“Interference!”  Devotional #32

Saturday was an absolutely gorgeous day here in Florida!  My family and I were at our son's baseball game.  It was a good game.  Our other two kids were behaving.  My husband and I were having a nice time.  On our son’s second time at bat all eyes were on him. The parents and team were cheering him on. Then after several pitches it was three balls and two strikes.  There was one man on base.  If our son got a hit or a homerun it would have given his team an opportunity to catch up.  The crowd on both sides of the field grew quiet.  The pitcher was getting into his stance.  He was about to pitch when out of nowhere a really loud car alarm started to sound! It was so loud that everyone stopped to look at what was going on.  It distracted everyone from the game!  How interesting!  Even though the game had everyone's attention the sound of the alarm quickly took everyone's attention away.  This form of distraction was the one that “diverts attention: something that interferes with concentration or takes attention away from something else.” (From the Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.)

We face distractions every single day.  These distractions can be anything from a baby crying in the middle of the night to a car alarm going off in the middle of a ball game.  There are also distractions that forcibly get our attention, even if it’s just for a moment.  Here’s the thing, Satan uses distractions to pull our attention off of what we’re trying to do right (living in obedience) and tries to place our attention on something else.  A distraction can lead to temptation which leads to one of two things a sin or running away from sin.  For example, let’s say both you and your spouse are convicted that you need to be better stewards with the money He provides you.  The both of you pray over how to do this and you are led to establish a sound budget and because of said budget neither of you can buy absolutely anything outside of the needs of the family for the month.  You both pray about this and ask for the Lord’s leading and wisdom on how to better manage the family income.

The weekend comes and you are out with the family, including your spouse.  You’re all at the mall for lunch (which you did budget for).  As you are all walking over to the Food Court all of you see a sign that says, “HUGE SALE, EVERYTHING HALF OFF OR LESS!”  Everyone stops.  None of you can believe what you are seeing!  This is the store that has the big screen 3-D high-definition television you have all been wanting and it’s on sale for half the cost!  Everyone starts chiming in with their reasons of why this television is “needed.”  Both you and your spouse find yourselves wondering what to do and you are trying to justify purchasing it.  What happened? 

The distraction was the sign that stopped everyone.  The temptation was the sale of the much desired television.  The next thing would be what?  If you were to go in and spend the money you both agreed could not be spent then you will have gone back on your word and over your budget, which means that you will have more “month” left at the end of the month instead of money.  If you do not have the money to cover the cost and use a credit card then that means a new bill would be created, a bill that you have no money to pay.  If you succumb to the temptation then it would be a sin.  Why would this be considered a sin? It would be a sin because you went back on your word and misused the income that was for your needs and not your desires.

My friend, I have encountered these distractions many times in my life!  I know that these distractions are merely just that, distractions but, if I pay mind to it, just enough to start getting tempted then the devil has gotten my attention!  Ephesians 4:27, “do not give the devil a foothold.” (NIV)  A foothold is: “firm base for progress: a secure starting position from which further advances can be made.” (From the Encarta ® World English Dictionary © & (P) 1998-2005 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.) Remember that Satan is always looking for a way to get us to sin.  1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert, be on watch! Your enemy, the Devil, roams around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”  (GNT)  We need to be vigilant and ready to stand our ground and do what is right in the eyes of the Lord.  Ephesians 6:11, “Wear the full armor of God. Wear God’s armor so that you can fight against the devil’s clever tricks.” (GNT)  So when the distractions from Satan come, stand firm and choose obedience.  Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. (NIV)

 

My dear friend, thank you for reading this devotional.  Know that I appreciate you and am praying for you.  Thanks for passing on this blog to others!  Please continue to pass it on.  Also, I have a Facebook page for the ministry!  It’s a great way to get updates on the ministry and when the latest devotionals have been posted on this blog.  I also started posting “Thought of the day.” They’re short reads and have gotten great reviews.  Come and join by pressing “like!” on the page:  www.facebook.com/ReflectingTruthMinistries  God bless you!

*If you would like to read this same devotional in Spanish or know of someone that would please visit my Spanish blog at www.ministerioreflejandolaverdad.blogspot.com

 

 

“One Minute to the Next” Devotional #31

 

            In one minute to the next anything can happen.  For example, one minute I can be having a nice time with all three of our children and the next it’s ruined because they’re arguing.  In one minute I’d be walking and hitting a great stride and the next minute I twist my ankle!  One minute I’m reading postings from my friends on “Facebook” and the next minute I learn that a good friend passed away.  My point is this, situations, our circumstances can change in an instant, from one minute to the next anything can happen.

