​"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: Peter Gridley / Getty

    “For I, the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”          Isaiah 41:13

 
Fear is the greatest killer of dreams. For several years I planned to volunteer as an adult literacy instructor, with the hopes of encouraging two men I met to learn how to read. I can only imagine what it would be like to be illiterate, not in the negative connotation, but in the true definition of the word. I am fascinated at the high level of aptitude and social achievement those who cannot read, something many of us literally take for granted, are able to achieve. 

As Christians, we take literacy for granted, after all, aren't we supposed to read our Bible?  As a literacy volunteer, prior to receiving your own class you must sit and view a class in session, listening to the intimate interactions between the tutor and his / her students. Each class is made up of 6-7 students, ranging in age from about 20-70+, with one or two people representing each age group.  In the group I visited, two of the older students were motivated to learn how to read because they simply wanted to read their Bibles and hymnals in church. 

My first inclination upon entering the class was thinking that these students carried immense fear, shame, and embarrassment; however, after interacting with them for a few hours, I realized it was just the opposite. These students were extremely courageous! They had taken the initial steps necessary to eliminate what was previously  their shame, to ultimately conquer their fear. 

Conquering our fears with faith is the ultimate achievement for all Christians; it is our secret weapon against the wiles of the enemy.  Fear can rob all, including Christians, of their hope in the future and their faith in God.  Yet, it is in our fear that God offers the greatest strength.  He promises in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that, “...His strength is made perfect in our weakness.”  It is in this promise that we are given our salvation from fear.

So, no matter what ails you, threatens you, or scares you, believe this promise; faith in God is your ultimate weapon against whatever is thrown your way.  His strength is perfected in your weakness; the weaker you are, the stronger He is!  L. 

Study Reference: Isaiah 41:10-13, 2 Corinthians 12:9
From: "Fear Not!"  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Raul Boesel

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       "I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into their labors.”
     John 4:38
 

Ordinarily, when most Christians read today’s verse, we consider it the manifestation of a blessing where we have reaped a harvest from a seed sown by someone else. In other words, “One man sows, another one reaps.”  However, if we reconsider this verse, it is even more profound.  It can also refer to someone whom you have been guiding, studying with, or simply speaking to about God who is considering the idea of becoming a Christian; yet somehow, they are finding difficulty in making a full commitment.
 
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Often, it may appear that you have failed miserably in your attempt to be a witness for the Love of God; so, you decide to dismiss them, hoping that you can redeem the time by moving on to someone else. However, more often than not, we are simply the sower. —The first person to begin the process of awakening the small seed within them into what will eventually become a deep desire to personally know more about God.
 
There are times when those we speak to about Jesus are stubborn; so, it will take them longer to understand and acknowledge the manifestation of God in their lives.  For now, another man or woman will reap that soul for the Kingdom of God.  In the meantime, don’t get discouraged; simply stop for a moment to remember how stubborn you were, and how long it took YOU  to finally believe.  L.
 
**Now it is your turn to write your thoughts regarding today's verse in your journal.  L. 

Study Reference: John 4:38 
From: “Your Thoughts: Guiding Others -Reaping.” In The Master’s Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
​photo: shutterstock

   "…For the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, which went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard. ...So when evening was come, the Lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first. And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny. But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.”      Matthew 20:1, 8-10 
 

Matthew 20:1-16, is a parable given by Jesus to His disciples when a very wealthy man walks away sorrowful, after he learns he must forsake his wealth to follow Jesus in order to inherit eternal life. The parable follows one of the most famous lines in the Bible, “…Verily I say unto you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:24)   

It is a perplexing parable like all the other parables Jesus taught His disciples while He walked among them.  However, this one has even greater implications for modern Christians.  Consider this; the parable speaks to those who accepted Jesus early in their lives, living the principles of Christianity, versus those who gained the wisdom of accepting the Gospel towards the end of their lives. 

Those who accepted the Gospel at the beginning of their lives accepted it for very little, maybe this person is you; you were young, heard the Word, and simply believed.  You did not need to witness the miracles of Jesus in your life, you simply believed and adhered to a straight and narrow path. It was all you asked, and for your belief and faith, payment will be the inheritance of eternal life.  Those who came to God closer to the end of their lives, possibly someone you believe has lived an unrighteous life for instance, asked for more; more love, more miracles, more faith, and more time, as shown by the ragged, frayed edges of their life. God agreed; and their payment will be the same inheritance, eternal life. Yet, we have the same old debate, "Does the thief on the cross inherit eternal life equally as the man who repented or followed Christ early in his life?"  Does God honor your lifelong repentance the same as the person who repented on his deathbed? 

