Real Christian discussion

I'm posting on behalf of the mods. Since no topic was set, each devotioner -this is not a word- gets to use a topic of his/her choice until further notice. You know your days. Keep reading, writing, being yourself and loving God :)

Hey, Lee-lette. Do you mind reminding everyone just who the devotioners are? I'm sure some of them are busy or have just forgotten. Thanks for everything!

While that's being sorted out, I hope you don't mind me sharing another Daily Bread devotional. Here's a link to the devotional at the original site, if you prefer reading it over there:http://odb.org/2016/07/08/our-chief-t...



When a British scholar called on the world’s religions to work together for worldwide unity, people everywhere applauded. Pointing out that the major religions share a belief in the Golden Rule, she suggested, “The chief task of our time is to build a global society where people of all persuasions can live together in peace and harmony.”

Jesus cited the Golden Rule in His Sermon on the Mount: “Do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matt. 7:12). In the same sermon, He said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (5:44). Putting those radical commands into practice would indeed go a long way toward peace and harmony. But immediately following the Golden Rule, Jesus called for discernment. “Watch out for false prophets,” He warned. “They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (7:15).
Our respect for others is vital to winning their respect.

Respect for others and discernment of the truth go hand in hand. If we have the truth, we have a message worth telling. But God extends to everyone the freedom to choose Him or reject Him. Our responsibility is to lovingly present the truth and respect the personal choice of others just as God does.

Our respect for others is vital to winning their respect. It’s an important step in gaining an opportunity to convey the message of Jesus, who said, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6).

(Prayer)
Father in heaven, help us to see each individual as uniquely made in Your image and worthy of our love and respect. Show Your love through our lives in some small way today.

Karis wrote: "Hey, Lee-lette. Do you mind reminding everyone just who the devotioners are? I'm sure some of them are busy or have just forgotten. Thanks for everything!"

Or right, thanks Karis, I forgot about that part. No need to thank me :)
(Days...)
- Monday: Matt
- Tuesday: Tamara
- Wednesday: Hope
- Thursday: Mary (Yep, me :P)
- Friday: Rebecca
- Saturday: Urs
- Sunday: Lee-Lette
- Sunday Prayer: Anyone Welcome!

Lee-lette wrote: "I'm posting on behalf of the mods. Since no topic was set, each devotioner -this is not a word- gets to use a topic of his/her choice until further notice. You know your days. Keep reading, writing..."
 
Thank you, Sweetie! This will work much better for me, and I will work harder at not forgetting.
 

No problem :) *whispers* I'm guilty of forgetting too.

Hello all! It's a fairly new year, a new month and a new day. Many did not live to see any of these so regardless of our situations, we should be grateful to God for sparing our lives. None of us are deaf, dumb or blind, we don't need assistance to stand or go to the bathroom or walking and eating aids. Thank you Jesus for good health!

God sent his only son to die for retches like me; on top of that he provides comfort, safety, security, love, grace and his wonderful gift of salvation. The least we can do is worship Him in spirit and in truth.

We may say “As youths, it hard to stay pure especially with the ever advancing technology- which is a huge distraction sometimes.” But imagine how God felt when He sent His only son, his only child to die for people who are sinners, people who turn their backs on God and people who don’t believe. He didn’t just die for the Christians. No! He died for all. Atheists, gays, lesbians, homosexuals, revivalists, Satanists, everyone!

Imagine what would happen to us if Jesus didn’t pay the price. If He chose to be disobedient as many of us are. What if he yielded to satan’s temptations? What if He took the glory for Himself whenever miracles were performed? What if he didn’t die?
That thought is scary isn’t it? Burning eternally. We can barely manage the heat of the summer, imagine the fires of hell! My devotion meant isn’t to scare you, it’s to encourage you to push on. We’ve been through too much to give up now so don’t let go of the last thread of hope. Many are saying this generation is doomed, especially some of the older folks who only see the bad in technology. But WE ARE A CHOSEN GENERATION!! We don’t care what others say, we only care about what God says.

So continue on your walk boldly, for God didn’t give us a spirit of fear but of love, power and a sound mind.

Lee-lette wrote: "No problem :) *whispers* I'm guilty of forgetting too."
 
hehe!  x)
 

:D

Lee-lette wrote: "Hello all! It's a fairly new year, a new month and a new day. Many did not live to see any of these so regardless of our situations, we should be grateful to God for sparing our lives. None of us a..."
 
