Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE
Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Ephesians 4:1-3; 31-32

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23

THOUGHTS ON TODAY’S VERSE
How can it get any clearer than this? Paul is commanding us to live like Christians should. This is not a “once for all” choice but rather a daily decision to live the way Christ would have us live. We are to be humble, gentle, forgiving, loving and patient. We are to get rid of bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words and slander. Throw it off! Stop. Instead, we are to be tenderhearted, forgiving and kind. One thing that stands out to me is we are to get rid of certain negative behaviors (or vices), but we are given new and positive behaviors (or virtues) to replace them. God never asks us to give up something without replacing it with a something better.

So then, how will we live during the next 24 hours? What are we going to choose to do today? We will have opportunities all day to choose. But our choices need to be grounded in the Holy Spirit. Paul writes in Galatians that the fruit of the Holy Spirit, that is the by-product of living under the direction of the Holy Spirit in our life, is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We need to make living this way our goal. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in our life today. He will.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Oh Holy Spirit. I need to get rid of all the negative emotions and behaviors in my life. But I can’t without you! I need you to produce Godly behavior in my life. I want love, joy, peace, patient, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to be my normal experience. I want to be a witness to others of your love through my behavior. Come Holy Spirit, convict me, correct me, forgive me, inspire me, teach me, guide me and fill me. Might I live completely under your control. Might my life bear the fruit that only you can produce. ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE
“Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.”
Psalm 27:10

THOUGHTS ON TODAY’S VERSE
At first glimpse this verse may not seem like it has much depth. But if we really understand its meaning it can change our lives. In his book, "Experiencing Healing Prayer," Rick Richardson shares, “From our mother we get our sense of being and well being. From our father we get a sense of blessing.” The trouble is that none of us go through our childhood unscathed. No parent can completely meet all our needs. If our mother or father is controlling, absent, abusive, distant or exhibits any number of other negative traits it can result in a struggle with affirmation and self esteem. But what can we do? Do we have to be a victim to a fallen world? Today’s verse gives us the answer. “Even if our father and mother abandon us, the Lord will hold us close.” When we understand our true relationship with God we will be able to receive our sense of being and well being from Him. When we really comprehend how much He loves and approves of us we will live our life from a deep sense of blessing that He has for us. Celebrating who we are in Christ can help us rise above our circumstances and go beyond the limits of our childhood.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Father, I thank you for your deep, deep love for me. I thank you that you created me for a purpose. I thank you that I am not a mistake. Because of your love for me I can really feel good about myself. I receive a sense of well being from knowing that I am a blessing to you. Thank you Lord, no matter what my past, what my parents may have done, I can come to you with my needs. When I do, You will hold me close. ~Amen!

Because we're His,

Tamara

Thanksgiving 2009

THANKSGIVING DAY’S VERSE
“I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers”
Philemon 1:4 NIV

THOUGHTS ON TODAY’S VERSE
I think I’ve mentioned it before, but the tiny, little book of Philemon is one of my favorites. It is a very small and brief book that has so very much to say. Basically, Philemon was an inhabitant of Colosse, a person of some note and wealth, and a convert under the ministry of Paul. Onesimus was the slave of Philemon: having run away from his master, he went to Rome, where he was converted to the Christian faith, by the word as set forth by Paul, who kept him until his conduct proved the truth and sincerity of his conversion. He wished to repair the injury he had done to his master, but fearing the punishment his offence deserved might be inflicted, he entreated the apostle to write to Philemon and appeal to him on his (Onesimus’) behalf. Paul seems no where to reason more beautifully, or to entreat more forcibly, than in this tiny, little epistle.

I believe this fourth verse is applicable on this, Thanksgiving Day, 2009. As I think about this blog and to those of you who read it, I do thank my God for all of you and the source of encouragement you have been to me and I do remember you in my prayers.

May you have a very blessed and thankful day.

TODAY’S PRAYER
Abba, Father, hear my prayer. Bless those who read these words. May You bless them in some special manner on this day. If they are traveling, grant them journey mercies, if they are opening their home for others this day, be with them as they prepare. May we all be thankful for the bounty You have so blessed us with. In Jesus’ name ~Amen!

