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AWESOME DEVOTIONS: December 2009

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Let God Be Your Snuggie

It is only six days until Christmas! It seems like it has come so fast. Even in the cold and snow, everyone is out trying to finish the last of the shopping, looking for that perfect gift. And it feels like everywhere you look, at every store, every commercial on TV, there are racks of Snuggies. Snuggies are apparently THE GIFT of the year for people and pets!

In case you have been hiding under a rock and haven't heard of Snuggies, they are the blankets with arms that you can wear to keep warm and still do other things with your hands! They come in adult sizes, kid sizes, pet sizes. They come in all different colors and prints. They even come in your favorite football teams colors. And they are everywhere! Everyone seems to be making fun of them but they are apparently selling like crazy. People are just embarrassed to admit how much they love Snuggies!

When I look at the Snuggie, I think of how God wraps His arms around us and keeps us warm and safe! God loves each of us no matter our colors, our sizes, our past - He loves us all! And we don't have to be embarrassed by our love for God! We should be out shouting his praises and thanking Him for his love for us.

Lord, thank you for your love and protection. Thank you for wrapping your arms around us and keeping us safe. We love you, Lord. Let us never be ashamed to shout out loud our praises to you and our thanks to you!

Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go; give the command to save me, for you are my rock and my fortress. Psalm 71:3

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Out of My Comfort Zone

Tomorrow night I am going to a Christmas dinner with my Hopekeeper's group. I am really looking forward to all the good food and fellowship! I am nervous, however. I have been asked to speak at the dinner. Anyone who knows me knows I love to talk! But I am not used to standing up in front of people and talking. What do I say? What do I talk about?

I have been praying for God's guidance on what He wants me to talk about. I am still not real sure but He is planting seeds in my mind and heart. I have decided not to worry about it, not to write down notes, not to memorize anything. I am just going to get up and say whatever God leads me to say! I know He will give me the right words.

Getting out of our comfort zone can very difficult. It is hard sometimes to meet new people, start a new job, do anything out of the ordinary for us. But who knows what we may be missing by not getting out of our comfort zone and by staying in the same routine we are always in? We may be missing blessings God has for us by refusing to step out of our comfort zone. And we may be causing others to miss God's blessings.

Jimmy Carter once said "Go out on the limb. That is where the fruit is." That is what I intend to do tomorrow. I am going to go on the limb, way out of my comfort zone, and see what blessings God has in store for me!

Lord, please help us to get out of our comfort zone and truly receive the blessings you have for us. Give us the courage and strength we need to get out of our comfort zone. I thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to speak tomorrow. Please give me the courage that I need to speak and I pray for the words you would have me say.

The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. Psalm 119: 130-131

Monday, December 7, 2009

Don't Be Blind to God's Works!

It seems like there has been so much tragedy and illness in our community lately and with people I know and love. There have been tragic deaths, injuries, illnesses. We try to help others in need but often they say "I don't need help. God is in control. He will help me."

Well, that brings to mind a story of a man who was sitting on his roof during a flood. First, a boat came by to take him to safety. He refused help and said he trusted God to save him. Next, another boat came by and tried to take him to safety. He again refused and gave the same response. Finally, a helicopter came and tried to take him to safety. Again he refused, saying he trusted God to take care of him.

Finally, the man drowned and went to heaven. He had one pressing question - "Lord, I trusted in you. Why didn't you save me?" The Lord replied: "I tried - I sent two boats and a helicopter!"

The point to this story is don't be blind to the ways that God may be trying to help you! He may be sending friends your way to ease your load and to rescue you from your problems! And, on the other hand, if you see a way to do good and to help someone. Don't deny God the chance to use you as an instrument for his Kingdom!

Don't be fools; be wise: make the most of every opportunity you have for doing good.
Ephesians 5:16 (TLB)

Friday, December 4, 2009

God's Protection Over Us

When I first sat down to write my devotion tonight, I truly had no idea what I was going to write. Before I write these devotions, I always pray to God to give me the words that He wants me to write. But I just wasn't hearing what He was telling me to write. Oh, how fast things can change!

