Thursday, October 31st

In keeping with my commitment to continue our periodic study of modesty, today's devotion will finish the last two points on How to Choose Beautiful Adornment taken from Michelle Brock's book, What is Modesty?  Discovering the Truth.

 

7.)  Recognize that your testimony is important.  As Christians, we represent our Lord.  Is our appearance contradicting the One we represent?

In other words, are we causing others to be repulsed by the thought of having to dress like we do?

 

8.)  Dress appropriately for the tasks at hand.  how you dress when you are at home and not likely to see anyone else may not be a spiritual issue.  However, you may find that you are more productive if you take the time to get ready for your day, instead of staying in your pajamas all day long.

Everybody has those days occasionally, girls, that you don't want to do anything!  You know what I'm talking about...the no make-up, crazy-wild-hair day when all you do is relax and do nothing.  But, that needs to be the exception...not the rule. 

 

In closing, I'll use Mrs. Lois' quote:  Be loyal to the royal within you!

You are a princess...dress like one, act like one, live like one.

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 31
Romans 12

Wednesday, October 30th

In keeping with my commitment to continue our periodic study of modesty, the next couple of days' devotions will be taken from Michelle Brock's book, What is Modesty?  Discovering the Truth.

 

How Can I Choose Beautiful Adornment?  (Continued from yesterday)

 

4.)  Have a makeover done by someone who is knowledgeable in these matters (not just someone who wants to see you the latest colors and styles).  Take your mom with you.

 

5.)  Avoid looking sloppy.  The grunge look may be stylish, but it doesn't seem to fit commands in the Bible to be orderly.  I Corinthians 14:40 says, "Let all things be done decently and in order."  How should this verse affect what you wear?

 

6.)  Take the time to be well-groomed.  You may not spend an hour fixing your hair every day, but making sure it is clean and combed is important.

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 30
Romans 11

Tuesday, October 29th

In keeping with my commitment to continue our periodic study of modesty, the next few days' devotions will be taken from Michelle Brock's book, What is Modesty?  Discovering the Truth.

 

The question is posed, How can I Choose Beautiful Adornment?  In answering this question, we must first define adornment.  To adorn something means to add something to make the object more attractive.  So, a woman's adornment is whatever she adds to her natural beauty.  This would include make-up, clothing choices, hairstyles, and hygiene.  Knowing how to make the right choices is half the battle in choosing our adornment.  Today we'll cover Ms. Brock's first three answers to the question.

 

1.)  Consciously look for beauty in what you wear.  Yes, there will be differences in taste, but  it is wrong to look for ugly clothes (just because they are long or loose).  It is the desire to be pleasing to God that is significant here, not whether you have bad taste or not. 

 

2.)  Realize that beauty in what we wear is not forbidden.  It is not sinful to look for and wear beautiful clothing, because beauty is a reflection of God's character.

 

3.)  Take the time to find what colors and styles of clothing look good on you.  Practically speaking, not everybody looks good in the same color and in the same style.  You have to try things on and experiment to find what works best for you. 

 

The king's daughter is all glorious within

Psalm 45:13

 

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 29
Romans 10

Monday, October 28th

By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:31

 

Well, girls, today is the last devotion in our series of Hebrews 11, the Wall of Faith.  The lady whose faith the Lord records is none other than Rahab....the prostitute.  I love her testimony!  We don't know much about her upbringing or background, but we know that she risked her life and the lives of her family in order to help God's men. 

After the Lord led Moses and the Hebrew people out of Egypt, they wandered in the desert for 40 years.  The trip to the Promised Land shouldn't have taken 40 years, girls.  But, because the people murmured and complained, God promised that none of the ones old enough to be held accountable for their whining would enter into the land flowing with milk and honey.  Moses died, and a new leader took his place.  Joshua was strong and courageous.  Eager to claim what God had promised, Joshua sent spies into the land of Jericho to find out how difficult it would be to take over the land.  The two men were followed and sought a hiding place in a home located on the city wall.  It just happened to be the home of the city prostitute.  Rahab had heard all about the God of the Israelites and the many miracles that had been performed in Egypt.  She was eager to know the Hebrew God and willingly hid the two spies under the stalks of flax on her roof.  The king of Jericho got wind that the spies were seen going into Rahab's home and sent a message to her:  give up the men who are in your home.  She could have done that without a second thought.  She didn't know these men.  What logical reason could she have for putting her life on the line for people she didn't know?  Just one.  She believed what she'd been told about the God of the Hebrew people, and in protecting these men she hoped to gain favor with their God.  Before helping the spies escape, Rahab asked that she and her family be spared when they came back to take over the city.  The spies agreed to protect her, and as a token of their agreement, Rahab bound a scarlet thread in the window of her home.  True to their word, when Jericho was overtaken by the Hebrew people, Rahab and her family were saved from destruction. 

