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“And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”     Mark 16:15


Sometimes we need to take the time to truly understand what some refer to as a "religious spirit." For many, it refers to what can sometimes be the stodgy rules of modern religion extracted from our Puritan ancestors. A series of rules and regulations that inhibit a religious community from meeting the unsaved where they are: the dance halls, bars, gambling dens, streets, work, etc.

It's true, some of us cannot go back into some of those places because our own walk with God might be a little shaky; and, we just may find ourselves reverting to the old habits we left behind. So understandably, not everyone is an ideal fit for this type of ministry. However, we have to remember, Jesus shattered the imaginary wall between saints vs. sinners by purposely disobeying the rabbinical laws and traditions of His time.

So today, pray for the opportunity to speak to someone about Jesus; not as a preacher, but as a witness, not in piousness, but in love. Remember, your specific life experience and testimony may be exactly what someone needs to hear for them to walk away from the life they're in, to the eternal life they need. L.

Study Reference: Mark 16:15-16, 20
From: "A Religious Spirit." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
Photo credit: Jungle Jew

​“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep, for Thou Lord, only maketh me dwell in safety.”     Psalm 4:8


Let’s be honest. –Not everyone goes to sleep in peace and safety, even within the body of Christ. There are some people among us that are caught in the ravages of all types of personal wars and prisons, both literal and psychological. We can be afraid of life, our mates or spouses, current circumstances, decisions we have made, or decisions to be made. We can even fear God at various times in our life.

Depending on how you were raised, praying at bedtime offered solace. Ordinarily, most Christians would never send their children to sleep without asking them to pray aloud for their own safety through the night. Yet, bedtime prayer is not only for children; it is also for adults.  And, although it may not be considered sexy to pray at bedtime, it allows you to relinquish your cares, problems and even people, to the only One who can give us peace. In fact, married couples should consider praying together at bedtime. It will aid the dismissal of any disputes or hurtful words uttered during the day, while putting into practice the biblical verse found in Ephesians 4:26-27, 31-32:

"Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath; neither give place to the devil. Let all bitterness, wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice; and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you."  

Pray every morning upon rising, for the day ahead, and every night before bedtime, to release the day; it puts to rest all the issues of your life, giving you peace.  –And, it will cover every member of your household, even you.  L. 

Study Reference: Psalm 4:8
Your Thoughts: “Peace At Bedtime.” In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell 
photo: Sarah Treanor

​“And this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of Him.” 
1 John 5:14-15 
“Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak; for your work shall be rewarded.”  2 Chronicles 15:7 

 
We have been told more often than not that, "failure is not an option;" so, it has become increasingly difficult to deal with the things in our lives we consider failures.  We have taken failure out of the equation of living, because we are under the premise that failure means weakness; not understanding that, failure simply eliminates one or more methods of doing something, and can be a stepping stone to the reality of what is necessary to achieve success.

Years ago, while reading about Thomas Edison, I was surprised at how many times he failed before getting the design and function of his version of the light bulb to work.  Although he remained determined to use electricity to power light in a tube, he failed miserably at it for years.  Many other inventors had attempted to create a long lasting “light bulb;” however, the best bulb they were able to create was a light bulb that lasted only 3-4 hours at best.  Edison wanted a light bulb that would last months.  When he and his team finally got the basic concept of the bulb to work, he was asked how he finally came up with the solution.  Edison replied, "I have not failed a thousand times. I have successfully discovered a thousand ways not to make a light bulb." 

Many of us look at our failures as huge stumbling blocks in our lives; specific points where we have fallen short of our own expectations or the expectations of others, when in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.  Many times our failures are not the issue.  The issue is, like Edison and his team, whether we are able to get up, dust ourselves off, and walk back to the drawing board to find a new method that works. 

To be honest, we have been “failing” at various things our entire lives. We simply have not looked at these endeavors as failures. For example, when we learned to ride a bike for the first time, and all the times afterwards until we were able to ride without falling. What about when we learned to drive a car, or used a computer, or attempted to cook, etc. We regard these simply as learning, albeit by trial and error.  Yet, whether it is trial and error, trial by fire, or trial of faith, our quest is to try to get it right—as right as we possibly can.

We will never be excellent at everything; some things are meant for us to appreciate, not undertake.  However, when we fail, and we will fail at various undertakings in our lives, the point is for us to get up and try again, or move on to something else.  Our failures should not condemn us, destroy us, or bind us from succeeding in the future.  They are simply examples of how not to do something in the future. In addition to this, there will be times when our failure has nothing to do with anything we did.  In those cases, the method used was absolutely correct, but the timing was off. 

Even Faith can fall under the failure category. It’s when we find ourselves in a situation where having Faith is the only viable option in determining our success—and then, it fails also.  When this occurs, understand that failure of Faith simply reinforces that we must increase our resolve, and strengthen our belief.  It’s when we discover that Faith, like everything else in our lives, is not easy.  It takes trial and error to perfect it; and, it takes practice—purposeful practice. 

Yes, failure is optional, but Faith is not. You will need to truly believe in success before it becomes evident; understanding that, after many trials and a few good errors, failure is a gift.  —A gift given to you so you can pursue and achieve Faith.  L.   

