Devotions for Life
Devotions written by members of the MNU community for the community.
By Nolan Goplen
| The Harvest is Waiting “He who gathers in summer is a wise son; he who sleeps in harvest is a son who causes shame.” PROVERBS 10:5 God will one day redeem all that he has created. We can think of the universe and all in it, including ourselves, as a crop waiting to be harvested by God. As Proverbs 10:5 tells us, we should not be sleeping when the harvest is taking place, but instead in the fields gathering the crop. It would also make sense, then, that while the crop is growing, we should be nurturing it into health, not standing idly by hoping that it turns out all right. I used to think when I was young that only pastors knew the ways of God, and that they were the only ones who were authorized to teach His ways. Since I gave my life to God I have learned that there is a universal priesthood of believers, which claims that every believer in Christ is ordained by Him to lead others to Him. No matter if we are called by God to become a preacher, or a teacher, a factory worker or a businessman, we can always tell others about God. In our society today, I often hear the phrase “we can discuss anything but politics or religion.” People think this because the wide range of views in these two areas can cause much conflict, especially within family and close relationships. Granted, there are many viewpoints when it comes to religion, but one thing in Christianity stands out loud and clear, Christ is Lord! No matter our viewpoints on different topics, this is true within all denominations of genuine Christianity. Do you think we should obey the laws of men, or God’s command? When witnessing, no matter if it is to our family or friends or someone we just met off the street, we should be able to talk about our faith and God’s love and grace no matter what. When should we witness then? NOW! God may reap the harvest today, tonight, tomorrow, next year, in a thousand years. We must help prepare the harvest with God’s help before it is to be reaped. We do not know when this is going to happen, and Christ makes it perfectly clear that only the Father in heaven knows (Matt.24:26). Christ also gave us the great commission before He ascended into heaven, that we should “make disciples of all the nations”(Matt. 28:19). Therefore, we should be constantly witnessing to those around us. Do not wait because of your own fears, or because others tell you it is “socially wrong” but instead rely totally upon God and the timing He has for you so that He can use you in His will. Don’t put off praying about the people God wants us to witness to until tomorrow, because none of us are guaranteed tomorrow. |
By Rebecca Lauderdale
| Reaping the Harvest "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. " 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 I think these verses challenge us to tithe what God lays on our hearts. Most of us have heard of the ten percent rule, but I challenge you to talk with God and then decide what to give. Ten percent is not much at all when we remember that everything we have really belongs to God. I believe that tithing is important and that it is almost like a thank you to God for giving us what we have. I recently read an article from Focus on the Family; which suggested raising the amount of your tithe when you get a raise. I have also heard before that anything above the basic ten percent is giving but the point is to put the money to God’s work. I know that it will be awhile before most of us get a pay raise; however we could give the money we spend on coffee and movies instead to the church or sponsor a child. Yes if you did this it would be giving up going to the movies or coffee but really which is more important caffeine or helping to spread the good news of the gospel? My family has sponsored a child or two for years and last year I decided to sponsor a girl from El Salvador myself. I believe that sponsoring this girl is a much better use of my money than buying cds or going to the movies. I am not saying that you need to sponsor a child but I think you should pray about what God wants you to give. Talk to God about what you should tithe and how you should tithe whether it is in giving to the construction fund at church or supporting a missionary. |
By Vern Wesley
| My grandmother was one person who inspired me through her faithfulness. She was diagnosed with stomach cancer during my senior year in high school. Throughout that year she continued to be a steady witness to me, a non-believer at the time. I maintained telephone contact with her as I graduated and went on to Army boot camp. I never heard her complain about the pain or about spending so much time in the hospital. She always sounded free of pain when I talked to her. Her encouraging words led me to read certain scripture and seek out any services offered by the base chaplains. IT was while I was stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington that I recieved the call from home. Her funeral left me with two things. First, memories of people coming forward who had been touched by her life, her ministry, and love for others. Second, by my sudden awareness of a great void in my life- something was missing. A month or so later I figured out what was missing and gave myself to the risen Savior. MY grandmother's best friend kept her throughout the pain and isolation of cancer treatments. Her joyous and abounding faith through this difficult time witnessed to many who crossed her path, including her young grandson 1000 miles from home. Is your faith strong enough to survive the hand life deals you from time to time? Is your faith a witness when your body and spirit don't feel up to it? "Great is Thy faithfulness, Oh Lord, great is Thy faithfulness." |
By Salli Shelton