Rahab is also named in the lineage of Christ (Matthew 1:5).  Undeterred by her past, Rahab acted in faith by helping God's men.   When her city was destroyed, God protected her and gave her a home with the Hebrew people.  She eventually married and had a son they named Boaz. 

Quite a legacy from a young woman whose past was what most would call trashy.  Rahab didn't live in her past though; once she met the God Jehovah, her life reflected the great change that had taken place in her heart. 

Does your life reflect that same kind of change?

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 28
Romans 9

Sunday, October 27th

By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.  

Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.  By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. Hebrews 11:27-29

In today's devotion, we will continue studying Moses, whose faith is mentioned in our series the Wall of Faith Chapter, Hebrews 11.  Yesterday we learned how Moses fled Egypt after slaying an Egyptian in defense of one of his Hebrew people.  Though living in the land of Midian,  Moses never forgot Egypt.  He had taken a wife and begun a family after escaping the sure anger of the Pharoah, but certainly he thought of the Hebrews still enslaved in the bondage of Egypt's most powerful.   He remembered their hardship; perhaps he thought of his mother and tried to remember her face.  But, whatever fond memories he had were no match for the fear that gripped his heart when the Lord spoke to him from the burning bush.  Moses, I've heard the cry of my people, and I'm sending you back to lead them to a land flowing with milk and honey.  You are the one that will deliver them, the Lord said.  Moses reply was quick, Not me, Lord!  He listed reasons why he could not do as the Lord was asking:

1.)  I'm not important enough, Lord (Exodus 3:11)

           The Lord replied, You're representing Me.  You don't have to be important.  I'll be with you.

 

2.) I don't know who to tell them has sent me (Exodus 3:13)
             The Lord replied, Tell them that I AM has sent you.  They'll understand.   

3.) They will not believe You told me to come (Exodus 4:1)
             The Lord replied, I will allow you to work miracles so that My power is evident.

4.) I don't speak well, Lord (Exodus 4:10)

              The Lord replied, And who made your mouth, Moses?  But, because you're scared, I'll send Aaron your brother with you and he can do the talking.

 

Finally, Moses understood he needed to obey the Lord.  He went back to Egypt, showing no fear of the Pharoah.  By faith, when the Hebrews kept the Passover feast, Moses led by example and also made sure to do it just as the Lord commanded.  And, lastly, today's verse said that Moses walked across the Red Sea on dry ground by faith. 

 

Moses didn't instinctively have mountain-moving faith.  In Genesis 3, we see a picture of a man who was just an ordinary guy.  He had doubts and fears, just like we do; yet, he learned a great lesson relatively quickly:  it is better to obey God than to throw out excuses. 

 

For Moses' to get to the point in his spiritual life that he was parting the waters with his staff, he had to first get to the point he was willing to obey.  Are you using one of Moses' 4 excuses today?

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 27
Romans 8

Saturday, October 26th

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;

Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.  Hebrews 11:24-26

 

 

Thank you, Mrs. Lois, for yesterday's devotion.  We would all do well to recognize that our enemy is real and is waiting to devour our testimonies, our families, over very lives.  Very good lesson, Mrs. Lois!

 

Back to our series, the Wall of Faith Chapter, Hebrews 11.  We talked about Moses' extraordinary beginning with his parents, Amram and Jochebed.  To avoid the soldiers' swords, they hid baby Moses for 3 months.  When he could no longer be hidden, Jochebed made her infant son a tiny little boat and instructed her daughter to put him into the Nile River.  God guided the little boat straight into the hands of the Pharoah's daughter, who was bathing herself in the river.  By the providential hand of God, Jochebed was called to nurse her own child and, get this, receive a paycheck for it!  Those first years with baby Moses were precious to Jochebed, and no doubt, every spare moment spent planting spiritual seeds.  Jochebed knew her time to teach him about the Hebrew God was short, and imparting unto him the training he needed became her life.  Finally the day came that little Moses was weaned from the breast and was ready to present to Pharoah's daughter.  How Jochebed's heart must have shattered!  But, having done her best to point him toward knowing the living God, Jochebed left him to his new home in the palace. 

