Happy Saturday! Here is today’s devotion! March 6, 2021 gloryinthemorning.com
I can’t help but think of how much we owe to the Holy Spirit and His guidance, so today’s devotion is to encourage us all to stop and think on how great He is! He’s a best friend:) He sets our minds on heavenly things when the world vies for our attention. He cheers us on when we are on the right track and makes us know when we are on the wrong track. He tells us all we need to know or need to hear again. He fills us with all we need. He is totally satisfying!
I choose You, Holy Spirit, forever:)
I Choose You
Freely flowing love is glowing. Fill Me Lord with Holy Fire. Make your home a light in me. Help me do what you desire.
The world can’t fill me though it’s tried. Dark can’t light a needy soul. I choose you and you alone , For only You can make me whole.
I love you Spirit, Father, Son. The world has nothing good to give. I’ll give you glory all my days. As in your light I’ll daily live.
Today’s devotion comes from something the Lord is urging me to explore in my own life. I hope it speaks to you as well. The Christian life is all about being led by the Spirit. When we ask God to lead us, we do so because we trust His guidance more than our own. We know He knows best. We know He wants our best. We know He can do all things that we cannot. We know He answers every call to Him.
But still, we try to lead ourselves. Why do we do that sometimes? When I am writing, my deep desire is to be led of the Spirit. There is just something special about letting God give you words and ideas. But sometimes, I go off on my own “great” idea, only to delete the whole thing and start over because it was all me and not what God led me to. Who do I think I am anyhow?:) A successful writer or successful Christian life depends hugely on daily seeking God’s influence. I say this often and mean it. I am only what God makes me. We cannot be what God makes us if we have already made ourselves. He wants in on the project from the get-go.
We need to be led because that is what God wants. When we submit our life to Him, we are giving Him full control of our lives and saying, “God lead me.” Simply put…we crave to be led by Him whom we love with our whole heart. From our perspective, we think we can make pretty good plans on our own, but we need to want the future that God wants for us. We see around us and we see the visible. God sees every direction and the invisible and even into our future. He is perfect, so asking for and following His lead will take us exactly where He wants us to be, to do what He wants us to do. And He can do way more than we can even imagine!
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20 NIV
The more we let Him, the more He will lead. It really is up to us, trusting Him enough to let Him lead,, more and more and more. Because we are human, we do not always get it right, but constant time in the Word and prayer…God honors that seeking time and guides us. He desires for us to keep seeking Him and desiring Him as leader, day after day, year after year. It honors who He is. Our leader is the Holy, all-powerful, all-knowing, eternal Father who created us! That still blows my mind! He, God almighty, knows us!
This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. Isaiah 48:17
We need to be led so God’s will gets done. Do we want the very best life we can live for Him? If so, that means letting go of our will and purposefully, daily, asking Him to lead us to His will. Whatever we can accomplish for Him, He will lead us to it. Not only that, He will give us what we need to accomplish it. He will equip us to do His will. He will give us a passion to do His will. That’s how I think pastors thrive in a very tough calling. God gives them His passion for people and and equips them with all they need for building His kingdom. That’s so cool! They depend heavily on God, as we should.
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10 NIV
Doing God’s will is more than just saying the Lord’s prayer or going to church several times a week, soaking in wisdom. (as I used to think!) It is a constant, daily, earnest grappling with the amazing reality that God knows our name, abilities, desires, habits, everything. And He wants to use all of us to further His kingdom. He wants to use His creations, that He made for a specific purpose, for that purpose. If only us humans would stop more often and marvel that the one Holy God can use us. It is a very humbling reality and an amazing one.
