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Daily Devotions: Making the Most of Today
July 16th 2013 by Beth Farrah
Daily Devotions: Making the Most of Today
Submitted by
Beth Farrah, SMT Writer
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. —Psalm 118:24

Today you were handed from God 24 hours to live life to the fullest. That's 1,440 minutes or 86,400 seconds. Sometimes we get so busy and distracted we miss the fact that each rising sun brings new opportunities and adventures on this planet we call Earth.

God gives us one new day at a time so that we aren't distracted by the future or paralyzed by the past. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Make the most of today.

Enjoy God's gift to you. You can accomplish a great deal with the 1,440 minutes in a day. Today, stop and take advantage of all that God has provided for you. Here are a few suggestions:

Tell someone you love him/her.

Write a kind note to a friend.

Stop and enjoy the sunset.

Take 20 minutes of the 1,440 you have today and talk to God.

Memorize this verse: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalm 118:24.

1. Rewrite Psalm 118:24 in your own words.

2. What attitude does Psalm 118:24 say we should try to have about each new day that God gives us?

Psalms 70:4 NKJV
(4)  Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; And let those who love Your salvation say continually, "Let God be magnified!"

Last Updated on July 16th 2013 by Beth Farrah
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/upb5/Daily-Devotions-Making-the-Most-of-Today


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Daily Devotions: The Living God
July 07th 2013 by Beth Farrah
Daily Devotions: The Living God

Submitted by

Beth Farrah, SMT Writer

“If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which He hath testified of His Son.” - 1 John 5:9

I’ve been asked, “Do you expect me to believe in Jesus Christ just because your book says that He lived? That’s not enough for me.”

I agree. You need something else. If you want to know who Jesus Christ is, ask the Holy Spirit.

God says, “If you want to believe, I will help you to understand and to know that these things are true.”

Don’t tell me that you cannot believe. You may refuse to believe, but I will tell you this. If you want to believe in Jesus Christ and if you seek Truth, God the Holy Spirit will speak to you and confirm to you that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Read Deuteronomy 4:29—

“But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find Him, if thou seek Him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”

Do you want to know the living God? He is there if you seek Him with all your heart. God gives us more than we deserve and once you know him, one of the many beautiful he gives to us is freedom.

2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV

(17)  Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

When you think of the word “freedom,” what comes to your mind?

Most people automatically think of a physical freedom. They think of being able to go anywhere and do anything they want. Or they think of the first amendment of our country’s Constitution.

But true freedom, which is the freedom we have in Christ, is much more important than the physical freedoms we think of. When we live our life outside of God’s priorities for our life, we will soon find ourselves locked up in the cages of sin.

Think about your life right now. Have you been taken captive by an over-stuffed schedule or by a consuming debt due to your desire to live outside of your means?

If so, chances are that your priorities are out of order. Jesus came so that we could be free from the bondage of this world. Surrender your priorities to God so that you can celebrate your true freedom in Christ today.

 

Prayer

Lord, it is so easy to fall into the bondage of mixed up priorities. Sometimes, other things can seem more important to me, but help me to remember that true freedom is only available through my obedience to you. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.


Last Updated on July 07th 2013 by Beth Farrah
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/up9b/Daily-Devotions-The-Living-God


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Daily Devotions: The Road to Happiness
June 25th 2013 by Beth Farrah
Daily Devotions: The Road to Happiness
They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." —Mark 9:33-35

We live in a self-absorbed, self-centered world. That's why there is so much unhappiness in the world. It seems to me that happy people are others-centered people and that unhappy people tend to be I-centered. The Bible constantly challenges us to be a servant, to think of others rather than ourselves. Albert Schweitzer was a person who knew a lot about serving. He was a missionary doctor in Africa for years. Here's what he had to say about becoming a servant.

“I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know—the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.”

If you've been feeling unhappy and unfulfilled lately, perhaps it's time to take an evaluation of your life. Are you I-centered or others-centered? Your decision will affect your destiny. The road to happiness is the road of service.

1. What two things do Mark 9:33-35 tell us we must be if we want to be first?

2. In what ways are you a servant of all? Ask God to give you opportunities to be a servant today.

Mark 10:45 NIV
(45)  For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
 
Philippians 2:3-5 NIV
(3)  Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,
(4)  not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
(5)  In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Last Updated on June 25th 2013 by Beth Farrah
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/up7m/Daily-Devotions-The-Road-to-Happiness


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Daily Devotions: Lord I Love You But...
June 17th 2013 by Beth Farrah
Daily Devotions: Lord I Love You But...
Hebrews 6:9-12 NKJV
(9)  But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner.
(10)  For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
(11)  And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
(12)  that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
 
Most of us are quick to declare our love for God, but at times our reluctance to serve Him tells a different story. 

