​                        

“In the beginning was The Word, and The Word was with God, and The Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.  In Him was Life; and the Life was the Light of men. And the Light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended It not.”  
John 1:1-5
 
 
There’s an old adage reiterated by Franciscan monks that says, “It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness!”  

Like the passing of the legendary Olympic torch from one person to another, God’s eternal Flame must ignite the hearts of man, going from one person to another, until His Flame, burning brightly, has gone throughout the world.

The original ignition of the Flame began with ONE. Then, that ONE ignited the hearts of 12 others who sent it burning throughout the ages until it reached —YOU.  Now, every person that you speak to has an opportunity to carry that Flame forward, through time, or not.  

You cannot fear how The Flame is received. For some, The Flame will be a roaring fire, igniting them to action. While for others, it will be a dimly lit spark, barely noticeable by anyone.  Your job is to simply make the delivery, remembering that, the igniting of this Flame is passed on to others through you, your words, and your actions.  Its ignition is in your daily decision to share your compassion, kindness, love, honor, respect, and forgiveness; so that others may see The Word of God alive in you.   You make this decision every second, of every minute, of every day, in every interaction, and every conversation. This Flame has no language barrier, no cultural differences, no international borders or racial divides.  And yet, amazingly, God placed the power to light this Flame in YOU.  
But first, you must Light one candle, —​YOURS.  L.
 
Study Reference: John 1:1-5
From: “The Light Within.”  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Odorunara

       
 "Count it all joy when ye fall into diverse temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith produces patience.”   James 1:2-3


Patience is one of the hardest things for us as Christians; and, God works with us on a continuous basis to learn the art of patience.  The issue with patience is, our time is limited. We want, what we want, now, not later. It is indicative of our generation. We have learned how to make things faster, streamlining as many things as possible, taking out some of the extraordinary to make room for the mundane and the ordinary. We have become so accustomed to the basic, when we see something just a little above ordinary, we are inspired. 

Take a look around; we have fast food, fast lanes, quick-dry, instant-this, and instant-that.  Gone are the days of slow-brewed, slow-broiled, homemade, and hand-done. The problem is, although we want everything as quickly as possible, God’s timing is still the same.  A day is still 24 hours; and, one year is still 365 days, give or take a leap year.  And although calendar days were originally named by men, “the rising of the sun and the going down of the same,” still represents one day. God’s original clock works on a schedule, both for days and for human beings. This has not changed since the beginning of time.

For most of us, patience is a problem; I am no different. If I could walk faster without running, type faster without practicing, and learn more without studying, I am certain I would sign up in a minute. But the truth is, everything takes time—everything.  We are the decision makers of what we do with our time.  Even when we seemingly have no choice, we have a choice.  We have the choice to work and be miserable, or to work and be thankful.  We have the choice to wait on line with patience, while doing something that interest us, or wait in line tapping our foot and complaining about the slowness of the process.  We have the choice to spend our time with people we love, or waste it with mundane onlookers who could care less about our life. We have the choice to learn something new every day, expanding the horizon of our knowledge; or to sit back comfortably believing we know everything we need to know in this life, remaining closed-minded and archaic.  

...Learn to have patience. Patience with what you do, with whom you love, with what you learn, and more importantly, with God. God answers all prayers necessary for you to have the best of the life you have chosen for yourself. Respect those things not chosen for you and understand that somehow they are not distributed to you for a reason. Acknowledge those things placed in your life, taking the time to reflect backwards so you can learn how certain decisions made in the past have resulted in the here and now. Have patience. Patience removes fear. Be patient; for God created time, and time always wins whether you are patient or not.  -L. 

Study Reference: James 1:2-3
Excerpt from: "Patience:" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: unknown: caring for an orphan elephant until she falls asleep.

​      "...Lead me in Thy Truth, and teach me; for Thou art the God of my Salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day.”  
Psalm 25:5
 

Sometimes, our personal truth can be relative.  It can change based on a given situation, person, or premise; however, God’s Truth is not relative; it remains constant no matter who we are, what our perspective is, or what premise we apply.  For example, gravity is a truth that remains constant. It does not change unless it is not there.
Our circumstances, on the other hand, may appear one way at this moment, and completely different an hour from now.  The Bible says that we wait upon the Lord, because He is our Trust, our Truth, and our Salvation.
 
In a discussion recently, I told a friend that, the reason I try not to manipulate extenuating circumstances around me, is not because I don’t have the intellect or inclination to try; but, because I know that I can only see a very minuscule slice of my life at any given second. God knows the past, present, and future within any given millisecond of our lives, and how it incorporates all the intersecting interactions from every life connected to us. So, unlike you and me, His commands are not contained within any given time frame. It looks into the present, accesses the past, and plans for the future concurrently.  This way, every thought and every decision, will have the maximum impact on our lives, resulting in the precise outcome He ordered. Our decisions, on the other hand, can only take our past and present circumstances into consideration.

