​ "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 to 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: pablo laguia

     
​"And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you with all malice; and be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”    
Ephesians 4:30-32

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Forgiveness is a major issue for most people; and yet, it is detrimental to harbor resentment, unforgiveness, anger, hatred, and fear.  No matter how content we may appear on the outside, each one of those characteristics correlates to many of the things that ail our bodies and plague our lives. 

Expanding on “A Gift to Yourself,” if you are trying to figure out how to begin the process of forgiving someone who has hurt you deeply, start by praying for yourself and that person. Praying for the other person is a vital component.  Ask God to forgive you for not being able to forgive that person; and, ask for His help in beginning the process. Ask Jesus to come into your heart, so that you can use His Strength and His Love in forging a path to forgiveness.  Ask Him to place a sense of forgiveness in your heart to disable any obstacles you may have in actually forgiving the person. This is not a lip-service exercise.  It is a meditation to begin the cleansing of your spirit and the opening of a more abundant life through the Spirit of God.   It is the act of forgiveness that cleanses both your spirit and that of the other person, whether they know it or not; and, whether they acknowledge it or not. 

Start by placing a mental image of Jesus in the place of that person. The very act of placing Jesus in place of the person you want to forgive makes the process of forgiving clearer.  By placing Jesus in front of the person, instead of your love, with its defined limitations, you’ll see the very Spirit of Jesus Christ standing in their place. The resentment, anger, and fear will begin to subside as you begin to clearly see their weaknesses as well as your own. Compassion becomes fuller; forgiveness becomes stronger; love becomes easier. 

The simple act of placing Jesus in place of the person(s) you need to forgive, helps you to forge a path to forgiving others, thereby, accelerating your healing process and spiritual development. Forgiveness is a gift from God to you; your acceptance of God’s forgiveness pays it forward to others, allowing His gift to keep giving in perpetuity.

Ultimately, the act of forgiveness from you is really not for anyone else, it is a gift from God to you; and from you back to God. L.

Study Reference: Ephesians 4:1-32
From: " Accepting The Gift."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: fondos animados

   
​ "He also that received seed among the thorns is he that hears the Word; and the cares 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.   
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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 from the beginning of time, 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

     




















​“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

  "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 awhile 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.”  

There will be times after God has rescued you out of a bad situation that you begin to feel rueful about the 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, 1 Corinthians 15:10
From: "Looking Back." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo image: istock

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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

   












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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
 
“...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 C.
 
My prayer for you today is written so that 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 remember and 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.  L. 

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

 "Therefore I say unto you, what things so ever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”    Mark 11:24-26


As Christians we have been told how important it is to pray about any matter we are perplexed about or need an answer to; and, we have been told to simply “ask and you shall receive.”  For the most part, many Christians can paraphrase the verse in Mark 11:23 which says, if we ask in prayer for a mountain to move, believing in faith it will move, our prayer will be answered. Not necessarily a physical mountain, but a problem appearing mountainous in our lives. However, there is one small caveat that has been somehow overlooked; one that has a concrete connection to the prayer response we so desperately desire from God. 

In the selected verse above, Jesus begins the verse by saying whatever you desire, when you pray, believe you shall receive it, and you shall have it. However, He goes on to state, as you are praying, you must forgive anyone whom you may have an issue against, so that God may forgive you. If you do not forgive, God will not forgive you for the acts committed against Him. 

This was a huge awakening for me. I realized a long time ago that the same statement is in the Lord’s Prayer; however, I do not believe I ever made its connection to the many personal requests, pleas, or petitions I earnestly placed before God for an answer. Forgiveness is not about the other person, it is about YOU.  I do not know about you, but I just may have a list of people blocking my many prayer requests; because, I have been too stubborn to forgive them. 

What about you? Is there a dam filled with blessings waiting to be released to you, yet lingers in limbo, because you have been too stubborn to forgive? Maybe the very act of forgiveness should be this year’s gift to yourself. L.

Study Reference: Mark 11:23-26 
From: "A Gift to Yourself."  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Kelley Bozarth

       
​“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

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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 [I] 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

"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

"LORD, I cry unto Thee: make haste unto me; give ear unto my voice, when I cry unto Thee. Let my prayer be set forth before Thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips”   Psalm 141:1-3
 
 
Several months ago, I sent out a Daily where I wrote precisely how God hears our prayers, as found in the book of Revelation. Yet, there are still many readers who believe that they must recite a particular prayer when praying to God, instead of simply speaking to Him as Abba, Father, as Jesus did. While we are accustomed to uttering words when we pray; some Believers may believe that God hears or responds only to our words; however, words are irrelevant when speaking to God.  If this were not so, how would someone who cannot speak pray? Obviously, it does not matter if we cannot speak, mute Believers can still be easily heard by God. Our spoken words, although difficult sometimes, are primarily for us. The verse below is a reminder of exactly what the Bible says about how God receives our prayer.

