Quiet time and fellowship

Quiet time and fellowship with God—the most important part of each day. Use these free devotionals from Bible Gateway to help you focus on God each day.

The Idolatry of Self-Pity

Self-pity and unforgiveness are two things that require self exaltation.  Self-pity exalts feelings over the Word of God.  Unforgiveness exalts lust for revenge over the Word of God.  These things exalt themselves against the knowledge of God; (Ref. 2Corinthians 10:5).  I believe we could equivalently say, “They exalt themselves against the authority of God.”

I have been teaching a series on the authority of the believer.  So the word authority is fresh on my mind.  “God” is an authority word.  “Blessed” is an authority word.  It means empowered (or authorized) to prosper.  Authorization doesn’t mean automatic manifestation.  You must exercise your authority from a place of righteousness.  “Exalt” is an authority word.  “Law” is an authority word.  God’s word is God’s law; God’s authority.  There is no authority on any level or any realm or kingdom, without words.  Words authorize.

The negative feelings of self-pity and unforgiveness give more authority to feelings than to the Word of God.  If we indulge in these, we make ourselves god in our own lives.  That is idolatry.

I don’t want to make this a long article.  I’m interested in what you have to say about these thoughts.  I Googled the word “blog”.  It is a truncation of the phrase “web log”.  In the spirit of that, as I realized in the middle of the night that I was having some thoughts new to me, I decided to blog them so I could see what you think.

 

Hit me back.

 

Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits (Ps. 68:19)"


"Are your days loaded with benefits? Let’s take another glance at the benefits of staying in God’s presence.


When you look back over your life, does your soul cry out "Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!　Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:" (Ps. 103:1-2)?


David, a man under the Old Covenant, penned this awe-inspiring Psalm. He continued on to write, "[He] forgives all your iniquities, [He] heals all your diseases, [He] redeems your life from destruction, [He] crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies, [He] satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's" (Ps. 103:3-5).


David’s words speak of profound restoration and reward. You are restored to righteousness (or right standing before Him). You are restored to health. Your life is made rich and abundant. You’re rewarded with intensely intimate kindness and mercy. You’re rewarded with quieted yearnings and satisfied longings. And, you’re rewarded with a literal renewal of your youth. The years that once seemed lost to you are lost no more. He [Jesus] makes all things new (Rev. 21:5).

What’s most intriguing about Psalm 103 is that a man under the Law wrote it. David lived during the time of annual sin sacrifices. The Israelites had to continually offer the blood of bulls and goats, year by year, to temporarily atone for their sins. Of course, the blood of bulls and goats could never make the people perfect [totally purified] only more sin conscious (Heb. 10:1-4).

Fortunately for us, Jesus, through the eternal Spirit, offered Himself on our behalf as the perfect and complete fulfillment to the demands of the Law. If, under the Old Testament, the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer sanctified for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the perfectly righteous blood of Christ cleanse your conscience (Heb. 9:13-15)?

Today, believer, can you say, "My conscience is clean"? I certainly hope so, because a great price was paid for you to know life justified and free from condemnation (Acts 13:38-39). Jesus came to give you life and life more abundantly (Jn. 10:10).

What you have today, through Jesus, is far superior to what David had. Granted, David was exceptional for his time. He was, after all, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22). But, he was not perfectly purified as you are through the blood of Jesus. And, his body was not the temple of the Holy Spirit as yours is today (1 Cor. 6:19).

You’ve been purified so that you can house the Spirit of the Living God and through His Spirit enjoy unhindered fellowship with God Himself. His Spirit brings restoration and reward. If you’re longing for the restoration of a relationship or the healing of your body, long no more. If you desire the reward of loving kindness and tender mercies, desire no more. Draw from the Spirit of the Living God that lives in you. How? Simple, in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God (Phil. 4:6). Commune with Him.

Jesus paid a price far beyond what we can properly comprehend for the sole purpose of bringing you into communion with the Father. You, believer, are very special: a pearl of great price (Mt. 13:46), the apple of His eye (Zach. 2:8).


If you don’t see God’s restoration and reward coming to pass in your life, it may simply be because you haven’t fully trusted Him. It takes trust to believe for the restoration of a marriage. It takes trust to believe for the reward of renewed youth. Trust is built on relationship, on time spent in one another’s company. As you spend time in His presence, meditating on His Word and communing with Him Spirit to spirit, your trust in Him grows and all His seemingly too-good-to-be-true promises and benefits become very believable. Today, believer, allow the God of hope to fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 15:13).

This article was written by Sara Wasser,
Christian Teacher & member of Love In Action Church

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Love Quotes from The Bible....