So today, before you decide to manipulate something or someone into doing something that you think might work in your favor; why not try asking for God’s guidance and direction instead.  L.

**Now it is your turn to write your thoughts regarding today's verse in your journal.
 
Study Reference: Psalm 25:5  
From: "Your Thoughts: Before You Leap." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: shutterstock 

  "Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”    Mark 11:24-26


As Christians we have been told how important it is to pray about any matter we are perplexed about or need an answer to; and, we have been told to simply “ask and you shall receive.”  For the most part, many Christians can paraphrase the verse in Mark 11:23 which says, if we ask in prayer for a mountain to move, believing in faith it will move, our prayer will be answered. Not necessarily a physical mountain, but a problem appearing mountainous in our lives. However, there is one small caveat that has been somehow overlooked; one that has a concrete connection to the prayer response we so desperately desire from God. 

In the selected verse above, Jesus begins the verse by saying whatever you desire, when you pray, believe you shall receive it, and you shall have it. However, He goes on to state, as you are praying, you must forgive anyone whom you may have an issue against, so that God may forgive you. If you do not forgive, God will not forgive you for the acts committed against Him. 

This was a huge awakening for me. I realized a long time ago that the same statement is in the Lord’s Prayer; however, I do not believe I ever made its connection to the many personal requests, pleas, or petitions I earnestly placed before God for an answer. Forgiveness is not about the other person, it is about YOU.  I do not know about you, but I just may have a list of people blocking my many prayer requests; because, I have been too stubborn to forgive them. 

What about you? Is there a dam filled with blessings waiting to be released to you, yet lingers in limbo, because you have been too stubborn to forgive? Maybe the very act of forgiveness should be this year’s gift to yourself. L.

Study Reference: Mark 11:23-26 
From: "A Gift to Yourself."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: wild at heart

               


















   "Concerning the works of men, by the Word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. Hold up my goings in Thy Paths, that my footsteps slip not.”    Psalm 17:4-5  


Sometimes, in order to move on, we will have to leave something behind.  Some of those things will be left behind of our own free will; while others will be left behind reluctantly.  Like Joseph fleeing Potiphar’s wife, sometimes we simply have to chart a course that allows us to flee from the oncoming path of the destroyer; rather than, trying to exhaust the limits of our willpower.  The longer we stay, the more difficult it is to leave things behind.  In Joseph’s case, he left his garments behind throughout each transition of his life, simply to remain on God’s Path.

First, he had to relinquish his childhood coat-of-many-colors to his brothers. This forced  him to reconsider his interpretation of his childhood dream, and to begin the first step of the journey that God planned for his life. His future seemed bleak. –And yet, it moved him to Potiphar’s house; the place where he would discover his gift for  managing large agricultural fields, accounting records, financial concerns, and personnel.   

Then, he had to relinquish his managerial robe to Potiphar’s wife.  –This sent him to the royal prison, teaching him yet another level of understanding about his life.  –How to have patience, perseverance, and reliance on God.

Then, he exchanged his prison uniform for a borrowed royal court robe. A robe  that was given to him so that he could stand presentable before the king.  This would teach him that sometimes, when God gives us the opportunity to shine, it may not come at the most opportune moment; and, we may not even be prepared for it. –But, try anyway; because, God will surprise you!  

You know the rest of the story. In the end, Joseph literally exchanged his borrowed court garments for the fine linen robe of the King.  In each leg of Joseph’s journey, he learned the necessary skills that he would need to ultimately undertake the vast scope of God’s plan.

Like the relinquishment of Joseph’s garments, when we remain on God’s Path, no matter how far off the desired terrain it may be, we will always benefit in regard to those things left behind for the sake of God’s Word. So, do not be afraid if the path seems bleak; or, if you have left behind your favorite job; or even, if you feel trapped, patiently awaiting an opportunity.  Know that if you have given up something for God, it will be restored far beyond your belief.  L.

Study Reference: Psalm 17:4-5
From: "Your Thoughts: "Go Ahead, Let It Go!."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: wordpress

​ "And the Lord was with Joseph, and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. And ...the Lord Blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake and the Blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.”         Genesis 39:2-5

 
Did you know that by the very nature of being one of God’s chosen that you are blessed?  Not only are you blessed, but everything under your authority is blessed.  It is not only limited to your personal household; it goes wherever you are. The blessing goes with you like an unseen aura that is spiritually visible by all.  It is in your surroundings, job, company, accounts, friends, and yes, even your boss will be blessed simply because you are there.  As you walk in the path of righteousness, under submission to Jesus Christ, your blessing encompasses all you do—your entire existence. 