 

Years passed and Moses became a man.  One day he ventured out to the Hebrew side of town.  I don't believe Moses was a stranger there.  On this particular instance though, something bad happened.  Moses witnessed an Egyptian man beating a Hebrew man.  Moses looked around and thought no one would see.  He killed the Egyptian man and buried him in the sand.  Make no mistake about it:  Moses knew exactly who he was and was defending his own people.  Someone did see what happened though, and Moses knew it was only a matter of time before Pharoah learned of it.  He fled Egypt and went into the land of Midian. 

 

In our text verse for today, Moses made the decision that he'd rather suffer with God's people than to live in his palace pretending to be someone he knew he wasn't.  Moses answered God's call to deliver the Hebrew people out of bondage.  He could have easily lived a life of ease and never given his heritage a second thought. 

What amazes me the most is the teaching that Moses' mother must have instilled in him during those few years she nursed him.  She planted enough Truth in him that he never forgot it---even when he became a man of position in Egypt. 

Moses made a conscious decision that, though it cost him everything, he would serve God with his whole being.  For you and me, the cost is small...yet we don't sell out completely.  Why not?

 

 

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 26
Romans 7

Friday, October 25th---Guest Writer, Mrs. Lois ormsby

“As with a sword in my bones, mine enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is thy God?” ~Psalm 42:10

A couple of months ago I was reading this chapter and was thinking, “Do I really even have enemies?” I mean, think about it, girls – we don’t have enemies like some people do – we don’t have people out to kill us, we don’t get persecuted for following Jesus Christ, and even though there are some people we’d rather not be around, calling such people our enemies would be a strong use of the term.

Then, all at once, it hit me; the Holy Spirit revealed to me that I indeed have real, personal enemies, and it scared me. It truly made me stop and think. The first 3 personal enemies the Spirit showed me that I have are:

       1.  Fear in present circumstances

       2.  Worry over past mistakes

        3.  Doubt of God coming through

Aren’t those horrible?! Yet, it’s true, those are enemies that I have to fight. Wouldn’t you agree that these things are enemies of my faith in God, my walk with Him, and my contentment in His plan?

I thank the Lord that He showed me what my enemies are – and I pray that I would be proactive against any other enemies I might find I have in difficult days ahead.

Now, ladies – what are your enemies? Read through Psalm 42, meditate on it some, and then comment and list your enemies – make yourself accountable!

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 25
Romans 6

Thursday, October 24th

By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment. Hebrews 11:23

 

At first glance at today's Scripture reference, it probably looks like we're going to talk about Moses in our series on the Wall of Faith, Hebrews chapter 11.  Nope.  Look again.

 

Today we'll be talking about two people whose names aren't even mentioned in this verse.  All that's mentioned are two words:  his parents.  Moses' parents were named Amram and Jochebed, and no doubt they were a God-honoring couple.  From the tribe of Levi and diligently trained in the worship of the Lord, Amram and Jochebed nurtured and cherished their children.  Little baby Moses was definitely no different.  He was born during a time in Egypt's history that all newborn Hebrew babies were either killed by the soldier's sword or thrown into the Nile River for the crocodiles to devour.  It wasn't that Jochebed and Amram especially wanted the risk of having their newborn baby torn from their arms.  To be pregnant during this time must have been very emotional---scared to death that a baby boy would be born!  Amram and Jochebed apparently gave no consideration to the Pharoah's commandment when their beautiful little boy was born.  Accepting the possibility that if found out,  the new baby could be killed and their own lives taken as well, Moses' parents chose life.  They obviously feared God more than they feared the government or King Pharoah.  They knew what was right before God, and they acted upon their faith.  They hid their newborn for 3 months, praying everyday that the Lord would protect and care for their family and their newborn son. 

By faith Amram and Jochebed trusted the Lord, and just as He will do for you and me, God took care of them.  Their safety was in being obedient to the clear teachings of Almighty God.  Girls, our safety still lies in the very same thing---obedience to our protective, watchful Heavenly Father.

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 24
Romans 5

Wednesday, October 23rd

By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones. Hebrews 11:22

 



 Joseph has always been one of my favorite Bible heroes.  He was humble, selfless, and demonstrated a very powerful walk with the Lord.  He didn't just talk about his relationship with God; he lived it.  It's no wonder why Joseph's testimony earned him a position in our Wall of Faith chapter, Hebrews 11.

