Christian & Bible - Short Devotions

After Danna's mother had went home to be with the Lord, it hit her family hard. Her sisters had a rough time dealing with the loss of their mother.

And to make matters worse, Danna's sisters lived far apart from her. Because of this, Danna would pray and ask God; to help her to find a way to console her sisters.

Being that they lived far apart, consoling them would prove to be difficult.

Eventually, Danna's prayers would be answered; and she was able to send her sisters Scriptures and words of encouragement -- by way of text messaging. The improvement in her sisters was noticeable from the start. This would lead to God, allowing other people to come across Danna's path. For they were also, going through rough times as well.

So Danna; would begin sending them Scriptures, and words of encouragement -- via text messaging. And they too, were blessed. The work that God had placed in Danna's hands, would grow; and along with it, her desire to reach out and help more people.

I'm so glad and honored -- that Danna would choose this site, "Christian Resources Today" as a way; to reach more people around the world. I just want to take this moment, to say: Thank you Danna; for sharing your short devotions with us.

Genesis 1:26 states: "Then God said, 'Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.'"

Having dominion means to rule as God's agent, as God's elect, as God's person in charge, and if people are going to rule as God rules, they would need to rule wisely and prudently.

When we look at the greatness in nature: We see that the crab can live on land or under the sea. The brown bear can sleep for four months uninterrupted. The hammerhead shark can smell a drop of blood among a million drops of water.

God's most glorious passion is you and I, and we are the only creation He requires a personal relationship with daily. Not birds or bear or rabbits. So today, let's renew our relationship with the Lord and make God the Greatest of all our obsessions -- Amen.

In ancient times, animals especially sheep were used for many things, like temple sacrifices, for food, for cover, and most of all for profit. Many times sheep were left unattended by the hirelings, and the wolves would come and eat the sheep. Sometimes people are treated the same way: they are sacrificed for someone else' good time, used for the desires of others, and several have been used for a profit. Take note on what Jesus said...

John 10:11-16 states: "I am the good shepherd and the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep, but a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.

"The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep. I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd."

Can you hear the voice of the Lord in your struggles saying: "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world."

Can you hear the voice of the Lord, when you feel alone and abandon saying: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." And this also tells us, so we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Today remember Jesus will protect and guide us always, for you see, He knows the way we must go -- Amen.

Proverbs 22:6 states: "Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

Romans 8:26-28 states: "Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

"Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

The patterns of the Christian life run from suffering to glory. We fall down, and then we walk. We get tired, and then we run. We can't finish the race, and then we are mounted up on wings of eagles. For you see, we do not walk or run alone, there is one who is with us at all times -- The Holy Spirit, whom God sent to dwell within us.

The Holy Spirit is willing to carry you today, so that you may soar over troubled waters and fly passed heavy burdens. So that our Christian life patterns, can move from defeated lives, to purpose filled living. So that we can go from listening for Jesus, to knowing you hear Him when he calls, and from calling on Jesus -- to Jesus calling on you. So today, let's complete the pattern and finish the race -- Amen.

Proverbs 27:17 states: "As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."

2 Kings 6:4-7 states: "So he went with them, And when they came to the Jordan, they cut down trees. But as one was cutting down a tree, the iron ax head fell into the water and he cried out and said 'Alas, master! For it was borrowed.'

"So the man of God said "Where did it fall?" And he showed him the place. So he cut off a stick, and threw it in there; and he made the iron float. Therefore he said, 'Pick it up for yourself.' So he reached out his hand and took it."

Jesus is the friend who sharpens us to look more like him. Jesus is the one we cry out to, to make it right and fix us. Jesus is the one who stirs the waters of healing on our behalf.

Today remember Jesus has finished the work when he was nailed to the cross and now salvation has been laid before us. So if we are going to live the life of Jesus If we are going to live free If we have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us, then we have to pick if up for ourselves -- Amen.

Ezekiel 30:13-16 states: "Thus says the Lord God: 'I will also destroy the idols, And cause the images to cease from Noph; There shall no longer be princes from the land of Egypt; I will put fear in the land of Egypt.

"I will make Pathros desolate, Set fire to Zoan, And execute judgments in No. I will pour My fury on Sin, the strength of Egypt; I will cut off the multitude of No, And set a fire in Egypt; Sin shall have great pain, No shall be split open, And Noph shall be in distress daily.'"