It is even more important for you to know that your blessing is seen by others. You may not feel it, or even acknowledge it, but it is prevalent all around you.  If you are a physician, your patients and practice will be blessed.  If you are a teacher, your students will be blessed.  If you are an executive, your business will be blessed.  If you are a janitor, the very floors you mop and clean will be blessed simply because you are the one taking care of it.    

You may not like the idea of others around you toggling your blessing; however, it cannot be stopped, it is by nature, the fulfillment of the receipt of the blessing.   It radiates from you to those things that are important to you.  If God has chosen to bless you, then the people or things you put energy towards will also be extraordinarily blessed. 

When Potiphar, the Egyptian, bought Joseph from the Ishmaelites, he was simply purchasing a new slave for his household.  But, everything that Joseph touched became successful. Potiphar noticed that when he placed Joseph in charge of the fields, they began to flourish abundantly. And, when he promoted him to manage the transactions of his household, they too became exceedingly prosperous. By the time he placed Joseph in charge of everything, Potiphar was doing so well, he did not know the extremes of his own wealth.  Imagine, even his wife believed she was more desirable because of Joseph’s attention.  She felt desirable enough to proposition Joseph to her private chambers, in order to tempt him into an illicit affair. -He refused and ran. 

Therein lies the caveat to maintaining your blessing, temptation. Falling prey to temptation is by far a surefire way of corrupting your blessing. We forget that, no matter how hard we appear to be working, or how skilled we are at what we are doing, it is the blessing, and our respect and honor of God fulfilling the blessing that creates success.  

Unfortunately, we have a weakness—our ego.  When we begin to acknowledge our ego or ourselves as the architect of our success, it wanes.  Joseph did not fall for the temptation of Potiphar’s wife, because he understood through whom his life was being blessed.  Joseph could have accepted her advances; after all, his master did place him in charge of everything under his household. Keeping Potiphar’s wife happy could have been part of the plan; she probably would have kept the secret.  However, Joseph understood his sin would be against God, and it would corrupt his destiny and God’s blessings in his life.   

What about you?  Are you thanking God for your success; or, are you prone to believe your success comes from your own self?  Remember, God has granted your blessing as one of His chosen; however, you have not received the blessing for yourself only.  Like Joseph, whether your blessings are words, work, wealth, or wisdom —eventually, it must be shared.  L. 

Study Reference: Genesis 39:1-23
From: "Blessings Upon You." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Jared Erondu

   "And Joseph’s master took him, and put him into the prison, a place where the king’s prisoners were bound; and he was there in the prison. But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him Mercy, and gave him Favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners that were in the prison; and whatsoever they did there, he was the doer of it.  …The Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper”   Genesis 39:20-23


What happens when you have done everything right and still wrongfully accused of an unlawful act; or, punished for something you did not do; or, fired for doing the right thing? —Or, not believed when you are clearly telling the truth? Does this mean that it occurred because the Blessing of God has disappeared from your life? No, not if you are walking in a path of righteousness. In the previous Daily entitled, Blessings Upon You, we read how God’s Blessing was with Joseph, although he was a slave in his master’s house. 

In the passage above, Joseph is wrongfully accused by Potiphar’s wife of an attempted rape. Unfortunately, even if Potiphar did not believe his wife, his jealousy and knowledge of his wife's seduction of Joseph would have prohibited him from once again relinquishing the reins of his household to Joseph. Feeling betrayed, confused, and angry, he throws Joseph in prison. However, not just any prison—the royal prison. Even by today’s standards, there is regular prison, with its varied population of all sorts of prisoners, and there are federal prisons. White-collar prisons so exclusive, they have been nicknamed, Club Fed, due to the many amenities available to those incarcerated. Understandably, we know the Favor of God is still with Joseph, because, instead of going to the typical Hebrew slave prison, he is sent to the royal prison. A prison, where he would eventually meet a key advisor to the king; someone who would be pivotal to the prophesied Blessing God planned for his life from the day of his birth. 

What’s interesting is, while in prison, even the royal prison warden recognized the blessing on Joseph’s life. So much so, he placed Joseph in charge of the other prisoners. —​Huh? —​Wasn’t Joseph himself a prisoner?

The point is, when you are Blessed by God, nothing can inhibit His Blessing, only you. Even when everything seems unimaginably unfair, and depressingly bleak; if you can remember to thank God for keeping you sane through the trials, and to praise Him for His Favor in bringing you through it while you are still in the midst of it; then, like Joseph, you will see your victory and the continual Blessing of God’s Favor in your life. L. 

