Tag Archives: Devotions

Are You Putting God In A Cage?

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This is not the first time I’ve used this devotion, but I love it! So I use it from time to time. I hope you enjoy it as well.

ARE YOU PUTTING GOD IN A CAGE?

James 4: 8 (NLT)

“Draw close to God, and God will draw close to you.”

Friends told me this story of a rescued dog long ago, but I’ve never forgotten it. The dog’s owners decided to use cage training to housebreak their young puppy. Cage training consists of having the puppy spend time in his cage until he figures out where to go potty and where not to.

Unfortunately, the owners missed the point. They brought their young puppy home and, as expected, the puppy soon had an accident. His owners punished him by putting him in the cage. With each accident, they would punish him by keeping him the cage for longer periods. Naturally, the dog would have another accident in the cage and so the cycle went.

Eventually, the dog was in the cage for several days at a time without food or water. The owners didn’t understand why the dog had turned mean.

Dogs are great pets when they are loved and nurtured. The more time we spend with them the stronger the bond becomes. The key to any relationship is the time, attention and effort given. That holds true for relationships with animals, people, and God.

The more time and effort we put into a relationship the more we receive.

What about our relationship with God?

Do we treat Him in a way that we wouldn’t treat a dog? Do we take God out of the cage on Sundays for a few hours and then stick Him back in until the next Sunday? We may even have good intentions but…life can get so busy.

I know that happens to me more often than I care to admit. I have good intentions to spend time with God but then life happens. Before I know it, I begin to lose my patience, my joy, and my peace. That’s when I know it’s time to draw near to God and He’s always there waiting.

Don’t cheat yourself out of a loving relationship with God because you think you don’t have time. There is no right or wrong way to spend time with God. Here are a few of my favorite ways to spend time with God:

While you do your chores, listen to praise music.

Pray whenever the mood hits.

Start writing a list of what you are grateful to God for–big and little things.

Rent a Biblical movie.

Put index cards and a pen by your Bible. Write out verses that are meaningful.

Sing your favorite hymn–even if your husband doesn‘t like your singing.

Reflect on God’s goodness as you notice His beautiful handiwork.

As you fall asleep, end your day with a pray of praise and thanksgiving.

Be creative, be flexible, and enjoy your time with God. The more time you spend with him, the more peace and joy you will experience. As you reap the benefits of spending time with God, you will soon find yourself craving more time with Him. He’s here right this moment–waiting for you.

What’s one of the ways you enjoy spending time with God?

UNTIL NEXT TIME…GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

Do You Recognize Jesus?

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Luke 24: 30-31

When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.

Do you recognize Jesus when you see him?

As Christians, we would hope the answer to that question would be a resounding yes! After all, who would want to miss a moment like that? Not me!

But yet, I’m afraid I’ve often failed to recognize Jesus. Too busy. Too many things on my mind. Too much time spent on worrying about me and my problems.

The minute things start going wrong in our life, we go in a panic. Where is God? Why is He letting this happen to me? What did I do to make God mad? Life isn’t supposed to be like this–it’s supposed to be easy, right? Wrong.

Jesus never promised us we wouldn’t have problems but he did promise he would never leave or forsake us.

If you aren’t recognizing Jesus in your present circumstances, take some time and reflect on your past. As you do, you will begin to recognize that Jesus was there, guiding you, supporting you, and loving you even in the toughest of times. And even that many of the things that were hard when we were going through it, actually was a good thing in the long run.

A few years ago, my part-time position as a speech pathologist was eliminated. And it was the PERFECT JOB for me. I loved the kids, the teachers, even the principal was a nice guy. I was not a happy camper, but a few months later I was diagnosed with bilateral brain tumors.

Now, I know me well enough to know that I wouldn’t have quit the job on my own, like I said, it was the PERFECT JOB. Instead, I would have kept the job while I was undergoing treatments and side-effects from the treatment and…all that wold have done was cause me stress!

God knew me well enough to know that too.He smoothed out the rough road ahead of me by making sure I could concentrate on my health instead of stressing out about responsibilites that I could not have fulfilled.

God is so good!

I didn’t recognize Jesus at the time, but he was with me anyway. If you are in the midst of a tough situation, pray for God to open your eyes so that you can recognize Jesus. He is with you!

I’d love for you to share a time when God was with you even when you didn’t recognize him.

TRY IT–YOU’LL LIKE IT!

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Psalm 34: 8

Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed in the man who takes refuge in Him.

When I read this verse, it immediately took me to a TV commercial. You know the one I mean. Try it, Mikey…you’ll like it! His big brothers were sure he wouldn’t like it. After all, it was supposed to be good for you. And we all know that things that are meant for our good, aren’t actually meant to be enjoyed but rather to be endured.

Right?

Wrong!  Mikey took the bite and liked it.

Developing a relationship with God is much the same way. So many run from a relationship with God. Not because they don’t believe He exists, but because they assume being a Christian isn’t  something to be enjoyed but rather to be endured.

Right?

Wrong! Being a Christian has brought me unspeakable joy. Being a Christian has given me the strength to endure life’s challenges–like bilateral brain tumors. Being a Christian has brought me peace in spite of the difficult things life has thrown at me.

So like Mikey’s brothers I issue you a challenge. Try it…I guarantee you’ll like it.  No–you’ll love it.

But being a Christian isn’t a guarantee that you won’t have problems in your life. In fact, I can guarantee that as well. Jesus assured us that we will have problems. And that’s where the second part of the verse comes in–blessed in the man who takes refuge in Him. 

When life gets difficult (and it will), that’s the time to run to God. To take refuge in Him, not to turn away in anger because you didn’t get your way. It’s the time to remind yourself over and over that God loves you and that His love is perfect.  Romans 8:28 says that God will work all things for the good of those who love Him.

Taking refuge in God means trusting God’s love for us and His promises. It may not be easy to do, especially when we don’t get the happy ending we want, but God promises those of us who take refuge in Him will be blessed.

As for me, I believe Him!

He is my refuge!

I’d love to hear about a time when you took refuge in God.

UNTIL NEXT TIME..GOD BLESS & GOOD READING!

BOOK GIVEAWAY!

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There’s a speacil treat today at www.PowerUpWithGod.com

My guest writer is Janet K. Brown who’s new devotional book  Divine Dining: 365 Devotions to Guide You to Healthier Weight and Abundant Wellness was released in December and she’s  willing to give away a print copy of her book.

How nice is that!

This sounds like a devotional book, I’m going to be buying for myself.  Yes, I admit it–I need to lose a few pounds!  One of my goals for this year is to become healthier! And this looks like just the thing ot get me on my way. If you want to be considered to win the book,  go to www.PowerUpWithGod.com leave a comment why you want the book.

Winner will be picked by my heart. The story that touches me the most wins the book@

Winner will be chosen on January 28.

AND DON’T FORGET–when you sign up to follow this blog by email by FEB. 1 you’ll be entered in my BLOG CRAZY CONTEST and be elibible to win Amazon Gift Cards!!!