#night devotion

[franciskolar]

Before Daybreak

“Before daybreak the next morning, Jesus got up and went out to an isolated place to pray.” -Mark 1:35 (NLT)

This is the first time I wrote about God, my relationship with Him and anything about religion. I’ve always been quiet with my faith, I’ve been lost for so long, trying to find where do I belong. Tonight, I felt that there’s a void in my life, there’s something lacking, that I don’t feel complete at all. Then out of a sudden, the only thing that comes to my mind was God. That I have been separated from Him for too long. That I have abandoned Him, left Him, took Him for granted. I always do pray before I eat, but was I genuinely praying for Him or was it just a habit? I felt bad thinking of these all. It hurts me.

Tonight, I pledge again my life to God, faithful than how I used to be, closer than ever before. I believe that this is my wake up call, and that it’s never too late to run back to Him. That our feelings of separation from God will diminish as we become more childlike before Him. It may not be easy in this modern world full of opinions of others and liberation that could have such an effect on our motives. But it will help us recognize this truth: God is close to us and aware of us and never hides from His faithful children.

Are you feeling disconnected from God? Do you feel void in your life? Maybe it’s time you take some time out intentionally to spend time with God. Eliminating yourself from any interruptions and seek God in prayer. We should have private time with God even if we aren’t feeling separated from Him in order to focus on God.

[kaipreciado-blog]

Radical Gratitude: Give Thanks in All Circumstances

In the U.S., we celebrate a day of thanksgiving once a year. But God wants us to be intentional about our thankfulness every day. He wants us to develop this spiritual habit, one that is reflected in the life of a radical believer. The truth is, the more deeply you understand God’s love, the more grateful you’re going to be. So what does it mean to be radically grateful? The Bible says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (NIV). That’s radical gratitude. In all circumstances give thanks, because it’s God’s will for you. You can thank God in every circumstance because God is in control. He can bring good out of evil. He can turn around the stupid mistakes you’ve made. No matter what happens, God isn’t going to stop loving you. There are a hundred things to be thankful for in any circumstance, even when the circumstance stinks. Radical gratitude — being thankful in all circumstances — is God’s will because it creates fellowship. What do I mean by that? Gratitude always builds deeper relationships between you and other people and between you and God. Whoever you want to get closer to, start expressing gratitude to that person. If you’ve moved away from your husband or your wife, you need to start doing what you did when you were dating: Express gratitude. Write little notes of kindness and encouragement. Make calls or text during the day, just to tell him or her that you’re thankful. Do the things you did at first. The reason you’ve lost that lovin’ feeling is because you stopped doing the things that created that lovin’ feeling early on, and you take each other for granted. Do you want to build your small group? Don’t just go to small group. During the week, text them, email them, call them, write them. Say, “I’m grateful for you, and here’s why.” You’ll find that the more grateful you are for your group, the more your group will bond. The Bible tells us to “encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11). As you build others up, you’ll find that God builds into your life as well through your deep relationships with him and others.

[kaipreciado-blog]

God Is on Your Side

No matter what you’re going to face this next week, you’re not going to face it alone. God is with you, he is in you, and he is for you. Philippians 2:13 says, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him” (NLT). “God is working in you.” The word “working” in Greek is the word energos, from which we get the word “energy.” God is the energy driver in your life. You’re not just going on willpower. You’re not just going on your own power. God says he will give you the power you need, no matter what you’re facing. Not only is he in you, he is with you. The Bible says, “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you” (John 14:18, 20 NIV). That’s quite a promise! The Bible says Christ is in you; the Bible says you’re hid with Christ in God; and the Bible says you’re sealed with the Holy Spirit. That means for the devil to get to you, he’s got to get through the Trinity! That’s a pretty good protection. That is a great fear reliever. Not only is God with you and in you; God is also for you. Romans 8:31 says, “If God is for us, no one can defeat us” (NCV). When a shepherd leads the sheep, there are always guard dogs at the back, nipping at the sheep to keep them moving in the right direction. The Bible says that the guard dogs in your life are goodness and mercy. God gives you the things you don’t deserve — that is his goodness. And, he doesn’t give you the things you do deserve — that’s his mercy. Do you ever feel the smile of God in your life? If you don’t, you don’t really know God. Some people think God is like the angry parent who’s mad at them all the time. No. God is for you! If you want to be happy, you need to get up every morning and say, “God, thank you that you’re going to be with me today, you’re going to be in me today, and you’re going to be for me today.” Isn’t that great news? If God is with you, and God is in you, and God is for you, what in the world are you doing being depressed?

