Christian Devotions - "Our Monday Meds"
Daily devotion time with God is SO important! Let these weekly Christian devotions give you a focal point for your time with Him.
Proverbs 17:22 says: "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."
If you're anything like me, usually my heart is not cheerful on Mondays. It's like the whole work week looms ahead- the hustle and bustle of every day living.
Believe me, I know it shouldn't be like that; so what are we going to do about it? We're going to take our "Monday Meds" (meditations) and keep our focus on Christ!
These "Monday Meditations" or Christian devotions are designed to fill our hearts with His Word and put feet to our faith throughout the whole week.
Don't get me wrong, we need to feed on God's Word daily! What I hope to offer is a jumpstart to our weekly devotions and daily living for Him.
I'm always open for ideas, and if you would like to share, please just contact us. I would love to hear from you and share your ideas with our readers!
A "Baker's Dozen" of Christian Devotions
Our Mighty God
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
Ps 77:12 -
"I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds."
"Monday Meds" Christian devotions are about meditating on God's Word and actively applying it to our daily lives. In this Psalm written by Asaph (the collector; a Levite priest that led the music during the time of David), he encourages us to meditate on all God's works and mighty deeds. Take time to read this complete Psalm in your Bible.
This week, beginning with today, begin to focus and reflect upon God's works - His creation, His mighty deeds throughout history, His work within your own heart and life. When you enjoy the sun's light, realize the Creator of the universe placed it there and desires for you to be a light for Him. When you look into the face of your child, thank Your Holy Father for his goodness and blessings. Think about the great men and women of history such as Abraham, Joseph, Ruth, Mary, Abraham Lincoln, Corrie ten Boone, and millions of others that trusted the one true God. Meditate on how He used each of them to make a difference in this world, and know that our Soveriegn God has a plan and purpose for you too.
Christian Devotions - Activate:
Each day this week, jot down at least five things dealing with God's works and mighty deeds that you have taken time to think about. Also take the time to share a few of these with your children, your coworkers, your spouse or your neighbor.
Taking a Son Shower
1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
Have you had a shower or bath today? What about spiritually? Most of us take a physical bath or shower daily. Even though most days we don't go "wallering" in the mud, we've still picked up enough dirt and dust to make us feel the need to get clean.
In the same way, we need to spiritually become clean each day by confessing our sins to our Father daily and turning from our own way back towards Him. God promises that if we will be honest with Him about our sin and turn from it, He is faithful to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Wow, what a promise! Our Heavenly Father provides all we need to be in a right relationship with Him; it's our choice to choose to act on His promise though.
Right now ask the Holy Spirit to show you any area of your life that is hindering your relationship with God. Sin is sin; it doesn't have to come in what we think of as "big packages" like murder or theft. It can be in nice neat "self-righteous" packages like unforgiveness, disobedience, or pride. Don't wait until your covered with "muck"; stay in a close relationship with your Father as you continually ask for His cleansing. He is faithful!
Christian Devotions - Activate:
This week during your bath or shower take time to also become spiritually clean before God. Face it, time alone is hard to come by! Time taking a bath or shower can bring dual benefits - physical cleansing as well as spiritual cleansing!
Hope for the Lost
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
Compare these two words:
LOSS LOST
What do you immediately notice the difference in the two? You're correct if you noticed the obvious - loss as an "s" and lost has a "t". Many times we use the word "loss" when someone we love has passed away. They won't be returning; hope is gone. But if we have someone we love that is "lost," they can be found because of the beautiful
"t". Our hope is found in the "t" or cross of Jesus Christ.
Jesus assured us of the love of His Father for ones that are "lost" and need to be found. Luke 15 gives us three parables Jesus told - the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. God pursues us when were lost and wants us found and returned. Like the lost son though, we are all given a choice though. Will we choose the love of the Father?
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
Christian Devotions - Activate:
Take time this week to pray for someone that is lost. Also, make the most of every opportunity to share the hope that is with in you.
1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"
Three Days
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
Three Days...
This week as I was teaching my second graders about Moses and the ten plagues God sent upon the Egypitians, we came upon the ninth - "So Moses stretched out his hand toward the sky, and total darkness covered all Egypt for three days." Exodus 10:22.
The three days caught my attention. Think about it; where else does God's Word talk about "three days?"
How about Jonah? "But the Lord provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights." Jonah 1:17 As a friend of mine just mentioned last week...have you ever noticed that God "provided" the great fish? It was for Jonah's salvation so he wouldn't drown.
Of course, my first thought was the "three days" Jesus spent in death. But, oh how we celebrate His resurrection on that third day!!!! Jesus told the disciples before hand: "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matthew 12:40. "because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, "The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise." Mark 9:31
It happened just as He said: "but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen." Acts 10:40
There are so many other Scriptures that refer to "three days" or "the third day." God gives such details to His Word that I do not believe these are by accident. There will be times in our lives that we may feel we are in "darkness", "in the belly of a fish", or "even in a tomb," but we can't lose sight of the hope that is before us - the light returned, Jonah was spit out on dry ground, and Jesus arose on the third day!
