Devo Diva

God of the City

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

[Taking Evangelism to the Streets] - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19).

Would you agree that God calls each and every one us to share the gospel? Here it is in Jesus' last words when He commissioned the disciples to spread the Good News all over the world.

Last week we read that God relentlessly pursues [calls] us. Because God is the Creator of the world He has the ability to see beyond our circumstances. He gives us each gifts and talents to use for His kingdom. Some He calls into the mission fields of Africa and some right here in the city as a professional.

You might be asking what your calling is. You might be in the middle of a change and praying about where you feel called to. Some might be walking the first steps of faith, and others might be sowing many years into their calling.

No matter where your calling takes you- trust in the Rock because He never changes.

"Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself" (2 Timothy 2:11-13).

If you're struggling with direction, or perhaps a new city that God is calling you to listen to "The God of This City" by Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA. A great resource for you in this time. It's about Jonah. And Jonah refused to go (at first) to the city of Nineveh because the people were wicked.

When the wind and the waves finally caught up to Jonah who had run away, he reluctantly repented and changed his course to go back. God allowed him to be swallowed up in a whale. Yada yada yada. I think everyone's knows the story of Jonah and the whale. But, that's not the point...Jonah reluctantly went and preached a 5-word sermon.

In the midst of Jonah's partial obedience the entire city repented and were saved from certain destruction. Talk about better than Good News! What, where, or whom might God be calling you to today, this month, year even?

Pray and ask God so you too can share the Good News [that's evangelism] that Jesus saves!

* * * * *

Dear Saving Jesus,

Thank You for saving me. I confess any hindrances that keep me from passionately pursuing the city you've called me too. Show me who I should share the Good News of Christ with today, whether that's a smile, friendly handshake or a hug or buying someone lunch!

Amen

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Prayer

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

"Consider the following prayer from an unknown Confederate soldier during the Civil War:

I asked God for strength that I might achieve. I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked God for health that I might do great things. I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy. I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for power that I might have the praise of men. I was given weakness that I might see the need of God. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for but everything I had hoped for. Almost despite myself my unspoken prayers were answered. I am among all men mostly richly blessed" ([Our] Powerful Helper by Marshall Shelley, NavPress 2008).

It's interesting how much God answers prayer. Over the past two years my roommates and I have kept a journal of our prayer requests. Every time we reconvene to pray we cross off the prayer requests that were answered. It's amazing just HOW MANY prayers were answered because we simply prayed.

But lately it seems like God was ignoring my prayers. I felt hopeless and helpless. I prayed for health and I received infirmity. I prayed for ministry and my life fell a part around me. I wrote a daily devotional and I felt persecuted. It's amazing how that works--and in the midst of all of this I feel a welling up of praise once again. Even though God didn't answer my prayers He has restored my soul and changed ME from the inside out and THAT is a praise.

“When the people return to their homeland, they will remove every trace of their vile images and detestable idols. And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God" (Ezekiel 11:18-20 NLT).

If there is anything that I can pray for you for, please do not hesitate to contact me at renee [at] devotionaldiva.com.

Devotional Diva (TM)

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:11:00 +0000

Devotional Diva is now officially my Trademark as of today, November 3, 2009!

Called

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000

[To be set apart, godly] - "For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" (2 Timothy 1:6-7).

Ordinarily I would read right over 2 Timothy 1:7 in my Bible reading because it's my favorite verse. It was the first verse I truly committed to memory that stuck with me into my adult life. Why? Because I struggle with anxiety. Panic attacks even.

But before I got to verse seven, I paid close attention to verse six because Paul was telling Timothy to passionately pursue his calling in the midst of fear. I encourage you to read 2 Timothy Chapter 1 for yourselves what Paul was talking about.

Evangelism is tough. Paul was in c-h-a-i-n-s when he wrote this. He was suffering for the gospel and encouraging Timothy to continue in his calling as well. Paul also told Timothy not to fear and not to be ashamed.

Just this week I was reading Donald Miller's new book "Million Miles in a Thousand Years." Don says the Bible mentions the phrase "Do Not Fear" over 200 times. That's probably enough times for us to get it into our thick skulls that we're really-in fact, NOT supposed to fear. But we do. Why?

Each of us is called to do something. A lot of little somethings. They all equal up to what is called our "calling." A calling requires courage, bravery, heart, and gumption. Do you know what it means to be called? The Navigator's say it this way:

First and foremost, you are called to Christ…
To fellowship with Christ (1 Corinth 1:9), into God’s kingdom and glory (1 Thess 2:12), to eternal life (1 Tim 6:12), to be “saints” or “holy ones” (1 Corinth 1:2).
These give meaning and purpose to whatever your work may be. But what of the idea of an individual “calling” to a specific aspect of the Great Comission? As a member of the Body of Christ, you have been given a new identity in Christ, gifts of the Spirit, and a renewed sense of the significance of your God-given design. Understanding these helps you identify an individual sense of purpose and contribution in God’s Kingdom.

God calls us to use the gifts and talents He has given us and sometimes (because we're afraid) He allows us to suffer. A mama eagle sometimes pushes her baby out of the nest to trick it into flying. We too need to be tricked, pushed, or forced into it. No turning back! Don't be afraid.

Next time you feel afraid of what God has shown you to do (or if you're not even sure of what to do) remember Timothy. Be passionate about evangelism. Share Jesus with everyone. You never know when Jesus might come calling!

* * * * *

Dear Jesus,

We confess a sense of worthlessness and fear. We accept the challenge of our calling and lay all our inadequacies at your feet. We accept your calling. Lead us in the way everlasting-one day at a time. We love you Lord!

Amen.

Coming Up...

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[In November 2009]

Here's what's coming up as we EXIT October and ENTER November.