With a thankful heart,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE
“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”
John 16:24

“You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
James 4:2-3

THOUGHTS ON TODAY’S VERSE

I’m not sure which is sadder? A person who never gets a chance to have what he or she desires or a person who had all the chances in the world and never took one? Here we are with a God who is all wise, all powerful and all loving. We also have Jesus Himself saying, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” And yet what do we do? What have we asked for lately?

Jesus is not talking about a magic lamp that we rub three times and make wishes for our own pleasure. We aren’t to ask God for things with wrong motives. Instead Jesus is suggesting that we have a fellowship with His Father which is so rich and deep, that we end up aligning our will with His. When we know His will, it will bring us deep joy and great pleasure to ask God for it. We will be about the business of making His will done on earth as it is in Heaven. What at home, work or in your church can you ask God for? What can you ask for your family, friends and co-workers that would be in alignment with His will? Pray that God would give you insight into His will and a Holy boldness to ask for it. When you do, you will receive and your joy will be complete.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Father, I ask you to help me know what to pray for. Help me to know your will for my life and for my family. Help me to know how to pray for my friends and co-workers. Help me pray about my relationships, career and ministry. Speak to my heart and then give me the faith to ask. Help me not to be like the person who had so many chances in life but never took one. Help me to ask you for something special today! ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,
 
Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”

II Timothy 2:15

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.”

Matthew 7:24-25

THOUGHTS ON TODAY’S VERSE

It matters what you build your life on. Both Jesus and Paul agreed, you need to build your life on truth – the truth of the Bible. Not just knowing the truth, but living the truth. Jesus said, “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them in practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” Paul wrote that we should be a, “workman that does not need to be ashamed, who correctly handles the word of truth.” If we want our life on firm ground then we need to be grounded in His word. We need to read the Bible, study it and then apply it to our life. We need to live what we read. When we do, we will find that life will stand the tests of time.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Lord Jesus, I want to live my life on solid ground. I want to be able to stand firm when I go through hard times. Help me to read your word and understand its meaning. Help me to live out in my life what Your word says. I want to be a workman that does not need to be ashamed, who correctly handles your word of truth! ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Weekend Edition

Here we are with another holiday season fast approaching. Every year I determine to “keep it simple” and every year I still find the stress of the moment. Many, many years ago, during our ‘poverty’ years, my husband and I determined that we would not go into debt during the holidays. In fact, at that time we set a gift limit of $25.00 on each other. We’ve up’d that amount now, to $35.00. It makes it challenging and exciting to try and find something the other would like and appreciate for that amount of money. We often remind ourselves, it is supposed to be Jesus’ birthday, not ours.

We find that money is generally the best gift for adult children and grandchildren, but the little ones still enjoy a gift they can open. The challenge is to find something age appropriate. The best part of a holiday is that of making memories and having family traditions.

Recently, I was asked by a friend to answer her children’s letters to Santa. I was even able to find a post office in Anchorage Alaska that will post mark it ‘North Pole’. Since I know her children, I can personalize the letters. This has been great fun and allows for a certain amount of creativity. Just in case you’d like to attempt the same, here’s the information:

POST OFFICE TO SANTA: WRITE BACK EARLY

THE NORTH POLE - You are six years old. Your Mom and Dad bring in the mail. They hand you a letter with a North Pole postmark. You open the letter. It's more than Santa's response to the wish list you sent him - it's a memory of a lifetime.

The Postal Service is helping you create and preserve this memory for your child. Here's how it works. Work with your child as they write their letter to Santa. Secretly craft a response from Santa and mail it in a second envelope to North Pole, Alaska Post Office. The Postal elves will postmark and mail Santa's response back to your child. To make this holiday activity especially enjoyable, follow these suggested guidelines.

– Beyond the traditional, "here's what I want" list, ask your child to write why the holiday season is special.

– Teach the child that proper addressing techniques include a return address -- otherwise Santa may not write back.

– After you take the letter and tell the child you'll mail it, keep it in a safe place until you can write Santa's response. If your child recognizes your handwriting, ask a friend or neighbor to rewrite it.

