Tag: Responsibility

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Ask!

SEPTEMBER 28

MATTHEW 7:7_Ask…

What would life be like if you never asked questions? You would never learn even a fraction of the knowledge available—just for the asking.  

People who love you want you to ask. If they have knowledge about something which could help you, they want to share. But if there is no communication, they are not aware of your needs. Asking reveals needs. That’s what it’s all about. 

When Abraham sent his servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac, the servant prayed, Genesis 24 (KJV):’12 And he said, “O Lord God of my master Abraham, I pray thee, send me good speed this day, and shew kindness unto my master Abraham.13 Behold, I stand here by the well of water; and the daughters of the men of the city come out to draw water: 14 And let it come to pass, that the damsel to whom I shall say, Let down thy pitcher, I pray thee, that I may drink; and she shall say, drink, and I will give thy camels drink also: let the same be she that thou hast appointed for thy servant Isaac; and thereby shall I know that thou hast shewed kindness unto my master.”

That was a wise servant. He didn’t want to take on such a big responsibility without asking for God’s help.

And by the way, he received exactly what he asked for.

PRAYER

Lord God, I need You to teach me how to ask, and when. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                 

Christ desires me to ask for His help – I will!

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Wait – Keep Praying

AUGUST 30

MATTHEW 6:34_Take therefore no thought for the morrow…

If you already invited Jesus into your life previous to these devotions, please print and fill in yesterday’s salvation post just the same. If you can’t remember the date of your decision, just write in the year according to your age at the time.

Eternal salvation is the most important thought for your future. Anything which involves personal responsibility is also for future thoughts. Worrying about what will happen to you in the future should not crowd your thought life. 

As a matter of fact, once you have joined the Kingdom, you have a special ability to come to God’s throne in prayer. Hebrews 4:16 (KJV), “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”

Do you see that? You can come boldly to God in prayer. You can feel confident to ask for your needs to be met. You can feel confident of His mercy and grace—for you! If God doesn’t deliver you in the time and way you desire, accept His will, wait, and keep praying.

Isn’t the God who brought you into a place of perfection (living in heaven for eternity), capable of meeting your earthly needs?      

PRAYER

Jesus Lord, I am amazed that I can speak to You with boldness! In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ is the Throne of Grace—He will give me mercy!

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By Virtue of Being God

AUGUST 24

MATTHEW 6:32_for your heavenly Father knoweth ye  have need of these things.

If you have a pet, you are responsible for its care. You feed it. You water it. You wash and groom it. When necessary, you clean up after it. You train it in right and wrong. In the training process you have a way of discipline, and a way of rewarding.

What is the connecting thread for caring for your pet? Needs. Your pet comes with needs. It depends upon you to meet those needs. It is a pretty sorry owner who neglects the needs of a pet! The owner knows all these needs simply by virtue of being an owner.

Jesus taught us the depth of this concept when He referred to Himself as a shepherd and His followers as sheep. John 10:27-28 (KJV), “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” The sheep become acquainted with the voice of the shepherd because of his constant care for them. The Good Shepherd knows our spiritual need, “28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Our Heavenly Father knows all our needs simply by virtue of being God.

PRAYER

Good Shepherd, Help me be aware of Your care for me, and know Your voice. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ wants me to know His voice—I will listen!

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Who Knows?

JUNE 29

MATTHEW 6:15_Neither will your Father forgive your trespasses…

Why do you hold on to unforgiveness? Does it have something to do with forgiveness causing you to appear weak? God is not only willing, but wants to forgive you. Do you think He is weak?

Hanging on to unforgiveness because it makes you feel tough is straying. Hanging on to unforgiveness for any reason is straying. You are interfering with God’s desire to forgive you. If you are in a relationship with Jesus you will forgive, because if you don’t the Holy Spirit will convict your heart.

You will lose peace.

Salty-lit-up disciples repent and come back to God’s path.

When someone’s straying trespasses into your life, you have to deal with the invasion—one way or another. You can react with anger and possibly physical confrontation, or seek the path of forgiveness. As we’ve said before, forgiveness does not necessarily mean the invaders should not be held responsible for their actions. Discernment must be applied.

Your life can be trespassed upon in many ways. Betrayal is probably the largest of the litter. It may certainly be the hardest to forgive. God does not measure trespasses by their size. God is more concerned about how far away from His path His disciples stray. It is His major concern because He loves His disciples.

Your willingness to forgive the trespassers may be how God intends to bring them back on track.

Who knows? That may be why your life is the one He allowed them to invade.                  

PRAYER

God of Love, You are more than able to deliver from any trespass. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.

Christ knows all trespasses—He conquered them all!

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Just Keep Your Word

APRIL 14

MATTHEW 5:37_But let your communication be, yea, yea; nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.

Jesus’ conclusion to this lesson is awesome. Just say yes or no! James 5:12 (KJV), “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.”

It may be a little difficult for us to understand all this swearing by something, but it was very big in the culture of Jesus’ and James’ (Jesus’ half-brother) day.

Why wouldn’t we just say yes or no? It seems we think we can’t be trusted to mean what we say on its own. We have to add some kind of emphasis.

The only thing to help us be honest and responsible in what we say is the Holy Spirit.

Jesus and James both teach anything more than just yes or no can lead to trouble. Jesus calls it evil. James calls it condemnation. It’s bad either way. Either way can draw you more into the world’s ways. Be a person who keeps promises.

Don’t say one thing and do another.

Keep promises, even if it costs more than planned.

Be honest in everything—words and actions.

Be a person of integrity. 

Jesus teaches just keep your word and don’t swear at all.

PRAYER

Father God, Thank You for helping me to become an honest person. In the powerful name of Jesus, Amen.                                                                                                              

Christ is always honest—He wants me to be honest!