Monday, November, 2, 9, 16, 23, 30 - Evangelism. Evanga-what? Ya heard me. Just another way of saying "super sweet news"! And what more of an appropriate word on All Saints Day.

Happy Halloween Everybody!

Instead of giving you heads up of the titles for each weekly devotional, I'm leaving them blank. Come join me in this journey and walk along side me by faith. I hope you'll grow just as much as I feel the Lord is growing me--even as I write this...

Meet David George

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Meet David George] - I searched for God inside the local church as a teenage kid and was dismissed. Soon, devout cult members showed up on my doorstep ready to answer all. I dove head first into their loving caring deceptive arms. They answered my questions.

Soon, I too was a cult member, highly dedicated and aggressively ambitious about finding new converts. Four years later, I met my match. A few guys from a Christian rap group challenged my every belief. We would wrestle scripture through the school lunch hour. We would argue in debate class. We would take it outside heatedly and systematically tearing every point apart. One day, they convinced me I was wrong. And as my research later proved, I was desperately wickedly wrong.

But being wrong about faith, being wrong about a cult, doesn’t lay the best ground work for building yourself up in the Most Holy Faith. So I went from having all answers to having a dead faith; a technically right textbook-apologetics-built-faith but no life change.

Next thing you know, I am in a cult of personality at a very radical church being led astray by every wind of doctrine; I was dying inside. I fell away, I was spiritually raped. I remember losing my religion.

After years of turning my back on faith, weaving my path into and out of the church, and many years of purposefully choosing wrong over right, death over God, He moved me. He called to me, “Come.” I encountered faith pure and redemptive and true, and the faith community full of grace and love and truth helped guide me home.

As for Part II: the redemption part hasn't been written yet. ~ David George

Submission

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Is not a 4-letter word!] - "Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably." (1 Samuel 1:10 MSG).

Lately it seems like all I've been doing is crying and crying some more. Then there's more crying involved because of the same issue that keeps going and going. Like an energizer bunny. Submission is difficult. Tough. Sweaty. Tears are involved.

So as our lives continue, we will run into problems that are bigger than us. God sometimes calls us to fight and other times it's to trust. But how does one distinguish between the two?

I don't claim to be an expert at submission. I'm a woman--there's a reason for it (Haha)!!! The Bible says that women are to submit to their husbands (if married) and men to love their wives. Ultimately though we are all called to submit to the authority and leadership of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:22-30).

Back to the problem of pain. Sometimes, it's because God wants our attention. Sometimes, it's because we're getting sidetracked and God allows a temporary distraction to get us off course. Usually the white flag of submission & surrender doesn't get raised until we've exhausted every other possibility. Why? Because we're human. It's easy to try to fight in our own strength.

Recently, I've felt like Hannah. I've tried doctors. I've tried natural medication. I've tried everything in my realm of possibilities to beat a health issue I've been struggling with for the past few months. It's gotten worse and it won't let up. I've come to the point of submission. God, whatever you want me to do. I'll do it. I surrender. Nothing beats obedience. Nothing!

The Bible has a verse for 9-1-1 and it's called Jeremiah 33:3. It says, "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." So I'm dialing and I encourage you to do the same because this [submission] is probably the last and deepest root of all.

Submitting to the Lord when we don't see or hear or feel or touch anything substantial. Faith. "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (Hebrews 11:1). There's hope for whatever you're going through. Faith to meet the demands of reality. Courage for your heart and strength to make it through.

* * * * *

Dear Lord,

We don't pretend to know your ways. We can feel like cursing at times because we just want to know your will. Help us to wait and then wait some more, but more importantly may we submit our will to yours knowing that you won't leave the godly forsaken.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Meet Joan Ball

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Meet Joan Ball] - I'm not giving up on the Church...

Despite some unfortunate personal and observed evidence to the contrary, I believe that the church can be a place where broken and hurting people of all stripes can go to find Jesus shared and reflected in the lives of leaders and members. I believe that it can be a sanctuary where poor, struggling, addicted, mentally ill, self-harming, harsh and hard-to-love people can mingle with and be supported by people who are wealthy or stable or sober or emotionally healthy and peaceful without feeling judged or unwelcome. I believe that Christians of different ages and backgrounds and interests can worship together out of respect for one another and Christ’s call to unity, sustaining the whole by putting the needs of others ahead of personal comfort, preference or ambition. And I believe that the core teachings of the faith—even the controversial or hard-to-swallow ones--can touch people without being watered down or hidden from view when they are delivered with love and compassion.

Since becoming a Christian in 2003, I have sought to find this kind of Church.

In some ways I feel like Goldilocks of Christianity. As an atheist through my 20s who came to a power-greater-than-myself notion of God in addiction recovery in my early 30s, I was lost in the woods without knowing it when, through an act of grace and without asking, praying or seeking, I came to faith at age 37.

Once the dust settled, I walked though the door of faith naïve and hopeful, only to find dozens of diverging choices, approaches and versions of what it really means to be a Christian or how one is really supposed to follow Jesus.

So I tried one church… too hot.

And another…too cold.

Searching for, but not finding, the elusive just right…

Regrettably, this approach assumed that it is possible (or advisable) for me to become part of “a church” and divorce myself from “the church.” It assumed that, as a new Christian, I had to assess my choices and pick a theological, philosophical, political or denominational team.

Since then I have come to believe that, if I have embraced a faith that requires me to love my enemies, it certainly requires me to find a way to love my sisters and brothers within the faith, even when they choose to practice it differently than I do. This approach speaks to unity, which serves as a witness to the world that God is love and Jesus is Lord. He states this in John 17:23:

“I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Because really…who wants to step out of the woods straight into a big dysfunctional family?

