Devotional Recap

I have been reading a daily devotional from World Hope Ministries (read more here), and I have been so blessed it.  I would love to share a bit of what has blessed me in hopes of returning the favor.  If you have not started your daily devotional...start here.  It is short, sweet, but very fulfilling.  Remember the key to devotion is honesty.  God knows.  Enjoy.

From Thursday, April 29th
Title: Character
Scripture: Matthew 7:24 "Anyone who listens...and follows...is...like a person who builds a house on solid rock."

Devotional Thought: "Are you putting all your efforts into maintaining an image while neglecting foundational things such as your attitude, your integrity and your God-given purpose?...When you make these things the foundation of your life you'll make it through any storm."

From Friday, April 30th
Title: In Church - But Lonely
Scripture: Psalm 142:4 "No man cared for my soul."

Devotional Thought: "Pastor, if your greatest concern on Monday is 'how many people did we have in church yesterday?' check your heart. You may be more concerned with your own image than meeting people's needs...Many of those who come to church aren't looking for profound answers, they just want to feel cared for."

From Saturday, May 1st
Title: Is God Disciplining You?
Scripture: Hebrews 12:6 "The Lord disciplines those he loves."

Devotional Thought: "God's correction is not rejection.  His disapproval of your actions is not disapproval of you...If God doesn't discipline you as he does all his children, it means that your are illegitimate and are not really his at all."

From Sunday, May 2nd
Title: Three Stages in Your Walk with God
Scripture: Genesis 22:4 "Abraham lifted his eyes."

Devotional Thought: The three stages in your walk with God: "(1) When God reveals Himself to you...(2) When God points you in the right direction...(3) When God provides in ways that amaze you...When you're where God wants you to be, He will meet your every need."

From Wednesday, May 5th
Title: In the Refiner's Fire
Scripture: Malachi 3:3 "He will sit like a refiner of silver."

Devotional Thought: "Are you in the refiner's fire today?...just sit still and let the refiner do His work...remember: (a) He knows what He's doing, so trust Him. (b) He won't allow you to be destroyed by the circumstances, or take His eye off you. (c) When the process is complete, you'll be more like Jesus and less like your old self...Isn't that what you've prayed for?

Extrra Note: This devotional is so powerful.  It tells a woman's story of visiting a silversmith.  She asked him a very important question about the process of refining silver, "'How do you know when the process is complete?  Smiling, he replied, 'That's easy; I see my face reflected in it.'"  WOW...now that is good!