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Christian Devotional – February 17, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 17:16–Then King David went in and sat before the Lord, and he said, “Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?” TRUTH: David asks this all-important question after finding out that God is going to establish his kingdom. God has promised great and amazing things to him and David is in awe and humbled by the thought. If God came to us and promised us greatness and power and success, how would we respond? Would we say, “Wow God, it’s about time. I’ve deserved this for a while now,” or would we receive it with humility as David…
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Christian Devotional – February 16, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 16:10–Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice. TRUTH: This is such a beautiful picture of the relationship we have with our Savior. We glory in His name. We rejoice simply because we are seeking after Him. The picture of someone who glorys in the holy name of God is like a reptile sunning himself on a rock. The reptile produces no body heat on his own, he must wait and soak up the heat he needs from the sun. It takes time; he can’t just spend a couple of minutes and expect it to last. He must come back…
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Christian Devotional – February 15, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 15:22–Kenaniah the head levite was in charge of the singing; that was his responsibility because he was skillful at it. TRUTH: Music and singing are enjoyed by the Lord. They are a way to praise and exalt God with reverence and adoration. Apparently Kenaniah was a good singer because they put him in charge of their singing. No matter what our skill (singing, teaching, painting, talking, whatever!), we have a responsibility to praise God with our skill. How are we bringing praise and worship to God? RESPONSE: Father, no matter what You have given me for abilities, I will use that ability to praise and adore You.…
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Christian Devotional – February 14, 2013
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY EVERYONE! Enjoy God’s love for you today! VERSE: 1 Chronicles 14:10–so David inquired of God, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you deliver them into my hands?” TRUTH: Do we bring everything to God? Every decision, every plan, every thought; do we come to the Father and ensure that it is His plan for us? We must be listening and constantly seeking God in every area of our life or we will miss His plans and will for our lives. Big decision, little decisions, it makes no difference. We are to seek Him in everything. RESPONSE: Lord, help me to be like David.…
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Christian Devotional – February 13, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 13:11–Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. TRUTH: David had a plan, but he didn’t check with God and he didn’t follow God’s instructions to carry out the plan. As a result, a man died because of inadvertent disobedience. David was angry because God didn’t bless David’s plan. How often are we guilty of doing this? We have a plan, but we don’t check with God, we just assume that He’ll bless it. Then, when He doesn’t or things go wrong, we get angry with God. We must remember, we are…
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Christian Devotional – February 12, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 12:22–Day after day men came to help David, until he had a great army, like the army of God. TRUTH: David didn’t exactly hang out a recruiting poster, after all, at this point he was a wanted man, marked for death by King Saul. Still, God brought men to his aid and David soon had a mighty army that became the foundation for all that he would accomplish militarily throughout his reign as king. Do we trust God to bring us the people He wants us to have? Do we accept their help or turn them away? RESPONSE: Father, Your plans are the ones I want to…
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Book Review – The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall
As our final love story leading up to Valentine’s Day, I wanted to share with you The Bridge of Peace by Cindy Woodsmall. This book is the second book in the Ada’s House novel series. This book takes us to the world of the Old Order Amish with a young school teacher, Lena Kauffman, who has a noticeable birthmark on her face. She has felt burdened by it her whole life. Still it is not the birthmark but her lack of submission to the old ways that lands her into continuing trouble with the school board. Grey Graber, one of the school board members, has his own difficulties as his wife…
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Christian Devotional – February 11, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 11:9–and David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him. TRUTH: David did some incredible and amazing things in his life, yet he know where the victories came from. David was victorious because God was with him. Do we know and acknowledge the reason we have victory in our life? Only God gives us the victory over any area of our life. God is the One who provides us with all we have including the power and strength to overcome obstacles in our way. RESPONSE: Father, I pray You will forgive me when I take credit for the power You provide. You are…
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Christian Devotional – February 10, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 10:13–Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance. TRUTH: Saul had been hand-picked by God to lead the people of Israel. Much of the book of 1 Samuel tells of his reign, however here it is just a scant 14 verses telling of his death. This verse summarizes his life and the reason for his death. He was unfaithful, disobedient, and disloyal. When we choose to follow God, He expects that we are committing to be faithful to Him, obedient to Him, and that we will come to Him first with…
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Christian Devotional – February 9, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 9:1–All Israel was listed in the genealogies recorded in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. They were taken captive to Babylon because of their unfaithfulness. TRUTH: This one verse lists the entire reason for the 70 years of Babylonian captivity experienced by the people of Israel: unfaithfulness. All the struggles, all the hardships, trials, difficulties, relocations, everything was a result of unfaithfulness to God. Looking at our own lives, what has been the result of our acts of unfaithfulness? Will we repent and return and commit again to be faithful to God? RESPONSE: Father, You are gracious and merciful. You forgive me my areas…