Today's Daily Devotional

[Caruthers]

Bugsy..........you ARE the MAN

[Bugsy]

May 22

The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
2 Samuel 22:21-22

In this portion of a psalm also recorded in Psalm 18, David says, “The Lord has rewarded me because I have not violated His way.â€

[BadMuther]

[quote="Bugsy"]May 22

The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. For I have kept the ways of the LORD, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
2 Samuel 22:21-22

In this portion of a psalm also recorded in Psalm 18, David says, “The Lord has rewarded me because I have not violated His way.â€

[RTO]

I had never heard this before. It was send to me this week - and it is surely worth making the 5 finger prayer a part of our lives.

1. Your thumb is nearest you. So begin your prayers by praying for those closest to you. They are the easiest to remember. To pray for our loved ones is, as C. S. Lewis once said, a 'sweet duty.'


2. The next finger is the pointing finger. Pray for those who teach, instruct and heal. This includes teachers, doctors, and ministers. They need support and wisdom in pointing others in the right direction. Keep them in your prayers.


3. The next finger is the tallest finger. It reminds us of our leaders. Pray for the president, leaders in business and industry, and administrators. These people shape our nation and guide public opinion. They need God's guidance.


4. The fourth finger is our ring finger. Surprising to many is the fact that this is our weakest finger, as any piano teacher will testify. It should remind us to pray for those who are weak, in trouble or in pain. They need your prayers day and night. You cannot pray too much for them.


5. And lastly our little finger - the smallest finger of all which is where we should place ourselves in relation to God and others. As the Bible says, 'The least shall be the greatest among you.' Your pinkie should remind you to pray for yourself. By the time you have prayed for the other four groups, your own needs will be put into proper perspective and you will be able to pray for yourself more effectively.

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Surveys tell us that the vast majority of people believe in prayer and even pray regularly. But many people admit they are often frustrated with prayer. They feel as though their words are going unheard or simply bouncing off the ceiling. Regardless of what fears or frustrations you may have about prayer, you can learn to pray. We are in good company when we admit we need some pointers on prayer. Pray is the means by which our language becomes honest, true, and personal in response to God. It’s the means by which we get everything in our lives out in the open before God. Prayer is essential part on having a relationship with God. It is my hope and prayer that “The Five Finger Prayerâ€

[Bugsy]

June 21

Thus saith the LORD, Because the Syrians have said, The LORD is God of the hills, but he is not God of the valleys, therefore will I deliver all this great multitude into thine hand, and ye shall know that I am the LORD. And they pitched one over against the other seven days. And so it was, that in the seventh day the battle was joined: and the children of Israel slew of the Syrians an hundred thousand footmen in one day.
1 Kings 20:28-29

Even though this battle took place in the valley, the Israelites slew one hundred thousand Syrians in a single day. Why? Because the Syrians had said that the God of Israel was God only of the mountains. Satan said the same thing when he accused Job of only serving God because God had blessed him (Job 1:9-10).

And he says the same thing today. “Christians are happy as long as their spirits are high. Sure, they can sing and clap and enjoy the Lord as long as they’re on the mountaintop. But put them in the valley, and once things don’t go well at home or at work or with their finances, they’ll be defeated and discouraged just like anyone else.â€

[Bugsy]

June 22

My eyes are continually toward the LORD, For He will pluck my feet out of the net. Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted. The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses. Look upon my affliction and my trouble, And forgive all my sins. Psalm 25:15-18

As believers, we have a Father who loves us. He desires the best for us. We’re part of a large spiritual family with many brothers and sisters. But sometimes we still feel lonely. This can happen even when there’s no major crisis in our lives.

Our greatest loneliness comes from a separation from the Father. This is a spiritual problem. The source is sin. We experience a break in our close fellowship with the Lord when we disobey Him and go our own way.

The remedy is confession. Confession leads to restored intimacy with God. If we refuse to admit our sin, the separation grows worse.

Busyness and preoccupation with earthly affairs also cause this isolation. Sometimes we push aside time with God to fulfill our obligations. We might focus so heavily on daily living that we ignore Him. To overcome loneliness, spend time reconnecting with God through His Word. Take in the knowledge of His deep, abiding love. Meditate on His great promises.

Being in harmony with God renews our purpose and energy for life causing that sense of isolation to lessen. Hope replaces discouragement. Our focus turns from “selfâ€

[Bugsy]

June 23

And he said, Thus saith the LORD, Make this valley full of ditches.
2 Kings 3:16

In this dry and desert area, the word of the Lord was for the Israelites and Edomites to dig ditches. Only God could give the water, but it was up to them to trench the ground. This is such an important principle. You’ve got to dig the ditches in the dry times, in the hard times. You’ve got to daily dig the ditches and the Lord will fill them with water in His time. You might feel like your morning devotions are a rut, as dry as a desert. Dig the ditch anyway. And in the morning, in the Lord’s timing, He will fill it with water.

It is a principle of God that is irrevocable and absolute. God will fill the ditch - but you must dig it. If the Israelites had only scratched the ground, that’s all the water they would have received. The more you dig, the more you’ll get. Sometimes it’s just plain hard work - but whether it’s Bible study, ministry, or prayer - you’ve got to dig the ditch first. Then the Lord will fill it in due time. May God help us to be those who dig in and prepare for mighty miracles.

