Today’s verses & devotional thoughts (pages 72-73 in the One Minute Bible for Starters) helped highlight the importance of stillness (aka: chosen, purposed quietness) before God. The “author insightfully pointed out that media and other “mindless entertainment” has some less-than-obvious drawbacks (that go along with the ones that are patently obvious - like content that is ungodly in nature…).
One of those drawbacks is the effect of filling up all the “still/quiet space” that God usually speaks to us in with things that clearly contradict His holiness and ways.
Bottom line: I can’t complain that “God isn’t speaking to me” if I’m filling His space with other stuff that drowns His voice out!”
“God, thanks for the reminder to leave “your space” open for you. I’m listening today…”
1 year ago
(Day 18)
I love this insight from today’s scriptures: Whatever I bury (conceal, hide, etc.) I plant in the fertile soil of my heart and that ultimately produces fruit.
Today’s passages spotlight the fact that I am the one who chooses what I conceal (bury, hide, plant, etc.) in my heart what I choose to uncover (disclose, confess, repent, remove, etc.).
Wow! What a powerfully simple (yet utterly life-changing) truth!
“God, today I choose to disclose & repent of sin that you bring to my awareness (James 5:16, 1 John 1:9) and purposefully hide (plant, conceal, internally focus and meditate on) your Word instead.”
I’m looking forward to a juicyfruit day! How about you?
1 year ago
Praising God seems counterintuitive most of the time.
When things are going great, my tendency is to focus on how much I‘m loving it (losing sight of the fact that “Every good and perfect thing comes from God…” - not me.) When things are really rough, I tend to focus on how much I dislike the experience I’m having. Either way, that focus is on the wrong thing: Me!
One way of that thinking opens the door of pride. The other way opens the door of pity. Neither of those doors lead to anything good!
Today’s scriptures remind me that I need to focus on praising God for who He is in every circumstance I find myself in. That opens the door of humility - an irresistible magnet to God; freeing Him to flood my circumstance with His grace, favor and power. It doesn’t get any better than that!
“God, thank you for your instruction (and revelation) to praise you and give you thanks in every circumstance in my life. Only You can be You and do what You do. You’re awesome!”
1 year ago
(Day 15)
There are days where the pressures and uncertainties of life mount so high it seems there is no summit to them. There, suspended on the treacherous slopes of peril, the winds of concern accelerate from a slight breeze to a howling hurricane of dread or worse.
If not for the recall of God’s supernatural faithfulness I have witnessed on the timeline of my life thus travelled, I’d be tempted to give in to despair. Thank God He has gone out of His way to demonstrate both His power and commitment to intervene on my behalf before.
It’s precisely at the point of that recollection that faith dawns on the horizon of my perspective and refuels my resolve to dig in and continue pursuing God through His plan and purpose for my life.
“God, thanks so much for being bigger than the circumstances that move through my life like so many storms. You not only sustain me, You’ve always turned the most undesired developments of my life into the very things that ultimately propel me to higher heights. Only You can do that!” :-)
1 year ago
(Day 12)
I love the perspective today’s verses (Psalm 19:7-10, 2 Timothy3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12 NIV) bring to the function and power of God’s Word at work in me when I choose to read, learn and apply it in my daily life. Nothing else can do what God’s Word can do!
“God, Thank you for the power of your Word. It brings insight, clarity, hope, joy and a host of wonderful benefits in my life. Today, I choose to look for ways to apply your Word to the circumstances I’ll face.”
1 year ago
(Day 11)
Psalm 5:12 was a powerful reminder of the benefit of living in right standing (i.e. as the righteous) with God. Every “sacrifice” I make (i.e. dying to my flesh, walking in humility and premeditated forgiveness, etc.) is nothing compared to the blessing of God and His favor that surrounds the righteous “like a shield.”
“God, thank you for reminding me when I’m tempted to bitterness, unforgiveness or any other sin how foolish that choice is compared to blessing and favor that surrounds the righteous. I choose to live mindful of that today!”
1 year ago
(Day 10)
In today’s scriptures, Jesus said that following Him means me making the choice to deny myself (my self-centered flesh desires), take up my cross (live out His purpose for my life) and follow Him (let Him call the shots and direction for my life).
Seen from the perspective of my flesh desires, this is an enormously costly decision. Seen from the perspective of my spirit and eternity, it is the path to indescribable peace, joy and happiness.
I’m making the choice to count the cost and follow Jesus today.
“Jesus, thanks for clearly laying this issue out for me to see so I can make the choice to follow you. Frankly, the “cost” of denying myself, taking up my cross and following you seems pitifully small compared to the price you paid to redeem me. When I consider that, I gladly choose the “price” of following you today.”
1 year ago
(Day 9)
Redemption alone is a miraculously wonderful gift from God. Every time I contemplate the fact that God did for me what I could never do for myself (salvation through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ), I am overwhelmed by that expression of unconditional love.
Then, amazingly enough, God has chosen us to be a significant part of His body on the earth through the gifts of the Spirit given to us when we’re born again.
It compounds my gratitude each time I recall that He has:
1. Saved me
2. Gifted me
3. Chosen to use me in His redemptive plan for mankind.
“God, all I can say is a profound, ‘Thank You!’ for your amazing grace. I’m yours for life!
1 year ago
(Day 8)
God used today’s scriptures to underscore the importance of staying in close fellowship with Him.
It’s in my best interest to keep my life clean so the Holy Spirit is free to work in my heart and mind unhindered by sin’s caustic, distorting effect.
“God, help me keep a close guard on my mind and heart today (Prov. 4:23) and eagerly welcome and cherish your revelatory (and transformational) work in me.”
1 year ago
The reading from day 6 took me through various scriptures that outline our relationship with God as His children.
I am so grateful to God for how He has chosen to reveal Himself and relate to us. He relates to us like a loving Father (as opposed to a cruel, powerful self-centered tyrant…)
I will walk through my day today comforted by the knowledge that my Heavenly Father is watching over and walking with me, using His awesome character and mighty power to guard and guide me.
“Thank you God for giving me new life as one of your children. It fills me with comfort and confidence to know that you are right here with me as a go through my day.”
1 year ago
