Christian Daily Devotionals

by Alec Niemi

'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD Almighty.’ Zechariah 4:6

Some years ago while we were living in the Gulf Islands, in British Columbia, my brother Tim helped me landscape our yard. I was trying to move a wheelbarrow full of rocks. It was quite heavy and I should have waited for help but I didn't. I grabbed the handles of the wheelbarrow, lifted, leaned forward, pushed with all my might, lost my footing and drove my face right into the load of rocks. A few scratches, a bloody nose and injured pride!

We were building a rock garden had to move several large rocks. Some were very heavy and it took both of us to lift them and some we would just roll into place. I was trying to roll one of the heavier rocks and it wouldn't move. Then Tim said, "Let me try." I had visions of him doing the same thing I had done with the wheelbarrow the previous day because he had to take a similar stance. He grabbed hold of the rock, lifted, leaned forward, gritted his teeth, shouted, "praise the Lord anyway," and rolled the rock into place.

I have always remembered this and whenever I am struggling with something that seems heavier than I can handle I quickly say, "praise the Lord anyway."

My prayer for you this week:

"I pray that you are always 'praising the Lord anyway', acknowledging that in all things it is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord Almighty. Amen."
Zachariah 4:6

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/20/an_praise-anyway/

by Alec Niemi

We are told that there are things that accompany salvation (Hebrews 6:9). The things that accompany salvation are probably innumerable. Here are but a few.

Abundant life – John 10:10
Being sanctified – 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Christ in us – Colossians 1:27
Deliverance from the power of darkness – Colossians 1:13
Eternal life – 1 John 5:11
Forgiveness – 1 John 1:9
God being for us – Romans 8:31
Hope – Acts 24:15
Illumination – Hebrews 8:1
Joy and peace – Romans 15:13
Knowing the things God has freely given – 1 Corinthians 2:12
Learning Christ – Ephesians 4:20
Married to Christ – Romans 7:4
No condemnation – Romans 8:1
Our names written in Heaven – Luke 10:20; Hebrews 12:23
Peace with God – Romans 5:1
Qualified to partake of the saints’ inheritance – Colossians 1:11-12
Righteousness, peace, and joy – Romans 14:17
Strength in the inner man – Ephesians 3:16; Romans 8:11
Taste of the Lord – 1 Peter 2:3
Understanding eyes – Ephesians 1:18-19
Victory in overcoming the world – 1 John 5:4-5
Whole armor of God – Ephesians 6:11-18
Extra ordinary miracles  – Acts 19:11
Yearning heart of the Lord – Jeremiah 31:20
Zeal for the Lord – Roman 12:11

What a joy when our hope is in Christ!

My prayer for you this week

Creator God, thank-you for making the unchanging nature of Your purpose very clear to us by confirming it with an oath. You did this so that, by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for You to lie, we who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek. Thank-you, in Jesus name, Amen."  Hebrews 6:17-20

Have a great week

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/18/an_gods-gifts/

by Alec Niemi

My readings for today included the 23rd Psalm. It is probably the most used passage in the Bible. On one of my mission trips into the Ukraine I took a scientist with me to speak to a group of leaders. When he got up to speak he simply rephrased the 23rd Psalm, read it and sat down. I was a bit shocked at first but then had one of the other speakers close with a gospel presentation. Many leaders prayed that day, accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. What a blessing and what a lesson.

And so my prayer for you this week is the 23rd Psalm as he rephrased it.

The LORD is your shepherd; you shall not be in want.
He makes you lie down in green pastures,
he leads you beside quiet waters,
He restores your soul.
He guides you in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
You will fear no evil,
for He is with you;
His rod and His staff,
they comfort you.
He prepares a table before you
in the presence of your enemies.
He anoints your head with oil;
your cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow you
all the days of your life,
and you will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.

Amen!!!

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/05/an_psalm-23/

by Alec Niemi

As a Pastor I quite often get requests to bless many things including homes, babies, jobs and even a child's kitten once.

From a Biblical perspective a blessing is an indication or a mark of God's relationship with an individual or a select group of people. When a person or group is blessed it is receiving God's grace upon them. When I do a prayer of blessing I always pray for the individual, be it in of the home, the child, the actions of the individual at the job or the child who holds the kitten, praying for a right relationship between them and God.

From Genesis on we are told of God blessing His people. - All the nations on earth will be blessed through Abraham and his offspring. "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." Genesis 22:18

Their blessing came because they obeyed. We too shall receive God’s blessing but we must remember that we too have a responsibility.

Here are ten directives showing that God's grace upon us is 'His' response to 'our' actions.

Obey God’s word -Jesus speaking... "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it." Luke 11:28

Do God’s bidding -"The man who looks intently into the Perfect Law that gives freedom and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it -- he will be blessed in what he does." James 1:25

Rely on the Holy Spirit -“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.”  Matthew 5:3

Be a comforter -“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

Be submissive to the Lord -“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5

Seek righteousness -“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6

Show mercy -“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” Matthew 5:7

Be a 1 John 1:9 Christian -“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” Matthew 5:8

Be a peacemaker -“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9

Be righteous -“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.” Matthew 5:10

My prayer for you this week

"Heavenly Father, Creator God, thank you for your many blessings, help us to not walk in the council of the ungodly, or stand in the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful. Our delight is in your law and in your law we meditate day and night. Help us to be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth fruit in its seasons, whose leaf shall not wither; and in whatever we do, by your grace, may we be blessed. In Jesus name, amen." Psalm 1:1-3

Have a great week

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/01/17/an_blessings/