Christian Devotions - Activate:
This week use Crosswalk.com to look up other Scripture throught the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, the words "three days" and "the third day." Allow the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to God's truth.
Also, if you are held in the depths of depression or grief, I hope you find hope that because of the life, the death, and the ressurection of Jesus Christ, you don't have to stay there. It's time for you to look to Him and experience a "third day ressurection" through faith by God's grace.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says: "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast." Paul continues to write in Ephesians 5:8 - "For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."
Family Time Emails
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
Yesterday, I shared about our family's use of the "technology craze" to stay connected. One way we use it is to continue our "Family Time" Christian devotions even though we live miles apart now.
Following is an example of one of ours written by Jeff. "Family Time" Christian devotions emails don't have to be very long or theological. Just share your hearts with each other - your love for each other and your love for God.
Our Family Time Email
I got to thinking about Mom being sick and all the other sickly people right now, and 1 Corinthians 15:50-51 came to my mind. Here's what it says:
"These perishable bodies of ours are not able to live forever. But let me tell you a wonderful secret God has revealed to us. Not all of us will die, but we will all be transformed."
Our ole bodies that we have right now won't live forever. We know that! But our soul is immortal and it is the soul that gives each of us uniqueness and personality. Hey guys! That's the part of us that is going to live forever and ever!
I joke around a bunch about getting old and not being able to get around like a once did when I was you guys ages! I see the senior adults in our church show up every morning at the church gym to walk and use the exercise machines. Why? Because they want to live longer! It's hard for us to accept the fact that life is passing by quickly. You laugh, but it just seemed like yesterday that I was in trouble for burning the church field up in Shreveport. I was 11 years old then. (oh may, that's 35 years ago....I'm sick!)
The exciting part to me is that each one of you have put your faith in Jesus Christ and have asked Him to forgive you of your sin. I am so proud of that! And because of that, the Bible says that you will go immediately into the presence of God in heaven when you take your last breath! Look up John 10:10!
I'm so glad that we'll spend eternity together AS A FAMILY in heaven. But just remember that there are many who are are around you who do not have that same hope. Use the opportunities today that God gives you to share a testimony for Jesus!
Christian Devotions - Activate:
Let's take time this week during our Christian devotions to connect, to communicate, to spend time with God and with our family!!! Share your faith with each other, share memories, share thoughts and prayer concerns. One of the greatest gifts we can give our family is ourselves through our time and efforts to connect.
Agape' Love
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
I am blessed to have been called to teach a young women's Sunday school class. I truly believe I learn more from them than they do from me! Today as we studied about God's love - agape' love (a sacrificial and unconditional love), one of my ladies gave us a profound lesson.
We were talking about how when you become a parent, the depth of this type of love becomes a reality. Julie shared that when she had her little boy, God revealed to her that this type of love can't be learned; it's given to us by God. She said she looked down at her old white tennis shoes and realized she had become like her mother - always putting the needs of her children above her own.
How wonderful! We don't have to learn how to love like that; that would be too hard - impossible with our self-centeredness. Yet God gives us this love - His love, with which we are to love others.
In John chapter 13 and 15 Jesus gives us the following command:
John 13:34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another."
John 15:12 "My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you."
Also in John 15 He tells us how to accomplish such a great task - by abiding or remaining in Him. Like a branch is connected to a vine and draws all its nourishment and supply from the vine, so are we as we stay connected to Jesus. His love will flow into and through us out to others.
John 15:9 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love."
By remaining in His love, God's Holy Spirit enables us to love with an agape' love. We don't have to "work up" this kind of love. We have access to it by abiding in Him.
Christian Devotions - Activate:
Break off a small branch from a vine, bush or tree. Keep it in a prominant place where you will see it often during the day - on your desk, by the kitchen sink, in your car. Let it remind you to remain in His presence and thereby allow His love to flow in and through you to others.
If you've never experienced the agape' love of Christ, visit our page - Know Christ and find out how much God loves you!
Romans 5:8 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Refined Like Silver
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
Malachi 3:3 says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver."
This verse puzzled some women in a Bible study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.
One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.
That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.
As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.
The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit here in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.
The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left only a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.
The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"
He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it"
Christian Devotions - Activate:
If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you. Be reminded of this each time this week you see or use something silver - jewelry, eating utensils, pocket change, etc.
Living Out Loud!
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
I'm sure most of us have seen the commercial for Sharpies - "Write Out Loud!" Earlier this year, Pat Domange, the speaker at our Women's luncheon, spoke about us "Living Out Loud." Think about it; when you write with a Sharpie it makes a lasting impression. That's what I want to do for Christ.
We've been talking to our teenage daughter about her having more of an impacte & influence for Christ on the world around her than the world on her.
Paul testified to this in his life again and again: Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. "
Webster's defines "living" as:
1. having life; being alive; not dead: living persons. 2. in actual existence or use; extant: living languages. 3. active or thriving; vigorous; strong: a living faith. 4. burning or glowing, as a coal. 5. flowing freely, as water.