            There have been tragedies that have happened in just moments.  Take “9-11,” for example, that happened on September 11, 2001 in Manhattan, NY, NY.  One minute all of the people that were at the Twin Towers were either working, talking, getting a cup of coffee, getting settled into their day and then the next minute a plane crashes into one of the towers.  Then in just a few more minutes later another plane crashes into the other tower.  More recently on April 15, 2013, in Boston, Massachusetts, there was another tragedy that happened during the Boston Marathon.  One minute the runners are approaching the finish line and the spectators are cheering them on.  The next minute a bomb explodes followed up by another bomb just moments later.  The mood quickly changed from happy to sad; elation to shock. 

            Good things happen from one minute to the next too.  For instance, the birth of a long awaited child, vows taking place at a beautiful wedding, a college acceptance letter being read for the first time.  Life is full of memories, good ones and bad.  Some of these memories fade into the past never to be remembered again but there are others that will never be forgotten. Like the time Jesus died on a cross for our sins, John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”

            The definition of a moment is, “a brief period of time; an instant.”  2 Corinthians 4:17-18, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.  So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.  For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (NIV)  The definition of temporary is, “having limited duration.”  These moments that we live through are brief, temporary, they will not last forever but eternity does.  Romans 8:18, “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.”  Glory means “splendor and majestic beauty.” 

            How do we wait for the splendor and majestic beauty to be revealed in us?  Psalm 29:11, “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.”  Peace means “a state of calm; freedom from strife or discord.”  Fear on the other hand is “an emotion of dread or alarm caused by danger.”  To be afraid means to be fearful or apprehensive about an unwanted or uncertain situation. Psalm 27:1, “The LORD is my light and my salvation-whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-of whom shall I be afraid?”  Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”  Psalm 56:4, “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.  What can mortal man do to me?”  Mathew 10:31a, Jesus said, ‘“So don’t be afraid…” (All references are from the NIV) 

Remember the words in Ephesians 3:20, “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.” (NASB)  All we need to do is what?  Believe and trust just like a child, Mathew 18:3, “…Truly I say to you, unless you repent (change, turn about) and become like little children (trusting, lowly, loving, forgiving), you can never enter the kingdom of heaven (at all).” (AMP)  So, my dear friend let’s not worry about what will happen from one minute to the next and instead look forward to what’s to come.  Let us live out this life that the Lord has given to us to the fullest.  Enjoy every minute.  

 

Thank you my dear friend for reading this devotional.  I appreciate you and am praying for you.  Thanks for passing on this blog on to others!  Please continue to pass it on.  Also, I have a facebook page for the ministry!  It’s a great way to get updates on the ministry and when the latest devotionals have been posted on this blog.  Come and join by pressing “like!” www.facebook.com/ReflectingTruthMinistries  God bless you!

 

*If you would like to read this same devotional in Spanish or know of someone that would please visit my Spanish blog at www.ministerioreflejandolaverdad.blogspot.com

 

 

 

   

“What Defines You?” Devotional #30

            Joshua 24:15b, “But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” (NIV)  For Joshua it was extremely important that he and his family be defined as servants of God.  His definition of his life centered on God.  What is used to define a life today?  For some it is God just like it was for Joshua but, for others its money or the lack there of. There is an unbelievable amount of weight placed on social class (rich, middle class, working class or poor), the amount of things you own or where you live.  What you have accomplished in your life is yet another measurement used to define you.

            As for me, the material (what is owned) doesn’t really matter!  What matters to me is where the heart is with God.  That, my friend, is what helps me define who we are.  Maybe it is too simplistic but, that’s really my one and only measurement used to define people.  I value people for their heart not their wallet.  “Love others,” is what Jesus said.  Mathew 22:37-39, “…‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (NIV) 

Material wealth or the lack thereof means absolutely nothing in God’s economy.  In God’s economy what is valued?  Proverbs 22:1, “A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” (NIV)  You can be the richest, most influential person, or even the poorest person on the face of this earth, but if you are not humble it means nothing.  Proverbs 22:4, “Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life.”  All people, whether rich or poor, have the same thing in common.