Amen! This is an awesome devotion and great encouragement to carry into the week. Thank you! :)
 

I don't know what happened, I was gonna write about the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace but as soon as I started typing, I don't know. I think someone needed that encouragement. SO don't thank me, thank God.

Lee-lette wrote: "I don't know what happened, I was gonna write about the three Hebrew boys in the fiery furnace but as soon as I started typing, I don't know. I think someone needed that encouragement. SO don't tha..."
 
Thank You, Lord! :D
 

Amen.

Hey, y'all! :) I don't usually do this... but we seem to be lacking devotions this week & I wanted to share something that I shared on my blog a little while back.
I don't know that I would actually call this a devotional... it's just a little something that touched my heart and I hope it can be an encouragement to someone else. :)

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. — Daniel 10:12-14

I read a book recently and, as I came near the end of the story, something kinda hit me and made me think of these verses in Daniel.
Below is an excerpt from that book>>



In the book I read, Catherine was going through a very difficult time. She felt like God wasn’t answering her prayers. She felt like He had stopped listening to her and she was losing hope. But Dugan reminded her of the story of Abraham and Isaac, and how God was supplying the answer even though Abraham and his son couldn’t see it at the time. In much the same way, God heard Catherine’s prayers and was using a friend of Catherine’s to supply the answer to her prayers while Catherine herself had no idea of what was going on beyond what she could see. On top of that, God also used the whole trying situation to bring about friendships and relationships that would never have otherwise had any hope of existing. Which brings to mind Romans 8:28— And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

“From the first day”, Daniel’s words were heard, but he had to wait 3 weeks. According to verse 2: In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. Daniel didn’t know how or when an answer would come, but God was working in ways he could not see. God sent a messenger to Daniel, but the devil was at work to prevent the messenger from delivering his message. There was a big spiritual battle going on that Daniel knew nothing about. Michael, the archangel, even had to come help the messenger. All that time, Daniel was mourning and waiting for an answer and he had no idea what all was going on beyond what he could see for himself. Perhaps it seemed to him that God was ignoring him… Perhaps he had begun to worry that God wasn’t going to send an answer… Yet there was a messenger and the archangel battling to bring him the answer he needed.

Often, we have to wait longer than we want to for the answers to our prayers, but God is working in ways that we can’t see, using situations and people to bring us an answer to our prayers and to bring about a better good for our lives. He is at work. Trust Him. Don’t stop praying. And don’t lose hope!


((If you're interested-- you can see the original post on my blog here .))

Thanks Aerykah :) We have been lacking many devotions lately. So thanks again, and I loved the devotion. I'm glad you shared it.

 
Simply Obey ~*~ Saturday's Devotion

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.” - Isaiah 55:8


The Bible is not primarily a book to be explained; it is first and foremost a book to be believed and obeyed. Whether you understand it or not, when God says it, you just simply obey it.

And don't substitute human reasoning for obedience. So many times we like to tell God how He ought to do things. I can imagine those early disciples when Saul was making havoc of the church and hauling Christians off to prison and death. I imagine there were many praying, “Oh, God, do something about Saul. Strike him dead.” But God didn't want to strike him dead. God struck him alive! And aren't you glad He did?

Isn't it strange how God works? You see, our ways and God's ways are so different. This is when we have to say, “I will trust You and obey.”

      *from Love Worth Finding by Adrian Rogers
 

Thank you, Urs, for sharing that simple but very sincere devotion. Trusting in and obey God are tough commands and we all need to be reminded of them.

Karis wrote: "Thank you, Urs, for sharing that simple but very sincere devotion. Trusting in and obey God are tough commands and we all need to be reminded of them."
 
You're welcome! Sometimes, simple is the best way to get across, especially to those who are new/young Christians, and we have to grab them fast to get a big point in. For the rest of us, simple reminders keep us going. :)
Obedience is hard. Something that has to be worked on through praying without ceasing. I'm having a tough time right now, so I am having to be very careful.
 

Exactly :) And thanks again so much.

Karis wrote: "Exactly :) And thanks again so much."
 
  :)
 

Here's another devotion from Our Daily Bread. The original link can be found here-http://odb.org/2016/07/19/marking-time/



The military command, “Mark Time, March” means to march in place without moving forward. It is an active pause in forward motion while remaining mentally prepared and expectantly waiting the next command.

