Category Archives: Devos

Jan 03 2019
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Devos

“I am not ashamed of the gospel!”

Not ashamed of the gospel! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AStr4gfQGTM
 
We live in a cultural context that largely ignores, marginalizes, scoffs at, and rejects the gospel. As a result a significant number of Christians are intimidated, persecuted and martyred for their faith! On the other hand, at the same time the Holy Spirit is at work opening the hearts of people all over the world to the gospel message.
 
Apostle Paul had been a Christ-rejecter and Christian persecutor. But a personal encounter with the risen Christ and the message of the gospel completely transformed His life. Not only that, he had personally seen what the gospel could do to transform lives all over the ancient world.
 
As a result, here is his inspired testimony, uttered with deep conviction: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to EVERYONE who believes!” (Romans 1:16-17)
 
Derision and mockery could not silence him! Threats and imprisonment could not silence him! Persecution and assault could not silence him! Depression and discouragement could not silence him (read 2 Corinthians 1:8-11) And death could not (and has not) silenced his witness and the proclamation of the gospel!
 
That’s what the power of the Holy Spirit and an personal encounter with the risen Christ can accomplish in our lives! When threatened this is what ancient believers did… They prayed and said, “’Now Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus!’ And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.” (Acts 4:29-31)
 
I don’t know about you, but I want Paul’s testimony to be mine throughout the coming year… I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL! I want to share the gospel with others with conviction through the power of the Holy Spirit – not intimidated, but empowered!
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Jan 02 2019
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Devos

“Aspirations turned into action – Resolutions becoming results!”

Turning Resolutions into Results

“Resolutions” … There’s a lot of thought and conversation about them at the beginning of a New Year. The thought about them results in some decisions about health, relationships, personal improvement and other issues related to personal life.  The conversation about them sometimes drifts into the cynical, observing that the keeping of resolutions often barely survives the first week of the new year.

Resolutions are admirable – they reflect a desire to change and improve.  It is the doing of them that often presents a challenge… The promotional quip of a well-known athletic apparel company seems appropriate for that situation… “Just do it!”

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read several of Apostle Paul’s “resolutions” that he had turned into “action” … I decided they were worthy of me embracing and doing… Here they are from Romans 1:8-16 in the Bible…

  1. Unceasing prayer for others… “Without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers.”
  2. Using your spiritual gifts to contribute to the spiritual welfare of others… “I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you – that is we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.”
  3. Embracing a sense of obligation to share the gospel with others… “I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.  So I am eager to preach [proclaim, share] the gospel…”

It seems to me these are worthy aspirations that need to be turned into action… There; that’s what needs to happen “Aspirations turned into action – Resolutions becoming results!”

Dec 31 2018
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Devos

What is your favorite meal of the day – the meal you would just not do without?

Breakfast lunch dinnerMost people have a meal that they just would not do without… For me, it’s breakfast. And there are breakfasts… and then there are BREAKFASTS!! I’m an ol’ farm boy and I can tell you what I consider to be BREAKFAST! … A couple of eggs, some raisin toast, sausage and hash browns – or perhaps some good “scratch” biscuits and sausage gravy… But as an ordinary daily breakfast I’ll take a half a bagel, a little yogurt, and some juice. And of course, for all breakfasts, a cup of good coffee! I look forward to starting my day with breakfast!
 
But I’m with Job on the subject of spiritual “necessary food!” Here’s what he said… “I have esteemed the words of Your mouth more than my necessary food!” (Job 23:12)
 
Job probably never had a written Bible – only the recollection of God’s precious direct communication with him – that was his “necessary food.” On the other hand, I look forward to time spent with the Lord daily in His word, the Bible, along with reflection, prayer, and worship… and a good cup of coffee. That’s my “necessary food!” I do it early in the morning and I call it “coffee with the Lord!” For me it’s the spiritual equivalent of a good breakfast! If for some reason that special time with the Lord is interrupted, preempted, or neglected, something really important is missing in my day!
 
So today… the last day of the year, December 31, 2018, I’m up early having my “necessary food” – time spent in worship, prayer, Bible reading, reflection and journaling. I’ll finish reading the Bible through one more time (I’ve done it every year since I was 18 – now I’m 71)… Hey, His word, the Bible, is my spiritual “necessary food!”
 
I don’t know when you’re favorite time will be to do it – for me it’s early in the morning – but my recommendation is, for the good of your spiritual health in the upcoming year, establish a time you dedicate to God, His word, worship, prayer and reflection, and prioritize it daily… You won’t regret it!!!
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