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Archived Devotionals
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October 2015
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Monday- Matt
Tuesday- Me
Wednesday- Tamara
Thursday- Caitlyn
Friday- Zechariah
Saturday- Lee-Lette
Sunday- Emily
I changed some days so it would benefit for you each. Hehe. So let me know if this is okay and feel free to let me know if its not. Again please let me know that this is okay with each of you :D Thanks!
God bless!!
Are we changing the topic or is it going to be the same for this month?
Mod
Awesome! Okay, thanks! Sorry I was just wondering cause I wanted to get mine written out early. ;)
October 5th : PraiseLet heaven and earth praise Him, the seas and everything that moves in them. - Psalm 69:34
Praise is unnatural for man, imho. Maybe praising your kids when you want to encourage them: “Great job, Johnny!”. Or perhaps praise for a spouse: “You look great today, hon!” But praising God? It seems strange…
… or at least it does until you worship Him “in spirit and in truth” (John 4). Worship in the Spirit seems to come much easier if you just let the Holy Spirit guide you and don’t fight against Him. I grew up in churches that fought Him, taught that worship was always done in a certain way. It was when I was 20 that I realized that wasn’t the case, as I encountered the Holy Spirit in a way that I didn’t even believe in at the time.
Praise is praying. Praise is singing. Praise is just thanking Him. Praise is seeing the majesty of this world and recognizing His hand in it. Praise is sharing what He has done for you.
Lift up your hands to the holy place and bless the Lord! - Psalm 134:2
Now as a worship leader and worship team member, I try to listen to the Holy Spirit as I lead. In fact, I'm not really "leading" at all, I'm just up there praising Him and trying to not mess up, which can distract me and others. The best times leading worship is when I'm just up there worshiping Him.
Don't be distracted -- just be up there worshiping Him.
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@Matt- Oh Wow!!!! This was terrific Matt!!!! Totally wonderful!! *handclaps* Great job!!!! :D
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Praying for you all <3
October 6: Our Eyes Wait Upon Thee (Praise)Psalms 145:1-3
“I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forever. Great is the LORD! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness.”
I believe we know what "praise" is. The dictionary says praise is "to offer grateful homage to (God), as in words or song". So singing to Him, praying to him, and other ways (that give God glory and honor), are praise.
But there needs to be a reason behind giving praise to someone. If there is no meaning behind it, what's the point? So, why do we give God praise? Or why should we?
I believe there are plenty of answers to that question:
1. Because God is God. There really isn't any need for another reason. He is the only true God. He is sovereign, holy, omnipresent, omnipotent, and so so worthy of our praise.
2. He created us. He created me; he created you. He could have not created us. He definitely didn't need us, but he did want us. So he made us. We are created to glorify him, and one way we can do that is by praising him.
3. I think one of the more important reasons can be summed up in this verse:
John 3:16
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
He gave up his son for us, us. Sinners who don't deserve it. Now because of what Christ suffered, when we die we can go to heaven for eternity (if we accept him).
There are many more reasons, but this is all I have for now. But can't you see? Why wouldn't we want to give him praise???
G. Paige
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Your welcome!!! I was happy to do it. Your compliments really mean a lot. Thanks!
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Psalm 113King James Version (KJV)
113 Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord.
2 Blessed be the name of the Lordfrom this time forth and for evermore.
3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.
4 The Lord is high above all nations, and his glory above the heavens.
5 Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high,
6 Who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!
7 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill;
8 That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people.
9 He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye theLord.
Gabriela wrote: "October 6: Our Eyes Wait Upon Thee (Praise)Psalms 145:1-3
“I will exalt you, my God and King, and praise your name forever and ever. I will praise you every day; yes, I will praise you forev..." That was a blessing for me as I go to work this morning. Thank you Gabriela.
October 7, 2015: "Our Eyes Wait Upon Thee"Today I wanted to focus on praising and thanking God in the hard times of your life.
This is probably the most difficult forms of praise, it requires a great amount of energy and will from the person when they’re already struggling. What most of us fail to realize is that praising God during these times actually helps us, this goes against all that we would think, but He works in mysterious ways we cannot always comprehend.
Praising God during difficult times is not the only thing we should do, we should also thank Him, even for our difficulties. This can sometimes be harder than praising, to thank God for the difficulty in our lives is not something that comes easily to most of us. The Bible says even our trials are for His glory and holy will. They can be to strengthen us in our faith, or can even be a disguised blessing, we cannot know the ways of God.
1 Peter 1:6-7 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
Praise God, not because you have to or should, but because you can, and it’s a gift from Him to His children. Thank God, not with reluctance or from obligation, but because you are truly joyful in knowing that He is in control.
Through the many trials and temptations of our lives let’s remember to always praise and thank God. We may not know his purposes, but we know that they are for our good and not our harm. Praise God for all that He’s done for us and continues to do in our lives!
Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Mod
Nice one, Tamara. That is really good. Thanks, Tina. My pleasure.
