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Devotional for March 30- By Minister Mamie L. Pack
Contagious “6)These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7) Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.” Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 NIV For the past two weeks, someone in my home has had a cold. It began with my middle child who had a simple cough, which evolved to a runny nose, itchy eyes, and the blahs. From there it attached itself to my youngest and then finally to me. Now, unlike the children, my cold manifested itself only as a head cold with allergies to boot. It is amazing how contagious one little cold or illness can be until it has infiltrated your home. I believe that, as parents, mentors, or even leaders, we should do our best to allow our faith to be just as contagious. Several years ago, I heard Pastor Joel Olsteen talk about the faith and service of his parents. In his story, he recounted how in all the years that his parents served God, he could not recall one time that they murmured or complained. Instead, they showed him that serving God was a joy and a pleasure. Their attitude became contagious for him and ultimately impacted the way that he viewed serving God. Listening to this story, I began to think of my attitude toward God in front of my children. Just as it is important for me to have praise and thankfulness in my heart for all that God has done for me, it is just as equally important that I be willing to take the time to share my stories of faith with my children. Here in Deuteronomy 6: 7, the people are reminded to not only abide by the commandments on their own, but they are to impart them to their children in their words and actions. They are charged to not be ashamed of the mistakes of their past, but to share with their children how the Lord help bring them from those sinful places. They, as are we, are encouraged to take the time to tell the stories of faith, redemption, salvation, growth that have taken place on our walk with Christ. It is up to us to show our children that Christ lives beyond the church walls. We have the ability to show them that Christ resides within us everywhere we go. That Christ is in our homes, on our jobs, in our schools, or even when we go to the hair dresser. Our children learn the most about Christ from the example that we set in our homes through our language, our attitude, our willingness, even our ability to love. Our love of Christ can be so contagious that our children eagerly seek to be close to the Heavenly Father that we love so much. Prayer Our loving and forgiving Father, I give you all honor and glory. Lord thank you for placing Godly examples in my life of faith so that I may have the encouragement to seek you for myself. Thank you for all of those who tirelessly placed themselves in intercession on my behalf, especially when my heart was turned away from you. I am thankful to serve a forgiving God who not only forgives my sin but restores and heals me in all places. Help me to be a light in my home, on my job, in my school, where ever I may go. I pray that I may always have the boldness and praise in my heart for you. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Deuteronomy 6: 6-7 Tuesday Proverbs 22: 6 Wednesday Exodus 13: 8-14 Thursday Psalm 78: 4 Friday Genesis Saturday Deuteronomy Sunday Ephesians 6: 4 Application Take time this week to share your stories of faith with those you love. 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
The Process “ 5) What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7) So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” 1 Corinthian 3: 5-7 After a couple of tries, my boys and I finally have a garden growing. Of course, most of the work is left in my hands, but it is wonderful to watch their faces each day as they eagerly wait to go outside to see what new plants have grown. My middle child is just amazed to see them grow taller and makes up stories about how tall they are going to be or what they are going to grow. Yet today, as I was watering the tomato plants I was quite surprised to find two little buds just making their appearance on the scene. Most of the other seeds had begun growing over a month ago and are now over four inches tall. I thought that the ones that were there was all that was going to grow. Then to my surprise, there, trying to break its way through the soil, were two buds. Although the other seeds had taken off quite quickly to grow, these two just needed more time. When we first began the gardening process last year, it did not go so well. We purchased all of the necessary items that were needed to start a new garden. I even sought help from the individual working in the garden section to be sure that I what I was purchasing was correct. We gathered to set the soil, sow the seeds, and even watered it according to the directions. Regardless to what we did, not one seed grew. Sometimes in life, we think that we can do all the right things and that will be enough. That somehow in our own strength we are able to carry it all. Yet, what I learned from that first garden is that the seed on its own has no life, nor can it make itself grow. Even by providing water, the water has no life giving abilities. All life comes from God and God alone. But when we start to think that we can do everything on our own, away from the leaders and body of Christ’s church, our growth can be hindered. God assigns people to come into our lives to plant the seeds of His word, to help us grow by watering or rather tending us. Before any of this can start, we each are charged with connecting to the only giver of life, Christ. Just like my tomato plant that had some that started growing right away, there are those of us that attached to Christ early in life. Then there are those who are similar to those two buds that have just started to grow. This group of people accepted Christ later on in life and began their growing process at an older age. The beauty of Christ is that regardless to when the plants began to grow, each will bring forth fruit (tomatoes) in their own season. Once we connect to Christ then we truly begin to live and grow. Prayer Heavenly Father, thank you for providing me with this life that I have. I am grateful that you fashioned me in your image with a purpose and a