Dear Father,
We love You. We want Your will more than we want ours. Show us where we are doing well and where we need to submit more in our lives. It’s hard being human and lining up to meet Your will, especially when we have certain ideas of how our future should look. Work on us, Lord to become purer and more like You. We ask that You do that work in us because we can’t do it ourselves. We are only what You make us. It’s all You, Lord, and that’s okay with us. We give You all the glory! Amen
Have You ever wondered what God’s plan is for your life? Have you, like me, wondered if you are becoming the real you He meant you to be? Reading the Bible and praying is the best place to meet God to talk to Him about it…or…to LISTEN to what He speaks into your heart. My husband and I are joining our church soon and we are so excited for the future of the church and our roles in leading others to Christ. We wonder if we are fulfilling our purpose for God already or if He has something else for us.
For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13 NIV
One thing we do know…before we accept what God wants me to do, we have to choose what kind of person we want to be. Despite a painful past or ongoing trials, we have a choice to make. Do we want to be positive or negative? If we are psoitive, how can God use that for His good and the good of others? This is a poem about deciding to be a Positive Me. The power of our choice can determine our entire future.
Positive Me
I am more than what happens to me. I absorb pain and see healing, but I am neither a sponge, nor am I a doctor. I am more or less who I choose to be inside. I am me.
I am less than what I want to be. Though I reach up and travel far I am neither a ladder, nor am I an airplane. I am more or less, who I choose to be inside. I am me.
Life’s ups and downs may toss me around but once I’ve landed, I can choose to what extent it shapes me. I choose the better path. I will be God’s child, positive, kind. I will be grateful me.
Dear Father,
You made us and know us better than we do ourselves. You think we are capable of things we have not even realized yet and may never realize without Your help. We are Yours; we want to be what You can make of us. Please shed light on what You want us to be, even if it is something uncomfortable or scary. We know that in You, we can do amazing things that reach other people. Guide us to be more others minded with a focus on how we can lead them to You. We ask these things in You most precious and holy name. Amen.
Isn’t it the cutest thing when you see a baby taking his or her first steps? Even as they wobble unsteadily, trying so hard to master walking and they fall a time or two, a parent is still proud of each step. It shows they are growing stronger and wanting to be more independent. It is a milestone that is the beginning of other milestones. The child will continue to learn new ways of moving and exploring, but all within the care of the parent, less they get hurt trying to do something they are not ready for yet.
I love the beautiful relationship between a loving parent and child. It is so precious a bond with endless possibilities for adventures and memories. Our relationship with our heavenly Father is like that! He is so happy when we take our first steps towards Him. Just like a parent, He is waiting for us to walk to Him on our own and then grabs us with all of His love and hugs us for a job well done. He is excited for our adventures and memories to come.
He knows what we are capable of and what we are not. He will steer us, if we let Him, away from harmful things, but will also lead us onto areas where He knows we will be okay by leaning on Him. As His children, we trust Him to lead us safely. We know He loves us. We may go through times where we are TOO independent and want to do things our way, but He is always there, giving us the choice of asking Him to help us. And you know what? He always loves for us to ask for His help!
For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak but you are strong; this we also pray for, that you be made complete. 2 Corinthians 13:9
Today, though we are adults, I think it is helpful to remember that we are God’s children, not fully mature but always growing into ourselves that He wants us to be. We will have many adventures, good and bad, but He is always there to go through every single day with us. What a Father! It makes me sad that some do not know the Father and feel very alone. It is our job to tell them about how great our Father is and what He does for His children. He never leaves His children. We have nothing to fear!
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 13:6
Just as we are happy to see our own children mature, we still love when they need us, reach out to us, ask our opinion on something. The Lord is no different. He loves when we reach out to Him it acknowledges our dependence on Him. He also knows our future and wants to help us mature into it. Comparing our own parent-child relationship to ours with the Father, makes me love Him even more! He takes such good care of us:)
Dear Father,
Thank You for reminding us that You are doing for us what we do for our children. We love You for how You parent us. You are our cheerleader for things we are doing for You, our comforter when we go through trials and our fount of knowledge and wisdom on how to mature in You. You are our everything and we love You! Please, as You guide us, give us opportunities to reach out to others who need You. Give us courage and words to say that will be what they need to hear. Help them to see where our hope lies and want that too. We ask these things because we know You will help us accomplish Your will as You grow us up into maturity. Amen
Normally, I wake up wondering what God will show me, but today is different The Lord has already laid something on my heart awhile ago and I will try to express it in a way worthy of Him. I have been thinking it is a tough thing to write about and have honestly avoided it! Three things about sin…
1.Anyone can sin and has sinned. We are not immune just because we are Christians. Yes, we are a holy people seeking after God, who alone can keep us holy, but we have a selfish nature that, when fed, can lead us into sin. I can sin. You can sin. The pastor can sin. People sitting in church can sin. If we love God, we are a target of the enemy! We need to know it is possible for Christians to sin, so that we will not choose selfish paths that the enemy suggests to us.
