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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

​"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

“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the Word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the Word, and he becomes unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that hears the Word, and understands it; which also bears fruit, and brings forth, some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty”           Matthew 13:18-23 
 

As we go into a New Year, we often give considerable thought to our lives, judging whether we have met any of the specific goals we have earmarked to date.  We judge our lives by financial markers, career achievement, single or married, married or divorced; whether we are parents or not, if we live in a mansion or on a yacht, a cabin or a cubbyhole; or, whether we need to gain weight or lose pounds. The list can go on forever.  Only you know what your aspiration idols are.  And, of course, there are those who are privately battling health issues, while just praying to live another day.  We all have these aspirations; I fully understand, because, I am right there with you.  However, this year, let's try something new. 

In the verse above, Jesus offers the Parable of the Sower, where He teaches His disciples the various criteria that determine how followers hear, process, and apply the Word of God in their lives. The parable offers a deeper insight to those of us who are transfixed by the cares of this world and the riches thereof. —Those of us who are so overwhelmed with our desire for achievement, we cannot share the Word of God with others or follow His direction.   
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When you are making your resolutions and judging your life, instead of trying to figure out which aspirations you have not achieved, try to decipher where you believe you stand with God.—Not a specific standing on a particular fault, but, an overall standing.  Let's ask for forgiveness based on the things we know that we've done; and, even forgiveness for the deeds we have forgotten.

Let’s not be like the imaginary tale of the man who got to heaven, only to find out that during his lifetime, he had failed to open any of the more spectacular gifts bearing his name that God had prepared just for Him. 
—​Custom gifts filled with countless envelopes of blessings left unclaimed; simply because, he had failed to ask for God’s direction in his life. This New Year, let us instead pray for guidance, so that we can achieve all the earmarks brought forth in the Word; and, so that we can receive every blessing that God has already planned for us, leaving not one, single, solitary gift, unclaimed.  L.            

Study Reference: Matthew 13:18-25
From: "Resolute vs. Resolution." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
​photo: pinterest

​"And another also said, Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.”
​Luke 9:61-62


In Genesis chapter 19, we learned the dismal fate of the twin cities of Sodom and Gomorrah.  Both cities were destroyed because of the wicked behavior of the people. Yet, one of the most memorable parts of the story is Lot’s wife turning into a pillar of salt. Her penalty for turning around, pining for the city, the people, her family, and possibly her property as it all burned.  It may be difficult to understand why God would rescue her family, yet allow her to be destroyed, simply because, she disobeyed by looking back at the destruction, understandably rueful, about what she left behind.

Now that God has called you unto Him, do you sometimes remember the old days; the days when you used to do the things that were not of God? Does any part of you want to go back to the way things were?  -Are you rueful over the people and things that were consumed, although you were spared?  Every once in a while I remember the people who passed away because their lifestyle prompted such dangerous behavior, it seemed only a matter of time before they were consumed. And, then I remember, “...there, but for the Grace of God, go I.” (1 Corinthians 15:10)

There will be times after God has rescued you out of a bad situation that you begin to feel rueful about those people and things left behind. -Somehow remembering only the good times, and forgetting the pain. Ideally, there will be times when you are supposed to return to your former life to help those left behind.  And, there will be other times when you will have to leave their rescue to God.  However, it will be up to you to pray for a sense of discernment to identify which one is within the will of God. -Because, if you are still looking back ruefully at your former life, maybe you are not as committed as you may believe you are; and, the act of interacting with those left behind, even to free them, may just end up entrapping you, instead of freeing them.  L.

Study Reference: Luke 17:32, Genesis 19:26, Luke 9:61-62
From:"Looking Back."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo image: istock

​“You have heard that it was said, "Love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I tell you; love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”    Matthew 5:43-46 
 

Well, it is the end of the year, and the issue of love and /or forgiveness is again at the forefront of our minds. Whether we need forgiving or we need to extend forgiveness, is irrelevant; to God, both are the same. When you forgive someone, whether they have apologized or not, it dismisses the burden from your life. It takes away the anger, hatred, and animosity that may be lingering in your heart.  I don't know about you, but for me, it is an “anger issue.”  I have to work through the forgiving part, while I go through the anger.  I must stay away from the perpetrator in order to work through the process of forgiving them. Staying away from them offers the opportunity for two things, it gives me time, and it gives the other person some time.  The downside of course, is time is promised to no one. 
–Sometimes, tomorrow just doesn't come.

