Devotions For The Reconciled Life

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake, Philippians 1:29 ...and He chose you for something special. I don't know if you are like me, but some mornings it is difficult to even get out of bed.  The bed is so comfortable.  You know that when you sit up and put your feet down, the day will begin and won't be pleased anymore.  Somedays I lay in bed too long and allow my mind to run places it shouldn't go. Sites...

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you. Psalms 139:13-18 No one can do you the way you do you.  When you are yielded to the Spirit of God wonderous works for the Kingdom can be accomplished.  Remember that you are God’s masterpiece today.  Where you are, as you are, as you look. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. ...

13 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! 18 If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I awake, and I am still with you.' Psalms 139:13-18 Fearfully in this verse is actually translated from the Hebrew ary “to inspire awe.”  Who we are right now inspires awe.  As you are, where you sit or stand; in yoga pants and a tee-shirt, or tie and suit are awesome.  God has made you that way from the very start.  It is who you are!  You are made a wonder fr...

     Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.       Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. Philippians 4:4-8 Going back to versus eight (underlined), it shows us the Outcome or the earmark of being in God’s presence and engaging in earnest effective prayer:  effective communion with God that produces A God-centered Praise WORTHY THOUGHT life. (4:8) Because of engaging in effective earnest prayer and your heart and mind is guarded by t...

     Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.       Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 Verse eight (underlined) shows us the outcome or the earmark of being in God’s presence and engaging in earnest effective prayer:  effective communion with God that produces a God-centered Praise WORTHY THOUGHT life. (4:8...

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9 As God’s righteous children we know His promises are ours.  I think that is the beginning of the "Rejoice."  If I remember that I am God's child and His promises are true, then I will not be overcome by anxious fears.  I can remember that God holds all ...

'Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable — if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy — dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. ' Philippians 4:4-9 Rejoice?  In the middle of pain and struggle, rejoice is not the first word that comes to mind.  Fret.  Worry.  Bemoan.  Fear.  Anxiety.  Those are the words that come to my mind naturally when I am faced with struggle and pain....

I am not a huge sport watching person.  I enjoy hockey from time to time.  College football and baseball if I can watch it in person.  But every two years there is an Olympics.  When the Olympics are on TV, my TV is on the Olympics.  This morning, speed skating is on.  These skaters have spent their entire lives preparing for this day.  I can only imagine the anxiety that these athletes are experiencing.  Those that are controlled by this anxiety perform poorly.  Some that I have watched have performed the worst race they have this year. One of the greatest tools that our enemy uses to bring defeat into our lives is anxiety. When we are anxious, it rules our lives. Anxiety causes you to break fellowship with God. - Jesus is the Prince of peace. He is peace; so, to be anxious and focused on anxious thoughts is to take your eyes off of Jesus and to look to self, circumstances, situations, and the lies of the enemy instead of listening...

Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word. So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:3‭-‬4‭, ‬7 Today I completely different surroundings. I am sitting in the Cancer Center infusion room. Not as nice as yesterday. Today I am here for a port flush. Nothing substantial. Just a monthly appointment. I am surrounded by servants. Very nice nurses are walking between patients. Many are receiving chemotherapy for cancer. Many have a friend who helps occupy their time while they receive their treatment. Most here this afternoon look well from the outside. Inside they have a tumor somewhere that is attacking them. Their health. Their well-being. In some cases, their life. Isn't that like the inside of th...

3 “Brothers and sisters, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. 4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”  7 So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith. Acts 6:3-4,7 CSB I’m seating in my chair this morning, drinking a cup of coffee and watching a sport that I can watch for hours.  Curling.  Every time that I notice that I can watch it, the TV automatically goes to that channel.  Having grown up in Arkansas and live in Alabama, I have no idea why this Winter sport is so engaging to me.  There is not a lot of Winter in either state nor frozen lakes.  I have learned about the hog line, the four rock rule and other esoteric matters associated with this sport.  It is a team sport that requires great strategy and teamwork with each thrown s...