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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

,"And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD swore unto thy fathers to give thee. The LORD shall open unto thee His good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in His season and to bless all the work of thy hand; and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow. And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them. And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.”   
Deuteronomy 28:11-14
 

A few months ago, we celebrated the birthdays of a few of my friends during our weekly afternoon luncheon. As we closed our day of worship, we held hands forming a circle, and spontaneously, each person said a prayer thanking God for our friendship and His blessings in our lives. It was a very touching experience and I felt truly blessed to be among the group. The night before this event, I was going through my Bible and found the blessing in the passage above. I printed it out on my computer several times with the plans to distribute it after lunch the following day; however, without the knowledge that we were going to pray for each other.  After the last person in our group ended their prayer, I remembered to distribute the strip with today’s verse.

The promised blessing found in Deuteronomy 28:2-13, is a blessing for you and your family as you go into the New Year. It is a reminder of the many ways that God has promised to bless you. Many times we reduce God’s blessing to monetary gain, forgetting that, more times than not, we need much more than money could ever buy. Have you ever wondered why you are always the one lending to others?  Well the blessing says, He will make you a lender, not a borrower!  So, if you lent money to another person who did not have the integrity to repay the loan; let it go.  Forget about it. This way, God’s Word in your life is not corrupted by your grumbling. Allow the blessing of being a lender to flourish; more has to come to you.  It is part of God’s blessing. The blessing does not stop there; it covers all aspects of your life. Do you wonder why others always call on you first? It’s because you are supposed to be heading, not tailing.

And, do you keep wondering why you have to be the one to make this or make that; create this or create that; do this or do that for others? It’s because He promised to bless the works of your hands! The original form was to bless whatever you sowed in the fields or made with your hands.  But today, our fields are considered our careers. And, for most people, the blessing of our hands has moved from the farm fields to the career fields. 

Try to really understand the full gamut of this blessing; because, God has not left anything out! -He has you fully covered.  There is a caveat to this blessing; you must truly make the decision to allow God full access in your life. You will  have to open your heart so that God can direct your paths towards the specific journey that will fulfill His Word over your life.  Take the time to re-read the passage. Consider printing out the entire verse, and placing it anywhere you believe you will be able to see it; so that, it can be a gentle reminder of God's promise to you. 

This upcoming New Year, why not make a commitment to fully accept that God will always remain faithful to His Word, even in the midst of your most gruesome trials.  Have faith in His Word; His Grace will sustain you.  And, May God continue to Bless you today and always!  -Happy New Year!   L.

Study Reference: Deuteronomy 28:1-13
From: "A Promised Blessing." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: wordpress

“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.  We 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. 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. 
​
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 ​

"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 hundredfold, 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.   
​
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

   

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​    " For unto  us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His Shoulder, and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”     Isaiah 9:6


Today’s verse was written by the prophet Isaiah 700 years before Jesus was born.  His prophecy revealed God’s Blessing to humanity for the simple exchange of the remission of sin and acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.
Yet, just in case you didn’t receive any gifts today, from anyone, from anywhere; remember that, YOU have already received many Gifts that easily supersede any gift you could ever buy.  The Gifts of: Breathing, Time, Sanity, Health, and Peace. -And, more importantly, the bestowal of God’s endearing and unlimited Gifts of Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness, Favor, Love, and Eternal Life.

So today, if you received any gifts at all, enjoy all your new gifts; but, don’t forget to remember all the Gifts that you have already received from God!  Hallelujah! -Amen!  L. 

Study Reference: Isaiah 9:6
​From: "Unto Us,  A Gift." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock

     "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”     Isaiah 9:6
 
“...Pilate therefore said unto Him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, “Thou sayest that I am a King. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto The Truth. Every one that is of the Truth heareth My Voice.””  John 18:37
 
 
Thank you for sharing your time, patience, and love with me while reading, In The Master’s Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.  This audience represents the men and women of 45 countries in the world. For some, it is already Christmas morning, while for others, it is still Christmas Eve. Either way, I really would like to thank you for your Gift of sharing your time, patience, and love. Thank you for your thoughts, posts, Amens, Hallelujahs, Thank you Jesus, and Praise the Lord. I have read every single one! Thank you for making me laugh; and, on occasion, sharing your personal burdens, problems, and your tears. I am still praying with you for a resolution. Most of all, thank you for allowing me into your life. May God continue to Bless You with His Love!  Merry Christmas! -Lavona
 
My prayer for you today is written so we can say it together.
Lord God, I ask you to bless the readers of this page. Bless our families, businesses, friends, and loved-ones. Ease our burdens, and bless our problems as lessons for growth. Help us to understand that sometimes, the things that appear to be problems can be blessings in disguise. Increase our desire to know even more about Your Word; and help us to share Your Truth in the area of the world where You have placed us. Bless us with health, strength, wealth, and the abundance to share, so that the mundane things of this world do not supersede our Faith. Guide our steps, and strengthen our hearts as we guide others in understanding Your Love, Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness.  Thank You Father, for Your powerful Blessing of Love, Grace, Mercy, and Forgiveness in my own life.  In the Precious Name of Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior.  Amen. 