plan. I am not here by accident nor was I unplanned by you. Help me to receive help and guidance from those that you have placed in my life to help me to grow up in my relationship and purpose in you. I pray that I not be prideful in believing that anything I have is because of me, but that I humbly recognize that all blessings are a gift from you. Thank you Lord for never leaving nor forsaking me even when I my heart was turned from you. I pray that I may do my part in helping others to grow and mature in you. In Jesus name, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday 1 Corinthians 3: 5-7 Tuesday Acts Wednesday Colossians 1: 6 Thursday Ephesians Friday Colossians Saturday Psalm 92: 13-14 Sunday Colossians Application Instead of focusing on the time that has been wasted, choose to spend some time this week praising God for the life He has given you and the growth that has occurred in 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. Click here for other writings available at the author's blog www.LifeINowLive.blogspot.com
Devotional for By Minister Mamie L. Pack
More than enough “And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9: 8 NIV Making the transition from a full time working woman to a stay at home mom of three boys was not always an easy task. It all sort of trickled with returning home after an emergency c-section for my third son, experiencing “baby blues”, being stationed in a new state and city, along with my husband often being shipped out on “exercises” and eventually deployment. All of this was experienced in just the first two months of my new journey at home. Often times I would sit on my bed and wonder what in the world had I gotten myself in to. There were many times I thought I was just loosing it all. My mind was scattered, nothing seemed to flow the way I thought it would, and I was just tired. Then it didn’t help that my eldest son was beginning to be openly defiant. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. Right? Several times I thought about going back to work just so that I would be able to get out of the house and get away from it all. Then just as soon as that thought would pop into my mind, guilt would wash over me. Surely a “good” mom would be able to handle all of this. I was just trying to make it day to day, in many cases moment to moment. How in the world did moms do this? Maybe I heard God wrong when He called me to transition from the classroom to the home? Did God really equip me to handle this? I cannot tell you how many times I thought that I was not able to be the kind of wife and mother I felt my family deserved. Nor could I say how many times I would go to God feeling insecure, tired, needing Him. Yet, time and time again, God was always there reminding me that He did indeed fashion me and equip me for my husband and my children. He was always there to encourage me that in Him I am able to succeed. This is one of the reasons why I can relate to words that Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 9: 8. No matter the situation, the challenge, or task at hand, God has given us ALL that we need. He gives us everything that is needed for our welfare. Just read the beginning of the verse, “And GOD is ABLE. . .” present tense. That means our God NOW is able to provide us with everything we need. He gives us the peace, the guidance, the motivation, the strength, the help, EVERYTHING we need. God is the ultimate giver. Just keep reading that God makes sure that we . . . in “all times” have “all things”. When I learned to continually seek God for what I needed for this phase of my life, I was finally able to truly enjoy the journey. I went from being overwhelmed, guilt ridden, and at times quite angry to being able to laugh, to have patience, to be thankful and so much more. With each part of the journey we all have we can choose to be trampled by the weight of it all or choose to stay reminded that God is always able and as long as we stay in Him, we can too. Prayer Our Heavenly Father, I cannot thank you enough for our Lord and Savior and all the times you heard and answered my cries. Thank you for always providing your loving arms for comfort and your word for encouragement. In the times that I may feel that I am unworthy, unable, or unequipped, I know that your word says that I am more than able. I pray that I may keep your words continually pressed upon my heart so that if those thoughts come to mind, that I have the authority to cast them down. Thank you for fashioning me in your image. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday 2 Corinthians 9: 8 Tuesday Ephesians Wednesday Isaiah 40: 29 Thursday Philippians Friday Proverbs 22: 9 Saturday Psalm 46: 1 Sunday Psalm 73: 26 Application Trust God that in Him you are able to complete the tasks that He has put before you. 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 Firmly Planted “12) The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; 13) planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. 14) They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, 15 )proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him." Psalm 92: 12-15 NIV For the past few weeks, we have had storm after storm with winds that have produced unexpected tornados in some of the most unlikely of places. These winds have been able to flip heavy outdoor grills, uproot plants, and even break trees. All throughout the night, the news was providing information on what to do in a tornado and even places to evacuate if necessary. I even sat on my bed at 1 a.m. contemplating if it was necessary for me to wake the children out of their sleep to bring them to a safe place just in case. Eventually, it would pass, the children would still be in their beds, and I would eventually go to sleep. What amazes me about storms is not always about the amount of damage that is done, but about those things that withstand during the storm. It amazes me how the smallest of plants and trees can stay rooted, but how other things larger in stature and weight get tossed to and fro. I am equally amazed when I am around people of immense faith who has endured great storms in life and still have their hope and faith in God. It encourages me when I listen to their stories of faith. For they did not break or become uprooted just because it became difficult