Saturday, May 29, 2010
Sorry..down for the count.
Sorry everyone. I went down for the count last week with a kidney stone attack-terrible pain I assure. My devotions will resume Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday this week. Thanks for reading.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Sitting in God’s Lap
Read Ephesians 3:7-13
In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12
Whenever I got in trouble at school growing up, my mother would tell me “Just wait until your father comes home.” When my father eventually came home from work, I would avoid talking to him for as long as possible. The expectation of his disapproval and the punishment I would receive was more than enough motivation to make myself scarce once my father found out what I had done. Often I would wait until my mother talked to him before I dared to myself because she would talk him through his initial reaction of anger.
In the same way, when I place my trust in Christ, He makes it possible for me to approach God in spite of my sin and shame. Because He has shouldered my punishment and has paid the penalty for my sin, I can rest in the power of God’s love and forgiveness. Whereas my earthly mother interceded for me with my earthly father, Jesus intercedes for me with God. Like a child, I can sit in my Heavenly Father’s lap without fear of rejection or punishment because of Jesus.
God, thank You for Your mercy and grace given through Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice, I have abundant life in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. Ephesians 3:12
Whenever I got in trouble at school growing up, my mother would tell me “Just wait until your father comes home.” When my father eventually came home from work, I would avoid talking to him for as long as possible. The expectation of his disapproval and the punishment I would receive was more than enough motivation to make myself scarce once my father found out what I had done. Often I would wait until my mother talked to him before I dared to myself because she would talk him through his initial reaction of anger.
In the same way, when I place my trust in Christ, He makes it possible for me to approach God in spite of my sin and shame. Because He has shouldered my punishment and has paid the penalty for my sin, I can rest in the power of God’s love and forgiveness. Whereas my earthly mother interceded for me with my earthly father, Jesus intercedes for me with God. Like a child, I can sit in my Heavenly Father’s lap without fear of rejection or punishment because of Jesus.
God, thank You for Your mercy and grace given through Jesus Christ. Through His sacrifice, I have abundant life in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Monday, May 24, 2010
The Patience of God
Read 1 Timothy 1:12-17
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16
I am blessed to be the father of six young children(with a seventh on the way!), four boys and two girls ranging in age from 12 years old to newborn. Each day my life is filled with so much wonder and excitement as my children are discovering their way in this world. Unfortunately, some of this “discovery” includes my children making very poor choices in how they deal with us as parents and how they deal with each other. Especially after a long day, I have a tendency to grow impatient with their arguing and stretching of our house rules.
But once the house is quiet, God has a way of reminding me how much I am like my own children. I think of how I constantly push the limits of what He wants for me, and how I too am in desperate need of mercy. I am humbled by His “unlimited patience” with me, and this humility creates a genuine desire in my heart to have the same kind of patience with those I love the most. God gently reminds me that I am an example of His love towards everyone I spend time with, especially my children.
God, today I am reminded of Your merciful and patient heart towards me. Help me to extend Your love and mercy towards those I love most today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display His unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on Him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:16
I am blessed to be the father of six young children(with a seventh on the way!), four boys and two girls ranging in age from 12 years old to newborn. Each day my life is filled with so much wonder and excitement as my children are discovering their way in this world. Unfortunately, some of this “discovery” includes my children making very poor choices in how they deal with us as parents and how they deal with each other. Especially after a long day, I have a tendency to grow impatient with their arguing and stretching of our house rules.
But once the house is quiet, God has a way of reminding me how much I am like my own children. I think of how I constantly push the limits of what He wants for me, and how I too am in desperate need of mercy. I am humbled by His “unlimited patience” with me, and this humility creates a genuine desire in my heart to have the same kind of patience with those I love the most. God gently reminds me that I am an example of His love towards everyone I spend time with, especially my children.
God, today I am reminded of Your merciful and patient heart towards me. Help me to extend Your love and mercy towards those I love most today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Friday, May 21, 2010
my new devotional blog
Hi Everyone!!
Welcome to my new devotional blog. If you are a follower of my blog, "Beyond the Comma", thanks for coming over to check out my newest project. If you are new to my writing altogether, thanks for taking the time to see my new blog.
