Daily Bible Reading - Fri. & Sat.- July 23rd & 24th

Friday

Paul could speak about troubles and pain from his own experience. People had opposed him and punished him. Those people hated Paul because he spoke God’s message. Paul had suffered physical difficulties like cold and hunger as he travelled on land and sea. He also seems to speak about a physical problem that was a painful nuisance to him. But he was sure that he would suffer for only a short time. Glory would last always. Present pain is very slight when we compare it with the splendid life of heaven.  Even the pain we endure when we lose weight, the suffering we think we go through getting rid of the excess baggage is nothing compared to what Paul seemed to have to go through.  In the end, Heaven will be worth all the pain and suffering we have had to endure.  Reading about Paul sure makes me stop and think about my own life and what I thought I was having to go through, there’s really no comparison.

Today’s Reading

2 Chronicles 8:11-10:19
Romans 8:9-25
Psalm 18:16-36
Proverbs 19:26

Daily Devotional

"And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness…"
(Romans 8:26, NLT)

Do you ever get focused on what you consider to be a disadvantage or weakness in your life? Maybe there's something about yourself that you don't like physically. You may have even been through an unfair situation: a divorce, a bad business deal, or a bad break.

We all have things that can feel like disadvantages, things that make it harder on us. But just because you have a "disadvantage," just because you've been through a tough time doesn't mean you're supposed to sit back and settle where you are. No, God still has something great for you to do! He wants to show Himself strong in and through you. The Holy Spirit wants to help you during those times when you feel weak. If you will stay in faith and not get negative toward yourself or your future, then God can take what you think is a liability and turn it into an asset. What you think is a disadvantage God will turn around to be an advantage so you can move forward into the abundant life He has for you!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father in heaven, today I give You all that I am. I invite You into the weak places in my life so that You can turn them into strengths. Thank You for working in my life and filling me with faith and expectancy. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Saturday

Today’s Reading

2 Chronicles 11:1-13:22
Romans 8:26-39
Psalm 18:37-50
Proverbs 19:27-29

Daily Devotional

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us"
(2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV)

It's interesting that many of the miracles Jesus performed weren't planned or scheduled. Oftentimes, they happened when He was interrupted.

Walking down the street, a blind man hollered out, "Jesus! Have mercy! Come over and heal me!" Jesus didn't say, "Don't you know I'm the Son of God? I'm important. I've got a lot to do." No, Jesus stopped what He was doing, went out of His way, and healed the man. Jesus was willing to be inconvenienced to help other people in need.

We have to remember that as believers, we are the hands and feet of Jesus in the earth. We are His ambassadors. We may have a lot on our "to do" lists, but we have to be willing to make time for the people God has placed in our lives. That means not only your friends and family, but people you encounter on a daily basis. Today, keep your heart and mind open because God wants to do something in and through you when you choose to make time for Him.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, today I commit myself wholeheartedly to Your service. Thank You for choosing me and equipping me to be a blessing to the people around me. Use me for Your glory as I set my love and attention on You today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.