Unworldly Peace

TODAY’S VERSE
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”
John 14:27

TODAY’S THOUGHT
I was prepared to write on this passage and then I read an e-mail from someone who reads this devotional everyday. She asked for help with her crisis of faith. She has suffered the death of both of her children, one eighteen years ago and the other one just recently. Her e-mail touched my heart deeply and made me stop and consider what I would write about this passage. I could pretend I didn’t read her e-mail and be matter-of-fact or I could try to share something that is sensitive to her and the many others who have suffered unbearable pain. With the pain from such a loss I would be asking, “Jesus what are you talking about? Where is my peace of mind and heart?” But then I need to take Jesus words in the context they were written. Read the whole chapter and you will see that Jesus has just introduced a whole other reality. It was a cosmic introduction to the blending of this world and the next. Jesus was getting ready to go back to His father. He was about ready to face an unbearable death and spiritual suffering we cannot imagine. He was only moments from when He too would say, “Father, why have you forsaken me?” And yet, with deep empathy Jesus tells us, in the first verse of this chapter, not to be troubled because He was about to prepare another reality for us. It was obvious His disciples did not understand, so He tells them that He is going to give us the Holy Spirit to comfort us and help us in this world till we reach the next. And then Jesus shares today’s verse, “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” He was right. The world cannot give us peace during our dark nights of the soul. Neither can religion. Only in blending this world and the next can we even begin to make any sense of our suffering here. Only in a larger reality can we find any peace in this dimension. Jesus came so we could live in both. I pray that today you will be able to have a glimpse of this world in light of the next and see that Jesus is the Lord of both. And may that reality begin a process of peace even in your darkest hour.
 
TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Jesus, there are times when I ask, “Where is the peace in the darkest nights of the soul? Where is the comfort in such unbearable pain?” And, yet today I see that You who suffered such pain and anguish, has taken the harsh realities of this world and blended them the next life. Please help my heart live in both realities. Help me today begin to experience the peace that You are talking about.
AMEN

_____________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get Devog sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail 

CLICK HERE to go to our BLOG Walking the Talk, and find out ways to help others.  

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual GIfts Test and Workbook
Do you want to know how to be a Child of God? CLICK HERE to find out how. 

Our Chief Purpose

TODAY’S VERSE
“Honor the LORD for his glory and strength. Honor the LORD for the glory of his name. Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.”
Psalms 29:1-2

TODAY’S THOUGHT
What do you think is the most significant purpose God has for us on this earth? You could certainly build a case for loving others. The Apostle John told us that God is love, so loving others is most certainly on God’s agenda. Evangelism must be a priority. Jesus left us with the great commission to go and make disciples of all nations. Personal worship is another purpose God has created us for. God longs for our adoration. He is worthy of all our praise and worship. What a privilege it is to bow down before the Almighty creator of the Universe and know that He cares deeply for our worship. David said to “Honor the Lord” and “To worship Him in the splendor of His holiness.” It is nearly impossible to fathom what it is like to be before God in all His splendor and majesty, but that is what we are invited to do. Take the mountain tops, the streams, sunsets, ocean views, canyons and any other majestic visuals images that you have been privileged to see and let it equal one drop of water. Now put that drop in the ocean and you will begin to see how our paltry earthly images compare to His splendor. So today, no matter where you are, stop and participate in one of the most sacred and special purposes of our human experience. Right this moment, praise Him for who He is. Thank Him for all He has done. Worship Him in all His glory. He has invited you to come and adore Him. Don’t take His invitation for granted. It is a rare gift from God Himself. Worship Him with all your heart, soul and mind.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I come right now to worship You. Thank You for Your love for me. I bow before You this moment and adore You for all Your goodness. You are the true and living Almighty God and I praise You for all You have done for me. Thank You for making me Your Child through the death of Your Son, Jesus, on the cross for me. I love and worship You in Jesus Name.
AMEN

_____________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get Devog sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail 

CLICK HERE to go to our BLOG Walking the Talk, and find out ways to help others.  

