In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
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Blessed Indeed!

6/27/2017

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​“…Blessed is he that blesses thee, and cursed is he that curse thee.  And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together. And, Balak said to Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and behold, thou hast altogether blessed them three times!”      Numbers 24:9-10 
 

In the verse above, Balaam understood that he could only curse those that God allowed him to curse; however, although he was keenly aware of the limitations of his spiritual authority, he attempted to use his divine gift as an oracle, for his own profit, prestige, honor and wealth.  All perfectly fine, until he decided to use his gift in opposition to God.

When Balak, king of the Moabites, summoned him to come to Moab to curse Israel, Balaam makes an appeal to God to learn if he can curse the Israelites.  Although God tells him not to go to Moab and that he cannot curse the Israelites; he openly disobeys by attempting to go to Moab anyway. By the time he has the encounter with the angel armed with a sword to stop him dead in his tracks, he repents--sorta-kinda. 

Like us, Balaam tries to find another way around God’s response to his query, because, the promise of the king’s wealth is much too profitable a lure to resist.  In his repentance, God allows him to go to Moab, but tells him he will only be able to say what He tells him to say.  Nevertheless, by the time Balaam meets with the Moabite king, he is ready and willing to curse the Israelites on behalf of the king. 

King Balak takes him to the top of the mountain where he can see the encampment of the Israelites on all four sides of Moab; east, north, south, and west. They build seven altars, and offer sacrifices to curse those seen in the east. But instead, God speaks through Balaam, blessing the Israelites in the east. Balak takes Balaam to the part of the mountain where he can see the north; he builds seven more altars, and offers sacrifices to curse the Israelites in the north. And again, God speaks through Balaam, blessing the Israelites in the north. This is repeated for the Israelites seen from the west. And again, God speaks through Balaam and blesses the Israelites. To make matters even worse for King Balak, Balaam then faces the wilderness, a direction where there are no Israelites encamped at all, and there, he foretells God’s vision of the Israelites exalted over the entire kingdom.  Balak realizes that there isn't anywhere that the eye can see where God’s people will not be blessed. And so, he prophesizes the grandeur of their nation over the land and the surrounding people.

You can imagine how angry King Balak was with Balaam for his inability to enact a simple curse against God’s chosen nation.  However, the most important lesson for modern-day Christians is simple.  As God’s beloved and blessed, YOU, who have chosen to give your life and love to Jesus Christ, are divinely blessed.  No one can curse, enchant, destroy, or erase the blessings that God has placed upon you.  No one!  Here's what we learned from Balaam's very own lips:
“God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man that He should repent; hath He said, and shall He not do it?  Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good? Behold, I have received commandment to bless, and He hath blessed, and I cannot reverse it!”  (Numbers 23:19-20) 

God’s blessing cannot be taken away, reversed, destroyed, or erased! Take refuge in knowing that whomsoever God has blessed is truly blessed indeed!   L. 

Study Reference: Numbers Chapters 23 through 24  
From: “Blessed Indeed!” In The Master’s Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
​photo: istock

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Be-Loved!

6/20/2017

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 “I Am My Beloved’s, and My Beloved is Mine…”     Song of Solomon 6:3  


Most people want to belong to something or someone; it is rare to find someone who truly wants to be completely alone. We often say it; and yet, we rarely mean it. Even when it appears that we really want to be alone, it is only because we cannot be with the specific person we ideally want to be with. So, we make the decision to be alone, because, having no one is better than just anyone. We long to find the ultimate person whom we can share our hearts with, so we spend a considerable amount of time searching for the right one; or, the right thing that will ultimately make us feel as if we belong to something greater than ourselves. –That’s what Love does to us; it makes us feel greater than ourselves.  It broadens the vantage point of who we believe we are, transcending the highest point of our life to place us on the acme of our own personal mountain.

The problem with this feeling, in our current culture, is that, it rarely lasts. Eventually, we will discover something about our beloved that betrays how we feel, or vice versa.  Yes, we will eventually discover our beloved’s weakness or flaw. It is that thing we learn about our beloved that can eventually be used as ammunition against them to cause them conscious pain when they are the most vulnerable. But, we also have a flaw. –It is that tender spot that somehow cannot be touched by others. –That broken thing.  Some of us have more than one; some of us have a battalion.  It’s that thing most of us want to hide about ourselves; that "thing" that we believe no one will find acceptable.   Yet, the truth is, our flaw is the very thing that attracts our soul mate into our lives. 

