UPLIFTING DEVOTIONS

Has my life changed in any way?

If we ask anything according to HIS will, HE heareth us.  1 John 5: 14, 15

LORD, as I look back over the years, I wonder if I have grown at all in any area of my life, or am I still in the same rut I was a week, a month, a year ago or even longer?

From my FATHER’S heart:
MY child, you are either moving forward or backward in your life; you cannot remain neutral! 

Has your business life, family life, financial life, physical life or your spiritual life changed for the better or for the worse?  Is it something you want to change, because it is only you that can make the change! Others can steer you in the right direction, but they cannot make the changes for you.  If you continue to keep putting it off, you will stay in the same situation forever.

Now if you want to change, how do you plan on doing it?  You see, if you have no plans, then it is not going to happen!  When you build a house, you must have blueprints.  

Today, sit down and ask ME for MY help as you sit down with paper and pen and start to evaluate your life in those different areas that I mentioned.   Write down how you would like things to be different and then put down one or two things that you can start to work on in each area to make things better.  It doesn’t have to be big things, because everything starts with one small step.  If you need to block out times for each area on your daily calendar to accomplish those goals, then do it! 

MY child, start today to work on changing your life for the better!    

My prayer:  O LORD, may YOUR will be done as I begin today to change things in my life!

Written by Mary Bachert
February 29, 2012

Are you discouraged today?

Have not I commanded you, “Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be dismayed:  for the LORD your GOD is with you wherever you go.”    Joshua 1: 9

O FATHER, as many face obstacles in their lives, sometimes feelings of despair come over them and that includes me.

From my FATHER’S heart:
MY dearest one, that is why I have commanded you to be strong and of a good courage.  Being discouraged will deprive you of confidence and hope, and your spirit will continue its downward spiral.  I know there are troubles and trials in your life, but others are going through trials as well. 

Why not call them, send a card or letter, take over some baking or maybe just go and visit them. Encourage them in the LORD and build them up, so that they too will be encouraged during their trial.  Do you know what that will do for you?  It will build you up in your own spirit as well!   You will begin to understand that you are not the only one with problems, but that there are others with problems much worse than yours.
 
So MY child, you do not need to be afraid or dismayed over your circumstances because I the LORD am your GOD and I am with you wherever you go.  This should bring you confidence and hope in knowing that I am a powerful GOD, and am able to strengthen you in whatever you are facing today!

My prayer: O LORD, in the face of discouragement let me be strong and not afraid, for YOU are my Strength at all times.

Am I grateful for all that I have been blessed with?

In HIM we have redemption (deliverance and salvation) through HIS blood, the remission (forgiveness) of our offences (shortcomings and trespasses) in accordance with the riches and generosity of HIS gracious favour.  Ephesians 1: 7

O FATHER, thanks for loving me so much that YOU gave YOUR only SON, the LORD JESUS CHRIST to die for my sins.
 
From the FATHER’S heart: 
MY child, it thrills ME to hear you return and say thank YOU for what MY SON JESUS did for you on the cross.  So often believers take it for granted, and I hardly ever hear a word of thanks throughout the day.  Have they ever thought of where they might have been today, if JESUS had not intervened on their behalf?  I have been so generous to you with grace and mercy, and also in blessing you with not only material blessings but with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm. (Ephesians 1: 3)

Can you think of some of the blessings you are enjoying today financially, physically and spiritually? Maybe times are tough for you right now, but stop and think of what you really have—for many don’t have even that!  You have been delivered from your sins by the precious blood of JESUS!  You have hope that there is coming a day, when you will be at home with your blessed SAVIOUR!  You have peace within, knowing that all is well for eternity.  You have MY SON the LORD JESUS interceding on your behalf, and I am walking alongside of you guiding you in the right ways.  You have ME to turn to, when you need to be comforted and sustained in times of need, knowing that I am listening at all times. 

So today MY child, change your attitude to one of thankfulness!

My prayer:  Thanks LORD, for all that YOU have given me and may I be more thankful!

Written by Mary Bachert
February 23, 2012

Please guide me, O LORD!

He did not seek guidance from the LORD...therefore the LORD put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David.  1 Chronicles 10: 14

O FATHER, forgive me, for so often I don’t seek YOUR guidance; instead I do my own thing and go my own way. 

From the FATHER’S heart:
I know that MY child, but have you ever thought that if you would have asked for guidance from ME, you would have made a lot less mistakes in your lifetime. I could have guided you in the right way, but you didn’t ask ME!  You went on ahead in your own selfish ways, thinking your ways were best but they were not!   I want you to ask for MY guidance and help, no matter what you are facing today or what decisions need to be made.  If you do, it will save you from disaster.

So often, MY children don’t want to surrender their will to me, because they are afraid if they become submissive, they will lose their independence!  That is a lie from Satan!  I can promise you that it is your SAVIOUR and your MASTER who is guiding you, and HE only will give you the best of the best to help you become more like HIM!

In Matthew 11: 28-30, I have promised, “Come unto ME all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take MY yoke upon you, and learn from ME, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For MY yoke is easy, and MY burden is light.” Now you can see that I am not the hard taskmaster that you thought I was! You can trust ME to guide you!

My prayer:  “O LORD, guide me this day to do what is right in YOUR sight!"

What is controlling me today?

For the love of GOD controls and urges and impels us...and HE died for all, so that all those who live might live no longer to and for themselves, but to and for HIM Who died and was raised again for their sake.  2 Corinthians 5: 14-15

O GOD, does the love of CHRIST control me like it should?  Do I live for HIM or for self—sadly, I would have to say self.

From the FATHER’S heart:

Why do you think that is MY child? Is it because you place “things” as more precious and more valuable than HIM? 

If that is true, then you need to be honest and realize that you do not value HIM as you should.  This very ONE the LORD JESUS, died for you so that you would never spend eternity in Hell.  Do you realize what HE endured for you?  HE suffered the wrath and judgment of your sins on the cross, pain and loneliness that you cannot even begin to comprehend, and yet what appreciation does HE get back from you?  If it is very little, that is so sad, because in all reality it should break your heart and cause you to want to serve HIM more! 

MY child, don't live any longer to please self but rather live to please HIM, the very ONE who loved you and gave HIMSELF for you!  JESUS died and rose again and is in heaven today interceding on your behalf.  Think of HIS love for you and what HE did on the cross, and let this control your actions and your words.  Remember the day you trusted CHRIST as your SAVIOUR you became HIS; so never, never forget the cost of your redemption. 

My prayer:  LORD, O please help me to love HIM more!

Written by Mary Bachert
February 15, 2012