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual GIfts Test and Workbook
Do you want to know how to be a Child of God? CLICK HERE to find out how. 

Worthy Of His Calling

TODAY’S VERSE
“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
II Thessalonians 1:11-12

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Did anyone ever ask you, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Or have you ever taken a test to help you determine your passions and purpose in life? You could spend your whole life trying to find your purpose, that perfect job or the fulfillment of your childhood dream and never come close to what Paul was praying for the Christians in Thessalonica. What a magnificent prayer. The good news is that you can pray the same thing for your self. He has called you to serve Him and you can pray with Paul, “that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” Can you imagine that? You see, this is God’s true desire for you, to use His power to help you fulfill every good purpose of yours. The result is that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in your life! So, what good purpose do you have today? What act prompted by your faith will you engage in today? Might He empower you by His grace to do all that He has called you to this day, so that He Himself will be glorified.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I thank You that You can fulfill every good purpose of mine and every act prompted by my faith! What an exciting thought. Please help me understand what this really means in my life. Help me not to waste this precious life You have given me. Might I live it today for Your glory.
AMEN

_____________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get Devog sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail 

CLICK HERE to go to our BLOG Walking the Talk, and find out ways to help others.  

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual GIfts Test and Workbook
Do you want to know how to be a Child of God? CLICK HERE to find out how. 

Clothe Me With Joy

TODAY’S VERSE
“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give you thanks forever!”
Psalms 30:11-12

TODAY’S THOUGHT
We go through seasons. Good times, bad times, times of sorrow and times of joy. I went through a season of depression and this passage from Psalms brought me comfort many times. I identified with David when he wrote in this same passage, “I cried out to you, O LORD. I begged the Lord for mercy.” I knew that God knew what I was going through so I claimed that He would turn my mourning into joyful dancing. I took solace when David wrote, “Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” Through time, prayer, and counseling, the Lord did bring me to the other side. What are you mourning? What has broken your heart? What has you depressed or distraught? Bring it to Him today. I would not trifle with your sorrow. I would not minimize your pain. I only come today to offer you hope. Only God can turn your mourning into dancing. That may seem so far from where you are right now, but it is not too far for God. Light slowly penetrates the back of a dark cave. The sound of laughter at camp seems so faint when you are in the back side of the forest. But know this, there is light for you. There will be joy for you in the morning. I pray that God’s grace will fill you with this truth and complete a healing process in you.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, I don’t even know how to pray for my sorrow. I don’t know how to release the deep pain I feel. I come today crying out for your mercy. I thank you that weeping may last into the night but joy will come in the morning. Holy Spirit, I give you my heart, mend it, bring it back to life with your breath of love. Please begin a process in me to turn my mourning into dancing.
AMEN

_____________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get Devog sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail 

CLICK HERE to go to our BLOG Walking the Talk, and find out ways to help others.  

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual GIfts Test and Workbook
Do you want to know how to be a Child of God? CLICK HERE to find out how. 

Live For Him

TODAY’S VERSE
May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do. Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him. This is all made possible because of the grace of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ.
II Thessalonians 1:11-12

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Who are we that the almighty God of the universe would allow us to serve Him? Yet, that is what God has done. He specifically created us to love Him, worship Him and serve Him. But what is so amazing, is that He did not create us like robots and program us to serve Him or beat us down and force us to live for Him. No, He has drawn us toward Him by His grace. Grace, that mixture of His love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, concern and favor, all rolled into one. It is His grace toward us that encourages our faith and compels us to live for Him. God pours His love into our heart and then empowers us to do whatever our heart desires. What has your faith in God prompted you to do for Him lately? If the answer is vague, it is not too late. God has grace enough to forgive you. He has grace enough to encourage you. He has grace enough to empower you. Come to God today and may your faith prompt you to accomplish good things for Him. 

TODAY’S PRAYER
Thank You Lord for Your grace in my life. I pray that You will prompt me to do great things for You and then give me the power to do them. Father, might You be honored today in the way I live for You.
AMEN

_____________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get Devog sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail 

CLICK HERE to go to our BLOG Walking the Talk, and find out ways to help others.  

