Tag: Bible Devotions

Her Name Was Deborah!

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I bet you’ve never seen a bee like this one before, but as sure as this is the meaning of her name, this industrious lady of the Bible took care of her hive.

Wayward in heart and misdirected by sinful intentions describes the children of Israel after prominent leaders such as Joshua passed off the scene. It was then, that the people found themselves in a vicious cycle of sin, repentance, and deliverance, only to be repeated over and over again.

When they continued to travel out of the will of God, God would allow His people to experience times of adversity through the means of some outside force, usually via oppression from other nations.  During this adverse period, the people would humble themselves before God, and God would extend His mercy by sending a deliverer their way in the form of what we call “judges.”  These leaders of the day would not only be conveyors of what God had to say to the people at that time, but they would also be the instruments God would use to orchestrate their deliverance and bring them out of whatever trouble they currently found themselves in due to their disobedience.

When the judge God used for a particular deliverance passed off the scene, the disobedient hearts of the people usually found themselves entangled once again in idol worshiping and sin, and suffered another set of adverse conditions until God called another judge into action to rise and bring the people out once more.

The choice of discipline the people faced in Judges 4 was through “Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor” (Judges 4:2) who for twenty years “mightily oppressed the children of Israel” (4:3).

It was then, the Bible notes, that there was an unusual woman in the land of Israel.  She was not only a wife, being married to “Lapidoth,” but she was a judge, a leader, and considered a prophetess.  Her name was “Deborah” (Judges 4:4).

Not much is known personally of Deborah outside of Judges 4-5.  We are not exactly sure how she received her calling from God to step into this place of leadership, but we do know that her ears and her heart were opened to God and He used her in a mighty way to not only bring about deliverance for the children of Israel but to also effectively lead them when they “came up to her for judgment.”  She was likened, in her and Barak’s song found in chapter 5, as a mother who arose in Israel (Judges 5:7); a woman who cared for her people and her God, and believed through His leading and power they could do what God said they could do.

So, there she was found “under the palm tree of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in mount Ephraim: and the children of Israel came up to her for judgement” (Judges 4:5).  I wish we had just an inkling of Deborah’s age (Was she aged with wisdom, or was she young and spunky, or was she somewhere in the middle but not given to mediocrity?), but we are not privileged with that information.  Her story is not about statistics or the status quo (of which she was not).  Her story was of faith and longing to do right for God and man.  By gender, she may not have been the typical deliverer for Israel, but by faith, her story shows that God doesn’t put limits on who He can use or not.  Sometimes, He thinks outside of the box and throws off the stereotypes to use the one whom we may least expect.

Are you a Deborah? Called into an unusual position during an unusual time?

Do you carry the burden of people and situations in your heart? Do you care about what God wants to do through the lives of others, and even your own life? Do you seek to be open to His services and to be helpful to those around you? Then, you may be a Deborah.

While your name may differ, the stirring in your heart is the same. While the roles you are functioning in may not look the same, the fact that you are seeking to function in His will for the benefit of God and man may qualify you as a Deborah.

In her, we see leadership.

In her, we see motivation.

In her, we see an open vessel ready to be used by the Master.

In her, we see a heart that will not fear or back down from the challenge.

In her, we see poise and caring, but she is also a force to be reckoned with.

In her, we see a faith that refuses to be extinguished by the circumstances of the day.

For one whom we don’t know much about, can we glean a lot from her short story represented in the pages of Scripture.

Unlike some around her, she was not a hesitant leader (Judges 4:6-8).  Her name may call her as a bee, but she was lionhearted, sure, confident, and decisive and she literally rose to the occasion when her people needed her the most.  She was a spiritual champion.  I don’t believe she would wield a sword, but she sure wielded her faith.  She had no qualms about going where God already told them they would have the victory (Judges 4:9-10).  She could readily agree with the psalmist, saying, “The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Psalms 118:6).

Her confidence in God showed through her decisions, leadership, influence, judging, and prophecies (Judges 4:14).  “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe,” (Psalms 29:25; see also Psalms 118:8).  She may have been a woman, but she was not a wavering woman.  She stood flat-footed and held on to the Word of God.

Through her guidance and encouragement as a godly leader, her people gained the victory over their oppressors and lived in peace for the next forty years (Judges 5:31).