As Christians, we would like to believe God honors all repentances the same, no one is greater than another, no sin is lesser or greater than the other. In James 2:10 the Bible says, if you commit one sin you are guilty of all. Yet, in our scant human understanding, we place our own sins in some type of hierarchy, as if we believe God says, “Hmmm… his sin wasn't as bad as the murder in the first degree committed by…”  And so, we live our lives trying to make up for the sins we committed throughout our lives as if we have to, forgetting that we are all saved by Grace.  Upon our baptism we are dead to sin; Jesus stands in our stead with God.  Does this mean we can continuously dishonor God by repeating and repenting as we go? Well,... yes; at our very lowest we can, but it is a ridiculously hard way to live. Living on the straight and narrow path is hard enough. 

Ideally, we live to maintain a higher standard for our lives, because as Christians it shows our love, reverence, and respect for Jesus’ sacrifice of His life for ours.  Why would anyone wait until the end of their life, or possibly their very last breath to make a commitment to God?  What are the chances that you will make your commitment in time to repent for a lifetime spent away from God?  L.   

Study Reference: Matthew 20:1-16
From: “Different Deal, Same Pay.” In The Master’s Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: fern/ istock

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"For the time has come that judgment must begin at the house of God; and if it first begins with us, what shall the end be for them that obey not the Gospel of God? And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”    
1 Peter 4:17-18 

 

​It is interesting to note that when God planned the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, he began with judging the righteous first—the people who profess to believe in God.  It doesn't sound familiar?   Then let’s look it up. 
In Genesis 18:23-26, Abraham asks God, 

“Will Thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? Peradventure, there be fifty righteous within the city; will Thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein? That be far from Thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked; and that the righteous should get as the wicked, that be far from Thee; shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?"

In a more modern version it would say, “Lord, suppose there were only fifty righteous people in Sodom and Gomorrah, would You destroy the righteous with the wicked?"  And of course, God responds,

“If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.”

So, an entire nation would have been spared if fifty righteous people existed in Sodom and Gomorrah.  Most of us already know the dismal end of this story. Abraham, wondering if God will find fifty people, negotiates the number of the righteous down to ten people.  So, God promises Abraham if He finds ten—ten righteous people in the nation of Sodom and Gomorrah, he will spare the entire nation.  We can imagine that God, being God, searches the hearts of the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and after not finding ten people who within their hearts stand on the side of righteousness, He destroys the two cities and its inhabitants. 

Let’s fast forward to today’s world. In our fast paced era with all its bells and whistles, fast cars and fast people; quick fixes and hot tempers; high tech and low standards--where do you fit?  Many of us spend far too much time looking at, and complaining about, the routines of non-Christians and those who do not believe in God.  When in fact, we should be paying attention to the caveat found in today's verse, remembering that when the time comes, we will be judged first, not them.  Will we be found righteous in the eyes of God or as the verse says, scarcely saved?    

So, the question today is, if God approached a beloved human being today, the same way he appeared to Abraham, and told him or her that He planned on destroying your city tomorrow; would your city and its inhabitants be saved because of you? —Or, would you ignite the flame that burns the city?  L.  

Study Reference: 1 Peter 4:17-18, Genesis 18
From: "Starting With Us." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo credit: istock

​"For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...”  Proverbs 23:7


We believe that being in prison is living behind bars; however, being in prison can be completely mental.  You can live behind walls and be free; or, you can live free and still be behind walls.

While watching a documentary on rural India, the show’s host noticed that all the adult elephants were tethered with a small density jute rope secured to young insignificant trees, not more than five or six inches in diameter. When he asked one of the elephant owners how he was able to keep an adult elephant tethered with such an old rope any adult human could easily break, the trainer replied that when the elephants are very young, its trainer ties it to a strong tree using a very strong rope. The baby elephant tugs and tugs, but it is much too young to break the rope. The trainer continues to use the rope until the young elephant accepts that he cannot break free. From that point on, it becomes unnecessary for the trainer to harness the elephant with a heavy rope, any rope will do. When the elephant is mature, large enough to kill its captive owner and break the rope, it does nothing because it has been trained from infancy that any attempt to break the rope is futile. 