Joan Ball is a writer, a speaker and a professor at St. John’s University in New York. Her first book, titled Flirting with Faith: My Spiritual Journey from Atheism to a Faith-filled Life, is scheduled for release from Howard Publishing, a division of Simon and Schuster in May 2010. You can read her blog at http://www.flirtingwithfaith.com.

Generational Sins

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Your mom...] - "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation" (Exodus 34:6b-7).

Sin is not a popular term used much in today's church. Let alone generational sin. Did you know that you can inherit traits from your family besides your father's nose or your mom's eyes? That's why I used this istockphoto of a lifeless wedding (and it was free) to show just how much influence we have on the next, next, and next generations!!

"Can you think of any negative traits or habits in your life that have been in your family line for generations? Alcoholism, verbal or physical abuse, pornography, racism, bitterness, or fear. (These are are generational sins). These areas of bondage are anything you may have learned environmentally, anything to which you may be genetically predisposed, or any binding influence passed down through other means. Whatever the bondage may be, the Lord wants to rebuild, restore, and renew these areas of devastation.

We must face generational strongholds head-on. If we don't, they can remain almost unrecognizable—but they don't remain benign. Family strongholds continue to be the seedbed for all sorts of destruction. Oftentimes we've grown up with these chains and they feel completely natural. We consider them part of our personality rather than a strangling yoke.

Thankfully, Christians aren't doomed to live with our families' sins. The Cross of Calvary is enough to set us free from every yoke; God's Word is enough to make liberty a practical reality, no matter what those before us left as an inheritance." (Breaking Free, Beth Moore).

Make a list today of things you and your family struggle with. Nail them to the cross and watch Jesus set you free from the guilt, sin, and shame. Pray this prayer with me:

* * * * *

Dear Forgiving Jesus,

I confess my need to hold on to sin. Please come and forgive me of (fill in the blank) today in the name of Jesus and your powerful shed blood on the cross. Thank you for your forgiveness-that we don't have to carry around the sin that our parents or parents' parent's struggled with. Set us free from the temptation of believing that we will always deal with alcohol or bitterness or fear. Thank you for your love that covers over a multitude of sin.

Amen.

Meet Lindsay Barth

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Meet Lindsay Barth] - Born with a congenital heart defect has given me a different lens on life. I have always known that life is short and I must proceed with caution. But when it came to my college experience, I some how forgot the meaning of life, and that my one and only concern should be to glorify Christ in everything and anything I do.

September 2006 was the beginning of my college journey. I chose to attend the University of Oregon, thinking I was invincible. I rushed for a sorority and began to party any chance I got. It didn’t matter if I had a midterm the next day, it was all about the shots of vodka that I desired to hit. On a destructive path, I was soon interrupted by a near death experience.

Third day of spring term and I started walking into my friend and slurring my words. She stopped me and asked if I was okay. I told her, “I am fine. I just want to go to class.” My next step and then I was face down. After being carried to the nurse’s office, I discovered that half my face was frozen when talking to my friend and after testing we figured out I had a T.I.A. or a mini stroke.

Coming home to California after my near death incident I faced pain. I was so angry with the Lord for taking away MY dream. But after seeking him, I realized that his plan is greater than I could ever imagine. I am confident that the Lord brought me home for protection and to show me his calling for my life. With out this experience, I wouldn’t be the person I am today and I wouldn’t have a true relationship with Christ.

Listen to her video to hear more of her testimony at http://lindsaykbarth.com/Site/Video.html.

Unbelief

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Unbelief is a killer] - "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)

I really didn't want to write this devotional because I'm still struggling. I guess I feel like I have to be perfect to write about any particular topic. Wrong!

I do love it when God uses me to encourage others. When my pain matters. However, I feel rotten when I can't see or don't understand my sufferings.

I've been freaking out about everything lately. My health has really been an issue for me. I feel like the past 6 months have been the toughest 6 months of my life. I haven't struggled this much since Texas.

Have you ever been so low you didn't believe you would make it? Am I the only one? I feel like I'm taking crazy pills here. I need help! Just like the man who cried out to Jesus, "LORD, I BELIEVE--HELP ME in my unbelief!"

I'm so used to doing instead of being. I didn't expect to feel this awful for this long. What about you? When was the last time you drained all of your resources: families, friends & coworkers. It's a scary place to be. That's when I felt like a failure. No matter which way I turned for help--I wasn't finding relief. It would be easy to make up a story. Lie. Cheat my way through, but I can't. I know better. Have you been there?

People have told me to "just put on worship music and you'll be okay." Maybe for 3 minutes. "Rebuke Satan and his lies" Okay, but do you want to help me because the lies are coming so fast and they don't stop ALL DAMN DAY! Or "try going for a walk or go swimming." People it's much deeper than that!!!

Am I the only one who has made agreements? Like "I'm never going to get well." "The pain is too much to continue." "Does anyone care? "Would anyone ever notice if I was gone?" Unbelief is a silent killer.

Any thoughts that tell us that no one cares or to just give up are sin. They are not from God. God cares about you. He cares about me. He wants to give us life and life abundantly. If you are struggling with unbelief today with plaguing thoughts and the desire to give up on life entirely I want to pray for you. I also want to encourage you to check out these resources:

Who am I in Christ?
Suicide is Never the Answer
To Save a Life

* * * * *

Dear Jesus,

We ask you to help us with our unbelief. You are God and nothing is too difficult for you!!!! You can move our mountains and you can calm our storms. Please Jesus-calm the storm for us today. Be the center in the midst of chaos. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers.

