Archive for Devotionals

01 Aug 2011
Devotionals

“Blank Pages” on Laced with Grace

Laced With Grace

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.” ~Luke 10:38-42 ESV

I had one of those rare days when everything was caught up.

House cleaned.

Everyone was occupied and there was free time; Free time that was met with a blank stare, and the thought, “Wow..this is great…What do I do now…well let’s just find something for busy sake”.

Now when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side. -Matthew 8:18 ESV

Every do that yourself?

No,not run across the street when you see someone, but take time to actually rest.

Or do you fidget and think,”I need to find something to do”.Maybe instead of making time in your schedule or taking advantage of time, using it for other work that wasn’t attended to.

Don’t worry, we’re all like that, but imagine what it would be like if we really took time, real time and rested, both to regain our energy and to devote a little more time to prayer and reading the bible.

Maybe a little more productive, maybe more rested and maybe remember what food tasted like, when it was warm not cold, but the same with His word.

Reading His word is a big thing and no matter how busy things can get, we live in an amazing time, where we can read (or listen) to the Bible, in every language, way and form.

So why do we hesitate? We seek everything else with abandonment, but its always a quick prayer, never a full, engaged prayer and maybe a verse here or there, but never a deep, take your time, reading the bible.

Drop by “Laced With Grace” to read the rest of this devotional and read other life encouraging devotionals as well.

Sunflower Faith | 2 comments | Tags: , , , ,
30 Jun 2011
Devotionals

Step into Simplicity-A Laced with Grace post

Laced With Grace

Eyes closed.
Warmth of the sun.
Sounds of laughter.
Listening to the music of the birds.
Simplicity of life.

Reading the words of Proverbs 1:4 (NKJV), I pondered these verses “To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion—”, there are some things in life that aren’t complicated, we can make it complicated….but it doesn’t have to be.

To read the rest of this devotional and enjoy the encouragement of others, drop by Laced With Grace!

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06 Jun 2011
Devotionals • In Other Words Tuesday

“Deciding on Worry”-In Other Words Tuesday

This Week’s “In Other Words”

“ If we can trust God for our eternal salvation,
How can we not trust Him to provide for the “little” things of life?”
~M.E.Howard

Hosted this week by:Urailak on her blog,Living for God

25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
(Matthew 6:25-27, New King James Version)”

Ever asked yourself where does worry get?Well, besides maybe grey hair?

Matthew 6:25-27 is a reminder to the Christian that God does provides; He provides for the things that He knows we need, not want, and like the birds that fly….they are provided sustenance, so He will not abandon us.
We live in a world that seems to be filled and thrives on worry, but as the quote by M.E. Howard provides, how is it that if we trust in Him, that we have eternal salvation that we worry about things that in the long run are temporary.

What does worry really do? It can distract us. It can fill us with fear. It can take away not only our energy, but our time that can otherwise be spent focus on things we have a say in, but worry, in the long run, isn’t productive.

A sermon called, “How to Escape Worry” was shared on a site called the John Mark Ministries, and in that sermon by Rod Benson, it is shared, “When you worry about your life, does that change it? No. When you worry about the future, does that control it? No. Worry won’t change the past, and it won’t control the future. All it does is distract us, and waste our emotional energy, and make us miserable.”

Isn’t it true?

Worry is really just negative energy that can drag one down, leave one feeling worse than they already does, but does it make any changes for the better in a situation? Not really. Does it contribute anything positively that lifts up the situation? Not really.

God is in control and if we believe that and trust Him, we also have the faith that just as our eternal salvation is rested in His hands, whatever we are going through right now, He is working through it that it is to His Glory.

There are things in our lives we can’t control, but making the decision to believe and follow Christ is one thing we do have control of…all else…really is in God’s hands.

Ron Benson really put it well when he shared in his sermon,”We sometimes do that with God when we say to him, “You take care of all the big needs, and I’ll handle the job issues, or the health problems.” When you worry, you’re acting as though God won’t do what he’s promised to do – that he’s not there. Non-believers have a right to worry – they’re alone in a dog-eat-dog world.”

Several tips are offered through his sermon:

1. Put God first-focus on Him; Having a strong relationship and developing that relationship through reading His word is a huge benefit for the Christian facing struggles

2. Focus on Today-If anything else, don’t worry what you can’t change about yesterday and tomorrow is still unwritten so right now…focus on today.