Study Reference: 1 John 5:14-15, 2 Chronicles 15:7
Excerpt from: "The Gift of Failure." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: tapyaps

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“...Then I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean; from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statues, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them.”     Ezekiel 36:25-26
 

Upon our baptism as adults, after we have been baptized of the Holy Spirit, we are cleansed of all filthiness and idolatry in our lives.  It means that we have received a fresh start to our lives and no stronghold will imprison us again.  It means we have received power from without to eliminate anything God does not want within.  That was the good news! 

The issue is, we must now make a conscious effort to call on the Holy Spirit to continuously aid us in resisting the temptations which can haunt our memories.  We must call on the Spirit to guide us in overcoming and resisting the memories and weaknesses of the past.  The more we do this, the more we learn to resist past temptations.  The more we practice, like everything else, the better we become at it.  It may also mean that we will have to change those people around us who are still caught in the ravages of the things we left behind.  Because, either they will continuously remind us of our past, or they will attempt to pull us back into the same pathology we elected to leave behind when we decided to follow Jesus Christ.  Furthermore, keep in mind, those who attempt to pull us back into the things we left behind are not bad.  Many times they just do not believe that we have changed, and/or they simply fall into the old adage of, “misery loves company.”  Either way, it becomes a level of power and control on your life that most people will not relinquish easily. 

Keep in mind, many times you will not be able to have both; the thing you left behind, and the new thing God is enacting in you.  We can relate it to an attempt at keeping both eyes focused on two cars going in opposite directions.  Although easily achievable for most birds, it is an impossible feat for humans; we must make a choice to only follow one car. 

It will not matter who or what it is you leave behind when you decide to follow God; God is “no respecter of persons, powers, or principalities.”  If it is someone who truly loves you, he/she will understand your need to transition your life in the direction God commands.  If they do not understand, they will not be able to help you in the process anyway, so let them go.  Eventually, when you have gone through God’s transition period, and you are strong enough to resist the temptations of the past, God may use you to lead others lost in the ravages of your former pathology back to Him.  

God expects us to call on the Holy Spirit to strengthen us in righteousness and truth.  Jesus knew and understood how difficult it was going to be for us to remain on course after our baptism, so He gave us help.  He is our Comforter; the One who aids us in overcoming temptation or any other battles we may face.  Remember to ask for guidance and the strength to overcome; because, no matter how terrible things are, or how horrible you may be feeling, The Comforter will come to you when you call on Him.  L.

Study Reference: Ezekiel 36:25-26, John 16:4-16 
From: "Accepting Power."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell ​
photo: squarespace

"And command thou the people, saying, Ye are to pass the coast of your brethren the children of Esau, which dwell in Seir; and they shall be afraid of you; take ye good heed unto yourselves therefore; meddle not with them; for I willnot give you of their land, no, not so much as a foot-breadth; because I have given mount Seir unto Esau for a possession. Ye shall buy meat of them for money, that ye may eat; and ye shall also buy water of them for money, that ye may drink. For the Lord thy God hath blessed thee in all the works of thy hand; He knoweth thy walking through this great wilderness; these forty years the Lord thy God hath been with thee; thou hast lacked nothing.” 
Deuteronomy 2:4-7 

 
It is interesting to note that during the 40 years that Israel walked in the wilderness, they lack nothing; God took care of their every need.  Furthermore, by the time they found themselves leaving the wilderness and going towards the Promised Land, God would instruct them not to “meddle” with certain people they found on the way. Since, the people whose land that they would pass through had already received a previous promise from Him.  In this case, the land the Israelites would pass through had already been given to the descendants of Esau and Lot; men who were highly favored by God through their own stories. 

There are going to be times when there are things, people, or opportunities you desire, pray for, or simply want that have already been promised to someone else.  And, in order to receive it, you will have to pay for it, sometimes dearly —simply because it is not yours for the taking, and will not come freely. There will be a cost extracted from you for the provisions you will need.  However, isn't it wonderful to know that once you have been given the promise of a blessing to come, God will not allow anyone or anything to take it from you, except maybe your own arrogance and ego.

Hasn't it happened to you where you worked on a task, a job, or had an opportunity where it seemed the heavens opened for you?  Everything you touched flourished easily and flawlessly; it was simply yours for the taking.  Your ears were fine-tuned to God, and your steps seemed custom-ordered for you. You listened intently. Then, because of your ego, arrogance, or lack of obedience, the next tiny issue, something that should have been simple, turned into a major dilemma and somehow you had to pay for it dearly. 

Take the time today to pray for a sense of discernment; the ability to know the difference between what is for you from God, and what is not.   This way you don’t waste time confusing the two; trying desperately to take the things that are not for you, paying dearly; and, ignoring the things that really are for you and not seizing the opportunity.   L. 

Study Reference: Deuteronomy 2:2, Genesis 11:24-27, 12:1-4
From:"When It Is Not Yours."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: ​Kian Krashesky ​

​“LORD, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee. Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips”   Psalm 141:1-3
 
 
Several months ago, I sent out a Daily where I wrote precisely how God hears our prayers, as found in the book of Revelation. Yet, there are still many readers who believe that they must recite a particular prayer when praying to God, instead of simply speaking to Him as Abba, Father, as Jesus did. While we are accustomed to uttering words when we pray; some Believers may believe that God hears or responds only to our words; however, words are irrelevant when speaking to God.  If this were not so, how would someone who cannot speak pray? Obviously, it does not matter if we cannot speak, mute Believers can still be easily heard by God. Our spoken words, although difficult sometimes, are primarily for us. The verse below is a reminder of exactly what the Bible says about how God receives our prayer.