 

Most of us know the story of Joseph.  Although he was the eleventh son of Jacob, he was the firstborn child with his beloved wife, Rachel.  Joseph was his father's favorite, of this there can be no doubt.  However, Joseph behaved himself wisely and was always a blessing to his family.  He had been taught the ways of God, and unlike his brothers, Joseph had a personal relationship himself with the Lord.  Even so, Joseph was often abused by his brothers, humiliated, and finally, sold into slavery.  I can't imagine how Joseph's heart must have been ripped out as he was bound by a band of Ishmeelites and sold as a slave---by his own family!  Even in Egypt, Joseph was blessed by God.   When Potiphar's wife wanted to have an adulterous relationship with Joseph, he refused and left her standing with his coat.  When he was cast into prison, Joseph served God anyway.  When he was forgotten by those who promised they'd talk to Pharoah about his case, Joseph continued faithfully---blessing those in prison with him and being obedient as a prisoner.  Finally, after Joseph was released from prison and made 2nd in command of all of Egypt, he didn't allow success to influence him.  He STILL walked with God.  His God-led wisdom was the reason that the Hebrew people were saved from certain death during the famine in Egypt.  From the mire in the dungeon to the throne in the palace, Joseph humbly and obediently served God.  In the bad times, he clung to the Lord's protection and guidance; during the good times, he praised God and allowed himself to be used without being lifted up in pride. 

 

Joseph was a man of great faith.  During his death, he explained that God would deliver his people out of the bondage of Egypt.  Now, what's significant about this is that at the time Joseph spoke about being brought forth out of Egypt, the children of Israel (Jacob) were not even in bondage!  The forced slavery didn't come about until after a new Pharoah took the throne who did not know Joseph.  When Joseph's life came to an end, Joseph reminded those at his bedside that even though they would be in bondage in Egypt, there would come a day when the bondage would end.  Even in death, Joseph chose not to dwell on the bad (the coming enslavement) but focused on the good (there would come a deliverer).

 

Joseph---absolutely one of my favorites.  Never let anybody tell you that young people can't make a difference.  Joseph did.

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 23
Romans 4

Tuesday, October 22nd

By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.

Hebrews 11: 21

 

In our series, the Wall of Faith Chapter, our devotion today will cover Jacob.  We know Jacob as the poor guy who got duped into marrying the sister of the girl he thought he was marrying.  Jacob loved Rachel with a passionate, relentless love and originally agreed to work 7 years to have her hand in marriage (Genesis 29:18).  What he got on his wedding night, however, was Rachel's sister, Leah.  "Awww, how unfair is that!"  you might be thinking.  And, you'd be right; he was tricked and manipulated.  What's more, he had to work another 7 years to have Rachel.  Not only was he deceived in this way, he was taken advantage of often by Laban, his father-in-law.  It seems that Jacob just couldn't win!  Now, press the rewind button.

 

Jacob was not an honest young man while he was in his parents home.  Isaac and Rebekkah loved their twin boys, Jacob and Esau.  But, they made a fundamental mistake in their upbringing: Isaac loved Esau and Rebekkah preferred Jacob.  Because their parents played favorites, Jacob and Esau were likely always in competition, creating an atmosphere of contention between them.  When it was time to give the birthright blessing (remember we talked about this in yesterday's devotion?), Rebekkah helped Jacob trick Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing...instead of the oldest son Esau.  So, the meaning of the name Jacob--trickster or deceiver---fit him well.  It wasn't until he was out on his own and in-love with Rachel that Jacob realized the full extent of how his sin would come full-circle back to himself.  Did Jacob ever repent of his deception and get right with God and his father?  The answer is absolutely he did!  The Scripture also records that Jacob's name was changed by God to "Israel".  He became the father of the twelve tribes now known as the country of Israel. 

 

In blessing the two sons of Joseph, Jacob acknowledges that God is sovereign.  What a totally different man than in his younger days.  The question is: what did Jacob, the deceiver, have to go through in order to get to the point that he could, by faith, bless the two sons of Joseph in worship to the Lord God?  What are we going to have to go through to get our lives to the place of faith?

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 22
Romans 3

Monday, October 21st

By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. Hebrews 11: 20

 

Isaac is our next person on our Wall of Faith in Hebrews, chapter 11.  We know from our previous devotions that Isaac was the beloved son of Abraham and Sarah; the son they had begged God for years to give them.  In this chapter of Hebrews, only one verse is devoted to Isaac, so whatever else we know of Isaac will come from other verses in the Scriptures. 

