Category: Daily Devotional

David Brooks New York Times writer is searching for meaning & he has come up with bucket list of resume virtues vs eulogy virtues! He states our society exalts resume virtues. He states, “The résumé virtues are the skills that are valued in the marketplace. Maybe intelligence, good looks and achievement such as King Saul had. The eulogy virtues are the ones that are talked about at your funeral — whether you were kind, brave, honest or faithful. Like King Davis was. Were you capable of deep love?” “We are all stumblers, and the beauty and meaning of life are discovered in the stumbling. The stumbler doesn’t build her life by being better than others, but by being better than she used to be.” — In this life we are encouraged to be assertive & to pursue self actualization. This world is Focused on SELF! It’s all about the Selfie! Much of the world does not value moral character! The question is, can we develop a profound inner character that will overcome during the struggles of life, thereby preparing us for eternal life. How can we become better people & what can we do to make life better for others?  Do we examine our priorities & focus? Do the choices we make really matter? What would your “moral bucket list” look like? What character traits do you wish to have? What would you want said at your eulogy? It is never ever too late, we can always choose Gal 5:22-23 The fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Love Mel

Luke 22:24-27  A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. [Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; & those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, & the one who rules like the one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. —How many people search the world over looking for greatness, when greatness can be achieved right where we are! Do you see things or people around you doing wrong or going the wrong way? Let’s make those wrongs our responsibility by making them our prayer points. As we begin, we will begin to see the wrongs righted & evils banished. This is the glorious life of greatness that opens the windows of heaven so that God can & does work in this earth. This is the one thing that can change everything, one prayer request at a time! PRAY! PRAY! PRAY! Love Mel

Isaiah 53:5 He was pierced for our transgressions; He was crushed for our iniquities; upon Him was the chastisement that brought us peace, & with His wounds we are healed. 1Peter 2:24 He himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin & live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. Luke 4:40 While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; & laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. Acts 10:38“You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit & with power, & how He went about doing good & healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; & greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 2Peter 1:3-4 According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life & godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory & virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great & precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”—Praying for those precious promises for all! Love Mel

From Bill—Destined for the throne by Paul Billheimer is a great book. In it he demonstrates that the entire purpose of the universe and all of history is to prepare the bride of Christ. She will rule and reign forever with Jesus. Her lover and Lord. The Old Testament is the story of a nation writes Billheimer. The New Testament is the story of a man. The man is Jesus who came to live and die and rise so that the bride may be formed.  As Eve was formed from Adam, the church bride was formed by the blood gushing from the side of our Lord. Everything that exists and that has happened is for Gods purpose of preparing a bride for His son. All the great people of history are bit players or supporting cast for this one purpose to form or fashion or aid to the completion this union. When all is ready the marriage supper of the lamb takes place. Together as co equals the bride and our Lord will bring about Gods final plan. —Rev 3:21 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, & am set down with My Father in His throne. Love Mel

Romans 8:28 We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. Psalm 104:27-28 All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. —In this world there is hurt & trouble. When we put those hurts & troubles in God’s hands He promises that He will bring them for our good!! The key is putting them into His hands!! Remember by His hands we are fed! Don’t miss out by keeping it in your hands!! Release, release, release!! This is how freedom comes! Love Mel