Revelation 8:3-4 says,
“…And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before The Throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand…”

The Bible says that an angel takes the prayers of God's people and burns it as incense that is waved before His Throne. The more emotionally difficult the prayer is for you, the more pungent the sweet aroma is to God. The truth is our prayer does not need words; because sometimes, the use of language just gets in the way of our personal pleas to our Heavenly Father. Just imagine for a moment how your prayer is received.  Your prayer, with its weeping and groaning, has its own sweet unique voice, with its own sweet aroma, that carries your name as it is waved before The Throne.

So remember, if you are in distress, at a loss for words, or just too broken to speak; God will receive your prayer. It does not matter if you are bawling and words can't get through; it does not matter if you are mute and have never spoken one word in your entire life, God hears every utterance, every groan, every fallen teardrop, and every broken heart.  L.

Study Reference: Psalm 141:1-3, Revelation 8:3-4
From: “Aroma Before The Throne.” In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock
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 “Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His Holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits; Who forgives all thine iniquities; Who heals all thy diseases; Who redeems thy life from destruction; Who crowns thee with loving kindness and tender mercies; Who satisfies thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.”    Psalm 103:1-5
 

Most of us know the verse “...by His stripes we are healed,”  found in the book of Isaiah chapter 53.  As Christians, it is the basis why we do not claim any ailment that comes into our life.  Our premise is that, as Jesus Christ was flogged, bloodied, hammered, and nailed to the cross at Calvary, He bore the brunt of every disease known to mankind.

Yet, in reality, much of the problems we experience with ailments and illnesses within our bodies come from our own lack of forgiving ourselves.  The human mind, body, and spirit is so highly complex  and integrated, that somehow, subconsciously, when we do not forgive ourselves, it is because we believe that we deserve whatever physical issue we are experiencing; not understanding that, if you are a professed Christian, Jesus has already forgiven you! –Now, you must forgive yourself! 

You literally have to accept the fact that God has already forgiven you for whatever it is that you believe you have done.  And yet, sometimes your own lack of unforgiveness is compounded by the external. –Other people who knew you prior to your decision to clean up your life may not have forgiven you.  –Or, those who knew you prior to your Confession of Faith may not believe in your sincerity.  Well, at some point, you will have to make a decision. Do you believe what God says about you; or, what others say about you?  –The proof of the one you believe will be your life.

Ask for forgiveness from those whom you have hurt or harmed. And yes, you will have to ask!  Once you have humbled yourself and asked in sincerity, it is up to them to forgive you for what you have done.  Keep in mind that, your request for the other person’s forgiveness is mostly for you. Their forgiveness of your deed is mostly for them.  And, your request for forgiveness is healing for you; while their acceptance to forgive you, is healing for them. 
Then, every day, look into a mirror and say, “My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has forgiven me; and today, by the Grace of God, I forgive myself.”  Do this daily until you can truly, truly believe it.  So finally, once and for all, you can let the healing begin.  L.

**Now it is your turn to write your thoughts regarding today's verses in your journal.

Study Reference: Psalm 103:1-5
From: “Your Thoughts: The Healing of Forgiveness.” In The Master’s Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo credit: Ombrella by La Tigre Bianca

​"...While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, “Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house.  And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.”  Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,  And said, “Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!”     Job 1:18-21 

 
The first time I read the book of Job in the Bible, I was in shock, literally.  It was one of those instances where I felt particularly ambitious about reading yet another book of the Bible, and somewhere in my memory, I recalled the seniors referring to Job.  If you grew up around your Grandmother’s friends or other senior adults, you may have heard them say at one time or another, “Lord, you got to have the patience of Job to deal with these kids!”  
I remembered this phrase as I was trying to make my decision, so my curiosity about Job made the selection easy.  I began reading page after page; Shock!  Incident after incident; Shock!  If I were reading a disaster novel, it could not have been any more disastrous!  When Job’s wife said, “Do you still retain your integrity? —Curse God and die!” I was stunned!  I had to keep going back to the beginning of the story where God describes Job as “perfect and upright” to confirm that God did not actually hate him.  By the time I finished the book, I simply stared at my closed Bible thinking, “If this is what God does to those that are upright and blameless, what about the rest of us! —We don’t stand a chance!”  I had tons of questions. Over the years, these are some of the principles I have learned after reading the book of Job several times:

•     God knows your heart and how much your spirit is able to endure.
•     Although Satan walks to and fro on the earth, even he honors the will of God.
•     Nothing happens in our life that God is not aware of, cannot stop, and cannot restore.
•     Faith, full and patient, is the only way to make it through any hurdles you may be experiencing.
•     The person you select/ accept as your spouse must love, trust, and have some level of unwavering faith in you.
•     Even if your friends really care about you, they are not always right.
•     And finally, if you are a friend and you offer advice, make certain your advice falls within the will of God; if not, you will be held accountable and will have to make restitution to God.

