Archived Daily Devotionals

Remember, When wealth is lost, nothing is lost. When health is lost, something is lost. When character is lost, everything is lost. ~ Billy Graham.

Scripture:
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:3-5 (New King James Version)

What is character? Webster defines it as, one of the attributes or features that make up and distinguish an individual. As a writer, one of the things that I have learned to do is define the traits of my characters. I do this by examining various things about them and establishing what roles they will play in the telling of my stories.

It takes all kinds of characters to create a story. There will be good and bad characters and even the good characters will have what is known as character flaws; you know the things that make them human. Some of those character flaws might include; arrogance, dishonesty, short-temperedness, or the need to always be right.

They might be a perfectionist, nit-picky or maybe they always need to play the victim and blame the other guy. They might be selfish, miserly, stubborn, rigid or inflexible, narrow-minded, vain, prideful, or simply humorless; unable to laugh at themselves.

When you study ethics, you learn that there are six pillars of character. The Six Pillars of Character are ethical values to guide our choices. They are; Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. The standards of conduct that arise out of those values constitute the ground rules of ethics, and therefore of ethical decision-making.

In the above scripture we learn that as Christians, we will have trials and tribulations that will help us to develop our characters. So often the lessons learned will be painful. Albeit, necessary. It is in the development of our character that we realize that there is hope and that hope, does not disappoint.

So my friends rejoice in your trials and tribulations because character does matter.

Be blessed.

Prayer:
Father God, so often the lessons of life can be painful. They will often cause us heartache and pain. However, we realize that in everything that we go through, it is for our benefit. Without character development, we might never know the love of God. We realize that sometimes it is necessary for life to squeeze out those character flaws. We sometimes look around us at the world and wonder, why are things so wrong? How can people do some of the things that they do? We realize that there is no hope and people will do strange things in desperation. Lord, we thank You for the hope that has been given to us through Christ Jesus. We thank You for Your word that constantly encourages us and gives is the wisdom and the strength we need to change our ways. Now Lord, I ask a special blessing for one of my sisters in Christ who is faced with health issues. Touch her Lord Jesus, healing her body and calming her anxieties. Lord, so many are going through so much and we just want to ask that Your grace and mercy would rain down into the lives of Your Saints who need just a drop to refresh them and give them strength. Continue to bless all of Yours this day. In the mighty Name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

Remember, it’s never crowded along the extra mile. ~ Wayne Dyer

Scripture:
God did extraordinary miracles through Paul, so that even handkerchiefs and aprons that had touched him were taken to the sick, and their illnesses were cured and the evil spirits left them. Acts 19:10-12 (New International Version)

There was once a man named Saul who hunted and persecuted followers of Jesus Christ. While on the road to Damascus to annihilate the Christian community there, Saul was blinded by a brilliant light and heard the voice of Christ saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”...And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid, but they heard not the voice.

Saul of Tarsus would journey into Damascus, where he was cured and attended by Ananias, being baptized into Christianity. He later took the name Paul and became one of the chief founding voices of Early Christianity. Here was a man who was zealous about his duty as a Hebrew, seeking and destroying the very foundation that had been laid by Jesus the Christ.

However, there was something that happened to him on that road that would change not only his life, but the very lives millions of Christians to follow. He heard the voice of Jesus. That voice not only convicted him but caused him to change his path in life and “Paul” would become the greatest Disciple of all. He would dedicate everything he had to proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Many attribute the growth of Christianity to the work Paul would now do to win souls to Christ. Paul would choose to go against everything that he knew, to dedicate himself to spreading the Word of the Gospel, something that had become even more dangerous since the death and resurrection of Christ.

Paul, would choose to go the extra mile in the name of Jesus. Will you?

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Lord, we come once again seeking Your face. Father God, we come before the throne of grace to give thanks, honor and glory to You. Teach us Lord, to let go of those things that are behind us. Help us Lord, to walk into a new day that is filled with Your fresh grace and new mercies. Lord, I am a sinner who is in need of forgiveness. Forgive me Lord for yesterday. Lord, let my thoughts and my words be a reflection of Your word. Let my spirit be led by You alone. Father, search me Lord, remove those things in me that are not of You. Remove the anger, the hurt, and the mean spirits that bind me and prevent me from walking in right relation with You. Fill me Lord, with Your peace, Your joy, Your love and Your spirit. Bind those things that prevent me from moving forward into Your marvelous light. Have mercy on Your saints today. Heal our sick. Deliver us from evil. Strengthen those who are weak, encourage those who are without hope. Help us always to be mindful of that it is by Your word and Your spirit that we will be victorious in Christ Jesus. Thank You Lord. Bless Your name. Praise God from whom all our blessings flow. In the mighty name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Remember, Learn to pause ... or nothing worthwhile will catch up to you. ~ Doug King