You will have to learn to forge your own path to forgiveness. A path cleared by your own conscience and your love for God.  If you have knowingly hurt someone, now is the time to send that email, make that phone call, or more importantly, have a face-to-face meeting to resolve the issue. For some, maybe this year you will be able to ask for forgiveness. For others, maybe this year you will forgive those who have hurt you.

Yes, finally and wholeheartedly, you  will leave the whole issue behind you so that you can move into your destiny as a son or daughter of your Father in heaven.  More importantly, you will allow God to release all the blessings He has held in limbo for you, waiting until the day you make the decision to leave it behind. -Why. Not. Let. Today, Be. That. Day.  L.

Study Reference: Matthew 5:43-46  
​From: "Leaving It Behind." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Kimberly Beeby

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard, that went down to the skirts of his garments; as the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.”   Psalm 133:1-3 
 

If someone asked you to identify yourself, what would you say?  --Would you start with your profession? --Your race? --Your sex? --Your sexual orientation? --Your nationality? --Your lineage? --Your religion? 

As people, we subdivide ourselves into groups in order to belong.  The only problem is, the subdivision also prevents us from unifying with each other, and according to our Bible, unity is akin to anointing oil.  In the movie, The Story of Jesus, archaeologists trace specific occurrences in the Bible through newly discovered landmarks.  One of the things of interest, was their profile of Jesus and his uncanny ability to reach out to all kinds of people (Luke 9:11).  Even more startling were those who the Sanhedrin considered “unclean” for interaction; beginning with those Jesus chose as His Disciples, and ending with those He chose to heal. (Matthew 9:9-13) 

Jesus watched as the leaders within the Sanhedrin waded in corruption, basing their selections for leadership, blessings, and elevation on nepotism, nationalism, sexism, elitism, and of course, 'good ole gold.'  It is interesting to note that all these things are still being used today.  The only exception, is that today it is being done "in the name of  Jesus."  We have killed, maimed, mutilated, exiled, and destroyed many in the name of Jesus.  And, as Christians, we have divided, sub-divided, sub-sub-divided, “spinned-off,” and “cult”-i-vated many aspects of ourselves based on a single attachment to a specific verse in the Bible.

Even the birth of Jesus is a problem. Yes, we know that Jesus was not born on December 25th. And yes, we know based on specific events in the Bible, it had to be closer to the springtime; although, we do not know the actual date.  For those of you who need to know more about this, you will have to do the research yourself.  There is nothing better than discovering biblical truth on your own!  It is so much more empowering for the mind, and tends to remain in your memory longer.

During the week of Christmas a few years ago, World News Tonight, a national news program in the U.S., selected Jesus as their Person-of-the-Week. They took the time to focus on the religious celebrations of Christmas in the United States and around the world. 

The entire world has chosen to celebrate December 25th, as the day Jesus was born.  This single day supersedes all others on the calendar whether you are a Christian or not.  As Christians, instead of trying to differentiate ourselves from each other, wasting precious time, let us instead reach out to the multitudes as Jesus did more than 2000 years ago, focusing our strength on touching the lives of more people unlike ourselves.  More importantly, let us focus our interaction on those who need to know God, His Mercy and His Love, His Grace and Forgiveness, showing them the real meaning of being a Christian, and the true meaning behind the celebration of Christmas.  L. 

Study Reference: Psalm 133:1-3, Ephesians 4:3-18 
From: "The Person of The Week." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: curezone/ blackkngold

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​“I am come a Light into the world, that whosoever believes in Me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear My words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.” 
John 12:46-47


Making judgments are a necessary part of life. We make judgments every minute of every day simply to keep ourselves alive. Whether you are making a judgment about people, places, things, or events, your first instincts are usually correct. However, the problems with making judgments are, they have more to do with you than the person you are judging. That’s not the biblical version, that’s simply observation. 

Our judgments are based on our personal perceptions. For example, let’s say you are walking home late one night and hear the footsteps of two other people walking quickly behind you. You may become agitated with fear and begin to walk even faster, not realizing that the people behind you, neighbors who do not know your name, are purposely walking quickly to catch up to you, so you will not be alone. It’s all about perception. Perception skews everything.