The Bible is full of great verses and passages about the topic of love.  God’s love for us is a perfect example and starting place to study on love. There are also great verses about love in relation to marriage, brotherly love or friendship, and loving your neighbor. Here is a collection of some of the greatest love quotes from the Bible. What is your favorite love Bible verse? Share it with us in the comments!

Featured Bible Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Read more: http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/bible-verses-about-love-25-awesome-scripture-quotes/#ixzz2tcIs4Dl6

Get the children involved for Valentine's Day!!

 Valentine's Day is a special holiday when we think about love. Although you may be planning something special for you and your spouse, make sure you include the kids in this special day as well.All kinds of love can be celebrated on this holiday – it doesn't just have to be about romantic love and passion. Wondering how you can make this day a special one for the kids this year? Here are some unique Valentine's Day ideas for kids that you can use to make it a wonderful time together as a family to celebrate the day.

Let Kids Make Valentine's Surprises for Family Members

One great idea that you can use is to let the kids make Valentine's Day surprises for family members. Maybe get them involved in making a special surprise for your spouse, their siblings, grandparents or other family members. Need some ideas?

-  Decorate Picture Frames and Include Photos of the Kids - A great project that makes a special surprise for a family member is to allow your kids to decorate picture frames and include photos of the kids in them. Take pictures of the kids together and have some printed out. Get plain photo frames and allow your kids to decorate them with ribbon, flowers, and more. Add in the pictures and they make a great gift for Valentine's Day that they made all by themselves.

- Valentine's Day Wreaths - Another simple craft kids can make to surprise family members is a wreath for Valentine's Day. All you need is some toilet paper rolls, a wire hanger, paint in pinks and reds, construction paper, scissors, glue, and tape. Put the toilet paper rolls on the hanger and use them to attach hearts of various sizes and colors until you fill up the entire wreath.

- Decorated Votive Holders – A great craft that kids can make for someone special in the family is a decorated votive holder. You'll need a plain glass votive holder, some candy conversation hearts, a glue gun, craft sealer, and some pink, red, or white votive candles. Attach the conversation hearts to the base of the votive holder with the glue gun. Apply some craft sealer over the hearts so they don't go bad or fall apart. It's best to put on several coats. Once dried, put the votive in and you'll have a simple and beautiful Valentine's day gift.

Make Valentine's Cookies for Neighbors
Visit an Elderly Center and Adopt Someone for the Day
Take Valentine's to Kids in a Children's Hospital

It's a great idea to let kids help others out for Valentine's Day as well. One way that you can let the kids help out others is to allow them to bake cookies for the neighbors in your area. Of course, you don't have to bake for the whole neighborhood, but baking for some of your neighbors is a great idea.

You may want to consider doing cutout cookies in various Valentine's themed shapes. Let them cut out the dough, bake them, and then they can enjoy decorating them. You can frost the cookies in various colors of icing, such as in pink, red, or even blues. Have fun decorating with sprinkles or write the names of neighbors in candy or with more icing in a contrasting color.

Of course, cutouts aren't the only option. Chocolate chip cookies are always a hit, shortbread, and even cookie bars make great options. Just let the kids get involved as you make them. Then allow them to help you take them to neighbors on Valentine's Day. It may even be a good idea to let kids decorate boxes to put the cookies in.

Another wonderful unique Valentine's Day idea for the kids is to visit an elderly center and adopt someone to cheer up for the day. Check with a local center and find out from the staff if there is someone that is neglected that doesn't have family that comes to see them on a regular basis. Then you can adopt that elderly person for the holiday.

Consider making Valentine's, taking candy, cookies, and spending some time with them that day. If you do take in food, make sure you check with the staff to make sure that is okay and that they don't have any dietary restrictions that need to be considered. This is a great way to teach your kids to focus on others. No doubt that person will enjoy the cheer that your children bring to them on Valentine's Day.

There are many kids who are suffering in a Children's Hospital that could use some cheering up on this holiday. Teach your children compassion this Valentine's Day by having them make and then take Valentine's to kids who are in a Children's Hospital. Just call ahead to make sure that this is allowed.

Get all the materials for your kids to make Valentine's. You'll need paper, pens, markers, crayons, and even embellishments if you really want to make them look pretty. Tell your kids to make them as cheerful as possible.

On Valentine's Day, go visit the Children's Hospital with your kids. Take the Valentine's and give them out to the kids that are in the hospital. It's a simple way that you and your kids can brighten the day of kids who are going through a lot. This allows you to teach your children the importance of giving to others.

These are all wonderful and unique ideas for the kids on Valentine's Day. They'll have a great time and they'll learn about helping others, which is so important. With these ideas, it's sure to be a great Valentine's Day for the whole family.