First Place

By Cheri Cowell –

Now why didn’t I think of that is the question we ask ourselves when we see one of those new inventions that seems so logical it should have been thought of before. We know when we see them the person who patented them will be financially set for life, and we wonder why we didn’t think of it first. I’m talking about things like Velcro, Wet Wipes, and Post-It Notes (how did we ever get along without these things?). Secretly, we go even further by asking God if we will ever get there first. Will we ever be the one with the winning ticket, the big idea, or the first place prize? This yearning to be number one has been placed in us by our heavenly Father, not so we can achieve it here on earth, but so it will point us toward God. In Him we are never last. In Him all of us can have first place.

In Deuteronomy Moses outlines for the Israelites the decision they must make when they enter Canaan: to either fully obey God’s laws and be blessed, or live outside of His laws and be cursed. Verses 1-14 describe a blessed life. Bottom line—when we obey God’s teachings we will be first among many in God’s eyes.

PRAYER: Thank You, God, for Your promise to provide me wealth when I obey Your teachings. I claim Your promises today for prosperity in all the ways You have ordained for me from the beginning of time. Help me to be more faithful in following Your commands, and thank You for giving me first place in Your heart as I make You first place in mine.

“The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom” (Deuteronomy 28:11-13 NLT).

Today’s devotion is by Cheri Cowell, who writes and speaks on topics of Christian discipleship. In addition to her books and articles, you can learn about her speaking ministry and sign up to receive her daily devotional at www.CheriCowell.com/.

Walking Before God in the Land of the Living

By James H. Pence –

Not long ago, some dear friends of mine received news their son had died suddenly. If this wasn’t bad enough, their youngest son died in an auto accident about ten years ago. Another friend of mine learned last year that his eight-year-old daughter has an extremely rare and aggressive form of cancer. Someone else I know lost his wife and two sons to murder. Nevertheless, in spite of their terrible tragedies, all of these people are praising God in the midst of their grief. More than that, they are taking that sorrow and using it to bring glory to God and influence others for him.

How is it possible to praise and worship God when you are experiencing unspeakable pain? The psalmist gives us a key when he writes, “For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living” (Psalm 116:8-9 NIV).

Believers in Jesus Christ can worship and praise God in the midst of tragedy because He has worked a three-fold deliverance in our lives. First, He has delivered our souls from death. We know that when this brief life is over, we will enter into God’s presence and enjoy Him forever. Through His death, Jesus Christ removed death’s sting, and that has a powerful impact on our outlook.

Second, God has delivered our eyes from tears. The Bible reminds us on many occasions that God will wipe all tears from our eyes when we’re in heaven. But it also says He is our comforter now. Paul told the Corinthians that God is “the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles” (2Corinthians 1:3-4a NIV). Because God is constantly wiping the tears away from our eyes, we can press on through trial and tragedy, bringing Him glory.

Third, God has delivered our feet from stumbling. While it’s true that all believers stumble and fall at times, God always raises us up and heals us. Jude reminds us that God “is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy” (Jude 24 NIV). Even though our circumstances may feel unbearable, we can rest assured that our God will preserve us through them and bring us safely home.

AUTHOR QUOTE: Because of the ongoing, sustaining grace of God, His people can pass through the worst fires human experience has to offer and come out victorious.

“How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD” (Psalm 116:12-13 NIV).

Today’s devotion is by James H. Pence. James is an author, speaker, singer, and gospel chalk artist, but prefers to be known as a storyteller. To learn more about James and how he draws the stories of your heart, visit his website at: www.jamespence.com.

Three Loved Ones Go Home for Easter

By Susan Dollyhigh-

Isa and Jorge, my sister-in-law and her husband, came home Easter weekend to celebrate the holiday with the family. They came to spend the weekend with Coleen, Isa’s mother. Isa and Jorge brought along Kivette, their beloved lab-collie mix. Flamboyant, exuberant, effervescent Isa. Unpretentious, restrained, humble Jorge. Sweet, lovable Kivette. And Coleen. Strong, solid, firm. A rock as her children called her. Coleen. Mother, Grandmother, Great-grandmother, Sister, Aunt, Cousin, Friend. Coleen, not very fond of dogs and especially not dogs in her house. But Coleen, who couldn’t deny room and board to Kivette, that sweet granddog of hers. Kivette who easily nuzzled her way into all of our hearts and soon came to spend every holiday with the family.

Isa, Jorge and Kivette came home Easter weekend to celebrate the holiday with the family. The family planned to have Sunday lunch together. Coleen’s refrigerator was overflowing with her delicious home-cooked food. But the sun rose that Easter morning to the saddest day ever experienced by the remainder of the family. Sad and terribly painful. Easter Sunday spent not in church as planned. Easter Sunday spent planning three funerals.

Isa, Jorge and Kivette came home to Mount Airy Easter weekend to celebrate the holiday with the family. Only Mount Airy wasn’t their final destination. Seems they only came through to pick up Coleen. On Saturday morning, Isa, Jorge, Coleen and Kivette traveled up Interstate 77 North. On that beautiful spring morning surrounded by the breathtaking panoramic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, they were ushered into the very presence of God the Father. And seated there at His right hand, His Son, Jesus Christ.