Amen

Meet Miles McPherson

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Meet Miles McPherson] - One day, an old man was walking through a park where he came across a dog that looked like it had been abused and abandoned. The dog’s hair was falling out, its breath stank and it walked with a limp. The dog wouldn’t even let the man pet it because it was afraid of people.

The dog was ugly but the man brought the dog home and nursed it back to health. The man gave him food and put some Rogaine on the dog to get his hair to grow back. He put a splint on the dog and fixed the leg. He even taught the dog to play fetch. At first the dog would just take the stick and keep it but after a while the dog would fetch the stick and bring it back. The dog turned out to be a really good dog.

After a few weeks, the dog ran away. The old man was crushed. He thought, “After all I did for that dog, he just left”.

A few days later the old man heard a scratching at the door. It was his dog and he brought another dog with him who also needed help.

In a lot of ways, I am that dog.

I grew up in New York with the dream to play in the NFL. I played football for a small school where I was the first player to receive All American honors and be drafted to the NFL.

In 1982, I was drafted to the Los Angeles Rams, which was one of the happiest days of my life. Before the season started, I was cut (which means I was fired). That was also a good day because the Rams weren’t any good that year. I went on to play defensive back for the San Diego Chargers.

For the first two years with the Chargers, I was living wild; chasing women, running from women, doing drugs and anything else that I thought would make me happy until 1984, when one of my teammates shared the Gospel with me.

On April 12, 1984, after staying up all night doing cocaine, I told God I was done. I had everything the world said would make me happy and I still felt empty. I gave my life to Christ and on that day I stopped doing cocaine. I stopped smoking marijuana. I stopped cursing. I also got back with my girlfriend that day and we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary last month. The Gospel radically changed my life.

After four years in the NFL, I became a youth pastor at Horizon Christian Fellowship in San Diego and have been in full-time ministry ever since.

--

Miles is President of Miles Ahead Ministries and Senior Pastor of the Rock Church and Rock Academy in San Diego. A nationally known speaker, Miles’ bold, down-to-earth and humorous style has become his trademark. His relevant message challenges both the young and young-minded and often compels them to recalibrate their lives in light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Rock Church held its first services in February 2000, with 3,364 people in attendance. Currently more than 12,000 people attend one of the Rock’s five weekend services. The church recently moved to a newly refurbished 244,000-square-foot complex in the Point Loma area of San Diego, with a state of the art sanctuary that seats 3,500, with a 3,600 sq feet high definition picture screen. In 2008, The Rock was named the second fastest growing church in the nation by Outreach Magazine.

Miles and the Rock Church are on their way to generating over 600,000 hours of ministry service in 2009 and seeing 7,000 people get saved through both weekend services and outreach ministries. In the first six months of 2009, it was calculated that the Rock provided well over $1,000,000 worth of volunteer service to the city of San Diego.

McPherson is author of several books with a new book, Do Something coming out in the next few months. Do Something chronicles ordinary people who engage in ministry and are doing extraordinary things to share the Gospel. It will challenge and inspire readers while equipping them to engage our broken world for Jesus.

Miles has been a guest on TV programs such as Good Morning America, Larry King Live, The O’Reilly Factor, and Huckabee.

Miles and his wife, Debbie recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with the “wedding they never had”.

Hope

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Hope for Suffering]"...suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope" (Romans 5:3b-4).

Now here's a word I thought I never struggled with: hope. I thought my natural spunky, full of life nature wouldn't allow me to stay down. That is until I really needed hope.

I felt hopeless when my daily habits of readings of the Bible, devotionals, prayer and praise didn't help. I felt like David in the Psalms, "why have you forsaken me?" (Psalm 22:1)

When I was in the midst of suffering, somehow I couldn't connect with the Father heart of Jesus. To abide in His love and amazing hope...I just couldn't do it. I felt like a failure. Everywhere I turned, panic attacks scourged my mind, throat, and body. I felt choked to death.

What in the world was so difficult? My world came crashing down around me when wrote first book, a daily devotional for 20-somethings. I couldn't handle the pressures of working and writing full time. I locked myself in my room for about four months with little to no social interaction, and after working I would come home and write. About 600 pages later (double-spaced) I was wrecked.

The book didn't just take hard physical labor, but emotionally it drained me to the core. Roots. I felt exposed to my core. Every negative habit that I had picked up over the course of 27 years became the downfall of me. The way I responded to pressure, criticism, loneliness, etc.

God reached down and pressed down into my soul that I needed to know Him but, I didn't know how to receive God's love. I felt abandoned. So did Hagar. Sarah's maidservant slept with Abraham to conceive what they had hoped would be the promised child. But, Ishmael was not what God had in mind. All along it was Isaac, the seed of Abraham & Sarah, but he wasn't born yet. It was what Sarah and Abraham hoped would work. Hope. There it is again. Why is it so difficult to wait for God's promise of hope? (At least I know I'm not alone).

"The angel of the LORD found Hagar near a spring in the desert; it was the spring that is beside the road to Shur. And he said, 'Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going?' Then the angel of the LORD told her, 'Go back to your mistress and submit to her.' (Genesis 16: 7-9). Submit. Now, there's another word I don't like, but we'll get to that later on this month.

The angel of the LORD also said to her: 'You are now with child and you will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the LORD has heard of your misery.' She gave this name to the LORD who spoke to her: 'You are the God who sees me,' for she said, 'I have now seen the One who sees me.'" (Genesis 16:9-11, 13).

El Roi. The God who sees me. I felt like Will on Good Will Hunting. "It's not your fault. It's not your fault. It's not your fault. It's not your fault. It's not your fault. IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT." God sees me. God sees me. God sees me....