or because things did not happen when they thought it would. They still held firm to the word and promises of God. For they understood that when storms of life come and enemies seek to sow discord and doubt to be firmly planted in the house of God. No matter what type of attack or storm, the righteous will flourish and grow. It is particularly interesting to me that David would choose to use the palm and cedar trees in this analogy. The palm tree is a unique tree in that it is able to thrive in almost any type of environment. Even with its ability to flourish, the palm tree is not a fast growing tree. Oh, quite the contrary. This tree takes time to grow, but when it does it is strong and enduring. This is not the type of tree that is easily broken. Similarly is the cedar tree, which is considered to be a long living tree. This wood from this tree does not bow or sag over time, but instead stays erect in its proper form. Unlike the palm tree, this tree is quick to grow and requires a large amount of room to thrive. David wanted to encourage the believer that as long as we stay planted in the house of God, we too can thrive in the most undesirable of circumstances. That as long as we stay focused on Christ, we can endure and be strong without the weight of sin, doubt, or even distraction causing us to weaken in our faith in God. David goes on to remind us that even in old age we shall continue to grow and flourish. That, for those of us, who may have gotten off the path of Christ, it is never too late. When we choose to surrender our lives over to Christ at 10 or 40, we can bring forth fruit. We all must make the decision to be planted and stay rooted in Christ regardless of the storm. Prayer Heavenly Father, there are not enough words to thank you for who you are in my life. You have been and are a provider, a healer, a guide, a friend, a comforter and so much more. I am thankful for the word that you have given me as a reminder of your love and plan for my life. Help me Lord to be like the Palm and Cedar trees, planted and rooted firmly in you. I pray that I may have a heart that is quick to repent and a willingness all the days of my life to serve you. It is my desire to grow to the full potential that you have for me. I pray that my faith continue to be in you and that I am always amazed at your mercy and grace. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Psalm 92 Tuesday Isaiah 60: 21 Wednesday Proverbs Thursday Hosea 14: 4-7 Friday Jeremiah 17: 8 Saturday Palm 1: 3 Sunday Numbers 24:6 Application Make steps to see if your roots are still firmly planted in the house of the Lord. 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 April 27-May 3, 2009 By Minister Mamie L. Pack
Yes and No "33)Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but keep the oaths you have made to the Lord.' 34) But I tell you, Do not swear at all: either by heaven, for it is God's throne; 35) or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by For the past year, I have really been paying close attention to the phrases and cliques that I along with others say. A couple that really stand out to me are when I, or anyone else, say “To be honest” or “If you really want to know the truth”. When we are speaking, are we not being honest? If we are, why do we feel the need to clarify that we are being honest in that moment? Does that mean that previously in the conversation we were lying or manipulating the truth? Sometimes we can get so use to saying certain things that we no longer think about the implication of those words. They become a bad habit. Sadly, there have become stages of our “truths”. People have become comfortable with saying nice things, although untrue, because they do not want to hurt someone’s feelings, have someone become disappointed, or simply because they just want the conversation to end. Sometimes, we even get comfortable with just speaking parts of the truth either because we believe the person could not handle the truth or even because we are afraid to deal with the repercussions that may occur with being honest. I know. Not only was I a liar, half truth teller, etc. but I justified my actions by thinking I was protecting others. A foolish thought. When Christ begins speaking to the people, He begins by addressing the rumors or what they have heard, but quickly corrects what they have heard with what God means. Too often, the people were becoming more concerned with taking oaths than they were with the integrity of their hearts and their words. The people of that time began to find the loopholes in keeping their words, so to speak. During that time, whenever someone made a vow using the Lord’s name, it became binding with severe consequences for failing to meet the oath. The loophole to this was if one made an oath not using the Lord’s name, then it was considered of less merit and did not require the same effort to keep the vow. As a result of this loophole, the people began to makes oaths by “heaven”, “earth”, or “ Christ goes on to say simply that, as believers, our words ought to be the truth in action. Our yes, should mean yes and our no’s should mean no. He is speaking to our character, our integrity, the matter of our hearts. The Lord requires that our speech be direct. He does not want us to embellish the truth for the sake of protecting someone’s feelings. He wants our words to set an example of truth, honest, integrity. We are to follow through with what we say with our words. So often, we fall on intention to cover up our inability to follow through with our word through action. Prayer My heavenly Father, please forgive me for using my words carelessly and falsely. Help me to guard my mouth so that what proceeds out of it is pleasing in your sight. I pray that what I say may be what is my hearts desire. Strengthen me Lord so that I am able to speak the truth in love toward others and not be bound by emotion or fear. It is my desire that my yes is yes and my no is no. In Jesus name, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Matthew Tuesday Numbers 30: 2 Wednesday Leviticus Thursday James Friday Colossians 4:6 Saturday 2 Corinthians Sunday Psalm 141: 3 Application Let your words match 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 Click here to leave Guest Comments
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