​ “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where unto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.”     1 Timothy 6:7-12


Andrew Carnegie was the second richest man in the US in 1901.  He was an industrialist /steel tycoon and the owner/ recipient of the largest corporate transaction in U.S. history (until the recent buyout of GM), when he sold, what is now known as U.S. Steel, for almost $500 million in gold bonds. In today's market, that $500 million transaction would give him a net worth of more than $275 billion dollars. He was considered a shrewd businessman who literally emerged from "rags to riches," educating himself in business, philosophy, and philanthropy.

The thing that fascinates me about Andrew Carnegie was his position on wealth.  He thought money was a worthless idol of the worst kind.  He wrote, "...The amassing of wealth is one of the worse species of idolatry.  No idol is more debasing than the worship of money …the man who dies rich, dies disgraced." 

A truly introspective quote from the man who commissioned the book Think & Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill; and endowed more than $200 million upon his death to charities that still continue to benefit today from his philanthropy. He believed you should spend the first 3rd of your life in the pursuit of knowledge, getting all the education you could afford; the second 3rd in the pursuit of money; and, the last 3rd of your life, giving it all to charity. --This is of course, assuming you live, he died at 83. 

While he was alive, he gave most of his money away to those interested in helping others. He built both Carnegie-Mellon University, and Carnegie Hall; and, he paid for and built all the public libraries in most of the United States.
What does this have to do with Jesus?   What does this have to do with being a Christian in a world steeped in subcultures and the pursuit of the all-mighty-dollar?  --Nothing!

Like Andrew Carnegie, we will all return to the dust we emerged from. The Bible doesn’t say that money is evil; it says, “...the love of money is the root of all evil.”  So, spend your time wisely; it’s always shorter than you think. Use your pursuits to help those who need it.   It’s true; we have to eat, and we deserve to live exquisitely; but, in our attempt to live well, let’s not forget to Love God, Have Faith, Laugh often, and Love much.  L.

Study Reference: 1 Timothy 6:7-12 
From:"The Pursuit of Happiness."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell 
photo: el sembrador

“Put on the whole armor of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”    Ephesians 6:11-13


As a professed Christian, at some point you will have to be baptized.  And yet, when someone is baptized as a Christian, I tell them that their life, as they knew it, just got harder.  Decisions will become more complicated, temptations will somehow feel larger-than-life, past friendships may become strained, and of course, let's not forget family life.  It does not matter whether the person is young, middle-aged, or as old as the hills, the determination to walk in faith will always be blindsided by some type of adversity.  Akin it to the story of Jesus on the mountain for 40 days and nights with every temptation, known and unknown to man, offered by the king of Sin.  All while The Enemy of our soul searched for a weakness or slight crack in the armor of Jesus. 

In the case of Jesus, He had no known weaknesses except Love.  In our case, our weaknesses are known, every last one!  And, be certain, the king of Sin knows even our most secret weaknesses. They are not new; most of them have been woven throughout our family lineage for ages. Many of them, long-standing family strongholds and weaknesses that have been passed down for generations. But thankfully, we are not alone!  Our only resource and recourse is to truly call for Divine help when we find our own armor has a slight flaw, crack, or gaping hole.  It is sort of like one of those 12-step programs designed to help former addicts where, you must call your mentor when you feel yourself slipping into any of those old dysfunctional habits. In our case, our Mentor is only a prayer away.  

So, whether you are on your knees or standing up, with your eyes open or closed, under siege or riding high; don't forget to say a prayer calling on the name of Jesus to keep yourself from falling into the gaping hole that is temptation.  L.

Reference Study: Luke 4:1-13, Ephesians 6:11-20 
From: "Yield Not to Temptation (I)."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Mohau Modisakeng /tumblr

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the Lord, the God of Israel, who summons you by name."    
Isaiah 45:3


A few years ago I saw an HSBC bank ad campaign that read, “There’s enough gold at the bottom of the ocean to give every human being on earth $100,000 dollars.”    However, they neglected to mention some very basic economics; if everyone on earth had $100,000 it would diminish the current market value of a hundred grand. The same ad campaign touted that “80% of all living things live in the ocean.” Does this mean that in order to give every human being on earth $100,000, which would diminish exponentially upon receipt by the last person, we would destroy 80% of the world’s life-forms for a measly hundred grand?  -Would you be content with destroying 80% of the world’s life forms for that amount?  -For any amount? 

