Showing posts with label Devotions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Devotions. Show all posts

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Devotion--35 Reason Not to Sin

Years ago my family went and visited my brother, who was, at that time, in another state. While there we went to his church and this was shared. I found it pretty powerful. It's a good set of reminders to read every morning!

  1. Because a little sin leads to more sin
  2. Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
  3. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
  4. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
  5. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
  6. Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
  7. Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
  8. Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
  9. Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
  10. Because my sin saddens the godly.
  11. Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
  12. Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
  13. Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
  14. Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
  15. Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
  16. Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
  17. Because my sin may influence others to sin.
  18. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
  19. Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
  20. Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
  21. Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
  22. Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
  23. Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
  24. Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
  25. Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
  26. Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
  27. Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
  28. Because my sin is adultery with the world.
  29. Because I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
  30. Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
  31. Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
  32. Because to sin is not to love Christ.
  33. Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
  34. Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it, never because it is worth anything on its own.
  35. Because I promised God He would be Lord of my life. 
By Jim Elliff
  • Because a little sin leads to more sin.
  • Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
  • Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
  • Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
  • Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
  • Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
  • Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
  • Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
  • Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
  • Because my sin saddens the godly.
  • Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
  • Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
  • Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
  • Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
  • Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
  • Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
  • Because my sin may influence others to sin.
  • Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
  • Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
  • Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
  • Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
  • Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
  • Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
  • Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
  • Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
  • Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
  • Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
  • Because my sin is adultery with the world.
  • Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
  • Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
  • Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
  • Because to sin is not to love Christ.
  • Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
  • Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it's own.
  • Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.
  • - See more at: http://www.worldviewweekend.com:81/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=1706#sthash.7O4aTr0i.dpuf
  • Because a little sin leads to more sin.
  • Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
  • Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
  • Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
  • Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
  • Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
  • Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
  • Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
  • Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
  • Because my sin saddens the godly.
  • Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
  • Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
  • Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
  • Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
  • Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
  • Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
  • Because my sin may influence others to sin.
  • Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
  • Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
  • Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
  • Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
  • Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
  • Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
  • Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
  • Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
  • Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
  • Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
  • Because my sin is adultery with the world.
  • Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
  • Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
  • Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
  • Because to sin is not to love Christ.
  • Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
  • Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because it is worth anything on it's own.
  • Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life.
  • - See more at: http://www.worldviewweekend.com:81/worldview-times/article.php?articleid=1706#sthash.7O4aTr0i.dpuf
  • Because a little sin leads to more sin.
  • Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
  • Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
  • Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
  • Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
  • Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
  • Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
  • Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
  • Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
  • Because my sin saddens the godly.
  • Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
  • Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
  • Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
  • Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
  • Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
  • Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
  • Because my sin may influence others to sin.
  • Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
  • Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
  • Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
  • Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
  • Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
  • Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
  • Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
  • Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
  • Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
  • Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
  • Because my sin is adultery with the world.
  • Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
  • Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
  • Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
  • Because to sin is not to love Christ.
  • Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to   believe.
  • Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because  it is worth anything on its own.
  • Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life. 
  • - See more at: http://www.ccwtoday.org/article/35-reasons-not-to-sin/#sthash.oWPLZzIR.dpuf
  • Because a little sin leads to more sin.
  • Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
  • Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
  • Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
  • Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
  • Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
  • Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
  • Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
  • Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
  • Because my sin saddens the godly.
  • Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
  • Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
  • Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
  • Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
  • Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
  • Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
  • Because my sin may influence others to sin.
  • Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
  • Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
  • Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
  • Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
  • Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
  • Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
  • Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
  • Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
  • Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
  • Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
  • Because my sin is adultery with the world.
  • Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
  • Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
  • Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
  • Because to sin is not to love Christ.
  • Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to   believe.
  • Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because  it is worth anything on its own.
  • Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life. 
  • - See more at: http://www.ccwtoday.org/article/35-reasons-not-to-sin/#sthash.oWPLZzIR.dpuf
  • Because a little sin leads to more sin.
  • Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
  • Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
  • Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
  • Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
  • Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
  • Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
  • Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
  • Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
  • Because my sin saddens the godly.
  • Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
  • Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
  • Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
  • Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
  • Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
  • Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
  • Because my sin may influence others to sin.
  • Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
  • Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
  • Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
  • Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
  • Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
  • Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
  • Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
  • Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
  • Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
  • Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
  • Because my sin is adultery with the world.
  • Because, though forgiven, I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
  • Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
  • Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
  • Because to sin is not to love Christ.
  • Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to   believe.
  • Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it and His turning of it to good use, never because  it is worth anything on its own.
  • Because I promised God he would be Lord of my life. 
  • - See more at: http://www.ccwtoday.org/article/35-reasons-not-to-sin/#sthash.oWPLZzIR.dpuf

    Thursday, July 31, 2014

    Devotion - "Your prayers must be really powerful."

