Christian Daily Devotionals

By Marilyn Ehle

“If you live in my presence…pure in heart and action…then I’ll back your kingly rule over Israel, make it a sure thing on a solid foundation…”
"As Solomon grew old…his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God…" 1 Kings 11

In many cultures it is assumed that a head of white hair indicates wisdom. Silver-haired men and women are honored, their words given full attention. Several years ago my husband decided to grow a beard but was dismayed when it grew in more gray than brown! This was definitely not the image he desired, but he soon discovered unexpected and positive results. At the time his work involved meeting with leaders of many African countries and with his now mostly gray beard, they treated him with new respect.

Solomon was a rich and happy man. God blessed him with more material wealth than we can imagine. He ruled his country with wisdom and neighboring countries bowed to his power. But this haunting description of Solomon’s latter years arrests our attention: “As Solomon grew old…his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God”

We who have lived many years stand warned. Without vigilant attention to heart attitudes, without growth in the spiritual disciplines, without nurture of relationships with family and friends, we will merely age, not grow. Neither the passage of years nor a head of white hair guarantees wisdom. No, old does not necessarily equal wise.

Father, help me never be satisfied with status quo but to truly seek after you, living a life constantly open to seeing you with new eyes and following you into new paths.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/10/me_old-not-wise/

by Sylvia Gunter

I don't know your story and you don't know mine, but we share a common theme. We are driven by the search for true identity, a desire to be understood and appreciated for who we are. We have longing to seek out something more. Those are not evil desires. God gave us the desire to seek the essence of who he created us to be, so that he can fulfill it.  He created the thirst so we can enjoy the Living Water.  Unfortunately, we spend a lot of time and energy looking everywhere else but to him for that fulfillment.

In Jeremiah 2 God paints a picture of how his people loved him like a bride loves her groom, full of passion and complete in their devotion to him. But their hearts changed. In Jeremiah 2:13 God says that his people have forsaken him, the spring of Living Water, and have dug their own cisterns. They are looking for fulfillment in all the wrong places. You can hear the Father's grieved heart as he lays out their behavior before them and then ends with "How's that working for you?"

My heart sinks as I see the areas in my life where I have chosen to find identity in my own cisterns, rather than drinking the Living Water. We too easily revert back to our own cisterns that can hold no water. Look at the cisterns in your life. What seemed like such a good source of legitimacy suddenly pales in comparison to true legitimacy found in God. That is why it is critical to meditate on the truths of who God is and who we are in Him until it sinks down deep into our spirit, soul, and body. John Calvin wrote in The Institutes Of The Christian Religion, "It now remains to pour into the heart itself what the mind has absorbed. For the Word of God is not received by faith if it fills the top of the brain, but when it takes root in the depth of the heart." Calvin is urging us to take deep drinks of the Living Water of who he is and what we have because of who he is:

He is Jehovah-Jireh (provider).
Genesis 22:14 Abraham called that place The LORD Will Provide.
You can be sure he sees and knows your every need.
Matthew 6:8 Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

He is Jehovah-Rophe (healer).
Exodus 15:26 I am the LORD, who heals you.
You are being renewed.
Isaiah 40:31 ... those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength...

He is Jehovah-Shalom (peace).
Judges 6:24 ... and called it The LORD is Peace.
You have life and peace.
Romans 8:6 ... to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

He is Jehovah-Nissi (banner).
Exodus 17:15 Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner.
You are led in Christ's triumph.
2 Corinthians 2:14 Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ...

He is Jehovah-Rohi (shepherd).
Psalm 23:1 The LORD is my shepherd...
You are his well-tended sheep.
Psalm 100:3 We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

He is Jehovah-Tsidkenu (righteousness).
Jeremiah 23:6 This is the name by which he will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
You are free from the law of sin and death.
Romans 8:2 Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

He is Jehovah-Shammah (THE LORD IS THERE, Ezekiel 48:35)
Matthew 28:20 Surely I am with you always...
You are continually with God.
Psalm 73:23 Yet I am always with you...

Stop and allow these truths to sink deep into your spirit.  You may "know" these Scriptural facts, but now really receive their truth deeply in your spirit where your legitimacy, identity, significance, and birthright are defined by God.

Remember whose you are... and who you are in him!

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/09/sg_whose-you-are/
_________________________________________

follow us on Facebook

follow us on Twitter

by Vonette Bright

“Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come”.  2 Corinthians 5:17

Ruthless violence!   Lavish lifestyle!  Those words once described Jorge Valdes (HORE-hay val-DEEZ) a former Columbian drug lord.

His recent message to drug policy makers, ambassadors and top military officers in Washington, D.C., was surprising.  He spoke of “coming clean” and finding a new life through a dramatic personal encounter with Jesus Christ.  Even the FBI agents who tracked and jailed him agree he’s truly been transformed by Christ.  Amazing!

You may think you’re without hope … that you’ll never change.  But the Bible says otherwise.  The Bible assures us:  “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”.

Cling to that truth today, dear one.  Christ can transform you.  Ask Him to.  Trust in Him alone.  And say goodbye to that old self-serving you.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/08/vb_new-creature/

By Katherine Kehler

“You are the salt of the earth. . .”  Matthew 5:13

"Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."  Mark 9:50

After I read these verses during my Quiet Time one evening, I began to think about the reasons for salt being good thing.

1. Salt enhances the flavor of food,
2. Salt is used to preserve meat.
3. Salt is used to thaw ice.
4. Salt is a water softener.

So how can we apply these “salty” things to our lives because Jesus said we are the salt of the earth?

We can enhance our surroundings. For example our behavior must be based on Biblical values—integrity, truthfulness, peace, joy and love. Our yards and houses can set a standard of excellence and enhance the neighborhood.

We can preserve by being there to help neighbors, co-workers and family when they need someone to comfort them (be like a healing ointment).  We can share the gospel
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/4laws/law0.html with them so they can come to know the power of Christ within them.

We can melt icy relationships by being kind and loving to those around us even when they are cold to us.  In time they will melt. Love never fails.

We can soften the world around us by smiling and being gentle and kind.  We must make an effort to be friendly to all people—regardless of their race, religion, color, or lifestyle.

So, let me ask you, are you a salty Christian? Are you a nice person? Or have you lost it?  You can become a salty Christian again by repenting and asking the Lord to be in control of your life http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/biblestudies/spiritfilledlife.htm once again.  He will produce salt in your life.

Father, thank you that when you ask anything of us you will always provide the resources. We love you—enable us to love others like you do.  Amen

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/07/kk_salt/

_________________________________________

follow us on Facebook

follow us on Twitter