Category Archives: Devos

Nov 02 2015
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Devos

He laid down His life for my salvation… What am I willing to do for Him and His gospel?

Persecuted Christians
I am always a little intimidated and stand in awe of fellow believers who in the face of intimidation and persecution (even death), maintain a courageous, bold (yet respectful) witness! I read their stories and hear the accounts of their faithful witness and find myself praying, “Oh Lord, if I were ever in a situation like that, give me the internal fortitude and conviction to maintain a witness of that quality and conviction!”
 
This morning during my time of “Coffee with the Lord” I read this inspiring account of courageous, bold witness in the ancient Church…
 
“Then the captain with the officers went and brought them, but not by force, for they were afraid of being stoned by the people. And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.’ When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them. But a Pharisee in the council named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law held in honor by all the people… said to them, ‘Men of Israel… I tell you, keep away from these men and let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!’ So they took his advice, and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching that the Christ is Jesus!” (from Acts 5:26–42 ESV)
 
I pray today for those who are suffering for the gospel around the world today (some right here in our nation)! I also pray that if I were ever placed in a similar situation of threat, intimidation and persecution, I would exhibit similar courage and Christ-like boldness! I realize it is a work of the Holy Spirit within the believer (cp. Acts 4:31)! I believe God will enable me… and you… as He has enabled others, should we face persecution and death to be that kind of witness!
Nov 02 2015
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Devos

Wise observations from Proverbs on the effective use of our mouths

Multi-Cultural Office Staff Sitting Having Meeting Together

Wise observations from Proverbs on the effective use of our mouths…

 
“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in the right circumstances. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely. By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.” (from Proverbs 25:11–15 NASB)
 
Lord help me to consider carefully the words I speak! Help me know when to speak and when to be silent. May I be more aware of the power of words to build up or destroy – to influence for good or generate evil. May I look for your guidance regarding opportunities to use my words in redemptive and uplifting ways.
Oct 30 2015
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Devos

Lesson from Jonah… Gotta “walk the talk!”

Walk the talk

As a Christian, I want my reputation – my life-witness – to be a credit to the gospel! I don’t want personal failures, disobedience, irresponsibility or inconsistent living to mar my ability to share Christ with others. I’ve seen too many people who “talked the talk – but did not walk the walk!” On the other hand, what a powerful thing a consistent, Christian life is when the values of the gospel are lived out in practical ways in our culture! When a witness is given verbally and the lifestyle is congruent and both are empowered by the Holy Spirit… WOW! I want to be that kind of Christ-follower!

This morning during my time of “coffee with the Lord” I read the sad account of Jonah, a believer in the Lord, whose disobedience precipitated the wrong kind of witness…

The Lord had directed Jonah to go to Nineveh and prophecy against that evil city. Jonah rebelled and chose to disobey, instead he tried to go to “Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.

”God punished him by sending a great storm that nearly destroyed the ship on which he was traveling. Irresponsibly, “Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and was fast asleep.” The pagan captain came to him and said, “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps your god will give thought to us, that we may not perish!
”The superstitious pagan sailors cast lots to see who might be responsible for bringing this storm upon them. The lot fell upon Jonah! Then the Bible says this…

“Then they said to him, ‘Tell us on whose account this evil has come upon us. What is your occupation? And where do you come from? What is your country? And of what people are you?’ And he said to them, ‘I am a Hebrew, and I fear the LORD, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land.’ Then the men were exceedingly afraid and said to him, ‘What is this that you have done!’ For the men knew that he was fleeing from the presence of the LORD, because he had told them… Therefore they called out to the LORD, “O LORD, let us not perish for this man’s life, and lay not on us innocent blood, for you, O LORD, have done as it pleased you.” So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.“ (Jonah 1:8–16 ESV)

What a sad, sorry witness to the Lord! Yet, in spite of Jonah’s inconsistency and disobedience, God used it to provoke belief in Living God in the lives of pagan sailors!

My prayer today? Oh Lord, may my witness never be a “Jonah witness!” May unbelievers never suffer because of my inconsistency and disobedience! Instead may my “verbal witness always match my life-witness!”

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