| IT is truly a blessing to be involved in spiritul life at this institution. Luke 12:48 tells us that "From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." During this time of the year we often find ourselves hitting the road repeatedly, making the trek from school to home and back again. From school and back we stuff our cars full of friends, laundry, books, food, gifts, and more laundry. In some cases the places we travel are not always filled with people who know and show God's love. As your journeys take you from place to place consider it your responsibility to prepare room in the car, on the plane, and in your heart for Jesus to come along. In our hectic lifestyles if we make conscious and prayerful efforts to make room for Jesus it will transform our lives and shed light on those we meet along the way. Prayer: Jesus, be near to me on this journey and always. Burden me with preparing room for you wherever you lead me. Never let me forget to make room for you in the busy schedule of my life. Help others to see you in me everywhere I go. |
By Laurie Lamb
| 2 Corinthians 7:10 " Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death." Repentance; it's a word you don't hear much anymore. It's one of those things you think you know what it is until someone asks you directly. Repentance is a change of heart and mind from sin to God. Repentance is tied directly to grace and faith. It could not exist without either of them. But for some reason, grace and faith are more widely used words than repentance. Maybe its because repentance isn't as warm and fuzzy. It requires change, which is a big risk and is difficult. Repentance requires sorrow for the sins you've committed and hatred for sin altogether. With repentnace comes faith. Repentance is turning away from sin, and faith is turning towards Christ. The biggest difference between repentance and worldly sorrow is that repentance leaves no regret. Because of God's grace, our sins are forgiven and forgotten. This is truly amazing when you stop and think about it. We live in a world where you can't get anything for free and we 'keep track' of everyone's mistakes. The first step to accepting God's grace is repentance. You must admit that you're worng, which is hard. Repenting means that you can live a life filled with hope instead of regret. |
By Noah Davis
| Isaiah 41:29-31 " He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth 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." When I was a kid, I was always trying to play in the games that the older and smarter were in. Although I would ask to play, it seemed like I was always too small or not good enough to play, so I was just ignored. Just as I would give up or start to feel really bad about myself, some big guy, who was really skilled and mature would ask me if I wanted to play. The cool thing is that he could make up for my lack of skill. I would be so excited because I couldn't believe that they actually wanted me to play. Sometimes in life we feel like nobodies or as if we are not important enough to stand for what we believe in. We may even feel that we are too little or that we don't have enough money to accomplish the huge task that God has called us to. We must remember while we are feeling so bad about ourselves, there is a big Christ bidding us to come and join in the game. It is key to remember that He is big enough back us up and to make up for our lack of money or skill. |
By Seth Stimson
| Luke 12:34 "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." The word advent with a small 'a' simply means "coming." Coming of age as a Christian is when one finds whom their treasure is. To me, the verse from Luke 12:34 is describing a treasure as what one spends their time doing. A treasure is important and held in high regard to the one that claims it. When in possession of a treasure, a person spends time with that particular treasure. Who do you hold in high regard? During the day today, think about what your actions portray to others about who you truly hold in high regard. Does your life show Jesus Christ as your treasure? If Jesus is your treasure, your heart will always follow. |
By Dominique Glover
| 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 " Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received form God." How many of us as kids have ever said the phrase, "Fine , I'll just run away?" Come on, you remember...you wanted to go to your friend's house after school and your mom or dad said no. It was then that you decided life was unfair and the only solution would be to run away, thinking only then that you would be allowed to make your own choices. You then proceeded to pack all the necessary belongings needed for a kid to survive... things such as your favorite stuffed animal, a candy bar for when you get hungry, some books and toys in case you got bored, and maybe even a pillow you never slept without. You fill your book bag with all these things, thinking thoughts like, "When I'm gone they'll realize THEY were wrong or at least how much THEY need ME! You storm out of your front door, slamming it louder than usual to be sure everyone knew you were leaving (hoping in the back of your mind that the strong arms of your father would reach out and stop you). Your pace has now slowed as you're reaching the end of your driveway, no one coming to your rescue. Realizing that even one step away from your driveway would bring utter fear and a feeling of being lost and alone. It doesn't quite seem like a logical solution, not even to a five-year-old. Even now, as a senior in college, I fight those words, "Fine, I'll just run away." Run away from what you might ask? The burden of not only finishing college, but also finishing it with the grades I know I am capable of achieving, and obtaining a degree in a career that will bring more than just money or status. Running away from the bills that must be paid, the job that I must obtain in order to provide the money to pay those bills, parents and professors with their high expectations, watching as others seem to have things "come so easy to them." The times I've longed to "pack my bag" and head for the door there have been those strong arms of my Father, reaching out and pulling me close, reminding me that there is purpose in all I encounter. He assures me that He will be there to give me rest when I've stayed up all night long finishing a semester project, to provide when all the bills are marked late, to give me patinece in an unfair world...helping me not to seek revenge but forgiveness. He will provide the wisdom needed for life when nothing makes sense, when others expectations of us are unattainable. When you feel the need to run away, run to His strong, compassionate arms, finding a refuge from all that life demands. |