A Christian Devotional

[Shammu]

Need a trim?

John 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

When we moved into this place five months ago, the bushes in front looked terrible. The yard hadn't been cared for in so long that the bushes had grown into the trees, pulling down the branches, creating a thick wall of dry, dusty and intertwined shrubbery and blocking out the sunlight. Almost everything in the front yard was dead from lack of sun and sometimes even rain.

A couple of months ago, we inquired as to how much it would cost to cut all that dirty mess down so that we and the yard could receive a little sunlight. We found a reasonable price and the next morning two men came to start the job. About half way through the day, we were starting to feel for those guys as by this point all of us were realizing that they had terribly underestimated the work it would take to tear this thing down. What was supposedly only going to take a couple of hours, took all day long. From morning till dark, they hacked at that wall, and still had to return the next day to collect all the branches and leaves as it had already become too dark.

When the sun came up that next morning we felt it, and we stepped outside to see results. It looked, well.... horrible! The bushes and trees looked even more homely and uninviting then before. And now that the light shined brightly into our yard, the dryness and ugliness of everything showed in a way we hadn't seen it before! We were so disappointed.

But only two months later, the bushes, the grass, the flowers, everything is nice and green and beautiful!

Here's what we learned. In order for the sun to come in, the dross has to be cut down. At first, a lot of ugly things will be exposed. But as the sun shines down with all its nutrients and the rain moistens and washes away what was once all dry and dirty, little sprouts of fresh life begin to sprout and with time, before you know it, everything becomes new and any evidence of the old disappears.

Hmmmm. So it is with our hardened and dry hearts. We need to clear away the dross and let the Son come in! We needn't be discouraged when we see the results at first -- just keep allowing His nutrients to nourish us and His rain to wash us. Soon you and all our neighbors will see a beautiful thing grow and they will probably want to know how they too can get their hearts looking so nice!

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[Shammu]

Get excited!

Matthew 5:14-16 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

It’s amazing how the little ones grow, isn’t it? Our Elianna has taught us so many lessons and she continues to teach us each and every passing day.

Yesterday, our little one was watching one of her little Israeli educational baby shows when suddenly she began shouting hysterically at the screen and stomping around the living room. Wondering what all the fuss was about, I stopped what I was doing and headed her way. A bunch of children on the screen were screaming, clapping and jumping up and down in excitement, chanting the name of this clown called -- now don’t laugh, “Boomba”. And there was Elianna was doing it right along with them. “Aww, that’s cute,” I said. But on second thought, maybe it isn’t that cute.

If Elianna, at age two, is capable of showing that much passion for Boomba, she must have the capacity to get at least that excited about Jesus when we worship! But are we a good example to her of that kind of steadfast, heartfelt, passion for the Lord? I’d like to think so but something tells me we’re not even close!

Then I got to thinking -- what kinds of things really excite us as modern men and women --- our friends, our traditions, our hobbies, our ball games, shopping sprees, good food, the next episode of our favorite TV show, I’m sure you all could come up with a few to add.

Most of these activities are harmless in moderation, but next to worshipping our merciful Savior, how could they even compare? Spending time in praise and adoration for our God, desiring to mature in Him, assembling together with others who love Him and serving among them, looking for opportunities to share His truth with others --- our passion for God and the things of God should far exceed the passion we display toward the former!

Let’s examine ourselves today and take a good look at where our passions lie (no pun intended)! If the Lord isn’t number one on the list, we have some work to do! Perhaps we need to fast from some of the things of the world and get our passions focused on Him again!

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[Shammu]

Be faithful!

Luke 19:17 And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.

People often tell us that they know God has called them to do something, but they just don’t know where to begin figuring out what. Well, I’ll tell you where we began. Before we knew each other, and before the Lord so mercifully redeemed us, my wife and I both lived terribly rebellious and self-centered lifestyles.

When we finally gave our hearts and lives to the Lord and later met, neither of us had finished college. I was delivering flowers and selling newspaper subscriptions door to door for a living and gathering inner city kids for church every Sunday morning. Rivka was a waitress, struggling to make a buck and serving with a local messianic Jewish ministry. It was years of doing small things before the Lord began opening our eyes to His purpose for our lives. And He continues to open our eyes daily!

My point? We gotta start somewhere. And there doesn’t seem to be any “starting at the top” with the Lord! He sees that we can be faithful in a small thing and reveals our next step toward His great calling upon our lives.

So let’s be encouraged today! Let’s stay faithful in the little things He’s called us to do and we will soon see His great plan revealed!