Her name is Deborah. Read her story in Judges 4-5, and be encouraged by the tenacity of her life.

“The inhabitants of the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.” Judges 5:7

Text Free Photo by Nida Kurt: Pexels.com

Staying Open to the Sound of the Savior | 4 Steps to Implement Today

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Open communication is one of the keys to a healthy relationship. What many of us forget is that communication is a two-way street between the one who is speaking and the one who is listening. Or, supposed to be listening…

Years ago, I was in a conversation with someone.  Admittedly, I unintentionally tuned out at one point during our talking.  I wasn’t trying to be rude, nor was there a lack of interest in the conversation.  It was just one of those moments, probably due to exhaustion of the day, where I momentarily glazed over and responded to what I heard without really knowing what was being said.

Imagine my embarrassment when my friend turned to me and said, “You didn’t hear what I just said, did you?”

I had to admit that I had not and apologized to her for my lack of proper attention.

But I must ask, how attentive are we when Jesus is speaking?  Have we familiarized ourselves so much with Him, with His Word, that we have become almost complacent and desensitized upon hearing it?  Like a teenager rolling their eyes over a mother’s request to clean their room again?

As His people, His sheep, we above all others should be very interested in the words of our Lord.  Mary was, and she planted herself at His holy feet in anticipation of what He would say next (Luke 10:39).

Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice . . .” (John 10:27).  They know Him and are known of Him.  They are tuned into His heart and the words that flow from there. 

Others around may not believe.  Naysayers and the world may not be interested in hearing what He says.  But when His voice speaks, our ears and our hearts need to be receptive to His truths.

In our age, people have made themselves susceptible and open to many things, doctrines, and voices.  But our relationship and closeness to the Lord should want more.  More than what others seek.  And more than a quick fix or a drive-thru Sunday sermon.

The intimacy we have in knowing Him and being known by Him should keep the ears of our hearts in ready anticipation of Him speaking.  Stay open, my friend, to the sound of the Savior.  Stay receptive to His voice, because what He says is always in line with the Father (John 12:49-50).  When He opens His mouth, it is never frivolous but always with the purpose of teaching, exhorting, healing, delivering, and so much more.  When His voice is heard, it is to guide us, as our Good Shepherd, through our days, our decisions, and our destiny in Him. 

So, how do we get better at staying open to the sound of the Savior?  Here are a few steps you can begin to implement today.

  1. Prioritize what you allow in the hearing of your space throughout the day.  Everything you hear is not good for you.  As much as depends on you, you can choose to filter what you willingly listen to.  Not only are we encouraged in Philippians 4:8 about what to think on, but God’s Word in general stands as the ultimate filter to the noise that tries to enter our space daily.  We do not have to entertain contrary speech. Tune in to what is truly important and tune out what is not.
  2. Give opportunity and make room for His speaking.  Position yourself with the opportunity in mind that I want to hear from Him.  Whether through His Word, sermons, or other means, we are welcoming His voice in the environment of our daily living.  In our hurried world that is cluttered with all kinds of noise, it is our responsibility to make sure that we have quiet time to do just what Mary did, and that was to just sit at His feet and listen.
  3. Hear not only with your ears or through the words you read on the page but hear with your heart.  Many can hear but do not perceive.  Many heard Jesus speak audibly in the crowds but the words He spoke were never ingested into their very being, causing Him to say, “Who hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 13:9).  Like in the parable of the Sower, the soil of their hearts, the place that nurtures the seed/word, must be good ground and receptive (Matthew 13:3-23).  Jesus speaks for challenge and for change, but none of it will do any good if the listener is not willing to take it in and recognize it for the truth that it is.  
  4. Steward His words well.  When you hear, what do you do next?  When it is taken in, see how this applies to you now or in your present circumstance.  What is the takeaway?  What can you do with what you have heard?  Jesus never speaks with the intention of His words being placed on the shelf like a forgotten piece of beautiful artwork.  It is to be used, applied and lived out in one’s life.  He said, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” (Matthew 7:24).   

Friends, what Jesus speaks is for the instructing and building of our lives.  He said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life” (John 6:63).  Stay open to His voice, receive what He says, and follow Him. The voice of the Shepherd is calling out to you today.