Thursday DevoOctober 8, 2015
I've spent three days trying to think of what to write about for my Thursday devo spot. As I'm writing this, I still don't know what I'm going to say, but I'm gonna let God guide my hand. I figure that can be applied to a lot of things in life. You want to go to a certain school, but in the back of your mind you feel something saying that you shouldn't go. Most likely, that's God. God's plan for you might not include you going to say, a culinary school. You may have felt a pull of joy while teaching children at church. Maybe that pull is God telling you that He wants you to go to a Christian school and train to be a youth pastor, or a missionary. Maybe He wants you to be a nurse and tend to the ill or wounded. His plan for you might not even include anything you thought you wanted to do. You never thought you could be a counselor, but now you feel like that's your call. Pray to a God. Talk to Him and ask Him what His will is for you. God didn't forget you- He has a plan for everyone. He might not answer right away or in a way you expected Him to, but He knows his stuff, and He doesn't want you to worry.
"' For I know the plans that I [a]have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'" Jeremiah 29:11
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Thanks haha :) I have to remind this to myself daily when I freak out about my future
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That was great Caitlyn!! Good job!! :D
@Caitlyn I love the way you just let God lead you! Great devotional!@Tamara Your devo is perfect for what I'm going through right now. I really needed that! Mine will be on a similar topic on Sunday.
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I'm glad it helped you Emilia!! That's what I pray for every time! :) I can't wait to on read yours!! :)
Malheureusement, je suis retard.It is too late to share my devotional. However, I will share this praise related truth: true praise and worship needn't be as an obligation to fit in one's schedule. One that must be reserved for a quiet solitary place, or within a church. Praise, worship, and prayer are meant to be 24/7 (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you), because they were meant to be lived. Live with a thankful and giving heart, see the good and abstain from all appearance of evil (verse 22), acknowledge God in thanksgiving and in your every action. Let your ear be inclined (Isaiah 55:1-3, Proverbs 22:17) unto the Holy Spirit, and so shall you live in prayer, praise, and worship. So shall you live in love. These things are a lifestyle. Not a moment in time.
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Thank you Zeke, I very much enjoyed and needed that.
Tina wrote: "Thank you Zeke, I very much enjoyed and needed that."I'm glad you enjoyed it! :) And that it could minister to you.
Princess Emilia wrote: "Very nice!! And so true."
Thank you. :D It's a truth that I endeavor to remember, especially when times are busy.
Mary Kate wrote: "Very true!! Awesome Zeke!!! *handclaps* :D"
Thanks, MK! :)
Hi everyone, sorryto be late but I JUST got home from a funeral.I'm not sure what this weeks topic is but I will be focusing on Mark 4:35-41 using the topic 'Jesus, a shelter in our times of storm"
The scripture in Mark 4:35-41 says:
35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
36 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?
39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
41 And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Sometimes, we face troubling situations and we forget that we have a father who is mighty, powerful and merciful. It is because of our forgetfulness that we try to solve our situations on our own and come up empty handed. We see in the scripture that Jesus' disciples were going through a storm- literally- and they became fearful and ran to Jesus. It is good that they had ran to Jesus but we also need to realize that our father loves us too much to give us more than we are able to bear. We should stand up in our situations, we should continue to represent Jesus. When we show that we are faithful, when we study His words and keep them in our hearts He will deliver us. As a song writer said 'Guide me oh Thou Great Jehovah! Pilgrim through this barren land. I am weak but, Thou art Mighty! Hold me with thy powerful hands'. So today I encourage you to to hold on to Jesus and ride out your storms.
I am not going to pray for you today. You all now your needs more than I do and each and every one of us has to build a personal relationship with our Father. So, with that in mind (while listening to this song : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSBPh...) Let us pray.
I hope you enjoy the rest of this day knowing that we have a father to take care of us and He loves us unconditionally.
Thank you so much Lee-lette. I need to spend time with my Lord and build that relationship and trust I need. My Lord and My Father be with me now.
In Jesus name Amen, Tina.
Ummm, WOW! Love the song! And such an encouraging devo! It seems that quite a few of us are going in a similar direction with our devos, and it's definitely not a coincidence that we all had the same subject on our hearts :)
Sunday Devotional10/11/15
Praise Through Difficult Times:
It is incredibly appropriate that our theme "praise" because my family is going through something very tough right now. If I hadn't volunteered for this month's devotionals, I might have forgotten that I need to praise God in all circumstances, bad and good. Not only will others (hopefully) learn from my devotional and be touched by it, but I'm also learning so much myself as I research and write it.
I thought I'd explain further by using a list because, as proven time and time again by Jordan from Blimey Cow, lists are awesome! ;)
Reasons to praise God even through the hard times:
1. Christ suffered for you.
Timothy 2:8-9 says, remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound!
When you suffer, you should remind yourself that Christ also suffered. He did it for you, so that you may be free. That alone is reason enough to always give Him praise.
