06Jul
05Jul
I’ll Take You Back
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
Hosea 2:19 I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion.O-bservation:
The Prophet Hosea had been instructed by God to marry the prostitute Gomer. Gomer was a type of Israel. God, like Hosea, would experience Israel's constant backslidings in favor of other gods. Hosea would experience the unfaithfulness of his wife, Gomer, with other men. It was an illustration for Israel and "Followers of Jesus" for all time. Even so, here we see the Lord telling Israel ... "‘I'll Take You Back!' I will restore your righteousness and make it work. I'll do this with love and sincerity."A-pplication:
The days of fighting and waging war against the "Enemy of Our Souls" for our faith will never end, however the days of operating with anything less than Love, Acceptance, and Forgiveness towards others are over! Whether it's a parent, a spouse, a son or daughter, or a close friend, our only option is GRACE. I have wronged others to my shame, but have always asked forgiveness through the years. Most all of them have forgiven me, but there were a few who cut me off forever. That hurt me but I believe it hurt them even more. When you forgive and receive people back into your fold who have wronged you, something in you gets healed. The best way is Jesus' way. He's always been the first to say ... "I'll Take You Back!"P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, There is deep gratitude in my heart this AM that You have never rejected me and have always forgiven me. Help me follow Your example to take others back. Amen
04Jul
The Gift of Joy
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
Hebrews 1:9 You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.O-bservation:
The writer of Hebrews chose this passage from Psalm 45:7 to remind us that Jesus has been anointed as "The Gift of Joy" for every one of us."A-pplication:
I can't tell you how many times (and they are too numerous to count) I have been privately depressed. Yes ... there ... I said it! I won't put my private depression on you, but I have met so many people who have confessed to me in coaching sessions the same thing. Every time I faced a time of private depression, my first thought is a prayer ... "Oh Jesus." In my life, Jesus has always been my "Oil Of Joy" for my own depression. I'm happy to report the depression doesn't last long because the gift of joy, Jesus, bathes the hurt, the sorrow, and the depression away. Friends can't do that, money can't do that, success can't do that, and even angels can't do that! Only Jesus can satisfy your soul. Do you have sorrow or depression right now? Say it with me. "Oh Jesus." He's "The Gift of Joy."P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, Your name is like heaven to me. "Oh Jesus." This AM, I long to be bathed with Your JOY. Amen
03Jul
Home Is Where The Heart Is
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
Philemon 1:1b-2 To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker—also to Apphia our sister and Archippusour fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home.O-bservation:
St. Paul writes to Philemon, a friend of his, concerning Philemon's former employee Onesimus. Besides Philemon, Paul mentions a few choice friends and concludes by saying, "I'm writing this to the church that meets in your home."A-pplication:
We know very little of Philemon except that he was a financially prosperous leader of the church at Colossae. What we do know about him has to do with his HEART. He loved Jesus and he loved the Church. At that time in history it was difficult to be a "Follower of Jesus." Many were persecuted and killed for their faith. There were no big Christian church buildings to meet in. That didn't happen for several hundred years after this writing. Those who owned a house opened their houses for worship. Philemon had a house that he lived in, but his heart was connected to his church. His brothers and sisters in Christ were invited to gather at his place because he decided to place his HEART (his CHURCH) in his house. As a boy growing up, my parents always made our house a place people could gather for worship, because "Home Is Where The Heart Is." Whether it's a third story rented flat or a palatial mansion, we are all called today to make our house HIS HOME.P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, My house is always open to people. Help me keep people at the center of my purpose for living. And help me lead those people to You. Amen
02Jul