March Devotions

[Colleen Davis]

3/1/06 God Is On Our Team

“When I was helpless, He saved me.” Psalm 116:6

As youngsters, we neighborhood kids would play street football. The minute we got home from school we’d drop the books and hit the pavement. The kid across the street had a dad with a great arm and a strong addiction to football. As soon as he’d pull in the driveway from work we’d start yelling for him to come and play ball. He couldn’t resist. Out of fairness he’d always ask, “Which team is losing?” Then he would join that team which often seemed to be mine.

His appearance in the huddle changed the whole ball game. He was confident, strong, and most of all, he had a plan. We’d circle around him, and he’d look at us and say, “OK boys, here is what we are going to do.” The other side was groaning before we left the huddle. You see, we not only had a new plan, we had a new leader.

He brought new life to our team. God does precisely the same. We didn’t need a new play, we needed a new plan. We didn’t need to trade positions; we needed a new player. That player is Jesus Christ, God’s firstborn Son.”

From “In the Grip of Grace” by Max Lucado

[Colleen Davis]

3/2/06 Do You Have a Hole in Your Heart?

Perhaps the wound is old. A parent abused you, a teacher slighted you…

And you are angry.

Or perhaps the wound is fresh. The friend who owes you money just drove by in a new car. The boss who hired you with promises of promotions has forgotten how to pronounce your name. your circle of friends escaped on a weekend getaway, and you weren’t invited…

And you are hurt.

Part of you is broken, and the other part is bitter. Part of you wants to cry, and part of you wants to fight. The tears you cry are hot because they come from your heart, and there is a fire burning in your heart. It’s the fire of anger. It’s blazing. It’s consuming. Its flames leap up under a steaming pot of revenge.

And you are left with a decision. “Do I put the fire out or heat it up? Do I get over it of get even? Do I release it or resent it? Do I let my hurts heal, or do I let hurt turn into hate?”…..

Resentment is the deliberate decision to nurse the offense until it becomes a black, furry, growling grudge…..

Unfaithfulness is wrong. Revenge is bad. But the worst part of all is that, without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.

God forgets the past. Imitate Him.

From “The Applause of Heaven” by Max Lucado

[Colleen Davis]

3/3/06 Four Habits Worth Having

“But grown in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” 2 Peter 3:18

Growth is the goal of the Christian. Maturity is mandatory. If a child ceased to develop, the parent would be concerned, right?.....

When a Christian stops growing, help is needed. If you are the same Christian ou were a few months ago, be careful. You might be wise to get a checkup. Not on your body, but on your heart. Not a physical, but a spiritual.

May I suggest one?....

Why don’t you check your habits? Make these four habits regular activities and see what happens. First, the habit of prayer…..Second, the habit of study….Third, the habit of giving…..And last of all, the habit of fellowship.

From “When God Whispers Your Name” by Max Lucado

[Colleen Davis]

3/4/06 Lord Move Me into the Purpose for Which I Was Created

“Be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for you do these things you will never stumble.” 2 Peter 1:10

Lord, I know Your plan for me existed before I knew You, and You will being it to pass. Help me to walk worthy of the calling with which [I was] called (Ephesians 4:1). I know there is an appointed plan for me, and I have a destiny that will now be fulfilled. Help me to live my life with a sense of purpose and understanding of the calling You have given me. Take away any discouragement I may feel and replace it with joyful anticipation of what You are going to do through me. Use me as Your instrument to make a positive difference in the lives of those whom You put in my path.

From “A Book of Prayer” by Stormie Omartian

[Colleen Davis]

3/5/06 Lord, Guide Me in All My Relationships

“Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you…” Ephesians 4:31-32

Lord, I pray for any relationships I have with people who don’t know You. Give me words to say that will turn their hearts toward You. Specifically, I pray for (name an unbeliever or someone who has walked away from God). Soften this person’s heart to open her/his eyes to receive You and follow You faithfully.

I also pray for Godly friends, role models, and mentors to come into my life. Send people who will speak the truth in love. I pray especially for people who are trustworthy, kind loving, and faithful. Help us to be always kind, encouraging, and forgiving toward one another.

