Hope and Inspiration

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Comment by Debbie R Crosby on July 13, 2009 at 10:43am

Kelly,
I needed that today! Boy you go doing something for Christ and Satan will cause chaos to swirl around you big time. But if you hold to the Lord durning the chaos it will be ok.


Debbie

Comment by Kelly P on July 13, 2009 at 10:28am

Wow, this Daily Devotional is from yesterday. I was not able to open it until now. Absolutely incredible. Thank you Lord!

By Margaret D. Mitchell
Week of July 12
Safety

"I will lie down and sleep in peace, for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety." ~ Psalm 4:8


God made His covenant of peace through Christ so that we may live free of hostility and enjoy life in complete security. God's original intent was that we live fearlessly and in safety. Of course, this requires obedience, following the voice of the Holy Spirit carefully and seeking God in worship above all things.

Proverbs 28:26 says, "He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe." May we exercise God's wisdom.

Proverbs 29:25 says, "Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe." May we fearlessly trust God, not man.

Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." May we run to the Lord.

Psalm 34:10 says, "... those who seek the Lord lack no good thing. May we seek the Lord.

Deuteronomy 33:12 says, "Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in Him, for He shields Him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders." May we rest in the Lord.

The enemy would like nothing more than to destroy us through eternal separation from God. Although we can rest secure in our salvation, consider how he could destroy our lives through tempting us away from worshiping and seeking God's face regularly as the Holy Spirit leads. The enemy can use distraction, complacency, overwork, untimeliness, fear and false responsibilities to lure us away from our first priority, thus causing us to not know God's revealed direction for specific assignments.

Seeking God's face and direction is an obedient choice we make. If we willingly choose to not seek His will, we may lean unto our own understanding, talents and gifts to make important decisions. Thus, God will not bless the work of our hands. Even though we may accomplish a bit, at some point, we will come to a screeching halt.

Throughout the Bible, God revealed unusual directives to leaders. Consider the Book of Joshua where the Lord gave Joshua a unique strategy for each battle in the Promised Land. What if Joshua hadn't listened and instead leaned on previous battle strategies (old manna) to get him through. What if he had looked left and right upon distraction and not kept his eyes upon the Lord? What if he had let fear control his actions?

Joshua would have failed because he would have been in disobedience against God and would have been fighting in his own strength. Much hinged upon Joshua's obedience, including his own life. But it wasn't just about him. It was about a nation. It was about God's will being done on earth as it is in heaven. It was about a Kingdom.

Clearly, obedience is key to our security and livelihood. God's mercy is new every morning. May we partake of His fresh manna and drink of His new wine daily so that we may enjoy life in complete safety.

Margaret D. Mitchell is the founder of God's Love at Work, a marketplace outreach purposed to share God's greatest power source - the love of Christ. Check out the new God's Love at Work Businesswomen Select program and the Women's Fellowship gatherings.

Comment by Kelly P on July 13, 2009 at 9:58am

Here is a wonderful Daily Devotional for today. Amazing how easy it is to forget . . .

Enjoy Life!
This devotional was written by Jim Burns

Do not be anxious about anything but in everything by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. --Philippians 4:6,7

Sometimes I work too hard and take life too hard. Last week I noticed flowers in my backyard in bloom, and I had missed the process of blooming, Life is too short. Sometimes we need to sit back and enjoy God's gift to us. Brother Jeremiah was at the end of his life when he reflected on his many years of Christian service. I keep close to my heart these words he wrote:

"If I had my life to live over again, I'd try to make more mistakes next time. I would relax. I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I know of very few things I would take seriously. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers, and watch more sunsets. I would do more walking and looking, I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would have more actual troubles and fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I am one of those people who live prophylactically and sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I've had my moments, and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead each day. I have been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a gargle, a raincoat, aspirin, and a parachute. If I had it to do over again, I would go places, do things, and travel lighter than I have.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefooted earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would play more. I would ride on more merry-go-rounds. I'd pick more daisies."*


GOING DEEPER:

Reread Philippians 4:6,7. What is the result of not being anxious, but presenting our requests to God through prayer and petition with thanksgiving?
Sometimes we are anxious about life because we are sitting around thinking about it. What specifically can you do today to live life to the fullest? Do it today!
FURTHER READING:
Matthew 6:25-34, Ephesians 6:18, John 14:27, Colossians 3:15

* Ted W. Engstrom, The Pursuit of Excellence (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1982), p. 90. Used by permission.

