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Devotions

Silently in the Shade

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Silently in the ShadeWe would be better Christians if we spent more time alone, and we would actually accomplish more if we attempted less and spent more time in isolation and quiet waiting upon God. The world has become too much a part of us, and we are afflicted with the idea that we are not accomplishing anything unless we are always busily running back and forth. We no longer believe in the importance of a calm retreat where we sit silently in the shade. As the people of God, we have become entirely too practical. We believe in having “all our irons in the fire” and that all the time we spend away from the anvil or fire is wasted time. Yet our time is never more profitably spent than when we set aside time for quiet meditation, talking with God, and looking up to heaven. We can never have too many of these open spaces in life-hours set aside when our soul is completely open and accessible to any heavenly thought or influence that God may be pleased to send our way. (Mrs. Charles Cowman)
My life has a tendency to get out of control (I do realize that my decisions play a huge role in this!). I get moving so fast that often the time is gone before I realize it. The only thing that centers me is slowing down…getting silent…being alone with God…and listening for His whisper. It never ceases to amaze me how He calms my unsettled spirit.

One of my goals for this year is to set aside time each week to be quiet before God…to spend time talking to Him and listening for His voice…just relaxing in His presence. It is in the silence that I am open and more accessible to my Lord.

Will you join me in slowing down? Perhaps you need to stop right now and focus your thoughts on Him. I promise you it will be well worth the moments you may lose in hustling around in your busy world.

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Who Are You Following?

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Who are you following?“Come, follow me,” Jesus said . . .(NIV) Matthew 4:19

Life is full of choices. Each new day brings new opportunities, new challenges, new choices. And each day brings you to a new decision spiritually. We each have the choice of following God or something else. It’s one or the other. We have to choose to focus on Christ and follow Him.

To determine who or what you’re following ask yourself these questions: Who is really in control of my life? Who is making the decisions regarding how I spend my time and my money? Or am I reacting to circumstances rather than making decisions?

What’s the top priority in my life? Does my calendar substantiate what I say are priorities? Does my checkbook verify that these are my priorities? Would others be able to easily recognize what my priorities are?

Who are you really choosing to follow? Christ? or something less?

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Time with Him

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Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. (NIV) Psalm 116:2

Covet to get alone with God. If we neglect it, we not only rob ourselves, but others too, of blessing, since when we are blessed we are able to pass on blessing to others. It may mean less outside work; it must mean more depth and power, and the consequence, too, will be “they saw no man save Jesus only.” To be alone with God in prayer cannot be over-emphasized. (Mrs. Charles E. Cowman)

When do you get alone with God? Do you covet and protect that time with your Heavenly Father? Is it time that you look forward to? Is it a time of leisurely enjoying time with the Creator? Or is it rushed? What activities in your life need to be eliminated to spend more time with Him?

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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One Desire

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O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (NIV) Psalm 63:1

As I read the Psalms, I am amazed at David’s heart after God. And at times I have to admit that I get a bit jealous of His passion for God. I wish that I had the same intensity as David did for his God. Listen to what he writes. . .

** O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; (verse 1)
** My soul thirsts for you, (verse 1)
** My body longs for you (verse 1)
** Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you (verse 3)
** I will praise you as long as I live, (verse 4)
** And in your name I will lift up my hands (verse 4)
** My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; (verse 5)
** With singing lips my mouth will praise you (verse 5)
** On my bed I remember you; (verse 6)
** I think of you through the watches of the night (verse 6)
** My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me (verse 8)

Let me ask you. . .How do you earnestly seek God? Does your soul thirst for Him? Does your body long for His presence? How do your words glorify God? How does your lifestyle praise His Name? Are you satisfied with the riches of His grace? Or do you complain about how He has sovereignly planned your life? Do you think of God often? Is He constantly on your mind? the center of your focus? Do you cling to Him and nothing else?

Will you join me in asking God to give you the earnest desire to know Him and Him alone? Ask Him to give you the same heart after God that David had. . . and watch the way God empowers your life through His Spirit!
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Truth

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Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (NIV) John 17:17

What are you doing to diffuse Truth? TRUTH. . . not opinions, not traditions. . .not what you’ve heard and believed, but never lined it up against Scripture. How are you sharing Truth with your neighbors? co-workers? children? everyday acquaintances? When do purposely spread Truth? Is your life saturated with Truth?

Truth is found in one place, in one person, Jesus Christ. The only way you and I will know if what we believe about Jesus Christ is Truth, is if we line up our beliefs with the Word of God? Will you choose to dig into the Bible today with the purpose of knowing Truth in a more intimate way so that you can spread His Truth everywhere you go?

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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National What Week?

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Keep fit.They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. (NIV) Psalm 145:7

It seems like we celebrate a lot. April is National Frog Month, National Humor Month, National Poetry Month and Stress Awareness Month. Then there’s April Fool’s Day, National Read a Road Map Day, No Housework Day, Jackie Robinson Day, National Eggs Benedict Day, and Cuckoo Day. It seems like we have recognition for just about everything. June (my birthday month) is full of holidays…it’s National Candy month (I like that!)…there’s Headache Awareness Week, Meet a Mate Week, and Take Your Pet to Work Week…there’s Donut Day, Tech Support Appreciation Day, Best Friend’s Day, Flag Day, and Father’s Day. Then on June 2 it’s Yell “Fudge” at Cobras Day. (You all know that in order to keep poisonous cobra snakes out of North America, all citizens are asked to go outdoors at noon local time and yell, “Fudge!”)

As Christians we could start our own holidays. I’m not talking about Christmas and Easter type of holidays. We could celebrate National Stop-Gossiping Month…or National Honor Your Parent’s Month (even if you’re already an adult)…or International Worry-Free Month…or Be Kind to Your Mother-In-Law Day. We might decide to have a 24 Hours of Prayer Day…or an International Be Content Day…or Judgment-Free Month…or Putting Others Interests Ahead of Myself Week.

By the way, watch out for June 19, World Sauntering Day…a day dedicated to reviving the lost art of Victorian sauntering and discouraging jogging, lollygagging, sashaying, fast-walking, and trotting!

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Looking to God

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“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” (NIV) John 15:9

Lord, You are the Word. . . You were in the beginning . . . You are with God, You are God. You created all things. . . all things were created for You. You are the Bread of Life, You are the Good Shepherd, You are the gate to Heaven, You are Living Water for the thirsty, You are the Way, the Truth and the Life. You are the resurrection and the Life…You are life itself.

But, often I get so messed up with my thinking. I get more focused on what I should do, than who God wants me to be. I look more for the next step, instead of sitting quietly and listening for God’s voice, enjoying the presence of the Ruler of the Universe.

A Prayer: O Lord forgive me, I just want to hold Your hand and walk with You today. Forgive me for getting so focused on the future that I lose today. And as a result I lose the fullness of my relationship with You, I lose opportunities to be used by You. O Father, today I choose to keep my eyes on You, may I experience Your presence in a new way!

Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger

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Branch Living

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“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (NIV) John 15:5

Branches don’t move on their own…they may sway in the wind, but they don’t uproot themselves and move to another spot. Branches don’t feed themselves, but draw on the life source. It is the life source that produces the fruit. The Branch does nothing but draw on that life source.

The Branch does not say, “I want to be a tree.” The type of tree it is, and the type of fruit it produces is dependent upon what type of vine or trunk is in existence.  The Branch cannot make the roots grow deeper.  The Branch cannot demand that rain falls or that the sun shines upon it.  When it comes down to it…the Branch can’t really do anything for or by itself.

Lord, forgive me for getting my role mixed up with Yours. For You are the One for whom and through whom everything (including me) exists.

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