The Bible says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he;...”   So, your perception is everything!

We often place ourselves in predetermined prisons.  Prisons we create in our minds because of something someone said or did to us; or, something we said or did to them.  Like the elephants in our story, there are paper-thin chains holding us that we believe are high density ropes. —Imaginary ropes that in reality, can be easily broken; yet somehow, we still hold on to the imagery of bondage.  

With the acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Savior, the Bible says, “...old things are passed away, all things become new.”  We have put on a new person who is no longer captive, but free.  Jesus offered you a truly new mindset; a paradigm shift in determining who you are and who you can be! 

If this is something you truly, truly understand, then why are you still keeping yourself tied to that small, minuscule, infant-size, fledgling tree with those silly crepe-paper chains of unforgiveness, self-doubt, unrealized goals, and old self-deprecating thoughts? 
--You have already been freed!  --Simply take one giant step, break that rope, and move forward!  —Hallelujah!  L.

Study Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Proverbs 23:7
From: “Prisons.” In The Master’s Hands II: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell 
photo: kidspot 

"...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 hierarchical 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

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“Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works; show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works.  Thou believe that there is one God; thou doest well; the devil also believes, and tremble. But will thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”       
James 2:18-20 


​There seems to be a serious discussion among Christians about the concept of faith vs. works.  To be honest, I just don’t understand the debate. How can we believe in Jesus Christ and not work in fulfillment of what we believe?
—​Are not our actions a manifestation of what we believe? 

There are those who faithfully attend religious services every week. They drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, and partake in illegal drugs on those days when they do not attend church services. Does the scripture indicating the sanctity of the body temple mean anything to them? (1 Corinthians 6:19)  And, there are those of us, who go through the Ten Commandments on a regular basis, simply to confirm which ones we didn't break. Do these actions speak to our faith?  Maybe, we are on the fence when it comes to having a complete relationship with God, teeter-toddling between what we know and what we do.  Or, it could be that we believe, one thing does not have anything to do with the other.

It is interesting to note that the Bible says, “…But be ye doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves…”  James 1:22.  We are deceiving ourselves if we believe that we can separate our faith from our actions. Our actions are indicative of our faith.  This is the reason we ask for forgiveness for those things we have done that we know are insulting to God.  It is the reason we repent of those things which conflict with our faith.  We are not perfect; as humans we struggle with all sorts of feelings, urges, and habits that can appear difficult for us to resist. However, as Christians, we have faith.  We build our faith on God’s strength, not our own.  We function daily in God’s Divine Grace, and yet still, our works and our actions become the manifestation of our faith. 

In today’s text, the reference to the devil believing in God, reminds those of us who profess our belief in God, yet, continue to do those things which insult God, that the devil has a full understanding of God also.  He professes God as Creator; yet, he is still His enemy.  His actions support his faith. Don’t be confused. It is not enough to believe in God, your actions must support your faith in God. 

Our example is Jesus Christ; His works were the manifestation of His complete connection to God. They were the manifestations of His Faith.  Remember, it was Jesus who said, “…Greater works than these shall you do because I go to My Father.”  John 14:12

When He said this, He was referring to the dimension of faith we have in Him and its connection to our actions manifesting in our works.  Our works are manifestations of our belief.  And, just in case this concept is still difficult to understand, try not doing the work you were hired to do at your current workplace, and see how long you last. 
—Chances are, your work, or lack thereof, will manifest as a lack of faith in job security.   L.
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Study Reference: James 1:22-25, 2:18-20, Revelation 22:11-12
From: "Faith vs. Works." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Getty Images

​     "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth?"       Ecclesiastes 3:1-9 


​Science proves God every single day.  As Christians we must embrace science and technology as proof in understanding how difficult it is to dismiss how truly awesome God is!  

Scientists say that in order to create a computer that does all of the unconscious and mundane things your brain does every day, they would have to build a computer that takes up the entire square footage of the Empire State Building, in New York.  And, even then, if they are really lucky, it would barely function with the minimal workings of a newborn baby.  But Of course, as most new mothers can tell you, even this feat by a computer is impossible, since human babies evolve minute by minute after they are born.  And, we continue to evolve, minute by minute, day by day, month by month, and year by year until we take our very last breath.