From “A Book of Prayer” by Stormie Omartian

[Colleen Davis]

3/6/06 Lord, Use Me to Touch the Lives of Others

“If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:19

Lord, You have said that when just two people are gathered in Your name, You are there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) What a wonderful promise to us. You have also said that when two of us agree in prayer, You will answer (Matthew 18:19). I pray You will help me to find someone with whom I can agree. Lead me people for whom and with whom I can pray. Thank You in advance for the answers to those prayers of agreement.

From “A Book of Prayer” by Stormie Omartian

[Gina Stevenson]

Thanks especially for this note from Stormie ... re praying not only for others, but praying for someone with whom to pray. While reading it, one of those pangs of, "That's just one thing I really yet miss that Danny & I used to do together morning & evening." Haven't had that since ....

Again, thanks. Will have to pray for a change in this no-prayer-partner situation ....

3/6/06 Lord, Use Me to Touch the Lives of Others

“If two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven.” Matthew 18:19

Lord, You have said that when just two people are gathered in Your name, You are there in the midst of them. (Matthew 18:20) What a wonderful promise to us. You have also said that when two of us agree in prayer, You will answer (Matthew 18:19). I pray You will help me to find someone with whom I can agree. Lead me people for whom and with whom I can pray. Thank You in advance for the answers to those prayers of agreement.

From “A Book of Prayer” by Stormie Omartian

[Colleen Davis]

3/7/06 Because God is A Good God

“Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalm 107:8

Lord, help me to trust that You are a good God no matter what is going on in my life. Help me to believe without any doubting that even if bad things are happening, Your goodness will reign in the midst of them all.

Thank You that Your plans for me are good. Thank You that the future You have for me is good. Thank You that You bring good things into my life. Reveal Your goodness to me more and more so that I may praise You for it. How great is Your goodness to those who trust and feat You (Psalm 31:19). O Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth (Psalm 8:1).

From “A Book of Prayer” by Stormie Omartian

[Colleen Davis]

3/8/06 Because He Gave Me His Word

“Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble.” Psalm 119:165

Lord, I praise and thank You for Your Word. How I love that it gives me the guidance I need for my life. My delight is in Your law. Help me to meditate on it day and night (Psalm 1:2). Your testimonies also are my delight and my counselors (Psalm 119:24). Help me to fully understand all that I read in Your Word. Reveal everything I need to know. Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law (Psalm 119:18). Thank You that every time I read Your Word, I know You better. Your Word is a love letter to me, showing me how much You love me. And every time I read it, I love You more.

From “A Book of Prayer” by Stormie Omartian

[Colleen Davis]

3/9/06 Lord, Comfort Me in Times of Trouble

“May the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered for a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Peter 5:10

Lord, help me remember to give thanks to You in all things know that You reign in the midst of them. I know when I pass through the waters You will be with me and the river will not overflow me. When I walk through the fire I will not be burned, nor will the flame touch me (Isaiah 43:1-2). I pray that You, O God of hope, will fill me with all joy and peace and faith so that I will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13). Thank You that You have sent Your Holy Spirit to be my Comforter and Helper. Please remind me of that in the midst of difficult times.

From “A Book of Prayer” by Stormie Omartian

[Colleen Davis]

3/10/06 Lord, Protect Me and All I Care About

“Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place, no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.” Psalm 91:9-10

Lord, I pray for Your hand of protection to be upon me. I trust Your Word, which assures me that You are my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, my stronghold, and my strength in whom I trust. I want to dwell in Your secret place and abide in Your shadow (Psalm 91:1). Keep me under the umbrella of Your protection. Help me never to stray from the center of Your will or off the path You have for me. Enable me to always hear Your voice guiding me. Send Your angels to keep charge over me and keep me in all my ways. May they bear me up, so that I will not even stumble (Psalm 91:12).

From “A Book of Prayer” by Stormie Omartian

[Colleen Davis]

Resting...I'm taking the week off. I've had a hectic week at work, having to work at home on the weekend and evenings and probably will have another one like it coming up. I'll be back next week.

[Gina Stevenson]

'Sounds like you've earned a sabbatical, Colleen. ;)

Resting...I'm taking the week off. I've had a hectic week at work, having to work at home on the weekend and evenings and probably will have another one like it coming up. I'll be back next week.