Study Reference: Isaiah 9:6, John 18;37    
From: "Your Thoughts: Christmas Blessing." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Gerry Ellis/ Minden

  "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

​“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Whom do men say that I, The Son of Man Am?” And they said, “Some say that Thou art John the Baptist; some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.”  He saith unto them, “But whom say ye that I Am?”  And Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art The Christ, The Son of the Living God.”  And Jesus answered and said unto him, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona; for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in Heaven.” "    Matthew 16:13-17


In today’s passage, Jesus asks His disciples to identify who He is, by asking them, “...But, whom do YOU say I Am?”  Although they respond, only Peter correctly identifies Him as, The Christ.  And recently, one of my online readers pointed out how difficult it is for some people to readily see the Glory of God within their midst.  Yet, the Bible teaches us several names for Jesus that are specifically designed so that we can see Him in our midst.   In fact, His Names are so tailored to us that, many times we can correlate His Name to our own individual need, profession, or circumstance.  So, if for some reason you cannot see His Power superseding in your individual circumstances, maybe the list below will give you the opportunity to do so. The question for YOU today is simple; what would your response be if Jesus asked you, “...But, Whom do YOU say I Am?” 
 
For the Astronomers /Physicists-            -He is the Bright & Morning Star
For the Architects/Builders-                     -He is the Cornerstone
For the Gardeners-                                      -He is the Rose of Sharon
For the Florists-                                            -He is the Lily of the Valley
For the Zoologists/ Veterinarians-          -He is the Lion of Judah
For the Physicians/ Healers-                     -He is the Balm of Gilead
For the Peacemakers-                                 -He is the Lamb of God
For the Soldiers-                                           -He is the Prince of Peace
For the Clergy-                                              -He is the High Priest
For the Writers-                                            -He is the Word
For the Electricians-                                     -He is the Light of the World
For the Scientists/Mathematicians-         -He is the Alpha and Omega
For the Jury/ Judge/Lawyer                        -He is the Truth
For the Pathfinders /Engineers-                -He is the Way
For the Dying-                                                -He is the Life
For the Childless-                                          -He is the Son of Man
For the Hopeless-                                          -He is the Son of God
For the Competitors-                                    -He is the Glory of God
For the Advisors-                                           -He is the Wonderful Counselor
For the Fatherless-                                         -He is the Everlasting Father
For the Morticians-                                        -He is the Resurrection & the Life
For the Geologists-                                         -He is the Rock
For the Brokenhearted-                                -He is the Beloved
For the Teachers-                                           -He is the Head Master
For the Single-                                                 -He is the Bridegroom
For the Troubled-                                           -He is the Angel of the Lord
For the Jew-                                                      -He is the Root of David
For the Thirsty-                                               -He is the Living Water
For the Fearful-                                               -He is the Captain of the Host
For the Captive-                                              -He is the Redeemer
For the Religious-                                           -He is the Lord of Lords
For the Sovereign/ Head-of-State              -He is the King of Kings
For the Lost-                                                    -He is Savior
 And, most of all, For Humanity-                 -He is Love.
 
Our relationship with Jesus is so intimate that, there is nothing He cannot understand in reference to our daily life.
–Nothing! It does not matter if it is work related, relationship centered, problematic, or matters of the heart; all you have to remember is that, whatever it is, He has already Mastered it!  L.
 
Study Reference: Matthew 16:13-17, John 18:37
From: “Whom Do You Say I AM?”  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Patrizia Soliani

"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 forevermore.”   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, these subdivisions also prevent 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, that 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, 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

"As far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Like a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them that fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust.”
Psalm 103:12-14


There is a short video about a little boy, maybe three or four years old, contemplating a box of donuts on the kitchen counter. At first, the video does not show the child’s face; his back is turned to the camera as he stands on a chair over the kitchen counter. Off-camera, we simply hear his mother’s admonition, “Don’t touch any of the donuts on the kitchen counter!” His small voice yells back from the kitchen, “Oh-Kaaaay!”