3.Rely on God-Philippians 4:6-7 says give all things to Him. Anxieties, worries, fears…all of it….

When it comes down to it….if you know eternity has been taken care of….then remember…what happens today is only temporary…give it to Him and focus on what you can do for today.

If you haven’t participated in,”In Other Words Tuesday” before and would like to, feel free to drop by and find out more about it, or drop by,”In Other Words Tuesday” newest hostess, Urailak on her blog, Living for God and leave a link to your own,”In Other Words Tuesday” perspective of this week’s quote.

God bless you, Gentle Readers!

Sunflower Faith | 4 comments | Tags: , , ,
11 May 2011
Devotionals • Guest Articles

Distracting Devotion By Chantelle Cudger

Distracting Devotion By Chantelle Cudger

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!” “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.” – Luke 10:38-42

If most of you are anything like me, I’m sure that you’ve read these verses of Scripture on some occasion and made a silent petition for the Lord to forgive the Martha in you, and make you more like Mary in your devotion to Him. However, much like Martha, the problem usually isn’t our devotion itself, but it’s our devotion to the wrong things.

I remember when I first began teaching a Bible Study class to 2yr olds at my church. Every week I was praying for God to prepare me for the class and to prepare the hearts of the children to be receptive of His Word and His love through me and the other teachers. About four years in I went from being Saint Chantelle to being a sister just trying to make it through the class!

Don’t get me wrong, I hadn’t lost my passion for the children. Nor had I lost my desire to serve God in the capacity for which I knew He has purposed me. I simply lost sight of why He had placed me in that class. I began to get so caught up in making sure that all of my tasks were done that most Sundays I hadn’t realized that I had missed the most important task of all showing God’s love to my little 2yr old angels.
Think about it. Can you recount some area of ministry where God has called you to serve or something that you know He has purposed you to do, and you start out with this whole hearted devotion to Him that slowly but surely became a going-through-the-motions type routine, with you showing no genuine dedication to His work, and no longer having any real expectations of Him? It is so easy to get caught up in the preparation of unnecessary or even necessary tasks that we end up missing out on opportunities to spend intimate moments with the Master altogether (Luke 10:40-41 NIV). Therefore, in our service to God it is vital that we not allow ourselves to get distracted by our devotion to the tasks that God has called us to complete.
God often chooses to use such tasks, not so that we should feel more worthy or righteous, but for the purpose of drawing us closer to Him. No matter what God calls us to do, or how much He calls us to do, our works will never make us righteous (Philippians 3:9). The glory that He receives is not in the work for which He has called us, but in His ability to work through us. During this process of spiritual growth our focus is to remain stayed on Him. We are to be ever decreasing (John 3:30), yielding to the Holy Spirit’s complete control, so that through our labor others are being drawn to the Christ in us and not ourselves (John 12:32 NIV).

Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her.. (Luke10:42 NIV). It is imperative that we not allow anything other than our desire for God Himself to hold our absolute attention. Anything else is a distraction. We must remain constant in our passionate pursuit of Him, allowing nothing and no one else to stand in the way of it. Rather than allowing frustration to take the reins, take a moment to pray, “Father give me the strength and wisdom to accomplish every task that you have ordered for me this day. Allow me to serve you in a way that makes your heart rejoice.” In doing so, we come to the full understanding that it is not by might, nor by power, but by his Spirit that we are able to do all things through Jesus Christ, who is our sustaining strength (Zechariah 4:6; Philippians 4:13).

Now let us strive to devote ourselves to the true work of God- works of worship, intercession for others in prayer, and holy and righteous living before the God whom we have not only been called to serve, but represent. Let’s represent Him well!

Prayer:

Father thank you that even when I lose sight of your purposes in the tasks that you have called me to complete, choosing to do things on my own, you are patient, loving, and gracious enough to gently draw me back to your side- regaining my focus and allowing me to see that you are the bigger picture. Thank you for giving me a heart to serve you in ways that honor and please you. In all of my doing may I never be too busy to take time out to share your love with those who need it most.

Chantelle Cudger, Copyright 2009, All Rights Reserved.

Chantelle Cudger was born and raised in Atlanta, GA the sixth of eleven siblings; she holds her family close to her heart.