The Bible says that the average human will live 70 years (Psalm 90:10).  If we break it down to seconds, every day that we live we would have consumed the 86,400 seconds which were added to our time on earth. On average, every month, we use 2,592,000 seconds; and, every year we use 31,536,000 seconds, give or take a leap year. And just in case we actually live to age 70, as most of us will, then, we would have consumed 2,207,520,000 seconds during our lifetime. Computers are evolving every day; they were designed to reduce the minutia and mundane so that we could do the things that really matter in the lives of humanity with and for other humans. They were not created to isolate us from each other. No one will ever say, “It was so wonderful the way she loved her computer.”  Or, “My, my; he spent so many hours with his beloved computer/ phone.”  

Somehow, our time on earth is always shorter than we think. Why not maximize every single second, of every single minute, of every single day?  L.

*It's your turn to write your thoughts on today's verse in your journal.

Study Reference: Ecclesiastes 3:1-9   
From: "Your Thoughts: Time."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo credit: istock

     "…That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.”      1 Corinthians 2:5


Have you ever been in a rush to get somewhere and someone unknown and/or in distress said, “Excuse me?”  interrupting your schedule?  Do you brush the person off?   Or, do you stop for a moment to see if you can be of assistance?  What about interruptions caused by family members, or those you love?  Can you look pass your own needs to see that they may be in distress or in need?  With all the media, mobile devices, and unscheduled events purposely trying to distract you from your life’s purpose, how you deal with the interruption says a lot about you and how you will react to life’s interruptions. 

...God has many different ways of getting our attention; sometimes it is a whisper, and sometimes it’s a bomb.  Either way, it causes us to pause, rethink, and re-purpose our lives. The whisper may come in the form of a nudge to get something done primarily for someone else. It pulls on your heartstrings, and although it is out of character, you just know it is the right thing to do. The bombs are a little different. —They are usually highly personal. They propel your level of thinking or behaving a quantum leap forward; but, in a completely different direction —with no turning back! 

God does not really allow you to turn backwards. Similar to Lot’s wife and the children of Israel in their  mountainous experience, you either go forward or you stagnate, feeling sorry for yourself while reliving the heydays of smooth roads and sunny skies. Or, you forge ahead towards the new path set before you.  Sometimes, you will know it is in the will of God for you to take the mountainous road ahead. And sometimes, you will simply have to travel by faith, understanding that, “this too shall pass.”

Faith is always tested.  At times it may come in the form of an interruption; when it does, the lesson is never in the interruption. The lesson will always be in how you react to the interruption.  L.

Study Reference: 1 Corinthians 2:5-9
Excerpt from: "Interruptions."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: wallpaperup

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​"But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to naught things that are.”     
1 Corinthians 1:27-28



For several years, my friends and I hosted a luncheon table after church; the premise was, because of the lack of parking, most people would stay to attend the afternoon program if lunch was provided. It was an open table where members, non-members, and visitors were welcome. We had very lively biblical debates regarding some of the interpretations presented by our diners. 

One afternoon we had a lengthy discussion concerning Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine. The discussion lasted three weeks, not counting the research, preparation, and the Internet emails between the two main debaters. It was quite interesting and both sides had some great points. However, just so you do not send me every email under the sun, my position is as the Bible states, Jesus turned the water into wine; yes wine!  If we take everything else at face value in our Bible, we have to take this also. OK, with that said, I do not believe the wine was capable of making people drunk no matter how much they drank; not because the wine was mere “grape juice,” but because Jesus created it. I cannot imagine that Jesus would allow the imbibing of His wine to cast others into drunken madness. Yet, the governor at the wedding exclaimed in John 2:10, “Thou hast kept the good wine until now!” 
​So, as Shakespeare said, “Therein lies the rub!”

If we consume man-made alcohol, we are destined to be drunk. If you have a certain upbringing where alcohol is an integral part of your meal, you have a tradition of consumption that can lead your body organs into decay, not to mention a chemical dependency that rarely goes away.  For those of us who believe that, since Jesus turned water into wine, imbibing should be an integral part of our own lives, why not take it a step further and do some of the other things Jesus did?  Why not spend some time healing the sick, helping the poor, or teaching the Word of God to the masses.  Let us not spend so much time concentrating on the wine; let us instead, concentrate on the miracle.  L.

