Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. -Romans 12:21
My pastor once told me he always leaves a 20% tip for waitresses. The reason why is because his mom raised 2 boys by herself being a waitress. He said that she sometimes had bad days. Even so, the bills didn't stop coming.
Sometimes the service I receive from waitresses are not very good. Sometimes the service is down right lousy. I always think of my pastor and his mom. I always leave a 20% tip because I never know if one of those ladies is actually a good waitress that is having a bad day. I always hope that my tip will help them to feel better. Amen!
Friday, July 31, 2015
Mid-day Thought: Deep Calls
Deep calls to deep at the roar of Your waterfalls; all Your breakers and Your waves have gone over me. -Psalm 42:7
Sometimes hardships build on hardships. Seems as though everything can come at once. Recognize each and every trouble. Then pray to God that He keeps His focus on you. Amen!
Sometimes hardships build on hardships. Seems as though everything can come at once. Recognize each and every trouble. Then pray to God that He keeps His focus on you. Amen!
Morning Inception: He is With You
It is the Lord that goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed. -Deuteronomy 31:8
There are some places that no one can go with you. When my oldest son was four years old, we took him to the Children's Hospital because He had an abnormally large lymph node under his chin. He was hurting and whimpered instead of cried because of the pain. As any dad, I felt helpless. What was even worse is that I couldn't accompany him into a room where they began tests to hold his hand.
Although he was my son and loved him very much, I had to leave him. Our Father in heaven says He will not leave us and never forsake us, especially during times we need Him the most. How comforting is that to us that have meetings that may determine our jobs, or job interviews that are sorely dependent on success for lack of funds, or a doctor's visit that may include some very bad news. How comforting to know that He is with us, holding us up and strengthening us. How comforting to know that the Lord of Lords and the Kings of Kings is with us when we most need Him. Amen!
There are some places that no one can go with you. When my oldest son was four years old, we took him to the Children's Hospital because He had an abnormally large lymph node under his chin. He was hurting and whimpered instead of cried because of the pain. As any dad, I felt helpless. What was even worse is that I couldn't accompany him into a room where they began tests to hold his hand.
Although he was my son and loved him very much, I had to leave him. Our Father in heaven says He will not leave us and never forsake us, especially during times we need Him the most. How comforting is that to us that have meetings that may determine our jobs, or job interviews that are sorely dependent on success for lack of funds, or a doctor's visit that may include some very bad news. How comforting to know that He is with us, holding us up and strengthening us. How comforting to know that the Lord of Lords and the Kings of Kings is with us when we most need Him. Amen!
Thursday, July 30, 2015
Night Etching: Love Your Enemy
To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." -Romans 12:20
In our devotion yesterday, we were told to allow God to be in charge of our vengeance when it comes to our enemies. If God's part is vengeance, then what are we to do. This verse answers that question. The writer talks about treating your enemy with respect. Focus on the well being of the person, instead of focusing on the hatred and the desire to inflict pain on others.
If the same person who cut in front of us in traffic, almost causing an accident, somehow becomes stranded on the road, we are to provide the help they need. The key that God wants us to learn is how to love. God doesn't judge us on the love in our heart by how we love those that are easy to love, but loving those that are hardest to love. That kind of love can be the strongest kind of love we can have. May God help each and every one of us contain a heart filled with "tough" love. Amen.
In our devotion yesterday, we were told to allow God to be in charge of our vengeance when it comes to our enemies. If God's part is vengeance, then what are we to do. This verse answers that question. The writer talks about treating your enemy with respect. Focus on the well being of the person, instead of focusing on the hatred and the desire to inflict pain on others.
If the same person who cut in front of us in traffic, almost causing an accident, somehow becomes stranded on the road, we are to provide the help they need. The key that God wants us to learn is how to love. God doesn't judge us on the love in our heart by how we love those that are easy to love, but loving those that are hardest to love. That kind of love can be the strongest kind of love we can have. May God help each and every one of us contain a heart filled with "tough" love. Amen.