...Many people are apprehensive about reaching out to others who may not know Jesus Christ; somehow the words they believe they need become immobilized in their throats. Yet, it is not their words, it’s their perception of themselves vs. the people they believe they will address. We are inhibited by our perception of ourselves, and we are inhibited by our perception of the people we meet. We somehow begin the judgment process in relation to money, status, race, ethnicity, culture, etc., all things that will eventually become irrelevant. Whether the person is former US President William Jefferson Clinton or Billy from around-the-block, Jesus is the great equalizer.  
So, the next time you really want to speak to someone about Jesus, why not leave the judgment to Him, and simply remember what He has done for you.  L.

Study Reference: John 12:46-50
Excerpt from: "Based on Perception." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: shutterstock

“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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​“Arise, shine; for thy Light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee.  For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee.  And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.”        Isaiah 60:1-3
 

This time of year many Jews celebrate Hanukkah, and like most gentiles, I thought it was the Jewish version of Christmas. However, the celebration of Hanukkah is a cultural celebration where family elders take the time to give gifts to their children, relate the story of the Festival of Lights, and, remember Judah Maccabee; a man they consider to be the greatest Maccabee. So, I wanted to know who Judah Maccabee was, and why they considered him to be so great and honorable that, every year for thousands of years, they take the time to tell his story. 

The Maccabees were a family of five sons, led by their patriarch, Mattathias Maccabee.  In brief, Mattathias defied the ruling Romans who wanted to end Jewish worship, in many cases, with the help of other Jews.  Mattathias’ third son, Judah Maccabee, led an army and vowed with God’s help to defy Roman rule and unify all Jews under the tribe of Judah/ Israel, creating what is now called the Hasmonian Dynasty.  For over a hundred years, Judah Maccabee and his brothers ruled Judah, successfully defying their enemies and protecting their religion and culture.  Finally, by the time Hasmonian rule is relinquished to the last Maccabee brother, Simon, a treaty is made with the Romans allowing a separate Jewish state to coexist with Roman rule. The treaty decreases the Hasmonian Dynasty’s rule over Israel, and increases the rule of a combined Roman / Jewish state.  The Romans place Herod I, himself a Jew, to rule over Israel with an army of Roman soldiers.  

Here’s where the story gets interesting. King Herod I is evil; he rules Israel with so much fear of losing his throne, he kills two of his own sons, his wife, and anyone else whom he believes might ultimately overthrow his kingship.  He even invites the child whom he believes is the final and future heir to the Hasmonian Dynasty to his palace and drowns him in a palace pool.  All this, to make certain that no one, not even a child, can claim his throne. 
For many Jews the story ends there; but, for Christians, the greatest story ever told begins there.

King Herod I is, the same king whom the Magi visited to tell of the prophetic star they saw in the eastern sky proclaiming the birth of the Messiah—Jesus Christ.  And, he is the same king who, in ruthless anger, orders the massacre of all Hebrew children 2 years old and under in order to eliminate the threat to his kingdom. (Matthew 2:1-20)  (At least now we can understand why it was so easy for him to order the massacre of all those innocent children. He already had a history of murdering his own family.)   Although Herod I would die a few years later, his son Herod II, would become the ruling Jewish king who would later behead John-the-Baptist; and, as part of biblical prophecy, play an integral role in ultimately sending Jesus Christ to the Cross.  (Luke 23:7-12)

Little did Herod II know his evil act would be the Saving Grace for all humankind!  Like all things evil, nothing can offset the reign of God; nothing!  Not an evil king, not an absent economy, and yes, not even what you are going through right now.  You must believe that even today, more than 2000 years after the birth of Jesus Christ, that our God can use even the most evil of circumstances ultimately for His Glory and your benefit.  L.  Hallelujah!    
       
Study Reference: Isaiah 60:1-3   
From: "A Heavenly Dynasty." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: shutterstock

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"Wherewith shall I come before the Lord and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old?  Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousand rivers of oil?  Shall I give my first-born for my transgression; the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?  He hath shown thee O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”      Micah 6:6-8
 

Why do you believe in God?  What prompts you to offer yourself to an omnipotent entity who is morally beyond your thinking and seeing? 