She attends First Baptist Atlanta where she has also served in the Pre-School Ministry for 9 yrs. She is also actively involved in both short-term missions and local outreach

Article Source: faithwriters.com-CHRISTIAN WRITER-MAKE A WEBSITE

Sunflower Faith | 2 comments | Tags: ,
03 Dec 2010
Devotionals • General Musings • Internet Cafe Devotions

Recharge Your Life with Him

Have you ever just stopped and watched people in a busy area? Have you noticed the stress and the weariness? How about a day care center at the end of its day. Have you seen the parents already wearied by their day at work picking up wearied children?

Matt. 11: 28 – 30
” Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

How often have you felt so weighed down and wearied by life? How often do we forget to take our weariness and heaviness to the One who promised His burden would be light; to the One who promised us rest?

Take just a few minutes right now to breathe in deeply, close your eyes, slow down the racing mind and the pounding pulse. Just think about Him: the lover of your soul, the One who knows you and loves you, who has good plans for you and not evil.

wearied by life? How often do we forget to take our weariness and heaviness to the One who promised His burden would be light; to the One who promised us rest?

Take just a few minutes right now to breathe in deeply, close your eyes, slow down the racing mind and the pounding pulse. Just think about Him: the lover of your soul, the One who knows you and loves you, who has good plans for you and not evil.

Rest in those saving arms and breathe deeply His scent of love. Find the renewal and refreshing that only He can give.

And do one more thing:

“Cast all your anxiety on him for he cares for you.” I Peter 5:7

I can think of many a morning when I woke up and felt like I was running from one end of the house to the other, that the kids seem to have gone from one to six, the dog suddenly forgot how to be housebroken and the trash can kept being overfloweth but never emptieth.

Or think of a morning when you barely had coffee and EVERYTHING seemed to go wrong. By the time night rolled around, you said a quick thank you to God as you crawled into bed, curled up around a pillow and fell asleep BEFORE your head hit the pillow.

Translate that to the work world where the desk seems piled high with paper, the boss just doesn’t seem to be happy no matter what and the deadline went from next month to the end of the day. In the midst of it all, it’s easy to suddenly feel like you’ve lost control and the clock is out to get you.

The same goes for the day to day grind of daily living. Yet, rather than making it a day to day grind, God is there in the midst of the storm. His hands are outstretched,  calming the turbulent sea that we are are, whether it is man-made or natural.

………….Read the rest of this devotioal at, “The Internet Cafe“;I’m serving at the Internet Cafe today. I hope you’ll come by and chat with me:

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: ,
04 Oct 2010
"Christian Life" • Bible • Daily Life Journal Reading • Devotionals

Daily Bible Reflections-How do we serve?

My Daily Bible Reading

My Daily Bible Reading

 

Today’s Reading is from:

Scripture

20 Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”
And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”
30 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. (Mark 9:20-30, New King James Version)

Observation:

This part of the passage of Mark 9:20-30 (NKJV) really stood out at me, “28 And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”.

Oswald Chambers shared in today’s devotions, ”We can remain powerless foreverm as the disciplies were in the situation, by trying to do God’s work without concentrating on His power, and by following instead the ideas that we draw from our own nature. We actually slander and dishonor God by our very eagerness to sever Him without knowing Him. ~Oswald Chambers, Upmost for His Highest devotional.”

How many times do we jump headlong into a project under the banner we are doing it for Him, when truthfully, it’s more for us or the power that is behind it then for Him?

As I read the passage and the devotional and reflected on the disciple’s dilemna, it was just a powerful reminder of how we must always seek all things in prayer and contemplation with Him, seek Him in His word and knowing our bibles and not just for rote but for heart. It’s so easy to get caught up in doing everything for Him, only to find that maybe things didn’t work out (and not to say things will always work out or be prosperous), but we have forgotten Him in the process.

It’s so easy to say “Yes” to doing things, but if it find we have no time really, to spend with Him and His word, are we really doing this for Him? Because sometimes, doing thing for Him, also means telling the world,”No” so you have the time first to spend with our Father in Heaven and in His word.

“…. by following instead the ideas that we draw from our own nature. We actually slander and dishonor God by our very eagerness to seve Him without knowing Him.” (Oswald Chambers, Upmost for His Highest). That is a scary and discouraging thought isn’t it?

