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Weekly Devotionals  |
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Good News DailyVolume VIII Sunday, November 30 When we take the time to look back over our life and see how the Lord has masterfully arranged people, events, and circumstances to get us to today, we can see how His hand has intentionally and patiently guided our lives (using both the wonderful and difficult times). Born in California, I would never have met my husband in Florida if my parents had not divorced and moved us here. He kept His promise and His timing was perfect—although I could not see. He has been at work for thousands of years, and intimately involved with millions of lives just like ours. It’s just the problems of today, and our own sense of urgency, that causes us to grow impatient and frustrated thinking that God is not hearing us or doing anything about that which concerns us most. It’s important to step back and trust this verse—God does hear us and is working things for our good in His timing. We simply have to learn to trust His promises and His timing. Isaiah 1:1-9; Psalms 146, 147; Matthew 25:1-13 Monday, December 1 As we begin a new week, this is such a great reflection for us to consider whether we are living our lives this way: Is our work produced by faith (or by a dreaded sense of duty)? Is our labor prompted by love (or simply to get by and survive another week)? Is our endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (or do we persevere without much joy or hope)? What is the difference that Jesus Christ makes in our lives—is it evident to others? How can we live our lives reflecting that our work is produced by faith (in our Lord and Savior), our love is prompted by love (for Him and everyone around us), and our endurance is inspired by hope (that God is in control and He is good)? Lord, as we walk and live with you this week, help us to increase our faith, love, and hope so that they are more evident in our lives and the world around us. Isaiah 1:10-20; Psalms 1, 2, 3; Luke 20:1-8 Tuesday, December 2 I love the humanness and earnest cry of these versus. David gives us such a wonderful example of going before God with our heart and even our sighing. David is direct and honest with God and persistent—morning by morning. To grow in our relationship with God, it is important it is for us to daily seek His face, daily cry out to him, and daily honor and thank Him. I also love the verse: “I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” What a wonderful statement of trust and faith. Lord, I share what’s on my heart and wait in expectation—not hope, not maybe, not if—but in expectation that you will answer. I want to be like David’s, who was known as one after God’s own heart. I believe it was in David’s daily walk and relationship that God was pleased—morning by morning. Isaiah 1:21-31; Psalm 6; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12; Luke 20:9-18 Wednesday, December 3 There is a profound truth in Jesus’ answer: Give to God what is God’s. Everything is God’s! When I step back and consider Jesus’ response and the implications for my life, I must remember that everything belongs to Him. It is not my house, my job, my children, my life, my money. God has graciously given these to me to care for over a short period of time. When I take control over these things, I experience a burden of responsibility and a frustration because I can’t make them do what I want. When I release them back to God who owns everything, I can see my life as being a steward of His things and children, and live in gratitude and with responsibility to care for whatever He has given me. We are truly rich with God’s blessings. Lord, forgive us for taking ownership of that which is rightly yours. Help us acknowledge that everything truly belongs to you, and to live as grateful and faithful stewards of what you have graciously given to us. Isaiah 2:1-11; Psalm 119:1-24; 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 Thursday, December 4 Does my love for others increase and overflow? Or am I critical of what they are not doing right and irritated when they don’t respond as I want? If I look back over the last year, has my love for others increased? This can be a spiritual barometer in our lives, and can also be humbling when we realize that our love falls short in many relationships. I know the Lord sends people into my life who are difficult to love to stretch my capacity to love. The second part of today’s verse is convicting as well, as it speaks of being holy and blameless—which is not an easy task—and it relates these things to a strengthening of the heart. A daily regimen of love towards others and love towards God will strengthen our hearts; and love will be able to follow more freely, which will also help us become more holy and blameless in the presence of God. How can your love increase and overflow for others today? Isaiah 2:12-22; Psalm 18:1-20; Luke 20:27-40 Friday, December 5 What an amazing parable, giving God everything you have to live on. Can you imagine writing a check for everything in your savings account and giving to God? What total trust and complete surrender. Several years ago, as I was starting my business, I told God that I was worried because our savings were being depleted and that was our “security.” “That’s the problem,” He said. “I want your security to be in Me alone.” That time for us was a hard, but important, lesson of surrender and trust—and He did provide. He calls all of us to completely surrender to Him—with our finances, hopes, fears, and our very lives, as moldable and soft clay in the hand of the Potter. Jesus’ parables are there to stretch our thinking to consider new depths in our walk with Him, to give Him more (and all) of our very lives. Like the widow, have you given Him all that you are? Or is there something in your life that is your security, rather than Him? Isaiah 3:8-15; Psalms 16, 17; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 Saturday, December 6 Sobering verses and amazing that Jesus stated these very words while He was on this earth—talk about relevancy for our lives today! He told us that these would happen and added the important reminder “do not be frightened” He knew that today there would still be wars and revolutions, earthquakes and famines, but assured us that this is not unexpected from God’s perspective. I am comforted by Jesus’ words and reassurance that thing are not “out of control,” but under the watchful loving eye of our God. He will ultimately bring all things to a glorious conclusion for those who trust in Him and seek to live holy lives before an awesome God who is more powerful than anything happening in our world today or tomorrow. Lord, help us not be frightened by all that is happening in our world today, but to trust you alone and hold onto your word and promises of truth and hope. Isaiah 4:2-6; Psalms 20, 21; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 by Mary Tomlinson Used with permission from the BIBLE READING FELLOWSHIP |