Years ago, a friend of my mother, a newly baptized Christian, was subjected to the atheistic ranting of her young teenage daughter.  The mother, emotionally committed to Christianity, was unable to respond to her daughter’s ranting satisfactorily. Stressed from her daughter’s questions, she called my Mother to get some much needed ammunition. Lightly minding my own business, I overheard the topic of their conversation, and was intrigued by the verbal tennis match going back and forth between my Mother, her friend, and the daughter. Between both women, they tried to coax the teenager into submission, using the Bible as a reference.  However, the young girl, a typical teenager, was quite stubborn, and savvy enough to offer a few convincing retorts of her own. 

“Explain to her the story of Creation.” I heard my Mother say. “Tell her to read the Book of John in the New Testament, she will understand once she has finished.”  Then she said finally, “-She just has to believe.” 

The problem with using the Bible as a reference is, if the person has already decided not to believe, what they read will be irrelevant.  As Christians, we believe that the Holy Spirit guides and convicts us to a depth of understanding that far surpasses our intellectual understanding.  So, if their conviction is already squarely positioned on the side of unbelief, many times reading the Bible will not convince them. Reading is for those of us who have already chosen to believe in the Power of God.

By the time my Mother hung up the telephone, she was exasperated. “That was interesting.” I said; a little curious about the final outcome. “How did it end?”  I asked. “Did she get it, or not?”  “--No,” My Mother said, “She told her mother that she will not believe in something she cannot see; it doesn’t matter what she reads.”

My Mother seemed a little annoyed, feeling as if she had let her friend down by not being able to reach her daughter.  I thought about the last statement the teenager said to her mother, “I will not believe in something I cannot see.”  And considered the many times I have heard other people say the same thing.  I said to my Mother, “Call her mother back, and tell her to ask her daughter if she can see air?  Assuming she believes that air exists. Can she see air?  But, more importantly, tell her daughter, even though she cannot see air, she will instinctively know when air is present in a room, and she certainly will know when it is not.”  Her mother told her what I said, and I never heard that discussion again.  

Intellectually, as humans, we are the smartest we have ever been in the history of the world.  We can control sunlight to our advantage using solar energy.  We have created technology far beyond our wildest collective imagination; and, we now understand that our solar system consists of a universe far beyond anything that we ever imagined.  Yet, we are still having the same old debate about the existence of God.  It is true; human beings have done many wicked things to other human beings in the name of God. But even more wicked things have been done to others under the guise of no belief in God. 

The idea of an omnipotent God allows us to challenge ourselves to achieve a higher ideal.  It forces us to examine our lives based on a standard far beyond our basic level of intellect and selfishness.  As sincere Christians, we will ultimately delve into a deeper level of consciousness, propelling us into utilizing God’s ideal of what we should be; and, praise God, not what we are.  L.

Study Reference: Micah 6:6-8, John 1:1-5, 3:16
From: "The Highest Ideal."   In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: wallpapermania

"Wherefore it is also contained in the scriptures, behold, I lay in Zion a Chief Cornerstone, elect, and precious; and He that believeth in Him shall not be confounded. Unto you therefore which believe He is precious, but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the Head of the corner.”
1 Peter 2:7

 
The Dead Sea Scrolls were on exhibit in New York City; included in the exhibition was the oldest written and preserved copy of The Ten Commandments, circa 100 B.C.-67 A.C. It was interesting to see these ancient artifacts written over 2000 years ago in the Aramaic handwriting of ancient scribes. And, although there is still controversy regarding the original authors of the scrolls, it was a privilege to be a modern witness to such ancient documents. 

The curators of the exhibit added a giant flat screen television, broadcasting a live feed of people praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem; the only remaining architectural wall of the Temple.  Also on display at the exhibit, was a massive stone from the ruins of King Solomon’s / Herod’s Temple in Jerusalem. The stone, one of the smaller ones taken from the western garden, was thought to be used in constructing part of the massive bridge that took visitors to and from the original temple.  Nonetheless, the stone easily weighed a ton, emitting a regal solidity and hand-chiseled beauty that is rarely found in modern buildings today.

