DAILY DEVO: do you quack or squeal when you walk?

"Mirror, mirror on the wall, who's the fakest of them all?"

The magical mirror no longer reveals beauty but true identity. It's easy to spot a fake when you know what the real thing looks like. Test me and see. Try taking a fake $100 bill to a bank and see what happens.

What will happen is you will be found out quick because bank employees know what the real $100 bill looks like.


Too many people are trying to be Christian imposters. Phoney. Fake. Not the real deal. But it's not hard to spot the genuine ones from the imposters.


The Bible says we will know them by their fruit...

"You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they?" - Matthew 7:16

In other words, we will know the real deal by the way people act. If a duck quacks, then we know it's a duck. But if it squeals, the duck may be something else.


Same is true with people. A Christian cannot be loving to our face, but be picking up knives to throw when we turn our back. If they do...you might have a squealing duck on your hands.


? for today...what happens when you walk...do you quack or do you squeal?


Make sure you do what you say and say what you mean. Be the real deal. Not a Christian imposter.

DAILY DEVO...3 top reasons people do not pray

In observance of today's See You At The Pole, I have devoted myself today to purposely be studying and thinking about prayer.


I don't know if you or your child attended SYATP this morning, but if not, we can still put our focus on prayer and also on WHY we DON'T pray! While many gathered this morning to pray, few will remember to pray tomorrow.

3 top reasons why people do not pray...
1. No time 2. We think it's not important 3. We don't think it makes a difference.


1. Americans spend 63.5 billion minutes a day on social networks...I think we have time.

 2. I wonder how important the Israelite army thinks prayer is now. They went against the city of Ai so confidently, they didn't pray...and they were defeated!

 3. Many people do not have, because they do not ask. You think prayer doesn't make a difference...ask and see what happens.

1 Thessalonians 5:17 "Pray without ceasing."

? for today...what is prayer to you and have you prayed today?

DAILY DEVO...today is trash pick up day!

Trash. I hate when our kitchen trash can is overflowing. How awful to grab it when something has oozed and spilled over the side. Absolutely disgusting.

Nobody likes taking smelly trash out, but yet, it is one of those chores that just needs to be done. Imagine if we never took it out how bad the smell would get.

James reminds us that we all must get rid of the garbage that resides within our own spiritual house...
 

"Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you." (James 1:21)

Just like the garbage in my kitchen, the filth we allow to build up in our lives will leave a terrible stench. Sin has a way of creeping in and building up odors that quickly get out of hand. No aerosol spray can take care of the smell it leaves except for a good Holy Spirit trash pick up!

? for today...what garbage is in your life that needs to be taken to the curb?

Man is concerned with saving the earth...God wants to save your soul! It's garbage pick up day today!!

DAILY DEVO...have you washed up?

Seems like everyone is sick. Sneezing. Coughing. Runny nose. Sore throat. Last week, a local doctor said he had treated 44 cases of strep!

My husband just told me that without a doubt, we are getting the flu shot this year. The flu is said to hit hard.

Shots and vaccinations are good. But do you know what is good too...washing your hands! A regular habit of washing your hands ...can protect you from things like the flu or the common cold.

Not only is it good to wash our hands physically, but spiritually as well. James tells us how to wash our hands spiritually...

"So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your heart's, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world." (James 4:7-10)

What we need today is just a good washing...just like washing our hands will guard us from sickness, washing our heart on a regular basis will guard us from spiritual defeat.

? for today...have you washed the germs off yet today?

Don't let them reside on your hands or in your heart.

LACED WITH GRACE...see the sheep, feed the sheep

Today I have shared the following devo with the readers of LACED WITH GRACE. Please take time to visit this awesome devotion site and hear what other Christian writers are talking about.

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This week as God crossed my path with someone in need, I found myself asking “how can the little that I have to offer help?” Oh what little faith and what little expectations I must have of my God!

Yes, it is true that I did not have much to offer, but it isn’t about what you or I can offer! A sack of groceries, a tank of gas, hand-me-down clothes, a pay it forward lunch at McDonald’s… whatever the need, God does not need OUR money to accomplish HIS works, He only needs our attention and our obedience.

I wonder how many of you are like me, and just drive by the homeless man on the corner holding that cardboard sign? How many times have I passed by that way and instead of noticing the “need”, I notice how long the red light takes to turn or how it looks like rain is coming? I notice EVERYTHING except the need staring me right in the face.