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual GIfts Test and Workbook
Do you want to know how to be a Child of God? CLICK HERE to find out how. 

The Gift

TODAY’S VERSE
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another counselor, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.”
John 14:16

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Can you imagine someone knocking on your door and giving you a check for a hundred million dollars? Think of all you could do with that. How tragic would it be if you thanked the person, closed the door and put the check on your dresser top and never used it? Never helped anyone, never bettered your own situation. Instead, you live a meager existence, paycheck to paycheck, and die a pauper. We would shake our head and mutter, “What a shame to waste such a resource.” And yet, what must God the Father think of what we have done with the precious gift of His Holy Spirit? Jesus asked the Father to give us a counselor who will never leave us and lead us into all truth, and He has. You and I, when we became a child of God, received His Holy Spirit into our life and yet we barely know this third part of the Trinity. When have we ever asked the Holy Spirit to fill us, guide us or lead us into truth? We have been given Spiritual Gifts but do we know what they are or how they work? How much time have we spent  contemplating how to cultivate the “fruit of the Spirit” in our life? God has indwelled us with the person of the Holy Spirit. Might we seek to understand more about this treasure that God has given us.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Forgive me for not knowing more about Him. Forgive me for not living in His power. Oh Holy Spirit, I ask that you would make me conscious of your presence in my life. Teach me, guide me, fill me and lead me into all truth. I give You control of my life and pray that You would produce Your fruit in my life and activate the Spiritual Gifts that You have given me. I pray this in Jesus Name.
AMEN

_____________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get Devog sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail 

CLICK HERE to go to our BLOG Walking the Talk, and find out ways to help others.  

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual GIfts Test and Workbook
Do you want to know how to be a Child of God? CLICK HERE to find out how. 

Cry For Mercy

TODAY’S VERSE
“Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.” – “Praise the LORD! For he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
Psalms 28:2, 7-8

TODAY’S THOUGHT
David knew what it was like to be tormented. He knew the pain that comes with great need. He experienced difficulties that had no escape short of the mercy of an Almighty God. David came to God and cried out for mercy. That was the beginning of today’s passage. Verses later David is praising God. God had heard his cry for mercy. As David faces his situation we see that God becomes his strength and protection. David is comforted and decides to trust God with all his heart. The result is a deep spiritual joy. Notice that God did not take David out of his situation. David still faced his situation but instead of doing it on his own, God provided the strength that he needed. God protected David like a shield. David still had to choose to trust God but it was trust based on the very presence of God in his life. Do you have a story similar to David? Are there times when you need to cry out to God for His mercy? Rest assured He hears you. You too can praise God for He will be your strength. He will be your shield. You can trust Him with your situation. When you do, you too will experience the deep joy that can only come from Him.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I come to You today asking for Your mercy in my life. I thank You for hearing my cry and offering me Your strength and shield. I accept this promise and put my all my trust in You. Thank You that I will not be disappointed. Fill my heart with a deep joy today so that I too will burst out with thanksgiving. In Jesus name I pray.
AMEN

_____________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get Devog sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail 

CLICK HERE to go to our BLOG Walking the Talk, and find out ways to help others.  

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual GIfts Test and Workbook
Do you want to know how to be a Child of God? CLICK HERE to find out how. 

You Are His Masterpiece

TODAY’S VERSE
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”
Ephesians 2:10

TODAY’S THOUGHT
For every truth there is a lie waiting to deceive us. Why is it so much easier to believe a lie? Why can doubt have so much impact on belief? A million people can believe the truth and yet one dissenter will get the nation’s attention. It is that way in the spiritual realm. Paul writes that we are significant. Specifically, “we are God’s masterpiece created to do the good things he planned for us to do” and what do we believe? Be honest, don’t we often believe we are no good, inferior, damaged goods and even hopeless? Where did that come from? It didn’t come from God! If we want to change what we believe, we must renounce the lies. Do it today. Lift up your heart and say it out loud, “I renounce the lie that I am no good, inferior, damaged goods or hopeless.” My friend, it is time to believe the truth about yourself. You are significant. You are a masterpiece made by God Himself. He absolutely loves you and desires you to accept the love He has for you. Renounce the lies; today choose to believe the truth.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Dear Father, my Father. I confess I have believed lies about myself. I renounce these negative thoughts and feelings and command their power over me to be broken in the precious name of Jesus Christ! I choose to accept the truth, that you personally created me as a masterpiece to do the good things you have sent me here for. Thank you, dear Father, for giving me significance.
AMEN

_____________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get Devog sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail 

CLICK HERE to go to our BLOG Walking the Talk, and find out ways to help others.  