Study Reference: 1 Corinthians 1:25-28
From:"Water Into Wine." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell 
photo: Tony Cenicola

"...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
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​   "And his servant came near, and spoke unto him, and said, “My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, would thou not have done it? How much rather then, when he saith to thee, “Wash and be clean?”  Then went he down, and dipped himself seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh came again like unto the flesh of a little child, and he was clean."     2 Kings 5:13-14 

 
There are times when we are certain our blessings will emerge from a source we recognize, ignoring those things or people sent in our path, by God, to redirect our focus.  Sometimes it can be a perfect stranger, a circumstance, or an event which dramatically impacts a major decision.  Our task is to maintain such a strong connection to God that, when it shows up, it will be easily discernible from the other things or people in our lives.  

Today's verse, found in 2 Kings, is the fulfillment of a blessing from God through the Prophet Elisha.  Naaman was a beloved Captain of the Syrian Army whom, although beloved and revered by the King of Syria for his valor, was stricken with the disease leprosy.

It is interesting to note how Naaman learned of the Prophet Elisha's gift of healing others. The short version is, the Syrians battled with Israel, and as the victors, they kept those who were captured in battle as servants.  One of the captives, a young Hebrew girl, was given to Naaman's wife as a servant. One day the maiden told her mistress that she knew of a Prophet in Samaria who could heal Naaman of his leprosy. Hearing this from his wife, Naaman goes to the King of Syria for an introductory letter to the King of Samaria, requesting a meeting with the Prophet Elisha. When he arrives in Samaria, Naaman is instructed by Elisha to dip in the Jordan River seven times to heal himself, but like us, his arrogance and ego almost prevents him from receiving God's blessing. 

Although the healing was miraculous, today let's consider the circumstances that led to the healing—the truly miraculous part.  First, we have to assume that Naaman treated all the servants in his household quite well, since, the Hebrew servant girl felt inclined to offer help to her new captor.  Secondly, Naaman's own personal servant had no fear in recommending to his master that he follow Elisha's instructions precisely. And lastly, because of the sincere urgings of his personal servant, Naaman reconsiders his own arrogance and follows Elisha's instructions precisely, submerging himself into the Jordan River exactly seven times.  When he finally emerged after the seventh dip, he was completely healed. 

Today, we may or may not have servants; however, consider this. How do you treat those whom you consider      beneath you?  What about those employees on your job who are your subordinates?  What about those you consider less fashionable, less educated, younger, unattractive, or of a lower income group?  Had Naaman not respected or listened to the urgings offered by both his servants, he would not have experienced the healing prepared for him by God. 

How we treat those whom we command, or those who serve us, can be the difference between receiving a blessing or not.  So remember, the most wondrous thing about receiving a blessing from God is, we never know through whom the blessing will manifest.  We simply cannot predict who will be chosen to fulfill God's blessings in our life. Furthermore, we have no idea when, where, or how our blessings will take form.  It is thoroughly uncanny; it can come from anyone, anywhere, at any time.  We only need to be prepared for it by faith, and to accept it graciously and with gratitude when it occurs.  L.   

Study Reference: 2 Kings 5:13-14
From: "An Uncommon Blessing." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: creative digital

​“If My people, which are called by My Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My Face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”   2 Chronicles 7:14



Jesus did many miraculous things while He walked among the Disciples; yet, He also took the time to teach multitudes of people how to pray. We know God answers prayers because, we live and breathe.  And, I would suggest that, if you have never had a prayer answered, you must be praying for the wrong things. The email I received below is quite powerful. It shares the story from one of our readers who started a Morning Prayer group after initially praying with a coworker.  Each day, she led her group of nurses in beginning their daily shift routine with prayer. Just imagine the power that is put forth by a group of healthcare professionals who began their day with prayer. Below is an update concerning her Morning Prayer Group. 


​Hi Lavona,
 
"I just got a chance to read today’s 'Daily' Devotion.'  The latest chapter in my workplace early Morning Prayer session is that it has begun to spread. I don't have to ask anyone to come together anymore; they refuse to work without our prayer session... Needless to say, I didn't know it would take off like it has. This morning I got the shock of my life when my head nurse invited one of our doctors to join our prayer group and he came. At first he said, "Well, I don't know if I really believe in a gray-haired man who is supposed to be hearing us."   But he came, joined our circle, put his arms around his neighbor and we prayed. -It was awesome!!  I'm thinking about it even now and just marvel at the greatness of God. Well,... I'll continue to keep you posted."     -Claudette J.

