DEVOTION - FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2011

FRIDAY, MAY 6, 2011

“KNOWING OUR NEED”

BY

BOB COY

READ GENESIS 2

Have you ever thought about this particular passage in God’s Word? Why did God bring the animals to Adam to name them? Couldn’t the Lord have named them Himself, just as He named Adam? Of course He could have—so why didn’t He?

When we read on, it becomes apparent that God created both a male and female of each animal (so they could reproduce), and that He brought both of them to Adam to be named. We can discern this because the very next verse tells us that through this process, Adam became aware of the fact that he had no “helper” or mate:

So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him. (Genesis 2:20 NKJV)

How did he notice he didn’t have a companion? Because every bird and beast had a companion—but he was without. God put Adam in a position to see that he was alone. And in doing so, He gave Adam insight into a particular area of need in his life. Now he knew and understood that he needed a companion.

So how can we integrate this insight into our own lives? Oftentimes, it’s as we’re alone with the Lord that we’re able to identify our real needs. When our lives are inundated with human interaction, with the expectations and pressures they place on us, it’s very easy to lose sight of what our truest and deepest needs are.

But when we’re alone with God, as Adam was, we begin to see what matters most and are able to order our lives accordingly.

Think About It…
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make?
What is my prayer for today?

DEVOTION - THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2011

THURSDAY, MAY 5, 2011

“STRENGTH”

BY

DR ED YOUNG

He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the LORD Will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary. - Isaiah 40:29-31

Sometimes we experience soaring, excitement and hum-drum—all in one day! We’re up there with the eagles, then running with the sprinters, but later we fade to a wearied lope. What happens to the body need not occur in the soul, but what happens in the soul can energize the body. “Waiting on the Lord” is assuring His wings are under us before we leap into the sky. Running is dashing into the day with the anticipation of God’s faithfulness for all our challenges. If we wait on Him, soar on Him, run in Him, we will walk home at the end of the day energized for the next.

DEVOTION - WEDNEDAY, MAY 5, 2011

WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, 2011

UNDERSTANDING YOUR ROLE IN CREATION”

BY

JACK GRAHAM

By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 3:19

I heard about a little boy who was learning about this verse in Sunday school one day. So he was having his prayer time with his mom on Sunday evening and asked her, “Mom, is it true that from the dust we were made and to the dust we’ll return?”

His mother looked at him and said, “Well, yes, son, it’s true.”

His eyes got a little bigger and he said, “Well, you better look under my bed because there’s somebody under there either coming or going!”

God made you and me. And anything we are, anything that we’ve accomplished is because God is working in us. You are made in God’s image. In your heartbeat is the echo of the heart and life of God.

And while some tell us that we’re all related to the animals, it’s abundantly clear that we’re created differently than the animals! God created you as the highest of all the creation. Your soul is of infinitely more value than all the possessions this earth put together!

So don’t let the world lie to you and tell you you’re just a cosmic accident that appeared out of some sludge on the ground. Remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made in God’s image!

GOD CREATED YOU IN HIS IMAGE. SO WHEN THE WORLD TELLS YOU YOU’RE INSIGNIFICANT, REMEMBER WHO MADE YOU AND WHOSE IMAGE YOU BEAR!

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2011

TUESDAY, MAY 3, 2011

“IN THE BALANCE”

BY

BAYLESS CONLEY

1 Thessalonians 5:15 is a powerful verse that speaks to everyone,

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Notice the apostle Paul makes sure no one is excluded.  That means you can't get out of this.  You are either a "no one," or an "anyone" in this verse!

Paul's point about pursuing what is good for both yourselves and for all can be looked at two ways.  First, he could be talking about the worshiping community as a whole.  His point:  Pursue what is good for the church, but also for all those outside the church.  You need to think of the welfare of the church and the community in which you exist.

On a more personal level, Paul could be speaking to the need for you and I to weigh how our words, our actions, and our pursuit of that which is good for us affects others.  I have to weigh that in the balance.

While a certain thing may be good for me, I need to think of how it is going to affect others.  It is not just about pursuing what is good for me, even if it is something I deserve.  I need to ask, "How it is going to affect others…my spouse, my kids, my friends, my church, my neighbor."  I have to factor that in.

Many times people pursue something and they defend their position by saying, "Well, it's time for me to start thinking about myself.  I deserve this.  This is good for me."

Well, this verse allows for that.  In fact, it admonishes you to pursue what is good for you, but it adds the proviso "and for all."

Eagerly pursue the things that are beneficial for you, but also that which is good for others.

DEVOTION - MONDAY, MAY 2, 2011

MONDAY, MAY 2, 2011

“AN EXPLANATION OF TRIALS”

BY

ALISTAIR BEGG

The path of the Christian is not always bright with sunshine; he has his seasons of darkness and of storm. It is true that God's Word says, "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace"; and it is a great truth that faith is calculated to give a man happiness below as well as bliss above. But life confirms that if the experience of the righteous is "like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day," sometimes that light is eclipsed. At certain periods clouds cover the believer's sun, and he walks in darkness and sees no light.

There are many who have rejoiced in the presence of God for a season; they have basked in the sunshine in the early stages of their Christian life; they have walked along the "green pastures" by the side of the "still waters." But suddenly they find that the glorious sky is clouded; instead of the promised land they have to endure the wilderness; in place of sweet waters, they find troubled streams, bitter to their taste, and they say, "Surely, if I were a child of God, this would not happen." Do not say that if you are walking in darkness. The best of God's saints must drink the bitter potion; the dearest of His children must bear the cross. No Christian has enjoyed perpetual prosperity; no believer can always keep his heart in constant tune.

Perhaps the Lord gave you in the beginning a smooth and unclouded path because you were weak and timid. He moderated the wind on account of your weakness, but now that you are stronger in the spiritual life, you must enter upon the riper and rougher experience of God's full-grown children. We need winds and tempests to exercise our faith, to tear off the rotten branches of self-reliance, and to root us more firmly in Christ. The day of evil reveals to us the value of our glorious hope.