Devotion & Reflection For Today

What Am I So Afraid Of and Why
Do I Have This Large Bump on my Head?

I have to admit I have a fear of failure and worse yet sometimes that stops me from even trying and I may have missed opportunities along the way in the way. But for me the older I have become the less fearful I am. I think working at a place where you know that doesn't make you happy places a BIG part. More and more I am realizing the I have to take that so called "leap of faith". But here is thing that I do not get, why every I have part my trust in Jesus whole-heartily he has always come through for me yet I still become fearful at times?

The problem is we as Followers of Christ at times look around at our circumstances instead of putting our focus on Christ and what he has already finished for you and I. As time has passed I am realizing that now my work place is just a "tent" and not my land of milk and honey. I do not have any personal items on my desk because one thing my job has taught me is this: (1) Keep my eyes on Christ Jesus (2) the company is growing (3) I could be let go at any with today's market (4) if I'm going to work this hard for someone else and not like what I'm doing why not spend that energy doing what God has placed in Spirit to pursue. (5) my work is "work" and my home life is my "home life". I find it keeps things simple and less stressful for me.

I am also finding that putting my trust in God is the best thing because I now that when beginning my morning, before my feet hit the floor I give God thanks for another day to pursue what He has in store for me. I'm learning that knowing that Jesus has told me to follow him and that he will give me strength to go through my valleys is very assuring.

In today's devotion and Bible passage is that Moses too was afraid of many things, questioned the Lord at times and I'm learning that it's okay to have doubts at times. Every time when Moses questioned God and assured Him what he was with him and that is what I am learning now in my 40s...asking God to lead me, reading His word and then ACTING ON IT!

This is why so many Followers of Christ fall short, we ask God for his help, his guidance, he gives it to us and if we do not like on how he wants us to carry it out we say, "Ummm....I don't think you want me to do it THAT way. Here's what I think" and that is when we fail each and every time. I have to get it through my thick, "I'm so smart I'm stupid" skull that how can I tell the creator of all, the person who sees my Beginning and my Ending what is best for me? God has a sense of humor, I know he does because He doesn't force us to do it His way, he tells us to see if we will obey. If we don't and when we get frustrated and we cry out, get angry with Him I think He just sits back just begin humming to himself; and after we have finished our little tyrant, He says softly, "now, are you ready to do it the "right" way or do you wish to continue keep to keep bumping your head and starting from scratch?"

God knows we need some struggles in our life because it builds character within us, our faith grows stronger and stronger, He reminds us time and time again, "do what you can do and I will do what you can't do." because this is covenant you have with me. We have seen in the real world that when parents do everything for their children how they turn out when the children become adults and how dependent they are on the parents and that's not a good thing. So why do we continue to think God is our Daddy Warbucks? When we do our part, our very best while completing the task in His will what a wonderful testimony we are for Him and others see how God truly works in our lives.

Thank God I am learning this in my 40s and not when I am old and gray.

Be blessed, Be Safe, and Have a Great Sunday.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Respect

"Lord, help my children to show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands."

1 Peter 2:17

Satan Lies...God's Love

"If you're too proud to submit to God, you'll never get to heaven. You may be a kind, gentle person; you may even be naturally compassionate and charitable. But if your pride keeps you from admitting your need for Christ, then you'll never accept His gift of salvation. Many people are in hell because their heart was too hard and they believed their mind was too smart for God."

The above paragraph from today's "Early Light Devotion" from In Touch Ministries hits like a ton bricks to some people. This may be hard to grasp, it may sting, you may not want to hear it...but it is the truth. Many people think they can "work" their way into heaven but we can't. Many people think just because "I'm a nice person there is no way I can be turned away from entering into Heaven"...but you will. Many people think that once you give your life to God that is it, rules, rules and more rules, but for me it's the most liberating way to live. When I gave my life to Jesus Christ so many questions were answered for me and wondering "where will I go when I die" fell to the wayside and to me that is a heavy weight lifted off my shoulders. So many things that God want you and I to bring to Him because in the end He knows we can not do this alone. When allowing God into your heart and knowing His true love for you you feel such a peace that I cannot describe.