How would it impact your workday if you and your co-workers began the day with prayer?  How would your group deal with customers, clients, or major issues throughout the day, if your morning began with prayer? You may be thinking, “I can pray alone at my desk for everyone.”  -True. However, Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered together in My Name, there Am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)   So, in coming together with your group, your prayer will be more effectual in your workplace.  When you pray alone, you are praying for yourself and the workplace environment, placing "your" mind at ease. When you pray in a group, you are praying for each person and their respective specifics, whether you know their issues or not. This puts "their" mind at ease, allowing them to relinquish control of "their" problems to God. 

All you need is one other person to start the process. You will be surprised how many people really need prayer in their life, but are afraid to ask. Your presence in your workplace is not to convert the staff; it is to bring the Love of Christ into the environment through you. And remember, just like the physician in Claudette’s letter, it does not matter if they believe, it simply matters that you believe.  L. 

Study Reference: 2 Chronicles 7:14-16 
Excerpt from:"Teaching Prayer." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock

“For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.”      Matthew 10:20



At the opening ceremony of one of my favorite museums, I spotted a woman that I had not seen in a while. And, although we were not friends, we always greeted each other with a smile. 

"I can't believe you are here!”   She said, smiling at me, “—I have been looking for you for one year! "     
"No,"  I said,  "-I don't think it's been that long."   
“-Yes!"  She said firmly, 
"-It has been exactly a year! And, I was hoping that you would be here!"    I started to laugh out loud, "Hmm,... sounds serious, I don't owe you money, do I?"   We both began to laugh.  "-No.”  She said, continuing with some level of excitement. “-I just really wanted to thank you and tell you how much you helped me! -You were so right! "   She said smiling. "-And, it worked out just as you said it would!"   "Really?"  I said; trying desperately to remember what we actually spoke about one year earlier, while hoping that she would give me a hint.  

I vaguely recalled telling her that the issue she was facing may be God's way of moving her in a different direction; but, for the life of me, I could not remember the details.  And, after rattling my aging brain for a while, I finally said, "What exactly was it that I said to you?"    Looking a little stunned, she said, "You really don't remember?"   
"-No."  I said, more amazed that she was amazed that I did not remember the specifics of our year-old conversation.
"Well,"   She said, "-I have to believe that God needed for me to hear what He was trying to tell me. I was being hard-headed and would not listen. So, He used you so I could hear His Voice from someone else."
Although she never filled in the details, I had to agree; because, to this day, I still cannot recall the specific details of our conversation. 

Christians asking for The Power to speak to others about Jesus, is probably less common than God asking us to speak to others about Him. Often, there is fear. —Fear of rejection, ridicule, and a lack of knowledge associated with speaking to others about Jesus. However, Jesus understands our fears and in most instances will prompt us to action.

There will be times when, we will be in the right place, at precisely the right time to help someone else understand why Jesus Loves them. On some of those occasions it will be our words, on other occasions, it will be our actions. We do not have to remember the details; we simply have to remember that we are living testimonies to the Life, Love, and Power of Jesus Christ. L.

Study Reference: Matthew 10:20
From: "The Power to Speak."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock

    "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Then shall ye call upon Me, and ye shall go and pray unto Me, and I will hearken unto you. And ye shall seek Me, and find Me when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.”       Jeremiah 29:11-13
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​
American writer, Henry David Thoreau, was born in 1817. He wrote in an era when the male majority literally had all the privileges of a new independence. Yet, he is credited with the quote: “Most men [and women] lead lives of quiet desperation and go to the grave with the song still in them.” Thoreau wrote this statement contemplating his own personal understanding of quiet desperation and that of mankind.

At some point in our lives, we all suffer from secretly living in quiet desperation. For most of us, it occurs when we believe we are not fulfilling, or have no hope of realizing our God-given potential. For others, it is the full acceptance of mediocrity, both in themselves and others. It is safer to continue in the mundane routine of our daily lives, than to take the risk of the unknown, to break free of the quiet unlit embers that have somehow quelled the fire in our souls.

In today’s verse, God reminds us that no matter how dismayed we become, His thoughts towards us are of Divine Love and complete peace. No matter how discouraging our circumstances, when we call on the name of Jesus, the verse says, He will hear our plea and respond. There is absolutely no reason to go through your life in quiet desperation. At some point, you will have to really believe that God values your life’s potential.  After all, He was the One who placed it in you to begin with.