 

I believe Isaac was a Godly young man, likely very obedient and honorable to his parents.  What's more, he had a walk with the Lord of his own---meaning, he didn't ride on his daddy's spiritual coat strings.  How do I know that?  Genesis 25:21 says,

 



 

And Isaac intreated the LORD for his wife, because she was barren: and the LORD was intreated of him, and Rebekah his wife conceived.

You see, Rebekkah, his own wife, faced the same situation his mother did---she was unable to have babies.  Isaac was close enough with the Lord that he was able to pray and have his prayer answered.  Again in Genesis 26:12, the Scripture tells us that God blessed Isaac.  So, was he a perfect man?  No, but he did know the Lord.  Today's verse tells us that he blessed his two sons, Jacob and Esau, concerning things to come---things that had not happened yet but had been promised.  You see, the custom was that the eldest son would receive the birthright or the blessing.  In this case, Esau was the elder.  However, before the twins were born, God had already revealed His plan. 

And the LORD said unto her, Two nations are in thy womb, and two manner of people shall be separated from thy bowels; and the one people shall be stronger than the other people; and the elder shall serve the younger. Genesis 25.23.

Even though Isaac made a profoundly devastating choice in playing favorites with his sons (he liked Esau best, while Rebekkah preferred Jacob), Isaac knew that what God had decided was permanent.  He prophesied exactly as the Lord had already spoken---Esau would indeed serve Jacob and so would follow their lineage of generations. 

Even though it wasn't what Isaac would have wanted had he been able to choose, he followed the Lord's direction in giving Jacob the blessing.  When the Lord chooses a different plan for our lives than we would choose, do we still love him enough to obey?



Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 21
Romans 2

Sunday, October 20th

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure.

Hebrews 11: 17-19

 

After waiting nearly 25 years for God's promise to come to fruition, Abraham and Sarah finally had their boy---their prayed-for, beloved son.  I can't imagine just how precious this little boy must have been to his parents.  He was their EVERYTHING.  As a mother, I remember how special each baby was to me and how proud I've been of each and every milestone they've reached.  Even though I've had eight children, their special moments were special to me, too.  Imagine how Sarah must have felt when Isaac spoke his first word...took his first step...prayed for the first time.  This little boy was their pride and joy, and the reminder that their God had been faithful.  With a heart overflowing with joy for this child, surely Abraham's heart clenched at the Lord's Voice one day. 

...Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.

 
 

  Can you envision the anguished Abraham as he considers what the Lord has just said?  Take my son...the son I've waited 25 years for, Lord??  Offer him as a sacrifice??  If Abraham doubted God, we are not told that in Scripture.  What we know is that Abraham obeyed.   When Abraham's emotional state subsided, his faith took over.  He knew that God had promised a multitude of generations from Isaac, so if offering him as a sacrifice was God's plan, it must also be God's plan to raise him from the dead.  So, he rose in obedience and went to the mountain that God would show him.  As the two walked up Mt. Moriah, surely Abraham's heart shattered with each step.  He would be required to give up the one thing that was more precious to him than the very breath within his body.  Yet, that sacrifice never happened.  It was never going to happen.  The offering of Isaac as a sacrifice was never God's plan, but to test Abraham's obedience was.  And, here's the thing:  God already knew that Abraham loved Him supremely, but did Abraham know that of his own self?  Did Abraham need the reminder for his own peace of mind that when asked to choose between faith and family, he would choose to love his God with his whole mind, body, strength, and spirit?  We can rest assured that whatever lesson Abraham needed to learn in this test was learned. 

When faced with the same decision---faith or family---would you or I have the courage to choose the Lord?

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 20
Romans 1

Saturday, October 19th

Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.

Hebrews 11:11

 

Today is the first day in our series on the Wall of Faith chapter, Hebrews 11, that a woman has been named as one of the Lord's most faithful servants.  Sarah was the wife of Abraham, and we covered him a little yesterday.  Sarah is known for doing what we would call the unthinkable---that is, she suggested to her husband that he and her maid, Haggar, have an intimate relationship in order to produce a child.  Sarah was not able to have children as yet and was called barren.  It is inconceivable to me to consider any woman actively promoting her husband being with another woman; however, we live in neither a time nor a culture that shames and demotes women who are unable to have children.  I know absolutely nothing of the embarrassment or disgrace of being childless in a society that hinges all of a woman's self-worth  on her ability to deliver children.  Sarah knew the heartbreak of being laughed at, ridiculed, and talked about.  Surely this cultural pressure, along with her own burning desire for a son, drove Sarah in her plan to use Haggar as a surrogate.  We can easily pass judgment upon Sarah, but we certainly don't know what we would have done in her place.  She knew that God had promised her a son, and perhaps she reasoned within herself that because she was so old (she was around 65 years old when God promised Abraham a son), God needed her help in working out His promise.  How often do we do the very same thing?  We try to help God along when He is not working as fast as we think He should be or in the manner we think is acceptable.  We become just like Sarah, don't we?  Instead of waiting for the Lord, we grow impatient and act on our own instincts.  Human reasoning will ALWAYS get us in trouble.  God does not operate on what our minds can comprehend, and His ways will not always make sense to us. 

