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Christian Devotional – February 8, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 8:40–The sons of Ulam were brave warriors who could handle the bow. They had many sons and grandsons–150 in all. TRUTH: These men were described as both brave warriors and skilled archers. Not only did they have the right attitude to face their circumstance, they also had the right skill to carry out their objective. God desires to use both our attitude and our skill to obey Him and bring Him glory. Do we have both? RESPONSE: Father, I pray that I will always be found with the right attitude as well as the right skills. I don’t want to be found lacking in either area so…
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Christian Devotional – February 7, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 7:22–Their father Ephraim mourned for many days, and his relatives came to comfort him. TRUTH: Tragedy struck the family of Ephraim and two of his sons were killed. He mourned for them, but wasn’t alone. His family also came and they mourned together. When we experience tragedy do we allow others to share with us in our grief or do we keep things solitary and alone. There is a time to be alone, but there is comfort in mourning and sharing together as well. RESPONSE: Father, when tragedy strikes it is so easy for me to try and go it alone. Help me to learn to trust…
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Christian Devotional – February 6, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 6:32–They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the tent of meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations lad down for them. TRUTH: Music is a ministry. These people were in charge of using music to minister and glorify the Lord. Music can stir the heart like nothing else. Do we guard the music we listen to so that we are stirred by the things that glorify God? Do we see our music as a ministry? RESPONSE: Lord, I will glorify You through music as well as through word today. My music choices will be a…
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Christian Devotional – February 5, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 5:20–They were helped in fighting them, and God delivered the Hagities and all their allies into their hands because they cried out to him during the battle. TRUTH: Are we crying out to God when we are going through difficulties? The Lord Himself delivered the people of Gad from their enemies because they cried out to Him. Do we rely on Him or try to do things on our own? What would a summary of our battles say? “They lost and were defeated because they clung to only themselves and not God.” Or instead, “They were victorious because they trusted in God.” RESPONSE: Father, I will cling…
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Book Review – Lorna by Debra White Smith
I ran across Lorna by Debra White Smith while looking through the bargain books again. This book is the second in The Debutantes series. In this story Lorna Leigh, the famous and rich former professional tennis player, works with her two other high society friends to investigate and solve crimes in the Houston area. What she didn’t expect was to become romantically involved with the new mayor of Houston who unfortunately has found himself in the middle of their latest investigation. How are the three friends supposed to catch the man responsible for accusing a local pastor of child pornography when Lorna’s new boyfriend is one of the leading suspects.…
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Christian Devotional – February 4, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 4:10–Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain,” and God granted his request. TRUTH: A few years back, a little book written about this verse became very popular, “The Prayer of Jabez.” As a result, this prayer has been the source of much discussion since, and to me, the beauty of this prayer is the simplicity with which it is prayed and the fact that God heard the request. Our prayers to God do not have to be…
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Christian Devotional – February 3, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 3:9–All these were the sons of David, besides his sons by his concubines. And Tamar was their sister. TRUTH: This chapter lists the royal line of King David and his sons. Interestingly, and unusually, this chapter contains the names of several women who are listed as wives and sisters. Some of these women are known from elsewhere for positive reasons, such as Abigail. Others have less happy stories associated with them such as Tamar. For others, this is the only place they are mentioned. Still, God thought enough of them to be mentioned and remembered. How will we be remembered as others look back on our life…
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Christian Devotional – February 2, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 2:7–The son of Karni: Achan, who brought trouble on Israel by violating the ban on taking devoted things. TRUTH: Most people in this chapter are just listed as part of the genealogy. However, a few people have a little bit more written about them; a sort of epithet of their life boiled down to one sentence. Achan probably wished he could go back and change his. He is noted to be responsible for bringing down the entire nation of Israel with his disobedience. If someone were to write one sentence to describe your life, what would it be? Would you be remembered for glorifying and praising God or…
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Christian Devotional – February 1, 2013
VERSE: 1 Chronicles 1:1–Adam, Seth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalalel, Jared, Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah. TRUTH: More people were born besides just this direct list from Adam to Noah (Genesis 5), but they are not included and are altogether forgotten by the time this book was written. Why? Because of sin and disobedience, they were wiped out in the flood and only Noah, because of his faithfulness to God, remained. What will our legacy be? Generations later will we be remembered because of our faithfulness to God or will our memory be wiped out and forgotten because of our disobedience? RESPONSE: Father, I want my legacy to be one of You so…
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Christian Devotional – January 31, 2013
VERSE: John 21:21–When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” TRUTH: Jesus had pulled Peter aside to speak with him and give insights into his life, yet Peter’s response is to ask what God’s going to do with another person. Are we focused on what God has for us to do, or do we get distracted wondering what God has for another person? God wants to deal with us specifically; we need to be focused on what God has for us specifically. RESPONSE: Father, I want to follow You no matter what others do or what You have for others. You are worthy of my praise and devotion…