Study Reference: Genesis 39:7-23
From: "Blessings, Even in Adversity." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Isac Goulart

                           " … But let your yes be yes; and your no, no; lest you fall into condemnation.” James 5:12


In today's society we tend to be so flippant about keeping our word. We make promises we know we cannot keep, not realizing it is an injunction against our very integrity. 

Our grandparents used to say, "Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!" In many instances it was said with a smile; yet, it was a statement placing the person on notice that, the original prank, scheme, or lie would not work a second time in capturing their prey.

Understand that every time we dismiss the words we have given to someone, our integrity is damaged; and, every time our integrity is damaged, our very character takes a fall. Did you know that this concept is a biblical principle? Take a look for yourself in Matthew 5:37 and review the text above found in James 5:12 “… but let your yes be yes; and your no, no...”   

​Trust me, I understand. There is a lot of grey area between yes and no; and, it is really hard to relinquish all that wiggle room in case we change our minds on a particular issue.  However, this is exactly the point. It is having an opinion, making a decision, and sticking to it; or, changing your position based on new information coming to light.  In any event, you would simply state your new decision, position, or not. 

Taking an oath would be unnecessary because our words would be like gold; it would be our bond. Practice saying what you mean, and mean what you say. Respect the value of your own voice, and keep your word. Whether it is to a friend, colleague, adult, or child, if you say it, you should mean it!  L.

​
Study Reference: Matthew 5:37, James 5:12 
From: "The Integrity Quotient."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
​photo: istock

    "Verily I say unto you, among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist; notwithstanding, he that is least in the kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.”      Matthew 11:11

 
There is no doubt about John the Baptist’s direct relationship to Jesus; not only was he Jesus’ cousin, he was divinely chosen by God to be the messenger foretelling Jesus’ ministry.  In today’s society, he would be considered the advertisement trailer —the pre-event marketing strategy of the main event.  When we read about his life, we know he lived sparsely, ate sparingly, and until his appearance in Israel, remained mostly in solitude in the desert and wilderness. At some point, because of the righteousness of the life he led, the people believed he was the Messiah. However, he was certain to correct them whenever he heard them.  It is interesting to note that his ministry was so well-known, that even the nobles knew who he was and feared him.  Yet, in the comment above, Jesus states that as great as John-the-Baptist was, the very “least” of us in the Kingdom of God will be “greater than he.” 

Imagine for a moment that we, with all our faults, limitations, and disbelief; with repentance, remission of sin, baptism, and profession of faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior, will be greater than John-the-Baptist!  It is almost too stunning to imagine.  Here is a man that while he was in the very womb of his mother, was already filled with the Holy Spirit praising God. (Luke 1:15)  

John-the-Baptist truly understood the purpose for his life; somehow he did not get side-tracked by the perils of life. He did not get bogged down by the minutiae of life; he simply stayed on course to become a walking advertisement for baptism in Jesus Christ.  He fulfilled his purpose even unto the end of his life when things seemed the bleakest.  

Today, let the promise of God lead your faith; and let no man take from you the gift that has already been freely given in Jesus Christ.   L.

Study Reference: Luke 3:2-22 Matthew 14:3-14
From:  "Remaining On Course."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell 
photo: argiris karamouza

  “Who is a God like unto Thee that pardons iniquity and passes by the transgressions 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 He will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”      Micah 7:18-19


For many Christians, including myself, forgiveness is a big issue. It's not simply forgiving others, although that may be just as big an issue, but forgiving ourselves. We consider our deeds or misdeeds, and think to ourselves, God cannot forgive us for whatever act /sin we believe we have committed.  We make this statement so true in our own minds that forgiving ourselves seem completely outrageous. So, we wallow in the arms of self-pity, doubt, and fear, languishing in darkness, instead of what should be the Light of forgiveness and the Grace of God.

In Isaiah 55:8-9, God reminds us that His thoughts are far beyond our level of thinking.  In it He says; 
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways…  For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

God travels on the ultimate high road, offering compassion and granting forgiveness to all those who ask. If this is so, how can we ever believe that God will not forgive us for past or even future misdeeds?  We cannot think like God; our understanding of His forgiveness is often misguided and limited.  And yet, no one else can tell you to forgive yourself for something you have done, if you do not believe you deserve forgiveness. Your quest is to ask God for His forgiveness, repenting of your sins now cloaked under the blood of Jesus Christ. 

Once you have done so, you must believe that His forgiveness has occurred; and, fully accept that the thoughts of your Father in Heaven are far beyond both your expectations and your understanding. -Now, there are times when you will have to ask for forgiveness from those whom you have hurt, however, forgiving yourself can only start with God. L.