He knows me. He sees my pain. He feels my heartache. He has known discouragement. He has suffered in every way we as humans have and yet He did not sin (Hebrews 4:15-16). Hope springs forth. Do you not see it (Isaiah 43:19)? Do you not perceive it? For we are new creations in Christ. The old has gone, the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). Scripture flooded hope to my being, bringing hope into to the very core of me, strengthening my roots in Him. Praise God! Praise Jesus. Thank you God! He gave me what I needed: His grace and strength to overcome. Hope.

* * * * *

Dear Hopeful Jesus,

Oh Lord, renew our hope! Give us hope for the journey ahead. We trust you and love you.

Amen.

Meet Pam & Bill Farrel

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Meet Pam & Bil Farrel] - "It is possible to have a marriage that is smooth and satisfying, but you have to know and use the access code that keeps the connection to your spouse alive and well."

Bill and Pam Farrel are relationship specialists, dedicating themselves to building up marriages and families. They co-founded Farrel Communications, an organization that provides practical insights for personal relationships. Bill and Pam are popular keynote speakers for marriage, family and men’s/ women’s events, including the American Association of Christian Counselors 2008 Day of Marriage and LifeWay’s Festivals of Marriage. The Cabinet of the Government of Singapore invited Bill and Pam to speak to college students and singles, then asked them to return to speak to marrieds and train leaders. The Farrels have also spoken for numerous churches, including Saddleback and Purpose Driven events, Elmbrook and Shadow Mountain Community.

Bill holds a master’s of divinity with an emphasis in practical theology and counseling. Bill pioneered a personal growth curriculum entitled SimpleSkills© which has helped thousands of participants to develop a healthy lifestyle, overcome emotional obstacles and discover freedom in Christ. Pam is a sought-after speaker for women's events and conferences and has experience as a youth worker, senior pastor’s wife, radio talk show host, writer and speaker.

Bill and Pam authored the best-selling Men are like Waffles and Women are like Spaghetti and an accompanying study guide, sparking a DVD-based small-group curriculum and a coveted place in the top-selling books at Family Christian Bookstores. Their books have been endorsed by such Christian leaders as Stormie Omartian, Steve Arterburn, Michele McKinney Hammond, John Trent, Jim Conway, Fern Nichols, Florence Littauer, Carol Kent, Stuart and Jill Briscoe, Dave and Claudia Arp, Anita Renfroe and others. The Farrels also regularly contribute to a number of periodicals, columns and publications on the subject of relationships and appear as relationship specialists on talk-shows. Focus on the Family named the Farrels in their 2007 Top-Ten Best Interviews.

The Marriage Code - Hot off the Press! Codes are all around us: access codes for banking accounts, to make reservations for travel, or to gain entry into buildings or our own computers. Do you want to know how to use a code to move your marriage "above the line of success and security" where everything is good, life is enjoyable and romance sizzles? In Bill and Pam Farrel's newest book, The Marriage Code, couples will learn the secret code to unlock love. The Farrels are relationship specialists, international speakers and authors of over 30 books including best selling Men are like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti. With their characteristic humor, solid wisdom, and practical illustrations, the Farrels will help you use the marriage code to gain entry into your mate’s heart and life. If you want to trade in conflict for connection, use The Marriage Code.

Code Breaker Couple's special: $25 (3 book set!)
(One Marriage Code and two study guides - one for him, one for her)

Pam and Bill's interview on The Marriage Code will be on Focus on the Family radio October 21, 22. Click here to read excerpt.

Click here to download a free chapter. For more information about Pam and Bill Farrel and their resources: www.farrelcommunications.com

Coming Up...

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[In October 2009]

Here's what's coming up as we EXIT September and ENTER October.

Monday, October, 5, 12, 19, 26 - Roots. We all have them. Our childhood. Our first love. The fear of failure and success.

What might be pressing down into your soul?
Find out this month as we explore roots of the human soul.

Monday, October 5 - Hope
...suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope (Romans 5:3b-4).

Monday, October 12 - Unbelief
"I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)

Monday, October 19 - Generational Sins
'The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation.' (Numbers 14:18)

**Great resource, "The Bondage Breaker" by Neil T. Anderson

Monday, October 26 - Submission
Is not a 4-letter word!

American Idol

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Simon Cowell vs. Jesus] - "'Do not make idols or set up an image or a sacred stone for yourselves, and do not place a carved stone in your land to bow down before it. I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 26:1).

Most of us do not struggle with idolatry. The Miriam-Webster dictionary defines it as: the worship of a physical object as a god or immoderate attachment or devotion to something.

It can be easy to attach devotion to something or someone. Pastor Chris Brown said we as Christians struggle with idolatry, but if it defines our character or lifestyle then that's where it gets dangerous.

So, what do you attach worth to? Your family? Your bank account? Your health? Until recently I didn't realize how much I worshiped my own abilities. My ability to work, make money, and hang out with friends until my health tanked. As a single 20-something it's easy for me to attach devotion to the things that sustain me and keep me independent.

The Bible says we are to take captive anything (see: Idols) that set itself up against the knowledge of God and make it obedient to Him (2 Corinthians 10:5). But, how do we do that?

1. Worry Only About Impressing Jesus
Simon Cowell, your boss, your parents, your family, and your friends can deceive you. Heck, your heart can even deceive you. Go to Jesus first with your worries because He cares for you.

2. Trust "Judge" Jesus
While you're waiting on life, to be notice, for justice, or whatever-- read Proverbs 3:5-6. It says to "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."

3. Hope in the Outcome
You might not have the natural talent to advance you to the next round, but fear not! We serve a God who is more concerned for our welfare than we realize. He will never leave us nor forsake us whether we sound like William Hung or Kelly Clarkson. He has plans for a future and a hope.

