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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…
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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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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…