Daily Devotions

Posts tagged “history

Frustrating Dimension

clock n gearsKathy — Time is the most complex and frustrating dimension. I find that what little understanding I do gain about God’s timing is most often in hindsight. Is there any other issue that can harass faith any more consistently? Like water dripping, the clock seems to chip away at my rock-solid confidence. I believe that when we get to the end of our aggravations we will realize we should not allow time to rule us. (Lk21:19)


Unconventional Times and Solutions

If we allow them, desperate conditions can open our eyes to see the unconventional in the light of facilitation. Baling wire is not a conventional fastener on an airplane. But I had an uncle who, in the 1940’s, flew a single engine plane back and forth PlaneYellowOldbetween Louisiana and Texas numerous times with various pieces of the plane held in place with baling wire because other parts and equipment were not available. (Please note: I DO NOT recommend any of my uncle’s mechanical practices!) He couldn’t afford instruments for flying aids so he tied a bolt to a piece of string and hung it over the center of the windshield so that, in a cloud, he could determine if he was still flying right side up! There are those who would not use the unconventional simply because it is unconventional but there are those who will take courage and apply an unconventional solution when they realize that attempting to apply the conventional no longer works or the conventional simply is no longer available.


Beyond Demographics

As the people of God assemble today may they realize they are not pawns and slaves to demographics that so many willingly give in to as mandatory but are chosen to LookUpPraySmilesucceed in the purpose for which the Lord of heaven and earth has called them no matter the forces of current events that seem to pressure most into demographic molds/agendas of “correctness”. Eph.3:20, Amp — “Now to Him who is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly more than all that we dare ask or think [infinitely beyond our greatest prayers, hopes, or dreams], according to His power that is at work within us,” Eph.1:18, ESV — “Having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints,” Eph.2:10, ESV — “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”


Declared Worth has Worth

FatherArmsChildKathy — The second temptation of Jesus was when Satan said, “Since you are God’s Son, jump.” Many grow up never being affirmed. No authority figure notices their worth or ever takes the time to declare it, but God did. “This is My beloved Son in whom I’m well pleased,” affirmed Jesus personally and publicly. Satan couldn’t make Him test His own worth because he couldn’t make Him doubt His Father’s affirmation. (Mt.3:17)


Looking Where we Never Looked

A careful perusal of our nation’s history will reveal to us that in every economic ThinkingMindfuldownturn, there were people making money. The challenges of unconventional times and ways can find us shutting down because of focusing on limitations or they can spur us into looking where we have never considered looking for resources and answers. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, says the Lord. 9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa.55:8-9, Amp) We must needs pray for and prepare ourselves for Father’s thoughts and ways at this time.


Knowing Who You Are

StonesToBreadKathy — Identity is knowing who you are and being confident you have purpose for being here.  The first shot the devil took at Jesus in the wilderness was at His identity: “IF You are God’s Son, then command these stones.”  However, Jesus was so confident of His identity that Satan couldn’t tempt Him to even have to prove it. (Ps.71:18)


Industrious Minds and Positive Attitudes

business discussionThere were people who came through the economic downturn, and ensuing hardships of the crippling Great Depression. They applied positive attitudes and industrious minds to adjust to the unconventional of their times. They broke free from what some viewed as yokes necessary to bear because of decades-long standard practice and even enabled others to excel, instead of allowing themselves to be harnessed to an old paradigm that they would drag around and pass off to coming generations.


Old Tin Foil and the Unconventional

Saving each bit of tin foil, no matter how torn or wrinkled, was what some of my kinfolks did after they went through the Great Depression in the last century. My Screen Shot 2020-05-10 at 11.11.41 PM.pnggrandmother made dish soap out of old bars of bath soap that had become too small to handle easily. She would drop them in a jar of water and let them melt and use the liquid to wash her dishes. Experiences of the past help shape our attitudes and actions (or lack thereof) in the present. There were, however, people who came through that economic downturn, and ensuing hardships, by applying positive attitudes and industrious minds to adjust to the unconventional of their times. They were, therefore, able to affect the future so that they might be better prepared to advance into coming changes and developments.


The Lord Bless Our Mothers

MotherChildren.jpegAs the people of God assemble today as best they can, may they support mothers young and old with encouragement and a helping hand and edify them with inspiring words from the Lord. May our mothers continue to find refuge and strength in the Lord God. We pray that mothers receive refreshing from the Lord and courage to admonish their children in His ways in coming days. “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” (Prov.31:25) “Her children arise and call her blessed..” (v.28).


Carry Heaven Into Relationships

people talking2If we will go before the throne of God (prayer & meditation in His presence) to receive the grace we are invited to come and receive (Heb.4:16), we will carry into relationships and situations (good and bad) something of heaven, something of God’s attributes with us.


Seeing His Kingdom Come

PackingSuitcase.jpegKathy — No matter what has been religiously emphasized thus far, we are NOT here just to spend a lifetime packing our bags for heaven singing, “This world is not my home” and threatening to rapture out on bumper stickers! This world IS our home while we’re here and God told us to take dominion and see His Kingdom come and see that His will is done. If we live a lifetime doing just that, we’ll have fulfillment in life and a legacy for the future.


The Joy Set Before Us

HappyJumpKathy — It can be difficult to remember there is a future when we’re dodging bullets and bombs and tornados and trying to remember social distancing in grocery stores and can’t think past getting through today, but it can be done. Jesus did it, “for the joy set before Him, He endured.” By example He taught us to remember the future OUTCOME to find strength to OVERCOME today.