    Last night, as I was reading a book called The Invitation by Rhonda Calhoun, a couple particular lines struck me. Rebekah and Hadassah, two sisters, are in the midst of a spiritual battle. The elder sister, Rebekah, begins to pray, and the spiritual atmosphere changes. Observing the change, Hadassah speaks up. "Your prayers must be really powerful."

    "On the contrary," her sister replies. "The Life-Giver must be really powerful."

    This struck me because I often like to think that my prayers are doing something. I like to feel as if I've completed some wonderful, spiritual task, and as a result of my prayers, someone is saved or blessed. However, that is such a wrong attitude! If anything becomes of my prayers, if anyone is blessed, it is because God chose to do so. It is His power, not mine at work. To Him belongs all glory and praise for ever and ever, amen.

    Of course, I'm not saying our prayers aren't any good. The Bible does tell us that the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (See James 5:16). But we must remember this is only because our Powerful God hears them and acts on our behalf.

    Friday, July 25, 2014

    A Joyful Devotion

    Anyone who knows me very well can tell you I am not a very joyful person. Personality wise I am mostly mellow with very rare and subtle swings.

    However, my oldest brother pointed out a while back that the Bible actually commands joy.

    Philippians 4:4  "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!"

    Psalm 32:11 "Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!"

    And we are reminded:

    Nehemiah 8:10 "...the joy of the Lord is your strength."

    Now before I go further, let me point out something. Joy and happiness are not the same thing. The word happiness comes from happenstance. In other words, your circumstances. Joy, on the other hand, as we can see in the above verses, comes from God.

    After the talk that my brother gave I began to study joy a bit more than I ever had. I found that  it was closely tied to gratitude. Have you ever noticed it's hard to be thankful for something and grumpy at the same time? And guess what? There is always something to be thankful for!

    I really had this last sentence hammered into my brain when one morning while reading verses for a Bible study Grace and I do together I came across this:

    Matthew 5:11-12

    11 “Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

    Okay, totally a slap in the face for next time I am grumpy because I spilled the chicken spaghetti I was making for super all over the kitchen floor.

    If I am told to rejoice under insult and persecution (note: "because of me") when do I not have to rejoice?

    I believe that if happiness if based on our circumstance, joy is based on our attitude. We can be joyful without being happy. It is quite possible to say, " I really did not want hot noodles and creamy sauce all over my feet right now but hey, maybe this means we'll get to go out to eat!"

    I am going to leave you with a verse I reviewed on Scripture Typer this morning~

    Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Romans 15:13

    Joyfully,
    Kelpie



    Saturday, July 19, 2014

    Devotion - A Changing, Spinning World

    Change. A scary word that's just around the corner for me. I've never like that word, probably never will, and the world is full of it. Some people crave it like chocolate. Others thrive on it. I, on the other hand, run from it. 

    But I don't want to anymore. I'm tired of running. Suddenly today it hit me. I'm ready for change. I'm ready for college. I still may not like it at first, but I am ready for it. Ready for a "new" me, one who embraces the changes that God wants to make in me.

    It seems to me that our Heavenly Father likes change. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!" He continually calls people to Him so he can turn them from their old way of living to a new. Also, in Revelation 21, He tells us that He is "making all things new." New means change, and we can certainly trust that it is for the better in God's hands!