Temporal Things Never Last: For they were great cities, yes indeed they were adorned. Temples and monuments were built within these cities, but not for the God of the universe, but for themselves to say how great they were, not for the Great "I AM"

These were the greatest cities of the ancient world, today they lay in ruins and forgotten. Let's build for the kingdom of God today, and not for ourselves. For we know what we build for ourselves, may one day; lay in ruins, but what we build for the glory of God (you know a life, a family, a career, a ministry), these things will stand the test of time -- Amen.

Matthew 6:31-34 states: "Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble."

Know that, "doubt" and "worry" are cut buddies. When you see one, the other one is not far behind, when you doubt -- you call worry to tag along. This dysfunctional dual of "doubt" and "worry," was forged to wreak havoc in the life of the believer; to tear down your belief system, and to cut through the foundation of who you are, in Christ Jesus. Or so it may seem, to the unbelieving eye.

Jesus is the Advocate for all believers, the Imparter of mercy, and His Word is enough to crush all the doubts and worries in your life, out of your life. So when the one who holds tomorrow, today says: "don't worry," trust Him -- Amen.

Romans 7:14-18 states: "For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find"

Oh, to be obedient to your Word Lord, my heart's true desire. Father my soul cries out to be severed from my flesh and the destruction that awaits it. My flesh is weak and tempted, and the struggle for my soul, has all but consumed me.

Father, Jesus said that nothing is impossible for You, and to let the cup pass Him, But then Jesus said, nevertheless not His will but Your will Father. Through all my trials and tribulations, sleepless nights, and drawn out days -- Lord, I turn them all over to you and I say, "Father not my will" -- Amen.

John 15:1-8 states: "I am the true Vine, and My Father is the Vine-dresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the Word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."

Galatians 5:22-23 states: "But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."

The goal of every gardener is to have a flourishing garden, whether it's a flower garden, or rock garden, the goal is still the same -- a flourishing garden. The process that makes a garden flourish, is pruning: cutting away anything that stops the abundance of growth in the garden. And that's exactly what God is doing in our lives, when we see plans that don't make the final cut, or relationships that fail even when couples are in love.

Yes pruning hurts in the beginning, but when we start to see the flourishing of new growth in our lives and in our walk with the Lord, then we start to say things like, "Thank you Father" or "Now I know, how much you love me Lord." So let's except some pruning in our lives, and expect some flourished growth in our lives, because we know that God loves us -- Amen.

Have you seen those people, in grocery stores that give out samples; in case you want to know what the product tastes like, so you can buy some? Or, has someone cooked something and you were the one to sample it to make sure it tastes alright?

When we read these two Scriptures:

Galatians 5:5 "For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."

Please know this: By giving us the Holy Spirit, God is saying to us, your name has been assigned by Jesus to a dinner place card. By giving us the Holy Spirit, God is saying to us, dinner is not ready yet but -- here's a foretaste of what's to come. By giving us the Holy Spirit, God is saying to us, I guarantee what I have in store for you, will taste good to you, and will be the best thing you ever had -- Amen.

Ruth 1:6 states: "Then she arose with her daughters-in-law that she might return from the country of Moab: for she had heard in the country of Moab, how that the LORD had visited his people in giving them bread."

Ruth was like many other people when they first come to the knowledge of Christ; she was living a life that she didn't know was wrong. Then when the Word of God came into her life, Ruth was willing to be with a people she didn't know, live a life she didn't understand, and be subject to a woman who owed her nothing. Just to be closer to God and Ruth did this all based on what she had heard.

We've heard that God; is the God of more than enough, that He neither sleeps nor slumbers, and that He is Jehovah-jireh (the Lord will provide). Now we have heard more than Ruth, seen greater things than Ruth, and lived through tough times just like Ruth. If Ruth could go beyond what she knew just to be closer to God, How much further can we go with all the knowledge we have? So let us be like Ruth, willing to follow the LORD by faith, based solely on what we have heard -- Amen.

Matthew 4:1-10 states: "Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And when He had fasted forty days and forty nights, afterward He was hungry. Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, 'If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.' But He answered and said, 'It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'

"Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, 'If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down. For it is written: "He shall give His angels charge over you, and, in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."' Jesus said to him, 'It is written again, "You shall not tempt the LORD your God."'