Our instinct is to find the one whose weakness or flaw is adorable to us and vice versa. A weakness or flaw that we not only can live with; but, that we truly believe is acceptable and dismissive. A flaw that others see as a problem for them to love, yet, one that we find enhances our love.  It is like having your own personal handicap that everyone notices, except one person.  Somehow that noticeably, obvious flaw, is unnoticeable to them; he or she only sees you.  This Love is our quest; it is us seeking God's Gift to humanity.

When we know of God, of His Son Jesus Christ, we are accepted in spite of our flaws.  Our lack of perfection is the very thing that He seeks out.  It is the very reason He sent a part of Himself to the cross.  Our flaws, although noticeable to Him, are irrelevant.  He understands our vulnerabilities and weaknesses –and accepts us anyway. 

Our love can waver like the tides of the ocean; but, God’s Love is everlasting.  It does not stray, does not falter.  It can never fade, leave, or dissolve.  It is here forever.  You are God's Beloved. You are the very reason He sent Jesus to the Cross. He understands your flaws and weaknesses, He calls it,–humanity.  There is nothing in your past, present, or future that, in coming to God in repentance, will not be forgiven. –Nothing!     L. 
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Study Reference: Song of Solomon 
From: "Be-Loved." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo credit: shutterstock

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The Power To Speak

6/19/2017

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​“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 I had not seen in a while. And, even though 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 don't think it's been that long."  I said.   
“-Yes!" she said, "It has been exactly a year! -And I was hoping that you would be here!"    I started to laugh out loud, "Hmmm.., 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! -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 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 just 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

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Seeing What Others Cannot

6/16/2017

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“There is a path which no fowl knows, and which the vulture’s eye hath not seen. The lion whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it. He puts forth His hand upon the rock; He overturns the mountains by the roots. He cuts out rivers among the rocks, and His eye sees every precious thing. He binds the flood from overflowing, and the thing that is hid, brings He forth to light.”     Job 28:7-11
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Today, Michelangelo is considered a master artist of the Italian Renaissance. As a 15th century master painter and sculptor, he created some of the art world’s most famous masterpieces of religious subjects; including, The Pietà, David, and The Sistine Chapel. Although there are many other works, these are the most famous and easily recognizable. Most of his masterpieces are massive, even by modern standards. David, one of the largest, was 17-ft tall at its completion. It represents a young King David armed with a slingshot over his shoulder, contemplating the fight with the Philistine giant, Goliath. The Pietà is a solemn depiction of the “lifeless” body of Jesus, draped across His Mother’s lap; His face frozen in agony and pain, while Mary mourns the death, not of The Christ, but of her son.  And later, The Sistine Chapel, a small chapel, whose vaulted ceilings Michelangelo was originally commissioned to paint by the Papacy of Pope Julius ll. This magnificent work depicts biblical events from Genesis to Revelation. It was one of the most difficult to produce, since Michelangelo had to mount a scaffold for hours at a time for several years, reportedly on his back, to produce the work.

Although his artistic genius was never in dispute, when peers and onlookers asked him how he was able to create such masterworks like, David and The Pietà out of dead slabs of marble; his response was that, when he looked at the selected marble slab, he saw the sculpted image already encased within the marble. He believed that God had already placed the image inside the marble, and that he simply removed the excess stone and debris camouflaging the form, enabling the world to see the image! 

Sometimes, God will allow YOU to see where others cannot; it is up to you whether you choose to be obedient and accept what He shows you, or not. Oftentimes, the image He shows you may not be immediately attainable.  In many instances, like Michelangelo’s masterpieces, it may take years to materialize, revealing only bits and pieces of the complete vision. —Often, leaving others to lose faith,  wondering what it was that you really envisioned.  Yet, like the biblical story of God’s unseen army surrounding Elisha, not everyone can see what God wants only you to see. 
​So, keep your eyes open, stay on track, and most of all, --don't  lose Faith.  L.