    The awesome part about all this, is that despite the changes God is continually making in our hearts and lives, He gives us the assurance about some things that will never change: Him, His word, and His love. Even when the world is changing a hundred miles per hour, God stands firm. He is our rock and refuge when everything is spinning (Psalm 18:2). He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5), and Christ is the same yesterday and today and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). Because God never changes, neither will His word or His love. If you have any doubts about his love, just read Psalm 136. "His love endures forever," is repeated 26 times!

    Change is good and doesn't have to be scary, but at the same time, we've got to hold on to the eternal. That way, when we change, we will change not with the spinning world, but toward our Heavenly, Eternal Father.



    Wednesday, July 9, 2014

    Devotion - Reflections of a Cake Decorator



















    I was thinking just today, Lord,
    About how you made my life.
    I know I'll never fathom,
    Your wisdom and your might.

    But I figured and I pondered that
    With your fingers you did make:
    My life so sweet and savory,
    Like a giant tiered cake.

    One thing I know for sure, Lord,
    You didn't make me from a box.
    Though a human, I'm unique,
    Made of different building blocks.

    You sat and thought awhile,
    And, yes, you carefully planned.
    You thought of certain ingredients,
    To make me who I am.

    Then you whipped me all together,
    And poured me in a pan -
    My own special place in life,
    That shapes me how I am.

    But you knew I wasn't finished yet,
    All soppy, sweet but small,
    So you placed me in the oven,
    So I could grow up tall.

    The heat it burned a little -
    Okay, maybe a lot.
    But you knew what you were doing,
    'Cause I sure outgrew the spot.

    Yet still I was not perfect,
    Though firm, I wasn't smooth.
    A crack had split my top;
    And sin was bitter truth.

    You knew exactly what to do,
    For with me you were not through.
    A knife you drew out next,
    And trimmed my roughened hue.

    God, you gave me wondrous friends,
    And, yes, a family too.
    You stacked us all together,
    To point us all to you.

    But we could not stand alone,
    You gave us your support.
    To balance all our different minds,
    You joined us in your fort.

    Still we were not smooth,
    We had holes, and cracks, and flaws.
    So you took a little buttercream,
    And slathered us in love.

    Now we're wrapped in pretty ribbons,
    Of grace and peace and hope.
    Your mercy is the flowers,
    That covers up the holes.

    How beautiful we are now,
    And still your adding more,
    I can't wait to see me finished,
    'Cause, your glory tops it all!

    How you labored, how you toiled,
    How you sweat those drops of blood.
    But now I'm yours forever,
    Your grateful work of art.



    Monday, June 30, 2014

    The Word of God - Rhema and Logos

    I was listening to a sermon the other day on KHYM; I'm pretty sure it was Dr. David Jeremiah preaching.  At any rate, that week he had been going through Ephesians 6, about the armor of God.  His focus this time was on Ephesians 6:17: "And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." 
    Now, most times when we hear "the word of God", we think of the whole Bible, which is what the word 'Logos' means.  However, there is another word that is translated into the English language as "word" as well, and that is 'Rhema'.  Rhema is the word used in Ephesians 6:17, and "A rhema is a verse or portion of Scripture that the Holy Spirit brings to our attention with application to a current situation or need for direction." (Advanced Training Institute International online)
    In other words, whereas 'logos' is the whole Bible, 'rhema' is talking about a specific verse or passage.  Knowing this, it brought a whole new light to the Ephesians passage for me.  To wield the sword of the Spirit, we don't just need to have our Bible handy at all times, but we need to actually know verses and passages that we can immediately bring up at the appropriate times. 
    I just thought I'd share that; it's something I'd never known before and I found it very convicting!  It's amazing how much you can learn by getting into the etymology of words and finding out what they really mean!

    Have a wonderful week, and a great Fourth of July!

    Josie

    Saturday, June 14, 2014

    Scripture

    I was planning on writing a devotion this week; however, working at VBS and having a cold has kept me from doing so. I apologize for that. Basically, this devotion will consist of two of my favorite scriptures. I promise that next time I volunteer for this, I will do better.

    Isaiah 6:8 Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

    Isaiah 55:8-12 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.  For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:  So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.  For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.