Devotional Day 29: Humility

• 1 Peter 5:6 : "Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you."
• Matthew 23:12 : "Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted."
• An ongoing lesson we must all keep close to our hearts is the one of humility. Being humble brings respect not only from others, but God as well.

     In 1 Peter 5:6 it talks of being humble so that God can reward you properly. If you do a good deed or find your self to be a generous, hardworking person, but seek that recognition right then by being boastful, then God cannot reward you properly. Do what you feel you should out of the goodness of your heart, not because you want to look good in front of others. If you are humble in your actions and words towards others, God will surely see that and bless you for your humility. I like how in Matthew 23:12 it speaks of those who are "arrogant" or boastful. It simply warns people with an arrogant character that their actions will be refuted one day, and they will learn humility the hard way! Yet, if someone is humble and does good deeds with genuine motives of being a servant to God, they will be noticed! Their praise and blessings will be significantly more than that of the person who views themselves higher than those around them. Be humble in your actions for it was God that blessed you with what you have. He deserves the glory. He will recognize what you do. Your good deeds will never go unnoticed! Just remember humility!

                                                                           Questions/Application

• When was a time God humble you?
• When was a time you did a good deed without needing recognition and received a greater reward?
• How can you show more humility towards others? Towards God?

Devotional Day 28: Stick With It!

• Philipians 4:12-13 : "I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
• 2 Timothy 4:7 : "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
• Life is full of obstacles. Many things we want to accomplish put us through many hardships. All we have to do is remember to never give up!

     In Philipians 4:12-13 it talks of understanding each spectrum of life from the lowest lows to the highest highs. With hardship comes obstacles and with success comes responsibility. No matter what we do there's always an easy way out by just quitting! I love how in the end of the verse it says, "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." It's the perfect verse! It speaks clearly what we so often forget. We aren't meant to handle our struggles alone. God never intended for that. We have to seek guidance and strength through Him, our undying resource for wisdom. If we but remember the things He has taught us and the way He has guided us we will find strength and inspiration through Him and His works! I love how in 2 Timothy 4:7 it says, "I have finished the race." Sometimes the hardest part is the middle of the race! Your starting to get burnt out with what you're doing, and you get the sense that you just can't do it anymore. That's when you have to dig down deep inside for that second wind! God is that second wind, that breath of fresh air. He reminds you how proud He is of your accomplishments and the goals you have achieved to see you through to the finish line. My best advice to you is don't give up. If you have a dream or a goal, fight for it! No matter the hardships remember to turn to the one that knows you best and that can help you move mountains. Do all things through Him and surely your hard work will pay off!

                                                                        Questions/Application

• What is a goal you have set for yourself?
• How do you intend to achieve those goals?
• How can you trust God to help you with those things?
• What inspires you to keep going even through hardship?

Devotional Day 27: Value

• Matthew 22:37-39: "Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."
• I only included Matthew 22:37-39 because I feel like its speaks well enough on it's own for this message. Life is about building relationships with other people and God so that you value them enough to respect them.

     First thing there is to remember is establishing a valued relationship with God. You have to commit your entire heart to Him! Not only that, but you have to commit your mind and soul to Him as well. Building that lasting relationship is what will build your confidence in God and your respect. You'll learn to value what He has to teach and care for Him so much that you have no problem following what He wants you to follow. It's just like a respected teacher or maybe a coach. You know what they are instructing you is true, and you trust that they want to push you in the right direction.

     The same valued relationship you have with God should be the same kind of valued relationship you have with you parents, siblings, friends, and other people. Part of valuing others is being able to be honest with them and trust their opinions. Value also reflects in the way you respect them and what they have to say. Sometimes making someone feel valued is as simple as listening! If your mom asks you to take out the trash, do it! She'll value that you respected them enough to do what they asked you. If a teacher gives you an assignment, do it. They'll value that you respected their deadlines and instruction. This can go many different ways with many different relationships. In many ways the lesson of value goes right along with the lessons of love and listening. Show others you value them through the simple things! Then they'll know they can trust you through the big things. The same goes with God. Show God you value Him through the simple things, and He'll be proud when you prove your value through the big things.

                                                                        Questions/Application

• How can you show others you value them?
• What simple things can you do to show God and others that you value them?
• How do you think people and God view you when you prove that you value them?
• How do others show you that they value you?

Devotional Day 26: Who Am I?

• Ephesians 4:25 : "Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another."
• Psalms 139:14-16 : "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."
• To be honest with others you first have to be honest with yourself. You have to understand who you are, what goals you have, your spiritual walk, and what boundaries you have as a person.

     In the Ephesians verse about it speaks of putting away falsehood. Sometimes we not only convince others we are someone we're not, but we convince ourselves of the person we should be. It's important that as Christian brothers and sisters that we encourage on another to be who we truly are on the inside. Don't spend too much of your time trying to become something else for other people. Whether it's seeking popularity or some way to fit in, a majority of us have been guilty changing who we are. Who you are is how you act when no one is watching. It's who you are when you are around your family, people that make you feel the most comfortable. Be secure in your walk with God and don't be afraid to tell other people about that. Don't be afraid to enforce the boundaries you've set for yourself. No amount of senseless acts you do for popularity or others things will ever make up for your dignity. If you are comfortable with God you often times find you are comfortable enough with yourself. Everyone has their weak moments! There will be times when you are pushed out of your comfort zone. How you adjust and still remain true to yourself is what matters. As it says in the Psalms verse above, we are fearfully and wonderfully made. God made you just the way your were supposed to be made, inside and out! He knows every decisions you'll make before you even do it. Just remember, once you've found your goals and boundaries, stick to them! You earn respect, and in the end it all pays off. Trust me! Trust God.

