Category Archives: Devos

May 05 2020
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Devos

Just what the Divine Doctor ordered…

Call to a friendI am so impressed with the humanity of Apostle Paul as it is presented in Scripture… especially in 2 Corinthians! If you doubt me on that point read 2 Corinthians 1:3-11. It is an honest admission from the great apostle of personal, gut-wrenching trials, including deep depression (perhaps even clinical depression)! Things were so dark and dreadful at one point in his life and ministry he thought he was going to die!
 
This morning I read another such account in the same epistle… Here it is in his own words: “When we arrived in Macedonia, there was no rest for us! We faced conflict from every direction, with battles on the outside and fear on the inside! BUT GOD, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us!” (And how did God accomplish it? With something as simple, yet significant, as the arrival of Titus – a friend… The visit of Titus brought joy, but so was the news he brought! (From 2 Corinthians 7:5-7 NLT)
 
Just let me say during these days of quarantine and isolation because of coronavirus/COVID-19 your visit (perhaps limited by social distancing), your phone call, your e-mail, your letter, your small gift to a struggling Christian or servant of the Lord matters! It may be just the tool God uses to encourage and bolster the spirit of a fellow Christian grappling with discouragement, depression, and despondency! Let the Spirit of God prompt you – let Him lead you – in a favorite term I use, let Him “nudge” you! And just perhaps what Apostle Paul said of Titus may be true of you… “BUT GOD, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged _____ with the visit of ____! His/her communication was a joy…!” It was just what the Divine Doctor – the Heavenly Therapist – ordered!
 
Someone needed to hear this reflection from Scripture today!!!
Apr 28 2020
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Devos

“Hope” … What is it anyway? (from a Biblical perspective)

Hope“Hope” is one of those squishy, slippery words! Is it an intense desire that something good could possibly happen? Is a dream that you’d like to see fulfilled? Or Is it an optimistic outlook you’ve chosen to have on something that could turn out either good or bad? What is it? What is it from a Biblical, faith-generated, God-given revelatory perspective?

Well, it’s none of the above! … In fact, a definition of Biblical hope is the following: A confident expectation based upon God’s promises and revelation of Himself! There’s no maybe about it – no ambiguity – no uncertainty! God will keep His word – His character is behind it – what He has said and promised will be fulfilled! Now there may be conditions He has spelled out – but His side of the covenant is sure! Nothing is in doubt… “HOPE” is a CONFIDENT EXPECTATION!

So in my Bible reading today, I jotted this in the margin of my Bible beside the wonderful passage I read… “I want to have a HOPE-DRIVEN LIFE!”

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed! We are perplexed, but not in despair! We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God! We may get knocked down, but we are not destroyed! …That is why we never give up! Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we have now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever!” (From 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 NLT)

A HOPE-DRIVEN LIFE! We take the long view, the ultimate outlook, we anchor to the promises and provision of God – the eternal perspective! That’s the way I’m going to live! How about you?

Apr 26 2020
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Devos

A Springtime Song of Worship

Beautiful Spring Day

Got up early this springtime morning in the middle of this coronavirus / COVID-19 crisis to have my daily devotions (I call my devotional time “coffee with the Lord). I felt a little down… But got my Bible, a good cup of coffee, and as part of my Bible reading I read Psalm 65… after I finished it, I gave it this title… “A Springtime Song of Worship!”

Is that title appropriate? See what you think…

“What mighty praise, O God, belongs to you!

We will fulfill our vows to you, for you answer our prayers.

All of us come to you.

Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all.

What joy for those you choose to bring near, those who live in your holy courts.

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior.

You are the hope of everyone on earth.

You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength.

You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves.

Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders.

From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy!

“You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile.

You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges.

You soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops.

You crown the year with a bountiful harvest.

The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy.

The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. they all shout and sing for joy!”

(From Psalm 65 New Living Translation)

Hey, I looked outside… It’s a beautiful day out there! I made the word of this wonderful Psalm “my springtime son of worship.” … Regardless of the circumstances in our day! Our Creator God and Savior is worthy of our praise!

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