Key for Being Awake

Melissa — Here is a key for being awake, “If you call out for insight and cry aloud MinerGoldChiprock.jpgfor understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” (Prov. 2:3-6)  When we wake up we have to have insight and understanding to be able to navigate what God is doing in this earth. How thrilling is it that we get to be alive for this?  We just need to accept the invitation to be a part of what Father is doing.  Gotta say, I accept even though I don’t even know what all is next.  I’m just waking up to a whole new world, waiting for my eyes to clear up so I can see it!


Being an Overcomer

StandwithswordKathy — Being an OVERCOMER is an essential, and an OVERCOMER must know two things:
1 – Interdicting the enemy is not just something we might choose on days we’re feeling NON-SISSY! It is anytime and every time the enemy makes a move!
2 – Giving up is not an option. When you’re frustrated enough to spit or tired enough to quit and can’t even think of a reason to keep trying, as an overcomer, you wipe the blood off your sword and swing again for a cause greater than self!


From Substandard to Premium

AlarmWakeUpMelissa — It is all starting to make sense why this awakening is so intense.  We have the opportunity to move from a substandard life to a premium life if we will embrace this alarm and not press the snooze button! This moment really is an invitation to something incredible.  This is an invitation to enter into and function from the fear of the Lord for the sake of the Kingdom and for His glory.  I really like the sound of that.  I really want to live that.


Hidden With Christ

CaveHidden.jpegAs the people of God assemble today in various ways, may they rediscover that they have the security of a life that is hidden with Christ in God. May they stand with blessed assurance in the peace of Jesus Christ that cannot be disturbed. “For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.” (Col.3:3, Amp)


Desperate

bow Jesus feetThe Syrophoenician woman wasn’t insulted. Matt.15:26, NASB — “And He answered and said, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.” You can’t insult someone who is desperate.


Wake up to Abundance

Melissa — Look at this, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to VineGrapes2destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) The first half of this verse is substandard and the second half is premium. I am always drawn to that word “might” in this passage. That tells me abundant life is not a guarantee.  It’s not a guarantee to those that are asleep because their life is ruled by substandard, unclean fear.  If we don’t wake up we can’t operate in the abundance.


Time and Relationship

FatherSonBuildKathy — As children, we learn who our parents are through time and relationship. We learn their order, values, beliefs, preferences, priorities, etc.  We identify them and our identity develops from there.  As sons of God, we learn who He is through time and relationship, then our identity as sons develops from there. (Rom8:14)


Awakened to the Fear of the Lord

Melissa — I have been hearing about awakening coming for a while now but what are we awakening to? The thing that hits me the loudest is that we are being Young man waking up in bed and stretching his arms at homeawakened to the fear of the Lord.  I’ve heard from several places that the church has to return to the fear of the Lord, and as He sheds insight on this subject it makes more and more sense why we cannot live outside of it.  Well, we have been living outside of it for the most part and that just isn’t working.  If we are awaking to the fear of the Lord, what have we been in? We’ve been operating in fear, but it’s a substandard fear. A substandard fear is fear of lack, death, pain, trauma, loss, etc.  We, however, are waking up to what we were meant to operate in, which is the premium fear of the Lord. In this premium fear we operate out of awe, reverence, trust, insight and understanding.  This is a totally different way of living! Substandard fear is unclean fear, but premium fear of the Lord is clean fear.  This obviously leads to totally different outcomes. 


On Our Doorstep

PorchStepsGod’s redemptive rule and its effects are as close to us as our hand is on the end of our arm. E.S. Jones says that “the Kingdom of God is at hand” (Mt.4:17) means that the Kingdom is on our doorstep. In Rev.3 Jesus is standing on the doorstep of the church of Laodicea knocking to gain entrance to the church of “the people rule.” His rule is on our doorstep but would be far more profitable it it was inside.


Awakening Coming

Melissa — I am writing this during the pandemic between Palm Sunday and Easter of 2020, on the day before Passover.  I have to say, I have been hearing about SignWakeUpawakening coming for a while now but had no idea it was going to look like this. This is… well, it’s an interesting, mysterious, exciting and epic time to be alive. How should I describe it? It’s like being in one of those super deep naps where dreams seem like reality, and when the alarm goes off it’s almost painful and confusing. It’s that kind of nap where it takes a minute to not only regain consciousness, but you have to decipher what was the dream and what is real. This is the best way I know how to describe this awakening. I think I thought it was mainly going to be people waking up to God and looking for Him, and we would all be ready to introduce them. Well, I was a tad off. This thing is definitely beyond my logic and realm of standard operation. So, here’s to waking up to this exciting and epic time!


God Keep us in Perfect Peace

Rain Roof Runoff.jpgAs the people of God assemble today around their computers and smart phones and in church parking lots, may the peace of our Lord and Savior fall upon them like the spring rain and may it wash away weariness and worrisome thoughts that steal soundness of mind. “Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth in thee.” (Isa.26:3)


Right Side up and Wrong Side Down

windblowgrassIn Acts 2 the Holy Spirit invaded Jerusalem and 120 went forth from that place of invasion electrified as a result of their hunger for God. They didn’t just get goose bumps, they received an enduement of power (Acts1:8) that resulted in the world giving testimony: “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too.” (Acts17:6b) The world got to see another version of what right side up and wrong side down was.