– To make Santa's response extra special, beyond reminding the child that Santa knows if they've been bad or good, add a positive line or two about the child's recent accomplishment that was not included in the letter to Santa.

– As a P.S., Santa might want to remind the child to be in bed at a certain hour, and hint that he and his reindeer appreciate holiday snacks left near the tree.

– Place Santa's response in a stamped envelope addressed to the child, and be sure to include the North Pole as the return address.

– Place this envelope into a larger, properly stamped, First-Class Mail or Priority Mail envelope and mail it to:

North Pole Christmas

CancellationPostmaster

5400 Mail Trail

Fairbanks AK 99709-9998

The North Pole Post Office will postmark Santa's reply and place it in the mail stream.

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE

“Let all who fear the LORD repeat: ‘His faithful love endures forever.’In my distress I prayed to the LORD, and the LORD answered me and set me free. The LORD is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the LORD is for me; he will help me.”
~Psalms 118:4-7

TODAY’S THOUGHT

What a marvelous passage. Our faith is in a God who knows. Our faith is in a God who is able. Our faith is in a God who cares. Our faith is in a God whose love endures forever!

I remember a situation that faced our family. In 2001, my husband had a heart attack. At the time, we had an empty nest, so it was just the two of us. Fortunately, I recognized the signs and gave him an aspirin then drove him to the emergency room. They placed him on all the monitors and IVs, drew blood and eventually put him in the ICU to monitor him. The next morning they determined he did have a heart attack and made plans to air flight him to Tucson Medical Center.

I packed a bag, gassed up the car and headed to Tucson. I prayed during the entire trip. During a particular desolate spot on Highway 191, I saw a Mourning Dove, sitting on the side of the road by her (or possible his) dead mate. My heart stopped! Is this an omen? Is it a sign, I asked myself. What about my prayers? Do they or will they make a difference at all? Finally, I had to answer my own question with, “Yes, I believe my prayers do make a difference. I always pray for God’s power and will. I ask for His power, but ultimately I trust in His love.” Like the Psalmist we too can pray in our distress and the Lord will hear and will answer. The Lord is for you and you can trust in His love.

TODAY'S PRAYER

Lord, I don’t know everything that is going on. I can’t see the future. I know I often waiver in my faith. But Lord, I know in my distress I can call upon You. Help me with those special burdens I am carrying. Most of all help me today to really trust in Your love. ~Amen!

Yours, because we’re His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

~II Timothy 3:16

TODAY’S MESSAGE

God has not left us alone to wander through this world as helpless victims. He has given us His word to instruct and guide us. God does not wait until we make a mistake and then discard us, praise God! He has given us His word to rebuke and correct us. God does not leave us the way we are. He has given us His word to train us.

It is as if life is a journey. There is a trail we can follow that will get us through the wilderness. Through His word, God shows us the trail to go on. His word also lets us know when we wander from the trail. The Bible also shows us how to get back on the trail again. Finally, the scriptures show us how to stay on the trail and not wander off. Read His word. Make a part of your daily routine. Through it He will teach you everything you need to know about living this life and walking the walk.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Father, I thank you for your word. Please help me understand what the scriptures are saying. Help me apply it to my life. Holy Spirit, use the Bible and teach me, rebuke me, correct me and train me. Help me be the person you desire me to be. ~Amen!

Yours, because we’re His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE

“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good.”

~Psalms 127:1

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

~Ephesians 2:9

TODAY’S THOUGHT

It is so easy to try and do everything by ourselves. Perhaps we don’t trust others? Perhaps we feel we need to get ahead and no one cares as much as we do. Maybe deep down we enjoy the praise and recognition we get from being a rugged, self made individual. Or, if we fail because we try to do everything by our self, perhaps even negative attention is better than no attention at all.

