Showing posts with label devotions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label devotions. Show all posts
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"TGIF: Today God Is First"
from: Prime Time With God Today's Prayer
Dear God, Your Word and acts of the past demonstrate to me Your desires to reflect Your nature and power through every individual--including me! I know that's because those who reflect Your glory affect the world. I pray that in all situations I face, I will be obedient and dependent upon You and give You all the praise and glory, so that You will demonstrate Your power that all people may know of Your mighty acts and the glorious splendor of Your Kingdom. I'd like to be able to say, with the Apostle Paul, "My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power" (1 Cor. 2:4-5). Thank you, Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen.
TGIF: Receiving Your Inheritance
Receiving Your Inheritance
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 1, by Os Hillman 06-16-2010
"But the Danites had difficulty taking possession of their territory, so they went up and attacked Leshem, took it, put it to the sword and occupied it...." - Joshua 19:47
What is the spiritual inheritance God has reserved for you? When God told the Israelites they were going to receive the Promised Land, it was not given to them on a silver platter. In fact, they would encounter 39 battles in taking the land God promised to them. It took a joint effort between God and the Israelites to engage and battle the enemy that maintained control of the land.
God has given you and me a spiritual inheritance that must be won in the heavenlies. A dear friend and mentor once counseled me after watching my life over a period and said, "The Lord has given you a spiritual inheritance. That inheritance lies in relationships, and because it lies in relationships, that is the place the enemy has attacked you most. The enemy always attacks us in the area where we are to receive our inheritance. You must walk in faithfulness and obedience to His righteousness in how you deal with relationships." These were words of wisdom that have since guided my path. The Lord has proven these words to be true.
What is the spiritual inheritance He has reserved for you? What areas of your inheritance must you take possession of? The enemy of your soul does not want you to take possession. Put on your armor and begin walking in obedience into the areas God has called you to possess.
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Pray Before you Slip
Christian Soul Care Devotional
“Inviting God’s touch in your soul”
By Bill Gaultiere
Thank you Lord that “By the word of your lips… My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped” (Psalm 17:4-5).
I experienced the truth of David’s words on a rainy morning earlier this week. The rain had stopped and the sun was shining so I got out my bike to do a training ride for the upcoming triathlon race I’m doing with my son. I wanted to see if I could push myself to ride hard and fast for about an hour. The path was still a little slick in some places so I told myself to be careful.
As I rode I got absorbed in the delightful fresh, clear air and the beauty of blue skies, trees, and the back bay of the ocean. And I was enjoying meditating on a line from a prayer I wrote, inspired by Psalm 139:9:
“By the Spirit I rise on the wings of Christ’s dawn – the Father’s right hand holds me fast.”
Riding my bike on a wet path that morning I could relate to those words! I prayed that the Father’s right hand would hold me fast so that I wouldn’t slip and fall off my bike!
I was pedaling hard, probably going about 17 miles an hour as I headed into a turn on the bike path when all of a sudden my tire slipped on the wet asphalt and I started skidding! Oh no! Thank God I held the pavement – just barely! – and I didn’t wipe out. I probably would’ve gotten quite banged up.
Relieved, I continued cycling. Then it dawned on me that I had just prayed for the Father’s right hand to hold me fast! Wow! The Father’s hand had indeed held me fast just like I asked! I experienced what the Psalmist says again and again: when we put our confidence in the Lord as we do what whatever we’re doing then we see that his right hand is reaching down from the heavens to help us.
Watch and Pray with Jesus
Pray before you slip. That’s the lesson I was reminded of. It’s part of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught us: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). It’s what Jesus told Peter to do before Peter denied him: “Your spirit is willing to do the right thing, but in your natural abilities you are weak and you’re not ready to do what you want. So watch and pray to become the kind of person who won’t fall into temptation” (Matthew 26:41, paraphrase).
As you know, Peter fell asleep on Jesus when he needed to watch and pray so he fell into denying his Lord. He fell into running away to hide. Then he fell into depression. But afterward Peter did learn to watch and pray with Jesus and so in the book of Acts and in Peter’s epistles we see Peter not falling, but standing strong in his faith through many persecutions and trials, even to the point of being crucified for Jesus upside down.
Where Might you Slip?
Where are you vulnerable to slip and fall in the days ahead? Pause to identify your struggle… Hurting someone with a sharp tongue? Worrying? Being judgmental? Complaining? Overworking? Eating too much? Having a couple of drinks? Looking at pornography?
Don’t just resolve to do better next time – that never works! “Trying harder just gets you more of the same” is a wise adage. Peter’s problem in denying Christ wasn’t lack of will power – he was very willful! Peter’s problem was that he directed his will to rely on himself. He hadn’t trained his will to rely on Christ with him.
