Daily Devotions

Today’s Bible Verse But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 (KJV) Decide to Surrender This Scripture teaches us the key to living Free and Fearless.  It instructs us to wait on the Lord and to not be anxious.  Waiting is not a word people want to hear when we live in a society that promotes getting everything instantly.  However, when we wait, the benefit for us is a fresh and renewed strength.   Waiting on the Lord acknowledges our surrender to Him, and surrender means we are not going to take matters into our own hands.  In other words, I’m going to do it God’s way instead of my own way. When we rely on His strength, we can then fly and soar like an eagle, and that is a type and shadow of being free.  Running without weariness and walking without fainting means He gives us endurance, and we won’t have the fear of failing.  There is freedom in surrender.  Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not FEAR for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Malcolm Quartero) An Uncommon Life Recently God spoke to my heart to participate in the Honolulu Marathon.  In my own thoughts, I already knew that was something I could not do. 

Today’s Bible Verse A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children. Proverbs 13:22 (NKJV) Uncommon Parenting Living an uncommon life means being uncommon parents. We are to take care of our children. God has entrusted them to us, to take care of them, guide them, and teach them to walk on the right path.  The Word instructs us in Proverbs 22:6, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” It is wonderful and pleasing to see generations serving the Lord because they were raised by uncommon parents! Understand that an inheritance is not limited to money. It also ought to include godly character qualities like integrity, accountability, and truthfulness.  Financial inheritance alone is not the answer. There are so many young people under the sway of the spirit of this world. We need to impart wisdom and Christlikeness to them through our example and teachings. This reassures that the next generation will also manage God’s blessings, God’s way for God’s glory even after we have graduated to heaven. Some of you may be asking yourself, “What if I don’t have any children?” If you are a Life Group Leader, God has entrusted you with spiritual children. They too need to be brought up in the training and admonition of the Lord so that they can grow strong in their faith and fulfill their God-given purpose in Christ. (Pastor Patti Matanza, Word of Life Yokohama) An Uncommon

Today’s Bible Verse You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. John 15:16 (NIV) Discipleship Through Relationship The foundation of effective discipleship is relationships. And this is two-fold: our relationship with God and our relationships with others. As we grow in our intimacy with God, we will grow in our relationship with others. But we must be intentional and deliberate about this; we must have an open heart and a desire to be fruitful. The wise embrace instruction: “Give instruction to a wise man and he will be yet wiser; teach a righteous man (one upright and in right standing with God) and he will increase in learning” (Proverbs 9:9 AMPC). As we grow in our relationship with God, our wisdom and insight will grow, thus making it easier to relate to others. We will be able to share wisdom and insight to people God placed in our lives. God’s Word will give us patience, compassion, and understanding. We will be eager to take the time to listen to their stories and encourage them to walk closer to God. This is discipleship in a nutshell: investing our lives into other’s lives. Keep in mind, this is the byproduct of our relationship with God.     Before Jesus ascended into heaven, He gave His disciples the command to make disciples. He declared that all disciples

This Week’s Memory Verse God’s power is made perfect in weakness.  2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV) Weakness Transformed Into Strength Hey Kids! Did you know that all the powerful Bible heroes had a lot of weaknesses?  Yeah, like Peter, remember he was the one that denied he knew Jesus when the rooster yelled out, “Cock-a-doodle-doo do”?  He didn’t just lie one time, no he kept saying three times he did not know Jesus!!  Yikes!  He was easily influenced by his friends, even strangers, and things that happen to him and around him. He even had a hard time to believe Jesus! Even though Peter had all those weaknesses he did many mighty miracles and lead thousands of people to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  People brought sick people into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by to be healed.  HUH??? How did God use Peter so powerfully? After Jesus died on the cross and He rose from the dead, Jesus was ready to go up to Heaven to sit at the right hand of His Father, but he knew we needed help.  So, He gave us a free gift, the Holy Spirit.  FREE??? Yes, free and all we need to do is to accept this gift.  When we receive the Holy Spirit, the power and the strength that Jesus had will come upon us.  This power will transform our weaknesses to strengths.  And guess what?  The Holy Spirit will be with us all

Today’s Bible Verse Jesus answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” Matthew 22:37 (ERV) Nothing Else Jesus was asked what was the greatest commandment and verse 37 was His reply. Keep Him first in all things:  ALL your heart, then ALL your soul, ALL your mind. All means nothing left, inclusive not exclusive. ALL that is within your core, the very center beginning with your ALL of your heart. That is where your love flows and where only Jesus belongs. (Lisa Parker) An Uncommon Life It was early morning and I could hear the coos and playing of my two grandchildren.  I could sense the Holy Spirit prompting me to stay with Him a while longer in my devotional time. It seemed the coos and playing grew louder even though I was upstairs. My mind began to wonder and my attention to the Word was starting to fade to my desire to go be with my two grandchildren despite the fact that the Holy Spirit was prompting me to stay with Him. There was a battle for my heart. Who takes first place? Well, any good Christian and leader would say, Jesus; however, the fruit of our lives are telling, aren’t they?  I sat at my desk in my room and said, “Jesus, I love You more than anything. Yes, Jesus, more than my family. I choose You, Jesus, always, first.” His presence rushed in and blanketed over the room, the voices