Revelation 8:3-4 says,
“…And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before The Throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand…”

The Bible says that an angel takes the prayers of God's people and burns it as incense that is waved before His Throne. The more emotionally difficult the prayer is for you, the more pungent the sweet aroma is to God. The truth is our prayer does not need words; because sometimes, the use of language just gets in the way of our personal pleas to our Heavenly Father. Just imagine for a moment how your prayer is received.  Your prayer, with its weeping and groaning, has its own sweet unique voice, with its own sweet aroma, that carries your name as it is waved before The Throne.

So remember, if you are in distress, at a loss for words, or just too broken to speak; God will receive your prayer. It does not matter if you are bawling and words can't get through; it does not matter if you are mute and have never spoken one word in your entire life, God hears every utterance, every groan, every fallen teardrop, and every broken heart. L.

Study Reference: Psalm 141:1-3, Revelation 8:3-4
From: “Aroma Before The Throne.” In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living.
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock

     

 "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 that they believe they need, become immobilized in their throats. Yet, it is not their words, it’s their perception of themselves versus the people that 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 U.S. 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

  "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

       "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course. I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.”      2 Timothy 4:7-8


 The journey that we undertake as Christians is individual; and, like all journeys, there are various legs based on how close we are to our final destination.  The first leg of the journey, the beginning, brings with it excitement, wonderment, and curiosity.  The mid-point, or second leg of the journey, unlike the beginning, is usually where most of us get a little stuck.  It’s where we have traveled just far enough to keep going, and a little too far to turn back. It is the lengthiest part of the journey; and, it is where all the complexities of our life begin their bombardment on our faith. The third and final leg is definitely not like the other two. It is the level we aspire to; it is the level where we know what we know, and like Job, nothing that has happened, is happening, or will happen can immobilize our faith. This leg can be the shortest, but it can take a lifetime to get there. Yet, at each level there can be bouts of anguish with our faith. 

If you are a new Christian, you have accepted the call to be on this journey. The journey seems simple enough for you to maintain your faith. You are just at the beginning of the journey, ordering the steps of your new life, and eliminating those things which may conflict with your decision to be a Christian. But the truth is, God has not tested your faith as yet; you are simply in the first leg of the journey.

Maybe you are a Christian who is in the middle of the journey.  You are still sitting on the fence.  You routinely go to church out of rote; never really getting involved, donating time and money every now and then, and participating just the same. You are a “sorta-kinda” Christian; not completely out, but not fully committed either.  You believe enough to keep you interested, and fear God enough to remain respectful.  But nevertheless, you are still on the fence; a little committed, but still, a little confused. 

Then there is the mature Christian, the one who has been fully committed in the past; but lately, you have felt a little listless. At times, you may be feeling that the journey maybe a little long and tedious; or, feeling somewhat tested and stretched beyond your own physical, mental, and spiritual capabilities. You may even be wondering why you ever really committed your heart and life to Christ. You've lost your job, your house is in foreclosure, and your family is acting like the devil is a family member.  

What can you do?  For each person the journey is highly personal, yet surprisingly, the solution remains the same. We may reach plateaus at each level of our Christian journey where we wonder about our commitment and how it pertains to our life.  If it has already happened to you, you are not alone.  It is the process by which we grow in our faith, emerging stronger for the journey, with the understanding that the race goes to the finisher, not the starter; or, the one standing on the sidelines.  

Each of us will go through the journey.  Each person has to walk their own walk of faith.  Our individual trials and tribulations are custom designed to bring forth the best person God desires for us to become.  Far too often we use each other as a barometer to measure how good or bad a Christian we believe we really are; not understanding that, it is through our individual trials & tribulations that we reveal our true and innate character.  Although you may believe you have already arrived and your true character has been purged, God knows it will take a lifetime. 

If you want to find out who you really are, consider your actions when you are desperate, under the gun, under fire, and being pursued by the enemy.  Do you really know what you are willing to negotiate;—what you will offer for sale?  Will it be your character? Could it be your integrity?  Or, will it be your soul?  
No matter where you are in your journey, stand firm in the knowledge that you can “Call on Jesus in the day of trouble, He will deliver you. And you will glorify Him!”  The Bible says it; all you have to do is believe it!   L.

Study Reference: Psalm 50:15, 2 Timothy 4:7-8
From: "The Journey." In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living.  
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: sophia whordley

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

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

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

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

So, maybe today will be the day that you finally stop condemning yourself for your past errors, and accept all that God has already freely given to you —by His Grace.  L.

