Devotionals
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June 30, 2008
"The Model Prayer"
In 1996 I led a Bible Study on prayer. I really did a lot of searching and praying for wisdom and guidance on this subject.
I have found that many people will say, "I don't know how to pray." If you can talk to someone, then you can pray. I do not believe it is flowery words He wants to hear from us, but words from our own heart.
We have a prayer found in Matthew Chapter 6:8-13.
" Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen." NKJV
I was taught from this and through study that this is exactly how we should pray.
Five effective steps of prayer:
1. Praise
In the prayer above, Jesus teaches us to come before His presence with praise in our heart. Sometimes, I just sing to Him!
2. Repent
We must come to Him in repentance and receive His forgiveness.
(Ps 66:18) If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me)
KJV
3. Prayer for others
The second commandment! Love God first, and love others as you love yourself.
4. Prayer for yourself
He already knows our needs, but He teaches us to ask anything in His name.
5. Thanksgiving
Be thankful to God in advance, for the answer is on it's way.
Praying for all of you!
Barbara Roach
July 28, 2008
The Time Is Near
"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, amd keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." (1:3)
As a child growing up I can remember so well the words my daddy used to say to our family. "Kids, I'm looking for Jesus to come today and if He doesn't come today when I get up, I'll still be looking for him tomorrow.
I think about the words from the scripture above and I know my daddy read them to us and spoke about how close we were back then to Jesus coming for His Church.
I look around me today and think, wow if daddy thought it was close in the fifties and sixties, think how close it is today.
Daddy went to Heaven in the 1974, and I am sure he is rejoicing in the presence of our Almighty God. Just imagine what he is feeling right now, and imagine the sufferings of this world being totally gone!
Wow.
I am ready to go. I hope that all who read this can know that these are very serious times we are living in. We need clean hearts before God and the time is so close, it could be today.
When my husband and I go to bed at night he usually says, if I do not see you in the morning, I will see you later. I know that I know, I am ready to meet Him should He come today.
Are you ready?
God's Traffic Light
This morning God showed me some things once again that involve waiting on Him. If we could just all understand that concept, we would be a happier bunch of folks!
For most of my life I have been a "let's do it now" sort of person and sometimes I can hear in the background God saying, "slow down girl!" I read a great devotion this morning and it was perfect for Jerry and I. It goes along with exactly what we have been saying for a while now.
Recently, we have made dicissions about things and thought we had prayed through. Just about the time you do that, God shows you another reason to wait. Some things we are just sure we have prayed through and feel that peace, then waiting comes back onto play. You must listen to God closely in every aspect of your life.
Last week for instance, I wanted him to go to see his mother. After he wrote her and told her he may be up to see her, and I had even mentioned it to others, by Tuesday night, God's red light came on. He made the choice to not go at this time,
We now know the reason.
God will always show you the why in His time. He did that and he also showed up and showed us another wait! Sometmes I just hate that word, but it is a word that means so much in our relationship with God. Wait and Rest on Him are very important words in our lives. That is why it shows up so much in the Bible.
Just want to share the devotion God gave to me this morning.
Credits: Daily Grace -- Devotional Reflections to Nourish Your Soul
It does not give the writer of this particular devotion.
"God's traffic Light"
"Wait patiently for the Lord, Be brave and courageous, Yes, wait patiently for the Lord." (Psalm 27:14) NLT
Serving God at times is like sitting at a traffic light that seems to be stuck on red. Although you know where you want to go and when you want to get there, as long as the light remains red, you have to sit and wait...and wait...and wait some more.
As cars in other lanes move swiftly through the light, you may wonder why you don't get to move ahead like everyone else. People behind you may honk impatiently at you and "encourage" you to just run the light. You may even be tempted to do so-after all, you surely shouldn't have to wait this long.
Sometimes, the toughest thing that God will ask you to do is to sit at that red light and wait upon Him. Since God's timing will not always match your own, you may have to altar certain expectations in your life and wait for God to reveal His purpose. You may have to remain a while longer in a job situation that is less that ideal, or pass up certain relationships until God brings the right person into your life. You may even have to wait on the sidelines as friends and family struggle with problems.
Waiting will require you to trust God's plan and believe that He is actively working in your life, expecially when others speed past you or "encourage" you to just move ahead without His direction. However; as you wait upon the Lord, try to just relax and enjoy the moment. Rest in His grace, and look with hope towards the future knowing that He will bless you for your obedience to Him.
"Grace for today." When we are waiting, God's plan and His perfect timing are worthy of our trust.
Let us wait on the Lord!
August 18, 2008
"Finally my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might."