Take Hold of Christ’s Hand Now
Learn what Peter learned: admit your weakness and watch and pray with Jesus. “Train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7). Rely on Christ to help you to become a different kind of person on the inside.
Imagine yourself in the slippery situation of what tempts you… See the hand of the Lord reach down to you from the heavens… Take hold of it… Keep holding Christ’s hand… Pray to become the kind of person who doesn’t find satisfaction in anger or alcohol or _______, but in holding the hand of Christ…
If you pray this way about your specific struggle – and you do this over time with the help of Scripture and a soul friend – then you will not slip!
Soul Shepherding for Ministry Leaders
Where does a pastor go for a safe place? To receive spiritual encouragement? Every month Kristi and I meet with dozens of pastors, pastors’ wives, and other ministry leaders to encourage them in their lives and ministries. We are following our calling from God to devote our careers to offering Soul Shepherding for people who minister to others. We’d like to share our vision with you and how you can be a part!
Come on Retreat with Me
On Saturday June 5th from 9 am to 12:30 I’m leading a free morning retreat, “Breathe with Jesus” at the Crystal Cathedral. I will teach you how using Breath Prayers can free you from worry and distress, ushering in God’s peace. To learn more about this or other upcoming classes and retreats I’m leading go to our Soul Shepherding Calendar.
Let’s Connect Online
Sign up for our new Soul Shepherding Blog which features a prayer exercise in a short e-mail 1-2 times per week.
Let’s be friends online: I post a ministry update and an abiding prayer daily on my Facebook and Twitter.
You can share the Christian Soul Care Devotional with your friends.
Blessings,
Bill & Kristi
William Gaultiere, Ph.D. ~ Psychologist & Spiritual Director
Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ MFT & Spiritual Director
www.ChristianSoulCare.com: “Inviting God's touch in your soul”
www.SoulShepherding.org: “Ministering to pastors & leaders”
949.262.3699
Christian Soul Care Devotional
“Inviting God’s touch in your soul”
By Bill Gaultiere
Thank you Lord that “By the word of your lips… My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped” (Psalm 17:4-5).
I experienced the truth of David’s words on a rainy morning earlier this week. The rain had stopped and the sun was shining so I got out my bike to do a training ride for the upcoming triathlon race I’m doing with my son. I wanted to see if I could push myself to ride hard and fast for about an hour. The path was still a little slick in some places so I told myself to be careful.
As I rode I got absorbed in the delightful fresh, clear air and the beauty of blue skies, trees, and the back bay of the ocean. And I was enjoying meditating on a line from a prayer I wrote, inspired by Psalm 139:9:
“By the Spirit I rise on the wings of Christ’s dawn – the Father’s right hand holds me fast.”
Riding my bike on a wet path that morning I could relate to those words! I prayed that the Father’s right hand would hold me fast so that I wouldn’t slip and fall off my bike!
I was pedaling hard, probably going about 17 miles an hour as I headed into a turn on the bike path when all of a sudden my tire slipped on the wet asphalt and I started skidding! Oh no! Thank God I held the pavement – just barely! – and I didn’t wipe out. I probably would’ve gotten quite banged up.
Relieved, I continued cycling. Then it dawned on me that I had just prayed for the Father’s right hand to hold me fast! Wow! The Father’s hand had indeed held me fast just like I asked! I experienced what the Psalmist says again and again: when we put our confidence in the Lord as we do what whatever we’re doing then we see that his right hand is reaching down from the heavens to help us.
Watch and Pray with Jesus
Pray before you slip. That’s the lesson I was reminded of. It’s part of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught us: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). It’s what Jesus told Peter to do before Peter denied him: “Your spirit is willing to do the right thing, but in your natural abilities you are weak and you’re not ready to do what you want. So watch and pray to become the kind of person who won’t fall into temptation” (Matthew 26:41, paraphrase).
As you know, Peter fell asleep on Jesus when he needed to watch and pray so he fell into denying his Lord. He fell into running away to hide. Then he fell into depression. But afterward Peter did learn to watch and pray with Jesus and so in the book of Acts and in Peter’s epistles we see Peter not falling, but standing strong in his faith through many persecutions and trials, even to the point of being crucified for Jesus upside down.
Where Might you Slip?
Where are you vulnerable to slip and fall in the days ahead? Pause to identify your struggle… Hurting someone with a sharp tongue? Worrying? Being judgmental? Complaining? Overworking? Eating too much? Having a couple of drinks? Looking at pornography?
Don’t just resolve to do better next time – that never works! “Trying harder just gets you more of the same” is a wise adage. Peter’s problem in denying Christ wasn’t lack of will power – he was very willful! Peter’s problem was that he directed his will to rely on himself. He hadn’t trained his will to rely on Christ with him.
Take Hold of Christ’s Hand Now
Learn what Peter learned: admit your weakness and watch and pray with Jesus. “Train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7). Rely on Christ to help you to become a different kind of person on the inside.