Honestly consider whether you have ever found yourself saying or thinking, I love you, Lord, but don't call me to do that! 

Or perhaps you served Him, but with a flawed attitude: If no one else will do it, then I guess I will. 

What causes us to be reluctant servants?

Busyness: Sometimes our schedules are so full that there's no space to follow the Lord when we hear Him calling us to minister in a certain area. We all need "margins" in our lives if we want to abide in God's will.

Inadequacy: Perhaps you feel unqualified to serve, and you're thinking, Surely there's someone more gifted who could do that job. But that's just an excuse; the Lord promises to equip those He calls (2 Cor. 3:4-6).

Selfishness: Sacrificial service is never convenient. It may require that we change our plans, give up our comforts, or even make financial sacrifices.

Lack of love: This is the hardest for us to admit—that we just don't care enough. Our reluctance to serve others reveals a lack of devotion to the Lord. Those who love Christ with all their heart will joyfully serve Him by ministering to those in their families, workplaces, communities, and churches.

Are you quick to follow the Lord's leading when a need arises, or are you a reluctant servant who's preoccupied with your own plans and desires?

Any service we offer in Jesus' name will not be in vain. You'll experience the joy of giving and the assurance that the Lord won't forget your sacrifice.

Luke 8:48 MSG
(48)  Jesus said, "Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you're healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!"
 
As a young man in the first few years of my lifelong journey with Jesus, someone taught me a prayer which I have never forgotten. It is a prayer every person can pray — indeed, a prayer every person must pray.

But, I must warn you....it is a dangerous prayer. It is simple, yet profound; specific, and yet comprehensive. It contains both a humble plea, as well as an audacious faith. This prayer is not likely to be prayed by people who are ambiguous about pleasing God, and it certainly would never find voice among those who are always concerned about pleasing man.

Nevertheless, it is a prayer that must be prayed.

But, it is dangerous. Dangerous because it is irreversible; it will most certainly be answered by God, even though at times you'll wish you'd never prayed it. Once He hears this prayer rise from your heart, the inevitable answer is set in motion – and all future cries to the contrary will fall as duds to the floor.

OK. I've given you fair warning. You now proceed at your own risk. I must caution you, however, that merely reading this prayer can be misconstrued by God as you actually praying it. So if there is any measure of cowardice in you stop right now! Do not proceed!!

But for those who are faithful and courageous, and who hunger for God to use your life to make a difference in this world – here's the dangerous prayer:

Lord Jesus, do in me anything you need to do, so that you can do through me everything you want to do. Amen.

Those who take this risk and trust Jesus with their lives, will find healing and wholeness over the course of their great adventure; they will live well, and be blessed in every way. And that, my friend, is worth taking the risk.

Last Updated on June 17th 2013 by Beth Farrah
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/up6p/Daily-Devotions-Lord-I-Love-You-But


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Daily Devotions: What Is Success?
June 06th 2013 by Beth Farrah
Daily Devotions: What Is Success?

Submitted by

Beth Farrah, SMT Writer

Romans 12:1-2 NKJV

(1)  I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

(2)  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

You’ve heard it said, “The one who dies with the most toys wins.”

Is that success? Having your dreams come true? Getting all you want? Earning enough money so that you never have to work again? Is that what it is all about?

May I tell you what success is? And I say this without equivocation. Success is the progressive realization of the will of God for your life. That’s what it is.

It’s not how much money you have. It’s not how famous you are. It’s not how healthy you are. It’s not how many friends you have or how many toys you have acquired. Success is nothing more, nothing less, than the progressive realization of the will of God for your life.

Do you want to know God’s will? Do you want your heart’s desire to come true?

What does God require of you? Read Micah 6:8.

Micah 6:8 NKJV

(8)  He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?

What is God calling you to do? Read Psalm 37:4.

Psalms 37:3-9 NKJV

(3)  Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

(4)  Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

(5)  Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.

(6)  He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, And your justice as the noonday.

(7)  Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass.

(8)  Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; Do not fret—it only causes harm.

(9)  For evildoers shall be cut off; But those who wait on the LORD, They shall inherit the earth.


Last Updated on June 06th 2013 by Beth Farrah
https://showmetimes.com/Blogpost/up4n/Daily-Devotions-What-Is-Success


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