Once and for All

Hebrews 10:15-18
¹⁵ And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,

¹⁶ “This is the new covenant I will make
with my people on that day,^[c] says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”^[d]

¹⁷ Then he says,

“I will never again remember
their sins and lawless deeds.”^[e]

¹⁸ And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.

I am so glad that God throws my sin away as far as the East is from the West. It is not that I do not have sin, it is that when I am forgiven of my sin He no longer sees the sin. He sees me redeemed by the blood of Christ. Christ is the one that God sees once I am saved. Christ writes His Word on my heart. He takes my deeds and remembers them no more.

Christ Word on mt heart means that even though I may sin, the truth is never far away. The truth is staring me in the face and longer for me to answer the call to whatever the truth wants me to do. God's truth is not debate. God said I AM. There is no other and there never will be. My job is to know the truth and to do what God asks me to do.

Truth can be hard when I do not want to do it. Some days I do not want to go to the gym but, I know it is good for my body. Some days I do not want to eat right but, I know it is healthy for

me God's truth is absolute. No if, and's or but's about it.

Lay Them Aside...

Heb 12,13 ; Jude

Laying aside the weights and sins that beset us....not so easily done somedays. We all have hang ups and pet peaves. They act like little pebbles in our shoes. Irritating our feet as we walk. Making our walk with Christ uncomfortable, slow and clunky.

It's so important that we learn to lay these little things aside. The preconcieved ideas we have of God, the stubborn falsehoods we hold to. Otherwise they affect, not only our walk with Christ, but our daily lives as well.

Recently Erin was upset at something I didn't do. It's a minor setback in the grand scheme of things, but to her it was very important. I recognized that the instant I saw her frustration. Erin's not very good at hiding her feelings. (That's a Godsend, believe me...)

Immediately the old feelings crept in, I started getting upset at myself, beating myself up, it was a very strange feeling. I thought I'd gotten over feeling that way. However, just as soon as I started feeling that way, I realized I couldn't have forseen the error I'd made. I figured I'd better knock those little pebbles out of my shoes....

I squared my shoulders, walked up to her, apologized for the error, and kissed her. I also set about trying to fix my mistake.

Laying aside this little weight made room for a more comfortable experience, and laid the groundwork for a better foundation with my soon to be wife.

A life of dignity

1Timothy 2:16
¹ I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. ² Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. ³ This is good and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. ⁵ For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus.

Paul is continually a teacher. I am a teacher and that quality seems to come out in everything that I do. Teaching is something that as Christians we must be able to teach others and be taught by someone else. God is telling Timothy in this passage that the right thing to do is to intercede and to pray for people. This is good and it pleases God.

Intercession is an important part of the Christian walk. This allows us to be closer to God and to each other. As I pray for my husband, I get closer to Him. As I pray for his children, I get closer to them. God wants us to intercede for others so that we may salvation. This way they also get closer to God.

Lord I pray that as I intercede for my family that we grow closer to You and to Your Son. I pray that the love that You have for people overflows through me.

o' to Joy

Thessalonians 5:16-18:

¹⁶ Always be joyful. ¹⁷ Never stop praying. ¹⁸ Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

I think this is a great passage. Paul is telling the Christian people that Joy is a state of being. This is why he said to be joyful always. Joy is not happiness or emotions it is knowing that God will take care of me in all situations. It is knowing that the joy of the Lord is my strength.

Next, never stop praying. This is so important. There has been many situations in the past 2 months where prayer has worked. Prayer is our constant communication with the Lord. He is continually working in pour lives and prayer shows us how much he loves us.

I need to continually thank the Lord for the all the things He has given me in my life. God is continually working and I need to thank Him no matter the circumstance. He is the Lord of the universe and is deserving of all my praise.

Eating to sin

Matthew 15:16-20
"¹⁶ “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked. ¹⁷ “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. ¹⁸ But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. ¹⁹ For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. ²⁰ These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands will never defile you.”

The pharisees were debating with Jesus about what makes people unclean. The pharisees were taking the religious approach and saying that if a man eats with unclean hands then he is sinning. Jesus takes a different approach. He cares about what is in your heart not what is on the outside of you.