Jesus may ask us the same question He asked of Peter… “The third time, He said to him, ‘Simon son of John, do you love me?” (John 21:17) And like Peter (Simon), we say, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

“Feed My sheep!” -Jesus

It really grips my heart and saddens me to see how very uninvolved and insensitive we have gotten towards the things that break God’s heart. Poverty in our cities, homelessness, drugs, crime, babies having babies. You don’t have to look far to see heartbreaking events, not just locally but worldwide; Africa genocide, ISIS massacre of innocent lives, little girls being sold into the black market prostitution ring.

Like me, perhaps you feel helpless with some of these atrocious crimes. And maybe even a little hopeless, wondering what in the world is this world coming to? Often times, when we keep hitting a brick wall, we tend to stop trying to climb.

But the climb requires one step at a time. If not a burger in a sack, how about donating to the local Mission, or take things even another step and pray for our country and our leaders or get involved in a local political campaign or take a missions trip abroad and give aid to a missionary.

Becoming our “brother’s keeper” is not just about feeding their stomachs, we must also be so compelled to feed the spiritual hunger that is prevalent. We, who have been washed by the Blood, who have resurrected our lives and spirits to the moving of the Holy Spirit have been called and challenged to share the same spiritual food with others. It isn’t enough to just feed the stomach, we must feed the spirit man as well.

Surely, the last days are upon us, but until He comes again, we must keep climbing and we must not turn a cheek to what is expected of us…

“Feed My sheep!” -Jesus

When you see the sheep, will you feed the sheep?

PRAYER: Dear Lord, please forgive me for not seeing all of the sheep that you have put in my path. Help me to be more aware of Your call on my life to feed the sheep as you need me to do. Whether through a physical lunch, clothes, prayer or whatever you lead me to do, help me to see the needs thru Your eyes. Help me to not look away, close my eyes or become cold hearted. Every sheep is important to you, even the lost ones. May they all find their way and make the climb with me, to You! AMEN

DAILY DEV0...give and you will be blessed

This week God crossed my path with someone who had a need. After looking in my wallet, I thought to myself, I don't have much to give, how can my little bit make a difference?

Then I recalled Acts 20:35, "It is more blessed to give than receive."

Yes, there is great pleasure in being on the receiving end, but the true pleasure comes from knowing that we have been used by God.

..."Whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone, especially to our Christian brothers and sisters." -Galatians 6:10

? for today...who have you helped today?

It doesn't matter how big or small it seems, we must obey God and take advantage of every opportunity God gives us.

You will be blessed for doing it. I know I was!

DAILY DEVO...Who ya gonna obey?

I'm going to be very frank today - sometimes the things and yes, even the people who mean the most to us can be the very thing that holds us back.

How can something that is such an important part of my life be the thing that holds me back?

Consider Terah's influence in Abraham's life:

Abraham had heard clearly from God, "leave your country and your relatives and come to the land I will show you." But if you read Genesis 11:32-34, you will see a closer look at Abraham's caravan...his father, his nephew and Abraham's wife all traveled with him. Doesn't sound like Abraham left his family like God said.

Partial obedience is disobedience. Abraham learned this the hard way.

? for today ..what or who stands between you and God?


Stop settling for less than what God has for you. Remove the Terah's from your path and follow God. Obey Him fully ...no matter what the sacrifice.

DAILY DEVO..need gas?

It is never a good idea to run a car down to empty. My daughter, in fact, panics once her gas gauge gets below half. She thinks she needs to stop at the next gas station for fear she will run out of gas. There is a spiritual lesson here.

Isn't it funny, no matter the price of gas, we all get in line to get refueled but when it comes to our spiritual tank...we run on empty for da

ys.

The gas pump refuels our car, the restaurant refuels our stomach, but how do we refuel our spirits? Jesus shows us in Mark how to...

 

"Very early in the morning, while it is dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed." -Mark 1:35-36

? for today... need some gas?

Find time to pull up to the arms of God and get refueled and get your spiritual tank recharged! Pray before your engine light comes on!

