Devotional: Respond vs. Reacting

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

The challenges we face on a daily basis impacts our journey with Jesus Christ. The question is, are you equipped to respond to situations in your life or will you only be reacting? Will God be glorified and honored or will you be dealing with a conviction in your heart?

We need to use God’s word to ground us, to give us direction and guidance in the choices we make. I love Psalm 19:10-11 which says, “They (God’s word) are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey from the comb. By them (God’s word) is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.”  Another verse that really speaks to my heart and I love to pray over daily is Psalm 19:14 is “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

The heaviness of conviction on my heart made it clear I handled a conflict wrong and I went straight to God to pray. God asked me, “What kind of Christian do you want to be?”   I realized the way I reacted in the privacy of my home is not the way I would respond if my friends were around. God clearly showed me this is not right. He told me that I am called to live beyond the way the world thinks and live according to His ways. He also reminded me that scripture says, “Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that.” Luke 6:31-33

Verses to Reflect:

Romans 6: 17-21 “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death!”

Titus 3: 5-7 “Grace is the kindness and the love of God our Savior…not because of righteous things we have done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified heirs having the hope of eternal life.”

Devotional: A GPS Story…RE-calculating

Psalm 24:4,5 “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”    

Has your GPS ever told you to go one way but you weren't familiar with the way the GPS was telling you to go so you didn't want to take that way? A friend asked me to pick something up for her at a store in Cherry Hill. I do not like going to Cherry Hill because of the traffic congestion. I put the address in my GPS, it was telling me to go a route that didn't make any sense to me and I wasn't familiar with. I couldn't see how following this GPS route was going to get me to my destination. I battled within myself, ‘do I follow it or go the safe way I am familiar with?’ Eventually, the GPS won and I followed it, on the verge of frustration, bewildered the entire ride as I was sure it wasn't going to take me to where I needed to be which meant wasted time. Much to my surprise, it put me exactly where I needed to be! It took me through back roads, cut through all the congestion and I didn't have to wait in any traffic. I was so excited, a big contrast from when I started this journey. Now, I know a back way of getting to the heart of Cherry Hill!

I felt like God put on my heart right away that so many of us do that with Him, I do that with Him…reject a new direction because we are scared, unsure or it pulls us from our comfort zone. Aren't we used to making decisions’ or going down a path in life that we are comfortable with but God wants to take us down a path that will be better for us and we resist or flat out refuse. We have made plans for our life, but God says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11 Please don’t misunderstand me, that doesn't mean it will be always be easy, but we can be sure, if it’s God’s way it will be the right way.

Verses to Study & Reflect: Psalm 16:11 “You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Psalm 18:30 “As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.” Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.” Matthew 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” Proverbs 16:9 “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.” James 4:14, 15 “Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanished. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lords’ will, we will live and do this or that.”

PRAYER:  Dear LORD, thank you for having a perfect plan for my life. Thank you for being patient with me as I don't always listen to you. LORD,  I know your way is better than my way. Give me the strength and courage I need to follow your ways.

Be Blessed…Be Bold in the name of Jesus!

Suzanne Williams

Devotional: Growing Pains…They Hurt!

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. 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 pleasure. James 4:1-3

Growing pains are just that, a pain that occurs as you grow. Fighting stinks and hurts, especially when there is no resolution and the two people just part and you have to be patient with God’s timing in it all. What I am realizing, it’s all part of my growth. Recently, I was engaged in an argument that escalated way out of control. It started off as a discussion, then a debate, then a full blown, ugly argument. Can you relate? Has this ever happened to you? There should have never been an argument to begin with and I am embarrassed and ever so sad about it. So now I am left asking God to show me and convict my heart where I was wrong and how He wants me to grow from this. I ask myself, “How does this fit in to who I want to be in Christ?” It doesn’t. But reconciliation, forgiveness and growth all do. I immediately started praying, God laid on my heart the verse I used above. If only I could go back in time. But I can’t, what I can do is arm myself with learning from this and to be changed and prayerfully the next time I can choose differently. I can guarantee Satan will provide another opportunity and I pray that I have been sharpened by this experience. God’s word tells us in 1 Peter 5:8,9 “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…..” This is one element that upset me the most; I desire to be more self-controlled when faced with a challenge like this one. Have you ever felt like this?

