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Devotional for by Minister Mamie Pack
Being Patient “7 Surely oppression maketh a wise man mad; and a gift destroyeth the heart. 8 Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. 9 Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools. 10 Say not thou, What is the cause that the former days were better than these? for thou dost not enquire wisely concerning this.” Ecclesiastes 7: 7-10 KJV My pastor would often say, what is in a person will eventually come out of a person. In other words, an individual can pretend to be someone he/she is not for only so long before what is truly in him/her will come to light. Sometimes, we can even fool ourselves into thinking that something does not exist in us. At least that is until we find ourselves in the midst of temptation, a storm, an affliction, or challenging situation. It is in those moments that we, and others, learn about what truly lies within us. In these moments, it can be quite common for the believer to become emotional. Some of us may exhibit doubt, some fear, and for others, even anger. Solomon begins these verses by saying even the wise, or seasoned believer, can become angry at the affliction he/she faces or become angry at the afflictions others face. In those moments of anger, one may say or do things that may not be considered normal behavior. A person may curse God, use language with others that is not Christ like, or loose control. As long as situations in life are bearable and somewhat under control, we may never realize that those actions lie within us. Sometimes, we think that we are above such behavior. Ah yes, in the moments when our faith, our calling, our giftings, our love for Christ, even our commitment is challenged; it is easy to want to speak up or put someone in their place. Yet, again Solomon guides the believer to be patient and do nothing in haste out of anger. In faith, believers are called to not see the situation for what it seems like, or the beginning of a matter, but are instead to see in faith the end of the matter and how God will bring us through. Just because it seems as though the load is heavy and unbearable, the Word already reveals that everything is working together for the good of them who love the Lord. So when we make decisions or say things in anger, it will ultimately damage the believer and his/her walk with Christ. For some, patience comes as a result of growing in those storms, afflictions and challenges. Our carnal nature desires to control a situation through our words and actions, but those who are in Christ are guided to be patient to wait for the guidance of Christ. In patience, we are submitting ourselves to His will. Patience requires trust. When we are patient, we are trusting that God is in control and that He knows what is best for us. These moments call us to maintain our temperament and hold steadfast to the Word of Christ. Challenges can be revealing agents used to awaken our spiritual eyes to where we are in our walk with Christ but just be patient in the process. Prayer Lord, we take for granted how awesome You are. At times in our lives, we allow ourselves to carry burdens and fix situations that we should be giving to you. Help us to stop trying to be in control and surrender every area of our lives to you. Forgive me for the times that I stepped in when You were guiding me to leave a situation alone. Grant me the words that are needed and the discernment on when to speak and when to be silent. I pray that I may seek you more in prayer so that I may grow in my walk with you. It is my desire that what comes out of me is more and more like you and less like the world. Thank you for providing your word as a tool to help me in this journey and for those who share your word in an uncompromising fashion. I am so glad you love me. In the name of Jesus, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Ecclesiastes 7:8 Tuesday Ephesians 4: 1-2 Wednesday Galatians Thursday Proverbs Friday James Saturday Ecclesiastes 7:9 Sunday Proverbs Application When you find yourself losing patience and want to control a situation yourself, stop and seek God in prayer for guidance on what to say or do and the timing of such 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 send to a friend.
Click here to leave guest comments Devotional for By Minister Mamie Pack Giving Glory “23) This is what the LORD says: ‘Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24) but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9: 23-24 NIV Beware ladies and gentlemen. There is an epidemic spreading among believers. This illness can block blessings and sever a relationship with Christ without you even major symptoms. This sickness I am referring to is the “I” syndrome. Ah, yes, the “I” syndrome has impacted many believers. Causes of this syndrome include pride and haughtiness. This illness causes believers to focus on themselves thus taking their eyes off of Christ. Symptoms will include statements such as “If it had not been for me, then they would have never . . .”, “I’m the one that . . .”, or “Why do I always have to . . .”. Other symptoms include boasting of ones abilities over another. In this sickness, the believer believes that they are the reason for their blessings, their abilities, their strength. Then just like that the “I” syndrome has over taken them. Jeremiah was warning the people against such a problem when the people began to put their trust in their own strength and wisdom. He knew the folly in placing glory in anything or anyone else other than Christ. The people believed that their wealth, their politics, and their military strength would prevent them from experiencing the wrath of God and that they did not need to keep their covenant with Him. In these scriptures he shares with them what the Lord had spoken to him.