Study Reference: Job 28:7-11, 2 Kings 6:15-18 
From: "Seeing What Others Cannot."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock


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The Heavens Declare God (I)

6/14/2017

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“The Heavens declare the Glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.  Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where Their Voice is not heard.  Their Line is gone out through all the earth, and Their Words to the end of the world.”    Psalm 19:1-4
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When we really understand the Glory of God, we learn to see Him in everything. The first few years of my life were spent in the idyllic regions of Costa Rica, where anything anyone really needs is gained from the land. At the time, most people were farmers; they bought and sold what they needed from each other, placing great value in the earth and the yield of the land. My grandfather, also a farmer, knew the time of day from the position of the sun; and my grandmother planned her menu from the availability of produce from the earth. Like all rural people, they spent a considerable amount of time looking at the sky for the details that invariably marked their daily lives. 

As a New Yorker, things are different. You can buy whatever you want, whenever you want it. Whether it is in season here or not, is irrelevant; it is in season somewhere in the world; and, this means you can have it here.  Most New Yorkers never look at the sky unless there is something specific occurring; we are too busying planning the details of our daily lives through our Galaxies and i-Phones.   

When I read the Psalm above, it truly gave me pause. I had to stop for a moment and consider the words. Take a moment and reread the passage. Do you truly understand the vast scope of David’s words? 

Consider this; the very Voice of God is spoken in the infinite dawning of every day!  In the birth of a new day, God’s Voice speaks to the world.  And, in the beauty and cover of night, He speaks His knowledge to the world. There is no place on earth where He does not speak His blessing of day and night to every living entity in the world.

To be more accurate, every living thing, human or beast, flora or fauna, creeping or crawling, flying or swimming; in every nation, speaking any language, in any religion, of any age, whether rich or poor, must acknowledge His Voice manifested in the blanketed presence of every morning and evening—every day and night. It cannot go unnoticed!
​It orders your steps, and guides your life.  There is nowhere to hide from its presence, it occurs whether you are present or not, and continues to manifest whether you acknowledge it or not.      
             
Think about that the next time you are feeling alone, uninspired, or unloved; and instead of feeling sadness, look up at the sky, acknowledge the day or night, and say thank you Father for your awesome presence in my life and in this world.   L.  

Study Reference: Psalm 19:1-6
From: "The Heavens Declare God." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Boonstown

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A Good Measure

6/13/2017

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"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."        Luke 6:38


All Christians know that giving is an essential part of being a Christian. Whether we give our time, share our talent, or donate our money, our faith propels us to understand that, as we give, we will receive showers of blessings and replenishments tenfold. Not necessarily monetarily, but in the form of the blessings that we actually need.

The act of giving, in and of itself, generates its own reward, both to the donor and the recipient. It is an act that somehow connects unknown people, one to another, in gratitude and love. The reward to donors is the understanding that God has already blessed us so abundantly, we have a virtual pool of resources we can offer others. 

...The acceptance of the gift also has its own reward. The reward to the recipients is the opening of our heart and mind in understanding that although we may "feel" depleted and alone, the fact is, we are not. It comes with an awareness that there are people unbeknownst to us who care about our wellbeing, simply because, they have been granted the gift of caring for others.

And to be certain, caring for and about others is a gift. -It allows us the opportunity to see our own posterity and frailties.  Like Charles Dickens’ classic tale of Ebenezer Scrooge; the more he held on to the things he should have shared, the more miserable he became. When he began to release the resources he was blessed with, his love, character, and quality of life expanded. The lesson he learned is exactly the same for the rest of us today.
 
When you are a Christian you develop a larger, more profound understanding of giving. We do not give to be replenished or Blessed by God; we give because we are already replenished and Blessed by God.
If for some reason you are not certain that giving is its own reward, try doing it today and see what happens.  L.

Study Reference: Luke 6:38
Excerpt from: "A Good Measure."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell 
photo: whitesource


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Your Thoughts: By His Grace!

