Comments on: Stronger Devo #5

By: Angie Hipps

Angie Hipps — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:46:41 +0000

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.”

By: Angie Hipps

Angie Hipps — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:46:00 +0000

By: Davis Hipps

Davis Hipps — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:07:29 +0000

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!

By: Davis Hipps

Davis Hipps — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:07:00 +0000

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!

By: tonya

tonya — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:17:56 +0000

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!

By: tonya

tonya — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:17:00 +0000

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!

By: Theresa

Theresa — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:13:00 +0000

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.

By: Theresa

Theresa — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:13:00 +0000

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.

By: Danice

Danice — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:54:41 +0000

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.

By: Danice

Danice — Sat, 19 Jul 2008 05:54:00 +0000

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.