Several years ago, I felt led to start writing short devotional pieces as I read through the Gospels. After I wrote several of these, I felt prompted by God to share these with more people as an encouragement to their faith.
Graciously, God opened the door for me to write for amazing devotional magazines like The Quiet Hour, Devotions, Light from the Word, Take Five Plus, and The Secret Place.
Now that I have written several months of devotions, I wanted to start sharing some of them with you.
Each week, I plan to post short devotional thoughts on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. I would love to receive feedback from you about how God spoke to you through the same passage, maybe in a different way.
I strongly believe that daily Bible reading a meditation is so important for the development of our faith, but sometimes, we are too busy to make this a consistent habit and priority in our lives. I know this is a constant struggle for me.
I find short devotional thoughts always get me thinking and I am thankful for writers like Oswald Chambers, Charles Swindoll, and Charles Spurgeon who have inspired my devotional reading over the years.
Here is a sample of one of my devotions...
Never Alone
Read Haggai 1:7-15
During the Civil War, no general had a greater impact on his soldiers than the confederate general Robert E. Lee. It is said that the mere sight of him riding the front lines caused the confederate soldiers to give the “rebel yell” and surge forward into the fight. Lee reminded his men that he was with them with his constant presence on the battlefield. Because of Lee’s leadership, the Confederate army won a number of significant battles throughout the war even though they were usually badly out-numbered.
In our darkest days, our greatest challenges, our loneliest moments, or our greatest disappointments, it is encouraging to know that God is with us every step of the way.
Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: "I am with you," declares the LORD (Haggai 1:13).
Just as the Confederate soldiers were encouraged by the sight of General Lee riding upon his famous horse Traveler, we can find comfort in a God who knows everything and has everything under His control.
When do you feel most alone and in need of God’s presence in your life?
What can you do to remind yourself that God is with you everyday?
God, help us desire to draw closer to You each day.
See you next week!!
Welcome to my new devotional blog. If you are a follower of my blog, "Beyond the Comma", thanks for coming over to check out my newest project. If you are new to my writing altogether, thanks for taking the time to see my new blog.
Several years ago, I felt led to start writing short devotional pieces as I read through the Gospels. After I wrote several of these, I felt prompted by God to share these with more people as an encouragement to their faith.
Graciously, God opened the door for me to write for amazing devotional magazines like The Quiet Hour, Devotions, Light from the Word, Take Five Plus, and The Secret Place.
Now that I have written several months of devotions, I wanted to start sharing some of them with you.
Each week, I plan to post short devotional thoughts on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings. I would love to receive feedback from you about how God spoke to you through the same passage, maybe in a different way.
I strongly believe that daily Bible reading a meditation is so important for the development of our faith, but sometimes, we are too busy to make this a consistent habit and priority in our lives. I know this is a constant struggle for me.
I find short devotional thoughts always get me thinking and I am thankful for writers like Oswald Chambers, Charles Swindoll, and Charles Spurgeon who have inspired my devotional reading over the years.
Here is a sample of one of my devotions...
Never Alone
Read Haggai 1:7-15
During the Civil War, no general had a greater impact on his soldiers than the confederate general Robert E. Lee. It is said that the mere sight of him riding the front lines caused the confederate soldiers to give the “rebel yell” and surge forward into the fight. Lee reminded his men that he was with them with his constant presence on the battlefield. Because of Lee’s leadership, the Confederate army won a number of significant battles throughout the war even though they were usually badly out-numbered.
In our darkest days, our greatest challenges, our loneliest moments, or our greatest disappointments, it is encouraging to know that God is with us every step of the way.
Then Haggai, the LORD's messenger, gave this message of the LORD to the people: "I am with you," declares the LORD (Haggai 1:13).
Just as the Confederate soldiers were encouraged by the sight of General Lee riding upon his famous horse Traveler, we can find comfort in a God who knows everything and has everything under His control.
When do you feel most alone and in need of God’s presence in your life?
What can you do to remind yourself that God is with you everyday?
God, help us desire to draw closer to You each day.
See you next week!!
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