Mid-day Thought: Soul Cast Down
and my God. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. -Psalm 42:6
When our soul is cast down, the psalmist encourages himself by saying to God that he will remember, and then mentions three places. The key to the three places of remembrance is the Jordan. The land of Jordan could be talking about the fords of the Jordan. These fords and their possession meant victory to whomever possessed them. Obtaining these fords meant for the possessor a strong means of defense. Also, the dry ground of the Jordan is what Joshua led the people of Israel through in the Jordan river to get to the Land of Promise.
Mount Hermon marked the northern limits of Joshua's victories while Mount Mizar is a site at the headwaters of the Jordan.
When our soul is cast down, remember the Jordan and the victories that God led His people through there. Whatever land you are in now, may it be the land of trouble, or the land of unemployment, or the land of hurting, don't forget His victories in the Jordan. May He extend His boundaries to relieve your soul. Amen.
When our soul is cast down, the psalmist encourages himself by saying to God that he will remember, and then mentions three places. The key to the three places of remembrance is the Jordan. The land of Jordan could be talking about the fords of the Jordan. These fords and their possession meant victory to whomever possessed them. Obtaining these fords meant for the possessor a strong means of defense. Also, the dry ground of the Jordan is what Joshua led the people of Israel through in the Jordan river to get to the Land of Promise.
Mount Hermon marked the northern limits of Joshua's victories while Mount Mizar is a site at the headwaters of the Jordan.
When our soul is cast down, remember the Jordan and the victories that God led His people through there. Whatever land you are in now, may it be the land of trouble, or the land of unemployment, or the land of hurting, don't forget His victories in the Jordan. May He extend His boundaries to relieve your soul. Amen.
Morning Inception: His Love
but God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
-Romans 5:8
How much better is your day when all the relationships you have with your parents, spouse, kids, friends and co-workers are on perfect terms with no problems? How do you feel when everyone you care and love, love you back with just as much intensity as you love them? Knowing that fact can make walking out your front door in the mornings an already blessed day even before your day has even started.
This verse should create in your heart the same feeling no matter if all your relations are perfectly good or they are all seemingly challenged. Knowing God loves you so much, even though you haven't been the best of children to Him, that He sent His only Son to die for you, should make you feel blessed before the day has even started. God is love...and He loves you. Amen!
-Romans 5:8
How much better is your day when all the relationships you have with your parents, spouse, kids, friends and co-workers are on perfect terms with no problems? How do you feel when everyone you care and love, love you back with just as much intensity as you love them? Knowing that fact can make walking out your front door in the mornings an already blessed day even before your day has even started.
This verse should create in your heart the same feeling no matter if all your relations are perfectly good or they are all seemingly challenged. Knowing God loves you so much, even though you haven't been the best of children to Him, that He sent His only Son to die for you, should make you feel blessed before the day has even started. God is love...and He loves you. Amen!
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Night Etching: Be No Avenger
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." -Romans 12:19
Our anger is never good if we apply vengeance to the person who has clearly done us wrong. Nothing can replace the loss we have experienced and the only purpose in getting vengeance on another is to inflict pain. We want them to hurt like us. God wants us to allow Him to handle our vengeance. He is a loving and great King who can use these opportunities for His glory! No one escapes His watchful eye.
So, when someone does something wrong to you, stop, back away and allow God to handle the situation. Pray for the person involved and watch how God handles all involved. Amen!
Our anger is never good if we apply vengeance to the person who has clearly done us wrong. Nothing can replace the loss we have experienced and the only purpose in getting vengeance on another is to inflict pain. We want them to hurt like us. God wants us to allow Him to handle our vengeance. He is a loving and great King who can use these opportunities for His glory! No one escapes His watchful eye.
So, when someone does something wrong to you, stop, back away and allow God to handle the situation. Pray for the person involved and watch how God handles all involved. Amen!
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