James 1:19-20 (NASB) “This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

I’ve always been a fast talker, and especially so when I am “impassioned” about something, as my husband would say. If we are debating something, I try to talk as fast as possible to get all my points in first, as if that will sway him to my way of thinking. Well, so far, it’s not working (we’ve only been married 9 years, there’s still time)!

What wisdom James shares with us! My flurry of words, my heated speech, my indignation, they have never helped me convince someone I am right, whether the discussion is political or religious. But listening, speaking kindly and with understanding: these are the ways to move mountains.

Lord help to quell my anger, and seek Your righteousness.

-Kevi

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Psalms 18:6 (NASB) “In my distress I called upon the LORD, And cried to my God for help; He heard my voice out of His temple, And my cry for help before Him came into His ears.”

I’ve always had a temper, but with God’s help over the years I’ve been pretty good at managing it. But as most parents will attest, your kids can bring out the worst in you (as well as the best). Recently I haven’t been getting enough sleep (babies, huh) and I’ve found myself losing control more than I’d like to admit. But I am admitting it because if I can’t be honest in these devotions, there’s no point in writing them!

It was going from getting frustrated in the middle of the night, to being angry in the middle of the day, and snapping at my husband for no reason. Finally, instead of asking God to fix me, or fix my kids, or fix my circumstances, I got real with Him and just asked Him to speak to me. This is the verse He gave me, through a devotional on anger that I read:

Psalms 37:8 (NASB) Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing.

So I made the verse the background of my phone and quickly memorized it. When I feel my temper rising, I recite it and remind myself that anger won’t do me any good. It’s no magic trick (I still have to choose to cease from anger), but God is using it to calm my spirit. My husband noticed a difference after a few days, without me even mentioning it.

So what do you need God’s help with today? Don’t be too proud to ask (and don’t forget to listen for the answer)!

-Kevi

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Originally written February 2011

Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV) “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, let us encourage one another.”      

If you know me very well you know I’m all about family.  I love my family and am so grateful that I can be a son, a brother, a husband, a dad, a grandpa, an uncle, a cousin…and I think you get where I’m coming from.  (Notice no mention of in-laws, jury is still out).

The other night a guy in our church family called to tell me how excited he was about being a part of Heartland.  He went on to tell me about how much he, his wife and daughter had been blessed since becoming a part of our church family.  That got me to thinking, and that thinking got me to thanking.  I began to thank God for allowing me to have such a wonderful church family.

I thank God for the way you encourage one another.  I thank God for the care and prayers you are giving each other.  I thank God for meeting needs, I thank God for your labors of love, for your prayers, for cards written, phone calls; the truth is, I LOVE YOU GUYS!

Remember this, I’m THANKING GOD FOR THINKING OF YOU!

-Dennis

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Originally written in February 2011

Ephesians 5:28 (KJV) "So ought men….."   

The last two months I've been privileged to watch a real man in action.  To be honest with you he doesn't look like James Bond or 007.  He doesn't look like the Marlboro Man, he doesn't ride a horse or drive a corvette.  As far as I know he doesn't own a sports car.  He doesn't smoke or drink, he isn't tall, as a matter of fact he is short in stature.  He looks more like Danny DeVito than he does Arnold Schwarzenegger.  

He doesn't smoke or drink or run around on his wife.  He doesn't know karate or judo.  If he and his wife got into a knock down drag out fight I would probably put my money on her.  But that's what he doesn't do; let me tell you what he does do.

He washes the dishes, does the laundry, vacuums the carpets, cleans the house, feeds the cats and takes care of his wife.  He shaved his head when she started losing hers because of chemotherapy.  He stays with her 24/7 whether at home, in the hospital or a clinic for the many visits to give blood, get blood or take treatments.  He is patient and kind, he is respectful and tends to her every need and desire.

Tonight while I'm writing this she sleeps in a hospital bed and he sleeps, for the fifth night in a row, in a recliner.  And not one word of complaint!

Now that's a picture-a living example-of what I call a man!

Ephesians 5:25 (KJV) "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for it."

Challenge:  Ephesians 5: 28 (KJV) "So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.  He that loveth his wife loveth himself."

-Dennis

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Proverbs 17:22 (NASB) “A joyful heart is good medicine, But a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

It had been a difficult morning with two young kids and I had a terrible headache. As I was placing my baby girl on the changing table I said a simple prayer: “Jesus, I need some of your grace today.” And as I took my hand away from my baby’s back, I saw that it was covered in baby poop from a MAJOR diaper blowout. And you know what? I just laughed.

I asked for grace and received a dirty diaper! But sometimes grace comes as a sense of humor. That diaper blowout was going to happen either way, but the irony of that moment was what I needed to choose a joyful heart over a broken spirit. I don’t always make that choice, but when I prayed, God answered.

-Kevi

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Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

These are the last words from Jesus. Talking to His disciples before He ascended into heaven, Jesus commanded them to spread the Gospel to every nation on earth, to baptize those who believe and teach them to obey Jesus’ words. We should have no greater devotion than to help in this even if it's nothing more than prayer and financial support. Remember that we are called to join Jesus in his mission so that more people might become his disciples.

2 Corinthians 5:20 (NKJV) Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.

Lord, help me to know when and where to do the work you need done, I am willing.

God is Great!

Roy

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2 Peter 3:9 (KJV) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

To God each lost soul is a child that needs to be rescued before it's too late. Every parent of a missing child is desperate to find them and overwhelmingly grateful for anyone's help in doing so.

Everyone can participate in recovering lost souls. It's not just the pastor, or teacher, or deacon’s responsibility; they cannot be everywhere. We all must be on the lookout for those who need Jesus and invite them to open their eyes and ears.

God will bless you no matter how small a role you play in someone's salvation and think how disappointed you will be in Heaven to see the opportunities you missed.

God is Great!

Roy

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Matthew 18:12 (KJV) How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?

God loves all mankind but God is concerned about those who are lost more than those who are saved. Think of this as a blessing, God in his wisdom knows you are saved and safe, He worries less about you, but loves you equally. Be joyful in your safety, be happy in God's not worrying about your salvation.

Thank you LORD for me being one of the 99 who are safely in your keep!

God is Great!

Roy

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Romans 8:38 (KJV) For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hallelujah! To know that the creator of the universe and owner of every known thing has the time or interest in loving me is remarkable. And knowing that His love supersedes even death is our promise of everlasting life with Him.

Unfortunately, there are some who will not recognize Him or His Son and will never know this love. They will not only spend eternity in hell but will miss out on receiving His blessings while in this life.

He wants, no expects, us to participate in relaying His love to those lost souls. We have a responsibility to help open eyes and ears so that His Holy Spirit can open hearts.

Lord, please let me recognize when and where I need to be your messenger.

God is Great!

Roy

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Exodus 34:6-7 (KJV) And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.

This is God's voice to Moses' ears. He proclaimed the truth of His love, mercy and grace for all.   He promises to forgive those who sin but warns that He will not clear the guilty.

John 3:16 (KJV) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

The Son of God is our Savior and when we believe in Him we are not only forgiven but cleared as if we were as innocent as Jesus. This is His solution to our weakness, our spiritual 911.

Jesus, I cannot promise to never sin again so I am grateful that your authority earned on the cross and by resurrection has the power to clear me when I fail.

God is Great!

-Roy

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