Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Matthew 6:11-12 (KJV)
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
Our Daily Bread - 08/09/06
You probably learned these verses as a young child and have often prayed them individually or recited them along with a group as ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ was read. They have become so familiar that we may miss what is being said. For that reason, let me quote them from a different translation than what is often memorized.
“Give us our food for today, and forgive us our sins, just as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.”– Matthew 6:11-12 (NLT)
LORD, forgive me, just like I forgave my co-worker who messed over me.
LORD, forgive me, just like I forgave my abusive or alcoholic father.
LORD, forgive me, just like I forgave my spouse for his or her failure.
We ask our heavenly Father to forgive us after the pattern of our own forgiveness. “Forgive me, just like I do.” As you examine your own acts of forgiveness, are they the pattern of forgiveness you want from God?
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Tuesday, August 08, 2006
HIS MOTHER'S MODEL
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby born to you will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God... Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant, and I am willing to accept whatever he wants. May everything you have said come true.” And then the angel left.
Luke 1:35, 38
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
My Utmost for His Highest - 08/08/06
When the angel announced to Mary that the Son of God would be born through her flesh, she responded, “…I am willing…”
What has your response been to the Son of God being born into your flesh?
Are you saying every day, “LORD, I am willing!” In the small tasks of my routine life, I am willing to exhibit godly holiness. When I see someone in need, I willing respond out of the abundance God has supplied me. When the pastor announces the new program or a critical need in an existing one, is your response, “Here I am LORD, send me.”
Mary modeled this kind of willingness. How about you?
Luke 1:35, 38
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
My Utmost for His Highest - 08/08/06
When the angel announced to Mary that the Son of God would be born through her flesh, she responded, “…I am willing…”
What has your response been to the Son of God being born into your flesh?
Are you saying every day, “LORD, I am willing!” In the small tasks of my routine life, I am willing to exhibit godly holiness. When I see someone in need, I willing respond out of the abundance God has supplied me. When the pastor announces the new program or a critical need in an existing one, is your response, “Here I am LORD, send me.”
Mary modeled this kind of willingness. How about you?
Monday, August 07, 2006
I COULD HAVE JUST SAT THERE
Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments against adultery and murder and stealing and coveting—and any other commandment—are all summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements.
Romans 13:8-10
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
The Upper Room - 08/07/06
I was blessed to spend this past Friday evening and Saturday at Promise Keepers in the Jackson Coliseum. The Word and the worship were a blessing. More than that was the blessing I received from my neighbor.
Among the approximately 9000 men there, I was seated next to a young boy from South Carolina, attending PK with his brother, father and grandfather. He was about 7th or 8th grade. He sang along with the music, clapping his hands and patting his feet. He was very attentive to the speakers. He appeared to be taking it all in and enjoying it.
I could have just sat there and not acknowledged him. In a crowd like that, you could get away with not speaking to your neighbor. I could have spent all my time talking with the guy on my other side who I had known for years. But no, that was not the Lord’s plan. The Holy Spirit told me to tell this young boy how pleased He was that he was there and how much he was loved. When I spoke to him, there came a beautiful smile on his face. We spent the rest of our time, smiling at each other when we heard something that touched our hearts, locking arms when we prayed … neighbors loving each other.
I will pray for my young brother in Christ who I may never see again. We come from different worlds (states, ages, races) but I am glad our paths crossed. I am hopeful that the experience was as special for him as it was for me and it will help him to see those from other worlds as neighbors loved by God.
Romans 13:8-10
TODAY’S DEVOTIONAL LINK
The Upper Room - 08/07/06
I was blessed to spend this past Friday evening and Saturday at Promise Keepers in the Jackson Coliseum. The Word and the worship were a blessing. More than that was the blessing I received from my neighbor.
Among the approximately 9000 men there, I was seated next to a young boy from South Carolina, attending PK with his brother, father and grandfather. He was about 7th or 8th grade. He sang along with the music, clapping his hands and patting his feet. He was very attentive to the speakers. He appeared to be taking it all in and enjoying it.
I could have just sat there and not acknowledged him. In a crowd like that, you could get away with not speaking to your neighbor. I could have spent all my time talking with the guy on my other side who I had known for years. But no, that was not the Lord’s plan. The Holy Spirit told me to tell this young boy how pleased He was that he was there and how much he was loved. When I spoke to him, there came a beautiful smile on his face. We spent the rest of our time, smiling at each other when we heard something that touched our hearts, locking arms when we prayed … neighbors loving each other.
I will pray for my young brother in Christ who I may never see again. We come from different worlds (states, ages, races) but I am glad our paths crossed. I am hopeful that the experience was as special for him as it was for me and it will help him to see those from other worlds as neighbors loved by God.
Friday, August 04, 2006
A GOOD REPUTATION
There was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless, a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.
Job 1:1
TODAY’S DEVO LINK
Youth for Christ - 08/04/06
What kind of reputation do you have?
Job had a spotless reputation. When things turned bad in Job’s life, through no fault of his own, his friends accused him of wrong doing despite his reputation. Job didn’t let that sway him off the path of righteous living. He continued to trust God.
As believers we can expect detractors just because we have identified our lives with Jesus Christ. When we fall (and we all stumble), the “Look … see … I told you so” crowd will be right there to shine a light on your failure. The thing to do is get back up and dust yourself off. When we fall we don’t have to stay down. We seek God’s forgiveness and restoration.
Guard your reputation so others will speak about you like the Word speaks about Job.
“… blameless … complete integrity … feared God … stayed away from evil.”
Job 1:1
TODAY’S DEVO LINK
Youth for Christ - 08/04/06
What kind of reputation do you have?
Job had a spotless reputation. When things turned bad in Job’s life, through no fault of his own, his friends accused him of wrong doing despite his reputation. Job didn’t let that sway him off the path of righteous living. He continued to trust God.
As believers we can expect detractors just because we have identified our lives with Jesus Christ. When we fall (and we all stumble), the “Look … see … I told you so” crowd will be right there to shine a light on your failure. The thing to do is get back up and dust yourself off. When we fall we don’t have to stay down. We seek God’s forgiveness and restoration.
Guard your reputation so others will speak about you like the Word speaks about Job.
“… blameless … complete integrity … feared God … stayed away from evil.”
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