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. James 1:14 ESV
2. The enemy tells us what we want to hear. He will tell us we deserve more than what we have. We will be happier if we have more. We deserve more attention, more freedom, we deserve more power and the list goes on. Because more will always make us happier, right? Nope! It is a lie. Every day we need to be on guard because one thing is for sure. He will lie to you today.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV
3.Less is more. When it comes to staying holy, like Jesus, less is more. The enemy says, More is more, but it is a lie! A life with Jesus is all about surrender, because if we surrender more, we have more room for Him! Unknowingly the world’s view and desires and habits can stick to us. We sometimes don’t know we are carrying those things, so we need to surrender daily to the Lord, asking for His protection and guidance in our day. Less of the world is a good thing. Less really is more, because God has a surrendered heart to work with.
We are more than what we can purchase or make ourselves. We are what we allow God to make us.
When we learn that God allows what He allows in our lives, for His own good and perfect reasons, we become unburdened of expectations and labels of the world, and our striving is only toward Him.
Dear Father,
We can be stubborn sometimes, especially me, and it takes us awhile to realize just how much You love us and plan things for our own good. Help us to see that all things are Yours to control and that trusting You, no matter our circumstances, brings true peace. Make us into what You would have us be. Disciple us so that we can help others live a holy life in this world. We certainly have no hope of doing that in our own strength. We love You and ask these things so we can honor You more and guide others to You. Amen.
Thank you for reading. This was a tough write. It’s taken me years to understand some of these things, and I have more to learn. Aren’t you glad God takes the time to hear our prayers, teach us and Father us, for years and years? He is truly a GOOD Father! Love and prayers to you all. I pray you have a great week in the Lord!
Who doesn’t love new clothes? When our old clothes have faded or torn or do not fit anymore, and we are the most in need, we appreciate getting new clothes. Sometimes our clothes represent our culture or personality. Sometimes we wear very bright colors and festive outfits. In other countries, the clothing can make people look very different from us. In America, anything goes, so at times we all look very different. At other times we may look very much the same as someone else because we are wearing the latest trend. Sometimes we choose mew clothes just because we want to look different, better.
We choose a clothing of sorts when we choose Christ. We want something better than value in outward appearances. He changes our inside appearance and makes us a new person with a fresh start! As Christians, we put on faith clothing! When we come to Christ, we become a daughter or son of the King so we put on faith that identifies us as His child. I love this verse that tells us who we are in Christ:
Your baptism in Christ was not just washing you up for a fresh start. It also involved dressing you in an adult faith wardrobe—Christ’s life, the fulfillment of God’s original promise. In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ. Also, since you are Christ’s family, then you are Abraham’s famous “descendant,” heirs according to the covenant promises. Galatians 3:25-29
We adopt a new faith based on how the Lord has changed us, not on the outside, but on the inside. We look like our brothers and sisters in Christ because we wear the same faith clothing. We have a relationship with the King now! We are His family and each other’s family. We are inheritors of the promise to Abraham. We are all connected!
Don’t you love meeting new brothers and sisters in Christ? I do! One of the reasons I find it so special is, I realize we are not as different as we appear outwardly. We are not as different as the world would have us believe. Matters of fashion or outward appearances start to matter less and less, because we connect at the heart. We are unified by Christ and with Christ and in Christ. We are one.