When you read the book of Job you may find other concepts. I am certain if I reread it today, I would discover new principles I missed previously. I must admit, Job is still not my favorite book of the Bible, however because of his endurance we have a remarkably graphic example of what it means to extend our faith in God, no matter what happens in our life.  L.  

Study Reference: Job 1:1-22, 42:1-17 
​ From: "The Book of Job."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Corey Arnold

​"​And Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.  And behold, a woman which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years came behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment. For she said within herself, “If I may but touch His garment, I shall be made whole.” But Jesus turned Himself about, and when He saw her He said, “Daughter be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”  Matthew 9:19-22
 

There comes a time in everyone’s life when change is the optimum word; it is the only word worthy of reference in a life filled with regrets.  We know it the moment it occurs.  It is a pivotal moment in time where, the only thing you know for sure is that, everything in your life needs to change in order for you to feel as if your life is expressing God’s desire for wholeness. 

For some people, it will be the move from fame to obscurity.  For others, it will be from obscurity to fame. There will be those among you who will scream—to the country!  And, there will be those who will balk at the idea of seeing yet another tree in their midst.  It doesn’t matter what it is; at some point we will need change to offset that numb feeling so many of us experience at various points in our lives. To be truthful, many times it begins at home, on the job, or in a relationship. There seems to be a spiritual catalyst that propels us forward to the point where our X and Y axis meet; it determines whether we continue going on a specific path to the future, or make a U-turn at the next crossroad ahead.  Either way, change is imminent. 
To be certain, the catalyst that determines your change will be different than the factor that determines change for the next person.  It can be radical change; the type that places you in direct opposition to the life you are currently experiencing. Or, it can be the kind of change that simplifies your life so that you can experience the beauty in and around you.  It’s as if we espy an epic glimpse into our own future, where after viewing it, we simply say “No! This is not the life I want!”

We can imagine that after living with an endless menstrual cycle for twelve years, the woman with the issue of blood in Matthew 9:19-22, was sick and tired of feeling sick and tired.  For the women reading this, we have a unique insight into this issue; five days is already much too long, so imagine 12 years of non-stop bleeding.  As for the men, imagine how emotionally edgy women become during their five day cycle; now, imagine 12 years. This woman was ready for a change!   -And, we can imagine that the people who loved her, needed a change too!  But, stepping out on faith is no easy task; it takes perseverance and stamina.   And to be certain, in her story, the Bible indicates exactly what kind of perseverance and stamina we need. 
At a time when women were considered non-citizens, she would have had to stay behind the men and boys pressing forward to see Jesus first.  And, in her effort to meet Jesus, we can imagine her in the crowd, waiting to see even a glimpse of Jesus while grappling with others within the multitude also needing to be healed. Like so many dreams, she is pushed aside, moved to the back, and shoved out of the way. -Yet change is nearby; close enough to see, but not close enough to touch. 

There is some historical reference modern-day readers must acknowledge.  Priests were not supposed to go near the sick, dying, or dead; it defiled their anointing. The elite rarely interacted with the poor, sickly, or diseased, unless it was a member of their family; and The Poor, -well...they had their own issues.  As part of the law, the chronically ill were to isolate themselves from the healthy. And, keeping sickly and diseased people isolated at a time when they needed others the most was easy; no one wanted them around.  So, we can imagine, it is with some trepidation that this woman ventures into the crowd to begin with; not wanting to touch anyone in the crowd lest she be ridiculed, but needing a radical change. 

In Luke 8:42, the Bible says, she spent all her money on others who could not heal her. With free help a touch away, all she had to do was release her fears and simply reach out to God to change her life. You know the rest of the story; her faith in Jesus to enact change in her life, radically changes her life, allowing her 12 year old dream of being healed to finally come true.  -What’s your story?  Will you allow your life to stay buried because of fear?  Will you allow fear to inhibit the plan God has for your life?  Or, will you embrace Jesus, the X-factor; and step out into wholeness with God as your guide?   L. 

Study Reference: Matthew 9:19-22, Luke 9:42-48
From: "There Comes A Time."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock

 
​“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul…”        
Psalm 23:1-3
 

No matter where we live in the world, somehow when we find the beauty of God’s natural landscape, it soothes our soul. It prompts us to breathe deeply, sit serenely, and simply be. It doesn’t matter if you prefer the ocean, the mountains, or the woods.  It is almost as if our soul acknowledges God’s handiwork, pausing for a well-deserved moment of reverence. 

If you live in a rural town, you probably take your natural surroundings for granted.  And being in the city can make you a little anxious without understanding why you feel completely under siege every time you visit.  If you live in the city, taking a much deserved trip to the countryside, coastline, or mountains, allows your spirit to breathe in the natural elements needed to sustain you.  It is your spirit’s reminder to release the cares of the world and simply take in the replenishing breath of God’s air. 