In everyday language, the term marking time has come to mean “motion without progress, not getting anywhere, not doing anything important while you wait.” It conveys a feeling of idle, meaningless waiting.
Waiting on God is active trust in Him.

In contrast, the word wait in the Bible often means “to look eagerly for, to hope, and to expect.” The psalmist, when facing great difficulties, wrote: “O my God, I trust in You; let me not be ashamed; let not my enemies triumph over me. Indeed, let no one who waits on You be ashamed” (Ps. 25:2–3 nkjv).

We often have no choice about the things we must wait for—a medical diagnosis, a job interview result, the return of a loved one—but we can decide how we wait. Rather than giving in to fear or apathy, we can continue to “march in place,” actively seeking God’s strength and direction each day.

“Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; on You I wait all the day” (vv. 4–5 nkjv).

(prayer) Lord, give me grace to embrace the pauses in my life, and to be prepared to follow Your next command.


"Waiting on God is active trust in Him."

Karis wrote: "Here's another devotion from Our Daily Bread. The original link can be found here-http://odb.org/2016/07/19/marking-time/

The military command, “Mark Time, March” means to march in place without..."
 
This is wonderful! Especially for a friend who is in the middle of having to wait on God. I sent her the link.
Thank you for this very encouraging devotion. I needed to read this concerning some stresses I am having at work. :)
 

Getting Back on Course ~*~ Thursday's Devotion
II Peter 3:17-18

No matter how far away from God you have drifted, you're always welcome back. That's the lesson from Jesus' parable about the prodigal son--the foolish boy who followed a pleasure-filled path to ruin before returning to his father and finding redemption (Luke 15:11-32). Perhaps ruin has not yet come to you, but you know that your heart has grown cool to the things of God. Whatever your drifting story, make this the day that you point yourself back to the Lord.

As with any sin, the first motion toward getting back on course is to acknowledge that you have slipped away from the Lord. Then you confess and repent, which is like turning your boat in the opposite direction and paddling toward God with all your strength. If you're wondering exactly how to do that, I suggest a strategy I use every morning. Before I step out of bed, I give myself to God by acknowledging, I surrender my entire life to You for this day. When something comes up that runs counter to His plan and I consider pursuing it, the Holy Spirit reminds me that I am not my own. Only God's way will do for me.

Every day we choose whether to row or drift. As for me, I choose to vigorously pursue God.

Peter gives a warning to be on guard against attitudes and ideologies that would carry you away from truth (II Peter 3:17). Instead, choose to paddle your lifeboat toward the Lord by meditating on Scripture, praying, and living obediently. Practicing the spiritual disciplines keeps a heart warm toward God.


Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. (c) 2016 All Rights Reserved.
 

 
Looking for an Easy Way to Serve God? ~*~ Saturday's Devotion

“...and run with patience the race that is set before us.” - Hebrews 12:1


The word “patience” here doesn’t mean the ability to thread a needle, but literally means “endurance.” It means bearing up under some load, some challenge.

Are you looking for an easy way, a cheap way, a lazy way to serve God? All honey and no bees? A life of ease? You just want to say, “O, I’m so happy in Jesus.” Listen, this business of running this race means that you’re going to be at it with all of your heart.

You may be on a sick bed or in a wheelchair. But none is excluded. We are to run with endurance. When you watch someone running, do you notice how intense he is? If you’re in this race, you need to pray over it, you need to weep over it, you need to study over it, you need to work over it.

This matter of being saved and running the race is a full-time occupation. God does business with those who mean business.


      *from Love Worth Finding by Adrian Rogers
 

Well, since I've not heard from anyone volunteering to do devotionals... and since I happened across this blog post that really inspired me this afternoon... I thought I'd share it with y'all. :)

Why God Asks Us To Be Still
*a guest post by Amber Schamel*

One of the hardest things for a Christian to do is stand still when they feel like things are desperate and something must be done. So when God gives His quiet, stable Word that whispers “be still” it’s enough to drive us crazy. I personally have several situations in my life right now that are in the “be still” stage. But as our pastor was preaching a few nights ago, he brought out a point that I’d not thought of before.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall see them again no more forever. ~Exodus 14:13

Our natural reaction tends to be to do something. Amber Schamel shares why God asks us to be still.In this passage, the Egyptians are bearing down on the Israelites. Fear is on every side. Panic. Chaos. Certainly, a desperate situation as all of them—men, women, and children alike—are about to be slaughtered unmercifully. And to all of this God says “stand still”?