Take the time to really read your Bible; it was created to inspire deep internal thought about your life in relation to God. Use it as the ultimate tool to guide you in understanding the God-given potential for your life. Pray for guidance to alleviate any inner doubts so that you can internalize the depth of God’s Love towards you. Continue to write down your thoughts as you read. It will recalibrate your thinking to foster action, helping you to develop a keen awareness of your life’s purpose; and, eliminate that quiet desperation we often feel.  Believe that God values your life’s potential, because the contrary would be to agree with Thoreau, and, go to the grave with your  song still inside you. L.

Study Reference: Jeremiah 29:11-13 
From: "Quiet Desperation." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock

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"Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in Me.  I am The Vine, ye are the branches; He that abides in Me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing.”    
John 15:4-5
 



I recently read, Secrets of The Vine by Bruce Wilkerson who, if you recall, also wrote the NY Times bestseller, The Prayer of Jabez.  In Secrets of The Vine, he describes how a vinedresser cares for the vineyard; and, how it relates to Jesus and His fruits of the vine —us.  His explanation is quite different than the more traditional interpretation of John 15:2  which says:

"Every branch in Me that bears not fruit He takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, He purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” Most of us believe that the translation, "to bear fruit," relates to evangelism and the statement "He takes away" means something like, “if you persist in a life without showing evidence of your salvation, you lose it.” (Secrets of The Vine, p.32)  

So, understanding that our salvation is not defined through our works “…lest we boast,” (Ephesians 2:8-9);  Mr. Wilkerson began to research John 15:2 in the original Greek text and found that a more accurate translation of the words, “takes away”  in the original Greek, is the word "airo,"  which means to “lift up.” 

Here’s the reason why the change in interpretation is important.  Mr. Wilkerson met a vineyard owner prior to writing the book, and he explained how a vineyard is cared for by the vinedresser.  It turns out; the vinedresser walks up and down the vineyard aisles daily, checking on the development of the vines and the fruit.  As long as the vine is upright, held up by the trellis, it will bear fruit.  If it is growing down in the dust or dirt, it will not bear fruit; primarily because, the dirt impedes the growth of the leaves, thereby stifling the production of fruit.  

Here’s the beautiful part; when the vinedresser sees that a vine is growing along the ground in the dust, he lifts it up, cleans the dust off, and reattaches it to the trellis.  As long as the vine stays connected to the trellis and off the ground, it will ultimately bear fruit.   So, Mr. Wilkerson interprets Jesus as the vinedresser, intervening in our lives to lift us out of the dust; ultimately cleansing us; and then, reattaching us back to God, where He frees “…us of sin so we can live a more abundant life for His Glory.” (p.36) 

So, just imagine; Jesus in His Grace and Mercy walks up and down the aisles of humanity, seeking those of us who are down in the dirt, caught in the ravages of a life in sin. He then picks us up, cleanses us, and like those large, plump, succulent grapes of The Vine, He reattaches us back to Him. 

Hmmm….  I bet you never thought of yourself as a large, luscious, fruit of the vine!  L.   

Study Reference: John 15:1-16    
From: "The Vinedresser & The Vine."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell 
photo: emaze

   "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

   
























​           "What is man that Thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that Thou visitest him."      Psalm 8:4

 
Suppose that today, instead of feeling like a powerful Child of the Most High God, you are feeling alone, left out, invisible, or unloved. And, no matter what you tell yourself to get out of it, you still find yourself thinking about it all day.  —Then, here is something else for you to meditate on instead.

If you really stopped for a moment to consider just how much God really Loves you, it would be absolutely staggering!  God is ever mindful of every detail of your life.  He is so mindful in fact, that within an earthly population of over seven BILLION people, even the tiny swirls on your fingertips —something that you never really look at, barely acknowledge, or ever pay any attention to, can never be found on any other person, anywhere in the world!  Not even an identical twin!  —That’s just how “mindful” God was when He decided that You should be born.
How’s that for attention to detail!  

So remember, it doesn't matter how you feel; feelings can betray you.  You are never alone; never left out; never invisible; and, above all, definitely Loved!  So, go ahead, get on your knees, clasp your hands, and speak to your Heavenly Father!  L. 
 
​**Now, it’s your turn to write down your own thoughts in your journal regarding today’s verse.

Study Reference: Psalm 8:4
Excerpt from: Your Thoughts: “It’s All About YOU” In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo:  pinterest /Zohar    
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 "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 window sill!  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 encouragement 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