Month: September 2016

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PWTE Daily Devotion

What’s Eating You?

A promise for times of feeling hollow.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

hollow-tree-trunk-fx

It always amazes me when I see a stately tree with such a large hollow spot in its trunk. I’m surprised it hasn’t fallen over from a storm or the weight of its branches. Hollows form as the result of stress from natural forces like wind, lightning or rain, pruning, or attacks from insects or fungi. Many animals make it worse by using their beaks or claws to make it bigger, so they can use the hollow to raise and feed their young.

The wood inside the tree is important for structural integrity. When this foundational wood rots the tree becomes hollow and potentially hazardous. If there is sufficient loss of strength in the trunk, the trees are more likely to blow over or have major branches break off in wind and ice storms.

“I waste away like rotting wood, like a moth-eaten coat.”
Job 13:28 New Living Translation

Doesn’t that describe our struggle? Outside forces of temptation, sin or apathy in our lives slowly eat away at us, leaving us feeling hollow and unsteady. At times we don’t feel we can stand up under the weight of God’s pruning. And some people do crumble. But our structural integrity is the foundation of our faith in the Lord. He gives inner strength to our branches and shores up our trunks, no matter what outside or inside forces eat away at us.

 “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”
Psalm 73:26 New Living Translation

So when you feel a bit hollow inside, remember these words and trust that He will fill your hollow spaces with strength and joy.

“The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.”
Psalm 28:7-9 New Living Translation

Photo and text copyright Desiree Bustamante

Categories
PWTE Daily Devotion

Pretty as a … Pig?

Looking up …

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2

sept-26bThey say beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but not many people will see much beauty in this picture of pigs at the Oregon State Fair.  Why?  Maybe because pigs have a sort of bad persona: one of loud squeals, stubbornness, greediness, and a face only a mother could love.

But perhaps the worst part of the piggy’s reputation is the habit that pigs have of rooting in the mud and the dirt.  I know, often the pig is just trying to stay cool, but you have to admit, a pig has a certain fascination with earthiness.  They are famous for looking down, not up.

Not so with you as a believer.  Saint Paul exhorts you, “Set your mind on things above, not earthly things.” You must rid yourself of the filth of sin, and put on our Lord Jesus Christ and His glorious life.  That means the dirt of anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, and lies must be buried in the tomb with Jesus and the new life of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness must rise with Him.

And how shall you rid yourself of the filth of sin?  By admitting that you are a sinner, and cannot raise yourself from the sticky mud of temptation and sinful habits.  As soon as you call on Jesus, He will raise you up.

A pig is meant to be a pig, earthy and content in the mud.  But you were not meant for this earth, but for heaven’s glory. The Holy Spirit has placed that hunger in your heart to rise with Jesus, who came to earth to raise you up to Himself.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you that you loved me and died that my sin might be removed from me forever.  I am sorry that I often do not look up to you, and call upon you, that you might lift me up and save me.  Lift up my eyes, my mind, and my heart to your divine love and grace every day.  Thank you that you are never ashamed of me, and you never tire of my prayers of repentance and confession. Amen.

Text and photo copyright by Steve Nickodemus.

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PWTE Daily Devotion

Trouble With Goats

Right or Left?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.”
Matthew 25:33

 

I couldn’t resist this picture of a dairy goat I saw at the state fair.  She, like all goats, seems inquisitive, playful, full of fun.

sept-24-98But if you look closely at her name tag, it spells “Trouble”! Obviously, her owner did not think she was so cute, but in fact she was full of trouble.

Our verse today speaks of a whole group of people whom God placed on His left hand in the final judgment, that is, the goats. These people were in trouble because they did not recognize Jesus when He came to them in this life needing help. They refused to care for Him as they refused to care for anyone whom God placed in their life.  They lacked compassion even though the Lord had shown them compassion by dying for them.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be in trouble with the goats on the left hand of the Lord. I want to be with the sheep on His right hand.  I want to see in every person, no matter how down trodden, the face of my Lord Jesus.  I want to love as He has first loved me.  I want to be like Jesus.

But unfortunately I am too often callous toward others who interrupt my agenda, my so very precious personal schedule.  I too often go through my day struggling with being like Jesus.  I cannot love as He has first loved me.

Lord Jesus, send your Holy Spirit that I might love as you have loved me.  Please forgive me for ignoring those you send to me.  Open my heart to Your mercy, that I might be one of your lambs, your flock.  Amen.

For I do not want to be a goat! Nope!  And I am not kidding!

Text and Picture Copyright Steve Nickodemus