Jesus warns us in Matthew 7:1-5 about how we should not try and take a speck out of someone’s eye when we have a plank in our own eye. First, Jesus tells us we have to remove the plank from our eye before removing the speck of dust in another person’s eye. Reading this, I feel like so much of an argument or fight is about judging someone in the midst of our fight and we are so concerned with removing the dust in their eye that the plank in our eye gets in our way of making Godly decisions in the moment. I want to encourage you, to remember these verses next time you are upset with someone. Seek God in the midst of your feelings, in the midst of the argument, invite Christ into it. Stop and humble yourselves before God. I know it can be so very hard to do, but we have to practice it and put our pride aside. I know amazing growth can come from growing pains like this, but it still is painful and hurts while I am growing from it. I know God is an amazing, mighty God who wants us to glorify Him.

Let's Reflect: Matthew 7:12 “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” James 4:7,8a,10 “Submit yourselves then to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.” “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Proverbs 16:1-4a “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. All a man’s ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for His own ends-…”

PRAYER:   Oh, Jesus, how I need your peace right now. Thank you for the conviction and freedom found in your word. Please show me and grow me, give me the courage to be humble and banish my pride. I want to bring you honor and glory.

Be Blessed…Be Bold in the name of Jesus!

Suzanne Williams

South Jersey Christian Events/Devotions

Devotional: Caught Up

The Book of Eli

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.” James 1:22-24

A part from the movie “The Book of Eli” the character Eli says something to the effect that he was so caught up in reading and protecting the bible, that he forgot to do what it says. That line got me thinking. How many of us, read our bibles, go to church, go to bible study and more, but we get caught up in life’s situations that we forget to put into practice what God’s word teaches us?

Today, I want to encourage you to make God’s word alive in your life.  Let’s try a few on and see how they look and feel in our lives. What situation in your life can you apply the following verses? Next time you are upset with someone, before you react, respond with love in this. Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” In Galatians 6:2 we are encouraged to “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Maybe a friend needs a listening ear and prayer, someone to pray over them right now. How about buying a winter coat for a struggling co-worker, or bringing a bag of groceries to a neighbor in need? In Proverbs 3:5-8 God is reminding us that we need to trust in Him, do you trust God? “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

Let's Reflect: Acts 2: 42-47 “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” To finish the verse highlighted in this devotional, James 1:25-27 “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does. If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

PRAYER:   Dear Lord, thank you for the truth and beauty of your word. I want to be humble, be a servant, listening to your word, help me follow your ways and your word and glorify You Lord Jesus. Amen.

Be Blessed…Be Bold in the name of Jesus!

Suzanne Williams

Devotional: Hollow Trees

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and earth. I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit. The Christ will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:14-17

Do you remember the big storm that blew through our Camden County area in June 2010? Residents say it was a tornado, officials never labeled it that. However, if you drove through the Berlin area, you certainly would say that a tornado blew through. Fencing ripped out of the ground, siding was missing from houses and some houses the homeowners had to leave because the upstairs floors collapsed! Chairs were thrown into windows. My friends shed was picked up and laid back down on the back, so the doors were facing the sky! Now that’s crazy and one fierce storm!

One of the things they kept rolling through my mind over and over was how I perceived some of the bigger trees to be strong and steady, not easily blown over when a storm came along. To my surprise, some of the biggest, most beautiful trees that seemed healthy to the untrained eye were split in half, toppled over, and destroyed. Some of the trees that weren’t destroyed were still damaged, missing branches and tree debris all over or just completely bent to the side, still to this day not standing upright.

Today, you will see a tree stump where once a big, beautiful tree stood. One of my favorite trees on the White Horse Pike has been diminished to a tree stump. The tree stood tall, towering over the house that shared the property. Every Christmas the owners decorated the tree with Christmas lights. It was beautiful, full of healthy branches and greens. Every time I drove by this tree, I always admired it. I was completely shocked when it was taken down, completely down, by this unofficial tornado storm. Now when I drive by all I see is this fallen down, split tree that no one was tending to.

All of these trees, healthy, beautiful, strong, broken, destroyed reminded me of people. I felt God speaking to my heart saying “Many of my people are like this, appearing strong on the outside but inside they are ready to fall apart when a storm comes their way. You may see these people at church or work, social events, and many more places. They say everything is “fine”, but in reality they are not.” I thought how many people stand tall, strong and give the impression of their beauty/masculinity and strength. When really on the inside there is a storm going on and they are being kicked around, kicked down, thrown all over the place ready to split, ready to fall. 