But God didn’t just say “stand still”. He said, “stand still AND SEE the salvation of the Lord.” This isn’t the only time that God told the Israelites to stand still.

Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of the Lord with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them: for the Lord will be with you. ~II Chronicles 20:17

Here, King Jehoshaphat was also in desperate straits. A huge force of Ammonites and Moabites were marching toward the city bent on annihilating them. The king called out to God in his distress and again we find God giving the same response. “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.” God was going to fight this battle for them. The loving and gracious Heavenly Father was saying “Step back and stop struggling. I’m going to fix it.”

We find that this is a characteristic of God demonstrated in other passages as well.

Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. ~Psalm 46:10

When God is asking us to be still, it’s because He’s fixing to do something. So if you find yourself in a desperate situation and you feel like your only option, your only answer, is to “be still”, then rejoice. Because God is getting ready to move. He will show His glory, His salvation, and His power. Because He is ever the same. (Hebrews 13:8)


If you'd like to see the original post-- http://sarahruut.com/2016/07/19/why-g...

Aerykah wrote: "Well, since I've not heard from anyone volunteering to do devotionals... and since I happened across this blog post that really inspired me this afternoon... I thought I'd share it with y'all. :)
..."
I didn't know we were suppose to get in touch with you if were already assigned. I'm sorry. I did Thursday's and Saturday's devotionals last week. Saturday is my regular day, but I thought I would try and do another day as I could. I have also been putting up regular encouragement for us. Hope this is all OK.

Wonderful devotion! I always need encouragement with being still and keeping my mouth closed. *sigh* I learned Psalm 46:10 very early in life... wonder why I have to heed to it so often?  :/  Thank God for His amazing mercy and grace!  :D
 

Oh no worries, that's totally okay. :) I just meant about volunteers for the days that no one is doing. It appears that you & Lee-lette are the only ones posting on "your days"-- and I know Karis isn't scheduled for any devotionals, but she's been posting some. So I'd say go ahead & post one whenever you like, Urs! :)

Thanks, I'm glad it was a blessing to you. When I read it, I just had to pass it on. :) Amen!!

Aerykah wrote: "Oh no worries, that's totally okay. :) I just meant about volunteers for the days that no one is doing. It appears that you & Lee-lette are the only ones posting on "your days"-- and I know Karis i..."
 
OK, good. I know I have a lot going on between here, and Christian GoodReaders, and my place, too, so sometimes I get things out of order.  :)

Yes, ma'am, it certainly was a blessing!
 

Great devotions, Urs and JJ. Thanks so much for sharing. I love to read them; they are such good reminders of amazing truths that we sometimes forget or don't think about.

Karis wrote: "Great devotions, Urs and JJ. Thanks so much for sharing. I love to read them; they are such good reminders of amazing truths that we sometimes forget or don't think about."
 
You're welcome! Thanks for reading--glad they were good for you. :)
 

Karis wrote: "Great devotions, Urs and JJ. Thanks so much for sharing. I love to read them; they are such good reminders of amazing truths that we sometimes forget or don't think about."

Thanks, Karis. :) I'm happy to know that it was a blessing to you. :)

Another devotion from Our Daily Bread- (The original link can be found here http://odb.org/2016/07/27/visible-vul... )



As I ventured out several weeks after shoulder surgery, I was fearful. I had become comfortable using my arm sling, but both my surgeon and physical therapist now told me to stop wearing it. That’s when I saw this statement: “At this stage, sling wear is discouraged except as a visible sign of vulnerability in an uncontrolled environment.”

Ah, that was it! I feared the enthusiastic person who might give me a bear hug or the unaware friend who might bump me accidentally. I was hiding behind my flimsy baby-blue sling because I feared being hurt.
Being honest about our struggles allows us to help each other.

Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable can be scary. We want to be loved and accepted for who we are, but we fear that if people truly knew us, they would reject us and we could get hurt. What if they found out we are not smart enough . . . kind enough . . . good enough?

But as members of God’s family, we have a responsibility to help each other grow in faith. We’re told to “encourage one another,” to “build each other up” (1 Thess. 5:11), and to “be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).

When we are honest and vulnerable with other believers, we may discover we have mutual struggles battling temptation or learning how to live obediently. But most of all, we will share the wonder of God’s gift of grace in our lives.

Dear Lord, many times my fear of being hurt keeps me from being honest about my struggles. Help me to remember how much You love me, and help me to be patient and loving with others.