                                                                          Questions/Application

• What are your goals in life? Your boundaries?
• How do you enforce those boundaries? 
• How do you remain true to yourself even when placed in a compromising situation?
• What special gift has God given you?

Devotional Day 25: Too Much Of A Good Thing

• Exodus 20:3 : "You shall have no other gods before me."
• Matthew 6:20 : "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
• There are many things we take pleasure in from day to day. God wants you to enjoy yourself, but He doesn't want you making the things you enjoy more of a priority than Him.

     In Exodus 20:3 it gives pretty point blank instructions. There should never be anything more important than your time with God. That's easier said then done sometimes, at least I know it is for me. There are a lot of things I really enjoy! Some of these things I catch myself spending more time with than I do communicating with God. It's simple things too! Shopping, music, clothes, money, friends, boyfriends or girlfriends, texting, and many other things can all be considered false gods. These are things that we borderline worship being that we envelope our lives with them.

     In Matthew 6:20 it simply speaks the inevitable truth. If you are spending more time with material things or people then that's where your heart is. It's not with God. Now, don't get me wrong! This doesn't mean that we cut out everything in our life besides God. We are allowed to enjoy ourselves. You can make God a part of your life all the time through simple things! You make Him part of your life through decisions you make, things you say, and the way you act. You make choices everyday! Making Him part of those choices is simple. Talk with Him while your driving! Making God a large part of your life can be a lot easier than you would think. The world is a hectic place now! It's a fast place full of so many different activities and opportunities. Don't forget to include God on major decisions you make and your everyday life. Make Him your priority.

                                                                      Questions/Application

• What or who would you consider a false idol in your life?
• How can you make God a bigger part of your life decisions?
• What simple things can you do to show Him he's a priority?

Devotional Day 24: Feel The Burn!

• Proverbs 13:4 : "Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied."
• Deuteronomy 15:10 : "Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart; then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in everything you put your hand to."
• Not everything in life is going to be easy! Life, relationships, and success come from hard work.

     I love how blunt Proverbs 13:4 is. People who want things, but have no ambition or drive to actually work for what they want will achieve nothing. It's those that want, work hard, and are determined to achieve that goal that will prosper. Life isn't meant to be easy! If it were easy we wouldn't learn what it's like to truly appreciate something. Hard work makes you appreciate the journey you had to make in order to achieve something. You value it so much more. That applies to everything almost! Relationships with others and with Christ take work as well. You can't remain too complacent with where you are or too content with your comfort zone. Spirituality is supposed to be about striving for more Christ-likeness which, of course, takes work. It takes fighting through temptation, habitual habits, struggles, doubt, and many other things.

     God appreciates when you work hard. He wants you to know He notices your work and shows you through blessings and revelations! In Deuteronomy 15:10 it speaks of even working on your character. Be a person that's generous and selfless. God will recognize your love to help others and your hard work to be a servant of Christ.  Just know that what you do doesn't go unnoticed. You just have to be open to receive the gratitude He tries to show you. It may even be through other people! Now, this doesn't mean we have to work all the time. We are supposed to rest when we need it, and take time to sit and observe the things and people we have to appreciate! 

                                                                        Questions/Application

• How do you work hard in your day to day life?
• How can you apply hard work to your relationship with Christ?
• When is a good time to rest? 
• What do you feel you have to appreciate?

Devotional Day 23: Resurrection

• John 11:25-26 : "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die."
• I know I only have one verse this time. This verse about, to me, speaks volumes. Sometimes things have to die for them to be reborn and seen the way it was intended to be seen and to save what it was intended to save; you.

     I was in church this morning and the pastor said something that really stuck with me. Sometimes God lets our dreams die so that He can fix them. We spend a lot of time planning things for ourselves. We think about ourselves a lot. "God can you just answer my prayer? I need this.." We do a lot of asking. And sometimes we forget to stop and think of God. We plan these big dreams for ourselves! Life gets so good sometimes that we feel we're just walking on clouds, not a care in the world, and we forget about Him. God wants you to think about Him, to appreciate Him. He did so much for us, loved us when we didn't deserve it. With the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives we too often forget to stop and say thank you. A lot of the things we do, whether we realize it or not, have selfish motives. God will allow something to fail if it keeps you from being blind to Him. Another thing that our pastor brought up was something I would have never thought about. He lets those dreams die to take away your pride and selfish motives. He wants all that you do to be through Him. He wants you to take the path that will protect you. If you need to get to the very bottom, to your deepest darkest moment to realize that you're desperate for God, then so be it. He will save you and wrap you in His warmth and protection. I like to remember that I can depend on God. Even when the world is falling in around me and I feel I can turn to no one, I know I can turn to Him. He will meet me wherever I am. God will follow me to the gates of hell if that's what it takes for me to realize He loves me. He loves you. Cherish that. Appreciate that. Let God love you.

                                                                                 Questions/Application

• When was a time your dream died? How about when that dream was resurrected?
• Do you see God's discipline as punishment or love? Why did you choose that option?
• Do you love God enough to let Him love you?