[kaipreciado-blog]

When Life Doesn't Go According to Plan

The apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good. Notice Paul doesn't say that all things are good, but that all things work together for good. Paul also tells us in Romans 12:16 to "readily adjust yourself to [people, things]." The idea is that we must learn to become the kind of person who plans things but who doesn't fall apart if that plan doesn't work out. Let's say you get in your car and it won't start. There are two ways you can look at the situation. You can think, "I knew it! My plans always flop." Or you can tell yourself, "Well, I can't leave home right now, but that's ok. I believe this change in plans is going to work out for my good. God is in control." Allow God to be the glory and lifter of your head (see Psalm 3:3). He wants to lift everything: your hopes, attitudes, moods, head, hands, heart, your entire life. Remember, even when life doesn't go according to plan, He is good. Prayer Starter: Lord, because I know that you are in control and work all things for good, I can be flexible when life doesn't follow my plan. When my plans don't work out, help me to find the good and stay positive.

[kaipreciado-blog]

Take God Out of the "Emergency Only" Box!

You should know that you yourselves are God’s temple. God’s Spirit lives in you. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭3‬:‭16‬ ERV) I used to spend time with God once in awhile or when my life was in big trouble. Eventually I learned that if I ever wanted to stop living from one emergency to the next, I needed to seek God every day as if I were in desperate need of Him. It's true that God will always help us when we come to Him. But if we want constant victory, we need to take God out of our "emergency only" box and invite Him into our everyday lives. God wants us to get personal with Him. He proves this by the fact that He lives within us. When Jesus died on the cross, He opened the way for us to get personal with almighty God. If God had wanted an "emergency only" relationship, He might just visit on occasion, but He certainly would not have come to take up permanent residence within us. What an awesome thought! God is your personal friend! Will you remove Him from the "emergency only" box today? Prayer Starter: Lord, I know that the Christian life is so much more than an "emergency only" back-up plan. Because You live within me, I want to know You as a personal friend. Rather than just calling on You when I'm in trouble, I want to seek You every single day.

[kaipreciado-blog]

When It's OK To Say "No"

Did I conceive all these people? Did I give birth to them, that you would say to me, ‘Carry them at the breast, as a nurse carries an unweaned child,’ to the fertile land that you promised their ancestors? (‭Numbers‬ ‭11‬:‭12‬ CEB) In Numbers 11, Moses gives us an example of what we can do when we're under stress. Talk about pressure, he was leading the Israelites through the wilderness on what should have been an eleven-day trip and instead ended up taking forty years! The people were depressed and weeping over their situation. In verse 14, Moses tells God, "I am not able to carry all these people alone, because the burden is too heavy for me." Like Moses, it's okay for us to say, "I've reached my limit." Yes, scripture says, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13 NKJV), but that's really referring to times when we face various trials and situations that God will help us through. It doesn't mean we should take on so many responsibilities that we completely burn out, like the woman who is raising five kids, works full-time, serves on the church board, etc. Sometimes, it's all just too much...and it's okay to admit that. It's also okay to say "no" to some things so you can really enjoy life the way God intended. Here's a newsflash: You and I don't have to be like everyone else or keep up with anyone else. God created some people to handle large amounts of work, but many people aren't made this way. Each of us needs to be who God created us to be, and we don't have to apologize for it. We each need to individually find the balance of responsibility God has established for us to live in so we can enjoy our life, instead of making ourselves sick with an overload of stress and pressure. When you reach your limit, go to God, just like Moses did. He will help you find a saner, healthier lifestyle. Prayer Starter: God, sometimes it's hard for me to slow down and say no to more responsibility. Help me to live with the balance of responsibility You created for me, so I can live with Your peace and enjoy life.

[livingleft]

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28