More articles of interest to help you on your journey to better hear from the Savior:

“Tuning In and Tuning Out”

“Doers of the Word” 

“Are We There Yet?”

“Jesus Teaches His Followers”

“When the Father Speaks”

Ridding Sour Thoughts

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Sour thoughts.  Ill feelings. Have you ever struggled with these?  There are days when they seem to invade your thinking.  Although you don’t want them there, they seem to come unannounced.  Not asking for your permission to be there, they come and tread upon the courts of your mind, disrupting your beautiful day.

When they step into your territory, what do you do?  Do you let them walk around freely, unhindered?  Or do you dismiss them and show them the way out?

Meandering about means they have a chance to muddy up the places marked with their footprints.  In their meandering, they can bring confusion, bitterness, hurt, and pain.  They can bring wrong assumptions that leave much devastation in their wake.  Continuing their journey in your space unleashed can quickly tear apart what took years of love and hard work to build.

But giving them the boot frees you from these radicals that just want to stir up strife in our homes and in our lives.  And the process the Apostle Paul gave us to do just that in and of itself, is not that complicated. 

His advice: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8). 

When it is peace that we want and not things that cause bitterness and strife, we have the choice to replace those sour thoughts with something lovely and beautiful.  We can make the decision within ourselves to not settle for something that puts in us and draws out of us things we do not want.

Take up these things of virtue and praise, and clothe your day in them.  Choose to be purposefully mindful of that which is good, making that which is bad and sour flee before you.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

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Laboring Women

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“And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life.” Philippians 4:3

Laboring women.  Those two words together more than likely bring immediately to our minds the idea of childbirth, which is a unique celebration in and of itself.  Yet, the Bible has a way of showing people beyond the norms of what may immediately come to mind.  It highlights the character, contributions, giftings, and skills of those, men or women, who were used by God or allowed God to use what they had or could do to further Kingdom business.

While we are familiar with Ruth, Deborah, and Esther in the Old Testament, and with names like Mary (take your pick), Pricilla, and Dorcas in the New Testament, what we find in the pages of Scripture that there are numerous characters (men and women alike, although I’m focusing on a female point of view here), whose lives and contributions made a significant impact even though they were not mentioned by name.

Paul made special mention in the verse above to the Philippian church to “help those women which laboured with me in the gospel.”  These women supported his ministry.  These unsung, nameless warriors are only known by mention here and the people they served then.  We don’t know who they are or how they helped in such a way for this honorable mention here – but help, they did, therefore Paul wanted the church to keep in mind the way their works provided service.

Another thing we don’t see here is the struggle to be seen.  We don’t see a fight or contentions arising because they wanted the recognition of their name and actions to be made known.  It’s as if it was just their pleasure to serve the gospel and to help in whatever capacity they could.

Their service mattered and made a difference.  And while they are not named here, the “Book of Life” holds their names.  Father God knows who they are, and He knows who you are.

You may not always receive the pat on the back, the acceptance, the “Good job!”, you are looking for, but what you do for Christ, what you do for the furtherance of the ministry of the Kingdom of God matters as well, and it is important.

Your name may not be published far and wide ascribing your accomplishments.  But if it is published in that Book of Life, have no fear of missing out because the Holder of that holy record sees everything you do for His Kingdom, and you can trust that He will reward you accordingly.

God sees and knows what you do for Him!

Further Inspiration:

“Overlooked?  Not By God!”

“Shamgar, Who?”

Try Him for Yourself!

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“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” Psalm 34:8

Experience is everything.  Many people can talk about knowing God from an external point of view, but they don’t know Him for themselves deep on the inside.  They haven’t experienced the depths of intimacy involved in being in a real relationship with God (for more encouragement see my article, The God We Feel).

David had experience with God.  Before he ever faced Goliath (1 Samuel 17), and even before he was on Saul’s radar, who now counted him as an enemy and was in the process of hunting him down, causing David to flee for his life, act like a madman, and hide (see 1 Samuel 21), he had encounters that let him know that God was there for him.  There was even a time when he faced a bear and lion and came out victorious (1 Samuel 17:34-35).

God, Himself called David “a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will,” (Acts 13:22) because of his walk with Him.  David was not a stranger to God.  He was a frequent worshipper, a frequent prayer-er, and frequently inclined to look to God, do what He said, walk with Him, and guide his life by His holy standards.