Dear Lord,
You are such a good Father. In so many ways, You let us know how loved we are. Thank You for Your plan to make us Your sons and daughters. As we meet other sons and daughters, let us truly treat them like family, because they are. As usual, You have shown us something so precious today. Thank You for each new day that we can learn or re-learn something valuable in Your Word. We are only what You make us. We love You so much! Amen
Although I have read the verse below many times, it spoke louder to me today. Our own comfort is very important to us. We treat ourselves well. We have units to heat or cool our homes so we are not too cold or hot. We have that same luxury in a car. We like our furniture to be comfortable and luxurious. We have dishwashers and robot vacuums and automatic coffee makers to do our work for us. Some of us have drivers or nannies or housecleaners. Nothing is inherently wrong with any of those, BUT can we be more RIGHT in how we use these things?
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV
Our ultimate soul comfort comes from God. In affliction, He sends strength for the journey. In confusion, He sends light. In ill health, He sends healing or peace. In distress, He abides with us and helps us navigate our way. He applies any comfort He has to us. He is the “Father of Mercies.” Don’t you love that description of Him?
We think we deserve comfort because we work hard and want to enjoy the fruits of our labor. I do not disagree, but I do think there is more to this life than MY comfort. God comforts us, not just because He has lots to give, but because He cannot help but give. It is in His character. He loves us and wants to give us what we need. That is who He is and He cannot change.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 ESV
How can we apply that verse to who we are and what we have? 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 above says that God comforts us so that we can comfort others with His comfort. If God allows us to be successful or comfortable, I do believe He expects us to share that comfort with others. even those who did nothing to deserve it. We did nothing to deserve God’s comfort, after all, except we asked for it.
I hope I am not stepping on anyone’s toes any harder than I am stepping on my own. I honestly believe that we are supposed to share whatever we have with those that need it, because comfort is meant to be shared. If we have to get a little uncomfortable giving away things we can use, because someone else needs them more, then it is a blessing that we can do so. It IS better to give than receive.
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ Acts 20:35 ESV
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom. 5:8)
Dear God,
Thank You for this reminder this morning that we are meant to share the comfort You give or allow us in this life. Help our hearts to see that we are striving, not just for ourselves, but for others’ comfort. This is an uncomfortable way of thinking, but we know You can help us sort it out to Your glory. We want to reflect Your character and what better way than to give to others out of the blessings You have allowed us. Help us, help me to be okay with being “uncomfortable” if I do nothing. We want to represent You in this world, so please guide our hearts and desires to act out of what we see in Your character. We love You so much! Amen
I jotted down this little poem/song after church one day because I was so moved that Jesus saves us and renames us as His. When we ask for forgiveness, He makes us a brand new creature in Him! I feel like this is what He says to us:)
Verse: Bring to me your broken self, sick and ill of heart. Bring to me your sin, But don’t come to me in part. Give me all of you, everything you hold. Bring me all you’re tired of. Come into the fold.
Chorus: And I will make you new, take away your burdens and your sin, make in you my likeness deep within. And I will restore you. I implore you. Broken’s not your name anymore. You’re a bloom and you are mine to adore.
Dear Lord, You still do miracles every day. Help us not to forget the miracle You did in our lives, many years ago, for some of us. Renew our hearts with that fervor for You. Help us to reach out to those around us that feel broken. Give us words and love that they need from us. Help us point them to you, like someone did for us.We want to do Your will, no matter what it is. We love You so much! Amen
Love and prayers to all, Just me. Just His. Tina
Just a few lines that came to me one Sunday when I was thinking of how Jesus loves us when we come to Him with all our brokenness and admit we need His help.
Thinking is one thing I do a lot of. Being a planner and part-perfectionist, I drive myself crazy considering all possible alternatives to a plan. After I have mulled them all over, I finally choose my direction. At least to start out with. If that direction doesn’t work, I go to Plan B. My reasoning is that only by thinking very hard about something can I come up with the best possible solution. I will admit that can be a heavy burden to bear, that all of my thinking has to have good results. You know what kind of thinking is easy to do and ALWAYS has good results? Thinking about good things!