Imagine yourself in the slippery situation of what tempts you… See the hand of the Lord reach down to you from the heavens… Take hold of it… Keep holding Christ’s hand… Pray to become the kind of person who doesn’t find satisfaction in anger or alcohol or _______, but in holding the hand of Christ…
If you pray this way about your specific struggle – and you do this over time with the help of Scripture and a soul friend – then you will not slip!
Soul Shepherding for Ministry Leaders
Where does a pastor go for a safe place? To receive spiritual encouragement? Every month Kristi and I meet with dozens of pastors, pastors’ wives, and other ministry leaders to encourage them in their lives and ministries. We are following our calling from God to devote our careers to offering Soul Shepherding for people who minister to others. We’d like to share our vision with you and how you can be a part!
Come on Retreat with Me
On Saturday June 5th from 9 am to 12:30 I’m leading a free morning retreat, “Breathe with Jesus” at the Crystal Cathedral. I will teach you how using Breath Prayers can free you from worry and distress, ushering in God’s peace. To learn more about this or other upcoming classes and retreats I’m leading go to our Soul Shepherding Calendar.
Let’s Connect Online
Sign up for our new Soul Shepherding Blog which features a prayer exercise in a short e-mail 1-2 times per week.
Let’s be friends online: I post a ministry update and an abiding prayer daily on my Facebook and Twitter.
You can share the Christian Soul Care Devotional with your friends.
Blessings,
Bill & Kristi
William Gaultiere, Ph.D. ~ Psychologist & Spiritual Director
Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ MFT & Spiritual Director
www.ChristianSoulCare.com: “Inviting God's touch in your soul”
www.SoulShepherding.org: “Ministering to pastors & leaders”
949.262.3699
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"But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body." 1 Corinthians 12:18-20 (NIV)
When I was twenty, my boyfriend said to me, "Christa, you're just not feminine enough," and he ended our relationship. I was devastated, not only because I loved him, but because I had been bombarded with the not enough message for the past three years, since I had become a Christian.
Those at the church I attended, while deeply committed to following God, had definite ideas about what a "good Christian woman" looked liked. I wasn't it. So I strove to throw off the "old" me. I read the right books and listened to the right speakers, and followed carefully constructed do and don't lists. And finally I gained acceptance in the church, but had completely lost myself - any shred of individuality.
I was just another eye (1 Corinthians 12:17) in a crowd of eyes.
For all the proper clothes and activities and friends, I found myself heavy with shame because there were still huge pieces inside of me that wouldn't squish into the "good Christian" mold held out for me. I prayed to be more like this woman or that woman, until one day I realized the only person I should be praying to be like was Jesus. Once I turned my sight to Christ, I began to see how my differences could be of value to Him. The more I became like Him, the more I became the person He made me to be.
My husband continually tells me, usually in response to some quirky idea I have, "I always want you to be who you are," and I hear the Lord's voice in those words. God is glorified through His people, and trying to shake off the personality with which He created us is dishonoring to Him. Each of our unique talents, idiosyncrasies, and abilities can and should be used for Him, and I've learned over and over again God will put us in situations that require just the skills and personality traits He has given us.
In my most recent novel, Watch Over Me, the main characters feel as if they are on the "fringe" of the church body, unable to fit in. For Abbi, it's because of her personal convictions; for Benjamin, it's because of the pain he's carrying around inside him; and for Matthew, it's a physical disability. But all three of them come to realize they are all necessary parts of the body of Christ. They – we – are the eyes and ears and feet and noses. Each of us fills a role in Christ's church, and in the lives of those around us, placed there by God to serve and love one another in our differences.
Dear Lord, You have created each of us in Your image, and also uniquely us. Help us to embrace who You made us to be, to see clearly the strengths You've given us, and rejoice in them. Use our individual weaknesses to turn us to You each and every day, giving us reason to cling to Your promises. Allow us opportunities to use our talents for Your glory and the good of the people around us, both those who are part of Your body and those who do not yet know You. Let our uniqueness be a light for You in the darkness. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
Application Steps:
Reach out to someone in your church who may feel like she's on the "fringe" of things and doesn't fit in with the other women. Take time to encourage her uniqueness in Christ.
Take a few minutes to think about the talents God has given you. If there are some you aren't using now, ask yourself why that is. Go to the Lord in prayer and see if He reveals a way for you to serve Him with these abilities.
Reflections:
Do you suppress certain parts of yourself because you're worried about what other people may think? How can you overcome this "fear of man" that can prevent you from being all God made you to be?
Have you ever wished you could be more like another woman you know, because she seems more Godly? In what ways can you focus more on becoming "Christ-like" rather than "other-like"?
