Posts from November 2023 (Page 2)
“Change?”
Life is confusing. (I could probably stop the devotional right here.) You wake up one day, and you’re told not to eat eggs because it’ll raise your cholesterol. The next day you’re told that they are good because of their protein, and they’ll help you lose weight. Same thing happens with coffee. “Drink it! It has compounds in it that are healthy!” The next day: “Don’t drink it! It’s killing you!” Even those of us who are older, we…
“Be a Child”
Grow up! Be a child! Huh? Yep. That’s exactly what Jesus was saying. It’s included in a discussion He was having about humility. But why? Unlike adults, children have no illusions of being in control. All the adults around them are taller, bigger, and stronger. Adults tell them when to wake up, what to eat for dinner, and whether they can watch the movie they want to watch so badly. Sometimes it may seem like children are in control,…
“Opportunity”
If you ever get a chance to, you should watch the movie Evan Almighty , if for no other reason than Steve Carell is in it (and he’s hilarious). The premise of the movie is that Evan Baxter (Carell) is a newly appointed Congressman who is approached by God, played by Morgan Freeman, and is asked to build an ark but isn’t given the reason as to why. Evan’s wife, Joan, shows much doubt about her husband’s “crazy” project,…
“He’s Still Working on Me”
“He’s still workin’ on me to make me what I ought to be. It took Him just a week to make the moon and stars, the sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be. ‘Cause He’s still workin’ on me.There really ought to be a sign upon my heart: ‘Don’t judge me yet. There’s an unfinished part.’ But I’ll be better just according to His plan, fashioned by the Master’s loving hand.…
“Showing Self Control -Fruit of the Spirit”
MAIN IDEA: Self-control is defined as having control or restraint of oneself or one’s actions and feelings. Being self-controlled is the very foundation for living a life for God. But, far too often, we lose control of ourselves and act/behave in ways that are far from Christ like. Our desires tempt us every day. The devil knows exactly how to tempt each of us to lose control. In other words, the devil knows how to push our…
“Showing Kindness-Fruit of the Spirit”
MAIN IDEA: Kindness is doing something and not expecting anything in return. In Colossians 3:12 we are told that as God’s chosen people we are to clothe ourselves with kindness among other virtues. The Bible is full of stories of kindness. I’m reminded of the four friends that brought their paralyzed friend to see Jesus so he could be healed as one of many great examples for us to follow. God wants us to show kindness to…
“Showing Patience-Fruit of the Spirit”
MAIN IDEA: Patience is defined as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset. For so many of us, this is one fruit that is very elusive. We live extremely busy lives and pack so many things into our day that one hiccup in our day starts a domino effect that pushes patience out of our lives extremely quickly. Looking to God as our example, Exodus 34:6 describes the Lord…
“Showing Peace-Fruit of the Spirit”
MAIN IDEA: In John 14:27 we read “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid”. Peace is the result of resting in a relationship with God. Peace is more than an absence of conflict. It is the tranquil state of a soul that does not fear and is content, trusting that everything is…
“Showing Joy-Fruit of the Spirit”
MAIN IDEA: In Philippians 4:4 Paul writes “Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice!” Often time joy is mistaken for happiness, but there is a definite difference. Joy is much deeper than happiness. Joy is rooted in God and comes from Him. Happiness is a fleeting thought or an emotion. Joy is knowing that our strength comes from God and that He is in control regardless of…
“Showing Love-Fruit of the Spirit”
MAIN IDEA: All this week we will concentrate on two verses written to the Galatians by the Apostle Paul. Many could recite the fruits of the Spirit mentioned by Paul in Galatians, but do we really know “how” to bear these fruits of the Spirit in our everyday lives? This week, we will highlight one of the fruits each day and give practical advice as to how you can show these fruits to others. Showing these fruits to…
“Do the Best you can”
DISCUSSION: We are always encouraged from youth to do the best you can at what you choose to do. That is good advice, but we must be careful what we choose to do. Life is full of choices. Making the right choice is not easy and many times the right choice will not be the choice we make. So the question…
“God leads us today”
DISCUSSION God gave the children of Israel physical signs (cloud by day and fire by night). This provided direction of where to go and comfort that God was with them. They often ignored that and displeased God, but God always provided them with hope and direction. Today the same God guides us with His word. He provides us with direction (straight path) and a comfort to know He is there for us. Do we often ignore His word for…