Comment by Kelly P on July 13, 2009 at 9:52am

Yes, yes, Nora,
I am rejoicing with you this wonderful day.

It's a busy one already, but that is a goood thing!

I am so glad to hear your update. God is sooo good! I was lifting you up in prayer and it is so good to hear exciting results.

Have a blessed day!

Comment by Leonora on July 13, 2009 at 9:47am

O.k. My sisters and Brothers;

What's going on this wonderful Monday Morning?
Are you all rejoicing with me?

Comment by Leonora on July 12, 2009 at 10:07pm

Comment by Leonora on July 12, 2009 at 10:01pm

Hey Sister Janett,

Thank you so much for your prayers, yes God moved again
through these events!! I tell you the truth I thank Him because
He is just that good..

The scriptures say; Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the Lord
is good!! Let me say that again, O taste and see that the Lord if Good!!

Girl, I have tasted of his mercies, and I know that He is good!
I have tasted of His Power, and trust me when I say; He is good!
I have tasted of His goodness, that’s why I say He is good!

O Taste somebody and see for yourself that He is Good!!

We had such a wonderful time at baptism, there were three new candidates this week, and I feel that people are finding more and more of a need of Him in their lives. Glory to God!!

I tell you, I just don’t know what I would do without Him?

The Wedding was just beautiful!
I was honored to be part of such an important event.

Now that I am back home, I am setting up for (VBS) Vacation Bible School..

It’s seems there is so many things to do, with so little time to Do it!
Let me invite all of you now while I am chatting about it!

I love you all and thank Janett and everyone for keeping me in your prayers.


You’re Sister Nora

Comment by Leonora on July 12, 2009 at 9:42pm

Amen Kelly Amen!

Wow what knowledge to find when we come into this thread,
Praise God I say!!

Thank you for being so ever faithful by sharing words of wisdom
and knowledge.. Whooo I am going to have to read this again..

Thank you my sister!!

Love you!

Comment by Janett Hope on July 12, 2009 at 1:55pm

Hello Sister Lenora,

I know you had a beautiful spirit-filled day in the Lord. I pray you had health and strength for your ministry engagements, and you have a safe journey back home. I pray that lives were changed and someone came to know the Lord in a real way.

You take care
Janett

Comment by Kelly P on July 11, 2009 at 8:36am

Interesting, I never realized what the name Delilah meant . . . I don't think I would have made the connection with lanquishing because she was beautiful on the outside, or beautiful to look at.

July 10

"And the lords of the Philistines came to her (Delilah) and said to her, 'Entice him and see in what his great strength lies, and by what means we may overpower him.'"
Judges 16: 5, Amplified Bible

EXPLORATION

"Don't Dabble with Delilah"

"My child, flee from every evil and everything that resembleth it."
Didache

Would I recognize "Delilah" if she or he walked into my life?

How would I define "Delilah" in my life?

"There is no evil that does not promise inducements. Avarice promises money; luxury a varied assortment of pleasures; ambition, a purple robe and applause. Vices tempt you by the rewards they offer."
Seneca

INSPIRATION

"Evil is only good perverted."
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

The serpent was watching from a perch in a tree -- a beautiful, wily serpent. Patiently waiting for a moment to strike. Observing every move and persistently hunting for that vulnerable weakness when with her guard down, the unsuspecting Eve would fall into a well-set trap.

No wonder the Apostle Peter left us with this cautionary warning: "Be well balanced, temperate, sober of mind, be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring, in fierce hunger, seeking someone to seize upon and devour" (I Peter 5: 8, Amplified Bible).

Sadly, since that heartbreaking day in the Garden of Eden when God's two perfectly created children fell for the serpent's lies, God's precious kids have been succumbing ever after to the promises our enemy, the devil, throws out there. Like bait to a fish, we grab onto some tasty morsel and before you know it we ourselves are hooked by one of the serpent's lies.

Having ignored God's warning not to go to the Valley of Sorek and participate in the forbidden, Samson decided that dabbling with Delilah carried little risk. And this got me to thinking and asking my favorite question. "Why?" Why did Samson feel so secure, so strong, so self-assured.