One day, I watched as four children, all riding various apparatus with wheels, race on the sidewalk of a busy street.  As they were racing up the hill headed my way, the lead racer, a boy on a bicycle about seven or eight years old, slowed down and got off his bicycle in the middle of the walkway. “—Wait! Wait! —Watch-out!”  He gently shouted to the other children coming up behind him.  “Wait! —Look!  Be careful!”  He continued saying while looking down at the ground. The others, wondering what could possibly prompt the leader of the race to descend from his sleek black two-wheeled chariot, slowed their wheels to a halt. “—What? —What is it?”  They each repeated one after another.  As they all huddled, he pointed to a single small yellow daisy on the ground. The petals on the daisy were no larger than the size of a quarter, and the stem no longer than two inches.  “O-O-Oh,” they all said slowly, marveling at the fallen daisy on the sidewalk.  Then, one by one, they slowly mounted their respective chariots, maneuvering around that daisy, leaving it as they found it; untouched by their hands, or the racing wheels of their respective chariots. I stood there in awe of the entire scene. 

I thought about that incident the entire day; wondering why that young leader of the pack felt inclined to descend from his racing chariot so easily, giving up what appeared to be that carefree jubilant spirit most children hold on to while riding their bikes; simply to look at a small yellow daisy in the middle of the sidewalk. 

Life can be so chaotic. Today there is so much hustle and bustle mesmerizing us, it inhibits the flow of God’s energy to and from our spirit, inducing us to easily lose focus of the things that really matter.  That small child, even in his race to the finish line, was still able to stop and find the extraordinary beauty of a small yellow daisy.

So, the question today is; when was the last time you descended from your racing chariot to indulge in the simple beauty of a small yellow daisy?  L.     

Study Reference: Psalm 23:1-3
From: "He Restores My Soul" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: web discover

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​" ...And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought unto Him all sick people that were taken with diverse diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and those that had the palsy; and He healed them. And there followed Him great multitudes of people from Galilee, from Decapolis, from Jerusalem, from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.”     Mathew 4:23-25 
 

I am not certain how many of you watched the cable television program, The Mysteries of Jesus, on the History Channel.  It was fascinating.  While watching the program, it was easy to understand why Jesus was such a superstar among the people.  According to the custom, Rabbis, Elders, and the elite of the church were not supposed to interact with "common" folks, or be in physical contact with the sick, dying or dead. They also did not mingle with the poor, outcast, or destitute. They were to mingle only with God or among themselves. Their elitism was so grand that some rabbis had their own private road to the synagogue.  In those instances, a bridge was built from their homes directly to the synagogue to avoid any contact with others. The rabbis would literally walk above the people.  If by chance a rabbi touched a "common" person, he had to endure a series of ritual baths in special cleansing pools located in the synagogue or in his home. 

Then came Jesus!  He set aside the elitism and moved among the people, eating, sleeping, speaking, healing, walking, praying, and most important of all, teaching!  His one ritual bath was His baptism!  No wonder the Sanhedrin elite despised Him and sought to destroy Him while the people followed Him like a rock star!  He was personal then and, He is still personal today. 

So Today,  if you are feeling a little listless and weary, feel free to Praise God on credit!  In other words, —Praise Him, even when you don't feel like it.  —Praise Him, even when you can't see your blessing!  —Praise Him, even when you don't know where your blessing is going to come from.  But, if praising Him is still difficult, then --Praise Him just because He is!  —But, if somehow, praising Him because He is, is still not enough; then —Praise Him because youstill live and breathe.  —​Hallelujah!   L. 

Study Reference:  Mathew 4:23-25 
From: "Jesus Christ, Superstar!"  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: velinda peyton 

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​"Cast your burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain you...”     Psalm 55:22 

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Although most of us prefer not to admit it, there is a purpose for the pain we go through.

Consider the pain a caterpillar must experience during its transition in becoming a beautiful butterfly.  As a caterpillar, it crawls the earth searching for food, using its many legs to climb the height of trees.  In order to go through its transformation, it must endure a deep incubation period wrapped in a tight cocoon, unable to move to the right or left, up or down.  It is almost a direct metaphor for the way most of us feel when we are going through personal strife. —Stuck, confined, nowhere to turn.  In order to experience flight, and life as a butterfly, it must wait for the cocoon to harden; and then, it must physically fight its way out. This process is not immediate—it takes time.  More importantly, it cannot be rushed. If the butterfly cannot meet the struggle to make it out of the cocoon, it dies, and the cocoon becomes a coffin.

Although we believe our strife is completely unwarranted, and we commonly find ourselves asking God to remove our pain, problem, or adversity, the process of strife is necessary to aid us in becoming closer to God. Why?  Because most of the time when things are going wonderfully, we forget about our relationship with God.  When things are stressful and hardships are present, we remember to find solace in communicating with God.  Similar to the caterpillar during its restriction in the cocoon, God forces us to concentrate not on the exterior elements of our life, but the inner transformation necessary to experience a transition.  This type of transition takes us from a superficial relationship with God, to a deeper level of understanding what it truly means to receive sustenance from Him.

Jesus, while in deep communal prayer with God in the Garden of Gethsemane, asked God three times to “remove this cup” from Him. Yet, He also said, “Not as I will, but as Thou will.” (Mark 14:36)   This statement is the key invocation added to our prayers that will help us as we pray for ourselves while going through our own adversity. 

Chances are, like Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, the pain during your level of adversity will not go away. However, God will give you the strength to actually move through it.   And, like the butterfly struggling through the process of emerging from its cocoon, you will emerge transformed and much stronger from the process, with the ability to clearly see the world from a completely different perspective and a much higher vantage point.   L.