Power Verses:
Ephesians 2:10, "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (NIV)
1 Corinthians 12:4-6, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." (NIV)
Jeremiah 1:5a, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart." (NIV)
© 2010 by Christa Parrish. All rights reserved.
1 Mar 2010
Christa Parrish, She Reads Featured Author
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I'm going to start this by defining prayer.
Prayer is talking to God. Plain and simple. (for more on this click HERE)
I know we have this idea that it needs to be more than that, but truly it isn't. Prayer is far simpler than we allow it to be and yet; I've been a Christian most of my life and I still find myself looking for better ways to have more effective prayer. The answer most often is... just go back to the basics.
Are you reading your bible?
Are you spending time in prayer?
If you feel like God isn't answering your prayers, try writing them down and checking back to see just how many God has answered.
Since I too am often looking for ways to improve my own prayer life. To focus myself on who God is and that He is big enough for all my needs --- and more.
There is so much available to us that can be an inspiration.
Today we'll talk about Devotions.
Hit Amazon or Christian Book. The Global Bookstore at church. Ask your friends. There are so many devotionals out there you could start reading today and not finish. OK... that sounds overwhelming. Let's shine the light on a few standards in one's Christian library. These have stood the test of time and reprints!
My Utmost for His Highest, by Oswald Chambers
Streams in the Desert: An Updated Edition in Today's Language
By: LB Cowman
And of course....
Available for purchase from church ministry...for $9.00
Anything by the big guns: Charles Swindoll, Max Lucado, Charles Stanley... I don't have enough room to keep typing.
Next.... what's that I hear? Oh, that's good prayer!
Prayer is talking to God. Plain and simple. (for more on this click HERE)
I know we have this idea that it needs to be more than that, but truly it isn't. Prayer is far simpler than we allow it to be and yet; I've been a Christian most of my life and I still find myself looking for better ways to have more effective prayer. The answer most often is... just go back to the basics.
Are you reading your bible?
Are you spending time in prayer?
If you feel like God isn't answering your prayers, try writing them down and checking back to see just how many God has answered.
Since I too am often looking for ways to improve my own prayer life. To focus myself on who God is and that He is big enough for all my needs --- and more.
There is so much available to us that can be an inspiration.
Today we'll talk about Devotions.
Hit Amazon or Christian Book. The Global Bookstore at church. Ask your friends. There are so many devotionals out there you could start reading today and not finish. OK... that sounds overwhelming. Let's shine the light on a few standards in one's Christian library. These have stood the test of time and reprints!
By: LB Cowman
And of course....
Anything by the big guns: Charles Swindoll, Max Lucado, Charles Stanley... I don't have enough room to keep typing.
Next.... what's that I hear? Oh, that's good prayer!
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This spoke to me and I think it will speak to several of you as well. The quote from Isaiah kind of stopped me in my tracks. how often is that true of me! Do I have the kind of faith and relationship with God David did, that he honored those put in authority by God, that he was patient enough to let God deal with situations?
Are You Horizontal or Vertical?
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
06-16-2009
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Are You Horizontal or Vertical?
TGIF Today God Is First Volume 2, by Os Hillman
06-16-2009
"Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight" (Isaiah 5:21). Many of us have been trained to make decisions and respond to problems in a horizontal way instead of vertical. Operating from a horizontal basis means we try to fix the problem through our own self-efforts by bringing greater pressure upon it through our reasoning or our natural skills. Operating from a vertical position means we are seeking God for the answer and waiting for him to impact the problem. Perhaps it is a spouse who fails to put their clothes away, or a boss who is overly critical, or an employee that you clash with. When we operate horizontally we attempt to shame or coerce the other to change their ways. God knows the solution to the problem before it ever exists. Our responsibility is to ask God for help to solve the problem and to rely on Him for the outcome. The minute we take on the responsibility, God quietly stands by to let us experience failure until we decide to seek Him for the answer. One of the best examples of the contrast between a vertical and horizontal dimension in scripture is that of King Saul and David (see 1 Samuel 25). King Saul thought the way to preserve his kingdom was to kill David. While in pursuit of him there were several occasions when David had the opportunity to kill Saul, but David chose to wait upon God's timing and await his own deliverance because he understood authority. David had such respect for those who had been put in authority by God over him that he would not take matters into his own hands. Saul represents the exact opposite of this principle. He thought David was the problem and sought to get rid of him through force. As a result, he lost his kingdom because he chose to rule horizontally instead of vertically under God's rule in his life. No matter what problem you face today, stay vertical with God.
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OK, honestly, this IS one of the best devotionals I've read. Short and simple, yet the tone of the devotional seems to get right to the point. I really believe this is an inspired book and would heartily encourage everyone to get a copy!
They are $6 at Family Christian Stores.
(Harbor & Sunflower in strip mall on South side of street)
Here are a couple samples too...
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