 

Though Sarah was weak in the flesh, we know that Sarah was a faithful believer who followed the Lord.  Whatever her downfalls, she was counted worthy by the Lord to have a place in Hebrews 11.  She was faithful to her husband and her God, following wherever the Lord led.  Can we say the same thing for ourselves?



Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 19
Acts 28

Friday, October 18th

By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:

  For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

Hebrews 11:7-10

 

Today we continue in our Wall of Faith chapter, Hebrews 11, with the patriarch Abraham.  I realize that our devotions have gotten longer, and today will be no exception.  I believe this series will encourage all of us as we learn more about some of our foundational Bible heroes, but sometimes giving background information might be a little bit longer read.  Stay with me, girls:-)

Abraham was originally called Abram, meaning exalted father.  However, the Lord changed his name to Abraham, meaning father of a multitude, as a symbol of the covenant He made with Abraham to give him many descendants.  Abraham is also called a friend of God in James 2:23.  His humble faith drove him to a life of dependence upon the Lord, and his testimony was such that he is given a place in our Hebrews 11 chapter.  He lived amongst pagan, heathen people, so when the Lord told Abraham to leave his family, his friends, his home, I'm not sure how much hesitation there was.  Surely there was some though because no matter how lost family members are, we still love them and find it difficult to separate ourselves from them.  Yet, there is no indication he questioned God's sovereignty or God's motives.   

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:
And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.
So Abram departed, as the LORD had spoken unto him; Genesis 12:1-4
Abraham is the father of the Jewish race, and his walk with Jehovah God began with simple obedience.  Though he was not a perfect man and had faults and struggles, Abraham had a testimony that he loved God with all of his heart.  As a result, God has blessed the line of Abraham down through the years and continues to call them the apple of his eye (Zechariah 2:8).

There is absolutely no way we can cover all of Abraham's life in one daily devotion!  But, to be called the friend of God...what an awesome example for us to follow!

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 18
Acts 27

Thursday, October 17th

By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. Hebrews 11:7

We've all heard the sweet Sunday school song of the Lord telling Noah to build him an arky, arky...If you haven't heard it, let me know.  I'll have Mrs. Lois sing it for us;-)  Noah is a widely-known spiritual giant with most people having a general understanding of his testimony.  However, you may never have heard some of the details of Genesis' intriguing account of Noah's walk with God.

Noah was absolutely a man of great faith.  He lived during a time when sin had so exploded and was so widespread that the Lord had to destroy everything He had made. 

And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. Genesis 6:6.

 

Because Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Gen. 6:8), Noah was told of God's plan to destroy the whole world with a torrential flood.  He was told to prepare for the day that God would judge mankind by preaching the way to be saved (II Peter 2:5).  It must also be mentioned that at this time, rain had never before fallen from the sky, so a comprehension of the word "flood" was minimal.  I'm not sure even Noah understood how completely devastating God's judgment would be; yet, he obeyed.  He built everything exactly as God instructed.  For more than a hundred years, Noah built the ark.  I'm certain he faced ridicule and hardship---yet, he worked on, fully persuaded that what God promised to do was going to happen.  Finally the day came that the Lord told Noah to board the ark.  Noah and his wife, their three sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, and their sons' wives walked onto the boat and waited.  And waited.  They must have wondered if they'd lost their minds when after 6 days of being on the ark, there was still no rain.  Yet, the ark was sealed, girls.  The door was sealed by God's own hand.  There they were, safe and sound in the ark.  But, no rain.  Then on the 7th day after their entry into the ark, the distinct sound of raindrops could be heard.  Perhaps at first it was a sprinkle; perhaps not.  Maybe all of a sudden the bottom just fell out and rain poured from the sky while also spewing up from the ground.  It was the worst of storms, you can be certain.  And, all the while, Noah and his family were safe and sound---inside the ark.  The ark is a picture of safety, girls.  Noah, his wife, their 3 sons and their wives all found a haven inside the ark and were spared the judgment that fell to all the world.  In the exact way, those who are in Christ have found a haven.  One who has placed his trust in Jesus for salvation need not fear the wrath of God's judgment.  Just as the Lord kept safe those who had placed their trust in Him during Noah's day, you can be sure He will protect and provide for His children now.