This stone, unlike most museum relics, was purposely left out for visitors to touch; or, to leave folded prayers in similar fashion to those visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem.  At the Western Wall, which is sometimes referred to as the Wailing Wall, there are people commissioned and committed to continuous prayer twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. The more I stood there touching the stone, the more I felt a deep reverence in my soul.  Not necessarily for the stone, but for the thought that the stone still existed after 2000 years, and there was a possibility that Jesus may have touched, walked, taught, leaned, or stood next to that stone.  

Understanding the reverence Israeli Jews have for Solomon’s Temple in Jerusalem, it was difficult to believe that Israel would allow anyone to take even a small piece of those massive stones out of Jerusalem for outsiders to gawk at. Then, a guide explained that, it came from a part of the bridge that overlooked, what would have been the west garden area of the temple. He pointed out that unlike the temple stones, this stone had a definite section carved out of it, indicating its original position was in another structure.
As I stood there silently touching the stone, the thought hit me. The stone was allowed to leave Jerusalem, because, it was believed to have no relevance in the creation of the actual temple. Authorities believed, since it was not attached to the four-cornered structure of the sanctified temple, it was not significant. It was simply a part of the bridge that connected the temple to the people. It was not a sanctified stone; it simply gave access. —This stone had accepted the dirty feet of weary travelers; the desperate feet of those who are sickly and laden with disease; and the feet of the poor or lame as they sat on the bridge’s stones begging for alms from more affluent worshipers.

Yes, as I stood there touching that stone, I thought of another stone that was cast aside by authorities; a stone that would have made the perfect cornerstone for the temple. —A stone, just like the One  that the authorities rejected for similar reasons.  —And then, the spirit of gratitude swept over me. 
Jesus Christ, the Living Bridge into the Temple of God was also denounced and rejected from the temple. He was also considered irrelevant because He too, offered access to God. Like the stone on the bridge to Solomon’s Temple, He accepted the affluent, educated, social elite, and the anointed. However, He equally accepted the weary, desperate, sickly, diseased, and poor.  Like the stone that connected the bridge’s path to God, He was, and still is, willing to accept us as we are; and, just like that stone —even withstanding our dirty feet.  L.

Study Reference: Isaiah 28:16, 1 Peter 2:7
​From: "The Cornerstone." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Peter Stewart

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“Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit to his stature? ...Take therefore no thought for tomorrow; for tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the trouble thereof.”   Matthew 6:27, 34


I have been to so many funerals lately, that it prompts me to genuinely consider my life and what appears to be my gift for procrastination. —You know, taking life for granted and not really taking the time to live it to its fullest by only getting those things accomplished that "really" need to be done... Yet somehow every time I attend a funeral, I reconsider my life and my life’s goals; maybe this has happened to you.

Sometimes I wonder if I have fulfilled any of the “real goals” God desired for my life, and worry that somehow I am not fulfilling all the necessary aspects of what would truly be considered a conscious effort. There are times when all I want to do is simply rest from the thoughts of pushing through circumstances, helping those around me, and pursuing, pursuing, pursuing, like one of those rats on the proverbial spinning wheel. I simply want to leave the house, go for a long walk, and really look at all the trees that have outlived many of the people in their midst. People who simply took them for granted unless they needed shelter, shade, or the fruit of their labor. I am certain I am not the only person who has felt this way.

Sometimes life becomes way too busy, and our thoughts get way too cluttered with information that is irrelevant for God’s economy. We spend our time worrying, re-evaluating, and second-guessing, simply to find ourselves procrastinating, delaying the things we really know we need to accomplish. In the passage above, Jesus asks us the ultimate profound question, who by worrying can add one inch to his /her life? I know I cannot.  --Can you?

The truth is, God has a way of taking the “worry” out of life, taking care of you so you can become the best you can be. It is up to you to have patience and to be ready, so when He calls you into living service, you can be the very best He needs.  L.
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Study Reference: Matthew 6:24-34
Excerpt from:"Reconsidering Life." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Peter Stewart
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“For God so loved the world that, He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”   John 3:16 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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“And Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this? For I am an old man and my wife well stricken in years.  And the angel answering said, I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. And behold, thou shall be dumb, and not able to speak until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words which shall be fulfilled in their season.”
Luke 1:18-20

 
Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, was a priest in the temple of God.  Based on priestly hierarchy, he was the priest who lit the incense while people prayed in the temple.  The Bible says, he and his wife “were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luke 1:6)   Yet, although he was an experienced priest, with what we assume to be many years of service in the temple, when Gabriel, the Archangel, appeared unto him with the information that he would not only become a first time father in his old age, but also, father to the son who would announce the coming of the Messiah; Zacharias did not believe him.  And, because of his unbelief, the Bible says, he was stricken with dumbness, unable to speak for the entire nine months of his wife’s pregnancy.