I think sometimes as Christians we tend to judge the outside of a person before ever seeing what is underneath. At times churches tend to do this too. Someones skirt is too short, they don't have the right hair, or enough money, a person does not have the right lingo or is not i"n the Spirit" enough. Jesus does not care. Come as you are and He will give you rest. The disciples ran for their lives at times. Do you think they cared whether or not they washed their hands or said the right things. They cared about Jesus and His Word reaching the nations. Religiousness was never an issue. Christ was the issue.

Thank You Jesus for always being the main event. You are the point and the focus. Please help me to keep the focus on You.

Laugh and the World Laughs With You..

.....weep and you weep alone....

Isn't this so true? Everyone loves a good laugh. I always do my best to maintain a lighthearted attitude toward everything in life. It draws people to you. People WANT to be happy, laugh, have a good time. But start telling them about the troubles you've been through, or worse the ones you're going through right now, and you'll see who your friends are in a hurry.

Math 14-16

In Matt 14 we learn of the death of John the Baptist. We also learn that when Jesus heard of his cousin's death, He went away into a desert place but the people followed Him. They weren't concerned for Jesus and His sorrow or His need to be alone. They were concerned with their needs.

They were diseased and hungered.

What did Jesus do?

He put His own desire for solitude away and met the needs of His sheep. He fed them. He healed them.

The world around us cares not for our troubles and trials. Our closest loved ones will even let us down at one time or another.

It's in these moments that we must gather the strength to put aside our trials and feed His sheep.

What is in your heart?

^{Matthew 12:34
34} You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.


The saying "Out of the heart the mouth speaks," This is what Christ is talking about. He is talking to a bunch of pharisees about their lack of morals. He is telling them that what is coming out of their mouths is a lie. They go around and publicly pray so that all may see how righteous they are. Jesus is letting them know that only out of the overflow of a persons love for God will the mouth speak praise and adoration.

I think of it this way. When I tell Andy that I love Him I must back it up with the actions that go along with loving someone. That is how my love is backed up. Just because a person says something does not mean that they comprehend the depth of what they are saying. the word love for instance, do most people understand the Word that they throw around with such casualness. Love is a very powerful word. If we think of it in terms of God. God loved the world that He gave his only son that all should come to everlasting life with Him. Sacrifice, loyalty, forgiveness, and adoration is love in a nutshell. love is an action Word. It should cause a person to action in some way.

I continually need to remember that I words I say should come out of the overflow of what is in my heart. The overflow is Christ living in me.

Lord I pray today for Lynnsey. I pray that she will see the truth that You want her to see. I pray that Andy and I will make the best decision for her and her well being. I pray Lord for Your wisdom and guidance because when you guide these are the guidelines
James 3:17
^"17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." I pray that kind of wisdom.

The Calling

Matthew 4: 18-22
"¹⁸ One day as Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also called Peter, and Andrew—throwing a net into the water, for they fished for a living. ¹⁹ Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!” ²⁰ And they left their nets at once and followed him. ²¹ A little farther up the shore he saw two other brothers, James and John, sitting in a boat with their father, Zebedee, repairing their nets. And he called them to come, too. ²² They immediately followed him, leaving the boat and their father behind."

What if the disciples said no? The story would be very different. The story would be Jesus all by Himself doing everything. That would never work. Knowing that Jesus is God and that He knew who would follow Him is a plus. But, as human beings we can always say no.

I was dating someone who was not that good for me and I knew that i should leave. Instead He let me go and then tried to get back with me. At that time I really felt God's voice saying that I needed to join e harmony in order to give Him every opportunity. Well I am engaged to the most wonderful man in the universe. But, if I did not listen to God I would not be here. I did have a choice.

The disciples could get out of their boats and follow Jesus or sit and live an ordinary life. I can not talk to any of them but, I think they are glad they got out of the boats. Their lives were extraordinary.

Lord I pray that my life is extraordinary in Christ. In know where much is given that much is required. I pray Lord that I will be up to the challenge. I pray that My life in Christ is a yes and never a no.

friends, comrades, lend me ears

2 Corinthians 13:11-13
1 Dear brothers and sisters,^[a] I close my letter with these last words: Be joyful. Grow to maturity. Encourage each other. Live in harmony and peace. Then the God of love and peace will be with you.