[Bugsy]

June 24

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian Regiment, 2 a devout man and one who feared God with all his household, who gave alms generously to the people, and prayed to God always. ACTS 10:1-2

God is the ultimate Giver. He sent His Son Jesus to die in our place. Jesus gave us the right to be called children of God. He provided us with the riches of eternal life at no cost. In return, He asks us to follow His example and be generous.

It all starts with biblical thinking. We’re to acknowledge God owns all of the world’s resources. Whatever we have is a gift from His hand. Remember His goodness and love, which prompted Him to sacrifice His Son. Accept that belonging to Him means releasing our grip on our finances and trusting Him to meet our needs.

The next step is to adopt God’s priorities as our own. We then must invest in His kingdom work. Old Testament law required a tithe, which is one tenth of all income, be given. Now, we’re under the new covenant of grace. Romans 12:1 states our entire life, which includes our time, talent, and treasure, is to be offered to the Lord. The tithe is just the minimum.

God established the church as a primary means for spreading His good news. The church is meant to help those hurt. The church is a way to worship Him as one body for the people. As His children, we’re to give faithfully to the local church.

The Lord promises great return on our investment in His work. Sometimes it comes in the form of financial prosperity. More often, it will be through greater intimacy with Him. The reward will be peace of mind, harmonious relationships with others, and satisfaction of spirit. These blessings have a greater value than anything our material world has to offer.

[Bugsy]

June 25

But as one was felling a beam, the axe head fell into the water: and he cried, and said, Alas, master, for it was borrowed. And the man of God said, Where fell it? And he shewed him the place.
2 Kings 6:5-6

As they were expanding their “dormâ€

[Bugsy]

June 26

And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master, how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
2 Kings 6:15-17

“Lord, open his eyes,â€

[Bugsy]

July 5, 2008

And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about Him spread through all the surrounding district. And He began teaching in their synagogues and was praised by all.

And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up; and as was His custom, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, and stood up to read.

And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND,TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED,TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." and He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him.

21And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."

Breaking Free From Sin
Luke 4:14-21

Whatever a man depends upon is his master. Unless he recognizes God as the authority in his life, he will operate on the basis of needs and personal desires.

For example, one person may be motivated by approval. Someone else is driven by a dependency on alcohol or cigarettes. Fulfilling a craving can quickly become a destructive habit. A person will likely come to despise this controlling “masterâ€

[RTO]

Good post Bugsy. Keep 'em coming.

[Bugsy]

July 6

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat? And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
2 Chronicles 9:29-31

Solomon was wise, wealthy, and successful - but, nonetheless, miserable. In Ecclesiastes, we see from Solomon’s own hand that, during this time of incredible prosperity, his life was full of misery. Solomon threw unbelievable parties, gained impressive education, had power, wealth, and influence that was unrivaled in the world. Yet he declared it all to be empty.

All of us think that happiness lies right around the corner - a little more money, and we’ll be happy; a little more education or job security, and we’ll be content. So too, poor Solomon. He was at the top of every conceivable arena. He had nowhere else to go, nothing else for which to strive or hope - and he was still wanting.

It is the wise person who learns from the wisest man who ever lived and sees the fallacy that can so easily penetrate our hearts in thinking that happiness lies right around the corner with the next job, raise, acquisition, spouse, or degree.

At the end of his days, Solomon turned to the Lord, realizing that He was what he was looking for all along . . .

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecclesiastes 12:13

[Bugsy]

July 7, 2008

Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.

For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.

Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed.

Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.

And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.

For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth.


The Desires of Your Heart Psalm 37

The Lord has given us many wonderful promises in His Word. But, sadly, one of them is frequently misunderstood. It’s not uncommon for someone to tell Dr. Stanley about a prayer request, and then add “God promised to give me the desires of my heart.â€

[Bugsy]

July 8, 2008

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him;he also hears their cry and saves them. The Lord preserves all who love him, but all the wicked he will destroy. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord,and let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever Psalm 145:18-21

Dealing With Wrong Desires

Some believers can have wrong desires. In fact if we work hard enough by pressing ahead of divine timing, manipulating our circumstances, and acting dishonestly, we may be able to make wishes reality. But anything gained apart from God will prove to be empty and disappointing.

Having desires is good. Goals drive us and set the direction for our life. But we want our objectives to match the ones God has for us. Longings contrary to His purposes have the power to corrupt the body, mind, or spirit. They can also cause some believers to fall into temptation.

How can we be sure our desires are right? A godly ambition is usually specific and fixed. It’ll stand up to evaluation through prayer and Bible study. In contrast, a wrong desire fails to meet these criteria. For instance, some people may have only a vague sense of what they want from life. Or their yearning changes easily as circumstances shift or time passes. Most dangerous is that goal which is pursued despite its incompatibility with a righteous lifestyle. In such cases, the believer has neglected to consider two vital questions:

Does God want this for me?
and Can I follow Christ and this objective at the same time?

Many of the things we desire aren’t specifically addressed in Scripture as “thou shaltâ€