We can imagine Zacharias, a pillar of strength within the temple of Judean society. A man worthy of marriage to a descendant of Aaron, the famed high priest of Israel, going about his temple duties with love and devotion to God.  It is easy to imagine his supplications on behalf of the people being fulfilled with answers from God; while his secret prayers to be blessed with children throughout his life, went seemingly unanswered by the Lord.  And, just when he finally accepted his fate of never being the high priest, never having an heir, and never being able to see the birth of a son, along comes Gabriel with a message of both shock and hope! 

Unbelief is not limited to the unrighteous, or the ungodly, many times it is found in the very faithful.  Those whom we believe should easily accept God’s responses and promises to their pleas whenever they manifest.  Yet truthfully, even in our staunchest testimony of our faith in Christ, sometimes we will fail in our belief when we need it most.  It is in those times when we are the most vulnerable in remaining steadfast that we need to strengthen our belief in God; because, no matter how it appears on the outside, or how we feel on the inside, God is forever faithful!   L.

Study Reference: Luke 1:5-64
From: "The Appearance of Faith."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell 
Photo credit: fotolia

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made.”   
John 1:1-3

"And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;”  Isaiah 11:2  (The Spirit of  Jesus) 
“Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.”  Psalm 5:1  


A Life Coach is someone who, using motivational techniques can help you to get your life up and moving in the right direction. As a life-coach, you enable others to find their purpose using their core beliefs about themselves at the highest level.  For many years others have encouraged me to embrace this ideology as a profession, because of my ability to help others find their direction. For me, it began very early; right out of college I was selected for my company’s executive training program.  As a young executive, I embraced all those motivational techniques to empower my team. However, I always felt that something was missing, but I couldn't figure out what it was. –I was already a Christian, so my belief was solid; I knew God. Yet, somehow, I just didn't understand what the key ingredient was that I thought was missing.  It really wasn't until years later as I began to write, In The Master’s Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living, that I realized what the missing ingredient was.   All that corporate training and motivational techniques, and somehow, I still missed the real reason why my team always did well.  What I eventually realized was that it was my belief in God that made the difference. –It was Bible study and all those motivational Bible stories ingrained in my head since childhood. That’s what made the difference! It was the stories of Joseph, David, Abraham, Samson, Gideon; and most of all, Jesus. 

Your belief changes everything. It changes how you think, what you say, and what you really believe about life at your core. It is your belief in the power of God that fosters your motivation, not your motivation that fosters your belief. It is not bowing to “the universe” as some new-age philosophies would have you believe.  It is bowing in worship and supplication to the One who made the universe, the earth, and YOU. When I began writing, I realized that my core belief in The Almighty God, and His awesome power to produce above and beyond anything that I could ever ask or think, was the lubricating oil of my engine. And, it was God that fostered my faith, perseverance, and success.  

The Bible, in 1 Corinthians 1:25, 27-28, says, “...the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.  ...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 nought things that are...”
So, if you are reading today, and you are not a Believer, then today, I am not speaking to you. One day, when you become a Believer, you will understand.  But, if you are a Believer, then I really want you to continue reading.
You have been given enormous power by choosing to Believe in God Almighty.  Jesus, referring to the miracles that He performed said; "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.”  John 14:12  