Study Reference: Micah 7:18-19  
From: "Forgiving Yourself."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo credit: Getty

  "Blessed is the man that walks not in the counsel of the ungodly nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and, in His law doth he meditate day and night.”     Psalm 1:1-2

​
When I began writing, In The Master's Hands, I really wanted each reader to become part of the process of truly developing their own personal level of spiritual maturity regarding the Bible; however, not in relation to a specific dogma or doctrine. So, for two days each week, I selected a specific text where you could write your own thoughts regarding the preselected verse. It was done to aid you in recording and understanding, on a more personal level, how you felt each week, in relation to the Hand of God working in the daily occurrences of your life. It would also allow you to record a snippet of your spiritual journey, somewhat like a personal journal; so hopefully, during the following year when you re-read it, you would be spiritually encouraged by your very own words. 

For instance, let’s try it with today's verse, Psalm 1:1-2: 

When we read today’s verse, it reminds us to dismiss the advice given to us from ungodly sources. This means that as Christians, we do not take our life cues from Horoscopes, Voodoo, Spiritualism, Santeria, Mediums, Soothsayers, or Witch-doctors. It means that we study the Word of God so intently that, like Samuel, in 1 Samuel 3:3-14, we hear God’s Voice above all else when He calls. It means that we take a stand on God’s righteousness, allowing all other voices to fall by the wayside for dismissal. It means that, God leads us, and nothing in our life is placed above His standards. And, most of all, it means that we study the Word of God so that when we are presented with those things that are ungodly, we will easily recognize them whether they are uncloaked in broad daylight, or camouflaged under the shadow of night. In addition to this, God reminds you, the reader, that you are blessed for abiding in His Word, following His standards, and devoting your personal prayer time to hearing His Voice daily.  L.

**Now, it is your turn to write your thoughts concerning today’s verse.

Study Reference: Psalm 1:1-2 
From: "Your Thoughts: Hearing." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: fotolia 

                       

​"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye, being rooted and grounded in Love may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the Love of Christ, which passes knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the Fullness of God.”     Ephesians 3:17-19


We have just passed the middle of the year; are you one of those people who wait until the onset of New Year’s Eve to reaffirm a radical change in your life? Like so many others, do you lose your new conviction within two or three months? Are past years littered with old resolutions that never got out of the starting gate? Or, are you one of those people whose resolutions are so weak, it never takes real commitment to make it work anyway?

Why not try something new? Instead of waiting until next New Year’s Eve to affirm a change in your life, why not start the change today? Why not start your new conviction an hour from now? It is so easy for us to dismiss a commitment that is planned for the future; instead of New Year’s Eve, start your commitment today.  Do you need to change your diet?  Begin with today’s lunch menu. Simply change your order to reflect a new healthier direction. Do you need more exercise?  Instead of taking the elevator up today, start taking the stairs. If you get tired, you can always take the elevator on one of the upper floors until you can walk the entire distance on your own.

More importantly, why not make the radical decision to place the control of your life In The Master’s Hands?  Why not open your heart to accept a deeper understanding of God’s Love in your life, embracing the decision to learn the vast breadth of knowledge that is Jesus Christ? –And, if you are wondering how gaining a deeper, more profound knowledge of Jesus would change your life; the text above states that you will be filled with the Fullness of God.

–It is a scary thought, the idea of being filled with the Fullness of God. –But, just imagine the reverse!
Consider the old motto, “Today, is the first day of the rest of your life!” Or better yet, “Embrace the present; because the reason we call it the present is, it is a gift from God.” –Obviously, the more profound truth is, “Tomorrow is promised to no one.”  –So, there is never a better day than today to get started.  L.

​
Study Reference: Ephesians 3:17-19
From: "Renewal of The Mind..." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Matthieu Bourel

                          "It is God that girds me with Strength, and maketh my way Perfect.”   Psalm 18:32    


Our lives can be so chaotic that we often forget the Christian practice of relinquishing all of our pending issues to God. It is in relinquishing our issues that our direction is made perfect in His Will.  But of course, relinquishing is much easier said, than done.  For most of us, it is far too easy to mastermind our own escape, making our decisions much too quickly and without any premonition or thought of the future outcome.  And yet, we do it anyway; often, getting into trouble without the ability to turn back, or correct our errors.  At the onset, God’s way always seems absurd and more difficult; so, we simply do it our way.

And so, like the Children of Israel struggling with their obedience as they walked in the desert, we tend to mastermind our own walk by continuously walking in circles, tracing our own footsteps over and over again.  God, on the other hand, travels in perfection, using the ultimate geometric theorem where, “the shortest distance between two points is a straight line;” a line, created just for you to make your way perfect.  L.

