Devotion Day: Things You Don't Expect to See

Things that you don't expect to see (not saying you won't. . .it just doesn't seem right)

A uniformed police officer riding in the BACK of a police car.

A cat chasing a dog up a tree.

A vegetarian eating a Big Mac.

An Amish lady with a hot pink designer handbag

A doctor smoking.

A waitress refusing to take an order.

A Hardees working wearing the golden arches.

A hula dancer working in Nebraska.

A teacher who hates books.

Disney World with no mouse.

Texas without cowboy hats.

A hunter sleeping in during hunting season.

Black friday with no sales.

An active marine overweight.

A bakery without doughnuts.

A member of P.E.T.A wearing a fur coat.

Col0ssians 3:12-17 (NASB) - So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

A Christian without compassion. . .A Christian who is unkind. . .A Christian who is proud. . .A Christian who is harsh in word or deed. . .A Christian who can't forgive. . .A Christian who only loves those who love them. . .A Christian without peace in their heart. . .An ungrateful Christian. . . .Christians who don't teach or encourage others. . .A Christian who doesn't worship. . .

Hmm. . .things you don't expect to see? Thanks to a sermon I heard by Bob Coy on Colossians 3 I was really convicted about this. I had to ask myself. . .am I moving towards becoming a Colossians 3 believer OR am I in the paragraph above. . .something you don't expect to see (and not in a good way)! Maybe the world has become so used to seeing Christians behave in an unexpected way that they don't know what to expect from us. No wonder Christianity in America is stagnant and bland and no longer causing change. If we lived with compassion, kindness, humility, forgiveness, lovingkindness, gratefulness and teaching others to do the same and showing the peace we have in Christ, our world might really understand who we serve and that God is God Almighty! Someday the world will know but God will have to do it by showing Himself. Then, every knee will bow!

Daily Devotion: Just thinking

So, I've been on a bit of a break! Please accept my apologies. I really had good intentions when I started this blog and plan to try to get back on track. But be forewarned, my summer schedule is NOT very organized, and we are gone a lot!

In my current summer Bible study, we have been encouraged to have "face time" with God daily. Not just praying like normal, but being prostrate before the Lord. Beth Moore's little phrase is "the way up is down". It has been humbling. Recently, after we returned from a weekend wedding, I was spending a little time on my face, and God reminded me that He uses ALL things around me to point to Him. I just don't always recognize it.

I had been thinking how good it felt to lay in my bed following a 3 1/2 hour road trip. That led to thinking how at the beginning of vacation it's always sooooo exciting. Even a road trip! Thinking about where you are going! Getting to eat in various places! Snacks in the van (all the things I won't keep in my house)! Then, you have fun while your there, but at some point you are ready to come home. Then, when you reach home, what joy! All of this entered my head while in face down position, and God said, "See. It's kind of like life. Starting the journey. . .everything on earth is exciting and new. Every little thing is interesting. Then, you journey through life a bit, and you start wishing you were home. And, the way home. . . is less exciting, kind of tiring, and you're just ready to rest. Then, you are home! What joy!!!! That is how it will be with Me once you arrive. What joy!"

I hadn't really thought about life like that but I think it's true! We are to press on in this life, but we should be eagerly awaiting our arrival at home!

Jesus said in John 14:1-3 (NASB)"Do not let your heart be troubled;believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also."

"How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD of hosts! My soul longed and even yearned for the courts of the LORD; My heart and my flesh sing for joy to the living God." (Psalm 84:1)

How lovely a dwelling place You have created for us here, but my soul longs for Your dwelling place surrounding Your throne where Satan has lost and battles are gone forever!