Nuggets from my Devotional Closet

The last week has been full of light and life from my daily devotions. One day I was impressed by Jesus' words, "go proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God." What a challenge and an opportunity to proclaim His priceless kingdom in every place. It is a big and glorious subject!

Another day I was deeply moved by that fact that Jesus suffered on the cross to destroy all the works of the devil. That includes every facet of spiritual darkness that blinds the eyes of the unbelieving and keeps them bound. The Light of the World is Jesus and we must come to the light in order to see things clearly and rightly.

"Who is the faithful servant...to give them their rations at the proper time?" What a challenge that is to us pastors and faithers to give the right ministry at the right time. Jesus went on to say, "who knew the master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with His will." We must seek Him to discern God's will in ministry which includes the right thing at the right time in the right way. It is a good thing that He has given us the Holy Spirit as our guide!

I was convicted another morning as I was previewing a DVD on anger. They stated that cutting off our spirit from someone else is a form of hatred the root of murder. That hit me in my heart because I have struggled in recent months over rejection and hurt because of people that I loved and felt heart unity with who left our church fellowship. It's one thing when there is strong disagreement over doctrine and people separate to maintain peace and avoid conflict. It is another thing when Christians separate just because _______?? and there is no logical scriptural reason for it. For me, that hurts a lot more. I committed, by God's grace, never to pull my spirit away from others no matter how hurt I feel. That's the kind of love my Lord demonstrated and because of all He has done for me, I can accept nothing less.

Another morning in thinking about the coming elections I noticed: "will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry to Him day and night?...speedily..." Since then we have been crying to Him each morning and evening for righteousness in our nation. Our government leaders are only a small part of that, but an key part in experiencing God's continued blessing when our laws line up with His. Elected officials are going to make people righteous, only Jesus can do that, and neither are they going to bring about the Kingdom of Christ, His return will accomplish that. We pray over the elections just in obedience to his call to "occupy until He comes," be salt to the world around us, and fulfill the mandate to pray for those in authority.