**Now it is your turn to write your thoughts regarding today's verse in your journal.
 
Study Reference: Psalm 19:12, Psalm 32
From: "Your Thoughts: The Shortest Distance" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Jimmy McIntyre

​        "...Love suffers long, and is kind; love envies not; love vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seek not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease, whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;  But when that which is Perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.  When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face; now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I also am known. And now abide Faith, Hope, and Love, these three; but the greatest of these is Love.”     1 Corinthians 13:4-13 


Without Love, there is nothing …There is nothing, without Love.     

I am convinced that pure Love conquers all, heals all, prevents all, and saves all.  It knows all, discerns all, creates all, perceives all, teaches all, finds all, reveals all, identifies all, and so on.  It is the remedy for everything, and without it, there is nothing and nothingness.  It is the reason we believe God is Love.  Nothing can exist without it.  —No human, animal, vegetable, flora, fauna, or fish.  It is not only God’s Love for us, or our love for Him; it is the encompassing and extension of our love to others.  As God’s Ultimate Gift, it is the greatest thing He imparted to us, and it continues to keep us in accord with Him, whether we believe or not. 

As humanity, we cannot function without it. When we find it missing at the youngest stages of life, it manifests as wicked pathologies and dysfunctions that disable future adults from the basics of a common humanity most of us take for granted.  And, if it is still not discovered into adulthood, the mind finds ways of creating “love,” often, to the destruction of itself or others. 

We search for it,—yearn for it, and eagerly find ways of capturing even the most minuscule traces of it in others.  We will give up our lives for it; and, we will save the lives of others because of it. It heals our hearts and replenishes our souls.  What else could it be, but from God?  It is not physical love, but it can be.  It is not romantic love, but it can be. It is a thing so massive, both its depth and breadth is unimaginable. And yet, even the most minuscule unseen bit, once offered, can propel us to greatness.  Imagine.  ...It lives long after we have died and continues to work long after we have lived.  What else could it be, but of God. 

In this new year why not move your life in the direction of finding out more about it?  Not to garner more of God’s Gift from others to yourself, but to offer more of it to others—for yourself.

Change to Love—you’ll change your life. 
                   Change your life —​You will change the world.  L. 

Study Reference: 1 Corinthians 13:4-13  *(The Gideon King James Bible) 
From: "Love." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock 

                                   





​        "And he answering said, "Thou shalt Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and, thy neighbor as thyself."  And He said unto him, "Thou hast answered right; this do, and thou shalt live."  But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?’""    
Luke 10:27-29 
 

Unlike the governing Jews in ancient Jerusalem, Samaritans were more secular Jews who intermarried within other groups, causing multiracial, multilingual, and multicultural traditions to be practiced and conveyed within their group. It was the belief of the governing Jews that Samaritans were inferior due to their “impure” bloodline and cross-cultural traditions. On both sides, those within each group considered avoidance to be the only discrete way of dealing with each other.  This makes the parable Jesus offered in Luke 10:25 to the lawyer who asked, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” so remarkable.  Lawyers, like Pharisees, were students of the law.  And, like the Pharisees, Scribes, Priests and Levites;  lawyers were considered part of elite society.  Their knowledge of both governing law and doctrinal law gave them the opportunity to commune with all members of the social elite; and similarly, a common person or peasant could not simply evoke an audience with any of them, much less a Samaritan.

Jesus responds by asking the lawyer, “What is written in the Law?  How have you interpreted it?”  The lawyer says to Him, “Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind; and, your neighbor as yourself.”   Jesus commends him by saying, “You have answered right, do this and you shall live.”   —But, like any good attorney, he has to ask God’s Holiest Witness to clarify His statement. —After all, we are talking about eternal life.  So, knowing that he does not interact with the “common folks” of society, the lawyer asks for specific clarification, asking, “--And, who is my neighbor?” 

So, just like the rest of us, he forgets that he cannot entrap God.  He forgot that questions posed to God, although entertained when asked, were created and already answered by our omnipotent, omniscient Creator.  Jesus entertains his question by offering The Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-36), where a man, robbed, wounded, and left dying in the street is passed over by both a Priest, the pastor;  and, a Levite, the praise and worship leader. 

At first I wondered why Jesus chose a Priest and a Levite; but then, I realized that the man who lay wounded in the street was their social peer—himself a member of the social elite.  How do we know?  Well, the Bible says that the man’s clothing was stolen. Even by today’s standards, if you are the victim of a robbery, the crooks will take your money; however, if they take your clothing, it’s because you have something that they truly cannot afford.  The priest sees the man in the ditch and crosses the street.  The Levite comes over, looks into the face of the man, and then crosses the street!   A Samaritan sees the man, tends to his wounds, takes him to an inn, and pays the proprietor to take care of him, promising to pay for any further expenses the proprietor incurs, upon his return to the area. 

