Philippians 4:13
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.
When was the last time you tried to do something that was too big for you? When Kadin was four we started giving him an allowance (really even when he was younger he'd get a penny for doing chores). It's amazing how nice that is to be able to say to the kids "Do you have any money?" when they're asking for everything in the entire store. But to get back on track, he learned to save money for things that really had value. In fact, one time I challenged him that I would match his money if he wanted to save for a Nintendo DS (remember, he's four at this point), so he got to work doing odd jobs for people and saving allowance til he'd earned about $40. He still plays his DS a ton. I remember thinking that there was no way he could do it, yet he did. He even skipped hot chocolate at the coffee stand (when his sister got one) so that he could save his money.
The Bible says that we can do all things through Christ, so what are you believing for? Are you trying to raise money for missions? Are you hoping your friend will get saved? Too often as Christians we focus on what we can't do, instead of what God wants to use us to do.
In closing, let me ask this question: "What is the one thing you would do today, if you knew there was no chance you could fail?"
-Jeff-
Philippians 1:21
Note: For the Summer we are reprinting some devotions that ran back when we were getting this site up and running. Hopefully this is new content to you, and we will get back into writing fresh devotions as our schedule allows.
21For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
Save the whales. PETA. Earth Liberation Front. Pro-Life. Republicans. Democrats. These days everyone has a cause, something they will devote multiple hours of their lives to. For some, that cause is television. Maybe they don't go around blowing up buildings when their fav tv show goes on hiatus for a week, but it is what they spend their time and money on.
Paul says that for him, living (remember, he didn't know he would be released from prison at this point) meant promoting the gospel. It was his passion, his life, his reason to exist.
What's your cause?
-Jeff-
The Parables of Jesus: Luke 6:43-45
Luke 6:43-45
“No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.”
This is a verse that many of us are familiar with. We read it and think “Ok, so if I am filled with the Holy Spirit then I should bear good fruit”. But what does that mean? Often we think that 'bearing good fruit' simply means being nice, going to church, maybe even being involved in a ministry. And we feel that if we are doing these things most of the time then we are doing pretty good. But the truth of the fruit we bear really comes out when no one is watching; when we just respond without thinking.
Verse 45 says “For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks.” I am often convicted of this while driving. Someone cuts me off and I find myself yelling “You jerk! What is wrong with you!?” What does that response say about my heart? Or when someone hurts me or does something that makes me angry and I respond by being hurtful right back instead of speaking in love?
Doing good things does not necessarily equal bearing good fruit. God is not interested in our actions as much as He is in the state of our hearts. Once our hearts are right the overflow, the fruit we bear, will lead to right actions.
What kind of fruit are you bearing – truly?
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