Christian Daily Devotionals

by Vonette Bright

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart”.
Psalm 37:4 (NIV)

Shirley’s life was one hurt after the other.  Two divorces and the challenges of a blind son had left her aching to be happy.

One day as she read the Bible verse: “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” she decided to do exactly what it says.  Delight in the Lord!  She began praising God—no matter what happened.

The car wouldn’t start.  Praise God.  Her boss was unreasonable that day.  Praise to You, Lord.

It wasn’t long before the “desires” of her heart began to change.  Did she suddenly have a wonderful marriage?  A son easy to rear?  No.  She discovered the joy of God’s love and His “blessings” on her life—despite the circumstances.

Dear one, delight in the Lord.  He will give you the desires of your heart.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/18/vb_delight-yourself/

by Max Lucado

“He lets me rest in green pastures.”  Psalm 23:2 (NLT)

For a field to bear fruit, it must occasionally lie fallow. And for you to be healthy, you must rest. Slow down, and God will heal you. He will bring rest to your mind, to your body, and most of all to your soul. He will lead you to green pastures.

Green pastures were not the natural terrain of Judea. The hills around Bethlehem where David kept his flock were not lush and green. Even today they are white and parched. Any green pasture in Judea is the work of some shepherd. He had cleared the rough, rocky land. Stumps have been torn out, and brush has been burned …

With his own pierced hands, Jesus created a pasture for the soul. He tore out the thorny underbrush of condemnation. He pried loose the huge boulders of sin. In their place he planted seeds of grace and dug ponds of mercy.

And he invites us to rest there.

Question: Do you need to slow down, and rest for awhile in God’s green pastures?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/17/ml_for-the-soul/

**************************************************************

Max Lucado
Copyright [W Publishing 1998, 2001]
Used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/info/view/about_max_lucado/

By Vonette Bright

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come"! 
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Television commercials couldn’t be more clear!  The message is almost always, “It’s all about you”!  And for a product—that’s the greatest sales strategy.

Gwen’s life was pretty much on that same track.  It was about her career.  Her possessions.  Her priorities.  But you know what?  It didn’t make her happy.  No.  In fact, she grew more and more discontent.

But when Gwen’s friend Leah introduced her to the Lord—the change was incredible.  Her friends noticed it immediately.  She began to truly care about them.  To reach out in friendship.  Even her facial expression “beamed” with a new-found joy.

Dear friend, there is true contentment.  And it’s all about knowing and sharing Jesus.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/14/vb_about-god/

By Dr. Bill Bright

"I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears"
Psalm 34:4 (KJV)

Susie seemed outwardly to be a well-poised, lovely young wife and mother with everything under control. She was active in her church and attended other Christian gatherings during the week. But secretly she was filled with fear from which psychologists and psychiatrists with whom she consulted were unable to set her free.

She became very discouraged and depressed. "What can I do"? she asked through her tears. "I have everything to live for and no real reason to be afraid, but my days are consumed with worry and dread and fear, as I anticipate all kinds of evil things happening to me, to my husband , to my children".

"Do you believe that God in heaven has the power to remove your fears, Susie"? I asked.

"Yes, of course," she replied.

"Do you believe He loves you"?

"Yes, I believe that."

"Do you believe He wants to remove that fear from you?" And I read her the above passage.

We turned together to 1 John 5:14, 15: "If we ask anything according to God's will, He hears and answers." This is the promise that every believer can claim whenever there is a command or another promise. I asked her if she would like to join with me in a prayer of faith that God would deliver her according to this promise.

Together we prayed, and though there was no immediate, dramatic deliverance, with the passing of days God set her free. Day after day she claimed by faith this and other promises from God's holy, inspired Word.

Are you plagued with fears? Are your days consumed with worry? Saturate your mind with God's truth - God's supernatural promises - and begin to claim by faith this supernatural life which is your heritage in Christ.

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:1-7

Today's Action Point: At the first sign of a fear in my life, I will commit it to the Lord and trust Him for deliverance, and I will seek to help others whose hearts are filled with fear. I will seek to introduce them to the Prince of Peace - the God of all comfort.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/03/13/bb_deliverance