 

Noah, a preacher of righteousness, found grace in the eyes of the Lord.  When all the world around him laughed and lived riotously, Noah and his family obeyed God, openly showed the way for salvation to any who would listen, and built.  All the world around us in our generation are living foolishly, wickedly, and in direct disobedience to God.  When God's judgment falls this time, will you be found openly sharing the path of salvation to any willing to listen, building solid homes and churches, and safe in the ark of Jesus?

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 17
Acts 26

Wednesday, October 16th

But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.  Hebrews 11:6

 

 

In today's devotion, we continue in our series taken from Hebrews, chapter 11.  This chapter has been coined the Wall of Faith chapter as it lists many people who made giant strides in their service to the Lord.  However, in the verse for today, no person is named.  What is plainly outlined though is the definition for the foundation of faith.    There has to be a beginning in your walk with the Lord.  In other words, you don't have a relationship with God just because your parents do or your church does.  You have to have your own starting point in your faith.  But, before you can have a starting point, a beginning relationship with God, you must believe two things:  that God exists and that He will ultimately bless your desire to seek Him.  It would do absolutely no good for someone to pray that God would save them from their sins if, in reality, they do not believe there even is a God.  It would be pointless; empty words with no meaning.  In much the same way, even people with a foundational belief that God exists must be persuaded that God does answer prayer.  In other words, if I am praying for something that I don't believe for a minute God has the power to grant, my prayer is NOT going to be answered.  Why?  Though our faith may be small and, at times, frail, we must believe that the Lord is all-powerful, all-wise, and all-knowing, and that He has the ultimate authority to answer our prayer as He sees fit. 

 

So before a person can begin a walk with the Lord, there has to be a beginning.  When was your beginning?  The Bible calls this being born again (John 3), and to have a relationship with the Lord, this is ground zero.  Secondly, for prayer to be effective, a person must believe in the power of the One to Whom he/she is praying.  Do you sincerely believe that God has the ability to grant your requests should that be His will?

 

Stay faithful, girls. 

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 16
Acts 25

Tuesday, October 15th

By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.

Hebrews 11:5

 



Some of you may have never heard of Enoch; his is not a name that most are readily familiar with like David, Paul, or Noah.  However, the Lord thought Enoch was a pretty special man because He included him in our Wall of Faith chapter, Hebrews 11.  Today's devotion is 2nd in our series on this chapter in the Bible.

What was so special about this little-known man that his name would appear on the Wall of Faith?  Enoch was born the 7th generation from Adam (Jude 1:14), and obviously worshiped God with his whole heart.  What sets him apart from others of his day is that he tried his best to serve and obey the Lord.  Enoch lived before the Flood, and we know that by the time of the Flood, mankind had become so wicked that God had to destroy all of His creation.  However, concerning Enoch, Genesis 5:24 says, And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Only twice in the Bible do we read of anyone going to be with God BEFORE dying; the first was Enoch and the second was Elijah.  Although there's not a lot written in Scripture about Enoch, what is written speaks volumes.  He was a man of powerful faith, and what's more, his faith wasn't just lived.  He spoke it.  He stood out from the crowd because he was vocal in his message.   

And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, Jude 1:14

 

Enoch pleased God and walked with the Lord.  Though we know little of Enoch, what we do know of his testimony we should follow.

 
Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 15
Acts 24

Monday, October 14th

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews 11:4

Who has ever heard of Hebrews, chapter 11, referred to as the Hall of Faith chapter of the Bible?  In this chapter the Lord records the names of quite a few of His followers who walked in His ways and did right.  They were common, everyday people, as we will study over the next couple of weeks, who had a passion for the Lord. 

 

You've probably read many times the tragedy of Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve.  Both boys were trained in the worship of God in the very same way.  They both knew the way to have their sins covered---it had to come through a blood sacrifice of an innocent animal.  The Scripture tells us in Hebrews 9:22,

 

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

 

There was a purpose in this, girls.  You see, the sacrifice pointed to the final sacrifice that would someday come to take away the sins of the world.  The sacrifice of the animal was an act of obedience that proved the one offering the sacrifice believed upon that final Sacrifice.   That final sacrifice, dear girls, was offered upon Calvary---our precious Savior, Jesus Christ.