Study Reference: Psalm 55, Mark 14:32-42
From: "PAIN: Processing The Painful." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
​photo: shutterstock

“Then said He unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death; tarry ye here, and watch with Me. And He went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt. And He cometh unto the disciples, and finding them asleep, said unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”  Matthew 26:38-41
 

People who encourage others are effortlessly recognizable; they are usually the ones who others easily rally around.  Their presence and personality is infectious; simply being around them moves you to action.  Sometimes, they can be creative, daring, spontaneous; and, at other times, pensive and practical.  Nonetheless, there is always someone with this trait a dial tone away.  This person may be you, or someone close to you.  Let’s call them “The Encouragers.” Not everyone has an encouraging personality. There are those who do not encourage anyone, not even themselves; and, when they do take the time to encourage others to take a leap, it is from a 25th floor windowsill!  I recently gave someone an analogy using blood types in referring to “The Encouragers." 

“What is your blood type?”  I asked.  “I believe it’s Type-O.”   He said. “Perfect!” I said.  “Someone with Type-O blood is a universal donor; you can give blood to anyone to keep him or her alive on a battlefield; however, you cannot receive blood from anyone other than another Type-O donor. Receiving blood from a donor other than a type-O donor will result in your death.  It would be more advantageous for doctors to infuse coconut water into your veins to keep you alive, than to take blood from one of those other blood types!”  The same thing goes for an “Encourager;”he or she can easily encourage others, all those A, B, AB, and even O types that need encouraging on a reoccurring basis.  However, only another “Encourager” can give an “Encourager” encouragement; because, the ordinary rah-rah-rah speech will not work on them.

There are times when an encourager needs complete recharging, and only a real Diehard Encourager will do.  The Bible is full of those who offered encouragement to its heroes and heroines, i.e., Ruth and Naomi; Moses and Joshua; Esther and Mordecai; David and Jonathan, etc.  Yet, even Jesus, the most powerful Encourager of all, needed encouragement while He was in the Garden of Gethsemane.  His family was not around; and, His key disciples kept falling asleep.  He could not turn to anyone but His Father in Heaven.  

If you have an Encourager in your life, take the time to contact him or her today.  Thank them for helping you to persevere through all those occasions where you truly felt like faltering.  If you are an Encourager, don’t forget to take the time today to  pray for yourself. It will allow you to recharge your "battery"  using a direct connection to our heavenly Father.  Remember, a recharged battery, is the only way for you to continue helping those who need you. And, more importantly, it will boost your energy, stamina, and faith to encourage others for yet another day!  L.

Study Reference: Matthew 26:36-46 
From:"The Encouragers." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
​Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell ​
photo: istock

​“For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.”   Isaiah 54:10


The covenant that God has forged with humanity is not simply a contract. Any corporate lawyer will tell you all contracts can be broken; there is always a clause that has the plausibility of severance. A covenant, on the other hand, cannot be broken; there are no loop holes. It simply is what it says it is; and, each party must adhere to the binding agreement. 

In our minds, a mountain stands resolute, absolutely stoic and unchallenged by any entity or element. So, when we consider a mountain, the very last thing that we would ever think about is that a mountain can move, disappear, or depart. So just imagine, the Bible says that, the beauty, strength and majesty of a mountain shall depart.–Be completely removed from the face of the earth, but God’s Love, Peace, Mercy, Forgiveness, and Favor will never leave YOU.

If for some reason you are going through something so dreadful that you believe you do not have anything to be truly thankful for, put your feelings aside and meditate on today’s verse. It will help you to find God’s Love in the midst of your issue. 
And, for those of you who truly understand God’s Love in your life, even in the midst of your most arduous circumstances, May God’s Light continue to shine through you and for you. May the abundance of His Love find you and every member of your extended family. 

Whether you have been reading In The Master’s Hands for one day or since the beginning, it is with sincere gratitude that I thank YOU for taking the time to read these words and for being a part of this journey. 

Thank you once again, Happy Mother's Day to those who are celebrating this around the world, and Much Love. -L.

Study Reference: Isaiah 54:10-11
From: "Your Thoughts: Covenant" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: pixabay

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"Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands; thy walls are continually before Me.”    
Isaiah 49:16 



The Bible chronicles the life of King David from the time he was a shepherd defeating Goliath, to his anointing as king of Israel; it also documents his countless exploits, and his eventual death. We know the episodes of his deepest despair and his most amazing triumphs. And, although God called him “...A man after Mine own heart,” (Acts 13:22) David was not allowed to administer the immense undertaking that would become The Tabernacle of God; a building worthy enough to hold the Ark of the Covenant. While we look at David’s life, it is easy for readers to see how the Spirit of God governed his life, both as a youth, and as an adult. We can easily understand those times when God was displeased with his actions; as in, his disobedience in taking a census. An act which resulted in the death of 70,000 as his penalty; or, his affair with Bathsheba, which resulted in both the death of her husband and David’s child. 

For the most part, many of you are successful in your own right. You have worked hard, studied well, and persevered so you can now reap the benefits of a decent life. Chances are, you have probably made your family proud of your accomplishments. So, why is it so easy to see the Hand of God in the minute details of David’s life and not in your own? Why do we continually believe God is not watching, caring, and/or faithfully ordering 'our' steps as we remain faithful to Him? 

