Lesson Learned

by Bethany Lashbrook

This week's Verse: Exodus 32:16, "These tablets were God’s work; the words on them were written by God himself." (NLT)

Devotion: For those of you who watch this blog for posts, you will notice that I was late this week! For the life of me, I couldn't get it right. I had a post that I worked on several days and I just couldn't make it happen. It didn't flow. I wasn't feeling God's word.

And so, I put it off. Until today. Going into church this morning, I thought that the Lord would inspire me and I would write about an experience I had at church this morning. I was searching for a devotion to post.

In Sunday school class, we learned that reading and praying daily helps us keep spiritually intact with the Lord. We learned that spiritual fitness is like physical fitness. It is something we have to keep up at and work hard for to obtain results!

In church, the message was also about reading the bible. It's a big difference in saying we will do something and then going out and actually doing it.

So, what was the big moment I was waiting for? I wouldn't call it big, but I would definitely call it a moment. I cried during our worship music - before and after the message. Why? There really isn't a reason why. Sometimes it's just the simple things that the Lord needs to tell us.

Not everything has to be a story or some big "ah-ha" light-bulb moment. Sometimes Jesus just says - it's simple Bethany - just read what I have written.

And there you have it. I failed to issue this blog on Friday. However, I gained a knowledgable lesson from the Lord. Keep it simple. Don't look so hard at the easy stuff. And, don't stress the small stuff. The blogs can wait - but He can't!

Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me that you have authored the best book in the world. Help me to remember to pick it up daily, to read it, to study it, to memorize it, to share it with my children, to engrave it in my life! Thank you Jesus for your Word! In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application: Turn to the word this week! Make it a game with your kids! Keep a New Testament Bible in your car for your wait at the drive-through! Set a calendar appointment on your phone to remind you! Challenge yourself this week in God's word!

Power Verses:

2 Timothy 3:14-17, "But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." (NLT)

Ephesians 6:10-17, "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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (NIV)