08Dec
23Jun
Take Care Of Your Own
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
1 Timothy 5:8
Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
O-bservation:
Here, the Apostle Paul spoke to Timothy, and in doing so, he promoted the will of God around the globe on this one issue. He said, “Anyone who fails to provide for the needs of his own, and in particular his or her own family, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”A-pplication:
This is an amazing idea. I believe it is God’s will that whatever has been produced in the way of family around you and me is our responsibility. But for sure, anyone we have helped to produce in the way of children is indeed our responsibility. We can’t lay our needs on other people. I’ve heard of people who left their family to go and preach the gospel somewhere in another country but never took care of their immediate family. That is not the will of God. Yes, we can be used of the Lord, beyond our house or household, but not at the expense of the ones we are related to. It is so important that when we want to win people for Jesus, they see that if they come to faith in Jesus, they are entering into a wonderful loving family who will never leave them helpless. No doubt, the message that Paul was giving his young son in the faith was simply, Timothy, “Take Care Of Your Own!”P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, Thank you for helping Robyn and me take care of our own family before we reached out around the world to others. Thank you, Lord, for helping us, “Take Care Of Our Own.” Amen
20Jun
No One Is Exempt From My Prayers
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
1 Timothy 2:1
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.
O-bservation:
St. Paul said to his young associate, Timothy, that it was his urging of all people of Christian faith that they would offer petitions and prayers and intercession and thanksgiving for ALL people. In the next verse, he said this would include kings (political leaders) and everyone who is in authority. That means I am still commanded to pray for those I dislike. In other words, “No One Is Exempt From My Prayers.”A-pplication:
The reason the Apostle Paul told every believer that “No One Is Exempt From Their Prayers,” is so we can all live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. Paul said this is the way to please God, our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. So even in our cry for JUSTICE, there’s something even more important than that. Inevitably, God wants everyone to experience salvation and eternal life in Christ. So when Christians are seen cursing people they disagree with, it’s evident that they have a bigger personal agenda than our God. Or it means that they don’t know what Gods Word commands. Eventually, we must be at peace, and we must desire all men and women everywhere to follow Jesus. Anything that supersedes that heavenly agenda would mean that we are not following the Lord’s command that says, “No One Is Exempt From My Prayers!”P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, Thank You this AM for reminding me once more of my God-given commands concerning what I think is important versus what you say is even more important. Thank You that I am reminded that PRAYER for all people is still Your requirement, so Your will (not mine) would be done in heaven and on earth. Certainly, no one is more concerned about JUSTICE than You, but Your way of getting there is better than mine. Amen
09Dec
How To Attain Great Gain
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
1 Timothy 6:6
But godliness with contentment is great gain.
O-bservation:
Here, St. Paul says that great gain happens when a person can arrive at a place where they live a godly life and are content with who they are in Christ and what they have. He said that many people fall into the temptation of wanting to get rich, and when they do, they end up trapped.A-pplication:
We’re living in a time when money has taken over the hearts and minds of people everywhere. The idea that contentment could ever be achieved is laughed at by many. Yet right here, the great Apostle tells us that contentment and godliness should be our mission. Since we brought nothing into this world and shall take nothing out of it, to want money for the purposes of status, or power, or position, it will only lead to destruction. How do we attain godliness? The best way I know how is to follow the life of Christ. His teaching and His benevolent acts of kindness should be our daily devotion. How do we achieve contentment? I believe that contentment is discovered only from a GRATEFUL heart! When we are thankful for who we are in Christ, and for what we have, contentment will follow. That’s “How To Attain Great Gain!”P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, This AM, I must say I’m content, and I’m moving towards godliness. I never feel like I’m where I should be with either; however, I’m better than I used to be. Even though I have a long way to go, I do believe I am the recipient of GREAT GAIN! Amen
08Dec
I Used To Be A Lousy Guy
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
1 Timothy 1:13
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.