Devotions

“GIVING, THE SPICE OF LIFE!” by Katelyn DeHoff
1 KINGS 17:9-24
MARK 12:41-44

Have you become tired of going through the same old routine day after day? I sure am, especially since school has ended I’ve been feeling lost. I figured out something tonight as I was doing my Bible study; and that something certain makes sense with why I’m feeling so bored. While I was in school, or able to dance, I had the opportunity to give daily to someone in need. But now, now I’ve been trapped inside my own home, and unable to give. Now for a Christian that isn’t a good thing at all. We are meant to give of ourselves because that is often how Christ is able to spread throughout the world. Christians are to spread all that Christ has given them, and when we aren’t doing that we have lost a vital part of our Christianity. Of course we always have opportunities to give to our family and the people we see daily, but I have found that those opportunities are the easiest to miss. It shouldn’t be that way, but sadly it is all too common.

If you have been bored, restless, and unhappy, perhaps it is time for you to stop focusing on yourself and take a moment to have a good look around yourself. Who is around you that is hurting? Is there someone who maybe hasn’t heard the Good News of Christ? Could your mom need a helping hand to relieve some stress? Does your dad need a hug when he comes home from a long day at work? Maybe you need to grab your brother or sister and play a game, or watch a movie together. What can you be doing right now to give to someone else? Many times I have heard it said that if you are feeling depressed, or upset, all that you need to do is get your mind off of yourself and onto someone else for a change. Lately I’ve been so focused on my problems, my future, and my needs, that I haven’t been able to see anything, or anyone, else. That is about to change though; it is time for me to shove aside my own selfishness and look around to see the pain of others. Even if I may not get any thanks, or recognition for giving to someone, I don’t care. The women who went to clean and care for Jesus’ body didn’t expect to be thanked, they were going to be caring for a dead guy. How much could a dead man do for them? Absolutely nothing! But those women chose to give anyways. If they could go clean a dead body out of devotion, duty, and the love of giving; why can’t I just call up a couple people who I know are going through a rough time and just give my time to them? It won’t be easy, laziness and selfishness are hard mountains to climb sometimes, but I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Phil 4:13).

So will you join me in the pursuit of giving out of devotion to Christ? If you do I think you will find your life, and your outlook on life will change dramatically. Those giant problems will shrink to molehills. The oceans of tears you used to cry will evaporate. And, the problems of others will be adjusted because of you. What could possibly be better than that? Oh! One other benefit of giving is that you will be pleasing your Father in heaven, now things can’t be any better.

Thank You (For Giving to the Lord) by Ray Boltz
I dreamed I went to heaven And you were there with me; We walked upon the streets of gold Beside the crystal sea. We heard the angels singing Then someone called your name. We turned and saw a young man running And he was smiling as he came. And he said, "Friend you may not know me now." And then he said, "But wait, You used to teach my Sunday School When I was only eight. And every week you would say a prayer Before the class would start. And one day when you said that prayer, I asked Jesus in my heart." Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave. Then another man stood before you And said, "Remember the time A missionary came to your church And his pictures made you cry. You didn't have much money, But you gave it anyway. Jesus took the gift you gave And that's why I'm here today." Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave. One by one they came Far as the eye could see. Each life somehow touched By your generosity. Little things that you had done, Sacrifices made, Unnoticed on the earth In heaven, now proclaimed. And I know up in heaven You're not supposed to cry But I am almost sure There were tears in your eyes. As Jesus took your hand And you stood before the Lord. He said, "My child, look around you. Great is your reward." Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am a life that was changed. Thank you for giving to the Lord. I am so glad you gave.
June 5, 2009

“UNCERTAINTY” by Katelyn DeHoff

Uncertainty- Something that is feared and hated. All your life you often know what will come with tomorrow until suddenly, you know nothing.

Uncertainty- A place of complete trust in God. A place of steady dependence on the promises of God.

Uncertainty- A time of growth and learning. A time to learn God's promises and understand how good He is.

Uncertainty- A moment to grow still and listen to the music, a pause in the race of life.

Uncertainty- Nothing to be feared, nothing to avoid, but instead, a place of refuge and strict training.

Without uncertainty no disciple can mature completely. There must be a stage filled with uncertainty to create the complete production. No moments of uncertainty means there are no moments of complete abandon and trust. Uncertainty fills moments in dance. Unsure of a movement? Then be still and learn it! After the lesson you can try, even if still uncertain.

Uncertainty- No longer feared, no longer hated.

Uncertainty- Forever cherished, forever welcomed.

One thing is always certain, you will never travel through moments of uncertainty without the Master Choreographer by your side; He is always ready and willing to help you find your way.

Uncertainty- It might be your present stage in life, and now one that you shall dance upon, with, and through, with all your might!

Lifehouse- Somewhere In Between (No Name Face)

I can't be losing sleep over this, No, I can't and now I cannot stop pacing. Give me a few hours and I'll have this all sorted out. If my mind would just stop racing.

I cannot stand still. I can't be this unsturdy. This cannot be happening.

This is over my head but underneath my feet. Because by tomorrow morning I'll have this thing beat. And everything will be back to the way that it was.. I wish that it was just that easy.

I am waiting for tonight, then waiting for tomorrow. And I'm somewhere in between. What is real and just a dream. What is real and just a dream. What is real and just a dream.

Would you catch me if I fall out of what I fell in. Don't be surprised if I collapse down at Your feet again. I don't want to run away from this, I know that I just don't need this.

I cannot stand still. I can't be this unsturdy. This cannot be happening. I am waiting for tonight, then waiting for tomorrow. And I'm somewhere in between. What is real and just a dream. What is real and just a dream. What is real and just a dream. What is real and just a dream.

Matthew 6: 25- 34. (NIV) 25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[b]? 28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 6:25-34 (Amplified Bible)  25Therefore I tell you, stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life, what you shall eat or what you shall drink; or about your body, what you shall put on. Is not life greater [in quality] than food, and the body [far above and more excellent] than clothing?  26Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father keeps feeding them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27And who of you by worrying and being anxious can add one unit of measure (cubit) to his stature or to the span of his life? 28And why should you be anxious about clothes? Consider the lilies of the field and learn thoroughly how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. 29Yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his magnificence (excellence, dignity, and grace) was not arrayed like one of these. 30But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and green and tomorrow is tossed into the furnace, will He not much more surely clothe you, O you of little faith? 31Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear?  32For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. 33But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. 34So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble.

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