So, the question Jesus asks is, “Which one of the three do you think were the wounded man’s neighbors?”  We can imagine Jesus watching the lawyer as he arrives at God’s desired conclusion stating, “The one who showed compassion on him.”  Jesus, probably looking at the lawyer directly in the eyes, charges him by saying, “Go and do likewise.”  —Yet, this too is our charge! 
Interacting with others who are culturally and socially different can bring you social enlightenment and new friends, stretching your Love and compassion far beyond your own preconceived capabilities. —Not to mention, it just may be the very last component that actually moves you closer to God and gets you into heaven.  L.

​Study Reference: Luke 10:25-36   
Excerpt From: "Loving Your Neighbors." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: remax

                                   
"For God so Loved the world that, He gave His only Begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting Life.”   John 3:16 

 
In the mid-1960's, in the U.S., the motto was “Free Love.” It was an oxymoron created by beatniks and hippies to counteract the stodgy-straight-laced rules of the 1950’s, where only a brave few married or interacted with others outside their class, race, income, status, neighborhood, etc.  However, the reality is, love does not set you free, and is by no means free.  It has a cost.  To love, is to be in true bondage in the purest sense of the word.  It is complete dependence and emotional surrender to another human being.  When you make the decision to love, and do not be fooled, it is a decision, you allow another human being full access to your spirit.  This is the reason why it hurts so much when it is purposefully not returned, nurtured, or strengthened. The recovery process does not occur on the facade, the pain does not hide, and it cannot be hidden; it is much too deep and unrelenting.

When we really think about it, who, in their right mind, would elect to relinquish their spirit’s sanity for unabashed emotional surrender?  Yet somehow, as human beings, we crave its beauty, its eloquence, its spiritual transcendence —its pain.

In our armor of love we transcend time, space, and energy; and, it is the closest that we come to truly understanding God’s Love for humanity in its purest form.  Even the pain of love bonds us closer to God.  The innate pain of love allows us to freely understand man’s utter betrayal of his first love—God.  And, the surrender, or lack thereof, of one to another allows us to deeply empathize with God, gaining a greater more profound understanding of His Love for us.  

Think about someone you truly love deeply for a moment.  Really stop and think about this person. Think about the happiest, most pleasurable moment with this person. Have you done so as yet?  I can imagine it is a wonderful memory for you.

Now consider this. —Knowing what you know about the pleasure of loving this person; and, feeling what you are feeling at this very minute, imagine yourself propelled far into the future where, you can now see that your beloved will betray you and hurt you deeply.  You can see your future self and the pain you will experience at an undetermined date in the future.  Would you still continue to surrender your heart today, experiencing the high of complete surrender? Or, would you allow the person to go their own way, not knowing what they did wrong—or in this case, what they will do wrong?  

Chances are, you would still go through the process of experiencing the love you are currently giving and receiving, dealing with the betrayal in the future, when it actually occurs.

We are God’s beloved; His first Love. The ones He Loves in spite of our continual betrayal of His Love. The ones He waits for, and longs for.  The ones He openly accepts when we show up at His front door, forgiving us without any questions. The ones He gave Jesus for. —Isn't it time we went back to Him?  Hasn't He waited long enough?   L.

Study Reference: John 3:16
From: "Freedom To Love."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock

         

​"…Then Jesus went with them. And when He was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying unto Him, Lord, trouble not Thyself, for I am not worthy that Thou should enter under my roof; Wherefore neither thought myself worthy to come unto Thee; but say in a Word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goes; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he does it. When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed Him, I say unto you, I have not found so great Faith, no, not in Israel. And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.”   
Luke 7:6-10

​

As a society we need teachers, doctors, engineers, nurses, bus drivers, clerks, salespeople, etc.,  to make our economy and even God’s economy work. Imagine the impact on our economy, if as part of our everyday work-life Godly principles were a central part of our daily work. Imagine the difference it would make in dealing with your boss, co-workers, and clients. We would actually practice the principles of Jesus Christ on a daily basis in a place where we and those around us need it the most. In addition, all aspects of our work life would be based in ethics, integrity, empathy, and respect. 

There is a fallacy among newly committed Christians concerning their commitment to church work. Sometimes, when we become newly committed Christians, we convince ourselves that we must work for the church full-time. We somehow feel we should give up the purpose we were created to work full-time in Church service or ministry; not fully understanding that,  our full-time work can become our ministry. And, if we are working within a career that is our calling, it should  be our ministry.

One of the most powerful acts of Faith in the Bible came from the Roman Centurion in today’s passage who asked Jesus to heal his servant. As Jesus approached the Centurion’s home, the Centurion replied "...but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed."  We often speak about his Faith prior to this encounter; however, just imagine how he conducted his army after  this encounter!

