Christian Daily Devotionals

By Francis Frangipane

"How blessed is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion! Passing through the valley of Baca, they make it a spring". Psalm 84:5-6

Baca means "weeping." Each of us has times of weeping when our hearts and hopes seem crushed. Because God has placed in our hearts "highways to Zion," however, we pass through valleys; we do not live in them.

"Passing through the valley of Baca…" Once we are on the other side of weeping, our Redeemer makes our valley experience into "a spring." The very things that overwhelmed us will, in time, refresh us with new life. Whether we are experiencing the height of success and power or are in a valley of weakness and despair, the Lord is our God continually!

Has the enemy isolated you, causing you to doubt God's love? Do not forget, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Even the hairs on your head are numbered. He cares. It is His love for us that redeems our hardships and not only brings good out of what was meant for evil, but also trains us to deliver others.

How did Jesus prepare to do wonderful works? Part of His training involved suffering. Christ was a man of sorrows. He was One who was acquainted with grief. Yet His suffering was the Father's means of acquainting Him with the actual feelings of mankind's need and pain. Because He suffered what we suffer, He is able to serve as a faithful high priest. If we yield to God's plan for Christ to be formed in us, God will take our sorrows to enlarge our hearts. Once we have been acquainted with grief, we then can be anointed with compassion to deliver others.

Thank You for redeeming the conflicts of my life. I praise You for healing me and causing me to forget all the trauma of my past. Now Lord, help me to remember what I have learned. Cause me to remember that the crises in my life always precede the enrichment of my life. Help me to recognize that the place of my fruitfulness is in the land of my affliction. In Jesus name. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/12/ff_zion/
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by Vonette Bright

“For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one;
he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.”
Psalm 22:24

Susie Davis loved God with all the enthusiasm of a bubbly child.
But then at fourteen, she saw a fellow student shoot and kill their teacher in front of the entire class.
The incident left her feeling abandoned by God.
And that sense was far more frightening than the violence she witnessed.
Susie admitted, “On the outside I was very Christian in my behavior and attitudes,
(But) deep in my heart, I was fearful and sad.”

Meanwhile, she prayed to understand God’s Word.
She read in Psalm 22 the reference to Christ on the cross.
Jesus, in the midst of suffering and feeling abandoned, recognized His Father’s perfect will.
When Susie acknowledged God’s holiness, healing began to take place.
She once again trusted God.

Friend, you may feel far from the Lord, but God never abandons you.

Loving Your Man Without Losing Your Mind (Regal Books) by Susie Davis www.susiedavisministries.com

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/12/vb_not-abandoned/

by: Margaret C Mullings

I will war for you when you are weak
and can't go on.
Giving to you renewed strength.

I will war for you when people
are slandering you, with words
and assassinating your character

I will war for you, that you will
not get stuck in the mud.

I will war for you maintaining your integrity
for you were born to win, to soar above
the storms of life.
Yes I will carry your pain, humiliation
and all of your shame.

I will war so that you will live above sin.

I will war for you to continue to display
My love, embracing each hurting soul
whose path you cross, in spite
of the false accusers.

I will war for you, fighting your battles
giving to you the victories, and ushering
you into My presence where you will find
joy beyond measure.

I will war for you, you are my Choice Vessel
whom I have chosen, to display my love
to a hurting world filled with pain.

I will war for you, I love you so much
that I sacrificed My only Son Jesus Christ
to die in your place
so that you can live daily abundantly
free from the ravages of sin.

Always remember Jehovah Gibbor will arise
to war for you, through Jesus Christ
your Intercessor, your High Priest.
The Lamb who died for you.

Signed: Your Abba Father who loves you
unconditionally!!!!!!

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/11/mm_war-for-you/

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By Roderick Marshall

And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 
Matthew 14:28-29(ESV)

My wife Caroline says sometimes I am too soft with Zoë, my 18 month old, which in truth I am. However, it has been demonstrated, when Caroline has gently said: no, Zoë stops straight away - almost, once she has realised there is not going to be a change in the final outcome! Zoe is growing in trusting our judgment. OK, so there may be the occasional episode of a head-bang on the floor to show frustration – and Zoë does the same sometimes too!  !:>)}

She can now shuffle down the stairs, with the aid of a helping parent to keep her safe. However, I am not averse to offering a “carry” every now and then, despite her weight, just for the joy of having a bundle of love and friendship up close for a moment before she runs away again.

I beckoned to her the other day that I would carry her, so she ran out of the bathroom, straight across the landing, and out into the fresh air above the second step of the stairs, and straight into my arms. She was so fast that I had to use all my strength; I guess she dropped three or four inches, trusting in my embrace, as I reached out for the fulcrum of her out-stretched arms. I was a little taken aback, but she knew nothing of my alarm! She only knew with certainty: dad would catch her, and he did.

I believe Jesus delights in us today, especially those who come to Him with the same childlike faith rushing forward with determination. Whatever our situation, He will always receive us as we run towards Him.

If He commands it today, are we confident enough in our relationship with Jesus to step out - in body, mind, and spirit - to take that all important first step?

PRAYER: LORD, Your love for us is more than we comprehend: despite worldly appearances and lies from the Devil, because bad things happen to us here on earth. Your Love for us is eternal.
Forgive us when we doubt Your love for us, or the capacity that You have to catch us when we fall, hold us close when we are down, or lift us up when no one else will, in Jesus’ name, amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/11/rm_catching/