devotion | Daily Encouragement | Page 7

Tag Archives: devotion

Leave a comment

Uncategorized

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” (1 Timothy 2:1-3, The Message)

As disciples of Jesus, we are we instructed to stay engaged as persons devoted to prayer — at all times and for all people.

Do not be discouraged because it seems that a prayer is too small to make any difference. Do not be discouraged because it seems that a prayer is too private to be heard. Great floods begin with raindrops; and the One who hears our prayer sustains the universe.

Pray first. Pray often. Pray for everyone. – Luther

Tagged devotion, persistence, prayer, the book of 1 Timothy

Leave a comment

Uncategorized

“Now the famine was severe in Samaria, and Ahab had summoned Obadiah, his palace administrator. (Obadiah was a devout believer in the Lord. While Jezebel was killing off the Lord’s prophets, Obadiah had taken a hundred prophets and hidden them in two caves, fifty in each, and had supplied them with food and water.) (I Kings 18:2b – 4, NIV)

Obadiah, like many of us, was at or near the pinnacle of his working life. Yet, his position as the king’s “chief of staff” was not the primary force of Obadiah’s life: He was also “a devout believer in the Lord.”

Because of that commitment, Obadiah did what was morally right — even though it was contrary to the law of the land, and he would have paid with his life had his support of the prophets of the Lord been discovered.

May we each be like Obadiah: Not married to our privileges, power, prestige, and position, but first and always committed to and trusting in the Lord. If we become stewards of the rich benefits of years of work and sacrifice, it is only for the benefit of others, and for the glory of God. – Luther

Tagged devotion, integrity, Obadiah, the book of 1 Kings

Uncategorized Aside

“When Peter saw him (John), he asked, ‘Lord, what about him?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.’” (John 21:21-22, NIV)

As disciples of Jesus, we each have an assignment to execute in God’s plan.

It is humanly natural to compare, to contrast, and to compete — but such characteristics have no place in the fellowship of God’s people. We who belong to God must — instead — strive to cooperate, to collaborate, and to cheer-on all others working with God; even if we don’t comprehend what it is they have been assigned by our common Lord.

If we don’t see it, what is that to us? We do see Jesus, and it is Him alone we must follow.

Anything else is a diversion, and anything less is a distraction. Stay focused. – Luther

Tagged competitiveness, devotion, discipleship, peers, the book of John