Friday, October 29, 2010

Day 37--Faith, Not Fear: RUN YOUR OWN RACE

October is breast cancer awareness month.
 
To read and see inspirational stories about breast cancer survivors, check out my other blog, Recession Resurrection.
You can learn more about early breast cancer detection, treatment options, and how you can get involved, at the American Cancer Society site: 
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/news/Features/what-you-can-do-about-breast-cancer
 --------------------------------
CLICK HERE for a printer-friendly PDF file of this devotional.  
You can find links to each devotional on our Web site
-----------------------------------------

DAY 37:  RUN YOUR OWN RACE

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE FOR REFLECTION:   Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (New International Version)
------------------------------------------------------------------
OPENING PRAYER:   In your opening prayer, in addition to anything else you want to pray about, ask God to put you in places and situations where you can tell others about what Jesus has done for you. (My pastor, Dr. Lucius M. Dalton, says this at the end of each sermon and I’m glad he does so as it reminds believers of their obligation to share Christ with others.)
 -------------------------------------------------- 
Run Your Own Race

                           A long time ago.
                                     In a city not too far away…

I was on a track team, believe it or not. : )

I recall coaches and other folks saying, “You gotta run your own race.”

Unfortunately, I ignored that advice. It basically meant that you shouldn’t try to run like other folks in a race. You should know your own strengths and running style and stick to that. In other words, if you have more energy at the end of a race, use that. If you get tired near the end, conserve your energy, etc.

This phrase came to mind when I saw info on the news about the Marine Corps Marathon being held this weekend in Washington, DC.


“Running Your Own Race” can also apply to how we deal with our problems. Your friends and family may handle problems in a fashion that is not suited for you and your relationship with God.

As we approach the final days of our devotional, my prayer is that all of us are running our own race on faith and not fear.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTION ITEM:  Research candidates and issues that will be on the ballot in your area this Tuesday, Nov. 2. Pray for guidance about your voting decision.

Also pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and help you to deal with your problems and ask Him to be of comfort to those on your prayer list.

Until tomorrow, have a blessed weekend!

-----------------------------------------------------------
CLOSING PRAYER: For the remainder of our devotions, please pray about whatever the Lord places in your heart and mind. I also ask that you pray for me as well. I pray daily for everyone who comes in contact with these devotions and feel blessed as a result.
-------------------------------------------------
STAY IN TOUCH:  You are cordially invited to share how things are going with you and our devotions thus far. I welcome comments and suggestions as well. You can reach me via Facebook or my personal email address: Steve@BibleStudyCafe.com
-----------------------------------------------------
FREE STUFF FOR YOU!
Stop by sometime soon to visit my ministry Web site, Bible Study Café, and download free stuff including a prayer journal. Join Bible Study Café on Facebook and follow my twitches and tweets on Twitter.
------------------------------------------
A TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
If you would like a relationship with God, the only way to do it is through His son, Jesus Christ. This is supported in the Bible: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. --John 14:6 (King James Version) 

We begin this relationship by first accepting Jesus. Click Here for a link to more info.






Day 36--Faith, Not Fear: ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE

October is breast cancer awareness month.
 
To read and see inspirational stories about breast cancer survivors, check out my other blog, Recession Resurrection.
You can learn more about early breast cancer detection, treatment options, and how you can get involved, at the American Cancer Society site: 
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/news/Features/what-you-can-do-about-breast-cancer
 --------------------------------
CLICK HERE for a printer-friendly PDF file of this devotional.  
You can find links to each devotional on our Web site
-------------------------------
Welcome to Day 36 of our Bible based, Christ focused devotional.

Purpose: With so many people suffering during these tough economic times, I wanted to create a daily devotional which would promote faith in God as a solution to overcoming anger and fear.

Each devotional will provide a daily passage of Scripture for you to reflect on throughout the day. In addition, an “Action Item” will assign a daily, simple task to help you address your fears with faith and move forward with God's plans for you.

Thank you and God bless you for reading this devotional--please share it with others!

