DAILY DEVO... don't be a slothful Christian.

TODAY'S DAILY...

No one likes to be called lazy, perhaps another word no one likes to hear is "slothfulness". I always thought the two words meant the same. But honestly, the hardest working person can actually become slothful. 

“Slothfulness” has nothing to do with energy or the lack of it, actually it speaks of our inward condition and the state of where we are headed. 

(Proverbs 19:15) "Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry."

Today's Scripture indicates that laziness will not lead us anywhere, not anywhere productive anyway. But even in the busiest of busy days, people can find themselves stuck in becoming slothful or living in a neutral state of mind. 

Like driving a car, the state of being neutral means you are not going anywhere, you are simply in idle mode. 

I never want God to find me being lazy, but I also don't want to be found slothful either. If you are feeling "stuck" in your ministry or perhaps in your life as a whole, maybe it's time to switch gears and get moving again. It's time we stop being so idle in our Christianity. 

BLESSINGS. Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE READING: Ezekiel 24-26, Hebrews 11:32-40, Proverbs 19:15-21 

DAILY DEVO...Are you washed and stuffed like a turkey?

TODAY'S DAILY...

Today is my last Thanksgiving post this week. I pray each of you have a blessed gathering at your table of thanks.
************************
"May your stuffing be tasty,
May your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes and gravy
Have no lumps.
May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,
And may your
Thanksgiving Dinner
STAY OFF of your thighs!" (Unknown)

Today is Thanksgiving Eve and while that poem was meant to make you chuckle, it has a great spiritual lesson.

Today, tonight and tomorrow morning we will all be busy with the preparation work for our Thanksgiving meal. Cutting, mixing, blending, baking, roasting and cleaning.

Everyone who has ever hosted Thanksgiving in their home knows that it requires a lot of preparation work. It takes hard work to prepare all that our little poem describes. The turkey. The dressing. The potatoes. The yams. The desserts. And so much more.

Likewise, if we desire to have a heart of gratitude and serve God with a thankful heart; it takes preparation:

First; like a turkey we must be washed and cleansed. Before a turkey can be stuffed, it must be clean...

(Psalm 51:2) "Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity And cleanse me from my sin."

Secondly, like a turkey, we should be stuffed with the good stuff...

(Galatians 5:22,23) "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control."

When we start with these two ingredients in life; washed by the Blood and pursuing the fruits of the Spirit, an attitude of gratitude will come more easy. Instead of wearing our food on the outside (like the poem says), our spiritual food will spill out from the inside - from our washed but stuffed heart. 🦃

Gobble Gobble. Happy Thanksgiving!

@copyright2017 laurieadams

DAILY DEVO...Doesn't God deserve our thanks?4

TODAY'S DAILY...

It is Thanksgiving week and I am sharing "Giving Thanks" posts this week:

I have come in contact with too many people who no matter how hard you try, you just can't seem to satisfy them. They are never happy. Never content. 

Reminds me of the story about the ten lepers in the Bible. Leprosy was a terrible disease and most that were inflicted were cast away and isolated from others. Their one hope was to be healed one day.  

Imagine with me, what it was like one day when 10 lepers approached Jesus, begging Him to heal them. 

In an instant, their request was granted. But out of 10 whose lives were changed for the better, only one came back to say "thank you"! 

What happened to the other 9? Were they so full of ingratitude that they couldn't muster up a simple "thank you"?

Today, I see some "leper attitudes"; people who don't have hearts of gratitude. Some people are expectant of receiving and reluctant to give thanks. Too many times I have even felt taken advantage of or at least unappreciated for the kind things that I have done. 

Imagine how Jesus must have felt that day...

(Luke 17:17,18) Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?”

Ingratitude is a sin, and surely it grieves God's heart when we are not appreciative of God's kindness. 

We can either choose to be ungrateful like the 9 or we can choose to be grateful like the 1. May we all take a moment and reflect on what God has done for us today and simply say "thank you". 

Doesn't He deserve at least that?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WEEK!

Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams 

DAILY DEVO...think before you speak

TODAY'S DAILY...

I've heard it said over and over, "think before you speak" but yet too many times we do the exact opposite: we speak without thinking. 

Today's Scripture Reading takes us to Proverbs where we are reminded that a righteous person will study their answer before responding...

(Proverbs 15:28) "The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil."

Some time ago I saw an acronym for the word "Think", I don't know who came up with it to give credit but I thought it was worthy to share today as we think about the words we speak. Before opening our mouth, let's ask ourselves the following 5 questions:

1. Is it True?
2. Is it Helpful?
3. Is it Inspiring?  
4. Is it Necessary?
5. Is it it Kind?

T.H.I.N.K. - may we study the words that we speak and refrain from using any words that kill, steal or destroy. 

Think about it before you speak about it! 

BLESSINGS. Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE READING: Lamentations 3:38-5:22, Titus 3, Proverbs 15:27-33

DAILY DEVO...guard the deposits that God makes

TODAY'S DAILY...

When we deposit our money into a bank, we not only expect our finances to be kept safe but we expect it to make more money!

In today's Scripture reading, Paul is saying the same thing about our relationship with Christ. 

(1 Timothy 1:14) "Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you; guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit Who lives in us."

God has placed His trust in us for something far more greater than money. God has entrusted us with faith, the gospel and His plan. No doubt, He would like to see something happen with his investment.

Guarding the deposit that God has made in us goes far beyond counting the blessing; the deposit of His Word into our hearts is not something we should take lightly. Nor should it be something we keep stored up in a lockbox. 

God wants us to share our wealth of knowledge of Him with others. We should never mismanage the great deposit that Christ has made into our heart; into our lives. 

Keep the things of God safe and be faithful with everything that God gives you. In doing so you will see your riches increase. 

BLESSINGS. Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE READING: Jeremiah 48:1-49:6, 2 Timothy 1, Proverbs 14:7-22

Laced with Grace...never get weary of doing good

I am flat out tired as I write this devotion.

Between life, working in ministry, working a job and going to school, my body is screaming, “I’m tired!” I am sure one or two of you reading this today can identify. Sometimes we just get weary.

The Bible tells us to not get weary. It isn’t talking about physically, actually, in the book of Galatians it is talking about not getting tired of doing good…

(Galatians 6:9Open in Logos Bible Software (if available)) “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap if we do not give up.”

Now, the fact that Paul has to warn us that we should not become weary in doing good tells me that there is a very good chance that we WILL get tired of doing good things. Not the kind of “get tired” as in needing a nap but the kind of “get tired” that propels us to quit.

Truth is, when we can’t see the fruits of our labor we tend to want to throw in the towel. Imagine with me that you work day in and day out at a factory. At the factory, it was your job to produce the best fruit that you could. Every day you work  hard, but at the end of the day, you see no fruit. You continue this for days, then weeks and over years…still no fruit. One day you decide that you aren’t  going back to that factory. I mean why? You have no fruit to count. Why keep doing a good job for nothing!

But what you didn’t know (or see) is that the “fruit” came in a different shape. The fruit you were making was the “good morning” to the one no one else would speak to. Your fruit was encouraging the one who needed encouraging. Your fruit may not have been noticed by you, but it was being counted in so many other ways.

Doing good is not something that we should ever tire of doing. Doing good is a way of thinking, a way of living; it is what defines who we are!

If you are tired (physically), get some rest. If you are tired of doing good, keep doing and see how God will bless you for endlessly being devoted to Him.

BLESSINGS, Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

DAILY DEVO...God is faithful!

TODAY'S DAILY...

We all know what it is like to be let down or have promises broken. People have disappointed me thru all stages of my life, that's to be expected, but God has remained faithful thru it all. 

The definition of faithfulness is "constant; true to one's word or promise". That is exactly Who God is!

We are reminded in today's Scripture reading that whatever God promises, He is faithful...

(1 Thessalonians 5:24) "The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it."