But, for many of us, it comes down to the Words we speak every day. We continuously either tell ourselves self-deprecating thoughts, or we utter words out loud that profess our fears, disbelief, and powerlessness. We focus on our obstacles instead of our desired outcome as written in the Word of God, that says, “Fear not!” and, “Nothing used against us as Children of God will prosper.” Period!  The power that God gave us through the utterance of our words, places a thought within us, and with it, we gain the ability to blossom beyond our current circumstances or fail because of it.  If we focus on God’s promises to do beyond all that we can ask or think, oftentimes, the thought is internalized in us so deeply, it transforms us beyond recognition. And so, God’s Word powered with our words becomes our profession of power!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made...”  We know that the Word is Jesus. Use the utterance of your words to determine your destiny. You already do it every day without thinking. But, now that you know, make a conscious habit to focus on the Words you utter. Think of them as Power seeds that you plant wherever you go. What you say is up to you! –You will either sow weeds that choke your spirit and the spirits of others; or, you will sow seeds of Love, healing, forgiveness, and prosperity. Either one will bloom and prosper; however, the one you will reap is the one that you have sown.  So, plant wisely!

Below is my Seed Prayer for you today; repeat after me:
Lord, remove the spirit of fear that exists in the lives of Believers. Give me the power to go onto the people of the world to profess the awesomeness of Your Name, Glory, and Spirit. There are so many people who are sick in their spirits. They walk this planet without any understanding that only You can alleviate the gaping hole in their life. Help me as a Believer to accept Your power to speak, the fearlessness to act, the power to pray, and the willingness to aid others in fully understanding, by Your Spirit, who Jesus is! Open opportunities in my life and the lives of all those reading for us to be true disciples for the Spirit of God in this world. Allow our lives to be a true testimony for the Love of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen. 

Study Reference: John 1:1-5, Isaiah 11:2, Psalm 5:1, John 14:12, 1 Corinthians 1:25-28
From: "The Power to Profess!"   In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: unknown

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"And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the Voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.”        1 Samuel 15:22


We try to obey God by acting as Christ-like as we dare, by reading our Bible and by controlling ourselves as humanly possible. But, if we are honest, we really are no different than the Children of Israel were with Moses. 

Every time I see the movie, The Ten Commandments, I think to myself, Pharaoh was a fool!   If I were king, I would have listened! Then I think about the Children of Israel, and think to myself, they just did not get it; didn't they remember the plagues, the promises, or the parting of the Red Sea?  How could they forget the manna and hordes of quail falling from the sky? It was as if the memories of their victories were erased.  Somehow, they forgot all those times when God miraculously brought them through their trials and tribulations. 

Then I think about all the many predicaments God has brought me through. My own personal parting of the Red Sea, where He made “a way, out of no way;” and where obeying would have played a major factor, had I done so. For most of us, obedience has a cost.  Sometimes it cost love, sometimes instant gratification, sometimes friends. 

When we see depictions of Satan, the master of Sin, he is grotesque with horns; however, we know this image is not biblical. The truth is, Sin on the facade is alluring, sexy, enticing, and many times can appear beautiful, at least at the onset. However, we know that no matter how good it can be in the beginning, the consequences will have a lingering effect on our lives. Whatever the cost, obedience to God will eventually bring you ultimate joy!
Yes, it sounds like a cliché; but, it is true nonetheless. L.

Study Reference: 1 Samuel 15:22, Ezekiel 28:13-15
From: "The "O" Word." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
​photo: shutterstock

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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 replenishment 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 well-being, 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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​"Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink; but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.”      2 John 1:12 

 
In the U.S., the holidays are the hardest time of year for some people. In addition to the lack of sunlight diminishing our body’s vitamin D levels in the Northeast, causing depressed states for some; we have the added pressure of trying to satisfy the customary spirit of holiday cheer. 

The holidays have always been a terrific time of year for me.  Having worked in the corporate offices of one retailer or another, I usually employ all the customary holiday trappings—a big Christmas tree, garland, lights, bulbs, and tons of presents.  Yet, I rarely lose sight of the true meaning of the season.  However, if I do, I simply look around at all the other people attempting to satisfy their need for love by being consumers. Every once in a while, we have to step back from all the "buying" to remember that this is the time of year society has set aside to reconnect with God, and those we love most in this world. 

Try this one year.  Make all the gifts yourself.  The teenagers will hate it; because, they are looking for all those “I’s”—I-pods, I-pads, I-phones, I-Macs, I-Books, I-Touch, and all the I-have-it-too things, they so desperately want to stay connected.  Not realizing that the thing they desperately need is a human connection, not an Internet connection. 
In our quest to show our love with gifts, we are teaching them to replace an actual human touch with information about humans; from following celebrities on Twitter, to not facing other humans on Facebook.  The tools that were supposed to create more free time to spend with loved ones, now occupy so much of our free time, we stay away from each other.