* * * * *

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for your love and justice. Help us to see if we have any idols in our lives (money, status, relationships) and forgive us for putting anything above you. Grant us a secure and peaceful foundation as we seek you first today.

Amen

Meet Eric Ryan Jones

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Meet Eric] - You'd think this would be an easy thing to write. I mean I've told my story / testimonial so many times I can also do it in Pig Latin. There is so much to tell and when I first thought about this I wondered how I could put it into 250 words or less.

Do I talk about my high school years where I was too shy to do "anything"? Focus on my college years where I totally gave up on God and Religion only to embrace beers and sorority girls? Do I talk about my marriage and my subsequent divorce? Do I talk about all the bad stuff which has happened to me and then tell you how God is using me and my mistakes for His kingdom?

Do I tell you I'm not a virgin and wasn't one when I got married in the hopes to provide some shock value to my story? Do I tell you how I dabbled with marijuana in college in order to fit in with my friends? How about I talk about my parents and how they didn't love me enough and how it was only later in life when I learned what true love was and how they had been giving it all along.

You see I'm a complicated person with lots of little stories to fill the page. It's my past, it's my story, it's what has made me who I am today. People who know me today know me as the guy who's passionate about all types of relationships not just romantic ones but friendships, family, work and more. They know me as the guy who's divorced and wants to rid the world of the stigmata and "unforgivable sin" which is associated with divorce.

My Oasis groups (Divorce Recovery as presented by Buckhead Church in Atlanta GA) see me as a helper, an encourager and someone who tells them that the D they see isn't a scarlet letter but a red badge of courage. They see me as someone who's been there, done that, messed up, got up, and moved forward.

My friends see me as an old man, a joker, a mentor, a friend for life, a brother in Christ and in life. They know they can call me at any time and I'll come rushing to their side. Pick them up from the airport or just sit with them for hours at our favorite coffee places, in hammocks or on porches.

But who am I? What defines me and allows me to be me? You can see all the above questions, history and events I've alluded to and see how difficult it might be for me to explain myself. To give you an accurate picture of who I am, where I am going and what got me here. But it really boils down to two things.

Choices and God.

The choices I made as a young adult brought me to see God, even if I didn't understand what all he offered. My choices took me away from God and caused me to question everything I had learned and finally abandon it all for my selfish desires. Choices are what took me into my marriage and ultimately it was choices which brought me out of marriage and into divorce.

All this time I was making choices and not choosing God.

Today I choose God. He dictates how I do things, where I go in life, and how I look at the world. I see a sunset and cherish the colors and wait in joyous anticipation for the next sunrise. I see the stars at night and stare up in wonderment at all that is "out there". Things which I'll never see but countless generations after me will continue to discover. I see smiles, and frowns while experiencing joy, sadness, delight and pain all in His name.

So it's not who I was, so much as who He'll make me into. My journey will never end, till He calls me home, until then I'll keep choosing Him.

To find out more about Mr. Eric Ryan Jones please visit his website at http://www.witharmshigh.com.

Fear Factor

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Big Hairy Spiders Meet Big Hairy Jesus] - "There is no fear in love." (1 John 4:18a).

I have struggled with fear my whole life. Fear of failing, rashes, bee's and roller coaster's. Oh and the fear of falling in love. I had my heart broken once and I never want to experience it again. I'm sure I will because we're human and we all do stupid things to each other.

Because of how many fear's I've had to face in this life time I don't consider myself a pansy! In fact, I see fear for what it is. Crippling death knocking on my door asking me to be someone I'm not. Jesus says in his Word to NOT have a spirit of FEAR, but of love, power, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).

He also tells us not to be afraid of others. You may be experiencing a painful relationship, a toxic work environment, or the fear of saying no to temptation (not once but every time). Whatever it is I tell you "pick up your mat and walk!" (John 5:8). Trample over the fear. Walk through the door of God's love to the freedom you always wanted, never thought you would possess, and now experience.

The real test of faith is your fear factor. Are you trusting in your own abilities or running into the open arms of Jesus?

"Do not be terrified by them, for the LORD your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God" (Deuteronomy 7:21).

"Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:1-4).

* * * * *

Dear Jesus,

In the midst of our fear's help us to put on the armor of God, so when the day of evil comes, we may be able to stand our ground...and after we have done everything, to stand.

Amen

Meet Travis

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Beauty in the Breakdown] - Travis Mamone

“Behold, I make all things new.”—Revelation 21:5 (KJV)

When I was 17 I didn’t want anything to do with God. To me, God was a tyrant who sat on His high horse all day judging every little thing we did. But the farther I ran from God, the deeper I sunk into depression. I soon developed an addiction to cutting. It was if all the pain I felt inside could escape through the scars on my body. But as soon as the physical rush wore off, the pain would return.

Finally one evening while talking to my then-girlfriend on the phone, I completely broke down and started crying. I was tired of the pain, the confusion, and the cutting. She told me how God is not the monster I thought He was; instead, He was like the father in the prodigal son story, waiting for me to come home. At that moment I saw myself as I truly was: broken, weary, and needing forgiveness. That’s when I stopped running from God, and started running towards Him.

I’d be lying if I said that I completely gave up cutting after that. But if there is one thing I’ve learned during my recovery, it is that healing is a process. Because I’m still human, I will fall. But “though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again” (Proverbs 24:16). Despite all the setbacks, I know that God is making me new.

Father, thank You for making all things new. Keep our hope alive as we wait for the day when You wipe away every tear. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Real World

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[When people stop being polite... and start getting real] - "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." (1 Peter 3:9).

MTV's The Real World is a reality show that picks strangers to live together and have their lives taped. It's amazing what happens when people "stop being polite and start getting real."

