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This is the last devo in the stronger devotional series. Despite my best attempts it’s just as long as the others. ;) (You can read the passage online here.)
Enjoy!
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I have enjoyed this series of devotions so much. Please leave them up for a while as I would like to do some revisiting. My favorite verse is 1st John 1:9 ” if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just ot forgive us our sins, and cleans us from all unrighteousness.” Just want you to know I am here and have received a blessing.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
Isaiah 12:2
Thanks, Pastor Tony, for all that you have done.
Funny you should ask – I found these last night to put in my index cards that Beth Moore suggests using in the Believing God Bible Study…
Psalm 94:19 – When doubt filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.
Ephesians 3:20 – Glory be to God! By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.
The verse I actually keep printed out and use as a bookmarker in my bible is one we looked at this week…
2 Peter 1:5-8
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
When I am discouraged this verse always helps to lift me up because it gives me the promise that if I am “making every effort” then it will keep me from “being ineffective and unproductive”…a fate that is worse than death for a Christian.
Thank you, for the week of devotionals. I have been looking forward to each devotional daily the way I normally anticipate the arrival of the mail. I have learned something applicable to my life everyday.
I am drawn to Romans 7; specifically verses 18 through 20, which deals with victory over sin by the power of Christ. The passage makes it clear that as Christians there will be times when we don’t behave Christ-like or choose to follow God’s path. However, through Christ there is forgiveness and redemption. Romans 7 is written so well that I really feel the struggle between good and evil that is being communicated.
I’m here! Can’t get the video to play without locking up on me. I’m not sure what’s wrong with the computer. Hopefully, Jonathan can fix it for me. Be back to listen to the rest later.
I never realized that heaven was more real than the earthly world. What a great prize to work toward! It really puts your problems in perspective. Our problems are all temporary as they are all of this world. I look forward to accepting the challenge to allow God permeate every area of my life. Here are the verses that have helped me through the tough times I’ve had lately:
No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. 1 Corinthians 2:9
My grace is sufficient for you. For my power is made perfect in weakness.
2 Corinthians 12:9
I have heard your prayers and seen your tears. I will heal you. 2 Kings 20:5
The verse from this mornings scripture that I am focused on is “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.” The Lord gives us the strength to forgive other people. Whether you have had a big or a small injustice done to you by someone else, forgiving them follows if you have the love of God in your heart. Don’t get caught up in every little thing that someone else does or says to you, but instead focusing on following God’s will for our lives – love other people.
The scripture that has been coming to my mind over and over again the last few weeks is John 13:1-17. This is the scripture where Jesus washes the feet of his disciples and teaches humility and the importance of having a servant’s heart. I think a lot of unhappiness can come from focusing on what other people should be doing for you, and even on what you have to do for other people but do not want to. I want to focus not on what I need but on what I can do for other people. I want to live with a servant’s heart, finding joy in showing God’s love through humility and service.
Okay. It’s Saturday night and I’ve just finished the 5th Devotional(and I am so GLAD I did). I find the concept of wearing your “Christian suit” (aka your “new nature” v. 10) so interesting. It is truly a choice of whether or not you will walk the walk. You have to make a conscientious decision to get up EVERY DAY and live a “Christ-like” life.
I’ve written down verses 12 – 15 in my journal. I think I’m going to create a laminated card to take with me to remind me to forgive others, not be judgemental and to “clothe” myself “with love”. It’s amazing that when you get angry or frustrated that it’s so easy to totally ignore what these verses are telling us to do. I think I’m slowly getting better at this as I get older, but I sure do have a LONG way to go. Yikes. I pray that I might receive the message from these verses and keep them forever in my heart.
Ok, so basically I need to stop whining about the past … and move toward a GLORIOUS future. Then I will be able to do what God has chosen for me to do.
My promise verse is Romans 8:26-27. I love that when my mind is jumbled and I am unable to express myself to God, the Spirit will intercede for me. I find great comfort in that.
Also, 2 Timothy 1:7 is very meaningful to me. How grateful I am that God has given us a spirit of power, and love and self-discipline.
Thanks Pastor Tony. This was a great week of devotions!
I really loved this passage, especially clothing ourselves in all those things like mercy, kindness, humility, etc. Especially love. Our clothes are not only the things that keep us warm and comfortable (in other words, we get benefit from them), they are also the main things people may notice about us. Hope this isn’t stretching the analogy too far, but people certainly notice when you aren’t wearing clothes, especially if you’re a Christian! The clothes mentioned here are what we as Christ-followers should be showing to a watching world, and they are what non-believers are looking to see if we have.
As far as promise-verses, I like Matthew 6:31-33(NIV) – “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
I like the NIV on this because of the phrase “and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.” I makes me think of how my kids don’t worry about those things. They take for granted that we’ve got food and clothes for them, and I just hear God saying, “Don’t worry, I’ve taken care of all that.” Good to know. Especially sustaining during the slow months since I work on commission!
Awesome stuff, Tony! Thanks for these fantastic devotionals. A promise that I have been clinging to for a while (that your dear wife encouraged me with) is Philippians 2:13. “For God is working in [me], giving [me]the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him.”