When is the last time you did something “with the Lord”? Notice I didn’t say “for” the Lord. I said “with” the Lord. We need God, plain and simple. It is vain to try and do things without Him. He loves you. He cares for you. God wants to work for and with you to do His will. Paul reminds us, “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Doing His good works, in His time and in His strength is what we were created for. It is where we will be the most fulfilled. It is where we will have the greatest peace. Today, work with God. Find out what He wants you to do and join Him. Or, if you have things you must do already, invite God to partner with you. If you do, it will not be in vain or wasted.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Father, I realize that so much of what I have done has been on my own. So much of what I have done has been in vain. I am so sorry. Today I realize that I am your workmanship and that you created me to do your good works. Thank you so much. Today, Father, I ask you to take charge of my life. I invite you to guide me in all I do. I commit this day and all of it’s activities to you. In Jesus’ name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” 

Galatians 5:22-23

TODAY’S THOUGHT

When I think of our human propensity for anger, confusion, impatience, harshness, lack of control and impulsiveness, I am amazed at God’s solution. Our humanness, a result of man’s fallen condition, has been trumped by God’s Holy Spirit. What a plan! God gives us a body in which we house our personality with enough room for His Holy Spirit. The result is the ability for the Holy Spirit to produce in us new attitudes, motivations and behaviors. Paul calls it fruit. What a great analogy – the Holy Spirit alive in us, growing into a beautiful fruit tree. The fruit that the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. You don’t have to make an apple tree produce apples. When watered, nourished and receiving adequate sunlight an apple tree produces beautiful luscious apples. Likewise, you don’t have to manufacture the fruit of the Spirit; rather, you begin reading and meditating on His Holy word and spending time in relationship with God through confession and prayer and the Holy Spirit will generate the results. Begin today to nourish your Spiritual life and let the Holy Spirit produce its fruit.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Father, Abba, Daddy, I desire the fruit of the Holy Spirit to be evident in my life. Help me to read and meditate on your word. Help me to relate to you in prayer and confession. Help me, Holy Spirit, live the life you want me to. Produce your fruit in my life, even today.  In Jesus' name I pray ~Amen.

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE

“Let all that I am praise the LORD; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name. Let all that I am praise the LORD; may I never forget the good things he does for me.  He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. He fills my life with good things. My youth is renewed like the eagle’s!”  ~Psalms 103:1-5

TODAY’S THOUGHTS

Charles Spurgeon wrote; “I don’t which is more incredible, God’s faithfulness or man’s forgetfulness!” It is so easy to forget all that God has done for us. We get so preoccupied. Our lives get so crazy that we can go whole days, weeks, perhaps months without thanking God for His presence and provision. But today is a new day! Today we can say with David, “Let all that I am PRAISE THE LORD!” Today we can thank Him with our whole heart. Right now we can lift our eyes to heaven and shout, “Thank You God for all your blessings!” He forgives our sins. He crowns us with love and tender mercies! He fills our lives with good things. Stop and spend a moment thanking Him for all He is and has done for you.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear God, I praise you today with my whole heart. Everything that is in me says, “Praise You God!” I thank you for your tender mercy. I thank you for your love and provision. I thank you for forgiving all my sins. Forgive me for forgetting so easily. Truly Father, you are worthy of all my praise. I worship you now with praise and thanksgiving, In Jesus name ~ Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE

“Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” ~I Peter 5:7

TODAY'S THOUGHT

Why is it we feel we need to minimize our pain? Where did we get the idea that we would become a burden to God? How did we come to believe that it is unspiritual to admit that we have been a victim of something awful? Abuse, violence, the death of a loved one, the loss of employment, vicious gossip, divorce, unfaithfulness, a bad accident, incarceration, war. God cares when we have suffered as the result of something being done to us. And God cares when we have suffered from trauma as the result of something not happening. When love, safety and security from those we trust is missing, we get trauma in the form of abandonment, unfaithfulness, embezzlement, betrayal, gossip or neglect. And to pretend that we are not affected and everything is fine is to only add to the damage left in trauma’s wake. It is not spiritual to “tough it out.” It is spiritual to be healed. Peter is pleading with us to cast all of our cares onto Jesus. His whole book speaks about the suffering of Jesus and how He understands our suffering. And here Peter assures us that Jesus “cares for you.” He cares for you with deep affection. Today, bring your pain to Jesus. Tell Him about your trauma. Ask Him to give you strength, forgiveness, peace and a deep understanding of love. Ask Him to heal your broken heart; heal your deep wounds of grief and anger. Bring all of your cares. Cast them on Him. And leave them there with Him.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Father God, Abba, I come to You. I come to You with all my burdens, all my cares. You know my pain. You know my suffering. I bring it all to You. Heal my hurts. Heal my heart. Return me to joy, I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