LACED WITH GRACE...the 5 "M's" of Ministry

I have shared the following Devotional with the readers of LACED WITH GRACE today. I hope that you will be blessed and encouraged as you continue to labor for God in all of your ministries! Please support all of our daily devotional writers over at www.lacedwithgrace.com

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One of my favorite things to do is encourage and minister to small groups. There is so much wisdom and growth that can come out of small groups. I have had the privilege of leading youth and women in small group settings. So many churches are now gearing towards bringing in new people thru small group ministry. I applaud this effort but at the same time want to express my concern over so many churches that are replacing “church” with small groups.


Small groups for me is entirely different than church service. According to the Bible, worshipping together serves several functions:


1. It leads to deeper fellowship among believers (Acts 2:42)
2. It enables believers to break bread together (Acts 2:2)
3. Worshipping together brings God into our presence (Matthew 18:19-20)
4. It encourages “glad and sincere hearts” (Acts 2:46)
5. It brings collective praise of God (Acts 2:47)

6. It encourages growth in the body of Christ (Acts 2:47)

7. It helps Christians to encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25)
8. And it invites the Holy Spirit unto the group (Acts 10:44)

Even though we can experience all of the above in a small setting, there is just something about gathering together in one accord to worship in a church setting. Whether it is “Church” that you love or “Small Groups”, here are 5 “M’s” to enhance the ministry of worshipping together…

MINISTER TO NEEDS

“A healthy church is a growing church”, many times we overlook that the members of our church or small groups are hurting. It should be an intended goal to become healthy, not just as leaders but our members should be healthy as well. We need to open our eyes and see the needs before us and minister to them.

MENTOR SPIRITUAL MATURITY

In order to be a spiritual mentor, we must first know the condition of those we are trying to mentor. An effective ministry leader should seek to cultivate spiritual habits in those in their realm of influence. How we can do that really depends upon the spiritual habits that exist in our own hearts. We cannot mentor, or train, what we don’t already know.

MOTIVATE FOR MINISTRY

If you want people to step up to ministry, we must first model what servant hood is. When people see in us the ideal of serving others, it will only have a ripple effect. What they see, they will do.


MULTIPLICATION EFFECT

Every church and small group desires to grow numerically, but multiplying in number is not the same as multiplying their life through others. Every church and small group will grow effectively when the leaders pour their life into others, so that those will in turn pour their lives into others as well. The multiplication effect.

MODEL A SURRENDERED HEART

There is not enough room at the pulpit or in the leaders manual for pride and arrogance. Never lose sight of the fact that everything that we are doing is by the grace of God and for His glory, not ours. Christian leaders must model a surrendered, humble attitude. God will always work best in our weakness, for when we are weak – He is strong. Give all of your fears, and inabilities to God and just see what He does with your ministry.

I love going to church. And I love being a part of a small group. I wouldn’t want to trade one for the other. Whichever place that you find yourself, may you experience the 5 “M’s” to the fullest!

DAILY DEVO

Our neighbor always have kids out in their front yard playing ball. I notice them every time I drive by, hurrying to get somewhere.

But today, instead of hurrying, I sat and watched and listened to them. Their laughter had made glued to my seat. I leaned back, with the window down, just listening. Their voices took me back to a time when my children ran and played in our yard.

It made me realize how fast life is played before our eyes. Time stops for no one, it just ticks on by.

 

? for today...when is the last time you stopped and listened to the laughter? Or the birds chirping?


Take a moment and just stop...and hear the sounds and enjoy life!

"Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord." -Psalm 35:9

Listen closely for the sounds of His beauty.

LACED WITH GRACE...top 10 things you need to know about your Pastor's wife

Today, I have shared this with the readers of LACED WITH GRACE and wanted to share with you as well. I pray it will give insight to how you can love and pray for your pastor's wife in a more powerful way. Please visit the LWG website where you can find awesome daily writings from some awesome godly ladies. www.lacedwithgrace.com

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As a wife of a pastor, I must echo the words of James, “I count it all joy”! For more than a decade now I have had the joy of serving alongside my husband on this ministry journey that God has set in motion. For the most part, I say it has been a joyful adventure, but like James points out, I also have seen the trials and bumps in the road that serving in ministry often brings. But even so … I count it ALL  joy:

“My Brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials.” -James 1:2

James takes time out in this passage to strongly encourage his fellow believers to strengthen their Christian Character. He says that Christians are not immune to difficulties and hardships. And I am here to tell you that James is correct and not only that, Pastors and those serving in ministry are not immune either. In fact, the enemy has his insides all turned inside out over the labor of ministry that those called by God are doing. But count it all joy, my friend.

