Alternatives

Devotion:  Whenever I’m angry, hurt, disappointed or frustrated it is easy to turn into those feelings and embrace them to the fullest.  But what would happen if instead I turned to Jesus?

Prayer:  Thank You, Jesus, for allowing me to turn to You to receive forgiveness, comfort, healing and peace – alternatives to my negative emotions.

Poem: Here’s a simple poem to encourage us to turn to Him .

Returning

You are the One, Jesus
in whom we delight
new covenant creator
awesome in our sight,
You come to us
as a refiner’s fire
purifying by Your love,
compassion and desire.

“Return to Me, and I will return to you.”  Malachi 3:7

To Fear or Not to Fear

Devotion:  In his book “The Genesis Process”, Michael Dye reveals an aspect of fearing God that I’d never considered before.  God told Michael, “Whatever you fear, you give power to and will control you.”  That is why God tells us “do not fear” while at the same time telling us TO fear Him.  He knows His control will be benevolent and beneficial.

Prayer:  Jesus, thank You for loving us so much that you tell us to fear You.

Poem:  Taking Heed

I try to bargain with You
thinking I’ve done no wrong
but it doesn’t change a thing

for You are God
Father, Spirit, Son
to be feared with trembling.

Scripture:  “You have wearied the Lord with your words; yet you say, “In what way have we wearied Him?”  Malachi 2:17

Knowledge

Devotion:  As I wrote “Better Is One Day: Getting Down to Business With Daily Devotions” (available at http://www.publishamerica.com) I often emailed my friend, Colleen, with questions and just for support.  Wise and full of knowledge, she’s my own personal resource person!

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus for the special teachers, pastors and friends you place in our lives who carry the wonderful knowledge of You.

Poem:  Here’s a simple poem of encouragement to all those who share Him with us in their own special ways!

Special Messengers

Thank You, Jesus
for the ones
who keep knowledge
on their tongues,
who know You
and how to share
with us who seek
Your heart in prayer.

“. . .For he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts . .”  Malachi 2:7

Time Management

A friend sent me a book, The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management by Hyrum Smith.  I began reading it, not too sure I would be able to apply it though.  What I didn’t figure on was God stepping in to talk to me about my time and how I use it!

Jesus, please change me and rearrange me to use the time I have in the ways You want me to.  Thank You for the peace You give when I do.

Here’s a simple poem to encourage us as we give our time to Him.

Heart to Heart

What can I do
but give glory to You
for all that I have
You’ve given?
What can I say
that doesn’t turn to praise
to You, Jesus, for this life
I’m livin’?

“He walked with Me in peace and equity. . .”  Malachi 2:6

My Best

I’m not a perfectionist and whatever work I do would never pass for “great.”  Is it okay to be this way or does it reflect a deeper problem?

Jesus, let me not be afraid to be and do my best for You at all times, knowing You will see and accept it for what it is .  . .all my heart, mind,  soul and strength loving you.

Here’s a simple poem to encourage us to give God our best.

Reverence

What have I offered to You, unblemished
or even brought to You of late,
without slipping into the thinking
that You’ll understand, that You can wait?
Oh Lord, let me bring to You
whatever I possess
in honor, fear and trembling
may I give to You my best.

“If then I am the Father, where is my honor?  And if I am a Master, where is my reverence?”  Malachi 1:6

Looking Forward

With more snow in the forecast, it’s hard not to look forward and dream of warmer temperatures and green grass!

Jesus, thank You for promising to come again and set things right, giving us so much to look forward to.

Here’s a simple poem to encourage us as we look forward to His coming.

In The Day

As we look  forward to Your coming
when all things melt away,
please help us to stand steadfast
and be found in You, I pray
accounting to You salvation
in peace and without blame
giving all honor, praise and glory
to Your holy righteous name.

“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look  for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”  2 Peter 3:13

Temptations

We’ve learned not to leave our food unattended here at home.  The temptation is too great for our cats to resist.

Lord, when temptation surrounds us, please remind us  that You always know exactly how to deliver us and will surely make a way.

Here’s a simple poem to encourage us when we’re tempted!

Deliver Us

Just as You saved Noah
one of only eight
when the waters rose
and Your judgment was great,
and from Sodom and Gomorrah
You rescued Lot,
please deliver each of us
from the temptations we’ve got.

“. . .the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations. .  .”  2 Peter 2:9

No Slacker

For two Mondays in a row, a friend waited and watched for someone to arrive, but this person never showed up for the planned meetings.  The next Monday my friend no longer waited or watched, figuring the other person’s interest must have slacked off.

Jesus, we thank You, knowing You are no slacker, but will indeed come when the Father says it’s time.

Here’s a simple poem to encourage us as we wait!

Reasons

Thank You for the reminder
that You’re not slow to come
but willingly wait
as our Longsuffering One,
not wanting any to perish
but all to repent,
claiming You as Savior,
the Son of God, heaven-sent.

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise . . .”  2 Peter 3:9

Fruitful Growth

As I baked cookies to share at clay class, I followed the recipe closely, adding one ingredient after another.  If I left anything out the finished product wouldn’t be as good.

Jesus, thank You for giving us a recipe for a faith-filled fruitful life!

Here’s a simple poem to encourage us to grow in Him.

Add-ons

To this precious faith You’ve given
we can add and grow
virtue and to virtue knowledge
to knowledge self-control,
to self-control perseverance
then godliness, kindness and love
for with all of these being nurtured
we’ll bear the fruit that we’ve dreamed of.

“Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus Christ our Lord.”   2 Peter 1:2

Catching

When around someone who’s excited and happy, those emotions can rub off on me.

Lord, I pray that as I spend time with You today, Your very nature will rub off on me.

Here’s a simple poem to help us absorb more of Him.

By His Righteousness

Thank You for Your divine power
that gives us grace and peace,
for the knowledge of You and of all things
that make this life so sweet,
for Your great and precious promises
that call out to us each day,
willing us to be partakers
of Your glorious and holy ways.

“. . .His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness . . .”  2 Peter1:3