In a world that is ever changing, God is the only thing that remains the same. He doesn't make mistakes, He doesn't change His mind and He never sways from the Truth. God is the firm foundation which I stand upon. 

People will continue to disappoint me in this life and I'm sure I will disappoint them as well, but the longer I live the more I understand that God's faithfulness is all that I need.

May we all learn that our word means something and that there is something about keeping our word. May we all be found to be faithful; faithful to each other and faithful to God.

BLESSINGS. Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

TODAY'S READING...Jeremiah 31:23-32:35, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28, Proverbs 12:1-14

DAILY DEVO...God loves us so much He disciplines us

TODAY'S DAILY...

One of the most loving things a parent can do for their child is tell them when they are doing something wrong. 

We have all either been corrected by a parent or been on the other end of the correction belt, as a parent. 

Whether we use the term "correction, reproof or rebuke"; all three words are used in the Bible and God says it is necessary for our growth. 

I suppose no one really likes to be punished, but when God reprimands (punishes) us, He does it out of love. It is an act of His love that He wants us to walk the straight and narrow way. 

I suppose at times my own children thought it was unfair to be punished, but in the end they learned their lesson and they changed their ways. 

In Jeremiah chapter 31 we are reminded of God's everlasting love...

(Jeremiah 31:3) The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

Before we would punish our children for a wrongdoing, we would always say to them, "this hurts me more than you". A child who is about to be punished finds that hard to believe but as a parent I assure you, it pains us greatly when our children do wrong.

If it's that way for you and me with our children, how much more do you think our sin (our wrongdoing) hurts our Heavenly Father? 

If God is reprimanding you for something today, it isn't because He wants to but it's because He loves you! 

BLESSINGS. Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

TODAY'S READING...Jeremiah 30:1-31:22, 1 Thessalonians 4:1-5:11, Proverbs 11:27-31 

DAILY DEVO...leaves blue around aimlessly, our lives shouldn't.

TODAY'S DAILY...

When I watch the leaves blowing around in the wind, I'm reminded that the leaves that have fallen no longer have life.

They blow around aimlessly in the yard, bouncing over the grass and landing on the fence, pressed up against it with nowhere else to go. Full of activity but yet empty of life.

God did not create us to be like lifeless leaves, just blowing around aimlessly. God created you and me to be purposeful!

One of God's purposes for us is found in today's Scripture reading...

(1 Thessalonians 3:12) "May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you."

Paul prayed that the Thessalonians love would increase for each other, and increase for ALL people.

The love that Paul speaks of has specific purpose, it's the kind of love that encourages others to live in such a way that they would not be found blowing around like a leaf; aimlessly lost and dead.

When our love increases for others (and for God), we will then see that our purpose in life is still alive and well and not just blowing around in the wind.

BLESSINGS. Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

TODAY'S READING: Jeremiah 28-29, 1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13, Proverbs 11:22-26

DAILY DEVO...you be you and I'll be me!

TODAY'S DEVOTION...

"We are not trying to please people but God, Who tests our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 2:4b)

God never intended us to become someone for the sake of others, instead, God made us  who we are for His sake!

I learned a long time ago that you can't please everyone all the time. In fact, many times you can't please some people any of the time.

God made me to be me and He made you to be you. Don't let others define who you are. There's no worse place to be than in an identity crisis, trying to find out who you are and what your purpose is.

Moses had an identity crisis. Born a Hebrew slave, but raised Egyptian royalty. When Moses grew up, he had a choice to make: to become who others said he was or become who God intended him to be.

I see too many people today trying to be something they are not. What I love about Moses is that he chose to give everything up to become who God wanted him to be.

My question today is this: whom are you trying to please, God or man?

Be who God created you to be and I will do the same. Together, we can make a difference because God's love has already defined us.

BLESSINGS. Laurie

TODAY'S READING...Jeremiah 26-27, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-2:8, Proverbs 11:12-21

DAILY DEVO...make the main thing the main thing!

TODAY'S DEVOTION...

Have you ever lost your focus? I'm not talking about when your eyeglasses need adjusting, but losing focus in life. 

It is so easy to get off track with our focus in life. 30 years ago, I was doing something completely different than what I am doing today. Things change. People change. Our focus can change. 

Making the main thing the main thing in our life isn't always easy when we don't know what the main thing is.

I suppose life can be like the sport of archery; aim the arrow at the door where you want the arrow to land. Sometimes you get a bullseye and sometimes you don't. 

(Colossians 2,6,7) "So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."

When we make Christ our main focus (our main thing), we will have a firm foundation to build our life upon. And every arrow we shoot will be dead centered right where it was intended to fall, in the center of God's plan. 

But before we can make the main thing the main thing, we have to make Him the main thing! 

Don't lose focus, just change your focal point. Aim for the Bullseye. 

BLESSINGS. Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

TODAY'S READING: Jeremiah 18:1-20:6, Colossians 1:24-2:15, Proverbs 10:6-14

DAILY DEVO...pray without ceasing

TODAY'S DEVOTION...

The image of someone "praying without ceasing" may cause you to think of someone walking around with their heads down, hands folded and bumping into things as they do their nonstop prayer walk.

When Paul speaks about not ceasing to pray for the Colossians, he was not talking about having a certain posture or praying every moment of the day.

To "pray without ceasing" doesn't mean for us to talk to God nonstop. Instead it means that we should live in an attitude of prayer and bring ALL things to God.

Praying without ceasing is surrendering our temptations and faults to God, it is thanking Him for the good things, it is asking for wisdom and strength in the bad times, it is being sensitive to the Holy Spirit knowing when to speak and when to listen, it is praising God for all that He is and for all that He does.

When prayer is on our lips continually, every aspect of our life is an opportunity to connect with God and it will enable us to walk worthy of the Lord.

(Colossians 1:9,10) "For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God."

Is there anything that you care so much for that you would be willing to never stop praying about?

Pray without ceasing so you can walk worthy of the Lord.

BLESSINGS. Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE READING...Jeremiah 16-17, Colossians 1:1-23, Proverbs 10:1-5

DAILY DEVO... how well do you know God's love?

TODAY'S DEVOTION...

Paul prayed that the Ephesians would know the depth of the love of Christ. He wanted them to see what was beyond their comprehension when it came to this kind of love. 

It is difficult for our minds to wrap around this thought of just how much God loves us.

Most Christians go thru life thinking that they know God, but do we really know Him? 

The true test of "knowing Him" will appear when the bottom falls out of our life. When our marriage struggles. When we lose our job. When death or serious illness affects us. These are just some of the life struggles that if we lean hard enough upon God, we will see Him for Who He truly is. 

(Ephesians 3:19) "And to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."

I have people in my life that seem to only know me when they need something. I'm sure you do too. When it comes to my relationship with God, I don't want to be that child that only knows Him when I'm in need.

Even though it goes beyond my comprehension of how deep and rich the love of God is, I want to know God; really know Him. Understanding Who God is will help us in those topsy turvy times in life.

Paul brings up a good question in today's Scripture reading, so I have to ask; "How well do you Know God?"

HAVE A BLESSED DAY. Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE READING:  Isaiah 65:17-66:24, Ephesians 3:1-4:16, Proverbs 6:20-26

DAILY DEVO...we reap what we sow

TODAY'S DEVOTION...

Everyone knows that before you can bite into a juicy watermelon, you have to first start with a seed. 

Not all of the seeds that we plant turn out good. The Bible warns us in Galatians:

(6:7,8) "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life."

Many people are deceived in this world. They are deceived in thinking that their discord, destruction and evil will somehow turn into something good. But as today's Scripture reading tells us, it only turns into destruction. 

The law of "reaping and sowing" applies to everyone; saved or not saved, rich or poor, man or woman. Everything good (or bad) first starts with a seed, no matter who we are. 

Let's make sure what we are planting is good so that good things will come back to us. With God, we not only reap what we sow, but we will reap even more!

HAVE A BLESSED (and fruitful) DAY! Laurie

TODAY'S DAILY READING: Isaiah 58-59, Galatians 6, Proverbs 5:15-23

DAILY DEVO...guard your heart!

TODAY'S DEVOTION...

Our heart (literally) beats life. Anyone knows without a heart, one cannot live. 

But in today's Scripture reading,       we read that it is out of our heart that all issues of life come from...

(Proverbs 4:23) "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it."

The heart is a mysterious thing to me. With each beat, our heart is saturated with emotion. It is where we can be happy and sad, all at the same time. 

The Bible actually speaks of the heart often: it can be grieved, broken, pierced, divided and be full of joy. 

Our heart is the very expression of who we really are. This is why it is imperative that we guard what we allow in. 

Heart disease is probably one of fastest growing diseases there is. Once diagnosed with a heart condition, life altering changes usually are a must in order to live a full life. 

Spiritually speaking, when we allow the wrong things into our heart, it isn't long before disease sets in. This kind of heart disease is called sin and without a life altering change, our hearts cannot be whole.

Guard your heart - for what you fill it with will surely come flowing out. 

HAVE A BLESSED (and hearty) DAY! Laurie

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE READING:  Isaiah 52-54, Galatians 4:12-31, Proverbs 4:20-27

DAILY DEVO....we have to study the Text in order to pass the test

TODAY'S DEVOTION...

I'm about to do something I haven't done in 30 years. Next week I will be sitting in a classroom at college. 

To be honest, it isn't going to be easy because some of the knowledge I gained from the college classes from 30 years ago have become a bit rusty.

Things can fade when we don't use what we've learned and when we don't continue to grow in our knowledge. 

Book knowledge is good, but godly wisdom is even better. 

(Proverbs 2:6) "For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding."

In other words, if we want to gain knowledge about life, we must study the book of life - The Bible. God is our Teacher. 

Every doctor, teacher and lawyer did not gain their knowledge and credentials by just simply stating "I'm a doctor", "I'm a teacher", "I'm a lawyer". No, they had to study and pass exams to become who they claimed to be. 

Spiritually speaking, it is the same. If we say we are Christian's but do nothing to grow our faith, to learn how to walk differently, talk differently; are we really Christians?

If knowledge and wisdom is something you seek, college classes can help you in the working world but reading, studying and applying God's Word will help you in everyday life. 

For every single problem or situation you face in life, you will find the answer in the Bible. But like any exam, you must first learn the text before passing the test. 

Let's be better students of the Word!

HAVE A BLESSED (and wise) DAY. Laurie

TODAY'S READING: Isaiah 38-40, 2 Corinthians 12:11-13:14, Proverbs 2:1-13 

DAILY DEVO...when your faith is mocked

TODAY'S DEVOTION...

It has happened to all of us. Someone said something, someone rolled their eyes or someone rebuked your God and all that you believe in.

I like to get along with everybody, so when someone comes against me and mocks me for my faith, it is a tough thing to swallow. Especially if it comes from someone I love.

The definition of mock is "to tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner." As Christians, when we are made fun of or laughed at for being different, may we also remember that both friend and foe mocked Jesus.

I have found that when most people want to debate Christianity, the fight isn't with me; it's a spiritual battle going on within themselves.

In today's Scripture in Isaiah, the question is asked...

(Isaiah 37:23) "Who is it you have ridiculed and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel!"

Those who ridicule God's people are really ridiculing God Himself. Jesus had to deal with this, and so do we. Jesus never raised His voice or turned His back on any of the naysayers, He simply answered their questions and continued to love them.

That is exactly what you and I must do. Christianity is not up for debate, it is simply a choice that God has given each of us. We will accept the Gospel or we won't. The enemy wants as many of our loved ones as possible to miss the opportunity of understanding Who Christ is.

The best way to handle the faith naysayers in our life is to do what Christ did: don't argue with them, don't get offended and most of all...LOVE & PRAY for them.

You are not alone, God stands with you.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY. Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

TODAY'S READING: Isaiah 37-38, 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, Proverbs 1:27-33

DAILY DEVO...we can puff ourselves up, or God?

TODAY'S DAILY...

While reading in the book of 2 Corinthians, I've noticed that Paul is addressing pride and being boastful. 

In today's scripture reading, Paul is defending himself to the Corinthians. While they began listening to false teachers, whom seemingly had it altogether, Paul responded without pulling out his credential card. 

Instead he spoke of his weaknesses. 

(2 Corinthians 11:30,31) "If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, Who is to be praised forever, knows that I am not lying."

Paul knew that boasting (bragging, giving glory to) either puffed him up or it could puff God up. He wanted God to receive all the glory, not himself. 

Like Paul, we can choose to either bring attention to ourselves and all that God is using us for OR we can share our weaknesses; things that cause us to fall short which will bring glory and honor to God for all that He has done. 

C.S. Lewis said, “A proud man is always looking down on things and people: and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you” (Mere Christianity).

May we all take our eyes off of ourselves and look up to God. He is the source and reason for anything that we can do or ever will do. 

Are you looking up?

HAVE A BLESSED DAY. Laurie

TODAY'S READING: Isaiah 34-36, 2 Corinthians 11, Proverbs 1:23-26

Daily DEVO...praise God and watch doors open

TODAY'S DEVOTION...

We have been reading the book of Psalms ever since we started this journey of reading thru the Bible. I think it is very fitting that we end the last chapter of this book giving God praise!

Psalm 150 tells us that everything that has breath should praise the Lord. God made us to praise Him! And when we praise God, good things happen. In fact, when we praise God, the enemy will flee.

It happened with King Jehoshaphat: when his singers sang and praised God, the Lord defeated their enemies. (see 2 Chronicles 20).

It happened with Paul and Silas: when they praised the Lord in prison, God sent an earthquake and the prison doors were flung open. ( see Acts 16)

It happened in Acts: when God’s people were persecuted, they prayed and praised God and the whole place shook. (see Acts 4:31)

If it happened for all these people (and more), don't you know it will happen for you?

(Psalm 150:6) "Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord."

It is my prayer today that no matter how your day plays out, you will praise God. Praise Him with all that you have and watch and see if your praise doesn't unlock some doors and turn some things around.

HAVE A BLESSED DAY. Laurie

TODAY'S READING: Isaiah 26:20-28:29, 2 Corinthians 8, Psalm 149-150

DAILY DEVO...worldly sorrow vs godly sorrow

Like you, I have experienced sorrow in my life. Some grief and sorrow has been over some of the choices that I have made. Perhaps you have a regret or two of your own. 

When it comes to our wrongdoing (sin), there are two kinds of sorrow. Worldly sorrow and godly sorrow. Both are felt deeply. But one kind of sorrow will lead you down a path you wish you hadn't gone. The other kind will lead you closer to God. 

Judas experienced the kind of sorrow that led to his death. He betrayed the Son of God for a mere thirty pieces of silver. His sorrow did not cause him to repent and be forgiven. Instead, he was so consumed with anguish and isolation that he took his own life. (see Matthew 27:3-5)

Peter’s suffering and sorrow was different. While Peter also failed Jesus, he was so overcome with remorse that he went out and wept bitterly. (see Luke 22:62)

Even though Peter suffered from sorrow, he allowed God to use his pain to help him turn his life around. 

Grief and sorrow over sin is good, as long as it leads us to repentance. But once forgiven, we must not hold onto it. 

(2 Corinthians 7:10) "Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death."

Don't let your past mistakes, (that are forgiven), keep you from living the life God has for you. 

HAVE A BLESSED (and forgiven) DAY! Laurie

TODAY'S READING: Isaiah 24:1-26:19, 2 Corinthians 7, Psalm 148 

DAILY DEVO...just love the people

TODAY'S DEVOTION...

Many years ago, before going into full time ministry, I recall the wise words of encouragement from a senior pastor that I have tried to live up to ... "just love the people".

