GodSpeaks.com Free Devotion 20/05/10

One of the most precious attributes of Jesus is His willingness to stay with something when all others would give up on it. Just when it looks like the end has come, He sees the slightest sign of life and does all He can for it. As Isaiah once prophesied, He doesn’t snuff out the smoldering wick or break the bent and bruised reed (Isaiah 42:3). He comes alongside and fans the smallest spark into a flame and binds up what is bent.

What a comfort to know that the Lord doesn’t give up or quit on us, even when every one else (including ourselves) would. Many, if not most of us, would never have come to God had He treated us the way the average human being would. And we should follow His lead in this. We should hold out hope for even the slightest signs of life in the lives of those around us.

Daily Devotion 21/05/2010

“GOD KNOWS YOU BY NAME”

I have written your name on my hand.

ISAIAH 49:16

                Quite a thought, isn’t it? Your name on God’s hand. Your name on God’s lips. Maybe you’ve seen your name in some special places. On an award or diploma. . . . But to think that your name is on God’s hand and on God’s lips . . . my, could it be?

                Or perhaps you have never seen your name honoured. And you can’t remember when you heard it spoken with kindness. If so, it may be more difficult for you to believe that God knows your name.

                But he does. Written on his hand. Spoken by his mouth. Whispered by his lips. Your name.

WHEN GOD WHISPERS YOUR NAME

Can you think of a time when your name was honoured? How did you feel? How does it make you feel to know that your name is on God’s hand?

Daily Devotion 17/05/2010

“NO NONSACRED MOMENTS”

We are God’s workers, working together.

1 CORINTHIANS 3:9

                It’s a wonderful day indeed when we stop working for God and begin working with God. . . .

                For years I viewed God as a compassionate CEO and my role as a loyal sales representative. He had his office, and I had my territory. I could contact him as much as I wanted. He was always a phone or fax away. He encouraged me, rallied behind me, and supported me, but he didn’t go with me. At least I didn’t think he did. Then I read 2 Corinthians 6:1: We are “God’s fellow workers” (NIV).

                Fellow workers? Co-labourers? God and I work together? Imagine the paradigm shift this truth creates. Rather than report to God, we work with God. Rather than check in with him and then leave, we check in with him and then follow. We are always in the presence of God. . . . There is never a nonsacred moment!

JUST LIKE JESUS

How would you explain the difference between working for God or with God?

REFERENCE:

1 Corinthians 3:9 ( ESV ) ⁹For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

Daily Devotion 10/05/2010

“FAITH MEETS GRACE”

Let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith,

because we have been made free from a guilty conscience. . . .

HEBREWS 10:22

                Faith is not born at the negotiating table where we barter our gifts in exchange for God’s goodness. Faith is not an award given to the most learned. It’s not a prize given to the most disciplined. It’s not a title bequeathed to the most religious.

                Faith is a desperate dive out of the sinking boat of human effort and a prayer that God will be there to pull us out of the water. The apostle Paul wrote about this kind of faith:

                “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).

                The supreme force in salvation is God’s grace.

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

“Faith is a desperate dive out of the sinking boat of human effort.” Explain why we can’t save ourselves, why human effort is not sufficient.

Reference:

Ephesians 2:8-9 ( ESV ) ⁸For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,  ⁹not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Owl City - Fireflies Official Music Video HD

Daily Devotion 03/05/2010

“SOMETIMES GOD SAYS NO”

Continue praying, keeping alert, and always thanking God.

COLOSSIANS 4:2

                Can you imagine the outcome if a parent honoured each request of each child during a trip? We’d inch our bloated bellies from one ice-cream to the next. . . .

                Can you imagine the chaos if God indulged each of ours? . . .

                “For God has not destined us [emphasis mine] to the terrors of judgement, but to the full attainment of salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:9 NEB).

                Note God’s destiny for your life. Salvation.

                God’s overarching desire is that you reach that destiny. His itinerary includes stops that encourage your journey. He frowns on stops that deter you. When his sovereign plan and your earthly plan collide, a decision must be made. Who’s in charge of this journey?

                If God must choose between your earthly satisfaction and your heavenly salvation, which do you hope he chooses?

                Me too.

IN THE EYE OF THE STORM

Do you hope he chooses your earthly satisfaction or your heavenly salvation? Why?

Reference:

1 Thessalonians 5:9 ( ESV ) ⁹For God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Weee! New toy

Tadaa! That's my new toy, yes.
Indescribable awesomeness. Contagious too, so much so that 'Miss Queen' (I think that's what's she's known as) decided to join the Mac family. Tee hee.
Wireless keyboard, magic mouse, awesome clean all-in-one monitor... Sexeh.

Still exploring the machine. I shall do wonderful things using it :D