Christian Daily Devotionals

by Bethany Hayes
________________________________________________________________________________________

“Be still, and know that I am God.�?  Psalm 46:10a

With summer here, the stormy winter and chilly evenings of recent months have quickly been forgotten.  One morning, however, my heart felt like a lingering storm.   Numerous needs – my own and others’ – were crashing in on me like an unexpected whirlwind. 

Casting these burdens on the Lord, I was suddenly awakened to a scene quietly unfolding outside my window.  Like a fitting backdrop, tall fir trees lining our neighbor’s fence stood motionless, being what they were created to be.  Without a word, early summer flowers were telling of their Creator’s faithfulness and love for beauty.   Soon, a sparrow entered to complete the picture, not planting seeds or gathering food into a barn, but happily discovering and enjoying what our heavenly Father had provided for him.  This hushed scene struck me with its peacefulness – a sharp contrast to my stormy heart.

Distracted by this stillness, my thoughts turned to a particular storm in the lives of the disciples – one in which their Maker slept on a pillow.  The disciples weren’t sleeping.  With an unexpected storm crashing in on them, their lives were in turmoil.  But when they woke Jesus, He commanded the stormy winds and waves to be still.  And they obeyed.

Creation busies itself by resting in its Creator’s authority and by obeying the same command given to us:  “Be still, and know that I am God.�?  (Psalm 46:10a)

He is God.  And that’s all we need to know to be still.

Father, Thank you for rest promised to those who remember that You are God.  Knowing who You are, we seek Your strength to be still.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/07/04/bh_stillness/

By Sylvia Gunter
___________________________________________________________

I am writing you today to let you know I am thinking of you. Actually, I am always thinking of you, because you are the apple of my eye. I created you unique and special. There has never been anyone else in the history of the world like you, and there never will be again. You are perfectly accepted in my beloved Son. You are never alone. You are hidden under the shadow of my wings. As you start your day today, I want to remind you that you are who you are because of who I am.  

You are secure. 
Deuteronomy 33:12 Let the beloved of the LORD rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long...

I am your defender and defense. 
Zechariah 9:15 (NKJ) The LORD of hosts will defend them.

Your life is hidden with Christ in God. 
Colossians 3:3 ... your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

I am your hiding place. 
Psalms 32:7 You are my hiding place...

You are lifted out of the depths. 
Psalms 30:1 You lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

I am your burden-bearer. 
Matthew 11:30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

You are clean. 
John 15:3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

The blood of the Lamb cleanses you from sin.
1 John 1:7b The blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

You are refined by fire. 
1 Peter 1:6-7 ... your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-

I am your God, a consuming fire. 
Hebrews 12:29 Our God is a consuming fire.

You are my handiwork. 
Ephesians 2:10 We are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus...

I am your Creator. 
Ecclesiastes 12:1 Remember your Creator in the days of your youth...

You are encouraged. 
2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts...

I am your comforter. 
Isaiah 51:12 I, even I, am he who comforts you.

You have a place prepared for you. 
John 14:2-3 In my Father's house are many rooms... I am going there to prepare a place for you.

I am your dwelling place through all generations. 
Psalms 90:1 Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.

You are a friend of God. 
John 15:15 I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

I am your friend. 
John 15:14 You are my friends if you do what I command.

You have rest in me. 
Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ... you will find rest for your souls."

I am God of stillness. 
Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God.

You know all things work for good. 
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God...

I am good. 
Psalms 100:5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever...

You abide in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit. 
2 Corinthians 13:14 May the...fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

I am the Holy Spirit. 
Ephesians 2:13 You were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit.

You are mine. 
Isaiah 43:1 Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

I am the I AM. 
Exodus 3:14 "I AM WHO I AM ... say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.'

You are an heir of all things. 
Galatians 4:7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.

I am your inheritance. 
Ephesians 1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance...

You are not lacking wisdom. 
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally... and it will be given to him.

I am your teacher. 
Psalms 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go...

Your days are ordained by me. 
Psalms 139:16 Every day ordained for me were recorded in your book before one of them came to be.

I am the keeper of your times. 
Psalms 31:15 My times are in your hands...

(http://www.biblegateway.com/)
         
With love from,
your Abba

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/01/18/sg_beloved-child/