Why is it for somethings we can put complete faith into and when it comes to the things of God we can become so skeptical? When we go and get into our car many days we go and turn the ignition knowing it will start. We go and sit in a chair at work or at home knowing it will hold us but when turning our lives over to Christ many people can not do it. We use excuses like, "those preachers on want our money" or "How can you say, He (God) is the only way?" I myself asked those same questions growing up. I was raised in church but I walked away from God. I followed many other religions, practice them and in the end I still felt empty inside. For me one thing has always stood out to me...no other has died for my sins (past, present, future) but one...Jesus Christ. Sometimes I can't wrap my mind around this concept. Why would he do this? Why would a person who knows that I will screw up whether on purpose or by accident still wish to suffer for me?

He (God) sent His only son because He know we are a falling nature, that we cannot do this alone and the most important thing is because God love for you and I and the closeness He longs for you and I. No, God is not lonely but He knows how empty we are without Him. I heard a couple a days ago that Lindsey Lohen will spend over $36,000 dollars a month in rehab...$36,000 a month! Many people do not make that in a year and that is being spent on a person has that much money to spend in rehab? How can this person be unhappy knowing that you have that much money at your disposal?

I am not putting this young lady down at all and she is in my prayers but when you think about it don't you think she would be the most happiest person in the world? It breaks my heart to see so many young people get caught in the trappings of the world and later Satan will make her feel so guilty about how she has lived her life but that has always been Satan's gift, making you and I feel like we are worthless...but He is liar. God knows we have a fallen nature but He knew when He created you and I that we would make mistakes because He has given you a free will but He has given you and I a door to come back to Him. Satan shows people the pleasures in life but never the consequences but God will always show you and both sides of the coin. From Adam and Eve until now, God has and will always show you the blessings when living a Godly live and the curses when living outside His will.

The best thing about God is that He takes you and I when we are at our lowest...Satan tosses you and I away when we are at our lowest. When we are at our lowest, God shows us we are a diamond to Him, with Satan when we are at our lowest he tells you and I God has no use for people like you and I and that my friends is a lie straight from Hell.

God loves you...always has, always will. What God hates is sin in our lives because He knows the end result of sin. God knows we are going to make mistakes, we are going to come up short from time to time but like a loving parent, He will be there for you. Now God will discipline you and I when we are outside His will but that does not mean He has stopped loving us and at times obstacles He will allow in our lives to build character in our lives and this is what grows our faith more.

When we call upon the Lord this is not showing how weak we are...but how strong we are because we can not do it without Him.

Be Blessed, Be Safe and Have a Wonderful Day.

Tuesday Devotion & Tech News

The Message of the Cross>>>more
from In Touch Ministries

What does the Cross mean to you? This devotion by Dr. Charles Stanley looks at it from different perspectives; from Pilate's view, from the disciples' view, from Mary's view, from the Pharisees and Sadducees' view, even from Judas's view. How about your view?

I remember when I REALLY became saved. The year 2000, my wife and I was sitting in our pastor's office and him asking was I saved. I told him that I raised in church and I had been baptized but in my heart I really did not know if I was. When the pastor showed me the passage in Romans and read it aloud it was like a huge weight had been lifted off of me and I really began to understand who Christ Jesus was and what the Cross meant to me.

It meant no more guessing about my salvation, it meant how much Christ Jesus gave up for me to have internal happiness and joy. The Cross meant to me where Jesus kept himself up for me because He knew what kind of person I was and what kind of person I could be once I gave my life over to Him. The Cross meant to me at was at a crossroads...either I was for Him or against Him, I know longer wanted to be against Him. The Cross meant to me I had to let go my own ways, my so called friends and be an outcast for people who did not understand my new life and ways. It's been a rough road but they is no way I could ever go back to the old life, never.