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[Shammu]

Are you cheerful?

2 Corinthians 9:6-7 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

We came across this story the other day.

A mother wanted to teach her daughter a moral lesson. She gave the little girl a quarter and a dollar for church "Put whichever one you want in the collection plate and keep the other for yourself," she told the girl. When they were coming out of church, the mother asked her daughter which amount she had given. "Well," said the little girl, "I was going to give the dollar, but just before the collection the man in the pulpit said that we should all be cheerful givers. I knew I'd be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so I did."

I feel like this little girl sometimes, do you? We can be so selfish, can’t we? We so quickly forget just how un-selfish our God is ever toward us. He gave his only Son to die, that our sins would be atoned; that we could be comforted by Him here on earth and have everlasting life with Him in Heaven! How could we not share His goodness, whatever the Lord has given us, whether spiritual, physical, emotional, financial, artistic, scholastic, whatever else!? It is God who has given us these gifts- and they’re not ours to keep!

And you know what else? As I read this, I realized something peculiar -- something I’ve never noticed before. Have you ever thought about the fact that “I” is always capitalized in a sentence? I mean, why not “you”? How about he, she, they, etc? Nope…only “I”. I knew I'd be a lot more cheerful if I gave the quarter, so I did."

I think we need to un-capitalize our I’s today. Maybe it’s time we gave away some of God’s gifts to the Hes, Shes, and Theys in our midst! There’s so much work to be done!!

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[Shammu]

Come as you are.

Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

An artist went searching the streets of New York City for a model to pose for a portrait he wanted to call “The Prodigal”. One day was passing Central Park and saw an impoverished beggar lying on a bench and thought: "He’s perfect! That man would represent the prodigal son beautifully in my painting." He asked the beggar if he would be willing to sit for his painting and he would gladly pay him for his time. Naturally, the beggar agreed.

On the day and time appointed, a man knocked on the door of the artist’s small Brooklyn studio. Excitedly, he answered his door only to find a clean-shaven young man dressed in a suit and tie standing before him. Disappointed, he said, “You must have the wrong door sir, the law office is down the hall”. “But you made an appointment with me,” the man replied, “No,” said the artist, “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you before. I made an appointment to meet with a beggar here at this hour.” “Well,” said the man, “I am the beggar.” “You?” said the artist, “You’re the beggar?” “Yes, he replied. After you left me last week, I found some money and thought I would get a new suit of clothes before you painted me.” “Oh,” replied the artist, “Well, you’re just not right for the job.”

The beggar wanted to show himself a masterpiece before the artist -- but the artist wasn’t looking for that. He wanted to create the masterpiece himself! Likewise, when we come to God, we must not come in our own garments of self-righteousness. We must come before him transparent, with no inhibitions, or worries, or pride. God has already seen our weaknesses and faults. We’re not hiding anything from Him anyway.

The Master Artist has an appointment with us today. Let’s not come disguised as someone else. Let’s come as we are so that He can make a priceless masterpiece.

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[Shammu]

This is our time to step up!

Esther 4:14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Today begins the feast of Purim, which celebrates the deliverance of the Jewish people from one of many of Satan's attempts to purge them from the world. Mordechai gave Esther a great challenge then, "and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?"

This is a challenge for all of us! As each generation is raised up, God appoints men and women to rise up to the challenge of that age. We are alive in this day and in this hour (an amazing day and hour, at that) and God is saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" He is awaiting those who will come forward and say "Hineni," here am I, in Hebrew! And if we fall short of this challenge, "enlargement and deliverance may arise from another place."

Let's not let that happen! God wants to use us! Let's rise to the occasion! When we stand before Him, we want to be able to say, "I have run the race and kept the faith, and now there is a crown of righteousness that awaits me!"

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[Shammu]

Let your mourning turn to joy!

Psalms 37:23-24 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.

Failure is never a pleasant feeling. It isn't enjoyable to lose a job, see a relationship falter, or fail a test. But the disappointment we feel when we face defeat can be turned to joy if we look at it the right way!

Thomas Edison was busy working in his laboratory at 2 o'clock one morning when an assistant came into the room and noticed that the inventor was smiling broadly.

"Have you solved the problem?" he asked. "No," replied Edison, "that experiment didn't work at all. Now I can start over again." Edison could have such a confident attitude because he knew that the road to success is often paved with disappointments that serve to extend the road -- not to block it. Each failure brought him a little closer to success.

Living a life of victory is not about being perfect. We are human and we will always make mistakes. The key is learning how to get up after we have fallen. It’s natural to make mistakes -- but it’s supernatural to learn from them and move forward!

