November Devotionals
November 28, 2007
"ALL OF THE DAYS OF THE AFFLICTED ARE EVIL, BUT HE
WHO IS OF A MERRY HEART HAS A CONTINUAL FEAST."
( PROVERBS 15:15 *NKJV )
We are all Architects of our own future! The thoughts we
have today dictate what our future holds for us tomorrow.
Therefore a person who has positive thoughts shall have positive
results, just as a person who has negative thoughts shall attract
negative results in their life.
Therefore if we start our day by counting all of our blessings,
and then try to have positive thoughts all day, our hearts will be
indeed merry! Thus as it is written: "A MERRY HEART MAKES
A CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE, BUT BY SORROW OF THE
HEART THE SPIRIT IS BROKEN." ( PROVERBS 15:13 )
Therefore be thankful for all that you have, for "HAPPY ARE
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN SUCH A STATE; HAPPY ARE
THE PEOPLE WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD!"
( PSALM 144:15 ) After all it is then that you will have a
continual feast! So enjoy your meal, and by the way, the
special today is a double helping of God's Love!
Now may, "THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,
AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE COMMUNION OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL." AMEN.
( 2 CORINTHIANS 13:14 )
November 27, 2007
Staying Connected
by Os Hillman, November 27, 2007
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in
You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. - Psalm 143:8
Two of the greatest inventions of my time have been the laptop computer and e-
mail. The laptop means I no longer have to stay in one place to be productive in my
business life. E-mail has allowed me to stay connected to people all around the world
with the touch of a button.
My greatest frustration is when either of these does not work. Sometimes e-mail
cannot be used because I can't get a connection. Sometimes I cannot use my laptop
because I have not properly charged it, and then the charge runs out while I am on
an airplane. Both of these situations mean I am unable to tap into the resource that
allows me to fulfill my calling in my work to the fullest.
The morning time with God is much like these situations. God pours His Word into
my spirit, and I am recharged. This recharging has an important effect on my day.
It allows me the greatest opportunity to hear the small voice that directs my steps.
If I refuse to "get connected," I risk following my own ways of fulfilling the duties
of my day. It sets forth the opportunity for God to speak into my spirit what He
desires for me each day. It allows me to focus on God's purposes, not mine.
The only way to know someone is to spend time with him or her. The only way to
discern the voice of another is to hear that person's voice. David, the author of this
psalm, was a warrior, king, and businessman. He understood this principle of
connecting with God in the morning. His morning allowed him to connect with God's
love, renew his trust in Him, and hear His directions for his life. Shouldn't you and I
do the same?
November 26, 2007
Freedom and Boundaries
by Os Hillman, November 26, 2007
Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the
garden'?" - Genesis 3:1
God is big on giving man freedom and boundaries--freedom to manage what He has
entrusted to us, boundaries to protect us from evil. The boundaries in the Garden of
Eden were not set for the purpose of limiting Adam. Man got into trouble when he
questioned those boundaries. God had provided everything he would need for life. He
also entrusted man with responsibility to manage and work the Garden. God gave
him freedom in that responsibility. God knows we were made to express ourselves
creatively through our work.
Each of us must have freedom and boundaries in our work life. Whenever you are
hired for a job, you must have the freedom to make certain decisions. You must
have the authority to manage things within your area of expertise. You must also
have limits within your area of responsibility. You need to know where those limits
are and stay within them. Both freedom and boundaries are always under the
umbrella of God's authority and our authorities at work.
Jesus understood these boundaries. When He was tempted for 40 days by the devil
after being baptized, He was challenged by satan to go outside His freedom and
boundaries. (See Matthew 4:1-11.) Satan said that He had the power to turn a stone
into bread. Jesus was hungry and easily could have justified using His power to feed
Himself. However, Jesus understood He could do nothing outside the boundaries of
God's will for His life. It was God's will for Jesus to be tempted and to withstand the
temptation. God was showing His Son that "man does not live on bread alone, but by
every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4b).
You and I are tempted every day to go beyond our God-ordained boundaries.
Whether it is solving financial problems that have arisen through debt, making
wrong decisions due to pressure, or manipulating someone in order to achieve our
ends, it all represents rebellion toward God.
Ask God to show you His freedom and boundaries for your life. These are meant to
enhance your life, not hinder it.