I have always been a "strange" kid coming up, an outcast. But now I realize if I'm going to be an outcast I might as well be in the best "outcast" camp there is...my Lord and Savior. I thank you Lord that you kept me alive so I can become one of your allies instead of one of your enemies. God is long suffering and does not wish anyone to perish. There is a saying that God watches over babies and fool, thank you Father for watching over me as an baby and given this "ol' fool" time to come to my senses and give my life to you.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, and have a productive day everyone.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

A Servant's Heart

"God, help my children develop servants' hearts, that they may serve wholeheartdly".

Ephesians 6:7

other devotions: The Power of a Changed Life, The World's Patina, Be An Example

other tech news: Sony recalls 3.5 million more batteries, Google raises curtain on customized search engine, Mozilla unleashes Firefox 2

Christian & tech netcast for today: The Things God Uses - Part 2, Antichrist, America and Armageddon, The Alternative, Daily Giz Wiz 177: Pzizz, NPR:Science Friday, *NerdTV - Show 1 - Andy Hertzfeld

for headline news>>>click here

image: allposters.com

Devotions and Tech News for Monday

The Cross>>>**more
from In Touch Ministries

I don't wear a cross around my neck, I don't deserve it and I will not trivialize it because I know what Jesus Christ had to give up for me. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying anyone who wears a cross around their neck is not for real about Christ because each of us has their reason for wearing one...or not.

Just knowing what God had to do from the beginning of time blows me away. Knowing that we were going to sin even before Adam and Eve walked the earth He knew He was going to have to turn away from His only son because of the sins you and I have done and will do in the future. When watching the Passion of the Christ and to see how Christ Jesus stood in my place knowing what he was going to endure makes me grateful and sad.

I had a meltdown today. I have a step son who tried to take my life about 5 years ago because I asked him to wash the dishes. Me and his mother had not been married no more than two years and it ended up with him and I getting into a argument, a scuffle (this is the result of his natural father not stepping up to the plate and not being a man from the beginning..to all the brothers out there, White and Black, if you're not willing to be responsible for a child, don't bring life into this world) and he ended up trying to take my life. I saw him today and a flood of that day came rushing back on me and I was about to do something I know I shouldn't do; I am trying to get past this, like a friend always says to me, "I am a work in progress". I have tried and tried and I say that I have forgiven him but deep down I haven't. Knowing that you treat their mother like a queen and they know I have never disrespected her in anyway you would think I would have a great relationship with them..but I don't. It's very hard to be a step parent and I have come to accept the fact they (her children from a previous marriage) probably will never accept me but there is nothing I would not do for this beautiful woman that is my wife and even though these are not my grandchildren by blood I love them just the same. This has been very hard on her as well because by him being the youngest, that's the baby child. She has not made excuses for his action but she's caught in a dilemma as well.

So to know that I am not a Jew by blood but how Christ gave His life for me to have everlasting life in heaven makes me feel ashamed of my behavior today. But i will ask for forgiveness, not condemn myself and keep going because God's love for me is real and He knew this was going to happen before I even we walked down the isle my wife and I and said "I do."

The cross for me is not just a piece of jewelry to worn around my neck, but it is my beginning, my middle, my end. His(Jesus Christ) broken by body has been my healed soul and spirit, knowing that I will reign with God forever and ever is all I need to know.

I don't need to wear a cross because it is in my heart, spirit, and soul. Keep me lifted up in prayer.

Be Blessed, Be Safe, & have a productive work week everyone.

Love you :-)

~Praying For Our Children~
from Christian Embassy Church

Faith

"Lord, help my children to fight the good fight of faith, taking hold of the eternal life to which they were called".

