Weigh the Words Daily Devotional | Monday, January 29, 2018 By Very Rev. Piesie Shadrack Asiedu-Larbi
We have a tendency to leap before we look and speak before we think. But we have been created with wonderful minds that need to be trained and educated. Young minds need to be protected until they gain the wisdom and ability to make good decisions.
God is the source of true wisdom and knowledge upon which we can draw (Proverbs 2:6-7). Without the understanding of this great truth, our decisions are often made in a hurry. We need to weigh the words that come to us, and that involves putting them to the test of the truth from God. It takes a mature, trained and educated mind to be able consider a thought that is presented and not necessarily accept it. Never neglect the work it takes to be educated.
Mobs Are Dangerous Daily Devotional | Wednesday, January 24, 2018 By Very Rev. Piesie Shadrack Asiedu-Larbi
The Word of God tells us to fear God and honor the king (Proverbs 24:21, 1 Peter 2:17). We have witnessed mob action in a number of nations including our own. Mob rule usually results in confusion and ruin. Some seek change for the sake of changing, not to improve things. Unless clear plans are in place for the result of a change, chaos and calamity can rise as it has in a number of nations.
Mob action is driven by emotion rather than brain power. The end is never clear and the path of action taken is usually ill conceived and dangerous. Godly people do not associate with mobs or those given to change at all costs. His people are to respect authority and, if change is needed, work patiently to bring that about. That is the action God supports.
I HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY Daily Devotional | Tuesday, January 23, 2018 By Bro. Richard Akrofi
I am still determined to be cheerful and happy, in whatever situation I may be; for I have also learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances.
“He who watches the wind [waiting for all conditions to be perfect] will not sow [seed], and he who looks at the clouds will not reap [a harvest].”
??ECCLESIASTES? ?11:4? ?AMP??
Cricket Music and Misunderstandings Daily Devotional | Monday, January 22, 2018 By Very Rev. Piesie Shadrack Asiedu-Larbi
Harry and Sally sat on their back porch enjoying the summer breeze. Harry was listening to the sound of crickets and commented on how crickets sure can sing. Sally agreed, but her mind was concentrating on the choir singing at a nearby church service.
“Beautiful music isn’t it?” Sally asked.
“Yes,” Harry responded, “And to think they make that sound by rubbing their legs together.”
Misunderstandings, whether as simple as the one between Harry and Sally or more complex, can cause serious conflicts and hurt feelings.
When a person is talking, many times we’re thinking about what we want to say instead of listening. Next time you’re in conflict with someone, instead of thinking about what you want to say, first concentrate on what the other person is saying. Try to understand his or her viewpoint before telling your own.
GOD KNOWS YOUR FUTURE Daily Devotional | Thursday, January 18, 2018 By Bro. Richard Akrofi
... You are a victor.
“Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced--beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” ROMANS? ?8:37-39? ?AMP?C
Those Who Endure Daily Devotional | Wednesday, January 17, 2018 By Very Rev. Piesie Shadrack Asiedu-Larbi
It seems that every nation and culture has a great respect for those who face great odds and trials, but who faithfully endure them. The Almighty Creator can intervene whenever He wants to, but when He does not step in to assist in our calamity, we ought to understand that He has a greater goal and be thankful as we endure (James 5:11). God's purpose is not always clear to us, but we are made better or perfected by suffering. That is where patience, consistency, determination and endurance are born and developed.
Eternity lasts a long, long time and God views our lives as stepping stones to eternity. We are shortsighted and usually just want a trial to end. Knowing that God is very compassionate and merciful ought to set our hearts and minds at ease. We need to stop feeling neglected and discarded when our prayers and perceived needs are not immediately met. God has a greater purpose for us, and we need to trust in Him.
The Measure of Success Daily Devotional | Monday, January 15, 2018 By Very Rev. Piesie Shadrack Asiedu-Larbi
There was no reason to think young George would be successful. Born a slave, he was orphaned when raiders kidnapped his mother. The couple who owned George took care of the sickly boy, eventually adopting him and giving him their name...Carver.
George Washington Carver would go on to become an accomplished botanist, artist scientist and educator. He chose not to dwell on the tragedies of his life, but on how he could help others. He developed ways for poor farmers to grow better crops and even refused to patent his innovations so all could benefit from them.
His philosophy of life was: “It is not the style of clothes one wears, neither the kind of automobile one drives, nor the amount of money one has in the bank, that counts. These mean nothing. It is simply service that measures success.”