Yes, utilize your gifts and talents within the church; however, remember that you are an ambassador of Christ, and all  that you do must reflect your calling. L.

Study Reference: Luke 7:1-10 
From: "A Working Ministry."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Tahir Juakali ​

                 "And the Lord said unto him, Surely I will be with thee, and thou shalt smite the Midianites as one man. And he said  unto Him, if now I have found grace in Thy sight then show me a sign that Thou talkest with me.”   Judges 6:16-17


We often plead with God to answer our prayers; however, sometimes we do not recognize or accept when God responds. Many times we reduce His response to good fortune, luck, or coincidence.  In discussing a difficult assignment we were working on, one of my colleagues shared a story concerning God’s response to his prayer request for a “sign” to assure him the job he was praying for would come through.   

“You are right;” He said, “It is a blessing.  I actually found out I got this job on my birthday. You know, it’s a funny thing. I was out of work for 15 months, the longest I have ever been out of work in my life, and I was very depressed. One evening, while visiting a friend of mine who lives upstate, I was sitting on the deck quietly praying, asking God for a job. I asked Him for a sign; something that would let me know that He really heard my prayer. When I looked up at the sky, I saw a shooting star!  —​I couldn't believe it!  I thought that I was seeing things, so I rubbed my eyes, and checked my glasses. When I looked up again, I saw another one, then another and another.  I couldn't believe it!  I called my girlfriend to tell her what had happened, and she told me that there was supposed to be a meteor shower that evening. As I told her the story, she said she thought it was a coincidence not a response from God; and, that I must have somehow known subconsciously that there was going to be a meteor shower that evening from the news. I explained that I didn't know there was going to be a meteor shower, and I hadn't even heard about it.  But she still didn't believe it was a response from God.  —​But I did!  It was too precise.  I had just finished asking for a sign, and there it was.  Then on November 18th, my birthday, I found out that I had gotten the job.” 

As he told the story, I thought about all the people who often pray about a circumstance or problem, yet somehow do not recognize the response when it occurs. It happens to all of us. We are reminded of this in the biblical story of Gideon, found in the Book of Judges, chapter six. Although, told by an angel that he is selected by God to lead Israel into battle against the Midianites and Amalekites, Gideon does not believe that he is the one God really wants. So, to gain confirmation of the angel’s message, he requests that the angel show him a sign.  When the sign occurs, he still does not believe he is the chosen one.  Believing instead that the sign was a coincidence, he requests yet another sign in the reverse order.  Throughout this story, although he is obedient to God, he is confused by his own fear, ultimately questioning almost every direction. 

Sometimes our doubts and fears get so far ahead of us that it becomes hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Yet the Light is always there. There are times when you may need a sign to encourage you in your quest; if so, ask. 
But remember, it was Jesus, in response to Didymus ‘Doubting’  Thomas’ unbelief who said, “Blessed are they who have not seen, yet have believed.”  —Because, sometimes we simply have to have faith in understanding that no matter what happens, God is working on our behalf.   L. 

Study Reference: Judges 6:1-40, John 20:27-29
From: "Show Me A Sign." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
​photo: Dan Bush

         “The Lord hath heard my supplications; The Lord will receive my prayer.”    Psalm 6:9

 
The Bible tells us that God hears our pleas, and will receive our prayers. Yet, most of us have no patience with God when it comes to our prayers.  We believe that just because He can answer immediately, He should.  Many times, it's easier for us to believe that our prayers have fallen on celestial deaf ears, than to honestly consider that our timing, regarding the issue we have prayed for, may be off.   That’s why faith is so important in the life of a Believer. It truly is the substance of things hoped for; and, the evidence of outcomes yet unseen.  For this reason, it is unnecessary to weep over something, or even someone that has been removed from your life.  Although we may have become attached to the thing or person, neither were necessary pillars for the future God planned for us.  Even if you believed that something or someone was to be an integral part of your  personal journey; often, the only reason that they were allowed to be there in the first place, was to teach you a valuable lesson about your Love, Character, Integrity, and Strength.
 
So, do not be discouraged, God’s response can emerge out of anything, through anyone, from anywhere. More importantly, it is an opportunity for Him to show that He has already opened doors just for you that no man can close; and, will close doors behind you, when necessary, that no man can open. As long as it is in the Will of God; if it is for you, it is for YOU; and, nothing but an act of God can stop it from reaching you.  L.
 
**Now, it’s your turn to write down your own thoughts in your journal regarding today’s verse. Try to make it personal.

Study Reference: Psalm 6:9, Revelation 3:8
From: “Your Thoughts: Accepting...”  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock