Have you ever considered just how important you are to God? In today's Scripture reading, we are compared to that of the sparrow and the birds of flight...
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?" ( Matthew 6:25,26)
There are over 9,000 species of birds, but it is the sparrow that Jesus singles out to make a very clear point to us. Even though a sparrow may seem one of the least, compared to a strong Eagle or a graceful Dove, nevertheless, Jesus says that He takes care of everything that He has created.
He not only cares about the well being of the most insignificant and least noticed bird of the air, but He cares for you and me even more.
Sometimes I feel insignificant, and often times unnoticed by those who hurriedly brush by; but next time I notice a bird in the air or put out birdseed in the yard, I will be reminded that everything I need rests in the palm of God's Hand. Because just as He cares for the sparrow, nothing that I need will go unseen.
So, how will you approach God today?
Perhaps it's cold outside, and the bird feeder looks slim to you; look to God Who cares for you and He will provide everything you need.
BLESSINGS. Laurie
TODAY'S DAILY SCRIPTURE READING:
Genesis 19 & 20, Matthew 6:19-34 and Psalm 8.
Wednesday, January 11, 2017
Tuesday, January 10, 2017
DAILY DEVO...do you ever laugh at the promises of God?
Do you ever not take God's promises seriously? Maybe you have felt unworthy or perhaps you have whispered, "I'm not sure what I believe, Lord. I just don't have enough faith."
I assure you, you are not alone.
In today's Scripture reading, Sarah finds herself laughing at the thought of God giving her a son at her old age..
Sarah laughed to herself as she thought, "After I am worn out and my lord is old, will I now have this pleasure?" Then the Lord said to Abraham, "Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Will I really have a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? " (Genesis 18:12-14)
Have you ever considered why Sarah laughed at God? Could it be because she lacked faith or doubted that it could happen?
I wonder, if you have ever laughed at God or simply snickered at the thought of what His promises could do for you...
"Saved ~ who me?"
"Healed ~ if only!"
"Delivered ~ too late!"
Maybe deep down you just don't think God cares enough about you to keep His promises or perhaps you doubt that He can actually do what He says.
Here's the thing that I've learned, it's the same thing Sarah probably learned: our lack of faith DOES NOT affect the faithfulness of God. He will always keep His promises, it is never dependent upon the level of our belief as it is the level of His Power.
God can handle our cynicism and He understands our doubts, but like Sarah, when our faith seems alittle shaky, He will always prove Himself. Every time!
BLESSINGS. Laurie
TODAY'S SCRIPTURE READING:
Genesis 17 & 18, Matthew 6:1-18, Psalm 7
Monday, January 9, 2017
Daily DEVO...where is your faith leading?
If you have followed the daily Bible reading this past weekend, we find ourselves reading about Abraham today. Abraham had the kind of faith I want, how about you?
Faith can be a difficult concept for people to understand, but yet it is the catalyst to how we make it from one thing to the next.
For example: how many of you go to a doctor whose name you cannot pronounce and who has a degree from somewhere you did not verify? The dr. gives you a prognosis in which they cannot prove to you and writes you a prescription that No one can read. You take the prescription to a pharmacist who you cannot see what they put in the bottle or understand how the ingredients will work. However, you take the filled prescription home and follow the instructions exactly as written ... all in faith that it is the best thing for you!
Much like that, Abraham showed such faith in God that he trusted the absolute unknown. I don't know about you, but I find it hard to follow the path before me even when the directions are clear, but Abraham's faith allowed him to follow instructions even without knowing the outcome.
"He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5)
God not only promised him land but God promised Abraham many descendants. And don't you know at his age, THAT took a lot of faith. He may not of known how or when but Abraham knew if God said it, it was coming.
What is your faith telling you? If God said it...claim it and receive it and in faith trust that it is coming!
BLESSINGS. Laurie
TODAY'S BIBLE READING:
Genesis 14 thru 16, Matthew 5:21-48, Psalm 6
Faith can be a difficult concept for people to understand, but yet it is the catalyst to how we make it from one thing to the next.
For example: how many of you go to a doctor whose name you cannot pronounce and who has a degree from somewhere you did not verify? The dr. gives you a prognosis in which they cannot prove to you and writes you a prescription that No one can read. You take the prescription to a pharmacist who you cannot see what they put in the bottle or understand how the ingredients will work. However, you take the filled prescription home and follow the instructions exactly as written ... all in faith that it is the best thing for you!
Much like that, Abraham showed such faith in God that he trusted the absolute unknown. I don't know about you, but I find it hard to follow the path before me even when the directions are clear, but Abraham's faith allowed him to follow instructions even without knowing the outcome.
"He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” (Genesis 15:5)
God not only promised him land but God promised Abraham many descendants. And don't you know at his age, THAT took a lot of faith. He may not of known how or when but Abraham knew if God said it, it was coming.
What is your faith telling you? If God said it...claim it and receive it and in faith trust that it is coming!
BLESSINGS. Laurie
TODAY'S BIBLE READING:
Genesis 14 thru 16, Matthew 5:21-48, Psalm 6
Thursday, January 5, 2017
DAILY DEVO...Satan is a liar!
TODAY'S DAILY...
As we continue in our reading of the book of Genesis today, we may find that chapter 3 presents a grim outlook on the future of humanity. But even in the midst of all the chaos and the "blame games", God assures the serpent he has not won!
Ever since the fall of man, we have been in a continual battle against our adversary; the devil. Satan is a fallen angel, whose sole intent is to cause havoc for each of us. It is his goal to get us off track of what God's plan is for our lives and often times, he will wait until we come to a vulnerable place before putting the hammer down on our head.
This is why it is imperative that we be on our guard every single day...
"Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8,9)
Whenever we feel like our back is up against the wall, remember that the enemy is trying to discourage us and wants us to think we have lost the fight; he wants us to think we cannot be triumphant.
But let me remind you that ever since the garden of Eden, God has declared Satan to be a liar! So the choice is ours, which voice will we listen to...the enemies or the voice of God?
BLESSINGS. Laurie
**if you are reading thru the Bible with me this year; today's Bible Readings are: Genesis 3&4, Matthew 2 and P
As we continue in our reading of the book of Genesis today, we may find that chapter 3 presents a grim outlook on the future of humanity. But even in the midst of all the chaos and the "blame games", God assures the serpent he has not won!
Ever since the fall of man, we have been in a continual battle against our adversary; the devil. Satan is a fallen angel, whose sole intent is to cause havoc for each of us. It is his goal to get us off track of what God's plan is for our lives and often times, he will wait until we come to a vulnerable place before putting the hammer down on our head.
This is why it is imperative that we be on our guard every single day...
"Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith.” (1 Peter 5:8,9)
Whenever we feel like our back is up against the wall, remember that the enemy is trying to discourage us and wants us to think we have lost the fight; he wants us to think we cannot be triumphant.
But let me remind you that ever since the garden of Eden, God has declared Satan to be a liar! So the choice is ours, which voice will we listen to...the enemies or the voice of God?
BLESSINGS. Laurie
**if you are reading thru the Bible with me this year; today's Bible Readings are: Genesis 3&4, Matthew 2 and P
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
DAILY DEVO...the hand of God
TODAY'S DAILY...
From the very beginning of the Scriptures, we can trace the Hand of God. From the creation of this perfect world in the book of Genesis to the fall of man; all the way to God sending His son to walk the land as one of us in the book of Matthew to the crucifixion on the cross.
Realizing that God's hand has been upon this world from day one helps me to realize that His Hand is continually there for me in my time of need.
The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 63:7-8...
"Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me."
It has been written that King David wrote this psalm in the wilderness of Judah, during a difficult time of his son Absalom's rebellion. Absalom, his son had come against him, to dethrone him. David fled to the wilderness (read 2 Samuel 15-16) and it was in this most trying time that David completely trusted the hand of God.
Life can be hard and painful at times. Sometimes at the hand of those closest to us, but in the midst of whatever comes our way, God is never out of reach.
Everything that His Hand touches is good..."And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good." (Genesis 1:31)
Trust the Hand of God.
BLESSINGS. Laurie
**For those reading thru the Bible with me this year, today's Scripture reading is: Genesis 1, Matthew 1 and Psalm 1.
From the very beginning of the Scriptures, we can trace the Hand of God. From the creation of this perfect world in the book of Genesis to the fall of man; all the way to God sending His son to walk the land as one of us in the book of Matthew to the crucifixion on the cross.
Realizing that God's hand has been upon this world from day one helps me to realize that His Hand is continually there for me in my time of need.
The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 63:7-8...
"Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice. My soul follows close behind You; Your right hand upholds me."
It has been written that King David wrote this psalm in the wilderness of Judah, during a difficult time of his son Absalom's rebellion. Absalom, his son had come against him, to dethrone him. David fled to the wilderness (read 2 Samuel 15-16) and it was in this most trying time that David completely trusted the hand of God.
Life can be hard and painful at times. Sometimes at the hand of those closest to us, but in the midst of whatever comes our way, God is never out of reach.
Everything that His Hand touches is good..."And God saw every thing that He had made, and, behold, it was very good." (Genesis 1:31)
Trust the Hand of God.
BLESSINGS. Laurie
**For those reading thru the Bible with me this year, today's Scripture reading is: Genesis 1, Matthew 1 and Psalm 1.
Monday, January 2, 2017
Living at peace ...as far as it depends on you
Well, here it is … the second day of a new year. “Out with the old and in with the new” is what they say. And that is exactly what I intend to do in 2017.
2016 literally drained me of needy people. Some may call them toxic relationships, whatever you call it, they drain me spiritually, physically and emotionally. I am the type of personality to give it my all; give, give, and give some more and it is difficult for me when people zone in on my kindness and take advantage of me. It’s almost like I’m wearing a bull’s-eye on my chest that says, “hit me right here!”.
You know what I am talking about. That person you work with, or go to church with or maybe even call brother or sister, that literally suck the life out of you! They insist on getting the last word, or attacking you for anything and everything. Every chance they get, they sucker punch you! As a Christian, we are all led to believe that the “Christian thing” to do is sit back and take it, but the Bible does not say that we have to let it keep coming. In fact the Bible DOES say that some people are just toxic or “snakes”…
“Their venom is like the venom of a snake…” (Psalm 58:4)
Maybe you have someone in your life that is slippery like a snake; the havoc that they bring will mess up your attitude, mess with your relationships and it can mess with your spiritual walk with the Lord if you are not careful. Toxic people are often very unreasonable. You cannot reason with them or talk things out because they are so fixated on themselves. They will blame you for everything and point out how everyone has wronged them and they take no personal responsibility for anything.
So what do we do with these relationships that are killing us, more specifically, what can a Christian do?
First, recognize that it has nothing to do with you, but everything to do with them. The saying is true that “hurting people hurt people”. The main reason some people become a thorn in our flesh is because they have unresolved hurt in their life and instead of dealing with it, it is easier to inflict pain on others.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:18
They key phrase here is, “as far as it depends on you”. Also, “If it is possible”. What a Christian can do in a toxic relationship hinges upon these two things. Sometimes, a person can do all that they can do and it still not be possible to live at peace. Some people don’t want peace, they want to wallow in their pain and while down there, they want to make you suffer to. If you have prayed, fasted and done all that you can do to seek peace and STILL there is none…all you can do sometimes is just agree to disagree.
Secondly, sometimes even agreeing to disagreeing doesn’t stop people from sucker punching us. When you have done all that you can, sometimes you need to just move on, take a step away and separate yourself. Even Jesus recognized this with the Pharisees…
“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to His disciples, saying, ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.’ ” (Luke 12:1
After you have recognized what causes toxic people to tick, and you have done all that you can do, and you have had no choice but to separate yourself from them; the third and most important thing to do is to pray for reconciliation and seek God to break down the barriers that keep the toxic person from getting free from their pain.
In 2017, I am determined to do things differently. I don’t mean that I intend to hang up the towel on every angry, hurtful person that comes across my path. In fact, I don’t think that is what God wants for us to do at all. But I do think God wants us to live more intentional. In 2017 I am going to be more intentional about the words I speak, the places that I go, the actions (and reactions) that I take and I am going to be more intentional of putting safe boundaries up in relationships that are harming me and not bringing me closer to Christ. If I could live a more intentional life for Christ, perhaps the walls of pain that others have could be penetrated and they too could become more intentional. (And free in Christ)!
Live in peace … as it depends on you, because it just might be dependent on what you do or don’t do.
Blessings. Laurie
@COPYRIGHT LAURIE ADAMS
Be Intentional!
The word "Intentional", according to Webster, means "deliberate; or on purpose". Living each day like it has some sort of purpose is exactly what I need for my new year! What others do (or don't do) towards me matters but more importantly, what I do or don't do, matters most to God.
I want to live my life in such a way that I am alert and intuned to what is all around me. I want to be intentional about the things I do and say, no matter where I go...I need to be intentional!
At home, at the grocery store, at work, at the doctor’s office and even on vacation, may I be alert to those around me. To the one that is hurt, or lost or the one who just needs a friend...may I be found to be an "intentional" Christian.
"For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose." (Philippians 2:13) HSCV
I don't know about you, but I don't want to waste my life ( not even this year) away. I choose to let go of what I can't change and change what I have hold of today. May there be more of Him...and less of me as I intentionally live for God.
My word for 2017 is "INTENTIONAL", what is yours?
BLESSINGS. Laurie
I want to live my life in such a way that I am alert and intuned to what is all around me. I want to be intentional about the things I do and say, no matter where I go...I need to be intentional!
At home, at the grocery store, at work, at the doctor’s office and even on vacation, may I be alert to those around me. To the one that is hurt, or lost or the one who just needs a friend...may I be found to be an "intentional" Christian.
"For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose." (Philippians 2:13) HSCV
I don't know about you, but I don't want to waste my life ( not even this year) away. I choose to let go of what I can't change and change what I have hold of today. May there be more of Him...and less of me as I intentionally live for God.
My word for 2017 is "INTENTIONAL", what is yours?
BLESSINGS. Laurie
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