Today, it is all about Thanksgiving—a sincere gratitude for ALL things in our lives, whether it has the appearance of bad or good, success or failure. Why? Because, sometimes the things that appear to be a blessing can become a burden; and, the things that appear to be a curse, can transform our spirits and become an enormous blessing in our lives. Let’s take the time to put things into perspective and thank God for His Love, Guidance, Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness, because without it, it is impossible to fully live.  L. 

Study Reference: Isaiah 48:17, 49:1, 49:16, & Hebrew 10:35-36
From:"Thanksgiving-A Sense of Gratitude." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
​photo credit: Husni Che Ngah

“And I have given you a land for which ye did not labor, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and olive-yards which ye planted not, do ye eat.”   Joshua 24:13


When we speak about being "blessed" by God, we usually mean that we are reaping where we have not sown. And, the reality is, many times the blessings we receive emanate from a completely unexpected source. Our tiny mustard seed of faith, watered and blessed by God, spreads across the earth taking our hopes and dreams with it. 

When the children of Israel left the wilderness, they were confounded in the Promise Land; they had no idea how they were going to survive. It was completely inconceivable to them, where they would live, what they would eat, or whom they would encounter. Although God had already foreseen and taken care of their every need, forty years had passed, and the new younger generation needed to learn how to trust God on their own. 

Joshua reminded this new generation how vitally important it was for them to continue to follow the laws of God, not simply because He was God; but because, He had blessed them abundantly, allowing them to destroy their enemies, and to reap where they had not sown.

Today's verse, found in the book of Joshua, speaks about the blessings God gave to the Children of Israel after they crossed over the Jordan River.  It is a reminder to remember the bestowing of the land that He handed to them in the presence of their enemies. Like the Children of Israel, sometimes, as a modern Believer, you may need a gentle reminder to acknowledge God's Blessing in your life.  

When you follow God’s agenda, He will bless you beyond your imagination, and without question, you will reap where you have not sown. You will prosper where others have begun the work and given up. You will lay claim to abundance, although you did not create it. —And, you will gain that, which you did not labor. You simply have to remember to obey God and trust in His Word.  L.

Study Reference: Joshua 24:1-31, Deuteronomy 6:10-11 
Excerpt From:"Reaping, Not Sown." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell ​
photo credit: Loews
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​“...And he said, Go and spy where he is, that I may send and fetch him. And it was told him, saying, Behold, he is in Dothan. Therefore sent he thither horses, and chariots, and a great host; and they came by night, and compassed the city about. And when the servant of the man of God was risen early and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city, both with horses and chariots.  And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! How shall we do? And he answered, Fear not; for They that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray Thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw; and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha."     2 Kings 6:13-17


We sometimes fill ourselves with such disabling fear that we cannot accomplish God's Divine desire for our lives.  In today's story, the prophet Elisha prayed to have his servant’s eyes opened so he could see God’s army protecting them against the impending army of their enemy.  Imagine if you could see the angels that surround you as you go through your particular circumstance.  Our Bible says, "Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have; for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my Helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me." (Hebrew 13:5-6)

Fear is the absolute killer of Faith. Sometimes you will know what your next course of action is going to be, and sometimes you will not.  Sometimes conquering your circumstances will be a simple act of faith; and sometimes, it will take a pure leap of faith on your part to move from one level of existence to another. God asks us for faith; faith that He can and will deliver exactly what we need and more.  This kind of faith moves you through whatever may be harassing you to command fear into submission, ultimately allowing you to stand boldly before your fear.
Elisha's servant could only see the impending problem plaguing them; his faith was limited to his eyesight. Yet, Elisha had been under siege before; he had already learned to internalize God’s promise to him; and so, his faith could see far into the spiritual realm beyond his fear.

I understand how a perceived reality can produce so much fear it paralyzes you--I have been there.  Like Elisha's servant in today's story, You must ultimately change your perception of the problem to overcome its power over you.  And remember, the verse above says, "...I will never leave you or forsake you.”  God does not say, “sorta-kinda,” or,"maybe on a couple of days;" or even,"every once in a while."
—GOD boldly says, " I will never..!"  L.

Study Reference: 2 Kings 6:13-17
From: "A Perceived Reality." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
*Painting: "Ministry of Angels, Promise of the Scriptures" by Kerri Guthrie

​“For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And He said unto me, ‘My Grace is sufficient for thee; for My Strength is made Perfect in weakness.’  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the Power of Christ may rest upon me.”    2 Corinthians 12:8-9
 
 
I was speaking with a homeless man who had not seen his family for a long time. The circumstances of his life had forced him to live on the streets. Yet, for some reason I felt that God wanted me to speak with him, and to minister to him.  Interestingly enough, he spoke to me first and he knew a few things about the Word of God, so our discussion was productive.  Somehow, I was able to tell him some very specific things about his circumstances that took him off-guard. I know that the Holy Spirit was involved because the things that I told him also surprised me.

Then, about midway through our conversation, he said to me, “So, you know a lot about me. —And, I’m not going to lie to you. —You are right about my problems.” Then turning to me, he said, “—So, what about you? What’s your problem? —And, don’t tell me there’s none, Every-one has a problem!”  As he stood there waiting for an answer, he held his gaze. His eyes solidly fixed on me, waiting to see if I would tell him something truthful; and, quietly checking my eyes to see whether I would keep my integrity after talking to him so intently about God. I stood there looking at him, trying to decide if I was going to tell him anything truthful about my own lessons. –All those intimately personal inner lessons that I have learned, which I am now supposed to teach others. 