TODAY’S VERSE

“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.” ~Ephesians 5:1-2

THOUGHTS ON TODAY'S VERSE
The story goes that a young boy was brought before Alexander the Great for stealing a horse. Alexander saw how young he was and heard his story and decided he would be lenient. Getting ready to release him, Alexander asked the young boy, “What is your name?” He replied, “Alexander, sir.” Alexander the Great was furious and asked him again, “What is your name?” The boy, this time with fear in his voice said, “Alexander, sir.” In anger, Alexander the Great threw the boy to the ground pointed at him and said, “Boy, change your conduct, or change your name.”

I wonder, am I a good representative of the name of Christ, or would the cause of Christ be better served if I did not call myself a Christian? Being His child is a privilege and an honor. In order not to bring any reproach to His name my goal should be to live a life of love just like He did. How can I be a good representative of His name today?

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear Jesus, I know that I bear your name and haven’t imitated you the way that I should. I haven’t been the best representative of who you are. Help me live out your love in everything I do today, so your name will get the glory and honor it deserves. In Jesus’ name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Veterans' Day 2009

TODAY’S VERSE ~ VETERANS DAY 2009

No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” ~2 Timothy 2:4

TODAY’S THOUGHT

In honor of Veteran’s Day, I thought this verse reflected well the service of a soldier. You see, when a soldier is in active service, all else in their life is put on hold. Their job for their tour of duty is to serve their superior and follow the commands and orders they are given.

Today, we have a number of men and women who are serving their county in a foreign land. They are away from their families, their wives, their husbands and sometimes their children. They are making a sacrifice to ensure our safety.

Sometimes, it is for a common cause that our country sends soldiers to foreign countries. The first and second World Wars were such and those on the home front supported the troops in any manner they could. Sometimes the soldiers will find they are ‘fighting’ for a very unpopular belief. Viet Nam was one of those unpopular wars (even though I don’t believe it was ever officially declared a war). When those soldiers arrived state side from their tours of service, they were often disrespected and called ‘baby killers’. Somewhere in between those conflicts is where we are today. A number of us supported our troops efforts eight years ago, but now, we’d like to see them home.

The last time I was flying, it seemed that at every boarding area there was a soldier, or sometimes more than one. I would look at these young men and women and think, ‘this is someone’s son, someone’s daughter, someone’s daddy, someone’s mommy.’ It seemed to me that they were there but more often than naught, we (the people) were looking right through them and not recognizing the supreme sacrifice they were willing to make in the course of their service.

I began to try and catch the eye of a soldier and say, “Thank you for your service.” No matter how I personally feel about the current war on terror, no matter my political affiliation, here was a young person being placed in harm’s way at the direction of our Commander in Chief. That act of obedience is enough for which to be grateful.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Oh my Lord and my God – I ask that not just today, but that everyday You be with those soldiers who are in harms way. Sometimes the danger is on foreign soil, but as we recently saw, sometimes it is on our very own home front. Help me to remember that freedom, like salvation, isn't free - it cost someone something in the form of supreme sacrafice.  In Jesus’ name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE
“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” ~II Peter 1:2-3

THOUGHTS ON TODAY’S VERSE

Do you know Christ? I don’t mean, “know of Christ”, but do you know Christ to the point that knowing Him deeply influences your life? Look at today’s verses. Peter is saying that we will experience an abundant amount of grace and peace through our knowledge of Christ. He then goes on to say that our knowledge of Christ will set loose the power of God and give us everything we need for life and godliness. I love that phrase, “EVERYTHING WE NEED FOR LIFE AND GODLINESS!”

