UPLIFTING DEVOTIONS

My name is Mary Bachert, and my husband Dan and I are both born again Christians and have been married for over 39 years. We have 4 children all married to their Christian sweethearts, and they have blessed us with 13 grandchildren.

It has been my passion to write for many years, but felt intimidated after comparing myself with others, who were far more talented, so I did nothing about it.  However, in July 2010, the LORD kept prompting me to obey HIM, and so began this devotional blog. I want GOD to use me as a vessel to bring honour and glory to HIM through these devotional outreaches. If there is one thing that I don’t want to happen, it is to realize at the end of my life, that the talents and gifts GOD gave me, I hid under a bushel. 

So may the LORD bless you as you read them and if they are a blessing to you, then share them with others.  Then, why not invest in eternal treasures that will last forever, rather than the temporal ones which will pass away.  Remember, it is never too late to start!

Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:  but let him that glorieth, glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth ME, that I am the LORD which exercises lovingkindness, judgment and righteousness, in the earth:  for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.     Jeremiah 9: 23, 24

 

Be still and listen to GOD!

Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privately. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a dream, saying… Matthew 1: 19-21

O FATHER, I confess that so often I don’t meditate on things! Instead I just make my own decision and go ahead and do it!

From the FATHER’S heart:

Do you know MY dearest child that if you did think things over first, the outcome of many situations in your life would be a lot different? You take things into your own hands, never bringing it before ME in prayer. Joseph did not want to do the wrong thing with Mary, and so he decided to take his time and think things over. During that quiet time, the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a dream and gave him instructions on what to do.

When was the last time you sat quietly meditating on things and let GOD speak to you? Has it been so long that you cannot even remember the last time you allowed GOD to work in your life? If so, shame on you. You have a mighty Counsellor and Guide and One who can show you the way that is best for you. Are there situations in your life today that you don’t know what to do? Bring them before ME and listen to what I will tell you!

My prayer: O LORD help me to be still and to listen; YOU have the answers for what I need to do in every area of my life.

GOD'S promises never fail!

Blessed be the LORD…there hath not failed one word of all HIS good promise…1 Kings 8: 56

LORD, why do I doubt YOUR promises? Why can’t I put my trust in YOUR Word?

From my FATHER’S heart:

MY dearest child, look back over your life and see if I have ever given you reason to doubt ME?

Have I provided for your needs, both physically and spiritually? Yes. Have I been there for you when others have forsaken you? Yes. Have I answered your prayers according to MY plans? Yes. Tell ME then, why do you think there is no use asking ME for something? Is it because you think I can't or won’t answer your prayer? Is there anything too hard for ME to answer? Absolutely not!

If you are feeling helpless and hopeless over a situation and there doesn't seem like anything can be done about it, come to ME in prayer! Read that verse again and you will realize that I will not fail in any of MY promises to you! With GOD all things are possible!

My prayer: O FATHER, help my unbelief!

Thus was all the work of the tabernacle of the tent of the congregation finished: and the children of the Israel did according to all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so did they. Exodus 38: 32

O LORD, how awesome for the children of Israel to see the work completed that was started. In my life, so often things are started but never finished.

From my FATHER’S heart:

MY child, how can you ever feel any sense of accomplishment if you never finish anything. When things drag on and on, that is when people usually quit, because there is no sense of fulfillment. You
must finish what you start and if that is a problem for you, then only start one thing at a time. Don’t begin about ten different things because then you are just going in circles. When you pray, ask ME what you should start today and then tackle it till it is done. Make a list of all the things you have started and then start prioritizing them.

JESUS had one goal in mind and that was to come and do the will of HIM Who sent HIM and to finish that work, and you know that HE accomplished that work when HE died on the cross to save sinners. HIS life was one of peace and order!

Never forget, your goal is to be like HIM!

My prayer: FATHER, please help me to finish one thing at a time before starting another. YOU know I flit from thing to thing, never really accomplishing anything. Beginning today, may I know peace and order in every area of my life.

The LORD is "my" SHEPHERD

The LORD is “my” SHEPHERD; I shall not want.
HE maketh “me” to lie down in green pastures: HE leadeth “me” beside the still waters.
HE restoreth “my” soul: HE leadeth “me” in the paths of righteousness for HIS name’s sake.
Yea, though “I” walk through the valley of death, “I” will fear no evil: for THOU art with “me”; THY rod and THY staff they comfort “me.”
THOU preparest a table before “me” in the presence of “mine” enemies: THOU anointest “my” head with oil; “my” cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow “me” all the days of “my” life: and “I” will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Psalm 23: 1-6

From my FATHER’S heart:

As you read this MY child, did you stop and think of all that I have blessed you with not only here on earth but in heaven as well? May your heart be overwhelmed and overflowing daily with praise and gratitude for all that you have received from MY hand.

My prayer: O FATHER, I don’t deserve any of YOUR goodness but thanks from the bottom of my heart for YOUR grace and love and mercy, that allows me to come into YOUR presence today with thanksgiving!

How grateful am I?

The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses…Exodus 35: 29

O FATHER, how little I bring to YOU especially from a willing heart!

From the FATHER’S heart:

MY dearest child, that is so sad. How could you not want to give, when so much has been given for you and to you? May MY Words stir your very soul, “For GOD so loved the world (you), that HE gave HIS only begotten SON, that whosoever (you) believeth in HIM, should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16). “The SON of GOD loved you, and gave HIMSELF for you.” (Galatians 2: 20) “Unto HIM that loved you and washed you from your sins in HIS own blood!" (Revelation 1:5) “I give unto MY sheep eternal life: and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of MY hand.” (John 10: 27-30)

You are so privileged MY child to know CHRIST as your SAVIOUR! Your heart should be filled with gratitude when you think of all that I have blessed you with, and it should cause you to not only want to give back to ME, but also to whoever or wherever you see a need. Look for that opportunity in whatever you do today!

My prayer: O dear LORD, YOUR HOLY SPIRIT knew exactly what this heart needed today and so may I be more grateful and may it come from a willing heart, and not from a selfish heart that says, “Do I have to?”