Steve Kendall
---------------------------------------------

DAY 36:  ANOTHER MAN’S (PERSON’S) TREASURE

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE FOR REFLECTION:   
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
       when it is in your power to act.
 Do not say to your neighbor,
       "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—
       when you now have it with you.
Proverbs 3:27-28 (New International Version)
------------------------------------------------------------------
OPENING PRAYER:   In your opening prayer, in addition to anything else you want to pray about, ask God to put you in places and situations where you can tell others about what Jesus has done for you. (My pastor, Dr. Lucius M. Dalton, says this at the end of each sermon and I’m glad he does so as it reminds believers of their obligation to share Christ with others.)
 -------------------------------------------------- 
Another Man’s (Person’s) Treasure
I spent most yesterday cleaning our basement. It was a good feeling to finally get rid of a lot of old stuff I was holding on to, that was buried deep down in a pile of junk (sounds like a great analogy for many of us and our feelings toward others).

One of the things that brought me great satisfaction was that some of the items we no longer needed could be used by others. 

Anything in good condition that could be donated, we put aside. Others items, which we now considered junk, would actually be valuable to some folks.

We gathered all of the metal “junk” and put it out on the curb the night before trash collection. We do this because a hard working couple often drives through neighborhood collecting metal. 

The last time I saw this husband and wife team, in the summer, they had a small truck. Last night, I peeked from my window to see they now had a much larger truck (a white one often used to deliver food to stores) with bins in the back for various types of metal.

We were happy to know that this couple would benefit from something we no longer valued.

God wants us to be good stewards of the resources He has blessed us with, and that includes the resource of time.

When we spend too much time focusing on our problems¸ we are subtracting from time that could be better spent focusing on what God wants us to do.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTION ITEM:  In addition to the Action Item we started this week (see below this paragraph) find something of you no longer need, but would be of value to someone else and donate it. If you don’t have items of this sort, donate your time to help someone this weekend.

This Week’s Action Item: Get out that paper piece of paper with your list your current problems.  Pray about each of the problems you listed.

On the back page, you should have the names of folks you want to pray for on a daily basis.

Each day forward, pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and help you to deal with your problems and ask Him to be of comfort to those on your prayer list.

Until tomorrow, have a blessed weekend!

-----------------------------------------------------------
CLOSING PRAYER: For the remainder of our devotions, please pray about whatever the Lord places in your heart and mind. I also ask that you pray for me as well. I pray daily for everyone who comes in contact with these devotions and feel blessed as a result.
-------------------------------------------------
STAY IN TOUCH:  You are cordially invited to share how things are going with you and our devotions thus far. I welcome comments and suggestions as well. You can reach me via Facebook or my personal email address: Steve@BibleStudyCafe.com
-----------------------------------------------------
FREE STUFF FOR YOU!
Stop by sometime soon to visit my ministry Web site, Bible Study Café, and download free stuff including a prayer journal. Join Bible Study Café on Facebook and follow my twitches and tweets on Twitter.
------------------------------------------
A TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
If you would like a relationship with God, the only way to do it is through His son, Jesus Christ. This is supported in the Bible: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. --John 14:6 (King James Version) 

We begin this relationship by first accepting Jesus. Click Here for a link to more info.






Day 35--Faith, Not Fear:FOR THE BIRDS


October is breast cancer awareness month.
 
To read and see inspirational stories about breast cancer survivors, check out my other blog, Recession Resurrection.
You can learn more about early breast cancer detection, treatment options, and how you can get involved, at the American Cancer Society site: 
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/news/Features/what-you-can-do-about-breast-cancer
 --------------------------------
CLICK HERE for a printer-friendly PDF file of this devotional.  
You can find links to each devotional on our Web site
-------------------------------
Welcome to Day 35 of our Bible based, Christ focused devotional.

Purpose: With so many people suffering during these tough economic times, I wanted to create a daily devotional which would promote faith in God as a solution to overcoming anger and fear.

Each devotional will provide a daily passage of Scripture for you to reflect on throughout the day. In addition, an “Action Item” will assign a daily, simple task to help you address your fears with faith and move forward with God's plans for you.

Thank you and God bless you for reading this devotional--please share it with others!

Steve Kendall
---------------------------------------------
DAY 35:  FOR THE BIRDS

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE FOR REFLECTION:   

Look 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? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Matthew 6:26-27 (New International Version)

OPENING PRAYER:   In your opening prayer, in addition to anything else you want to pray about, ask God to help you to appreciate the wonder of his creation.
 -------------------------------------------------- 
Thursday morning, right after my personal Bible study time, a Blue Jay in our backyard caught my attention. A few minutes later, a bright red Cardinal flew into the yard. Just a few minutes after that, I could see a Wood Pecker advancing up the side of a tree.

I smiled as I thought about the beauty of these birds and the fact that God created these colorful male birds.

