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 4: 6-7
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.
6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
When I was younger we used to always say "Pray through for the Breakthrough!" God wants us to come to Him with our problems. If there's something that's bothering you, take it to Him. And not just one time, but continually until you get your answer. What you'll find is that after you've prayed enough God will send you His peace, and you won't be able to understand what happened, but you're just not worried like you were 10 minutes ago. The Bible calls that faith, and it calls faith a shield, and a shield is a piece of armor that you use to protect either your heart or your mind. So if you learn to pray through, the enemy won't be able to assault you with worry, because your heart will be protected.
Are there areas in your life that need protection?
-Jeff-
Philippians 2: 14-18
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.
14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16as you hold out the word of life—in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. 17But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. 18So you too should be glad and rejoice with me.
So what does it take to be blameless? Doing the dishes without complaining. Cleaning your room without complaining. Talking with your parents without arguing. Why would that make us perfect? Well for one, it will make us a lot less annoying! But beyond that, your attitude is everything. The Bible says that our words have power, but when we use those words to whine and complain we lessen their value. The Bible says that dirty water and fresh water cannot flow from the same spring. If we want our words to be powerful, and if we want our prayers to be answered, then we need to be careful of what we say.
-Jeff-
Matthew 17: 14-20
14When they came to the crowd, a man approached Jesus and knelt before him. 15"Lord, have mercy on my son," he said. "He has seizures and is suffering greatly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. 16I brought him to your disciples, but they could not heal him."
17"O unbelieving and perverse generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me." 18Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy, and he was healed from that moment.
19Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"
20He replied, "Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."Once upon a time, we see Jesus talking with his disciples about their "lack of faith." We're told that with the right amount of faith we can do anything, even move a mountain. When talking with a man whose son was possessed by a demon, Jesus told him to just believe. With faith we can do anything, and yet we see very little getting done. Why!?!
I like to compare faith to a receipt that you get when you pray. It's our assurance that the thing that we bought with our prayers will be coming to us. And really, with a receipt, it doesn't matter at all what size it is. The Bible talks in Galatians 6 about how we should not despise small beginnings, and that's what Jesus is saying here. If you have faith, it doesn't matter the size, because Jesus will help you with the rest.
More faith isn't better than less faith, it just means it's been exercised more. Think about it like a muscle, if you work it out (through using it) and nourish it (through prayer and Bible study) it will grow. If you don't it won't.
What will you use your faith to do today?
-Jeff-
The Parables of Jesus: Luke 11:5-9
Luke 11:5-9
5. Then he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and he goes
to him at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6.
because a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have nothing
to set before him.'
7. "Then the one inside answers, 'Don't bother me. The door is already
locked, and my children are with me in bed. I can't get up and give you
anything.' 8. I tell you, though he will not get up and give him the
bread because he is his friend, yet because of the man's boldness, he
will get up and give him as much as he needs.
9. "So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will
find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
Some people think if they ask God for anything they are bugging
God, imposing on him, thinking God will be to busy, get mad, think God
won't think it's important enough, or he simply won't answer.
How many of you would go to your friend house...in the middle of
the night....lights are out....you know their in bed, sleeping and ask
them for some sandwiches, chips and some Mountain Dew? Not me! (well
maybe for a Mountain Dew!)
But Jesus is telling us in this parable to do just that. Go to
him with Boldness! I'm sure the guy in this parable didn't just knock
once. He rang the doorbell several times, Knocked loudly, after all they
were sleeping. then the guy in the house said "don't bother me" Most of
us would of walked away but the guy wanting the bread started shouting
to the guy inside the house. " I Want Bread Dude!" The outcome is....
he got what he wanted.
Sometimes in my life I've prayed for a few seconds walked away
and no answer, other times I've gone to the altar or gotten on my knees
and cried out to God until I heard him speak to me or felt the prayer
had been answered or the Holy Spirit gave me a peace. It was not a fast
food type of prayer but I really persisted and God came through for me.
Ask, Seek, Knock and God will answer!
Later,
DJ Jackson
2 Samuel 23: 11-12
2 Samuel 23 NIV
11. Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel's troops fled from them. 12. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.
I love the stories in the Old Testament, the ones like this story in 2 Samuel.
In this story Shammah, one of King David's
"Mighty Men" When the Philistines came down about 300 to 800 men and were about to raid Israel's crop of lentils all of Israel's troops fled except for Shammah. He stood his ground. He said "NOT TODAY!" and killed them all!
Sometimes you simply have to stand your ground and beat back the enemy from your place of abundance.
Your place of abundance today is your life in Christ. Satan wants to come down and steal it away from you through sin, temptation, hardships, all kinds of ways.
But we need to stand firm in our faith and the power Jesus has given us. Two of the most powerful weapons we have is God's word and prayer.
To be perfectly honest with you I don't always use them I get Lazy and comfortable and when I'm attacked through temptation, hardships', etc. I flee what I mean by flee is I sin. Other times when I'm reading God's word and in Prayer everyday I have great Victory in my Christian walk, like Shammah I have the power to fight the power to say "NOT TODAY!" to temptation or if something tragic happens I have the Faith to get through it.
I encourage you to stand your ground today! be in prayer and into God's word and fight for what Jesus has given us!
Later,
DJ Jackson
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