6/12/2017

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"Who can understand his errors?  Cleanse Thou me from secret faults.”    Psalm 19:12

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Even as Christians, there are errors that we have made in the past that can be seen by others when they look at the frayed edges of our lives. And, there are errors that we have made that are completely unknown to anyone. They are the secret ones; those known only to us and no one else. Sometimes, in an effort to cleanse ourselves –to purge its remnant effects from our spirit, we may tell one other person. But somehow, it is never enough.

The Bible calls these secrets errors, presumptuous sins. They are the ones we hide; the ones we are ashamed of; the ones we believe if anyone ever found out, we would be ruined, disgraced, even suicidal. So, we secretly condemn ourselves, quietly suffering in silence; even though, they are quietly tucked away in the past.

And Yet, God created a solution for the presumptuous sins of a repentant heart. The dictionary defines it as:
“The free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.” As Christians, we simply call it, Grace.  Like the other gifts of God, Grace was given to you as part of your redemption, forgiveness, and salvation when you accepted Jesus into your life. 

So, maybe today will be the day that you finally stop condemning yourself for your past errors, and accept all that God has already freely given to you —by His Grace.  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: By His Grace." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Loews
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In The Day of Trouble

6/11/2017

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​“Give ear, O Lord, unto my prayer, and attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee; for Thou will answer me.”    Psalm 86:6-7


There are times when we are bombarded with all kinds of issues.  We allow these issues to become our idols, giving them all our time, attention, and devotion. We allow them to take control of our lives, not remembering that above all, there is God. This seems like a grandiose statement. And yet, no problem should take precedence over God; since, every problem is a proving ground for us to use our faith. 

Problems prove our faith. We may not like our problems; yet, they offer proof to all watching that we really are the kinds of Christians that actually believe what we say about Christ. It proves to those watching that we really believe what we sing about Christ. It continues to prove what we think; and more importantly, how we act when our backs are against the wall and all seems bleak.  Do you really believe, or are you simply playing a believer on reality television. 

Consider this, everything that you use today, whether it is your cell phone or the toilet, evolved because of a problem.  Something began as a problem and someone created a solution for it. We could not see in the dark, so we created a torch, then a lantern, then a bulb; until, we captured a glowing gas in a tube and called it fluorescence and neon.  Really, is there anything too hard for God? 

Stop and take a look around. Signs of trouble are everywhere, in everything, and yes, even for everyone. For everyone, we have hospitals, supermarkets, malls, entertainment, music, etc.; all providing a solution to a problem. If the solution is not for everyone, it won’t last very long. It will cause another problem, and someone will create a solution to fix that problem. So, if we, with our limited ideas and understanding can create solutions to our mundane problems, then, can’t God provide a solution for our truly grand problems? 
Nothing is above God. There is nothing that can be a problem for you where God cannot offer the solution—nothing!

Today’s text reminds you that, God has promised that in your day of trouble He will answer you, as long as you call on His name.  And, just in case you are still thinking, “There is one problem that God cannot solve, —the problem I’m going through right now!”   Oh really?  Think about this.   God even devised a permanent solution for death, Jesus Christ.  So really, is there anything too hard for God?  L.

Study Reference: Psalm 86:6-7 
From: "In The Day of Trouble."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock

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Your Thoughts: Protected!

6/7/2017

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"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the Shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust. Surely He shall deliver Me from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover Me with his feathers, and under His wings shalt I trust: His truth shall be My shield and buckler. I shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence  that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.  A thousand shall fall at My side, and ten thousand at My right hand; but it shall not come nigh Me."       Psalm 91:1-7
 

Recently, a young pastor, speaking to a group of Chaplaincy students, told a story regarding his 5-year old son. As a Chaplain, pastor, and former soldier, he and his wife decided that they would shield their young son from all the violence and violent images readily available to children, for as long as humanly possible. So, in an effort to do so, they continuously screen everything he watches.  Recently, while in a store making a purchase, he realized that there were movie previews playing in the background of the store. When he looked at his son, he noticed that his son had placed his head on the counter, shielding his eyes from the sudden onslaught of violence shown on the screen. He calmly said, “Son, what’s wrong?” His son, still shielding his eyes, quietly said, “Daddy, I’m scared.” Picking up his son and cradling him close to his chest; he said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Daddy is here. And, Daddy wouldn't let anything happen to you.”
 