Scripture:
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Psalm 40:1-3 (New International Version)

So often we find ourselves running through life, going from one place to another in search of something or someone that will fulfill us and make us happy. We start as children sprinting into our teenaged years. Looking for our next milestone, thirteen, sixteen, eighteen and then finally, twenty-one; expecting something miraculous to happen that will change our lives. We can’t wait until we are grown and on our own.

Then we find ourselves in search of love; looking for that special someone who will fulfill all of our fairytale dreams in the hopes of living happily ever after. In the meantime, we run towards the right education, job, car, neighborhood, and the world around us continues to churn, as we search for the things that are supposed to make us content.

Somewhere down life’s road, we begin to realize that neither people nor things can truly fulfill us or make us happy. So we often find that we have been running around in circles, searching, waiting, wondering, when will it happen for us.

We find ourselves so busy running after things, that we forget to just pause and appreciate where we are right now. I often reflect back on “The good old days” when life seemed to be less complicated and realize that I am the one who complicated it looking for that “something” to complete me. It wasn’t until I realized that the only thing that could truly complete me was God that I learned to pause and live in the moment.

So my friends, today I urge you to pause and let something good catch up to you.

Be blessed

Prayer:
Father, too often I found myself looking for that something or someone that I thought would make me happy. I looked high and low but couldn’t find it anywhere. It wasn’t until You found me that my life began to change. Thank You Lord, for finding me in the slimy pits of life. Thank You father for placing my feet on a solid rock, giving me a firm place to stand. Thank You Lord for reaching down and reaching out Your hand to me. Lord, thank You for loving me enough by giving me the gift of eternal life through Christ Jesus. Now Lord, I ask that You would continue to bless those who come seeking a word of encouragement. Speak to our heart Holy Spirit. Helping us to always be mindful to pause, and enjoy the moment in Christ Jesus. We love You Lord, we bless Your name. We give thanks, glory, honor and praise; in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Remember, Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot. ~ The Hausa of Nigeria

Scripture:
the sounds of joy and gladness, the voices of bride and bridegroom, and the voices of those who bring thank offerings to the house of the LORD, saying, "Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever." For I will restore the fortunes of the land as they were before,' says the LORD. Jeremiah 33:11 (New International Version)

Every now and then as I reflect upon the things that are or aren’t happening in my life, I begin to feel sorry for myself. Sometimes, I think I should have more, do more or I just want more. I sometimes feel that I am failing in my quest to finding my true destiny. But then, something will happen that will remind to put things back into perspective.

So often these mini revelations that I have, aren’t really that significant at all. It might be seeing a homeless woman on the street and I am reminded that I have a home. It could be hearing how someone loss their child, and then I am reminded that I have two beautiful sons. Or it could simply be seeing someone, all alone, with no one to call friend.

Just this past week, I was depressed because I didn’t feel that I was progressing with my writing. I write everyday but didn’t feel that I had been making any progress as a writer. Then, God started doing what He does best. He reminded me that my writing does matter.

The first reminder came in the form of a message from a dear sister in Christ who told me just how much these messages have meant to her. Then today, I received another message from another friend who said she prints them out to share with her mother each morning. As I started reflecting, these were but two of the many messages that I receive each day from people who find inspiration in the things that I write.

I say all this to say, that even though my dream of publishing my book hasn’t come to fruition, my dream of touching the lives of others through the written word has. I thank God for this forum and this opportunity to share His word and to touch the lives of others.

I give thanks to God for allowing me to find a lot. Each and every one of you!

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Lord, sometimes I forget that my purpose isn’t to please myself, it is to please You. I sometimes forget that the gift that You have given me isn’t to please me, it is to be shared with others so they too can see You working in their lives. Father God, forgive me for my selfish nature. Forgive me for not appreciating what I do have. I have love, grace and mercy. I have the gift of life through my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ who bless me always with their kind words, prayers and thoughts. Lord, I ask that as we begin another week, that each and every one of us will remember, to give thanks for even the smallest of things. That each and every one of us will remember to bless someone else, because you have already blessed each of us. Lord, we give thanks to You on high. We praise and uplift Your Holy Name. Great is Thy faithfulness. Thank You Father. Thank You Jesus. It is in Your name that we submit this prayer. Amen.