(Ephesians 6:10) NKJV)
I believe that God gives to us everything we need to face the daily battles of this life.
He is very much aware of our weaknesses, and He knows how much we need Him. His grace keeps us going.
This week I have been reminded to be strong in the Lord. You cannot please man no matter what you do, so allow God to give you strength for the battle and guide you with his grace.
Ephesians tells us to put on the armour of God for we cannot do this thing alone. The Lord must help us. We are held up by the truth of His Word. We are to wear the brestplate of righteousness, not our own, but Christ's. We have the helmet of salvation and the gift of grace. We hold the sheild of faith and we are to be as trustworthy as the one we believe in.
I can picture Jesus as He washed His disciples'feet. Taking on such an humble spirit, He began to teach us by Word and example what we need in this life to prevail.
Once we have been equipped and trained, God will not leave us to fight alone. He is on the battlefield with us all the way. Through the process of sanctification, He will have made us strong and worthy of the glorious armor we wear.
God's armor will protect us as we fight the good fight of faith.
August 25, 2008
"Be Real and Shine"
"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin." (1John 1:7)NJKV
When we are really sincere in our Christian walk, we do not ever have to wear a mask. We are what we say we are. We are not trying to impress one another. I believe we are to be in our home exactly what others see in us anywhere at anytime. It means we must walk in the light of the Lord. We do not put on a show to deceive others. God knows all about us anyway. Which brings me to this question. What kind of Christian are you? Others are always watching your lives and usually we do not even think about it.
There is never a reason to hide behind a falsehood. If we are to walk in the light as He is in the light, we are to walk before God and others in the same manner. As Paul says, Christ showed in his life. Once we have accepted the grace of God, He will show in our lives as well.
We become under the control of the indwelling Spirit of Jesus Christ. When our hearts are clean before God, we suffer no guilt of sin. We do not have to cover up anything, nor put on a spiritual show. We are what we say we are!
Sometimes God may have to humble us a bit, but imagine standing before Christ in Judgement! On that day, all will be revealed. But, those who know the Father and are controlled by His Spirit and grace, can live with a clear conscience until that day.
Light and Darkness do not mix. You cannot have it both ways. It is God all the way, or none.
Walk in the Light!
Barbara Roach
Let me encourage you to walk in the light!
September 1, 2008
"What Is Your Choice?"
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33) NJKV
Every day that we live, we are constantly making choices. Some are major choices while others are just what to eat and wear each day. Every choice we make, we have to live the consequences good or bad.
I have been watching election news a bit lately and I feel it is all about choice. I do not get into politics but at the same time I feel it is my duty to vote. I care about our country and what lies ahead for people growing up in our nation. What will we become?
What about our children and grandchildren?
I do not believe it is about party, or who has the most experience for this or that. I truly believe that as christians, we must pray for God's choice.
As the scripture above states, first God, His righteousness, then do what He leads us to do.
As we face this election, let us pray for God's leadership. Then we will be blessed beyond measure.
Again I say, Trust in God.
Barbara Roach
September 22, 2008
Want A Gift??
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever beieves in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Many people do not have the assurance of eternal life. Some do not even believe in such a thing. The scripture above tells us that who ever believes in Jesus shall be given the gift of eternal life.
1st John 5:13 says this: " These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life." I am so glad it does not say hope so, or I am working on it. You can have this gift of salvation through Faith in God.
My hope is built on nothing less that Jesus Blood and Righteousness
I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name
I stand on the word, I have been given His gift and I praise Him for everlasting life.
Please receive this wonderful gift.
November 3, 2008
Take a Stand, Do Not Fall
"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body,
and in your spirit, which are God's." (1 Corinthians 6:20)
I have come to realize in the past three years or so that taking a stand and sticking with it is an awesome responsibility. People do not always agree with you and are most likely willing to let you know.
My husband and I made up our minds a long time ago that if something doesn't line up with God's word, don't do it, or accept it.
We have been through some testing and I am sure there is quite a bit more coming toward us. But, We will keep standing on the Word of God for our assurance and faith, and we will be victors in all circumstances.
It is like a saying I once heard and I cannot remember who to give credit to.
"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything!"
Keep the faith and stand on His Word:
Standing on the promises I cannot fail!
November 17, 2008
Victory In Jesus
“For the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you. (Deuteronomy 20:4)
This is short and sweet! Very sweet to me and to all who know our Lord and Savior in a real way.
Victory in life comes through walking with God every day of your life. Prayer and reading His word helps you through the attacks of the enemy and allows God to pour His grace into your life. As we trust in God and remain in His Grace.
God will give you the confidence and hope to overcome any situation in life.
O Victory in Jesus!