In the almost 16 years that we've lived here, I don't recall seeing three different, colorful birds in quick succession.

The phrase, "For the Birds," usually means something
is meaningless, or not worthy of attention. These birds were not meaningless. They serve as prime examples of how awesome God is and the beauty He provides all around us every day.

I'm so glad I took time out to witness God's creation in our yard. Watching the birds go about their business of looking for food really made my day.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTION ITEM:  Continue the Action Item we started this week--Get out that paper piece of paper with your list your current problems.  Pray about each of the problems you listed.

On the back page, you should have the names of folks you want to pray for on a daily basis.

Each day forward, pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and help you to deal with your problems and ask Him to be of comfort to those on your prayer list.

Until tomorrow, have a blessed day!

-----------------------------------------------------------
CLOSING PRAYER: For the remainder of our devotions, please pray about whatever the Lord places in your heart and mind. I also ask that you pray for me as well. I pray daily for everyone who comes in contact with these devotions and feel blessed as a result.
-------------------------------------------------
STAY IN TOUCH:  You are cordially invited to share how things are going with you and our devotions thus far. I welcome comments and suggestions as well. You can reach me via Facebook or my personal email address: Steve@BibleStudyCafe.com
-----------------------------------------------------
FREE STUFF FOR YOU!
Stop by sometime soon to visit my ministry Web site, Bible Study Café, and download free stuff including a prayer journal. Join Bible Study Café on Facebook and follow my twitches and tweets on Twitter.
------------------------------------------
A TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
If you would like a relationship with God, the only way to do it is through His son, Jesus Christ. This is supported in the Bible: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. --John 14:6 (King James Version) 

We begin this relationship by first accepting Jesus. Click Here for a link to more info.






Thursday, October 28, 2010

Day 34--Faith, Not Fear: TRIAGE


October is breast cancer awareness month.
 
To read and see inspirational stories about breast cancer survivors, check out my other blog, Recession Resurrection.
You can learn more about early breast cancer detection, treatment options, and how you can get involved, at the American Cancer Society site: 
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/news/Features/what-you-can-do-about-breast-cancer
 --------------------------------
CLICK HERE for a printer-friendly PDF file of this devotional.  
You can find links to each devotional on our Web site
-------------------------------
Welcome to Day 34 of our Bible based, Christ focused devotional.

Purpose: With so many people suffering during these tough economic times, I wanted to create a daily devotional which would promote faith in God as a solution to overcoming anger and fear.

Each devotional will provide a daily passage of Scripture for you to reflect on throughout the day. In addition, an “Action Item” will assign a daily, simple task to help you address your fears with faith and move forward with God's plans for you.

Thank you and God bless you for reading this devotional--please share it with others!

Steve Kendall

--------------------------
DAY 34:  TRIAGE

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE FOR REFLECTION:   

As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work.   John 9:4 (New International Version)

OPENING PRAYER:   In your opening prayer, in addition to anything else you want to pray about, ask God to help you prioritize your life so that you can fulfill the tasks He wants you to accomplish.
 --------------------------------------------------                                
Triage:  The sorting of patients (as in an emergency room) according to the urgency of their need for care.

Origin of Triage: French, sorting, sifting, from trier to sort, from Old French. 

(Source: Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary).

---------------------------------------------------------------------

One of the goals I wrote down, on our first day of this 40 day journey, was to write a new entry each day. One of the concerns I wrote was that I might miss one, or more days of the devotion due to illness.

Well, I did not write a devotion yesterday, but not due to illness. I was extremely busy and although I wanted to take a break and write, I had to stay on task with a deadline.


When I have days like yesterday, I think about my priorities and try to stay on schedule and not stray off task with distractions. Sometimes the brain welcomes distractions when we are very busy, but distractions can quickly lead us down paths we shouldn’t follow.


Although I’m happy about yet another day the Lord has provided me to be alive, I gotta be a good boy and get some rest so that I can be refreshed again to do God’s will. So, it’s back to bed for me to address the very important priority of rest and sleep.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTION ITEM:  Continue the Action Item we began this week--Get out a blank piece of paper. List your current problems.  On the back, make a new list of folks you want to pray for on a daily basis.

Each day forward, pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and help you to deal with your problems and ask Him to be of comfort to those on your prayer list.