I am sure the casting directors pick the craziest most outrageous people for ratings and good television. And there's always the stereotypes (the religious, homophobic, racist), you know--anything that would cause drama, more outbursts and even better ratings!

It's very easy to get sucked into these kind of reality shows (at least for me) because it's like watching a car-wreck. (You know the kind that everyone stops to watch on the side of the road). I don't understand why we stop and look, but we do.

But what we don't realize is that what is going on in the "real" world is not always real.

What's real is to get angry and upset and cause drama because it feels real. The Real World wouldn't be complete without issues such as quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder (2 Corinthians 12:20). Not to mention "orgies and drunkenness, sexual immorality and debauchery (Romans 13:13).

But after this life the only reality we face is heaven. Do you know what you're going to say when you stand before Jesus?

"Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

MTV paints the picture of what's real is what's going on right now. But I tell you people will know we're real Christians by our actions and how we treat others (Listen to Pastor Larry's sermon).

"Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble" (1 Peter 3:8).

Meet Donnie

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Skeet Shooting Prayer] -by Donald Hyde

Do you ever feel like you are missing the mark in a certain area and you cant figure out how to get it going?

Like prayer?

I certainly have. I have always “believed” in the power of prayer but I had never really seen it. It’s something I had struggled with for a long time. I had no prayer life. It was more like skeet shooting prayer than anything I guess. Every now and again “PULL” and I’d shoot one upstairs. Well how do you fix that? I’m still not really sure...

So God comes up to me one day, (not physically so stop judging me), and tells me to leave my girlfriend of just over a year. My initial though was, “Yeah you are probably right,” but realistically that only lasted for a few hours at best.

I began to question it even though I knew deep down that it wasn’t going to work out. It’s not that we had a bad relationship but it was doomed to fail because God was not at its center. Now what is it that makes you stay in a dysfunctional and doomed relationship anyway? I think perhaps my stomach made the most convincing argument because her mom’s ribs were the best things I’ve ever eaten. Other than that I couldn’t really tell you.

For whatever reasons, I stayed in this relationship and questioned whether God is right or not. “Are you sure God? I mean she can change, right? Well I guess at least you can change her.” I knew right then that the way through was as easy as prayer!

Prayer. Prayer? Really? *sigh* Yeah, thanks God-- the solution is something I can't do.

I finally decided to begin like this, “OK God, You want me to do this. That won’t happen unless I pray about it, which ironically enough, isn’t going to happen either. Good luck though!” It was kind of a challenge to God.

All he got was a quick prayer every now and then that I would shoot up really quick to ask for help praying and believing. I’m talkin’ once every couple of days at most.

It was funny though because eventually He began to show me that He was right and that it did need to end. God had answered my doubtful prayers! I had finally started to believe but knew that I still physically couldn’t bring myself to break the poor girl’s heart. I know what I meant to her. I was her world and she really didn’t have anyone else.

God placed in front of me an opportunity to pray more often. By meeting a couple days a week with friends I could be forced to pray. It was like I was tricking myself. For me praying was a very difficult habit to get into but it was easy for me to get up and visit with some friends so it made sense to me to go because it would force prayer into my life.

Within a week or two we were meeting five days a week and soon after that I just couldn’t get enough. I saw what God was doing in my friend’s lives because of their prayers and decided that I wanted that same thing. Even though I still couldn’t on my own, I knew that I wanted to break it off with my girlfriend.

I told God He was going to have to trick me into it or make me a puppet and to just do whatever it took. Within a week it was over. He had tricked me! I had started a conversation about the problems we faced as a couple and I had intended to try and resolve them (again). The next thing I knew we decided that it wasn’t going to work and we ended the relationship! WHAT!? “Hey God, what was that crap!? Oh wait it’s the answer to my prayer!”

Since then I have realized how much my relationship with my ex had affected my relationship with The Lord. It was like trying to run with a parachute on. It often caused me to stumble and for a long time I had been living two separate lives, one being with her and the other at church. I still meet Monday through Friday for prayer and I actually pray on my own throughout the day. Yeah that’s right, I pray and now I know that there is real power in it.

Survivor

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Jesus vs. Survivor] - "Therefore I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify; others you will flog in your synagogues and pursue from town to town" (Matthew 23:34).

Have you ever noticed a certain car because you purchased one or someone you know recently did? Suddenly you see that car everywhere!!

I've been trying to pull the pieces of my new "What is Reality" series for the week and here are the pieces I've seen over and over...

"Nothing is new under the sun." Everything has already been covered because history r-e-p-e-a-t-s itself (Ecclesiastes 1:9-11). Therefore, Survivor is not a new concept...People have been "voting" each other off since humans existed.

Note: Adam and Eve's first two children. Cain killed Abel because his sacrifice was not good enough. See also today's verse in the killing of the Old Testament prophets (Matthew 23:24).

In every season of Survivor you'll notice that every person is voted out until the winner is left standing. He or she goes on to win a million dollars. Now, maybe the folks who thought they were voting off Jesus were going to win a million dollars, but probably not. They were just doing the best for the tribe (or so they thought).

"'What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?' Pilate asked. They all answered, 'Crucify him!' 'Why? What crime has he committed?' asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, 'Crucify him!'" (Matthew 27:22-23)

But, Jesus is the only Prophet who came back from the dead (See Matthew 28). He didn't take voting off as the end. There are hundreds of prophecies about Jesus, but the one that stands above the rest is His resurrection!

Whenever I feel like I am misunderstood or part of the wrong tribe I can take confidence that this is nothing new. If I'm going to believe in Jesus I'm going to suffer just like he did (Romans 5:3, 8:17-18). Society will offer up new twists each generation on religion. It will trick you into believing that you don't have to suffer like Jesus did.