I am reminded of an old story told by a close friend whose roommate neglected to care for his large Rottweiler; while he, uncharacteristically, fell in love with the dog. When his roommate would leave the house without walking the dog, he would be the one left with the responsibility of taking the 200 pound puppy out for a romp in Central Park. On one occasion, a bitter cold January morning, he woke up and realized that he did not have any money to get to work--none.   (Yes, this is way before there were ATM's)  His roommate had not come home, and the dog needed to be walked. Running late, he had planned to let his roommate walk the dog; but, the dog gave him those big sad puppy eyes, and so, off they went.  As he grumbled to himself about taking the dog for a walk, he said a desperate prayer to God for a miracle concerning carfare to work.  As the 200 pound puppy was taking him for a walk through the snow in Central Park, he decided to release her for her morning frolic so she would not pull him through the snow.  Here’s what happened.
As the dog was running through the snow, she stopped and began to dig in one location. Wondering what the dog was digging out of the snow, he walked over to see. Out of the snow came twenty New York City subway tokens, and ten one-dollar bills totaling thirty dollars. Needless to say, he hugged the dog and blessed the name of the Lord quite boisterously!

What’s the moral of this story?  When you are a child of the Most High God, you do not have to dig through the vast ocean floor destroying land and life to find riches, He will bring hidden riches to you when you need it most, right in your own backyard!  L.

Study Reference: Isaiah 45:3 
From:"Hidden Treasure." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
​photo: Yulia Karpova

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Study Reference: Psalm 23:1-3
From: "He Restores My Soul" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: web discover
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“I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised. “
Psalm 18:3 a


When is God worthy to be praised?
There are some people who will only praise God when they are in church. And, there are others who will only sing the songs found in their hymnal. However, praise is personal; often, our songs are our heartfelt prayers set to music.  Whether we are happy or sad, or full of joy or sorrow, the songs we sing are our way of calling out for God’s mercy and goodness.  It is our soul’s poetry to Him and it can be completely random and made up as we go. So remember, when you call on God you do not have to be eloquent, on key, in unison, or even audible; your song simply has to be a song that encompasses your heartfelt love and honest praise. L.  

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

Study Reference: Psalm 18:3
From: "Praise" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock

“Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.”     Psalm 5:1 
 

Our Words are powerful!  They have the power to give life or death to any given situation, just as they have the power to promote or destroy others.  In the same way that God spoke the world into existence with His words; our world is also transformed by the words we speak daily.  And, not only do our words shape our perception of our circumstances; our circumstances can be completely transformed by the profession of our words. Remember, the power of your words; they have the power to shape your life and the lives of others.
 
Most people do not consider the lingering effects of their words. Some of us simply spew our words, because we can. However, be mindful that Adam named every living thing in the world, and each thing is still called by that name today. That’s how powerful your words are. And, this is just a small indication of the verbal power God gave Adam from the foundation of the world. This power was never rescinded, it is your legacy.
 
Often, your words justify your beliefs. This is why it is so difficult to profess what you do not believe. It is also the reason why brainwashing has to occur repetitively. It is in the repetition that we begin to believe what we actually say.  So, it is important for us to remember that our words are vital to the quality of our survival; it is the difference between simply eking out a living with deep sadness or living daily with innate joy. Your words have the power to change your environment!
 
Obviously, when the Bible says, God sent His Word, and His Word became flesh, we understand that the Word is Jesus. So, if God created us in His own image wouldn't our words have the power to create also? When we really begin to understand how powerful our words are, we will understand the power God placed in us from the foundation of the world. 
 
Adam used the power of his words in his household –the earth.  What about your household? What words do you use within your daily environment?  Remember, if you curse at your children, your spouse, or your environment, you are placing a significant negative presence on your life. –A presence that lingers within your own psyche and home environment far into the future. If instead, you bless your children, spouse, and environment, it places a significantly positive presence on your life far into the future. Today’s verse says, “Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.”  Your life is shaped by your own words; the ones you choose to utter daily are the ones you will receive.  –So, why not choose them wisely?  L.
 