Some things? Almost everything? No, everything we need for life! This is no small claim. Peter is saying that our knowledge of Christ is crucial to everything we need in life. So what does knowledge mean? Peter was using the Greek work that means a full knowledge, a deep participation by the knower in the object known so that it powerfully influences him or her. This is more than an acquaintance or a casual relationship. It is a passion to know, really know God. It is a hunger for His word, a longing to spend time in His presence, an openness to dialog freely with Him and listen for His voice. There is so much to gain by knowing Him, really knowing Him. You can start to know Him more today. He is waiting for you to try.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Dear God, I confess my lack of Spiritual knowledge. I have not taken the time I should to really know you. I haven’t been real with you nor have I let you be real with me. But today I want to start. I want to know you, really know you. I want to hear your voice. I want to sense your presence in my life. I want your scriptures to come alive in my mind. Father, I want to know you as Father. Help me know you. In Jesus’ name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

TODAY’S VERSE

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing: fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.”

~Philippians 4:8

THOUGHTS ON TODAY’S VERSE

It is so easy to let our thoughts run away from us, isn’t it? You know what I’m speaking of – all the inward chatter that goes on in our heads all day long. The voice when you get up in the morning, the musing on the drive to work, the stewing over events on the way home. Inner thoughts are so very powerful. They create emotions which in turn cause actions and sometimes reactions. The Apostle Paul is saying that we have to take ownership of our inner dialog, our self-talk. It is so easy to be negative, anxious, angry, doubtful, bitter or carnal in our thinking. Instead, we need to be responsible for what we think and deliberately focus on those things that are true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praise worthy thoughts. What a difference this would bring to our lives.

TODAY’S PRAYER

Father, I give you my thought life. I want you to be Lord of both my conscious and unconscious being. You know my thought process. You know my habitual thinking patterns. I bring them to you. I ask that you help me today to begin a habit of focusing on true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praise worthy thoughts. In Jesus’ name ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day;

the night is coming when no one can work.
John 9:4

Thoughts on today’s verse…

Most of us can look around and find reminders of good intentions. We can see areas where we never followed through to reach a goal. Seldom used exercise equipment is gathering dust. A piano, intended to fulfill our dream of taking lessons once again, sits silent. The books piled on the nightstand remain to be read. And the laptop computer purchased to write the ‘great American novel’ sits in the closet in a wonderful carrier.

Other issues and priorities have jumped out at us and demanded our attentions. Children (grown or ‘grand’) require our attention. The little ones especially – they have gifts and abilities waiting to be developed – but that takes time.

Tapping into potential takes intentional concerted effort. It doesn’t just happen. (Ask any teacher.) Time for meaningful interaction and activity doesn’t always “appear” to us as we try to juggle a full day of appointments and other commitments.

The time the Lord gives us is ours to spend – we determine how to use it. We can fill it with life-building activities or we can let it sift through our fingers like the sand through the hour glass, day by day, week by week, until before we know it, a whole year has slipped by and very little has been accomplished.

The agency I work for provided us with a class a number of years ago. It was entitled “Increasing Human Effectiveness” and I will relate one of the life lessons from the course for you here:

Imagine you have a bank account and every day (night) at midnight $86,400 is placed in that account. It is yours. You may spend it as you wish. But here’s the caveat… every day (night) at 11:59, that account empties out and at midnight another $86,400 is again placed in the account.

What are you going to do with the money? Buy a new home? Invest it? Pay off your home? Perhaps buy a new wardrobe? It’s yours – do with it what you may.

 You see, in actuality we DO have that daily bank account – every day, as long as we are alive we have – 24 hours, 1.440 minutes, 86,400 seconds waiting to be spent. It is up to you to decide how you are going to spend it.

Look at what you have planned for today and set your priorities according to the goals you have set for your life. Then do it again tomorrow and the next day and the one after that. It won’t be long before your life will be a bit more productive and fulfilling!

 My prayer…

Lord God, Heavenly Father – thank You for the gift of time. May I use the time You have given me to its full advantage. May I make a difference because You have directed my steps. In Jesus’ name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we’re His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled.

1 Peter 4:7

Thoughts on today’s verse…

1 Peter 4:7 reminds me to be clear minded and self-controlled. If my mind becomes cluttered by the day’s annoyances, it’s a given that sooner or later I’m going to lose my self-control. If I lose my self-control, I’m going to lose my joy. I don’t like it when I lose my joy. Fortunately, I have a choice in how I act and in how I react.

This reminds me of something I read by Chuck Swindoll entitled ‘Attitude.’