Jesus who was sent into this world as a baby born of a virgin. Jesus who lived a sinless life yet died on a cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Jesus who on the third day rose from the dead. Jesus who now lives in heaven with God, His Father. And that’s what Easter is all about. Yes, Isa, Jorge, Coleen and Kivette went home that weekend to celebrate Easter. I can only imagine what a wonderful, glorious celebration that must have been.

In memory of Coleen, Jorge, Isa and beloved pet Kivette who went Home for Easter in March 22, 2008.

Spring Cleaning

By Hally Franz –

It’s that time again. Who doesn’t enjoy spring cleaning? I look forward to that first 70-degree day when I’m moved to turn on Jimmy Buffet, open the windows to enjoy the warm air and sunshine, and spend a block of time to get down to some serious cleaning. I’ll dust, vacuum, change sheets, eliminate clutter and clean bathrooms. That’s it, right?

I saw a talk show on the topic of household germs and bacteria, and the well-known host said that her bed sheets were changed every other day. Clean sheets are splendid, but in the real-world they usually get changed weekly. In the real world, sometimes spring cleaning doesn’t happen like it is supposed to. It doesn’t always include washing windows, taking down and cleaning drapes, and organizing all the closets. It may just be music, fresh air and the regular routine.

Even if my deep cleaning doesn’t get done on schedule, I do savor the first-day feel of fresh sheets. They’re tucked in nice and tight before a week’s worth of sleep wrinkles and pulls at them. They have that slick, smooth feel before little bits of grit make their way in, and pillow cases smell nice until morning breath odors attach to them. Clean sheets are one of life’s simple pleasures.

It’s unrealistic for me to think that I will awake every day with the spiritual feelings of being newly baptized. There are days when I am neither excited nor inspired. In the real world, our days cause us to be pulled in lots of directions. We get dirty with the sin that inevitably makes its way into our lives, and we may face situations that really stink. That’s the real world.

However, it is possible for us to become refreshed and renewed each week when we meet on Sundays for a time of study, praise and fellowship. Sunday services always leave me with that “clean sheet feeling” in my soul. The study of scripture and the message from our minister help to smooth the wrinkles in my furrowed brow. I feel washed in the sounds of voices raised in song, and greetings and hugs from church family feel like fragrant, warm breezes.

My usual routine includes a weekly change of my bed sheets and Sunday mornings in worship. While the other chores may wait a season, these are done right on time.

PRAYER: Merciful God, thank You for the opportunity to be refreshed each Sabbath by Your Word, songs of praise and fellowship with other Christians.

“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water” (Hebrews 10:22 NIV).

Today’s devotion is by Hally Franz. Hally is a former high school guidance counselor, turned homemaker. Hally sees each day as a new exercise, where routines change and weights vary. Her goal is to maintain all-around fitness for service, while training her children to be competitive, compassionate and Christ-like in the world in which we live.

Perspective

By Donna McCrary –

The crackling voice over the intercom said, “Look to your left and experience a rare privilege—the best view of the Grand Canyon.” I quickly grabbed my camera and snapped some pictures. The different shades of brown, rust, and black helped my eyes distinguish the depth of the ever expanding crack in the earth’s crust. The layers of brown tones in the landscape created beautiful contrast against the deep blue hue of Lake Mead. The view from the plane was breathtaking!

I sat in awe—but the beauty didn’t stop there. Traveling from Las Vegas, Nevada to Atlanta, Georgia, I found the landscape continually changing below. As the sun descended, the plane flew over pillows of clouds. The fuchsia shades seemed to sparkle and dance on the white cotton balls below. Then a dark sky settled in as we neared Atlanta. The twinkling city below glowed like a shimmering sea of lights. My husband leaned over and said, “Mind boggling!” After a thoughtful pause he whispered, “Makes you feel small in this giant world.” I chuckled because small is not exactly the best word to describe just how insignificant and tiny you feel at 35,000 feet.

As the wheels of the plane touched, I stopped to thank God for such a wonderful trip with my husband. This quick prayer moved me into a surreal moment of worship. This cross-country trip captured a glimpse of God’s handiwork, from the Grand Canyon to the manmade city lights of Atlanta. It is hard to put into words the picturesque views from my day; even harder to grasp the phenomenal concept that my God is in control of it all. He created the landscapes. He gave man the ability and the material to build the city of lights. He controlled the sun traveling across the sky. Not only is God in control of all this but He chose to love small, insignificant me! He knows every hair on my head. Just as He controls the sun and clouds He orchestrates the events in my life. He is in control of every aspect, every situation and every minor detail. From His viewpoint, everything in life is designed for the single purpose to draw us near to Him. Now that is perspective!

PRAYER: Father, today, I want to pause for a moment to truly worship You. May I never forget   how much You love me and how You long for me to live with You one day in heaven.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).

Today’s devotion is by Donna McCrary, a co-founder of Walk of Purpose ministries. Read more of her inspirational devotions in DIVAS of the Divine: How to Live as a Designer Original in a Knock-Off World study or check out her blog at www.walkofpurpose.blogspot.com.

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