Christian Daily Devotionals

by Marilyn Ehle

“If we confess our sins…”  1 John 1:9

Cameras recorded the public official’s unwise and potentially dangerous behavior. Although initially denying the gravity of the situation, his eventual public statement included these words, “I sincerely apologize for allowing myself to be placed in that situation where there’s a perception of wrongdoing”.

We might at first dismiss and decry such words as cautious “politikspeak”,  but they reveal a practice we often adopt in our own approach to confession—to both God and our fellow travelers. Frequently we couch our apologies in protective words like “I was stressed…or tired…or hungry”. “I was just doing what everyone else does”. “I never learned how to do it right”.  Or—even more wounding—“You did (that) so I did (this)".

How strikingly different was David’s response when faced with his heinous wrongdoing. “I have sinned against the Lord…I acknowledged my sin…I will confess my sin”.

To confess sin means “to agree with God”, about it, to have His view toward it. With that kind of honest confession and determination to turn from the sin comes the incredible flood of forgiveness: “…He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”.

Father, forgive my tendency toward self-justification instead of honest confession. Help me learn to understand the difference between “God is love, BUT God hates sin”, and “God is love, SO God hates sin”!

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/15/me_lost-art/

_________________________________________

follow us on Facebook

follow us on Twitter

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 Marilyn Ehle

Turning around, Jesus saw them (two of John’s disciples) following and asked,
“What do you want?”  John 1:37

They were obviously religious men, quite probably those who knew the old prophecies and longed for the coming of the Messiah. They were followers of this strange prophet named John the Baptizer, the one called of God to prepare people for the coming of the Christ.

And then one day John pointed out Jesus passing by and said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” Our English translation does not do justice to their importance. I do not believe John simply glanced over on the road and, noticing Jesus, casually commented, “Incidentally, that one I’ve been talking about? You might be interested that he’s just over there.” We know that on the prior day, John had first pointed out Jesus with the same words (John 1:29-34), even giving personal witness to how God affirmed that Jesus was “God’s Chosen One.”

The two men who evidently were honestly seeking after God still needed to hear the question: “What do you want?”  Jesus took the initiative to help them look more deeply into their own hearts, to examine their motives, and perhaps even get a glimpse of what following Jesus might mean.

Their response to Jesus may seem odd to us, but it is very possible these two knew that the deep longings of their hearts could not be addressed with a mere roadside conversation. They needed a place of privacy and uninterrupted time to reveal their deep needs and to personally hear Jesus’ responses.

“What do you want?” God poses that same question to each of us and we, too, need to retreat into a time and place secluded enough to hear His answers.

So often I do not know what I want; I only know there is a longing that gnaws at my heart. Thank you for your Spirit who will not leave me alone but continually asks, “What do you really want?” And then you welcome me into your presence.

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

follow us on Facebook

follow us on Twitter

By Marilyn Ehle

“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance”.  Matthew 3:8

It’s cold today in Colorado; the high temperature is predicted to be only six degrees F. There is a chill even here in our cozy home where I am surrounded by the effects of a functioning furnace and a cup of hot tea. But I was brought up short this morning while reading these words of St. Teresa of Avila:

Christ has no body now on earth but yours;
No hands but yours;
No feet but yours…
Yours are the feet
With which He is to go about
Doing good;
Yours are the hands
With which He is to bless now.

Are my hands doing all they can to meet the needs of those shivering in today’s cold? Could God be leading me to do more than give my bag of groceries monthly to the agency which feeds and clothes the urban poor? Does He want me to do more than pray?

John the Baptist cried out, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance”. Perhaps he is speaking to me.

“Father, thank you for all you provide for me, but help me be sensitive to the needs of those with so much less. Help me not only hear your words but take action so that I literally use my hands and feet and resources in your name”.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/27/me_his-hands/

_________________________________________

follow us on Facebook

follow us on Twitter