We get so caught up with our own nature and ideas and this is the way to do it and hey let’s try doing this as well that in the process it can become a form of ego boosting or self worship and less about looking and lifting up and glorifying our Father.

It’s a thin line…it is a thin line.

Prayer helps because it serves as a mental bumper in our lives to slow us down, focus…what are we really wanting and is it to His glory and then….wait. Let Him answer…try not to guess or assume or think, this is what His answer is.

When He answers, it tends to be pretty clear but if it happens slow, don’t assume He’s not listening, just maybe the timing isn’t right or it’s not meant to be and He is giving us time to think….do we really know what we are praying about or for?

When we are ready in heart, and we know it, He’ll let us know what His answer is and sometimes it maybe on a whole different track that we didn’t expect or want or thought of .

To all give the Glory to God…for He is above all and a loving Father who also knows us better than we know ourselves.

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: , , , ,
28 Sep 2010
"Christian Life" • Bible • Devotionals

Bible Reflection-Mark 10:21-Would you give up the world to follow Him?

My Daily Bible Reading

My Daily Bible Reading

21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
(Mark 10:21, New King James Version)

What do you feel is holding you back?

Is it material?

Is it emotional?

Is it that person down the street?

Or someone whose friendship has gone up in flames? Or just a complete stranger that rubbed you the wrong way?

“Our Lord never places anyone’s personal holiness above everything else when He calls a disciple” shared by Oswald Chambers in his book, “Upmost for His Highest”, but how often do we use that against someone we may have a disagreement with or even unconciously in the spirit of wanting to “better up” someone?

And for what?

Gain in this world that is so temporary?

When Jesus met the rich man in Mark, Matthew Henry Commentary (MHC), shares what happens:

This young ruler showed great earnestness. He asked what he should do now, that he might be happy for ever.

Most ask for good to be had in this world; any good, Ps 4:6; he asks for good to be done in this world, in order to enjoy the greatest good in the other world. Christ encouraged this address by assisting his faith, and by directing his practice. But here is a sorrowful parting between Jesus and this young man.

 He asks Christ what he shall do more than he has done, to obtain eternal life; and Christ puts it to him, whether he has indeed that firm belief of, and that high value for eternal life which he seems to have. Is he willing to bear a present cross, in expectation of future crown?

The young man was sorry he could not be a follower of Christ upon easier terms; that he could not lay hold on eternal life, and keep hold of his worldly possessions too. He went away grieved. See Mt 6:24, Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Mk 10:23-31)

We cannot have the glory and the good of the world if it counters and interferes with that of our journey with our Heavenly Father. If it distracts us from His real purpose we must be open to the sacrifice of giving up this world so we can do His work.

Do we know what it means to truly have unconditional, identification and surrendor to our Father? Are we willing? Or do we hold on to this world and seek our glory here and build our treasures that we know in the end, are just rust and decay while Him and His word is eternity?

Not many of us can.

Oswald Chambers shares, “Where you are soft and pliable with God is where the Lord has looked at you.”

This is something interesting to look at and to contemplate where in our lives are we soft and pliable that it’s not us that people will see, but our Heavenly Father.

But complete abandonment is not very easy to do is it?

Chambers continues,

“If you are hard and vindictive, insistent on having your own way, and always certain that the other person is more likely to be iin the wrong then you are, then there are whole areas of your nature that has never been transformed by His gaze.”

Not a very warm and fuzzy thought, but how we interact not just with non-believers, but with believers can speak volumes about our state of maturity.

Isn’t there a saying that it’s our actions not our words that will define us?

The hardness about Chambers devotional and reading Mark  10:21 about the rich person, is that it is a reminder in today’s materialistic world and yes, even in the blogging world, we tend to over depend too much on what we have, how many friends we have, our statistics, our visits, the praises and it’s not a bad thing, not for anyone else, but ourselves, to pull back and take a blogging/facebook break or just  take that much needed step back and step into Him to refocus who, where and what we really are.

What if we were told, give up everything….give up our Facebook, our blogs, our ministries, our careers, our whatever to just serve Him, quietly and without prescence or people knowing…can we really do it?

Interesting thought.