Unbeknown to the viewing audience, his mother has already told him several times not to touch the donuts. So, stealthy holding the video camera to capture her son’s devious caper from their kitchen’s threshold, his mother asks for the third time, “Did you eat any of the donuts on the kitchen counter?” “-No-ooo.” He replies, seemingly exasperated from the interrogation; his back still facing the camera. Finally, the mother, watching him with the camcorder firmly in hand, continues to videotape her son; and, with his back still towards her; she asks him once again if he has eaten any of the donuts. This time, he turns around and adamantly shouts, “-No!” However, when he faces the camera, his entire face is covered in powdered sugar from the donuts he has already consumed.  The entire viewing audience roars with laughter after seeing the boy’s face covered in a confectionery smile.

It is an extremely funny video for a few reasons; first, the mother had already known he was eating the donuts and that her son was lying to her. Second, even at three or four years old, the son knew he was trying to cover his transgression, but didn't realize the evidence was literally all over his face for the world to see.  And lastly, onlookers, seeing his face covered in powdered sugar, found the entire event humorous; so, like his mother, most viewers had pity on him for his naiveté.

We can imagine ourselves like that little boy, getting into trouble, not understanding that God sees and knows our weaknesses. He knows when we have been in the powdered sugar, believing we have consumed or destroyed the evidence of our transgression, not realizing that the evidence is clearly splattered all over our face. And, since our lives are so complex, traces of our transgressions are littered, like the remnants of powdered sugar, all over the paths we have walked. Like the little boy in the video, we may say, “No!” with our lips, but our actions disprove our words. We understand why the mother laughed, having pity on the transgression of her son; he clearly did not have a full understanding of his error.

Can you see how easy it was for her to forgive his transgression? Can you see how easy it was for her to dismiss his actions due to his naiveté?
Can you also see how easy it would be to forgive him whether he apologized or not? -And, more importantly, can you see how much more his mother’s heart would melt if he came to her and apologized?

If so, you can understand how much our repentance means to God when we have transgressed against Him, and why His compassion is everlasting when it comes to humanity.  -Even in the fullness of our understanding, naive like that small child, God understands that no matter how wonderfully arrayed we are, powdered or not, we are simply dust.  L.

Study Reference: Psalm 103:12-14 ​
From: “Powdered Sugar & Dust” In The Master’s Hands II: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell 
photo: wordpress 

“For the poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore I command thee, saying, Thou shall open your hand wide unto your brother, to the poor, and to the needy, in your land.”  Deuteronomy 15:11


In an interview a few years ago, American comedian Chris Rock said, “–Someone called me rich! Rich?  –Uh-uh, I’m not a basketball player; or, a football player, or a baseball player!  –They’re not even rich! –Rich, is the guy who writes their checks!”

Have you ever wondered what separates newly homeless people from the average middle-income adult? Continue reading while you give the answer some thought. 

Most people have no understanding of what it means to be truly poor due to outlying circumstances.  We see it; we hear about it; yet, we ignore it. Why? –Because, our understanding of the word “poor” primarily has to do with how well we can actually afford to live. We base it on whether we can afford a new car, designer clothing, evenings out, or quite possibly, for example, the ability to purchase groceries without really caring about the price. We stretch our disposable income to prove that we are not poor; or at least, not as poor as the person next door.  Poor becomes relative; it depends on who you are talking to, and more importantly, whom the comparison is with. 

Wealth, of course, is also relative. The Bible says, the poor shall never cease out of the land. Yet the truth is, we really don’t like to acknowledge people who are “poorer-than-us;” because, deep-down we know that “there, by the Grace of God, go I” every time we look at them. The homeless, the desolate, the desperate; they make us angry and sometimes a little defensive. We wonder how they got themselves into it, and know deep down in our core that it can never happen to us.  Oh? -Never?  –Have you answered the opening question as yet?   Read it once more.

Economists say that if you currently live from paycheck to paycheck, and have neglected to save at least 6 months to a year of your salary to maintain your household bills, you, more than likely, can fall victim to homelessness. If you lose your job, and do not find another before your savings or unemployment checks run out, you too can be homeless. It does not matter if you are white collar, blue collar, or no-collar, it can still happen.

–So, the reason that we pay close attention to the directive in Deuteronomy 15:11  is because, “There, by the Grace of God, go I, you, us, we!”   We give because we can. We give because it’s right.  But, more importantly, we give because if we are ever in the same circumstances, we pray that someone will have mercy on us!  L.

Study Reference: Deuteronomy 15:10-15, Zechariah 7:9-13 
Excerpt from: "Acknowledging Wealth? Are U Rich? " In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock
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​ "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 visitors praying at 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 it 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

"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: Avgoustidermis

“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

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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

“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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                                      "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, to 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