"ALL OF THE DAYS OF THE AFFLICTED ARE EVIL, BUT HE
WHO IS OF A MERRY HEART HAS A CONTINUAL FEAST."
( PROVERBS 15:15 *NKJV )
We are all Architects of our own future! The thoughts we
have today dictate what our future holds for us tomorrow.
Therefore a person who has positive thoughts shall have positive
results, just as a person who has negative thoughts shall attract
negative results in their life.
Therefore if we start our day by counting all of our blessings,
and then try to have positive thoughts all day, our hearts will be
indeed merry! Thus as it is written: "A MERRY HEART MAKES
A CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE, BUT BY SORROW OF THE
HEART THE SPIRIT IS BROKEN." ( PROVERBS 15:13 )
Therefore be thankful for all that you have, for "HAPPY ARE
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN SUCH A STATE; HAPPY ARE
THE PEOPLE WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD!"
( PSALM 144:15 ) After all it is then that you will have a
continual feast! So enjoy your meal, and by the way, the
special today is a double helping of God's Love!
Now may, "THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST,
AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE COMMUNION OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL." AMEN.
( 2 CORINTHIANS 13:14 )
November 27, 2007
Staying Connected
by Os Hillman, November 27, 2007
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in
You. Show me the way I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. - Psalm 143:8
Two of the greatest inventions of my time have been the laptop computer and e-
mail. The laptop means I no longer have to stay in one place to be productive in my
business life. E-mail has allowed me to stay connected to people all around the world
with the touch of a button.
My greatest frustration is when either of these does not work. Sometimes e-mail
cannot be used because I can't get a connection. Sometimes I cannot use my laptop
because I have not properly charged it, and then the charge runs out while I am on
an airplane. Both of these situations mean I am unable to tap into the resource that
allows me to fulfill my calling in my work to the fullest.
The morning time with God is much like these situations. God pours His Word into
my spirit, and I am recharged. This recharging has an important effect on my day.
It allows me the greatest opportunity to hear the small voice that directs my steps.
If I refuse to "get connected," I risk following my own ways of fulfilling the duties
of my day. It sets forth the opportunity for God to speak into my spirit what He
desires for me each day. It allows me to focus on God's purposes, not mine.
The only way to know someone is to spend time with him or her. The only way to
discern the voice of another is to hear that person's voice. David, the author of this
psalm, was a warrior, king, and businessman. He understood this principle of
connecting with God in the morning. His morning allowed him to connect with God's
love, renew his trust in Him, and hear His directions for his life. Shouldn't you and I
do the same?
November 26, 2007
Freedom and Boundaries
by Os Hillman, November 26, 2007
Now the serpent was craftier than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made.
He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the
garden'?" - Genesis 3:1
God is big on giving man freedom and boundaries--freedom to manage what He has
entrusted to us, boundaries to protect us from evil. The boundaries in the Garden of
Eden were not set for the purpose of limiting Adam. Man got into trouble when he
questioned those boundaries. God had provided everything he would need for life. He
also entrusted man with responsibility to manage and work the Garden. God gave
him freedom in that responsibility. God knows we were made to express ourselves
creatively through our work.
Each of us must have freedom and boundaries in our work life. Whenever you are
hired for a job, you must have the freedom to make certain decisions. You must
have the authority to manage things within your area of expertise. You must also
have limits within your area of responsibility. You need to know where those limits
are and stay within them. Both freedom and boundaries are always under the
umbrella of God's authority and our authorities at work.
Jesus understood these boundaries. When He was tempted for 40 days by the devil
after being baptized, He was challenged by satan to go outside His freedom and
boundaries. (See Matthew 4:1-11.) Satan said that He had the power to turn a stone
into bread. Jesus was hungry and easily could have justified using His power to feed
Himself. However, Jesus understood He could do nothing outside the boundaries of
God's will for His life. It was God's will for Jesus to be tempted and to withstand the
temptation. God was showing His Son that "man does not live on bread alone, but by
every word that comes from the mouth of God" (Mt. 4:4b).
You and I are tempted every day to go beyond our God-ordained boundaries.
Whether it is solving financial problems that have arisen through debt, making
wrong decisions due to pressure, or manipulating someone in order to achieve our
ends, it all represents rebellion toward God.
Ask God to show you His freedom and boundaries for your life. These are meant to
enhance your life, not hinder it.
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