Be successful! Today, look for one opportunity to do an act of service for another person.
“Fitting In Our Daily Bread | Friday, January 12, 2018 By Poh Fang Chia
Read: Malachi 3:13–18 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 29–30; Matthew 9:1–17
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. Malachi 3:16
Lee is a diligent and reliable bank employee. Yet he often finds himself sticking out like a sore thumb for living out his faith. This reveals itself in practical ways, such as when he leaves the break room during an inappropriate conversation. At a Bible study, he shared with his friends, “I fear that I’m losing promotion opportunities for not fitting in.”
Believers during the prophet Malachi’s time faced a similar challenge. They had returned from exile and the temple had been rebuilt, but there was skepticism about God’s plan for their future. Some of the Israelites were saying, “It is futile to serve God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirements . . . ? But now we call the arrogant blessed. Certainly evildoers prosper, and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it” (Malachi 3:14–15).
Lord, help us to keep on encouraging one another to stay faithful to You in this faithless world.
How can we stand firm for God in a culture that tells us we will lose out if we don’t blend in? The faithful in Malachi’s time responded to that challenge by meeting with like-minded believers to encourage each other. Malachi shares this important detail with us: “The Lord listened and heard” (v. 16).
God notices and cares for all who fear and honor Him. He doesn’t call us to “fit in” but to draw closer to Him each day as we encourage each other. Let’s stay faithful!
Lord, help us to keep on encouraging one another to stay faithful to You in this faithless world.
Our faith may be tested so that we may trust God’s faithfulness.
“Absolute Certainty" Daily Devotional | Thursday, January 11, 2018 By Very Rev. Piesie Shadrack Asiedu-Larbi
We sometimes agonize over decisions we have made or are about to make. Some people find that task so difficult that they make no decisions at all. We all need wisdom and understanding in order to make wise choices, but we are limited in so many ways from knowing everything that would help us make the absolute best decision. Absolute certainty is a moment that never arrives. We can lay the best plans and unseen events can arise and change everything. Jesus told of a man who laid wonderful plans for things in this life, but was not rich toward God. His soul was required of him that night (Luke 6:16-21). There is great truth in that parable.
So what to do? Why, go ahead and gather all the information you can. Weigh the pros and cons and then make your decision. Make it as wisely as possible because absolute certainty does not exist for us in the flesh. It is in using our minds wisely and then adjusting when we need to within our plans that we grow into the character that pleases God. Never fear failure, but be ready to get up and try again. That is how we learn and develop character.
“LITTLE + GOD = GREATNESS" Daily Devotional | Wednesday, January 10, 2018 By Bro. Richard Akrofi
Don't wait for extraordinary opportunities. Seize common occasions and allow God to use you to make them great.
“There is a little boy here, who has [with him] five barley loaves, and two small fish; but what are they among so many people?
Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks, He distributed to the disciples and the disciples to the reclining people; so also [He did] with the fish, as much as they wanted. When they had all had enough, He said to His disciples, Gather up now the fragments (the broken pieces that are left over), so that nothing may be lost and wasted.” John? ?6:9, 11-12? ?
Stay blessed and may you experience Devine multiplication in all you do this year.
““Who makes a person's mouth?" Daily Devotional | Tuesday, January 09, 2018 By Very Rev. Piesie Shadrack Asiedu-Larbi
But Moses pleaded with the LORD, “O Lord, I'm not very good with words. I never have been, and I'm not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
Then the LORD asked Moses, “Who makes a person's mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
— Exodus 4:10-13
Moses pleaded with God to let him out of his mission. After all, he was not a good speaker and would probably embarrass both himself and God. But God looked at Moses' problem quite differently. All Moses needed was some help, and who better than God to help him say and do the right things? God made his mouth and would give him the words to say.
It is easy for us to focus on our weaknesses, but if God asks us to do something, then he will help us get the job done. If the job involves some of our weak areas, then we can trust that he will provide words, strength, courage, and ability where needed.
“The Inspection” Daily Devotional | Monday, January 08, 2018 By Very Rev. Piesie Shadrack Asiedu-Larbi
The story is told about an army inspection that was being conducted by a full colonel. The review was going well until the officer came to a young recruit. The colonel looked him up and down and snapped, “Button that pocket, soldier!”
The rattled young soldier said, “R...R…Right now, sir?”
“Of course, right now!” roared the colonel. At that point the soldier reached out very carefully and buttoned the flap on the colonel’s shirt pocket.