The world teaches us to love the lovable and those whom we like to spend time with. But Paul demonstrates that his love is for ALL the people in Corinth, even the unlovable...

(2 Corinthians 6:11) " Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide".

When Paul says that his "heart is wide", he means there is no favoritism, he loves the entire congregation. Not just the nice ones, or the ones that served him well, Paul loved the people. 

However, in the next verse, we see that not everyone returned that love...

(2 Corinthians 6:12) "We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us".

Love, whether it is in a marriage, a friendship, family or church, is a two-way street. Here we see Paul respond to this loveless problem in the church by saying the Corinthians are "restricted".

Here lies an awesome life lesson for each of us; straight from the Word of God: LOVE REQUIRES A RESPONSE! 

Paul is telling us that when we don't return the Christ-like love offered to us that we are limiting ourselves! We cannot experience the full richness and blessing that God gives to those who not only love, but who also return love. 

As a leader, not everyone will agree with you or even like you. That is something I learned a long time ago, but even so, I choose to love ALL people. God never charged us to "like" people, just "love" them. 

It is my prayer today that we can learn to just love the people, ALL the people and not limit ourselves of the blessings of love. 

HAVE A BLESSED (and loving) DAY! Laurie 

TODAY'S READING: Isaiah 20-23, 2 Corinthians 6, Psalm 147:12-20 

Laced with Grace...OCD is not the same as serving others

My family has accused me of being OCD. Obssesive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a “mental disorder in which people have unwanted and repeated thoughts, feelings, ideas, sensations (obsessions), and behaviors that drive them to do something over and over (compulsions). ”

Just recently, at a family gathering, while everyone continued to visit, I began to clean up. Putting away food that had already been out too long, picking up trash and washing dishes. I didn’t do this because I have a compulsive behavior about dishes being clean but rather, I started to clean up to help the hostess; to serve her and the rest of the family.

I am a servant, I do not have OCD. There is a difference.

Most people think of the word “servant” as a negative thing. Most people visualize a servant as one who waits on people hand and foot; someone who is hired to do the dirty work. However, servants today are not slaves; they are people who help or assist others.

Jesus was the perfect example of a servant. 

He came to serve others, to help people. He wasn’t OCD, but He would rather be serving others than be served.

(Galatians 5:13) "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your feeedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”

If we are to be like Christ, we must learn to serve. 

Serving others requires putting  aside our own self centeredness and seeing the genuine needs of others. When we see others like Christ sees them, we all should be compelled to get up and help; to serve them.

At our recent family gathering, I was asked why I am always cleaning – if I was just OCD? My response would be this: 

"No I am not OCD, but I have been called to serve others and to serve them humbly, in love."

Being OCD and being a servant is not the same thing. Serving others is a good thing and a God thing.  

Never belittle someone or be ashamed of having a servants heart; it is one of the highest honors a Christian can have this side of heaven.

BLESSINGS. Laurie

@copyright2017 laurieadams

DAILY DEVO...will you go?

TODAY'S DEVOTION...

In the book of Isaiah lies a question that each of us will have to answer, "who will go?" 

(Isaiah 6:8) “Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?’ I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’” 

Many people apply this scripture to those called into missions. But don't you know that "missions" is everywhere and we all have to answer the question and decide if we will make ourselves available to go. 

But go where?

The mission field is in our backyards, at our jobs, in the grocery store and yes, even in the Sunday school rooms of church. God may call you to Africa or China but first He will call you at home. 

Not everyone accepts the call. Moses didn't want to go to Egypt and Jonah tried to escape what God asked of him. We aren't much different; looking for ways to get around our responsibility of teaching a class, holding a prayer meeting or witnessing to our neighbor. 

Jesus said the harvest was full, but the laborers are few. Isaiah answered the call and said, "here I am, send me." What is your answer today - will you go?

HAVE A BLESSED (and fruitful) day. Laurie

TODAY'S READING: Isaiah 6-8, 2 Corinthians 1:12-2:4, Psalm 143:7-12