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Devotional – April 14, 2011
VERSE:Esther 6:3–The king said, “What honor or dignity has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” Then the king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.”TRUTH:Do we take the time to recognize those who have shown us kindness? Are we outwardly grateful for the blessings that God gives us through others?RESPONSE:Lord, help me to find ways to recognize those people who have treated me with kindness. Let me never fail to show my gratitude for the kindnesses of others.
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Devotional – April 13, 2011
VERSE:Esther 5:13–Yet all of this does not satisfy me every time I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.TRUTH:Haman had so many things going for him. He bragged to his family about all of them. Yet he was so ungrateful that he allowed this one thing to upset him. Are we grateful for all the Lord provides for us, or do we constantly want more and more? Are we satisfied in the Lord?RESPONSE:Lord, help me to remain focused on You throughout the day and to be satisfied in You alone, not the little things I may or may not have.
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Devotional – April 12, 2011
Tweet VERSE:Esther 4:14–For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place and you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?TRUTH:We should never assume that we are where we are by accident. The Lord has a plan for us, and He has a purpose for each of us. We are in our position and place at exactly the right time if we will have the courage to act in obedience to God.RESPONSE:Lord, I pray You will help me have the courage to be obedient to every purpose…
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Book Review – My Mother My Child
As time moves on and we all age, we sometimes find ourselves in unexpected circumstances. My Mother My Child is the experiences Susie Kinslow Adams experienced when she and her husband took in her aging mother to live with them. Susie describes in careful detail the emotional journey that she went through as she watched her once strong, independent mother shift, because of illness, to a state of dependence like a child. Susie is quick to explain that this book is not meant to be a manual on how to give care for the elderly. Instead, she wanted to share her experiences as a way to relate to anyone who…
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Devotional – April 11, 2011
Tweet VERSE:Esther 3:5–When Haman saw that Mordecai neither bowed down nor paid homage to him, Haman was filled with rage.TRUTH:When something happens that isn’t according to our plan, how do we respond? Do we evaluate our plan and our position, or do we automatically assume that everyone else is wrong and treat them that way?RESPONSE:Lord, if something doesn’t go my way, help me to evaluate it compared to Your will and Your plan instead of just getting angry.
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Devotional – April 10, 2011
Tweet VERSE:Esther 2:22–But the plot became known to Mordecai and he told Queen Esther and Esther informed the king in Mordecai’s name.TRUTH:Even though Mordecai was a Jew and was in captivity under the king, he still did what was right in protecting the king. Do we continue to do what is right regardless of our circumstances or who are actions are toward?RESPONSE:Lord, help me never to be afraid to do what is right regardless of my circumstances or who it is directed toward.
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Devotional – April 9, 2011
Tweet VERSE:Esther 1:13–Then the king said to the wise men who understood the times–for it was the custom of the king so to speak before all who knew law and justice.TRUTH:The king had a dilemma and needed some advice. His advisors knew the customs of the day, but it doesn’t say anything about them knowing God. How do we choose our advisors? Are we more concerned about the customs of the day or about God’s wisdom?RESPONSE:Lord, I praise You for giving me Godly people that I can ask advice from.
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Devotional – April 8, 2011
VERSE:Philemon 1:8-9a–Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you.TRUTH:Have we tried to order our Christian brothers and sisters to do something? Paul, the famed apostle, had more right to be able to order people to obey than anyone, yet he appealed to Philemon’s love of Christ. Do we order or encourage people in the way that is right and pleasing to the Lord?RESPONSE:Lord, help me learn to encourage others in You and not just order people to obey You.
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Devotional – April 7, 2011
VERSE:Joshua 24:24–The people said to Joshua, “We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice.”TRUTH:In his final address, Joshua challenged the people to follow God, serve Him, and love Him. The people responded with the above declaration. Have we made a conscious decision to follow God no matter what? Have we declared it to everyone?RESPONSE:Lord, I will serve You. I will obey You. I will love You! I share with the whole world my devotion to You!
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Devotional – April 6, 2011
VERSE:Joshua 23:8–But you are to cling to the Lord your God, as you have done to this day.TRUTH:Joshua is giving his farewell address as Israel’s leader. He reminds them that the way to succeed is by clinging to God. Do we cling to God? Do our daily actions and attitudes demonstrate a desperate dependance on God?RESPONSE:Lord, I need You! I want to cling to You and only You in all areas of my life!