Recently, while in church during Divine Worship, the young woman sitting next to me spent the entire service texting another person--the entire service!  My thought was, why not invite the person to church or meet with them after the service.  Why? Because, either she was a truly amazing “multi-tasker,” or she didn’t hear a single word that was spoken. 

We are so far apart these days, it is important to stay connected.  Like Michelangelo’s magnificent masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel depicting the Finger of God reaching out to touch Adam, let us remember not to allow the electronic characteristics of an I-Touch, to replace an actual  human touch.  L.

Study Reference: 2 John 1:12 
From: "Staying Connected."   In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Torontomomnow

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​“And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons. And they heard the Voice of the Lord walking in the garden in the cool of the day; and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, “Where art thou?”  And he said, “I heard Thy Voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.”    Genesis 3:7-10 

 
As someone who has spent a considerable amount of time in a career in fashion merchandising, both at the couture level and the mass market level, I still find it incredibly surprising how emotional people react to clothing. The truth is, there is nothing new under the sun. All clothing has been around for centuries, in one form or another. I recently explained to a group of adult students that, in the rural areas of some countries, if a woman shows just a little bit of bare ankle accidentally, she can be stoned for what is considered an act of seduction; while in other countries, bare breasts are the norm. 

One of my favorite fashion-related stories comes from an English pastor who was converted after leading a life of selling drugs and other street related activities. He tells the story of how he, in total despair, spent the wee hours of the morning of his last night as a hoodlum, arguing with God, attempting to commit suicide, with a nine millimeter handgun pointed at his head, when it jammed—twice.  An interesting occurrence since, this type of handgun was specifically designed not to misfire. In total self-pity, brokenness, and no sleep, he dropped to his knees and promised God he would get dressed, and attend church services that morning. 

He looked in the closet and selected his best “...pimp-mack-daddy-suit in bright sunshine yellow, to be as sharp as possible” for God’s house.  When he arrived at the church, he wanted to make certain that God knew he was in church; so, with the pews filled with its ultra conservative congregation, he marched right down the center aisle for a prime seat up front.  He said, “Because, I wanted to make ‘sure’ God knew I was there!”
If you attend church services or are familiar with the conservative nature of most churches, you can imagine the reaction of the church membership as the man in the bright yellow suit marched down the center aisle.  If the events leading up to this visit wasn't so serious, it would be almost comical; a true comedic skit from one of those Medea movies by filmmaker, Tyler Perry.  

And yet, this young man went on to become fully converted, turning his life over to Jesus Christ, leading others by retelling his own story, and finally becoming a pastor.  The “yellow pimp-mack-daddy suit” is now the marker for his conversion.  But, imagine for a moment if someone in the church would have said to him, “We don’t want you here! Take your sunshine-yellow-pimp-mack-daddy-wearing-self back out the door!” In church culture, we really don’t have to say it to the person; we simply snub our noses in an unwelcoming fashion, believing that the person should know better.  But, what happens if this is all they have in their closet?  It doesn’t have to be a bright yellow suit.  It can be a revealing party dress, jeans, a t-shirt, halter top, tube top, something too short, too tight, too loose, or old and dated, etc.  What difference should it make to you? --To us?  --To anyone?    

Clothing, more than many other things, say a lot about the wearer; sometimes style has to do with taste level, sometimes income status, cultural identity, etc. However, many times, like Adam in Genesis 3:10, it has to do with shame, self-esteem or lack thereof.  We emerged from conservative puritanical roots; church attire should be conservative, but if you don’t have it, Jesus says, “All that the Father giveth Me shall come to Me; and him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out...” John 6:37.   Our Father in Heaven created us with no clothes or adornments; except, the ones innate to our own body—hair, fingernails, toe-nails, and skin. Let us not allow our conservative puritanical ideologies to inhibit us from aiding someone else in finding God.  Since, thankfully, God sees only our heart—​not our fashion statement.  L.
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Study Reference: Genesis 3:1-14
From: "The Question of Attire."   In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Justin Dingwall 
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