Being honest about our struggles allows us to help each other.

Karis wrote: "Another devotion from Our Daily Bread- (The original link can be found here http://odb.org/2016/07/27/visible-vul... )

As I ventured out several weeks after shoulder surgery, I was fearf..."
 
Amen! This is wonderful! I am usually a loud mouth about my struggles and will ask for prayer in a heartbeat! *lolol* I haven't been as active over here, but I plan to try harder. Thank you for sharing this great reminding devotion! :)
 

I'm glad this devotion was encouraging, Urs. I love to share from Our Daily Bread.

 
Christ Is the Way to Holiness ~*~ Thursday's Devotion

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, Who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” - Galatians 2:20


Here is one of the greatest secrets of living a victorious life that I know anything about: holiness is not the way to Christ—Christ is the way to holiness.

Many times we think, “If I could pray enough, live purely enough, study my Bible thoroughly enough, or get my life holy enough, that would bring me closer to Jesus. It would bring me into a relationship with Him.”

But not so! It is Jesus Christ Who enables you to pray. It is Jesus Christ Who enables you to study the Bible. It is Jesus Christ Who enables you to live the pure life. Holiness is not the way to Christ—Christ is the way to holiness.

We can never work ourselves into being “holy enough” to qualify for closeness with Jesus. Just as Elisha was identified with Elijah, so you must be identified with the Lord Jesus Christ. It happens in relationship—you must spend time with Him. We become like who we spend time with.


      *from Love Worth Finding by Adrian Rogers
 

God Uses the Wicked ~*~ Saturday's Devotion
Genesis 37

When we don't understand what God is doing or why, His ways can seem perplexing. The times when ungodly people seem to triumph over the righteous make us scratch our heads and wonder why the Lord doesn't intervene. But the truth is, He often uses the wicked to accomplish His purpose.

Joseph faced one hard-hearted individual after another during his years in exile. His brothers shipped him off to Egypt. His boss's wife accused him of an unspeakable crime. And even those he helped, like Pharaoh's cupbearer, forgot about him (Gen. 40:23). The actions (or seeming inactions) of God make little sense at this point.

But once the story of Joseph's life was written in full, it was clear that everyone who harmed or neglected the young man contributed to God's plan. The Lord used numerous people across several years to bring a humbled young Hebrew unexpectedly to power at the right moment to spare his family--who were the Messiah's ancestors--from the effects of famine.

In our circumstances, we can see God's actions only from the limited vantage point of our humanness. We experience the events He has allowed or caused but can't discern what He is thinking. Often the Lord's goals and purposes are hidden from us until His plans come to fruition.

God is sovereign over all the earth. We may wonder at the strange or even terrifying turns our lives take, but we can be certain that He is in control and at work. The wicked may triumph for a season, but the final, eternal victory belongs to Christ and His righteous followers.


Used with permission from In Touch Ministries, Inc. (c) 2016 All Rights Reserved.
 

That was a much needed reminder Urs. As Psalm 37 vs. 1-5 (KJV) says ;
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.
Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

Lee-lette wrote: "That was a much needed reminder Urs. As Psalm 37 vs. 1-5 (KJV) says ;
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down..."
 
Yes, indeed. I have been having a rough time at work for the past few months, and I have to pray without ceasing and talk to God all day long. I have to make myself remember to come to God, and not allow those people and situations get to me, and make my heart ugly. I have to work hard at being STILL and listening to HIM.

I'm glad this was good for you! :)
 

And i in turn am glad that it benefited you also and may some of the other members also.

I apologize to all for my absence and inactivity. My mind is all over the place at this time and I JUST remembered my devotion.

All I can think of to share at the moment is:
Never give up. You may get tired of persevering because you're near the end of the tunnel and yet there is no light. Instead it's darker than before. Just keep your head held high and remember, the darkest part of the night is just before daylight. So keep pressing and keep the faith in Christ. Hold on to Jesus and ride out your storm.

Enjoy the rest of your day/ night/ morning or whatever it is, wherever you are :)

Lee-lette wrote: "I apologize to all for my absence and inactivity. My mind is all over the place at this time and I JUST remembered my devotion.

All I can think of to share at the moment is:
Never give up. You ma..."
 


Thank you! :)
 

Lee-lette wrote: "And i in turn am glad that it benefited you also and may some of the other members also."
 
*hugs*   *sending prayer for your busy-ness*
 

*returns hug* Thank you :)