As he told the story, I could “see” the entire incident as it unfolded in my head; and, I thought about God’s promise to shield His children when we are scared, under siege, broken, or fearful.  Today’s passage, taken from the beginning verses of Psalm 91, reminds us that God has given us the promise of His protection. It outlines His promise to protect us from snares, pestilence, dark terrors, or daily projectiles.  And, He does not stop there!  He throws in His protection against those things that hide within the crevices of darkness; and, even those things / people that come for us in the fullness of day. He tells us that, thousands may fall from the peril around us, but it will not come near us.
 
Like our Heavenly Father, the father in our story protected his son from the onslaught of a perceived danger. He shielded him from the terror that was imagined in his son's young mind. –Now, consider your Heavenly Father as He shields you against the “thing”  that has you scared, under siege, broken, or fearful.  Consider being under the shadow of His wings, away from any of the things that have taken residence in your life, keeping you feeling trapped and afraid, with your head bowed and eyes shielded.  
If you can understand just how much the father in this story wanted to keep his son protected, then consider just how much more our Heavenly Father will protect you!  L. 
 
**Now, it is your turn to write your thoughts regarding today’s verse in your journal.  
 
Study Reference: Psalm 91
From: "Your Thoughts:“Protected.”" In The Master’s Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock

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Tested For Abundance

6/5/2017

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​"…And as Jesus passed by, He saw a man which was blind from his birth. And His Disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither has this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.'”     John 9:1-3


Nick Vujicic is an amazing man who travels the world speaking about the abundant blessings on his life, in an attempt to achieve a personal goal of leading 15 million people to Christ. The thing I found most intriguing about Mr. Vujicic was his optimistic attitude about life, his powerful ability to persevere, and his pragmatic outlook on his missing limbs; you see, Mr. Vujicic has no arms or legs. 

As Mr. Vujicic was reading today’s verse, he felt so blessed when he read the last line, that he literally stopped asking God for limbs! He said he realized that, the way he was born was a testament to God’s miracle and love in his life. There was no reason to ask God “Why?” any longer. –There was now no reason to ask "What" his life’s purpose was; he understood!  But, I have to say,  it was his statement about having an afterlife conversation with Jesus that truly gave me pause. It went something like this:
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“I imagine Jesus asking me two questions, number one; 
"Why did you ask for limbs, didn't you understand that I created you for My Glory?  
–You are my walking, breathing miracle! " And, number two; "Whom did you bring with you?”"

Both questions are quite powerful for every person, with or without a disability!  When we look in the mirror, somehow, we needlessly want to change the way we were designed by God.  We believe we are too fat, too thin, too dark, too light, too short, or, too tall; just to name a few.  In our minds, something is always wrong with the way we were created. And, too often, as Christians, we forget that we are supposed to glorify God in all we do, lifting the hearts and minds of those whom we come in contact with, helping them to eventually see Jesus.  How can we do this if we are endlessly complaining about superficial things? 

As I watched Mr. Vujicic’s exuberance for Jesus, his acceptance of his life situation, and his optimistic outlook on his mission to save the world, it made me stop to reconsider my own life.  So consider this. The next time you feel like grumbling about any aspect of your life, or your lack of abundance in any way, check out one his videos on our Media page. There you can see more about his life and hear his personal testimony. 

His personal testimony will cure what ails you, it will remind you to respect the life you have, in the abundance that God has allocated to you.  And, more importantly, it offers a gentle reminder that, when it comes to God, no one is insignificant; every person counts. –Even you!  L.

Study Reference: John 9:1-41, Psalm 139:13-18 
From:"Tested For Abundance."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
​Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell ​
photo: hdwallpapers

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Teaching Prayer

6/3/2017

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​“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 co-worker.  Each day she led her group of nurses to begin their daily shift routine with prayer. Imagine the power put forth by a group of health care 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 on 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

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    In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living

    -Daily Posts

    Welcome to the ITMH blog. Here you can interact with me each day regarding  the devotionals found in the book if you are not on Facebook.  Write something about yourself in relation to the daily. No need to be fancy, just be honest. I'll do the same.  It will be interesting to see how different people, with varying experiences react to the same daily. 

    And, in the way of The Master, please remember to be congenial.

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