I think this is how the church should be. That we should always be joyful despite the circumstance and love at all times. Paul is good with leaving with encouragement and love. Grow in maturity. Which translates means: get off your but and do not be a baby. Continue to grow in your love for Christ and do not let your love dry up. Read the Word, Grow in the knowledge of Christ, and never let your guard down from the gospel.

Continually lift up and encourage the body. This is a constant reminder to always have an encouraging Word or let others know that they are appreciated. God tells us to uplift the body and help her to be stronger. Uplift one another and create a strong union for Christ that can not be broken.

Then, God's love and peace will always be with you if you do these things. Continue to live in harmony so the world sees that we are different.

God I pray that I can show love and kindness to my brothers. Allow me to show the love of Christ at all times and be a great witness wherever I go.

Weakness in Strength

2 Cor 13:4-5
4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?


I've found that in those moments I am weakest, when I want the most, God is able to shine more brightly. When we allow ourselves to become weak, less then we are, God is able to show forth His power in our lives. Paul talks a lot about his troubles in the previous chapter of Corinthians and how, through those trials, God is able to be more to him.

When trials have come my way, especially ones that I could not handle, Christ is magnified when I allow Him to work on my behalf. When I allow Him to fight my battles.

He is our Strength when we are weak.

Conversely, when we attempt to be strong, when we attempt to take the lead, our weaknesses shine brighter. I would gladly be made weak so that Christ could show in my life, because my weaknesses will not bear His fruit.

Waging War or Not?

^{2Corinthians 10:2-4
2} Well, I am begging you now so that when I come I won’t have to be bold with those who think we act from human motives. ³ We are human, but we don’t wage war as humans do. ^{4 [a]}We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments.

No weapons against us will prosper! If God is on my side who can be against me. God's weapon is His Word. The sword of truth. The Word then became flesh and walked amongst us. This is the weapon the we have. The voice and life of Jesus Christ. No matter where I go or where I am, His Words ring true today just as they did about 2000 years ago. weapons are not needed the love of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice are my shield and my sword. His Words are my life. May I continue to live for Him despite the weapons the world throws at me.

Lord let no weapon of the world prosper against You. I pray for my guidance as big and small decisions are being made. I pray Lord that I can be the best wife and friend that You would have me to be. I pray that the relationship that Andy and I have will glorify You in every way.

Equality

Corinthians 8:12-15 (King James Version)
12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. 13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye burdened: 14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.


I worry about my relationship with Erin sometimes. I feel as if there are so many ways that I fall short as a man. I'm forgetful, I misplace things, I'm a terrible manager of time and money. I get sidetracked easily. In order for our lives to be a place of comfort for Erin, she'll have to keep things in order. She's got to manage our lives.

It's frustrating to me. I feel as if I should be able to do this. Isn't that the "man's job"? Keeping things in order? I feel weak when I get a text message from her, reminding me to call this person or run that errand. Especially when I've forgotten to do so.

It's a deficit for me. I lack in this area. I want.

Erin, on the other hand, has an abundance of time management skills. Out of her abundance she makes up for my want. In this area there is now equality. I am grateful for the text messages and e-mails and keeping of "the calendar"!.

What can I do for her, though? Where does she want? I haven't figured it all out just yet. Other than the occasional heavy object that needs lifted, she seems to have it all together.

It is so obvious to me why God has brought Erin to my life. I know where every weakness is within myself, and Erin seems to fill those gaps so easily. I've only seen one small opportunity where I can lift her up. Where my abundance makes up for her want. Sometimes things get overwhelming and she needs to be held and loved and encouraged. I'll gladly hold her and encourage her and love her because she gives to me so freely from her abundance.

Erin is an "over the top" gesture from God. She fills in the cracks in my heart. She soothes and warms and heals. Aside from salvation and along with my children, she is among the greatest gifts God has bestowed on me. God has given to me out of His abundance. I am now a whole person. I wanted for Erin.

Now, how do I give to God out of my abundance? By taking care of the gifts He's entrusted me with. It's the only way I know how.