            What is it that we all have in common?  Proverbs 22:2, “Rich and poor have this in common: The LORD is the Maker of them all.” (NIV)  We are all sinners in need of a Savior, Romans 5:12, “This is what happened: Sin came into the world by one man, Adam. Sin brought death with it. Death spread to all men because all have sinned.” (NIV)  We have sin in common and we have hope that was given as a gift.  Romans 5:18-19, “Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God and put many people in the wrong; one man said yes to God and put many in the right.” (MSG) 

This one man that said yes to God was Jesus!  John 3:16-18, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.  He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” 1 John 1:8-10, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” (NIV)

Joshua 24:29, “After these things, Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died at the age of a hundred and ten.” (NIV)  Joshua’s title was, “the servant of the Lord.”   How great is that?  Not only did Joshua define himself as a servant of the Lord, the Lord defined him as such.  We can define ourselves or allow others to define us but in the end the only definition that will stick for eternity is God’s definition of us. 

 

My dear friend thank you for reading this devotional.  My dear friend, I appreciate you and am praying for you.  Thanks for passing on this blog to others!  Please continue to pass it on.  Also, I have a facebook page for the ministry!  It’s a great way to get updates on the ministry and when the latest devotionals have been posted on this blog.  Come and join by pressing “like!” www.facebook.com/ReflectingTruthMinistries  God bless you!

 

“In the Beginning…” Devotional #29

 

            The Lord created the world in six days and took a day off!  In the beginning included a day of rest and not only did He rest He made the day Holy.  He didn’t stop with just making it Holy; He also commanded that the seventh day, the Sabbath, be taken.  Genesis 2:2-3, “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work.  Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” (NIV)  The command to take the seventh day off is in the Ten Commandments, Exodus 20:8-11, “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Work six days and do everything you need to do. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to God, your God. Don’t do any work—not you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your servant, nor your maid, nor your animals, not even the foreign guest visiting in your town. For in six days God made Heaven, Earth, and sea, and everything in them; he rested on the seventh day. Therefore God blessed the Sabbath day; he set it apart as a holy day.” (MSG)

            I love, love, love to take naps!  Unfortunately I can rarely take a nap!  Every now and then I squeeze a nap in and it’s usually on a Sunday.  For too long I felt guilty about wanting, no needing and deeply desiring a nap on a Sunday!  But why was I feeling so guilty?  Let’s see…hmmm…maybe because we LIVE IN A SOCIETY THAT DOESN’T BELIEVE IN SLOWING DOWN!  Everybody wants to just go, go, go and don’t you dare stop because you’re tired!  You’re a wimp if you get tired! 

            Here’s another reason for feeling guilty about napping.  There’s only so much time during the week to get things done.  The weekend is supposed to be family time, housework-catch-up time, date-night time, movie night time, food shopping time, ball-game time, watching your kids play on their teams…the lists goes on and on!  Sunday tends to be the day to try to squeeze as much as possible in before another work and school week begin!

            The thing is that’s not what we’re to do as Believers in Christ.  We are to respect His command and take the Sabbath.  We are supposed to take it easy-at least for one day a week.  If He, who is perfect, took a day off, who are we to not to?  We were created in His Image, Genesis 1:26, “Then God said, “Let us make human beings in our image, to be like us. They will reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the wild animals on the earth, and the small animals that scurry along the ground.” (NLT)  If we do not take the Sabbath as we are commanded to do what are we saying to the Lord? 

            My friend, know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free!  It’s never too late to change.  If you believe that going to church is enough to fulfill obedience for the Sabbath, know that just going to church is not enough.  If you believe that because you have to work on Sundays you don’t need to practice the Sabbath because if it’s not on a Sunday then it cannot be done, you are wrong too.  You can practice the Sabbath on your day off and if you don’t have a day off…that’s another topic.  My friend if you’re like me, you like to take it easy on the Sabbath, but everyone else around you seems to be going 100mph then slow down anyway.  In the end, when we’re one-on-one with God, the excuses mean nothing and only the truth will stand.  So, in the words of Paul (Ephesians 6:14) “stand firm then,” embrace His Truth, apply it to your life, no matter how long it takes to change, change and take a nap, I know I will! 

 

Thank you for reading this devotional.  My dear friend, I appreciate you and am praying for you.  Thanks for passing on this blog to others!  Please continue to pass it on.  Also, I have a facebook page for the ministry!  It’s a great way to get updates on the ministry and when the latest devotionals have been posted on this blog.  Come and join by pressing “like!” www.facebook.com/ReflectingTruthMinistries  God bless you!