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual GIfts Test and Workbook
Do you want to know how to be a Child of God? CLICK HERE to find out how. 

Wait On The Lord

TODAY’S VERSE
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.”
Psalms 27:14

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:31

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Is it no surprise that “wait” is only four letters. Doesn’t it often seem like a curse word? We would rather hear God say, “Yes, that is a great idea!” or “Certainly, anything else I can get you?” We want instant gratification. We want what we want often with little consideration for any other variables and become impatient if we do not get it. Or what about the times when we have waited and waited. We pray, seek God’s face and still there is no answer. The last thing we want to be told at a time like that is to, “wait”. Yet David and Isaiah both insist that part of our Spiritual journey is learning to wait. David knew first hand how hard it was to wait on God. He was named King by God but had to run and sleep in caves, running from the armies of Saul. David was brave and courageous over and over again and waited on God to work things out. He encourages us to do the same. Isaiah inspires us to wait on God. He shares how, in time, we will renew our strength, we will eventually run and not be weary, we will walk and not faint. What a picture. Life is often hard; we have struggles on all sides. It may seem like God doesn’t care, perhaps not even there, but be encouraged today. You are not alone. God knows your situation. Pray, trust, hope and wait. God will renew your strength.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, waiting is so hard sometimes. I confess I get so impatient. Forgive me and help me to focus on your love and to put my trust in you. Help me to wait patiently and not to worry. Lord, I claim the promise that you will renew my strength as I wait on you.
AMEN

_____________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get Devog sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail 

CLICK HERE to go to our BLOG Walking the Talk, and find out ways to help others.  

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual GIfts Test and Workbook
Do you want to know how to be a Child of God? CLICK HERE to find out how. 

Show Me The Right Path

TODAY’S VERSE
“Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. Remember, O LORD, your compassion and unfailing love.”
Psalms 25:4-6

TODAY’S THOUGHT
Life is a journey. We are not settlers in this world. Heaven is our final destination. Instead we are called to go through life as an ambassador of heaven, a soldier in God’s army, a sojourner commanded to give away God’s peace and love. And the journey can get messy. That is why it is so important to learn to navigate, to solve problems and to discern what to do next. David is crying out that God would direct his path. But notice that it is a special kind of leading. He said, “Lead me by your truth and teach me.” Jesus said that truth would set us free. So much of our hardships, misdirection and hurts in this life are due to deception and denial. We need to pray that God would show us the truth and then teach us through each experience. This is how we derive our faith and hope in Him. They are learned behaviors that God imparts as we are led by His Spirit in each situation we find ourselves in. Life is a process. We succeed and make progress by learning. David learned to put his hope in God and trusted that God’s compassion and love would not fail. That is what we need to do. May God lead you by His truth today and point out the road for you to follow. May He teach you more about the depths of His compassion and unfailing love.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I need Your guidance today. Show me what road to follow. Guide me by Your truth and teach me to trust You. I put my hope in You and your compassionate unfailing love.
AMEN

_____________________________________________________

CLICK HERE to send this to a friend

You can get Devog sent to your e-mail as “Moment In the Word”. CLICK HERE to have this Daily E-votional sent to your e-mail 

CLICK HERE to go to our BLOG Walking the Talk, and find out ways to help others.  

Do You Know What Your Spiritual Gifts Are?
Now You Can. CLICK HERE to Get your FREE Spiritual GIfts Test and Workbook
Do you want to know how to be a Child of God? CLICK HERE to find out how.