2. You aren't going through it alone.
Isaiah 25:4a says, for you have been a stronghold to the poor, a stronghold to the needy in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from the heat.
God doesn't leave you when times get hard, although it might seem like it sometimes. The "Footprints in the Sand" poem explains that there are two sets of footprints in the sand (God's and yours), but when things get tough, there's only one set. That doesn't mean you're walking alone. It means that God is carrying you when you can no longer stand. You don't have to go through anything alone.
3. Praise can change your attitude.
I don't know about you, but when I am faced with a problem, my first instinct is to sulk and complain. But this past week, I have realized that doing so doesn't help at all. It doesn't help me feel better, it doesn't help me get any work done, and it just puts everyone else in a bad mood as well. This week, the song "It is Well" has constantly been on my mind. When I "gave in" to the song and started humming the melody, I felt my attitude changing, and I felt at peace. I am at my very best when I am doing something for God's glory. "It is Well" might just be my favorite song in the whole world for many reasons, but the one that sticks out the most to me in my current situation, is the backstory. If you don't know the story behind the song, I encourage you to look it up.
This was my first time writing any type of devotional and sometimes I feel like I'm not qualified enough for this type of thing, but I truly hope that you find this encouraging.
Song suggestion: "Praise You in This Storm" by Casting Crowns
Oh That was wonderful Princess!! You truly inspired me with the way you presented this devotional! Esp for me on a Sunday morning sitting here sulking alone. I too am going threw a rough patch and will go over your devotional a couple more times. Thank you ♥ Tina
That was amazing Emilia, and very meaningful!! Thank you! :)
I'm soooo glad you found it helpful!
Here are some verses from Psalm 119 that I really like and thought I would share. 49 Remember your word to your servant,
for you have given me hope.
50 My comfort in my suffering is this:
Your promise preserves my life.
58 I have sought your face with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
60 I will hasten and not delay
to obey your commands.
61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes,
I will not forget your law.
62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks
for your righteous laws.
64 The earth is filled with your love, Lord;
teach me your decrees.
65 Do good to your servant
according to your word, Lord.
66 Teach me knowledge and good judgment,
for I trust your commands.
68 You are good, and what you do is good;
teach me your decrees.
71 It was good for me to be afflicted
so that I might learn your decrees.
72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.
73 Your hands made me and formed me;
give me understanding to learn your commands.
76 May your unfailing love be my comfort,
according to your promise to your servant.
77 Let your compassion come to me that I may live,
for your law is my delight.
80 May I wholeheartedly follow your decrees,
that I may not be put to shame.
82 My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?”
84 How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors?
86 All your commands are trustworthy;
help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
88 In your unfailing love preserve my life,
that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.
Mod
<3 <3
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*praying*
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, thank you so much for all you do for us!! Thanks you that we have all made it through another week!! Lord I know that here in this group we have so many that carry problems today and even though I may not know them you do!! Just comfort us through these troubles and lead us to do your blessed will!! Just lead us with your Love and heal us if its in your will, let us be able to carry what we have been entrusted to and let us feel your presence!! Just thank you Lord for all these people here in this group. Lord I just so praise you for them and all the hope they give me every day!! Let us never forget you bring us what we need!!
Let us give you our troubles and hurts this week and onward!!
Help this next week devotionals to praise and honor you- for only you are God!! We praise your name dear Lord!!
Keep us safe in your hand and help us know your love! Convict those who need you and guide those who know you!! Let is be a light in the ever growing darkness!!! We give this all into your hands! Be with us all!! We love you Lord Jesus Christ, my Saviour!!
Amen!!!
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Next weeks topic is, " Grace: The Empowerment to do Good." (Name by Zechariah)
Days are the same. Let me know if you will not be able to to your day and I'll fix it up graciously. Understanding obliged xP
Group message will follow tonight. Thanks again y'all so very much!! I'm here for y'all if any of you need me!!!
Stay blessed <3
and always remember Jesus Loves YOU!!!!!!
~Mary Kate (:
Awesome!! I completely agree! And I can't wait to read what everyone has to say this coming week
These devotions have really been a blessing :)
Mod
October 12th, 2015For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9
Mercy, Love, Forgiveness, Grace. They are all words that describe the character of God. Mercy is when we don't get what we deserve -- "I throw myself on the mercy of the court". Love (agape) is a love of the will -- "I choose to love you no matter what." Forgiveness is similar to mercy -- "I will remember your sins no more."
Grace is when we receive something good that we don't deserve.
When our kids were little, we tried to deliberately demonstrate grace so that they would understand God's grace when they were older. They'd get grounded for a period, but then we'd go to them and un-ground them sooner than we said we would and explain that it was grace -- undeserved favor -- and it was simply that we loved them.
Grace, Love, Mercy, Forgiveness -- they can all work together in us to demonstrate God's love to all people.
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Thanks so much :D