1 Timothy 6:12

other devotions: Ripples, People Are Watching, Temporary . . .

tech news: Security analysts: Mac attacks rare but may rise, PlayStation 3 shines in prelaunch test, *No HDTV for Me

netcast for today: TWiL 1: Hank Barry, KFI Tech Guy 294, NPR: Technology

christian netcast: The Things God Uses - Part 1, Antichrist, America and Armageddon, Trust Him - Part 3

*Article is from January 2006 but a good article
**Must read devotion

headline news>>>click here

Devotions for Monday

Keep Running!>>>more
from Harvest Online

Here it is another Monday morning, going into a job that is something I really don't care for, speaking with people that I not really grateful, working with some people that I don't get along with from time to time. I want to call in, I want to take this day and rest from the long weekend dealing with 4 beautiful grandchildren and our wonderful niece. I could take off, I have some PTO available but I have to keep pressing on because I have an obligation to my God, myself, to my wife, to my job.

It's the same for our Lord and Savior, He did not have to go to calvary for us but He did so we can have a covenant with God again. There are going to be times when we get tired of the persucutions of others, dealing with the rejection from co-workers, family members, friends who don't understand your way of living for the Lord...you have to keep pressing on not only for ourselves but for Jesus Christ. We have to reach as many people as possible not only by our words but by our actions, the way we live our lives.

Everyday before I sit in front of the computer I get nervous on what to type, what to say, I go blank. And every time my Heavenly Father gives me the words and wisdom to say what needs to be shared with you, the readers. Satan attacks me every morning, "why are doing this? This is a waste of time. You're not reaching anyone. You're never going to be able to do this full-time." But he's a liar because whenever you're close to your mark that is when it becomes the roughest to keep going. It's worth the pain to keep pushing forward.

Whatever God has put in your heart to pursue, being a doctor, being a writer, being a stay home mother (which is a full time job in itself...what would we do without you), your children will try you, test and exams may get tough, not getting the reconition you deserve...keep pushing on because your hard work is not in vain. Your Father is putting people in your path that one day when you least expect it your hard work will all pay off. I remember what Dr. Charles Stanley once said and I hold on to it..." when we are waiting, God is working."

Hold on to the faith.

Have a Blessed and Productive Monday.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Respect

"Lord, help my children to show proper respect to everyone, as your Word commands".

1Peter 2:17

other devotion readings: The Greatness of God, Choosing and Using Time, The Scrabble Syndrome

tech articles: Is Google buying YouTube?, MySpace Attracting An Older Internet Crowd, Dunn, Fiorina lash out at HP board

netcast for today: Thru the Bible Questions & Answers, A Word To Those Who've Had Enough - Part 1, TWiT 72: Ready Clench

photo: google image

Devotion & Wisdom for Tuesday

The Holiness Habit>>>more
from Turning Point

This devotion by Dr. David Jeremiah really speaks to me today. This morning I was not only going to short change my readers but short change myself. This morning I was running behind I was going to take a 'short cut' and do my blog. Some people may have noticed it, others may not have but one person who have known this cheap way of doing the devotion for today...myself.

What I do is link to the devotions and say something as well. By me being lazy and slacking off I was going to merely 'cut and paste', I couldn't do it. I don't know who reads this...maybe I have many people reading this blog, maybe not but I can't short change the people who do read this blog and I can't short change myself.

I really believe in what I am doing here and I know if I keep plugging at this the readers will come and what I would really like to happen is that I can do this full time because I enjoy finding great Christian and tech articles and placing them under one roof. I have a long way to go but I heard Joyce Meyers say something this past Sunday..."Do what we can and God will do what we can't". That really gave me a push to keep doing this; I have other ideas in the works and I if I keep doing the right thing and taking bold steps, the sky is the limit for me.

Praying For Our Children
from Christian Embassy Church

Patience

God, strengthen my children with all power, so that they may have great endurance and patience.

Galatians 5:22

other devotions: greg laurie, dr charles stanley, our daily bread

christian & tech podcast: thru the bible, kfi tech guy

photo: google image