Until tomorrow, have a blessed day!
---------------------------------- 
-----------------------------------------------------------
CLOSING PRAYER: For the remainder of our devotions, please pray about whatever the Lord places in your heart and mind. I also ask that you pray for me as well. I pray daily for everyone who comes in contact with these devotions and feel blessed as a result.
-------------------------------------------------
STAY IN TOUCH:  You are cordially invited to share how things are going with you and our devotions thus far. I welcome comments and suggestions as well. You can reach me via Facebook or my personal email address: Steve@BibleStudyCafe.com
-----------------------------------------------------
FREE STUFF FOR YOU!
Stop by sometime soon to visit my ministry Web site, Bible Study Café, and download free stuff including a prayer journal. Join Bible Study Café on Facebook and follow my twitches and tweets on Twitter.
------------------------------------------
A TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
If you would like a relationship with God, the only way to do it is through His son, Jesus Christ. This is supported in the Bible: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. --John 14:6 (King James Version) 

We begin this relationship by first accepting Jesus. Click Here for a link to more info.






Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Day 33--Faith, Not Fear: DISCERNMENT

October is breast cancer awareness month.
To read and see inspirational stories about breast cancer survivors, check out my other blog, Recession Resurrection.
You can learn more about early breast cancer detection, treatment options, and how you can get involved, at the American Cancer Society site:

http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/news/Features/what-you-can-do-about-breast-cancer
 --------------------------------
CLICK HERE for a printer-friendly PDF file of this devotional.  
You can find links to each devotional on our Web site
-------------------------------
Welcome to Day 33 of our Bible based, Christ focused devotional.

Purpose: With so many people suffering during these tough economic times, I wanted to create a daily devotional which would promote faith in God as a solution to overcoming anger and fear.

Each devotional will provide a daily passage of Scripture for you to reflect on throughout the day. In addition, an “Action Item” will assign a daily, simple task to help you address your fears with faith and move forward with God's plans for you.

Thank you and God bless you for reading this devotional--please share it with others!

Steve Kendall
---------------------------------- 

DAY 33: DISCERNMENT

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE FOR REFLECTION:

For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.  Proverbs 2:6 (New International Version)

OPENING PRAYER:   In your opening prayer, in addition to anything else you want to pray about, ask God to provide you with the wisdom to make thoughtful, correct decisions.
 --------------------------------------------------                                
Discernment: the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure. Synonyms: wisdom, insight, perception, perceptiveness (Source: Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary). 

I often pray for God to help me discern that which is true and how I should go about making major decisions—especially when it comes to voting.

Today I submitted my absentee ballot forms via fax. I usually don’t wait until the last minute to do this, but I’ve been sick, busy and quite frankly, turned off by all the negative campaign ads. 

There was a time when candidates would air ads discussing their record, or their plans, but in today’s world, we usually get ads that tear down the opponent.

No one should EVER make a decision about voting based on a TV ad. I should know because I was a video editor of numerous political ads back in the 1980s.  Politicians and their handlers will often distort the truth in ads in an effort to prey on your fears and problems. The goal is stir a knee jerk reaction in the voter. They often want to get you angry about an issue, or candidate without offering any facts.

Praying for discernment will help us to rely on our faith in God to guide our decisions, not TV ads. 

With the election just one week away, my prayer is that everyone pray before voting.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACTION ITEM:  Continue the Action Item we started yesterday--Get out a blank piece of paper. List your current problems.  On the back, make a new list of folks you want to pray for on a daily basis.

Each day forward, pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and help you to deal with your problems and ask Him to be of comfort to those on your prayer list.

Until tomorrow, have a blessed day!
-----------------------------------------------------------
CLOSING PRAYER: For the remainder of our devotions, please pray about whatever the Lord places in your heart and mind. I also ask that you pray for me as well. I pray daily for everyone who comes in contact with these devotions and feel blessed as a result.
-------------------------------------------------
STAY IN TOUCH:  You are cordially invited to share how things are going with you and our devotions thus far. I welcome comments and suggestions as well. You can reach me via Facebook or my personal email address: Steve@BibleStudyCafe.com
-----------------------------------------------------
FREE STUFF FOR YOU!
Stop by sometime soon to visit my ministry Web site, Bible Study Café, and download free stuff including a prayer journal. Join Bible Study Café on Facebook and follow my twitches and tweets on Twitter.
------------------------------------------
A TRUE RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD:
If you would like a relationship with God, the only way to do it is through His son, Jesus Christ. This is supported in the Bible: Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. --John 14:6 (King James Version) 

We begin this relationship by first accepting Jesus. Click Here for a link to more info.