Son Shine

by Jessica Finney

Have you noticed how much better you feel when it is the first part of spring?  The sun is shining and you can go outside with a lighter coat on.  Doesn't this bring an extra spring to your step?  It does mine. I don't know about you but I get a little depressed in the winter time.  I miss the sun shining on me. I miss the green grass and the pretty flowers.

Although, you are probably thinking why would she put Son shine when all I am talking about is sunshine.  It is simple.  If we go any length of time away from the Son (Jesus), we will get down because we are trying to rely on our own abilities.  Which will eventually wear us out. If we stop reading the Bible or praying on regular basis, we miss that closeness. We sometimes can feel there is something wrong but do not want to admit it is because we walked away farther.  God doesn't move from us but we move from Him once we stop that interaction time.

It is very important to keep building our relationship with God because like people in our lives if we do not interact with them, we don't have a relationship with them. How can we get to know them, without talking to them and get this "listen to them"?  Have you had those few people that talk so much that they don't listen? Some people are so consumed with themselves that they couldn't care less what you are saying all they want to talk about is themselves. Well, it is time that we start listening to God and that requires reading our Bible and praying to Him on a regular basis.

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; Ephesians 6:18

Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today to help us grow closer to You and to always have the Son Shine.  Help us to listen to what you want us to do so we can bring others to you. We want a close relationship with you. Help us to not miss the many blessings You want in our lives. We can do nothing without you. In Jesus name, amen

Jesus' Compassion for us

John 11:35 Jesus wept

Such a small verse but oh the power of it. Right before this, his friend Lazarus had died.  He knew He was going to raise Him from the dead. He had no reason to weep because he died but He wept because he felt compassion on the ones around Him.

This gives me so much hope. When I am sad, God understands that emotion.  I believe with all of my heart that He doesn't like to see us sad. He would love to see us happy all the days of our lives.

Although life isn't full of roses and all sweet things, we can still find joy in the Lord. He promises to always be with us. When I truly put my faith in Him, I can have joy even through a trial.  Is it easy, no but with God all things are possible. Only trust Him to give us the peace we need. He will take care of ALL of our problems.

There is no greater feeling then to feel like God has His arms wrapped around us and He won't let go. He gives us the strength we need all we have to do is ask.

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your compassion on us.  Thank you for understanding when we are sad.  Thank you for allowing us to come to you and to  find peace in You.  Help our unbelief that we might be better lights for you.  Show us how to have joy in our trials. Let our trials bring others to You. Please bless us and enlarge our territories, keep Your hand upon us and keep us from evil. You granted this to Jabez so I am praying for you to grant it to us as well.  In Jesus name, Amen

Humble

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.

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.

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