Is that how we're living - active, thriving, glowing, flowing...? "Living Out Loud" doesn't have to be "loud;" it just needs to be REAL!
Christian Devotions - Activate:
Use a Sharpie this week to write your grocery list, things to do, etc. Let it remind you to not only "write out loud," but to "live out loud!"
Dress Ups & Cover Ups
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
Our youth and education minister shared a great visual Bible lesson one Sunday. He was dressed in a nice double-breasted suit, but when he took off his jacket, his shirt was torn, dirty and had writing on it.
He was speaking on how God looks at our heart, not our outward appearance. 1 Samuel 16:7 - "But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God {sees} not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
No matter how much we may "dress" to cover up our hurts, failures, or sins, God sees what's underneath - our hearts. His desire is to dress us in new clothing - His righteousness and His love.
On the other hand, do we take the time to see other people's hearts? Do we judge them by their outward appearance?
Christian Devotions - Activate:
Let's take time this week as we get dressed each morning to remember God sees our hearts, not our outward appearance. Also, let's take time to see others as God sees them; let's take time to see their hearts. Let this be a part of your daily Christian devotions.
Fragrance of Life
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
Have you ever hugged someone that was wearing a strong perfume or cologne and walked away smelling like them? We had a wonderful gentleman at one of our churches that faithfully greeted people as they came into church. He always had a smile on his face and smelled wonderful. Even after you walked away, you could still smell the fragrance.
2 Corinthians 2:14-16 says:
"But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life."
______________________
The New York Times reported:
Kate Greene, the vice president for marketing fine fragrances in North America at Givaudan, said that 800 new fragrances are expected to make their appearance in 2007. ____________________
It seems like false religious beliefs are being manufactured at the same rate. Our world is becoming desensitized to the Gospel of Jesus Christ to where it is just another choice of fragrance. In reality, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only "fragrance of life."
What about us? Are we spending time close enough to Christ each day that as we walk away in the midst of people in our lives they can sense His presence, His fragrance, this fragrance of life?
Christian Devotions - Activate:
Take time this week to "smell the roses." Actually, take time to notice all the things you do smell and how they affect you - your thoughts, your emotions, your physical senses. Let each smell remind you of noticing Christ's presence in your life. Cling close to Him so that when you walk through your day, others will come to know His fragrance of life.
Take time right now and smell the sweetness of the "Rose of Sharon." (Song of Solomon 2:1)
Lesson of Humbleness
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
How long has it been since we have physically knelt before the LORD?
It seems in our busy & rushed society, if we do slow down to take time to be with God...it's "on the run!"
If this is always the case though, we are missing out! There is just something about physically kneeling before our Creator and Lord!
I was recently challenged by one of my youth in Sunday School to once again begin kneeling in prayer during my time alone with my Heavenly Father. What a blessing it has been!
Psalm 95:6 "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;"
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God;"
A cup must be still in order to be filled! :)
Christian Devotions - Activate:
This week, take time each and every day to actually physically kneel before your Father in Heaven. You will be so blessed after the first week, you will not want to miss the opportunity again! Daniel knelt and prayed three times a day! He knew the blessing of humbleness before a Holy God, and we can too!
Taking Time to Listen
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
Listening is an important life skill. It's more than just hearing. It takes focus.
Giving someone our complete attention and listening to them shows them we believe what they have to say is important. They are worthy of our time and focus.
This should be a priority in our relationships with our family, friends, and most of all God.
Psalms 85:8-9 "I will listen to what God the Lord will say; he promises peace to his people, his saints-- but let them not return to folly. Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land."
How often do we take time to sit still and really listen to God?
Psalm 46:10 tells us - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
Christian Devotions - Activate:
Take time now (about 3 min.), close your eyes, and listen to the following song "My Heart, Your Home" by Watermark and worship Christ. Hear His voice. Then take time this week each day to be still and know that He is God and wants to speak to you.
If you enjoyed this song, visit Watermark's
website and listen to more of their music!
Or their music may be purchased through Christianbook.com here:
![CD04423: A
Grateful People, Compact Disc [CD]](http://ag.christianbook.com/g/tiny/c/cd04423.gif "CD04423: A Grateful People,
Compact Disc [CD]") |
A Grateful People, Compact Disc [CD] By Watermark |
Synergy
Christian Devotions - Meditate:
Have you heard the "buzz" word in the business world - "SYNERGY?" It's really a cool word that refers to the phenomenon in which the interaction of two or more agents or influences creates a greater combined effect than the sum of their individual effects working alone.
When I heard this definition, it made me think of how God has placed us (Christians) here together as one body - the Church because of this truth of synergy. When we use our gifts, influences, knowledge, talents, etc. while working together, we are able to achieve so much more than any one of us can do alone.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14 " The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many."
Christian Devotions - Activate:
Next time you hear the word "synergy," let it remind you of God's family and all we can do to further His kingdom together.
More free Christian devotions...