I wondered how long it was going to take for these broken and destroyed trees to be care for. When was someone going to come and clean them up? Many of the trees laid there for weeks, with no attention. I thought how many times has that happened to people?

The trees that were still standing but missing branches reminded me of how Jesus is the gardener and I am the tree. He trims my branches so I can continue to grow healthy. John 15

I think that’s why I love encouraging people so much. Because, really no matter how we perceive a person, sometimes we really don’t know the spiritual battle going on within them. I believe that is why it is so important to encourage people in God’s word. Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. Ephesians 4:2 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11

Let's Reflect: O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26

PRAYER:  Oh, Sovereign Lord, how great you are! Your strength is made perfect in my weakness. Be with me, uplift me and fill me with your joy and peace. In the name of Jesus Christ.

Be Blessed…Be Bold in the name of Jesus!

Suzanne Williams

 www.sjchristianevents.com

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Devotional: Let Nothing Come Between You and the Light

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“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

I came across a sign that a lighting company is cleverly displaying to promote their lighting business, “Let nothing come between you & the light”. Immediately, I thought of Jesus who is the Light of the world, Jesus tells us this in the verse above and in John 9:5 “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” I started thinking, what in my life is getting between me & Jesus? Is it TV, volunteering, poor time management, over eating, procrastination? Yes, it’s all of the above and more! Ugh!!! You see, there are so many things that we allow to get in between our relationship with Jesus Christ. Maybe for you it’s jealously, pride, working long hours, or social situations. I believe we need these reminders, these signs like the one I saw to shake us up and make us think. I want to encourage you to do some digging in your own life and your relationship with Jesus.  Writing down what things keep you from Jesus will help you gain focus. What actions should you engage in to have a deeper relationship and draw closer to Jesus? But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

I want to encourage you to take some time to read & pray through the scriptures below, to be encouraged and challenged in keeping the Light close to you, shining brightly in your life for others to see and for Christ to enjoy.

Let's Reflect: Reading for this week… Romans 13:12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 6:14 ….Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 1 Thessalonians 5:5 You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

PRAYER:  Oh, Jesus, the light of the world, praise you for pushing out darkness. Your light fills me with hope, joy and peace. Teach me how I can prevent anything or anyone from coming between You and I. Thank you for your patience and grace. And Jesus, bless me with Your light, so I can shine for you in this world. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!

Be Blessed…Be Bold in the name of Jesus!

Suzanne Williams

Devotional: How well do you listen?

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” 1 Samuel 15:22

I sat on the edge of my 12 year olds bed and expressed to him my disappointment and sadness I felt because he hadn’t listened to the instruction I had given him that day. He simply gets distracted during the life in the day of a 12 year boy enjoying his summer. I explained to him that when he didn’t obey my instruction, even though he wasn’t being spiteful about it, that it was disrespectful and didn’t show me honor. During this conversation with my son, immediately, God spoke to my heart, in a very simple and loving way, but very convicting, “How do you think I feel Suzanne when you don’t obey me?” I prayed right away asking God for forgiveness, thinking I’ll get it right tomorrow. Well, I didn’t. For several nights, I had to have this conversation with my son about him being intentional with being obedient to the instruction I leave for him during the day.  But each night, God continually reminded me of how He feels when I am not listening to Him and the instruction He has been giving me. What in your life is God instructing you to do? Maybe it’s committing your time and heart to read the bible and grow closer to Him through that. Maybe it’s forgiving someone that has hurt you. Maybe it’s doing that kind act for a stranger that pulls you way out of your comfort zone. I think many people tend to think of being obedient as to the ‘big’ things in life. The little everyday things in life can have a huge impact. Pray about what you need to be obedient to God with.

Whether you are a parent, a boss, a teacher, etc., you may have this realistic expectation that when you give instruction that it should be obeyed. God has this same expectation, He gives us instruction and expects and desires us to obey Him. Imagine how different situations in your life could turn out if you obey your Abba Father, your Creator who has a perfect and wonderful plan for your life! Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

Let's Reflect: 1 John 2:3-6 “We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says, “I know Him,” but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did.”  1 John 3:16-24 “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what please Him. And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit He gave us.”

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, oh, thank you for the grace you extend me. Please continue to convict my heart in the areas of my life that I am not obedient to you in. Please stretch and grow me bringing me out of dis-obedience and giving me the courage to obey even the tiniest command you have given to me. With all my love, I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Be Blessed…Be Bold in the name of Jesus!

Suzanne Williams