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John 20
In the beginning of John 20, it tells us of the personal experience of Mary Magdalene as she approached the tomb and did not see Jesus’ body. When she returned to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away, she ran and told the others. Mary Magdalene’s perspective is that someone had stolen Jesus’ body. Mary Magdalene’s perspective alludes that she did not believe that Jesus would return as He stated in John 14. Jesus clearly stated that he was going to prepare a place for us and He would return. However, Mary Magdalene lost her spiritual perspective and forgot that Jesus said He would return. She was upset of the situation of the tomb being empty and lost sight of her faith that Jesus had risen from the dead with all power in His hand. How often do we lose our spiritual perspective of God’s promises? Many times we take our eyes off God and take on an earthly perspective of a situation. We often missed the blessings because we look at what seems impossible in the earthly realm and failed to realize God can do the impossible. God keeps his promises because he is not a God that can lie (Numbers 23:19). Hebrews 11 states, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (KJV). Mary Magdalene could not recognize the true meaning of what was taking place because she had taken an earthly perspective of the situation. She and the others did not recognize that the Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and in three days arose with all power in His hand. How many times do we let an earthly situation cloudy our spiritual perspective? Today, let’s change our earthly perspective to a spiritual perspective and rely on God in any situation. Heavenly Father, I am sorry for allowing my mind to become cloudy and murky with unbelief in circumstances in my life. God you can do the impossible. Even when it does not look good, I must trust you and keep my mind stayed on you. Forgive me God! I trust you in every situation! Amen! Copyrighted 2015 by Edwina D. Perrin. All rights reserved. Romans 12:12; “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (KJV).
Have you ever prayed a prayer and waited on God to answer you, but it seems as if God has forgotten about you. You wonder if God was hearing your prayers. You begin to question your prayer life because you have not received an answer from God. “Did I pray the right prayer?” “Did I say the right things?” “Was my prayer long enough?” We all have been there a time or two, but this is where the test begins. I call this The Assessment of Patience & Faith. Having patience and waiting on God can be difficult. For example, have you ever prayed for a release from a place of employment because you were no longer happy with the environment? However, God did not release you from that place of employment when you asked. Have you ever prayed for a divine healing of your body, but you are still dealing with the illness? If you are reading this devotion, you understand what I am talking about. We all have prayed different prayers for different situations that have taken place in our life. In the scripture, Paul tells us to be joyful in hope, patient during our tribulation, and steadfast in our prayer. God hears every prayer we pray. However, just because he does not answer us right then does not mean he does not love us. We have to remember we are not on our time, but God’s time. I personally know that patience is a hard pill to digest. I have prayed many prayers and God did not answer me instantaneously. However, when He did answer me, it was perfect timing for God to show His glory. Joy, patience, and faith are all characteristics of God that we should operate in. Trials and tribulations are easier to endure and easier to withstand when we operate in joy, patience, and faith. Heavenly Father, Please help me in the area of patience. Lord, I must remember that I must operate in your time and not my time. God, I thank you for who you are. In Jesus name, Amen! Copyrighted 2015 by Edwina D. Perrin. All rights reserved. Scripture Text….Luke 10: 38-42
In this text, we see that Martha and Mary was preparing for Jesus to visit them as he often did. Their brother, Lazarus, and Jesus were friends. Therefore, Jesus, Lazarus, Martha, and Mary would hang out and talk. When Jesus came to the house on this particular day, the sisters were engulfed with their house chores. However, as Jesus began to minister to them, Mary stopped cleaning and listened. Martha, on the other hand, continued to work and became distracted and consumed by the work. By Martha being distracted, it caused her:
What is distracting you? What is keeping you from giving God your undivided attention? Reflection Where is God on my “To-Do List”? (Luke 4:4) Are my priorities in the correct place? (Matthew 6:33) Am I a workaholic? Scripture Reference Psalm 39:6-7 “We are merely moving shadows, and all our busy rushing ends in nothing. We heap up wealth, not knowing who will spend it. And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you” (NLT). Psalm 62: 5 “Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him”(NIV). Heavenly Father, Forgive me for allowing distractions to interrupt my time with you. God you give me your best ALL the time, therefore I must give you my best at ALL times. God, help me to stay focused on your word. Your word is a strong tower and your word will stand when nothing else will. Father, I love you. In Jesus' Name, Amen Dangerously Busy + Distractions = Missed Opportunities (©Edwina Perrin) Copyright 2015 by Edwina Perrin. All rights reserved Psalm 5:3 “In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (NIV).
Heavenly Father, You are great and mighty. I thank you for allowing me to see another day and another year. I thank you for the many blessings you have given to me. Father, I come before you with thanksgiving and praise on my heart. I worship and adore you. The people who live in my house come worshipping and adoring you. We pray without ceasing. God, as I prepare for this year, help me to keep my mind stayed on you. Every morning I rise, I will rise up with praise on my heart and my lips. Every morning, I will thank you for the provisions and the ability to go to work. You are my Jehovah Jireh. I will invite you into my work place every morning. Help me to remain positive at my work place. No matter what takes place on my job, I will keep my mind, heart, and focus on YOU. God anything that is in me that is not pleasing to your sight, I ask you to remove it. I ask that you cleanse me. Lord, if there is anybody or anything in my life hindering my relationship with you, remove it now. I do not want anything to hinder me from growing closer to you. As my offspring prepare for school, I will pray with them and for them. My offspring will bow down and worship you. They will confess that you are the head of our household. My offspring will live in the world, but will not be of the world. They shall be blessed. Their children shall be blessed. Their children’s children shall be blessed. I declare and decree no diabolical assignment will frustrate their day in Jesus name. I plead the blood over everything and every person they will come in contact with. God let my prayers greet you in the morning. As I closed this prayer, I will remember the scripture Colossians 4:2. My household will devote themselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Heavenly Father, in all I do, I will reverence you and praise your name. In Jesus’ Name, Amen I pray that this prayer is a blessing to you and inspires you in 2015. ©2015 by Edwina Perrin. All rights reserved. |
This is a Global Ministry here to EMPOWER you daily with the truth of God.
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