“Come on,” He said again, “Everybody has got some thing!   Not responding, I simply looked at him, holding my gaze for a few minutes, quietly hoping that he would give up.  Finally I said, laughing a little, “—You don’t really want to hear my issue.”   But, undeterred and still waiting for me to answer, he said,“—Well, You may not want to tell me; but, I really want to hear it. —So come-on, —everybody has got something!”  Meanwhile, looking at the concrete sidewalk in front of me, I hung my head and I quietly said, “Well, my issue is forgiveness. It is the thing that God has worked with me the most. —It was my lesson and is my weakness!”  He looked at me stunned, and said, “—What!  Oh man! 
–That’s worse than mine!  —That’s worse than everything!  At least I don’t hold any grudges against anyone. “Uh-uh,” he said, shaking his head. “—That’s worse than everything!”  I sat down on the park bench in front of us, looking away.  “It’s true,” I said quietly, “You’re right. It’s worse than everything else. —God hates it.”
 
The truth is that, that homeless man was right!  We all have an issue.  Even the Apostle Paul, who wrote much of the New Testament, had an issue so painful to him, that he called it a “thorn.” A problem that the Bible says, he asked God to remove “three times.”  And yet, God decided not to remove the problem. That’s where we get the verse “...And He said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My Strength is made Perfect in weakness...”   2 Corinthians 12:9
 
We are all struggling with some “thing.”  Something that God allows us to work out only by coming to Him. Yet, even then, He may keep it in your life; since, it may have been the only reason that you came to Him in the first place. So remember, every person needs your prayers. –Especially, those whom God has charged with the responsibility of caring for or guiding others.  It keeps them grounded, cared for, and it keeps them human. --But, most of all, it keeps them connected to God.  L.
 
Study Reference: 2 Corinthians 12:7-12, Micah 7:18-19
From: “Your Thoughts: Thorns.” In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: zoom comics

“Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardons iniquity, and passes by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retains not His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will turn again, He will have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”    Micah 7:18-19

 
A few months ago, I was looking at some photos, and saw today’s photograph by Jason DeCaires Taylor, an artist who sculpts various life-sized subjects and places them in the shallow waters off the coast of various countries. As I looked at the photographs, I recalled today’s verse in which God has promised that whatsoever He has forgiven of Believers, He will place in the bottom of the sea, not to be remembered any more.

Yet sometimes, we forget that, when God says He has forgiven you for the sins of your past, He really has forgiven you for the sins of the past.  And yet still, God takes it one step further; He tells us that He “will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”  —What most people do not know is that, the ocean depth is so deep, that no human or any of the machines that we have created can go into the true depths of the ocean floor.  Our man-made machines and diving gear simply cannot withstand the pressure of the ocean.  The closest that we have gotten is 6500 feet below the surface of the ocean, and even at that level, there are still fish and other sea creatures that we have never seen.
So, 6500 feet, is just the tip of the ocean depth.  

In other words, like a steel vault covered by the immeasurable pressure of the ocean, God has placed our sins under the ocean floor so that once He has forgiven us, no human can access it, dig it up, or drag it back to the shoreline of the beach. —Not even YOU.
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—Hmmm,... I don’t know about you, but that makes me want to raise both my hands and shout,“Hallelujah! —Amen!”   L.

Study Reference: Micah 7:18-19
From: “Into The Depth of The Sea.” In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Jason De Caires Taylor 
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​"...Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.  For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”      Matthew 6:11-15


Here's the thing about forgiveness, it is really basic. You must forgive those who have hurt you, because if you do not it will make YOU sick, literally!  Unforgiveness only hurts YOU. Yes, YOU!  The other person is walking around living their life while you are in pain reliving the issue. Let it go, and let God handle it!  I am not saying it is easy; unforgiveness coupled with deep emotional anger can be powerful opposition. But every time you think about it, talk about it, or reiterate it, you are damaging your own body by making your immune system weak. 

The Bible says in Mark 3:27, “No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods; except he will first bind the strong man, and then he will spoil his house.”  In other words, if you are walking in the strength of God, nothing can harm you unless it binds you first. Unforgiveness is a way to take you off your game, binding you so that you can be robbed of the principles you hold dear. It is a way of tying your spirit down, weakening your armor so you cannot receive the blessings God has planned for your life.
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And, since I know how difficult it can be to forgive someone who has damaged you to your very core, here's my advice. Every time you think about it, want to talk about it, or start to reiterate the incident, stop!  Start to pray for that person instead, and don't forget to pray for yourself.  I know it sounds a little corny and a little too simple; however, keep doing this every time the issue rears its ugly head. Eventually, you will be able to dismiss the issue. 

I must tell you, if the person has damaged you more than once, and seems to continuously travel in this direction, depending on the hierarchal position that you have placed them in your life, you may also have to dismiss them; or, get used to spending a lot more time on your knees.  L. 

Study Reference: Matthew 6:11-15 
From: "The "F" Word."  In the Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
​photo: Adobe stock