David knows what it’s like to get hooked up with God and let that hookup be your life foundation.  With that, he calls others to reach out and try Him for themselves.  Don’t let this moment or day go by without knowing and experiencing God on that same personal level David did.  He encouraged them to, “Taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him” (compare 1 Peter 2:3).

God is good (see Psalm 100:5; Nahum 1:7; Matthew 19:17) and God does good (see Psalm 119:64; Genesis 1)!  God cannot separate Himself from who He is and what He does.  And, David wants people to know it, taste it, and experience it for themselves!

Those who put God at the focal center of their lives and decisions, those who recognize the sovereignty of God over all, will be supplied by Him.  God provides for His people.  God cares for His people.  “He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them,” (Psalm 145:19; see also Psalm 23:1; Proverbs 10:24).

David has experienced the hand of God’s care over and over again, and he assures others they can too if they follow Him.

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com articles/lessons/worksheets may not be copied or redistributed without the express written permission of WordforLifeSays.com.  Please see the COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.  Blessings to you.

Please Note: Ads below or referenced on this site are prefabricated and mass-produced (of which I currently have no control over) and DO NOT necessarily represent the views and/or beliefs of this site and its admin.

At the Throne

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“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).  Everything we need flows from that throne in heaven.

Where has your heart been searching?  The attempts are futile that send you anywhere else but His holy throne.

Is this why you are frustrated with life?  Is this why the pieces don’t seem to mesh?

For strength, where have you looked?  For help, who have you relied upon?

These daily graces are best found in He who is able to pour out into your life freely and with heavenly abundance.

Whatever you need.  The answer can be found at the throne of God.  “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

As a compass points us in the right direction of home, may our hearts turn and find solace at the foot of Your throne.

Above image by Pixabay

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.

Classic, always.

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Trends ebb and flow like the waves of the sea.  Fads are cute at times.  But it is the classic that I am a fan of; things that endure the test of time.  These, if you see them one hundred years from now, are still in style and almost to the point of starting a trend of their own.  Because, as we all know, that which is truly a classic will never go out of style.

The classic is not only timeless, but it is beautiful in its reliability to stay what it is regardless of what trend or gimmicks others chase.  What is fashionable today may not be in style tomorrow, but that what is classic will always be a masterpiece even after the huff of the trend fades behind the scenes of the newest fad.

That is what I love about the Word of God – it is always classic.  It is always reliable, and it never changes regardless of what the world is currently chasing.  Be it the latest report, newest discovery or theory – God and His Word are unchanging is what James 1:17 tells us. The Apostle Peter then writes, “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you” (1 Peter 1:25).

Let me tell you why this is so important.  There may be times when humanity and history try to rewrite His Word.  But, God’s standard, which is His Word, will always be pure and right.  The Bible tells us, “The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes” (Psalm 19:8).  Which means we have an unchanging foundation upon which to base our hope and belief.  We can completely trust in the wholeness and wholesomeness of the Word of God.

If there ever comes a time when you find yourself confused or dismayed by the latest, latest.  Remember God’s Word.  Purposely take the time to turn to it.  There, in those blessed pages, you will not only find that God’s Word is a treasure to behold that we are to desire more than the preciousness of gold (Psalm 19:10), but in its perfect beauty, you can find the wisdom needed to answer whatever you may face on any given day (Psalm 19:7).  In that Holy Book, you can also find counsel by which to guide your life (Psalm 119:24, 133; Proverbs 19:21), hope to encourage and inspire you to hang on in there and not to give up (Psalm 130:5), and so much more.

In our lifetime, we will see many things change like fads of the day do.  It is just wonderful to know that God, and His Word, will not change.  It will always be flawlessly beautiful and perfect.  Classic, always. 

Copyright © Word For Life Says.com (Sharing any posts or lessons can only be done through the share buttons provided on this site from the original posts, lessons, and articles only. You can reblog from the original posts only using the reblog button provided, or share using the share buttons provided from these social media platforms: Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest, etc., and they must be shared from the original posts only. All other repostings are prohibited. Posts and other items of interest found on this site MAY NOT BE COPIED AND PASTED, downloaded, uploaded, etc to another website or entity not listed (physical or electronic).  See COPYRIGHT PAGE for more details.