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Philippians 4:8
Of course, we need to think about what needs to be done in our lives and how to handle it best. But when I read Philippians 4:8, it seems to say to me…If you plan on doing lots of thinking (and I do), think on good things for awhile. Thinking doesn’t always have to be about problem-solving, but praising the true problem-solver. How much would my life change if I took ten minutes a day and did nothing but think of all that’s Good, God.
Let’s call this a faith exercise. I will do this too. How about we set a timer, go to a quiet, alone place and do nothing but think how great God is! Mentally list all that He has done for yourself and others. Think of how awesome He is to love us with all of His abundant love. Think about how much love that is! Think about anything that deserves praise. Let it fly. Do not open a book, check your phone or email until the timer goes off. I am starting now. See you in ten minutes. I just sent my puppy to the basement with my husband so I can focus. Ok, Tina, think!
Wow…That felt way longer than I thought it would be, but what a wonderful time of praise! I kept expecting the timer to go off, so I almost got distracted. Thinking on good, happy things about our Lord brings peace. I felt closer to my Savior the more I praised Him for who He is and what He has done and for loving me as I am and saving me. Having no distractions made the time seem longer, more purposeful and fuller and of better quality. That is how prayer should be, full and rich with praise. Not once did I make any plans or think of my to-do list! Was this your experience too? Thank You, Lord, for this!
The Lord is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation; this is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:2
Dear Father, Holy God,
We exalt You. We lift up Your name to be praised above every other name. You not only have done great things for us but You answer us when we pray for others! You cannot help but be good. That is who You are. We praise You for all of Your plans, whether our human mind can understand them or not. We trust You and know You love us. We will try to spend more quality time meditating on how awesome You are, when our schedule gets hectic or trials threaten to take us down. You are faithful and excellent! We love You. Amen
Love and prayers to everyone. Have a great Tuesday!
In a few weeks it will be time to set our clocks ahead and lose an hour. In the Fall, it will be time to gain that hour back. Some things like this have to be done on time, but other things we think we can put off until another time. For example, my puppy needs her nails clipped but I know I can get by without that chore for a bit longer. I usually need to eat on time because I know how I will feel if I don’t! I will be empty, in need, hungry, weak and tired and probably grumpy.
Being hungry physically is a lot like being hungry spiritually. Just as physical food will eventually burn up and leave us empty, so will our spiritual food, the Word of God. Before long, because we are weak or needy and it will be time to feed on God’s Word again. One meal of God’s Word a week, say Sunday at church, will not sustain us. We can go to church, hear an inspired sermon, sing great praise songs and feel on top of the world because we are totally focused on Him. But if we never feed on God’s Word other than Sunday, we will not feel spiritually strong enough to handle challenges during the week. There is good news though!
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10
Every morning, it is time to be fed from His Word. Before the enemy attacks with the lie that we do not have time to read even one verse, it is time to read God’s Word. When we are afraid, confused or stressed, it is time to read God’s Word. Even reading one verse when we are rushed sets our focus on God. It honors God that we do the best we can and feed regularly on His Word. He does not expect us to be perfect but be comforted and realize that He is perfect for our needs and always there to help us.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You for always, being our rock, our spiritual fount of wisdom that never lets us down.. We know that nothing the world supplies, no book or knowledge or self-control can make us right with You. We can’t be good enough or strong enough on our own and You do not expect that. Thank You for loving us as we are, imperfect! When we feel weak spiritually, nudge us that it is time to pickup the Bible. Guide us to pick it up daily and meditate on Your goodness and ability to sustain us. Please remind us, when our ways or attitudes start to look like the world’s, to feed more on Your Word. It is the only thing that truly satisfies our longings. We ask these things in Your precious and holy name, so we may honor You, not ourselves. We love You for always! Amen
gloryinthemorning.com 