Those who are plagued with the “I” syndrome will boast of themselves and which will eventually lead to a break in their relationship with Christ. So what do we do? The scripture explains it so clearly. If we are going to boast then we are to boast in the greatness, the love, the strength, the mercy, the grace of Christ. The only way to keep the symptoms of the “I” syndrome away is to give glory to Christ in all things. Recognize that every good and perfect gift comes from Christ. It is not us who save, but the blood that was shed for us. If you find you have any of these symptoms showing up from time to time, take your focus off of you and return it back to Christ. Prayer. My Father in Heaven, I am so humbled that You continue to love me the way that you do. Every day you shower me with such love that I am unable to fathom the depths in which it runs. Forgive me Lord for boasting of myself. Forgive me for thinking that it is because of me. Help me to keep my eyes focused on you, humbly submitted to your will. Guide me in how to use my words so that I am edifying you and not looking to boast of myself. Thank you that you continue to give me opportunities to grow. I am so happy to know that you love me in spite of. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Jeremiah Tuesday Galatians Wednesday 1 Corinthians Thursday Micah Friday Isaiah 61: 8 Saturday Psalm 20: 7 Sunday Exodus 34: 6-7 Application Anytime you begin to focus on what you are doing or have done for others, take that moment to give credit back 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 Changed Perspective “8) We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9) persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10) We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.” 1 Corinthians 4: 8-10 NIV Paul is one of my favorite writers in the Bible. He is candid, refreshing, and transparent in his walk with Christ. He does not bog the reader with pretentious vocabulary, although he was well educated, nor does he boast of his accomplishments, even though he helped to establish many churches. Paul simply pours out his heart to Christ and to other fellow believers. He speaks of the joy of serving Christ, the temptations of his flesh, the importance of repentance, among so much more. Not one time does he uplift himself, but in all things gives glory to God. When I read his epistles, I am often challenged to check my perspectives on my current situations in life. Here is a man, not a deity, but a man who choose to walk away from his old life of death and choose to live for Christ. For this choice, Paul spends most of latter years of his life suffering persecution while writing many letters from the solidarity of his prison cell. In just this epistle alone, Paul is being accused of fickleness, ministering without proper credentials, cowardice, and more. In spite of all this, Paul’s kept his perspective. Here he simply is saying, “Yes, things are difficult, but there is still room for growth. Sure, our resources may be limited and the plan is not clear, but we still have hope. Okay, I know that we are facing opposition from all sorts of people, but God is still with us. We may even get knocked down a few times, but we are never knocked out.” Wow! What a perspective. Paul does not pretend that there are not difficult times in being obedient to God’s Word or challenges in being submissive. He knows that problems will arise, people will challenge your beliefs, and even those closest to you can seemingly abandon you. In it all, Paul kept a positive perspective. His confessions did not end with identifying the situation, but speaking life to each of them. He continually had hope in knowing that God was always with him, in keeping his focus on things above and not below, in trusting that God was working everything to his good. Sometimes when I am faced with difficulty, the first thing I often do is complain, vent, or even cry. I begin to negatively focus on the situation instead of changing my perspective. I am encouraged when I read these scriptures so that when the challenging times come I can choose to have a God focused perspective. I can choose to confess life over my situations, to trust God, and walk in faith. I don’t have to look at the situation; instead, I choose to keep my eyes on Christ. Prayer. My Lord and Savior, thank you for this beautiful day. I am thankful for being able to have another chance to grow in my relationship with you. Thank you for every gift and talent that you have placed within me for your glory. Help me Lord not to be so fixated with situations in my life. Instead, help me to change my perspectives so that I am fixed on you and trust that you are working everything to my good. I pray that I may have the faith to be still and know that you are Lord of my life. Thank you for the Word and the obedience of your vessels in ministry. In Jesus name I pray, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday 2 Corinthians 4: 7-18 Tuesday Psalm 37: 24 Wednesday Micah 7: 8 Thursday Hebrews 13: 5 Friday Galatians Saturday Philippians 3 8-10 Sunday Romans Application Write this scripture down and place it in your car, on your desk, and in your home. The next time you begin to complain about a difficulty, meditate on these scriptures. 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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Devotional for By Minister Mamie Pack He never fails “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73: 26 (NIV) Try as I might to do meet the expectations I have for myself as a wife, mother, minister, etc., I will always fall short. Sure, I have the list of my goals for the week posted in my bedroom as reminders of what needs to be accomplished, but somewhere along the week even that list can be pushed to the side. Sometimes, I get tired, drained, and frustrated. During those moments, I am just focused on doing the bare necessities. I am not focused on cooking a culinary masterpiece; instead, I just want to get dinner on the table whether it means hot dogs or take out. When we are tired, both physically and spiritually, things have a way of being altered. Our patience may be shorter. Our ability to listen now prompts us to have others just get to the point. For some of us, even receiving affection from those we love can be a bother. Oh yes, those moments when we are tired, our very personality can become quite altered. At that time, we have come to the end of ourselves. The psalmist Asaph has come to a point in his walk with Christ that he realizes that God alone is able to strengthen, guide, provide, and heal us. Asaph’s heart and faith in Christ had been shaken. Although, he was a spiritual man of vigorous religious training, it did not stop him from becoming weak in his flesh, his heart, and ultimately his faith. Even those of us, with the most intensive biblical teachings, can reach a moment in our walk with Christ where we become tired, worn, and discouraged. Yet, one of the wonderful aspects of Asaph’s walk with Christ is that although he recognizes that his flesh and heart may fail, he still holds on to the knowledge that Christ never fails. Notice that in the first portion of the scripture Asaph focuses first on his flesh (body) and then his heart, but in the second portion, Christ deals first with the heart. God seeks to cure what has ailed the believer’s tired heart. For out of the heart love is able to flow. When the heart is worn, then the ability to forgive, to give mercy, to love is given slowly or possibly reluctantly. But God. But God is the strength of our hearts. When we choose to hold true to the principal that Christ never fails, then we can take comfort in knowing that we don’t have to have it all together or be strong all the time because Christ has already done it for us. Prayer. Heavenly, and awesome Father. How many times have I tried to carry a load when you were waiting patiently for me to cast my cares unto you? How often have I pushed away your hand when you wanted to carry me instead of trying to be strong in my own strength? For Lord, I know that my flesh and my heart will fail, but you, oh Lord, never will. You are the same yesterday, today and forever. I choose to put my faith, my trust, my will in your hands believing that you know what is best for me. Help me not to seek to fix situations, but instead surrender all things and people to you. In Jesus name, Amen. Suggested Weekly Monday Psalm 73: 26 Tuesday Jeremiah Wednesday Psalm 16:5 Thursday Psalm 84: 2 Friday Psalm 42: 2 Saturday Daniel Sunday Psalm 38:10 Application The next time you find yourself trying to handle a situation in your own strength, give it to God in prayer. 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 send to a friend.
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