I was sitting down, all comfy in my recliner with my laptop and Bible in my lap, getting ready to write a devotion. I was praying for God to give me the right words to say. All of a sudden all of my smoke detectors starting going off and the house started filling with smoke! I had just turned on the heat - I normally keep it at about 58 (yes, I am menopausal and cheap!) but decided to go for it and set it up to 60! Well, that was a mistake! I really started panicking. When I was in 7th grade one of my best friends died in a fire. I have never gotten over his death and am deathly afraid of fires now.

Well, I turned off the heat and immediately called the fire department. The operator told me to get out of the house and wait until the fire department arrived. I grabbed my warm coat and off into the night I went in my sweats, tee shirt, and flip flops! Soon one fireman arrived, followed by five more firemen. I was never so glad to see anyone in my life! These six firemen were wonderful! They calmed a close to hysterical woman and explained to me that the smoke had to do with my furnace and I would need to have it checked out. They told me not to run it until I did have it checked (thank goodness for those hot flashes!).

Once the firemen left and I calmed down and started thinking about the events of the evening, I started thinking about how just like the firemen were there for me tonight, God is always there for us. He is there to calm our fears, to protect us, watch over us. I am so thankful for his protection over us. I am so thankful that we can go to him with our doubts and fears. I am so very, very thankful that He is always there for us - I don't need to dial the phone to have him come to my home - He lives here, with me, every day, all the time!

Thank you, Lord, for always being there for us. Thank you for your protection. Thank you for peace that only you can give us! Thank you for always living within us, each and every day! Thank you, Lord, for protecting me tonight and keeping me safe!

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:2

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Growing in His Word

I have recently given up cable TV. I can't say I did it for any righteous reason like I didn't like what it was showing (although a lot of programming that is on cable is trash!). But it was more for the cost. I just decided it was a waste of my money and I didn't have money to waste!

But now came the dilemma of what do I do with all the time that I spent watching TV? I spend a lot of time on the internet but even that gets old after a while. I read some. In fact, I have recently joined a book club that I am really enjoying.

Well, the thought came to me that if I enjoy reading so much then why do I not read the greatest book ever written more? I have said many times that I am no biblical scholar. How could I be when I spend so little time reading the Bible? Yes, I read it for my devotions but I have never sat down and read the Bible all the way through. Several times I have made a New Year's resolution to read the Bible all the way through but I am embarassed to admit that I have never completed that resolution.

I read a statistic that showed the New Testament has 181,253 words, 7959 verses, 260 chapters, and 27 books. The statistics went on to say that if an average reader spent just 30 minutes a day reading the New Testament that they could read the New Testament through 12 times a year!

Our lack of knowledge with the Bible is a testament against us. We have been Christians for years, or even decades, yet we fumble through the pages unsure of our destination. At least I know this is true of myself. You would think that a book that gives us the directions to Heaven would be totally consumed by people wanting to get to Heaven. A book that shows us how to avoid life's pitfalls that will land us in an eternity in Hell should be a book that we just can't put down!

I have made the decision to spend more time reading God's word and studying God's word. I no longer want to lack the knowledge of the Bible. I want to be able to share God's word with others and not be unsure of where to find the verses. I am not making a New Year's resolution to do this because as with most New Year's resolutions, I rarely stick with them. I am making a promise to God to delve into His word and grow in His word. I hope that you will make the same decision.

Lord, help me to take the time to spend in your word. Help me to block out the world and spend time with You and growing in your word. Help me to remember that no matter how exciting the books I read may be, how much I may enjoy watching movies on TV or spending time on the internet, that NOTHING is as exciting and rewarding as your word. I thank you, Lord, for given us the greatest book ever written so that we may know the way to Heaven and the pitfalls that lead us to an eternity in Hell.


Your statutes are wonderful; therefore I obey them. The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. Psalm 119:129-130