...Thank you, Lord. For all that you've done. I know I say that every time I start to pray, but I don't know what else to say. You've given me so much happiness and joy. You've met each need. You've walked with me when I didn't even feel like getting out of bed. I give my thanks and gratitude and service to you, Lord. Help me to be Your servant....

crushed, broken but not destroyed

2 Cor. 4:8-10
⁸ We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. ⁹ We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. ¹⁰ Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.


Suffering is a word that we run from. If I suffer than I am not doing what God has me to do. the opposite is actually true. Suffering is how we relate with Jesus. it is our sufferings that create the character in us. This character then creates the faith we need to do it again. It is a constant cycle. That cycle is repeated over and over again in our lives. Right now things are so hectic and I my body is tied and worn but, I know that the goal is so important. God wants me to constantly bring my sufferings to Him and allow Him to heal my wounds and regenerate my body.

God is in the business of changing lives. He continually renews and allows His people to be renewed. Rest in Him and be assimilated into His likeness. The more we become like Christ the more people will ask who we belong to. I want this with all my heart. For people to see Christ through me. Help me Lord to be your servant. You are the best part of me.

Running the race to permissable: 1 Cor.9-10

^{Corinthians 9: 24-27
24} Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! ²⁵ All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. ²⁶ So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. ²⁷ I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

Corinthians 10:23-24
²³ You say, “I am allowed to do anything”^[h]—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial. ²⁴ Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.

Paul is talking about running the race to win. I guess the question to us is what will we win? A new car? A new house? A bigger house? Paul is talking about the eternal prize that Christ has for those who are saved by His grace through salvation. He says to run with purpose. he is talking about having the goal in the mind. The prize is eternity with Christ. That should make us as Christians run the race faster and stronger knowing that there is eternity in mind. Eternity is not at the forefront and it should not hinder us from doing God's work today. It should be the goal the place where God says "Well done good and faithful servant." This is because I have run the race with purpose and diligence.

Along with the above, I must run the race knowing that I should be concerned with others more than myself.

Job Ch? and 1 Chor 4-8

Paul is teaching in the passages in 1 Corinthians about marriage. Paul believe's marriage should only be entered into if one "cannot contain". Rather than burn with lust, and ultimately in Hell if we give into our lusts, we should marry. If we do marry, we're to treat our spouses with all the love, respect, kindness, forgiveness, mercy and grace that Jesus shows His Bride.

In stark contrast with the passages in Job where Elihu, one of Job's comforters, is spewing his interpretation of righteuousness to those who would listen. Job's "comforter" ties Job's outward calamities to Job's inward righteousness. Making the claim that Job must have some hidden sin in his heart or these terrible things would not have happened to him.

I feel the lesson for me here is this; It's important as Christians to allow God to move as He wills. While we should never water down the Word of God, it's not our place to use God's Word to make others feel dispair or condemned. Nor to use His Word to motivate other's to do our will. God's Word can stand on it's own. We're not to discourage and trample those who've fallen, be it their fault or not. I believe it's our responsibility to lift up. Encourage, love, and set the weary, the fallen, the downtrodden on the path of righteousness by pointing them to the cross.

In regards to our marriage, this is doubly important seeing as a marriage is the joining of two into one flesh. We would never tear at our own flesh. We nurture and protect it.

In the same way, we should nurture and protect each other in the Spirit. By pointing each other toward the cross and making our destination the same, we'll become closer as we learn to rely on eachother through the difficult times.

Andy

How early is too early?

As human beings, we want everything yesterday. In this passage I see that God is always on time. Early in the morning will I seek and be able to listen and hear what God has to say to me. If God ia all powerful He is always on time. Time is such a relative thing ans is very unpredictable. I think the only thing that is predictable is that time will change all things. Time changes hurts, pains, emotions and healing. Healing is only complete with time. Take time with God everyday and watch Him challenge a life. On a consistent basis, He changes mine!

Welcome.

Welcome to our Daily devotional.

Here you will be able to follow our progress though the Bible. We'll share what God is doing in our lives and hearts as it relates to the scriptures we've read for the day. We'll be going through the same passages daily, so it will be interesting to see how God talks to each of us.

We hope you enjoy following us on our journey.