I have seen too many families in the ministry throw in the towel. It becomes too much; the burden, the struggle, the various trials and then somehow, joy is stolen. It breaks my heart to hear stories of ministries shattered because of the works of the enemy. So today, I write this very different kind of post, because I want to tell you that your pastor and his wife struggle just like you do. It is imperative that we pray for our leaders in the church, that they could count it ALL joy: the good, the bad and the ugly.

In order to help you gain some insight, I would like to give you my top ten list of what you need to know about your Pastor’s wife:

1. I AM NOT PERFECT!

and neither are you! Romans 3:23 “For we have ALL sinned and come short of the glory of God.” I am not much different than you, I get frustrated, I lose my temper sometimes, and I don’t always like everyone I come in contact with. I make mistakes. My husband and children also make mistakes. Don’t judge us when we do, embrace us like we do you when you or your family messes up.

2. DON’T TALK ABOUT PEOPLE TO ME

Please do not bad mouth other people to me. Your negative comments and gossip about others only puts me in a very awkward position and makes it hard for me to remain neutral. Especially if the person you are bad mouthing is my husband or my children. If you don’t like his preaching or his kind of leadership, remember he is my Pastor too, but he is my husband and my best friend first!

3. DON’T ASK ME THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T ASK

I know that I go home with the Pastor every night, but that does not mean that he discusses every problem or situation at the church with me. In fact, you might be surprised how much I DO NOT know because he is protecting me from any potential disunity in the church. If you need to know something from the Pastor, ask him directly, do not use me as a “go between”, because I probably have no clue what you are talking about.

4. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU MESSAGE MY HUSBAND

Speaking to your Pastor about confidential issues needs to be left in the conference room behind closed doors. Please do not text or email your private issues to my husband because from time to time I or the Pastor’s children use his phone and computer.

5. RESPECT MY FAMILY TIME

As much as I would love to attend every ministry outreach, every child’s birthday party and every Scentsy or Mary Kay party, I simply cannot. My time is valuable just like yours. I too would love to have an occasional night to soak in the tub or catch a movie with my family. Please do not expect me to be at everything and do not get angry or talk about me behind my back  if I kindly have to send my regrets.

6. GET TO KNOW “ME”

Take time to get to know ME! Please do not compare me to the former Pastor’s wife. I am not her. She no longer lives here. I am unique. I am gifted. And I have been chosen for such a time as this. Let me be ME.

7. BE MY FAMLY

My blood family lives far away and because ministry keeps us working 24/7, we cannot always lean on them. Step in and be our family. Be a grandparent to my children. Cry with us when we are troubled. Rejoice with us when we are blessed. Adopt us as your family, because we miss ours so badly.

8. REALIZE THAT I CANNOT TALK TO EVERY PERSON EVERY SUNDAY

Please do not take offense if I do not get the chance to shake your hand or compliment your new dress every Sunday. There is only one of me and LOTS of you. If I have missed you a few Sundays in a row, hang around to hug my neck before you leave. On a side note: Sunday’s are a time that I enjoy greeting people and meeting visitors, please do not take away from that by telling me about a problem you have with the worship team 5 minutes before service or during altar time. If it is an urgent matter, put lunch on hold and wait around after service to speak to me in private.

9. ENCOURAGE ME

As much as I love to encourage and affirm others, especially women, I also need encouragement. I wear many hats throughout the week, and often times the hours that I put in at the church outweighs any compensation I may receive. One of the loneliest people that you will find is actually the Pastor and his wife because the burden they carry is heavy and they feel like they have no one to talk to. A card in the mail, a text message or an email goes a long way on a tiring, stressful day. Let me know that you are praying for me and that despite my shortcomings, that you love me.

10. BECOME MY PRAYER PARTNER

This is the most important thing you can do for your Pastor’s wife, especially if you don’t like me. I promise you, if we pray for one another, we will love one another, faults and all. James 5:16 says that “the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much”. May we hold each other up and “avail much”.

I hope that this list will help you pray and love your Pastor’s wife to even a higher level. I am sure that many Pastor’s wives have walked the trenches like I have but when we answer the call, like many of you have, we can count it ALL joy!

Blessings to you and to your Pastor’s wife.