Daily Bible Reading - Sunday March 15th

I got up late so I will make some comments after Church today, feel free to go ahead and post.  Thanks for your all’s faithfulness.

Today’s Reading

Numbers 22:21-23:30
Luke 1:57-80
Psalm 58:1-11
Proverbs 11:12-13

 

Daily Devotional

Isaiah 61:3, The Message
"Give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes."

Ashes represent what's left over when everything is burned up. These ashes represent your broken dreams, your disappointments, your hurts and your pains. For God to give you beauty from ashes, an exchange must occur. You can't hold on to your ashes and receive something beautiful. You have to lay aside the ashes and accept the bouquets of roses God has for you. Accept God's promise that you "can do all things through Christ" who strengthens you. Accept that God makes you the head and not the tail, to be lenders and not borrowers. He wants you to be the victor, not the victim! Make a decision to let go of the ashes of the past and grasp the "roses" God has for you.

 

Today's thought: God, help me to lay aside the things that are holding me back and accept the good things You have to give me. I praise You today for Your love to me.

Andrew,
Thanks for this beautiful devotional.  I have had a hard time this week as it was the year anniversary of my father's passing.  It hurts to miss him so much and to see my mom struggle to have a good day.  I know God has many more great things for us to experience.  I appreciated and needed your message.

Your so quite welcome.  It's really beautiful when we can make the decsion to give God our ashes and in return He gives us roses and it really does happen.  Its really hard to turn over our ashes to God for some reason, least it is for me sometimes, but I really do know that God will replace our sadness with joy.  What an awesome God we serve. 

Your in our prayers, keep on keeping on.

Andrew

I dearly dearly dearly love that "Precious Promise" of Beauty for Ashes...

It made me right away think of a song Crystal Lewis sings of that very name the tune has been going thru my mind all day long....

He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
When sorrow seems to surround you
When suffering hangs heavy o'er your head
Know that tomorrow brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said
He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
When what you've done keeps you from moving on
When fear wants to make itself at home in your heart
Know that forgiveness brings
Wholeness and healing
God knows your need
Just believe what He said
He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair
I once was lost but God has found me
Though I was bound I've been set free
I've been made righteous in His sight
A display of His splendor all can see
He gives beauty for ashes
Strength for fear
Gladness for mourning
Peace for despair

Crystal Lewis Beauty For Ashes lyrics

Oh how these words have ministered to me at different times in my life...

That was a good good devotional to day!

Bec

Wow Bec I havnt heard that song in ages, that fits with the devotional so well.  Thank YOU for sharing that.  I just love how we can go to God and he will turn our ashes into roses.  After reading the devotional a few times it makes me sit down and really meditate on all the ashes in my life and how all I have to do is lay them down at the foot of the cross and let His blood cover the ashes and watch them grow into roses.  I have to find that song, that spoke to me big time, again thank you.

Andy