For some reason, all of us can be like that colonel. He was quick to detect the soldier’s uniform problem, but hadn’t noticed his own. The faults of others stick out like a sore thumb but our own are often hard to spot. Let’s make it our goal not to focus on the faults of others but instead take up arms to battle our own. ”You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.” Matthew 7:5
“Strong Men and Women” Daily Devotional | Thursday, January 03, 2018 By Very Rev. Piesie Shadrack Asiedu-Larbi
There is a wisdom that comes from God, the true wisdom, versus the wisdom that comes from Satan that is the cause of so many problems. A wise person is strong (Proverbs 24:5) provided their wisdom is from above (James 3:14-17). That wisdom is pure and peaceable, gentle, willing to yield and full of mercy and good fruits. It is without partiality and hypocrisy. Any person owning and living by these character traits is strong.
There is a calmness of mind that allows for clear thought and decisive action—the mark of a strong person. When calamity strikes or unexpected events occur, sharp, clear thinking is needed. There is no time to fret and worry—that only adds another factor to our inactivity. Strong people do not gain strength for a moment in a sudden way. They have developed strength that makes them strong every day and in every circumstance. Develop strength that makes you strong everyday and in every situation through the word of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit.
“I Love to Fish” Daily Devotional | Tuesday, January 01, 2018 By Very Rev. Piesie Shadrack Asiedu-Larbi
One of the greatest sports people engage themselves in is fishing. Stores are full of a variety of supplies. Books have been written to explain the finer points. Resorts cater to people who love to fish. Fish do not discriminate among fishermen (except for children with almost no equipment, it seems). Commercial fishing is a great industry. But there is a difference between someone who is fishing and someone who is just standing there with his line in the water. You cannot catch fish in a pond that has no fish. You are not fishing when you know nothing about the fish, bait, likely locations and what to do if you get one.
Jesus really knew a lot about fish—He could call them or tell you where to drop the net. He told His followers that He would make them fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). He loved to catch fish and share them with His followers (John 21:9). Proper fishing requires preparation. The proper kind of hook or lure, bait and technique is needed. Knowing where to cast a line and how to set the hook are what fishing is all about. It takes forethought, planning and patience to be a good fisherman. The kind of fishermen Jesus was making also need training. The parallels are strong, and that may be why those who love to fish were among the first to enroll in His courses.
Know where to cast a line and how to set the hook to have a good catch in 2018. Be wise and plan your life. Happy New Year!!!
OUTSIDERS ourdailyjourney.org | Tuesday, December 05, 2017 By Tim Gustafson
Read: Matthew 1:1-17 "It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute was not destroyed . . . . For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies (Hebrews 11:31)".
All too soon, we’ll be hearing New Year’s resolutions. Check out this clever social media post from several years ago: “Increase my relationship status from ‘forever alone’ to ‘slightly desperate.’ ”
Funny. Yet a tinge of despair lurks beneath that wry tweet, and we can all relate. At one time or another, we’ve all known the discomfort of being the lonely one. The outsider.
The New Testament begins, “This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham” (Matthew 1:1). Ho-hum, right? But don’t miss what follows. In verses 5 and 6 we read, “Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth).”
Rahab and Ruth—two foreign women amid a list of Jewish men. Their stories could fill novels. When two Israelite spies hid out at Rahab’s place, she was more than slightly desperate. Prostitution is a desolate existence (Joshua 2:1). But Rahab recognized God at work in the people of Israel. Because of her actions, God preserved Rahab and her family when Jericho was destroyed (Joshua 6:22-25). The author of Hebrews honors “Rahab the prostitute,” who came out of the idol-worshiping Canaanites (Hebrews 11:31).
Ruth, too, epitomizes the outsider. She was from Moab, a pagan nation whose existence might embarrass us. Her people descended from an incestuous relationship between Lot and his daughter. Yet Ruth made this classic statement of faith: “Your God will be my God” (Ruth 1:16). She went on to become King David’s great-grandmother.
As we read the Bible, let’s not skip the genealogies. There we meet the God of the outsider. The God who does amazing things with the stories of all who turn to Him.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Colossians 2:1-15
More: Read 1 Corinthians 1:27-28 and consider how God has used people despised by the world to work out His perfect plans.
Next: As you read the Bible, ask yourself: What’s happening in this story? How does it fit with the rest of Scripture? What do I learn about God?