I tell you why. Samson was strong. Time and again the Bible tells us that the power of God came upon him and he was able to take down a lion and snap the ropes that bound him as though they were little strings. Somewhere along the way, Samson began to believe his own press release! He began to believe his strength was his alone. He could rely on his own muscles and power. So coming up against Delilah, a woman no less, was a joke to Samson. He'd been able to conquer anyone else who had gotten in his way, he was certain he could make quick work against Delilah, too.

But what a terrible mis-judgment on the part of Samson, for Delilah was not like the other women for whom Samson had shown utter contempt. Delilah was different and tomorrow, we will find out that she was well-chosen.

In order to better understand what Samson was up against, I went to my Hebrew dictionary to find out what Delilah's name meant. In Biblical times, a great deal of effort was given to choosing a name for a child. Often names were given which described the child's calling from God. Other times names seemed to carry an almost prophetic description of a child's future. What I found out about Delilah supports the fact that the meaning of her name fittingly described her effect on those she met.

The Hebrew meaning of Delilah is "languishing." I didn't really understand exactly what this word meant so I checked my trusty Webster's Dictionary and was in for a surprise. "Languishing" means to become weak or feeble. To waste away. To exist in miserable and disheartening conditions. I couldn't believe what I was reading, however, I realized immediately that the reason God told Samson to stay away from the Valley of Sorek, the Valley of the Vine, was not that God was trying to be arbitrary or demanding or narrow. It was that God knew that Delilah lived in that Valley. God knew that "weakness" resided in the Valley of the Vine and God understood, even when Samson didn't, that on forbidden territory, Samson's strength would be turned into weakness. Blinded by his love for Delilah, Samson became weak -- unable to resist and flee.

As I read about the meaning of Delilah's name, I asked myself, "How many Delilahs foster weakness in my life?" For remember this, Delilah isn't just a woman in Judges. Delilah is anything in my life that weakens me and makes me feeble or causes me to "waste" my life -- a life that has a purpose, planned for me by my heavenly Father.

Frankly, I'd be very depressed right now as I think about Eve who was enticed, and Samson who was enticed, if the disciple Peter hadn't left us some of the most encouraging words in Scripture. Peter had his own "Delilah's" that brought him to his knees and caused him to realize we can't rely on our own strength. After telling us that the devil is seeking whom he may devour, Peter reminded us to "stay rooted in God." But rather than telling us we must depend on our own strength, Peter says, "...the God of all grace, who imparts all blessings and favor, Who has called you to His own eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be...." (1 Peter 5: 10, Amplified Bible).

What a relief! When you and I choose to put our faith in our Father, rather than foolishly depending on our own muscles and strength, we don't have to take on Delilah, for a wall of heavenly protection surrounds us as long as we walk on the path our Father has laid out before us.

If you and I don't want to languish in Delilah's clutches, then let's follow our Dad's advice and stay out of the Valley of Sorek! In the words of the Apostle James: "So let God work His will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and He'll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin" (James 4: 7,8, The Message).

Don't dabble with Delilah!

"Let your love be sincere,
a real thing;
hate what is evil,
loathe all ungodliness,
turn in horror from wickedness,
but hold fast to that which is good."
Romans 12: 9
Amplified Bible

AFFIRMATION

"O Lord, Seek Us"

O Lord, seek us, O Lord find us
In Thy patient care;
By Thy love before, behind us,
Round us everywhere;
Lest the god of this world blind us,
Lest he speak us fair,
Lest he forge a chain to bind us,
Lest he bait a snare.
Turn not from us, call to mind us,
Find, embrace us, bear;
Be Thy love before, behind us,
Round us, everywhere."
Christina Rossetti

Your friend,
Dorothy Valcárcel, Author
When A Woman Meets Jesus
Now available wherever books are sold and at www.amazon.com and www.christianbook.comor 1-800-Christian
Dorothy@TransformationGarden.com

P.S. My book, When A Woman Meets Jesus, is now available wherever books are sold and on the internet at www.amazon.com, ChristianBook.com, or by calling toll-free, 1-800-Christian. You can also go to www.whenawomanmeetsjesus.com and purchase the book through Paypal.

If you would like to purchase When A Woman Meets Jesus at a 30%-50% quantity discount for your Women's Ministry Program or for Bible Study Groups, please visit: www.direct2church.com or email direct2church@Bakerpublishinggroup.com.

For more from Dorothy, please visit transformationgarden.com.

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