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

Study Reference: Psalm 19:12, Psalm 32
From: "Your Thoughts: By His Grace!" In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: Loews

   

​"Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, The Creator of the ends of the earth, faint not, neither is weary? There is no searching of His understanding. He gives power to the faint; and to them that have no might He increases strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall; but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”         Isaiah 40:28-31


"Wait upon the Lord!..,"  that's what all the preachers say.

Many years ago I read, Book of Angels, by Sophie Burnham. It was in reference to the angels mentioned in the Torah, the Bible, and other religious writings. One angel in particular is an angel whose entire body and wingspan is covered in eyes; and every time an eye blinks, it records the passing of a human being. As you can imagine, thousands of eyes continuously blink per millisecond, going off like tiny little flashes of twinkling lights. And still the preachers say, "Wait upon the Lord."   We look at the children who were born just the other day, and think to ourselves, "Could they really be thirteen now?"  And still we hear, "Wait!" Then one day it hits us! Our own personal revelation after tons of trials, errors, false starts, and bad finishes. The reason we wait upon the Lord is, it actually saves us time! I know, you're saying, "UH?"  Well, think of it this way.

Imagine you are in a car traveling miles, and you just passed the last opportunity to exit. After 30 miles you realize you are going in the wrong direction. You now have to travel even farther to gain access to the next exit which will allow you to get back to the road you were actually supposed to be on in the first place. So, let's do the math; 30 miles in the wrong direction, 30 miles to go back to the starting point, and 30 miles to get where you were actually going in the first place. Hmmm.., 90 miles for a 30-mile trip.

I know what you are thinking; we need a GPS!   Yes, that was the point!   We need God's Positioning System to get it right the first time. So as the preachers like to say, “Wait upon the Lord;” it will save you time in the long run!  L.

Study Reference: Isaiah 40:28-31
From: "Wait!"  In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions For Everyday Living. 
Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell
photo: istock

   "Now in the morning as He returned into the city, He hungered. And when He saw a fig tree in the way, He came to it, and found nothing thereon but leaves only, and  He said unto it, "Let no fruit grow on thee henceforward for ever."    And presently the fig tree withered away. And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How soon is the fig tree withered away!"  "Jesus answered and said unto them, "Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.”        Matthew 21:18-21
 
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Dr. Masaru Emoto conducted several experiments in order to study whether human thought, words, and intention, had any metaphysical effect on various things within our surroundings. His original experiment focused on the molecular changes in water after it was “spoken to,”  using  words that offered either a blessing (love) or a curse (hate).
When he examined the water’s crystallized formation under a microscope, he found that the crystallized water changed its shape based on the blessings or curses spoken to it by the speaker. He further determined that our thoughts, words, and intentions actually had tangible power to change whatever they were directed towards. His most famous experiment, using cooked rice, was conducted to offer proof that there is enormous power generated by the words we speak daily.
 
In the experiment, equal amount of cooked rice is placed in 2 separate, sealed jars, created at the same time, and placed in the same location. The only difference was: Every day, for 27 days, someone spoke to each jar of rice.

To the first jar, only the words “I love you,” and loving thoughts were spoken. To the second jar, only the words, “I hate you,” and cursed thoughts were spoken. After 30 days, the 2nd jar, the one receiving verbal hatred, had turned varying colors of green and black mold relatively fast. Meanwhile, the 1st jar that had received verbal love and kindness using the words, "I love you," resisted the onset of any mold whatsoever. –Your words are that powerful!  Although he added a 3rd jar; we are limiting our experiment to only two jars.  
 
Our words, spoken with intent to harm or to love can make all the difference in our life and in the lives of others.  Based on Dr. Emoto’s experiment, our words can even change the crystallized molecules of the water in and around us.  In other words, God’s power to heal and harm can come directly from your very own lips. If you have been reading for any length of time, you know that the Bible places a very heavy burden on the words that we say to each other and to ourselves. 

​In today's verse, Jesus approaches a fig tree expecting to find figs. When He doesn't find any fruit on the tree, He curses the fig tree.  The Disciples, overhearing Jesus curse the fig tree, are surprised at just how quickly the fig tree withers and dies. 

The words we speak to others, the words we speak to ourselves, and even the words we utter when we pray, carry the same power that God used when He said, “Let there be Light!”  This means that you are either, creating, destroying, blessing, or cursing others as you interact daily. So, reconsider every word spoken, every thought, and every intention; they are extremely powerful!  Wield them well, and use them wisely!  L.   
 
Study Reference: 
From: “Our Words: The Rice Experiment.” In The Master's Hands: 365 Daily Devotions for Everyday Living
​Copyright © 2014 by Lavona E. Campbell ​
photo: Giorgio Compagnoni 
​video: S.B. Hammonds