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[Shammu]

Find the secret of stability!

Isaiah 33:6 And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and strength of salvation: the fear of the LORD is his treasure.

Have you ever felt uneasy, unsettled or unstable? Or maybe a better question is -- who hasn’t? How do we overcome these feelings? This is what George Muller wrote in His diary on May 9, 1841:

"Now, I saw that the most important thing I had to do was to give myself to the reading of the Word of God, and to meditation on it, that thus my heart might be comforted, encouraged, warned, reproved, instructed...by breakfast time, with rare exceptions, I am in a peaceful if not happy state of heart."

The word faith in Hebrew is “emunah” (em-oo-nah). But interestingly, in our Hebrew Bible, the word stability in the verse above is written “emunah”! Faith and stability are linked one to another. How do we become more stable and settled despite the circumstances surrounding our lives? By gaining faith! "Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God."

When we search for wisdom and knowledge in His word, we become more stable in our walk! Let’s aim to spend more time in the Word and gain more stability in our lives.

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[Shammu]

Nice juicy steak, anyone?

Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

One day, when Billy Graham was driving through a small southern town, he was stopped by a policeman and charged with speeding. Graham admitted his guilt, but was told by the officer that he would have to appear in court. The judge asked, "Guilty, or not guilty?" When Graham pleaded guilty, the judge replied, "That'll be ten dollars -- a dollar for every mile you went over the limit."

Suddenly the judge recognized the famous minister. "You have violated the law," he said. "The fine must be paid -- but I am going to pay it for you." He took a ten dollar bill from his own wallet, attached it to the ticket, and then took Graham out and bought him a steak dinner! "That," said Billy Graham, "is how God treats repentant sinners!"

According to Merriam-Webster, the word "repent" means "to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one's life". Somehow, we've gotten to thinking that to repent, simply means to say "I'm sorry". No. Repentance means TURNING AWAY from our sin and striving to live a life of holiness.

Billy admitted his sin to the judge. He didn't try to hide it, he didn't rationalize it and I'm pretty sure didn't take this offense lightly. I'm certain he took it quite seriously and endeavored never to drive over the speed limit again.

We serve a mighty and gracious God. He wants to pay our debts and take us out for nice steak dinners. But we must live a life of repentance!

We can't be perfect. But we can walk in repentance daily. We need take our sin seriously. Let's dedicate our lives to the Lord once again today. There's so much work to be done!

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[Shammu]

What do you wish?

Psalms 27:4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.

Three men were marooned on a desert island. As the days slowly went by, they dreamed of what it would be like to be at home with their friends and family, to be back at their jobs doing the things they loved. One day one of the men found a bottle. When he opened it, a genie came out and announced that he would grant each of them one wish.

“Really?”one of the men said, “Boy, I sure would love to be back in Seattle with my wife and kids." POOF! -- in an instant he was gone. Seeing that, the second man immediately gave his request," I want to be back in New York with my fiancé!" And in a flash, POOF! -- he was gone too.

The third man was left all alone sitting on the sandy beach and said, "Wow, it’s lonely here with my friends gone. I sure wish they’d come back. And POOF.

Merriam Webster defines “wish” as “to have a desire for, as something unattainable”. We use that word all too often, don’t you think? We’re always wishing for something, always yearning for something, always “needing” that one more thing. It seems we can never be satisfied! There is only one thing we should truly desire, that is to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of our lives.

He is the only One who can truly satisfy our longings. Let’s give our hearts and desires to Him once again today.

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[Shammu]

Just say no!

Psalms 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.

Two hunters came across a bear so big that they dropped their rifles and ran for cover. One man climbed a tree while the other hid in a nearby cave. The bear was in no hurry to eat, so he sat down between the tree and the cave to reflect upon his good fortune. Suddenly, and for no apparent reason, the hunter in the cave came rushing out, almost ran into the waiting bear, hesitated, and then dashed back in again. The same thing happened a second time. When he emerged for the third time, his companion in the tree frantically called out, "Woody, are you crazy? Stay in the cave till he leaves!" "Can't," panted Woody, "there's another bear in there!"

Ever feel like fear is giving us the run around? Although there are a lot of scary things going on in the world these days and perhaps even in our own personal lives, God has not called us to live in fear. He’s has called us to stand strong in His confidence, knowing that He is in control! He’s called us to live lives full of power, love and a sound mind!