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: , , , ,
07 Sep 2010
"Christian Life" • Bible • Daily Life Journal Reading • Devotionals

Revelations 12:10-12 (NKJV)-It's all about Him

My Daily Bible Reading

My Daily Bible Reading

Today’s Life Journal Reading is from:

Romans 1:28NKJV   

Scripture:

   10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” (Revelation 12:10-12, New King James Version)  

Observation:

It’s been a LONG time since I’ve worked in my Life Journal or posted here. I woke up early this morning (no alarm clock either) and with a long day ahead, open up my bible, pulled up the current Life Reading and as I read though Jeremiah and then Revelations, my first thought was….what could be so relevant about today’s reading to contemplate.  

Drinking my coffee, watching the sun rise up, Revelations 12:10-12, just popped out at me. 
10 Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, “Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death. 12 Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.” (Revelation 12:10-12, New King James Version) 

  Our Daily Bread shared the following from September 3, 2010′s devotional: 

There’s something very appealing about loopholes, and we look for them wherever there’s a command we don’t want to obey. 

Jesus addressed this problem with religious leaders who thought they had found a loophole in their religious laws (Mark 7:1-13). Instead of honoring their parents with financial or material support, they dedicated all their possessions to God, thereby limiting their use. Although their disobedience was not blatant, Jesus said their behavior was unacceptable. 

Whenever we start looking for loopholes, we stop being obedient. 

Lord, help us to submit to You,
To follow and obey,
Instead of finding loopholes to
Defend our sinful way. —Sper 

As I read this, it reminded me how we sometimes compromise our faith too much and often not with enough discernment or care for the wants and wills of a fickle world and in the process, without knowing…not only look for loopholes to justify being less godly toward other people, but in our own actions and lives. 

I think about people who share observations of people “caught in ungodly acts” when they don’t realize the world is watching and wonder how careful are we really about our own lives or how we interact with others. 

Yesterday, I had a less than pleasant experience with someone whom we were friends with but didn’t hesitate to be critical and hurtful in comments about us choosing to homeschool and what floored me is seconds before they shared how they had to work with with troubled children from troubled homes, whose families didn’t provide them with a safe or healthy environment. They then turn around and ask the “So…why are you really homeschooling” and then followed up with, “How are we not preparing them for the real world?” 

We just found it surprising and flooring that they would even say that as they then espouse how kids need to learn about how to deal with bullying and “be exposed to the real world” while in the same breath talk about how they didn’t want their kids to watch certain shows and movies because the content wasn’t “Christian” and the vulgarity of the language and the violence and it made me bite my tongue from asking them, “So why the double standard for their (and our kids) and even then, advocating putting kids in unsafe, unhealthy environments while all the while talk about working and developing programs to address trouble kids needs and address issues about bullying and self-esteem.

Reading Revelations 12:10-12; It’s not about the world. Just there is no compromise. No” if’s”" and’”s or “but’s”.

I like how a friend shared  about the best way to respond, “,”"Because we prayed about it and find ultimate joy and freedom in being obedient to how God’s led our family. Thanks for asking. So how’s God led your family?” 

 Ultimately, this is beyond about schooling or anything else; As Sunny Shell shares on “About His Business“,:,”The issue shouldn’t be whether one home schools or public schools. B…ut it should be: “Are we all training up our children in the love and admonition of the Lord through our words and daily lives?” “

I would have to add to…are we in love and admonition of our Father in our own words and daily lives as well or as the “Our Daily Bread” article share, looking for loopholes.

As I end this journal entry, this popped up via “Disciple Life” on my facebook,

“”We spend our time dashing from one place to another, pursuing business and pleasure. We assure ourselves that the most important issue in life is making a living. In the midst of all our hustle we try to forget that we are becoming older every day. Only an occasional man or woman has the good sense to perceive that the day of judgment draws nearer and nearer.” – Tozer

Application:

It’s not about the world. It’s not about the world. We are called to not conform to this world though we have to live in it (ref Romans 12:2). That means, one foot trying to please the world and one foot trying to please our Father (Galatians 1:10). There can not be two masters, but only one whom we have to choose.

This is a reminder that if we are looking for loopholes to indulge in the sinfullness of the world while trying to follow our Father, we need to take time to step back, re-evaluate and ask ourselves, how strong or weak our Christian walk is.

We make the decisions that are good for this and this only household; Our first ministry is here at home, through the nuturing and the growth and guidance of our children. That’s my charge and call from our Heavenly Father first and foremost, then my husband, then the world….not the world, our Father, our spouses and then the kids…it’s our Father, our kids, our spouse and then the world.