All that I have been able to do, I owe to Jesus Christ. I feel I am a spectator watching what God is doing. ~ Reverend Billy Graham

Scripture:
For no matter how many promises God has made, they are "Yes" in Christ. And so through him the "Amen" is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. 2 Corinthians 1:20-22

Saints, how often do you stop and think about how truly blessed you are? Or do you just take your blessings for granted. Now before many of you answer, I must tell you that yes, there are times when I know that I have taken my blessing for granted.You see, when things are going right in our lives, it is so easy to give the credit for your blessing away.

For example, when you are promoted do you thank God or do you think you did it by shear hard work and determination. When you marry that man/woman of your dreams do you think that it was your love alone that made them want to marry you, or is it possible that they may have seen the love of God in you?

Too often we would rather take the credit for our successes then recognize that all that we have and all that we are, come from being blessed. We would rather give credit to luck, fate, or chance instead of giving Him the credit. Too often we fail to recognize that it is only by the grace of God that we are blessed rather than cursed.

In our times of prosperity let us always remember to Thank God!

Be Blessed

Prayer:
O God, early in the morning we cry to You. Help us to pray And to concentrate our thoughts on You. We cannot do this alone. In us there is darkness, but with You there is light. Some of us are lonely, but You do not leave us. Some are feeble in heart, but with You there is help. There is discord among us but with You there is peace. Lord, whatever this day may bring, Your name be praised. Lord, in every need let us come to You with humble trust saying, "Jesus, have mercy." In the time of troubles and temptations, Jesus, have mercy. In hours of loneliness, weariness, and trials, Jesus, have mercy. In the failure of our plans and hopes; in disappointments and sorrows, Jesus, have mercy. When others fail us and Your grace alone can assist us, have mercy. When our hearts are cast down by failure at seeing no good come from our efforts, Jesus, have mercy. When we feel impatient and our cross irritates us, Jesus, have mercy. When we are ill and our heads and hands cannot work and we are lonely, Jesus, have mercy. Always, always, in spite of weakness, failings, and shortcomings of every kind, Jesus, have mercy and never forsake us. Father, this day I will praise You at every turn. We will sing songs of praise to You despite whatever we may be going through, we will say hallelujah, anyhow. No matter what today may bring, we will love You, anyhow. Lord, we give all thanks, honor and glory to You alone. As we submit our prayers and petitions to You in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Remember, to dream of the person you would like to be is to waste the person you are. ~ Anonymous

Scripture:
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (New International Version)

As I grow closer to the age of fifty, I often find myself wondering if I am at the place in my life where I should be. It’s no secret that I have a failed marriage, struggle financially and have made countless mistakes. Yes, I have done foolish things, made bad choices and done things that I regret.

However, I also realize that I have overcome a great many things. There are things in my life that have changed as I have grown in the body of Christ. I would love to say that I am more like Christ. Alas, all I can say is I am trying to become more like Him. I know that He is still working on me and I accept that.

The point is that yes, we all will come to a point in our lives where we will question ourselves. We wonder if we could have been different. We may even have a few regrets about some of the choices that we have made.

However, each of must learn to celebrate who we are right now. Not what we shoulda, coulda been. But embrace who you are right now. If it had not been for many of the things that we had to go through, we would never learn to accept what we have become, Heirs to the King.

So I tell you embrace who you are and remember we are all living our dream. The dream of being one with Christ.

Be Blessed

Prayer:
Father God, I come before the throne of grace, humbling myself and asking for forgiveness. Lord, I pray that you would forgive me for all the wrong I’ve done. Forgive me allowing negative thoughts and feelings to enter into my spirit. Help me always to rejoice in where I am and not where I think I should have been. For, I am right where I am supposed to be, safe in Your arms. Lord, I ask that Your word would continue to be a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. Help me to remember to always to keep Your word hidden in my heart that I might not sin against You. Father, I pray for all of my brothers and sisters who are reading this prayer with me and who have asked for prayer. Lord, I don’t know their needs, but You do. I pray that You would grant them the desires of their hearts according to Your tender mercies in Christ Jesus. It is in His name that we submit our prayers and petitions. Glory to God. Amen.