"Again, the devil took Him up on an exceedingly high mountain, and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to Him, 'All these things I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.' Then Jesus said to him, 'Away with you, Satan! For it is written, "You shall worship the LORD your God; and Him only you shall serve."'"

As Christians, we must remember; it is only after we are saved, that Satan will send fiery darts in our direction -- because he knows we belong to God. The darts are actually a plea by the devil, to get us to return to him and serve him again.

When you live for the righteousness of the Kingdom, when you follow the teachings of our Lord and Savior; when you are hard pressed and feeling knocked down, if you will stand against the fiery darts of the devils devices; then the Lord can change any situation you face in your life. Amen.

Hebrews 11:4 states: "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks."

The best part of any cut of meat is the center-cut of that meat. These cuts have no fat to trim, no bones to remove; and no skin to take off, it's all flesh ready for the fire. Able was a center-cut, Joseph was a center-cut; and so was Jesus.

Able gave the best offering to God, Joseph gave the best reason to say no to temptation; and Jesus was the best choice (the only choice) to die for our sins. Today, now that we have been sanctified; now that we live the life of Christ, now that we are the center-cuts of Christianity, its time to face the fires of this world.

We have been seasoned for this very reason. So today, give your best offering to those around you for God; today say no to temptation for the sake of the Kingdom, and today; remember Jesus has already paid for our sins -- now, (the only choice) is to go and sin no more. Amen.

Revelations 3:20-21 states: "Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with Me. To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."

My Mother loved to fish, there was no location she wouldn't go to fish; no matter if it was on a hill, in high grass; or in the mud, she wouldn't care -- as long, as she could fish. And that's our picture of Jesus knocking on doors, no matter the location: no hill, no high grass, no mud, will stop Jesus from door knocking to save His people.

Today, please answer the door; let Him in, and tell Him all of your troubles -- He is faithful to resolve them, one by one. Amen.

Exodus 14:13-14 states: "And Moses said to the people, do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today you shall see again no more. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."

Luke 22:31-32 Jesus predicts Peter's denial: "And the Lord said, 'Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.'"

Now In this corner, weighing in with only three letters; able to destroy families, able to control minds; able to wreck friendships, and change destinies -- it's sin! And in the other corner, weighing in with Amazing Grace; able to calm storms, able to chase demons; capable of removing spots from your garments, and build you an eternal mansion in Glory: able to save the lost, and heal the sick; who's able to bring you from a mighty long way -- do you know him? He's the King of the Universe!

If you are not sure of your faith and trust in Jesus. If you are thinking of another way to live, than with Jesus as the head of your life: than Satan will ask for you, that he may shift you like wheat. This is why, we must let the Lord fight our battles; and take everything to God in prayer. Remember, the invisible war rages on for our souls; so we must stand still, and watch the salvation of the Lord -- work in our lives daily. Amen.

Isaiah 64-4 states: "Since ancient times, no one has heard; nor ear has perceived, no eye has seen any God besides You, who acts on behalf of those who wait for Him."

From breath, to sight; to growing hair daily, to moving the traffic in our lives; and out of our way, to placing the right people at the right time in our lives -- to giving us His shoulder to cry on, to making a way out of no way.

He shines the light on a dark path, He prepares a table for His children in the present of their enemies; He commands the wind to refresh us, and His Word to heal our souls. He makes the night to bring you rest, and the new day to give you His very best.

One thousand things a day: just to show you, how much He loves you. Today we can only respond to God in one way, and that way says: "me to" -- I love you Lord, one thousand ways. Amen.

Matthew 17:14-20 states: A man came to Jesus, kneeling down to him and said: "Lord have mercy on my son for he is epileptic and suffers severely, and falls into fire and into water, I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him." And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him and the child was cured from that very hour.

Jesus' disciples asked him, why they couldn't cast the demon out? So Jesus said this to them: "Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you if you have faith as a mustard seed you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."

The disciples had some power, and had seen some good works done by their own hands. They had: healed the sick, made the blind to see, and caused the lame to walk. However, at this point in the lives of the disciples; Jesus wanted them to know, that the name of the fight didn't matter; and that the fighter must use the same weapon at all times.

And that weapon is the weapon of faith: Faith alone to overcome disbelief, Faith alone to overcome temptations, and Faith alone to withstand the fiery darts, that are meant to destroy -- faith. So I ask you this today: "Tienes Fe"? Amen