By: Jessica Finney
I know it has been awhile since I have done a devotional but I was waiting for the right words. I have went back and forth on what God wanted me to say. I first thought about love because of Valentine's day, to remind people that it isn't all about the love of a significant other. It is all about God's love. I thought about talking about how our bodies are the temple of God, even had it all wrote out. I may share that one another time but right now I felt lead in a different direction.
Psalms 27:2 Let another man praise you, and not our own mouth. A stranger, and not your own lips.
It talks about how another man should praise us. How often have we told someone that we did something just for a pat on the back? We should not ask for people to praise us or that is our reward. God wants us to do things for Him not for man to see but to serve Him better. It never gains us anything to to have man's approval. Although that is exactly what the devil is trying to get us to do. I don't know about you but I want my treasures to come from heaven. Not on earth. I want others to see that God lives in me and that requires being humble and not wanting to be seen.
There are a lot of jobs in the church that go unnoticed and people don't even realize how they get done. You know why? Because they are not out there asking for praise, they get the job done and don't expect a thank you. Maybe in your church it is the one that cleans your church, decorates the church, whatever it might be why don't we thank them this week so that the praise is coming from us and to know they are appreciated for being humble.
Dear Heavenly Father, We want to thank you for the ones that serve you without bragging about what they do. Help us to learn from them and to show others that we are different then this world. Let us put our treasures in heaven and not of this world. In Jesus name, amen.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015
God's love for us
by Jessica Finney
I am taking part of this from what Dan Ledley read this morning at Willis Chapel because I thought it was too good not to share.
Please read Psalm 78
These verses are talking about Moses and their trip in the desert. Can you imagine the scenerio God has given them blessing after blessing but how soon did they forget it? Every time they turned around they were complaining about something. When they started complaining about the food and not having any meat, the Lord got angry. Wouldn't you if someone just kept complaining about something you were doing when you were giving them everything they needed? But do you notice what it says shortly after it talks about God being angry? It says He gave them meat. Here they are complaining that He isn't giving them enough and to me they should be more grateful for what they had, but He loved them enough to give them what they had requested.
You know He does the same for us. How often do we complain about something we are going through, even though He has got us through other trials and wants to do the same again? We don't deserve it and we are definitely not showing our gratitude.
The next time we start complaining, let us try to remember what God has done for us before we speak.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today with grateful hearts for all the things that you have given us. Help us to not complain when things are not going our way. Help us to keep the attitude you want us to have so others can see You in us. In Jesus, name, amen.
I am taking part of this from what Dan Ledley read this morning at Willis Chapel because I thought it was too good not to share.
Please read Psalm 78
These verses are talking about Moses and their trip in the desert. Can you imagine the scenerio God has given them blessing after blessing but how soon did they forget it? Every time they turned around they were complaining about something. When they started complaining about the food and not having any meat, the Lord got angry. Wouldn't you if someone just kept complaining about something you were doing when you were giving them everything they needed? But do you notice what it says shortly after it talks about God being angry? It says He gave them meat. Here they are complaining that He isn't giving them enough and to me they should be more grateful for what they had, but He loved them enough to give them what they had requested.
You know He does the same for us. How often do we complain about something we are going through, even though He has got us through other trials and wants to do the same again? We don't deserve it and we are definitely not showing our gratitude.
The next time we start complaining, let us try to remember what God has done for us before we speak.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today with grateful hearts for all the things that you have given us. Help us to not complain when things are not going our way. Help us to keep the attitude you want us to have so others can see You in us. In Jesus, name, amen.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Lord, Lord
By: Jessica Finney
Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day,'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
I think when we get to heaven, we may be surprised of the people that won't be there. The more I hear of people talking about lost souls, it makes me think of this verse. There are so many people out there that think that works will get them to heaven. Does God want us to work for Him? Yes of course! We just can't miss the big picture. He has made it so easy for us to come to Him but yet so many will miss the mark.
Let us take time to reflect on our first commitment to Christ. Do you remember the time that you asked Jesus into your heart, told Him that you believed that He died on the cross for your sins and rose again and asked forgiveness for your sin (for we have all sinned and came short to the glory of God)? If not, maybe this message is for you, or maybe you know someone that has told you that they think they are good enough to go to heaven. It is time to beat the devil at his own game. The devil does anything and everything to try to convince us to not come to Christ. Let us make sure this year, that the devil doesn't win.
I believe time is getting short. How evil our world has become, it would not surprise me if He would come to get us soon. Though we need, we must start telling others about God. There are so many out there that is going to hell and I don't want to be part of the reason. I don't want them to be able to say, you never told me or your actions made me not want to become a christian.
Dear Heavenly Father, please let me shine your light. Please allow someone that doesn't know you read this. Let them see your love and soften their heart to come to know you. I feel that the rapture can't be too much farther but Lord I pray that you bring a lot more people to you. Thank you for your loving kindness and your salvation. In Jesus precious name, Amen
Matthew 7:21-23 Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day,'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'
I think when we get to heaven, we may be surprised of the people that won't be there. The more I hear of people talking about lost souls, it makes me think of this verse. There are so many people out there that think that works will get them to heaven. Does God want us to work for Him? Yes of course! We just can't miss the big picture. He has made it so easy for us to come to Him but yet so many will miss the mark.