“Attitude”

"The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or say or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness or skill. It will make or break a company ... a church ... a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past ... we cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that is our attitude ... I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitude."

~Chuck Swindoll

My prayer…

Lord God, thanks for reminding me that I don’t have to let the small stuff rob me of joy. When I keep my mind centered on who You are to me, it helps to settle me down and enables me to smile instead of frown. Keep me ever mindful of Your loving support through the annoying events of each and every day. May I remember to reflect on who You are instead of who I am. And Father... when it's necessary, adjust my attitude! In Jesus’ name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we’re His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

Yet not my will, but Yours be done.

Luke 22:42

Thoughts on today's verse...

Have you ever watched runners during the Olympics preparing to start a race?  They carefully position themselves in the starting blocks, placing their feet just so, and their hands on the ground in the way they have practiced for hours and hours.  Then, with the 'pop' of the gun they take off with everything in their being.

However, if one of the racers is too eager to get those miliseconds of a head start, jumps out of the block before the gun sounds, a false start is declared, and everyone has to go through getting set in the blocks all over again.  Sometimes a race can have two or three false starts.  I'm sure by then the racers have gotten really tired, antsy, and irritable.

I've had a few false starts myself.  There have been times I was so ready to run out and grab God's will that I'm sure I heard that gun fire only to find I'd jumped out of the blocks too soon.  And you know what that means – back to the starting blocks!

Sometimes in our exuberance to be obediant we can run ahead of God's desired plans and timing.  And frankly, I've never been a good one when it comes to waiting.  Whether it's been a special project at work or medical testing that isn't very pleasant, I want to dive in and get it done and over with.  God, however, may have a different plan in mind and may have us waiting for a very good reason.  One that we can't see at the moment.

Sometimes I've gotten ahead of myself with spiritual growth and development.  I've been involved with a personal Bible study where you read through the Bible in a year.  I personally sat aside time in the day to complete the readings (which were substantial).  But at the end of the day, I couldn't remember what I'd read. 

I was reading the Word of God as if it were a textbook, and not His love letter to me.  It was the old 'what's in it for me' plan of study and it wasn't very effective.  I had to put it away for awhile.  While it is important to read the Scriptures daily, it is far more important to read until you sense in your spirit that God has said something to YOU.  Don't be concerned about reading a set number of verses or chapters a day.  The key is to read with an 'open' ear.

My prayer...

Father God, hear my prayer... and more importantly, may I hear You when you are speaking to my heart.  Then, once I have heard You, may I put into action that which You have impressed upon my heart.  Forgive me, Dear Lord, for those times I have run ahead of Your will and not been patient enough to wait upon You and Your timing.  And now, my Lord, as this day unfolds, I pray for Your guidance and direction.  I pray for a measure of grace and dignity for anything that may not go as I have in mind.  May I remember that it is Your will, not my will.  In Jesus' name ~Amen!

Yours, because we're His,

Tamara

Today's Devotional Scripture

He has shown you, O man, what is good,
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justly, to love mercy,
and to walk humbly with your God.
Micah 6:8

Thoughts on today’s verse…

A speech teacher once assigned her students to give a one sentence speech, entitled “What I Would Like for My Tombstone to Read.” The class told her later that this assignment was one of the most challenging assignments they had ever received. In virtually every case, the students saw a great discrepancy between the way they lived their lives and the way they desired their lives to be perceived by others.

Then again, many of us make New Year’s resolutions to “turn over a new leaf.” We greet a new year with a vow or determination to “do better” in a certain area of our lives. But very rarely do we give diligent thought to what we consider the highest and noblest pursuits in life.

Today, give some thought to what you hold to be the characteristics of a respected life. What do you aspire to in your own character? Write them down. As you identify these traits, you can then see more clearly how you desire to live your life and what must change in order to live up to your ideals.

My prayer…

Oh Lord, my God… hear my prayer this day. Father, help me to define character and the traits I desire to live out in my life. What are those things I desire other people (and especially my own family) remember about me? May I remember too, that the true marks of character are not so much what others observe you doing, as those things you do when you believe others are not watching. In Jesus’ name I pray ~Amen!

Yours, because we’re His,

Tamara