02092010 Thursday Internet Daily Devotions Time to put it into practice
Praying
Today I ministered with Carmel at the home for the physically impaired outside Paternoster, Carmel does worship and tells them stories from the Word of God it brings such joy to their hearts. I took the opportunity to minister the Word of God and He moved supernaturally, all the residents and staff came up for prayer and many received Christ for the first time and some made recommitments. We are praising the Lord loudly for this opportunity as we have found His favor in this ministry to this home.
All His love
Ian & Carmel
When I write a devotion to you, I am aware that it will be read by teenagers, grandparents, great-grandparents, couples, singles, and, well...you get the idea. From responses I know that it is read by people from many Countries. It even makes its way all the way round the world as far as Japan and other nations of the world. What inspires me about writing devotions to such a variety of unique people in unique places around the world is that the Good News of Jesus touches us all, no matter our differences.
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash"(Matthew 7:24-27).
Friend, can you grasp the wonderment of using the Internet to spread the message of hope found only in Jesus? It humbles me to think that as God moves me to write each devotion, several hours later God's message arrives all around the world. It is all about God. To be candid with you, there is no way I could do this without God. Yesterday was the most intense struggle I've ever had in writing a devotion. Not only did satan attempt to stop me from writing it, but even when I tried to post it into the server a severe wind storm knocked me off line twice. But, I continued praying and God made it happen.
It might seem like a light, trivia and mundane task to write a daily devotional thought and send it out. Yet, I find it gets the attention of the enemy, satan. Satan doesn't want you to read and grasp strength, help and hope from these devotional thoughts. Therefore, I am sure satan continues to block the effectiveness of the devotions even after you receive them. Perhaps you intend to read it more thoroughly later, but later comes and goes. Perhaps you do read them, yet, satan tries to get you not to apply the application, not to pray the prayer.
What has kept me committed to writing is prayer. Please pray for me, and I know I must continue to pray for you too, so that satan cannot diminish what God intends to do with each devotion that is read. AMEN?
Please do not misunderstand me. I am NOT saying that it is hard or a burden to write the devotions, not at all! It is a blessing. Yet, satan still seeks to "steal, kill and destroy" all Christian work. For you to read them is not a burden or hard, yet I am aware that satan will try everything to block the teaching and thus prevent the blessing. The blessing is not because of the writing or the writer. In fact, you see my typos and mistakes! You know that I am learning right along with you. The blessing is that the "Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart"(Hebrews 4:12). Because the Word is living and active, it penetrates into our soul and spirit and is used by the Holy Spirit to change us more into the image of Jesus.
But I must do my part, our webmaster must do his part, and you must do your part in accepting what God says to you and apply it and live it.
Therefore, since we are creatures of habit, we must make good habits. Please try and make the various aspects of the devotions special for you. Give the scripture memory verse a try. Write down the daily application and ask the Holy Spirit to help you put it into practice. Resist the devil when he tempts you to put off reading the devotions until later. Let's be sure to put it into practice as best we can. "My people come to you, as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. Indeed, to them you are nothing more than one who sings love songs with a beautiful voice and plays an instrument well, for they hear your words but do not put them into practice"(Ezekiel 33:31-32).
Pray for the writer and I'll pray for the reader!
Father thank you for the readers of these devotions, bless them in your Word in Jesus Name Amen
Seeking a deeper walk with Christ daily, Ian
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