You may be in a country that doesn't allow faith in Jesus or you might be a part of a click that claims to be Christian but doesn't act like it (see Chris Brown's sermon from this week). No matter what your reality is decide today to "believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you and your family can be saved" (Acts 16:31).

* * * * *

Dear Jesus,

Reality sucks sometimes. We could be struggling with our image, our role in society or not knowing what to do next. Help us to tune into you today to discover the reality that Jesus saves.

Amen.

Meet Keith

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 07:00:00 +0000

When I was 19, my pastor strongly encouraged me to spend the summer after my freshman year of college serving as his (way) underpaid intern at the church. After a bit of not-so-gentle prodding, I accepted. So I spent the summer of 1997 planning youth events, spending time with students, and teaching the Bible. After 12 weeks of doing that full-time, God had ignited a passion in me for communicating the Bible to others that was so strong, another three years of physics and calculus just wasn’t going to cut it. So I left my engineering program and went to Bible college instead.

After finishing two degrees in Bible (from Moody Bible Institute and Wheaton Graduate School), I spent the next year of my life looking for a temporary full-time job to pay off some debt, help put my wife through graduate school, and prepare for further schooling to become a Bible college or seminary professor; but God once again had other plans for my life. After a year-long job search, I got a call from Tyndale House Publishers about an editorial job on their Bible and Bible reference team.

I now have the privilege of working with God’s Word every day, helping to prepare editions of the New Living Translation that will help people understand the Bible and connect with the God who speaks through it. Working on an edition of the Bible is a long and difficult process, but it is extremely rewarding, especially when you have the opportunity to hear from the people who are using it and growing in their knowledge of God and his Word. I have especially been gratified by the response to the NLT Study Bible (http://nltstudybible.com/) and look forward to what God will do in the lives of people through my latest project, Holy Bible: Mosaic (http://www.holybiblemosaic.com).

Another thing I love about my work is the opportunity to connect with people who are using the NLT through the NLT Blog (http://nltblog.com/) and on Twitter (http://www.twitter.com/KeithWilliams). I have met literally hundreds of great people who are serving God and impacting the world for Christ, and I look forward to meeting more. Check out my favorites on Twitter for a constant stream of tweets about how the NLT is impacting people (http://twitter.com/KeithWilliams#/favorites?user=KeithWilliams).

Coming Up...

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[In September 2009]

Here's what's coming up as we EXIT August and ENTER September.

Monday, September, 7, 14, 21, 28 - What is Reality? Television, the Internet, and Hollywood tell you one thing while God's Word tells a different story. Which one do YOU believe?

Monday, September 7 - Survivor
The first hit show to pioneer reality television. Find out what Jesus and Survivor have in common and why it matters to you.

Monday, September 14 - The Real World
What happens in life when people stop being polite... and start getting real.

Monday, September 21 - Fear Factor
Who wants to eat giant hairy spiders? Not me...

Monday, September 28 - American Idol
Simon Cowell is no match for Jesus. Take that.

10 Tips For Maximum Exposure

renee@devotionaldiva.com (Renee Johnson) — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 07:00:00 +0000

[Do you know who you are?] Here are 10 tips to help peal back and reveal the real you. (In case you didn't know. You are loved, beautiful, and created in the image of God).

1. Double-standards - One of the quickest ways to mask the real you is to set double standards. This is something I've been convicted about lately. It's okay for me to be a certain way, but it's not okay for others to be that away. What's up with that? (See Proverbs 20:10, 23).

2. Dark Vs. Light - The Lord is Light and in Him there is no darkness at all. If there is something you're afraid of, ask God to reveal the lie so you can live in His light today. (See John 3:21).

3. Weak Spot - There's been lots of studies on strengths versus weakness. Should you focus only on your strengths or focus on what needs work? We all have weak spot's that the enemy wants to get us down and make us feel like we're not worth living. Let God cover you with his grace in the area of your weakness (See 2 Corinthians 12:9).

4. Become a Stripper - What? The Message Bible says, "Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever" (Hebrews 12:1 MSG).

5. Watch Your Tongue - Social Media (Twitter/Facebook/Blogging/Website) is an easy way to gain exposure (both positive and negative). Now, more than ever make sure that what you say will honor & glorify God as we are the next gen leaders! (See Psalm 39:1).

6. Break Free - One of my favorite verses in the Old Testament is from Isaiah 43:19. It says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." Break free from the ties that bind and allow the Lord to set you free.

7. Create Space - Starting something new can be tough especially if we are already overmaxed, overcapacity, overworked, overtired, etc etc etc. In the Bible the phrase, "He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me." is mentioned twice. Ask Jesus to reveal to you how you can create space for the next thing! (See 2 Samuel 22:20, Psalm 18:19).

8. Face Your Fears - Since Junior High I have struggled with fear. My favorite Bible verse is 2 Timothy 1:7 (don't have a spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound-mind). Jesus wouldn't promise us a sound mind if He knew we would need to use it. Exercise your right to face your fears today. (You can break free).

9. Lies, Lies, and More Lies - The enemy masquerades as an angel of light. He uses sparkly, shiny half-truths to make us believe what is not true. The fastest way to understand and get to know the REAL you is to take every lie (capture it) and MAKE it obedient to Christ (See 2 Corinthians 10:5).

10. Lay Your Burdens Down - The fastest way to forget the first 9 tips is to pick up burdens we are not meant to carry. Want to continue on in maximum exposure? Give Jesus your burdens, daily. We are not meant to carry all the prayer requests, wants, needs (for us and others) alone. (See Matthew 11:28-30).

Links for 2008-09-28 [del.icio.us]

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 00:00:00 PDT

Renee Johnson, Devotional Div