Let us take time to reflect on our first commitment to Christ. Do you remember the time that you asked Jesus into your heart, told Him that you believed that He died on the cross for your sins and rose again and asked forgiveness for your sin (for we have all sinned and came short to the glory of God)? If not, maybe this message is for you, or maybe you know someone that has told you that they think they are good enough to go to heaven. It is time to beat the devil at his own game. The devil does anything and everything to try to convince us to not come to Christ. Let us make sure this year, that the devil doesn't win.
I believe time is getting short. How evil our world has become, it would not surprise me if He would come to get us soon. Though we need, we must start telling others about God. There are so many out there that is going to hell and I don't want to be part of the reason. I don't want them to be able to say, you never told me or your actions made me not want to become a christian.
Dear Heavenly Father, please let me shine your light. Please allow someone that doesn't know you read this. Let them see your love and soften their heart to come to know you. I feel that the rapture can't be too much farther but Lord I pray that you bring a lot more people to you. Thank you for your loving kindness and your salvation. In Jesus precious name, Amen
Thursday, January 1, 2015
New Years Resolutions
by: Jessica Finney
Year after year people make resolutions and don't keep them. So why do we make them when probably nine out of ten of them, we know from the start we do not plan to keep them? I have decided that earthly resolutions are just a waste of my time. If I don't plan to fully go into them anytime during the year, then what makes a new year any different?
This year as I think more about what God would want me to do in my life, I feel He would say make everyday a resolution to share the gospel with others, draw closer to Him by reading His word and praying more. Do you know what an impact we could make on people if we did all of those things daily? We could reach so many for Christ.
Therefore He said unto them, The harvest is truly great , but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Luke 10:2
Are you up to the challenge? Sharing the gospel, reading His word, praying without ceasing, and most important listening to His calling and going/doing what He wants you to do (no matter what it is)?
I have felt for awhile that God has a plan for me that He is getting me ready for. The scary fear of thinking it might be an encouraging speaker of some sort or to share the gospel through drama's. Whatever the Lord has in store, I have heard more and more as I pray about what He would like me to do. That He doesn't call the equipped but equips the called.
Dear Lord, as we go through this new year let us listen to you and know what you want us to do. Help us to share the gospel and draw others to you. Let us make a impact for the kingdom of God. Let us be ready for the harvest. Give us the strength to do what You want us to do no matter how hard it may seem or how unequipped we feel. In Jesus precious name, amen.
Year after year people make resolutions and don't keep them. So why do we make them when probably nine out of ten of them, we know from the start we do not plan to keep them? I have decided that earthly resolutions are just a waste of my time. If I don't plan to fully go into them anytime during the year, then what makes a new year any different?
This year as I think more about what God would want me to do in my life, I feel He would say make everyday a resolution to share the gospel with others, draw closer to Him by reading His word and praying more. Do you know what an impact we could make on people if we did all of those things daily? We could reach so many for Christ.
Therefore He said unto them, The harvest is truly great , but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. Luke 10:2
Are you up to the challenge? Sharing the gospel, reading His word, praying without ceasing, and most important listening to His calling and going/doing what He wants you to do (no matter what it is)?
I have felt for awhile that God has a plan for me that He is getting me ready for. The scary fear of thinking it might be an encouraging speaker of some sort or to share the gospel through drama's. Whatever the Lord has in store, I have heard more and more as I pray about what He would like me to do. That He doesn't call the equipped but equips the called.
Dear Lord, as we go through this new year let us listen to you and know what you want us to do. Help us to share the gospel and draw others to you. Let us make a impact for the kingdom of God. Let us be ready for the harvest. Give us the strength to do what You want us to do no matter how hard it may seem or how unequipped we feel. In Jesus precious name, amen.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Cherishing Jesus at Christmas
by: Jessica Finney
Have you ever thought about how Joseph and Mary raised the Son of God? What were they thinking about as they held Jesus in their arms? Were they overwhelmed with emotions? Did they praise God everyday for entrusting them with something so big? Did they fully understand how big it was? I have. I often think more on Mary, as she not only held Him but carried Him in her womb. Was she thinking already of the cross He would have to be crucified on?
Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering the in her heart.
I can't help but think that she cherished every moment that she had with Him. Even if she couldn't quite fully understand how everything would turn out.
This Christmas, as we cherish our family time, lets remember the reason for the season and cherish that Jesus was born in a lowly manger and one day would die on a cross for our sins to raise again on the third day so we could have eternal life.
Dear Lord, even though I have no idea how Joseph and Mary felt at Jesus birth and on. I do know that it is important for us to celebrate the real reason for Christmas. I pray that in all the hustle and bustle that people will take some time to reflect on what your birth really meant for us. Thank you for the eternal life you have promised us. In Jesus name, Amen.
Have you ever thought about how Joseph and Mary raised the Son of God? What were they thinking about as they held Jesus in their arms? Were they overwhelmed with emotions? Did they praise God everyday for entrusting them with something so big? Did they fully understand how big it was? I have. I often think more on Mary, as she not only held Him but carried Him in her womb. Was she thinking already of the cross He would have to be crucified on?
Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering the in her heart.
I can't help but think that she cherished every moment that she had with Him. Even if she couldn't quite fully understand how everything would turn out.
This Christmas, as we cherish our family time, lets remember the reason for the season and cherish that Jesus was born in a lowly manger and one day would die on a cross for our sins to raise again on the third day so we could have eternal life.
Dear Lord, even though I have no idea how Joseph and Mary felt at Jesus birth and on. I do know that it is important for us to celebrate the real reason for Christmas. I pray that in all the hustle and bustle that people will take some time to reflect on what your birth really meant for us. Thank you for the eternal life you have promised us. In Jesus name, Amen.
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