Dr. E. Stanley Jones said “I am inwardly fashioned for faith, not for fear. Fear is not my native land; faith is. I am so made that worry and anxiety are sand in the machinery of life; faith is the oil. I live better by faith and confidence than by fear, doubt and anxiety. In anxiety and worry, my being is gasping for breath--these are not my native air. But in faith and confidence, I breathe freely--these are my native air.”

Let’s say no to fear! Let’s determine to put our hope in the Lord once again today! There’s so much work to be done!

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[sincereheart]

The beggar wanted to show himself a masterpiece before the artist -- but the artist wasn’t looking for that. He wanted to create the masterpiece himself! Likewise, when we come to God, we must not come in our own garments of self-righteousness. We must come before him transparent, with no inhibitions, or worries, or pride. God has already seen our weaknesses and faults. We’re not hiding anything from Him anyway.

The Master Artist has an appointment with us today. Let’s not come disguised as someone else. Let’s come as we are so that He can make a priceless masterpiece.

Some really good stuff in these! Thank you for sharing them!

[Shammu]

We’re rich!

Psalms 37:25 I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread.

In Israel, everything is negotiable. Israelis often expect you to negotiate on prices. You can walk into a store, a mall, just about anywhere and offer to pay a better price then what they ask -- and they are usually up for a bargain! While that is foreign thinking to most of us western worlders, it can become bad habit over here -- always looking to get a deal!

New things cost a LOT of money here, but occasionally we hear of someone leaving the country and selling the contents of their home. Not long ago, we heard of such a situation and went to check it out. They had some beautiful things for sale and cheap -- everything from butter knives to bedroom furniture in great condition and we were able to get some things we’ve needed for a long time!

Finally, our cab arrived and it was time to collect our things and go. The sweet couple only asked a small amount for what we chose, so I gave them fifty shekels more than they asked (the equivalent of about ten dollars) and told them to keep the change. My wife looked at me wide-eyed and whispered, “I can’t believe you did that!”

Later, Rivka told me she felt the convicted about the situation. “It’s so easy to get into a poverty mentality.” She said. “Often we think we have so little -- too little to be generous -- too little to bless others. The reality is that God owns a cattle on a thousand hills -- and we are His sons and daughters! Really we are RICH! He blesses us with good things -- and He will not have us begging for bread!”

This is not a license to be irresponsible and go on a big extravagant shopping spree. But on the other hand, we must rid ourselves this “pauper” mindset! We are not beggars! We are children of the Most High!

Even if we feel we are in need today, let’s pray for a spirit of contentment and generosity! Let’s do something special for someone we haven’t thought to bless in a while. When our hope is in the Lord, He will always be faithful to meet our needs!

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.

[Shammu]

The beggar wanted to show himself a masterpiece before the artist -- but the artist wasn’t looking for that. He wanted to create the masterpiece himself! Likewise, when we come to God, we must not come in our own garments of self-righteousness. We must come before him transparent, with no inhibitions, or worries, or pride. God has already seen our weaknesses and faults. We’re not hiding anything from Him anyway.

The Master Artist has an appointment with us today. Let’s not come disguised as someone else. Let’s come as we are so that He can make a priceless masterpiece.

Some really good stuff in these! Thank you for sharing them!

Your welcome sister, it is a pleasure to share these devotionals.

[Shammu]

Can't touch this!

James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Carl Armerding wrote a funny story in Moody Monthly, about his experience at the zoo. "As I stood there," he said, "an attendant entered the cage through a door on the opposite side. He had nothing in his hands but a broom. Carefully closing the door, he proceeded to sweep the floor of the cage." He observed that the worker had no weapon to ward off an attack by the beast. In fact, when he got to the corner of the cage where the wildcat was lying, he poked the animal with the broom. The wildcat hissed at him and then lay down in another corner of the enclosure. Armerding remarked to the attendant, "You certainly are a brave man." "No, I ain't brave," he replied as he continued to sweep. "Well, then, that cat must be tame." "No," came the reply, "he ain't tame." "If you aren't brave and the wildcat isn't tame, then I can't understand why he doesn't attack you." Armerding said the man chuckled, then replied with an air of confidence, "Mister, he's old -- and he ain't got no teeth."

Such is the devil in our lives when we realize that God is for us! We should be like the attendant. He knew that cat couldn't hurt a fly. Satan will make a big ruckus, fussing and hissing all he wants but we need to keep our eyes focused on our Lord.

Are you being hissed at today? The enemy would love nothing more than to make us feel powerless against him -- but "he ain't got no teeth" next to our Lord! Let's turn to God and put our trust in Him. If God is for us, who can be against us?!

This e-mail Devotional is supplied by Worthy Devotionals.