 

*If you would like to read this same devotional in Spanish or know of someone that would please visit my Spanish blog at www.ministerioreflejandolaverdad.blogspot.com

 

 

“Lost in the Weeds” Devotional #28

 

            For almost three weeks it was as though I was “lost in the weeds.”  In other words I was so busy that I couldn’t see how I’d get it all done.  My daughter volunteered to be a part of a kid’s mission team from our church.  This team worked hard for 4 months preparing for this week long trip.  Led by the Lord, my husband and I volunteered to be the cooks for this team.  As with any trip there’s the preparation time then the away time and then the recovery time.  On top of that I got sick two days after getting back home!

I had planned all of the meals and planned on how much of everything needed to be bought.  We were 48 in total.  We also cooked two special lunches for both a ladies group and a men’s group that meets at the Center where the team worked.  I know that I will never forget the lunch that we cooked for 105 people! 

I did take my laptop, my notes, my Bible and toted it back and forth from the hotel to the kitchen and then back to the hotel every day in hopes that I could take a break somehow and write.  The days were long and all I craved was a warm shower and a bed to sleep in.  I so wanted to write too but sometimes the best thing to do when lost in the weeds is to lighten the load.  With the Lord’s leading I decided to put all writing on hold. 

            How about you my dear friend?  Have you found yourself “lost in the weeds?”  Are you in a season of life that is so overwhelming that you can’t see the light on the other side?  Don’t worry my friend; there is an end to all seasons.  Just when one season ends the next one begins just like autumn runs into winter then from winter to spring and then summer.  That is how the “seasons” of our lives are.  Some seasons are pretty quick, like the past three weeks for me.  Other seasons last for years.  But no matter what every season ends and a new one begins.

            One of my favorite books of the Bible is Ruth.  There was an Israelite family from Bethlehem, Judah who moved to Moab because of a famine in their land.  Ten years later Naomi, the matriarch of the family was a widow and both of her sons had died too. She had two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth.  Naomi heard that the Lord had come to the aid of his people and the famine in Judah was now over with.  She decided to return home.  She told her two daughters-in-law that since she was going back home they should do the same.  Orpah agreed but not Ruth.  Ruth didn’t want to go back to her parents and to the life she had known before.  She convinced Naomi to let her stay with her.  Ruth 1:16-17, “But Ruth said, “Do not beg me to leave you or turn away from following you. I will go where you go.  I will live where you live. Your people will be my people. And your God will be my God.  I will die where you die, and there I will be buried. So may the Lord do the same to me, and worse, if anything but death takes me from you.”  (NLV) 

            Now Ruth had gone from a season of singleness to a season of married-ness followed by a season of widow-ness in a new land with her mother-in-law.  It was during this season of her life that she met Boaz.  He took one look at her and that was it!  She ended up marrying Boaz who became her kinsman-redeemer (which means that in Israelite law the nearest relative to the spouse could marry the widow so that she could be cared for and the family name be continued).  The season of widow-ness ended and a second chance with love started along with a season of married-ness and then mother-ness too.

            I am thankful to have been given the opportunity to serve these children and the adults from this team and the people from the center.  It was nice to see God’s love in action with all of the wonderful volunteers and staff that work tirelessly at the Savannah Baptist Center in Georgia.  All of the work was well worth it.  Ruth worked hard for her love for Naomi and it was through her hard work and loyalty to Naomi that she won Boaz’s heart.  One of the things we can learn from Ruth is consistency.  Her loyalty to God and to Naomi never wavered.  Not only was this apparent to Boaz and to Naomi, her testimony was crystal clear to everyone that lived around them.  Ruth 4:14-15, “The town women said to Naomi, “Blessed be God! He didn’t leave you without family to carry on your life. May this baby grow up to be famous in Israel! He’ll make you young again! He’ll take care of you in old age. And this daughter-in-law who has brought him into the world and loves you so much, why, she’s worth more to you than seven sons!” (MSG)  Ruth was King David’s great-grandmother and part of Jesus’ lineage!  Yes indeed, her son’s descendant, Jesus, was and still is famous!  

 

Thank you for reading this devotional.  My dear friend, I appreciate you and am praying for you.  Please continue to pass this blog on to others.  Thanks and God bless you! 

*If you would like to read this same devotional in Spanish or know of someone that would please visit my Spanish blog at www.ministerioreflejandolaverdad.blogspot.com