I can not please men and our Father because then I will find myself slipping and rather than looking and growing upwards, looking sideways and trying to grow sideways as well and we all know how well that doesn’t work.

We are called not to be world-centered or self-centered but rather, we are called to be God-centered. No way around that.

 

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I thank You for You for being a solid rock and foundation and as I seek to humble and commit myself always to You Father, I thank You for the challenges and trials You send my way to humble, to break, to grow and to refine this broken soul. Father, I pray that I look upwards, never sideways and though I hurt, I pray for Your comfort and not the comfort of the world.

In Your Name I pray,

Amen.

  

****Purpose of this post****   

Gentle Readers, There are days that I will read a verse or passage and just feel pulled to share here, but there are days when I will read something and just feel, I need to spend the day, in personal contemplation of what is being convey and may just post via Twitter, what passages I have read that day and post nothing on here.   

That is what bible reading is about; It’s not about having to write something down everyday; There maybe days when you are reading say, Numbers and it’s just lineages, but other days, you may find yourself dealing with a “powerhouse verse” of the moment and have to just go “WOW” and seek God in personal time and prayer to understand what He is sharing.   

I will try to post daily, but particularly on weekends, if I’m sick or I’m just completely in awe of what I’m reading or maybe I am trying to understand what I am reading, I may not post here, I may just write in my Life Journal (hardcopy), because I will find myself having to seek His Word and/or the Commentary and just seek in prayer to understand what our Father in Heaven is seeking to reveal.   

Either way.   

Reading His Word, is about getting to know Him better and developing your Christian growth and maturity. Do what is right and good for you.   

If you do use the Life Journal and participate in the daily readings, I would like to hear from you and your perspective on each day’s reading, when I do have a post up, or feel free to comment on a previous “Daily Bible Reading post” or send me a quick email.   

Please feel free to join in the linky that I post below, so others too, who uses the Life Journal/or SOAP method to read the bible can participate.   

Don’t feel obligate to have to blog about each passage to be read, but if anything, feel free to share those passages that have the most impact on you that day.   

There maybe some days that you may read your daily reading and find nothing to jot down in your journal or on your blog and that’s okay, but there maybe other days, that you will find yourself inspire.   

This is about you being encouraged to have a personal relationship with our Heavenly Father, and spending each day with Him, You and Him.   

It is my prayer and hope that this will be an encouragement to establish a personal daily reading as well.   

To find out more about using the S.O.A.P. method, here’s a link to an ehow article and here’s the link to the Life Journal to find out more what it is, and how you can use it for your own daily bible readings. If you don’t want to order the journal or if it’s not available through your local church, another method is simply, buy a journal or notebook or even blog about your life journal readings.   

Disclaimer: I am not personally affiliated with the church that the link goes to, but merely share it as a resource of what the Life Journal is, how to order it. 

Even though we make excuses for not obeying God, H still calls it disobedience. 

Sunflower Faith | No comments | Tags: , , , , ,
30 Aug 2010
Devotionals • General Musings • Internet Cafe Devotions

Embracing the Joy…..

Follow me to the Internet Cafe Devotion

Follow me to the Internet Cafe Devotion

Summer is almost over many of us we are spending time preparing for a new school year and enjoying those last “lazy, hazy days of summer” with family. I was doing those very things and in the midst of it all, some things came to mind. I begin to realize just how easy it is to let something or someone to steal my joy?

Read the rest of this devotion at, “The Internet Cafe“……Don’t worry, there’s always room for you there.

Sunflower Faith | One comment | Tags: ,
27 May 2010
Devotionals • General Musings • Internet Cafe Devotions

Taking that Step into Faith

Follow me to the Internet Cafe Devotion

Follow me to the Internet Cafe Devotion

I normally don’t use the NLT translation, but this is one instance  that I love how this translation reads.

It is a reminder of how we unconsciously slip into unbelief in our daily lives.

Does any of this sound familiar?

“Anything is possible with Him, but what about the groceries?”

“I know I should trust in Him, but the bills have to be paid.”

“I can’t let go; it just hurts too bad.”

Read the rest of this devotion at, “The Internet Cafe“……Don’t worry, there’s always room for you there.

Sunflower Faith | 2 comments | Tags: ,
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