Daily Bible Reading August 16th

Boy was the Word this morning good, some kind of harsh but really good.  Sometimes God has to be straight and to the point with us in order to get His message across to us that can be hard headed and stubborn.  Corinthians this morning really spoke out loud to me.  Nothing in Scripture is written in vain; and it is our wisdom and duty to learn from it. Others have fallen, and so may we. The Christian's security against sin is not to trust himself, if that makes any sense. God has not promised to keep us from falling, if we do not look to ourselves. To this word of caution, a word of comfort is added. Others have the like burdens, and the like temptations: what they bear up under, and break through, we may also. God is wise as well as faithful, and will make our burdens according to our strength. He knows what we can bear. He will make a way to escape; he will deliver us from it.  God encourages us to flee from sin, and to be faithful to Him. We cannot fall by temptation, if we hold on tight to him. Whether the world smiles or frowns, it is an enemy; but believers shall be strengthened to overcome it, with all its terrors and enticements. The fear of the Lord, put into our hearts, will be the great means of safety.  Again in Psalms it says in Vs 19, “The righteous face many trials but the Lord is always there to rescue them".  That just backs up what was said in Corinthians, even though we might face trials and troubles, the Lord wont put on us what we can’t handle and He will always be there to rescue us, always.  What did you think of Vs. 16 of Proverbs this morning?  Common sense huh?  Boy did that hit me square between the eyes.  If we stray from common sense we will end up in the company of the dead, that’s one place I don’t care to be, common sense is so easy to follow if we think about it, that’s always my problem sometimes, acting on things before I think, if I will only think things through I’ll see that common sense is starring me right in the face.

Today’s Reading

Nehemiah 11:1-12:26
1 Corinthians 10:14-33
Psalm 34:11-22
Proverbs 21:14-16

Daily Devotional

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do"
(Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

Are you comfortable in your own skin? In other words, do you recognize yourself as the treasure God made you; or are you constantly looking for approval and comparing yourself to a neighbor, co-worker or friend? Do you try to out-dress them or out-perform them? Are you always looking for ways to one-up them?

Friend, it's time to let all of that go. Comparison is a distraction. Comparison is a thief. It steals your time, energy, focus and joy. You aren't here to impress anybody; you don't have to prove anything because you are God's special workmanship. He created you with a purpose for a purpose. You are empowered and equipped to do everything He's called you to do.

If you will choose to stay free from a spirit of competition and just run your own race, not only will you enjoy your life more, but you'll see your gifts and talents come out to the full. You'll see His blessing and favor in a greater way, and you'll move forward into the life of victory He has in store!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father, thank You for setting me free from competition. I choose to rest in You knowing that I am Your workmanship. Thank You for directing and ordering my steps. I bless and praise You today. In Jesus' Name. Amen.