Back to Cain and Abel.  Even though both boys had been taught the way to the Lord, only one came the right way.  Cain came bearing a sacrifice of the beautiful crops he'd planted.  We've all seen pretty fruit baskets and thought how delicious they looked.  Abel, on the other hand, came with a dead, bloody animal---certainly an ugly offering, wouldn't you think?  Yet, the Bible records that God respected Abel's offering and rejected Cain's.  Cain was furious, and even though God offered Cain the same forgiveness, it was under God's conditions.  Instead of coming God's way, Cain refused the Lord's directions.  He decided that it was his own way or no way.  God could either accept his sacrifice Cain's way or not; Cain didn't care.  With his rage and jealousy out of control, Cain rose up against his own flesh-and-blood brother and killed him. 

I wonder if Abel realized just how important his obedience to the Lord really was?  Indeed it was important; God records his faithful obedience in the Hall of Faith chapter---Hebrews 11. 



Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 14
Acts 23

Sunday, October 13th

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19

 

Today is the last devotion in our series, The Seven Things God Hates the Most.  Read over that last thing, girls.  The Scripture tells us that God detests above all else someone that sows discord among brethren.  First of all, the word sow means to plant seeds.  The word discord means lack of agreement or harmony.  Someone who sows discord is one who provokes drama---that's about as simply as I can say it.  In church, at home, during school, at youth group outings...there's just always something wrong.  Planting seeds of discord grows plants of discontentment---not only for the one making all the drama but for everyone else as well.  Well, Mrs. Kim, what do you mean about making drama?  Just this: if somehow you find yourself involved every time there's an argument or a problem within a group, you need to genuinely examine your heart.  You may very well be the source of the discord.  There  are things that  are better left unsaid, girls.  There are tones in our voices that are hurtful.  I am a girl!  I understand the catty way ladies can behave sometimes.  Our hearts' desire ought to be to draw our church, our youth group, our friendships closer together.  Because of jealousy issues, pride, and sometimes something as silly as boredom, we sometimes neglect to bind ourselves with one another.  Don't plant seeds of disagreement, sweet girls.  Encourage, lift-up, and promote one another.  It will build character now and a strong testimony later.


Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 13
Acts 22

Saturday, October 12th

These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 6:16-19

 

Thank you, Mrs. Lois, for your help with yesterday's devotion.  We appreciate the extra work you do to help with this ministry!  You are a blessing to us all.

 

Today's devotion brings us back to our series The Seven Things God Hates the Most.  Today, a false witness that speaketh lies is the #6 thing the Lord speaks against.  We've already covered a lying tongue (#2 on the list), but this takes it one step further.  A false witness is someone who speaks directly against someone's character.  So, what we're talking about is someone who casts doubt on someone else's integrity.  It can be done directly or indirectly.  For example, I might say something like, "Yes, I saw such-and-such drinking at a party" (a direct attempt to shadow someone's credibility); or, I might word it differently, "I'm not sure, but I think it was such-and-such with alcohol in her hands.  I couldn't tell because it was dark... (an indirect attempt to discredit someone).  Whether directly or indirectly, if you do this knowing full-well that you saw no such thing, you are slandering someone's reputation and you have become a false witness that speaketh lies.  Be careful, dear girls.  Speak only what you know to be truthful....and, then, even if it is truthful, refrain from saying it if it has no spiritual benefit.  

 



Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 12
Acts 21

Friday, October 11th--Guest Writer, Mrs. Lois Ormsby

“The king's daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.” ~ Psalm 45:13

 Being a princess is something that we all dreamed of, at least once, when we were little girls.  Maybe some of us (yes, even us married women!) still dream about the life of a princess – like Rapunzel! :)  It’s easy to think that we’re a “nobody” – that we don’t really matter that much in this world – that nobody really cares whether or not we live a good Christian life. But, girls – today, I simply want to encourage you by reminding you: If you are a child of God, you are a daughter of the King!

 You are a princess!

 Just think about it – upon your receiving Christ, God adopted you into His royal family!  The Bible says we are “joint heirs with Christ” – WOW!  I am awed to silence when I think of this – I’m a princess?  I’m royalty?  Yes – I am, and you are too, if you are His child!  Rejoice in your honored position, dear girls!  Embrace the life of royalty God has bestowed upon you!  As I’ve seen it said,

“Be loyal to the royal within you.”

Scripture Reading for the Day:

Proverbs 11
Acts 20