mamie L. Pack Seeking "8 Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 9 Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 10 Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 12 Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, 13 O descendants of Just as I was leaving the house, already five minutes late, my keys were nowhere to be found. I looked in my normal key keeping spot, nothing. Off I went to dig through my already full purse, and still nothing. I searched my bedroom, the bathroom, and even back in the car. Getting frustrated, I still could not find my keys. Where in the world could they be? I don't know about you, but that little scenario has happened to me on more than one occasion. Plus, it always seems to happen when I am running behind to be somewhere. Of course, I guess I could just stop looking for them, but those keys are essential. But keys aren't the only things we diligently look for, especially when we think we are missing something we need. How many of us spent time seeking to find that one special person to love? Or spend our time seeking to find ways to make more money? We can put forth all sorts of time and effort searching for all sorts of things. Yet, how often are we seeking to draw closer to God? With the demands of daily living, it can become all too easy to just place God on standby, but God wants different for us. When we seek God through pray, worship, and prayer, He promises us · Strength: "Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always." Psalm 105:4 NIV · Security: "One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple" Psalm 27:4 NIV · Provision: "33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew · Revelation: "'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'" Jeremiah 33:3 NIV · Rewards: "6And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him" Hebrews 11: 6 NIV In seeking God, we build a more intimate relationship with Christ. In this relationship, we come to know Him beyond the clichés. We come to know Him as Lord and Savior. It is in seeking Him that we come to learn more about who we are, who we are created to be, and what His will is for our lives. If we can seek to have the degrees to further our careers or knowledge, why not seek the one who is able to provide increase regardless of qualifications or who is able to provide understanding with the knowledge? If we can seek to find the "one", why not seek the Prayer My loving and merciful creator, I humbly come before you with thanksgiving in my heart. I give you all honor and glory Lord, for without you there is no life. Thank you Lord for giving me understanding with the knowledge. Thank you for providing strength during the times I feel weak. Help me Lord to continue to seek your face in every area of my life. There is no situation too big, no person so important, no priority higher than you. Forgive me Lord for placing anything or anyone as a priority in my life above my relationship with you. I desire to draw closer to you. I desire to have a more intimate relationship than ever before. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen. Suggested Weekly Monday 1 Chronicles Tuesday Psalm 105:4 Wednesday Psalm 27:4 Thursday Hebrews 11: 6 Friday Jeremiah 33:3 Saturday Matthew Sunday Proverbs Application Spend more time each day seeking more of Christ. 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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