Study Reference: Psalm 5:1, Psalm 23
From: "Our Words.”  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: bigstock
 
**Now, it’s your turn to write down your own thoughts in your journal regarding today’s verse.

“Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am.”
Psalm 39:4


There was a friend of my family who was diagnosed with the “C” word; her doctors gave her only 6 months to 1 year to live. She prayed, asking God for the opportunity to see her young children finish High School.  Twenty-three years later, she not only lived long enough to see both of her children graduate, she lived to take two of her grandchildren to school. 

But, there’s more. Twenty-three years later, the young physician who gave her the final valuation on her life, told her that she had only two weeks to live, at best; not knowing that she herself would not live to see those two weeks because of a freak accident.  Our friend had not only outlived her diagnoses, she also outlived several of her physicians.  

Today’s verse reminds us that we are all terminal no matter how long we live. We measure our days because it keeps us on track to complete the things we need to complete in the time allotted to us.  But remember; only God determines our end. In Isaiah 38:4-5, Hezekiah asked God for more time, and God gave him 15 more years. He gave our friend 23 more years.  

So, to the person who really needed this reminder today, remember to pray and ask God for what you need; because, all things are possible with God, even more time!  L.  

Study Reference: Psalm 39:4, Isaiah 38:4-5
From: "Your Thoughts: The Measure of Our Days." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: shutterstock

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

“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.
 
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

**Now, it’s your turn to write down your own thoughts in your journal regarding today’s verse. Try to make it personal.

“...Then The Spirit said unto Philip, “Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” And Philip ran there to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, “Understandest thou what thou read?”  And he said, “How can I, except some man should guide me?” And he desired Phillip that he would come up and sit with him.”    
Acts 8:29-30


Seeking God is highly personal, and you never know when or where non-Christians will seek to learn more about God. One day on my way to church, my cabdriver, an old-fashioned dread-locked Rastafarian, led us into a discussion about Jesus.  Our discussion was much too long to go into specifics; however, as it ensued, I learned why Rastafarians consider Haile Selassie akin to God.  They believe that Selassie, the confirmed 223rd direct descendant of King Solomon, is Jesus. And since the leaders of seventy-two world nations witnessed his coronation in Ethiopia as "king of kings," their conclusion was that, he must be our Savior reborn; although, Selassie himself never made such a claim. Our discussion was wonderfully energetic, and we planned to have a deeper discussion of the life of Jesus and Christianity upon his visit to my church at a later date.

In today’s passage, the Ethiopian Chamberlain of Queen Candace’s court, was unknowingly reading about the life of Jesus as found in the prophetic book of Isaiah, without fully understanding the texts; when supernaturally, the apostle Phillip appears next to his chariot to explain the prophesy concerning Jesus’ life and subsequent resurrection. The Chamberlain finds the information gained from Phillip so spiritually compelling that, the next body of water he sees, he asks Phillip to baptize him immediately. Once he confirms his belief and the baptism is completed, Phillip miraculously vanishes, appearing in another town miles away to evangelize further. The Chamberlain goes on his way rejoicing armed with the Holy Spirit!  Historically, it turns out that, Ethiopia was the first place where a reigning ruler converted to Christianity, establishing one of the oldest Christian enclaves in the world.  In addition, it has been referenced that the Chamberlain eventually became an apostle, evangelizing the gospel of Christ into South Asia, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka),  East Africa, and  Arabia Felix (now a smaller Yemen), until he was eventually martyred. God certainly does not waste His resources!  One person taught another person and look what happened!

Like the Ethiopian Chamberlain, when someone is seeking to learn more about God, you never know if it is going to be convenient for you or not. Why do I say this? –Well, the discussion with my driver lasted long enough for me to see the congregation coming out of the very church I was supposed to be going into.
“Wow, it looks like the people are leaving,” I said, a little surprised. “–I can’t believe I missed church.”  My driver turned to me and smiled, “Not to worry Sistah, we had church right here!”  “True!” I said smiling at him. “True.”  L.  

Study Reference: Acts 8:26-39
Excerpt from: "An Inconvenient Time."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Brant    
 

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“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 are already in 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 2 or 3 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 go 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