Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free - John 8:32

God is vitally concerned with truth. His word teaches the truth; His spirit reveals the truth; His son leads us to the truth. When we open our hearts to God, and when we allow His Son to rule over our thoughts and our lives, God reveals Himself, and we come to understand the truth about ourselves and the Turth (with a capital T) about God's gift of grace.

The famililar words of John 8:32 remids us that when we come to know God's Truth, we are liberated. Have you been liberated by that Truth? And are you living in accordance with the eternal truths that you find in God's Holy Word? Hopefully so.

Today, as you fulfill the responsibilities that God has places before you, ask yourself this question: "Do my thoughts and actions bear witness to the ultimate Truth that God has placed in my hearts, or am I allowing the pressures of everyday life to overwhelm me?" I's a profound question that deserves an answer...now.

The Holy Spirtit was given to guide us into all truth, but he doesn't do it all at once. - Elizabeth Elliot

Instant Tip:

Knowing the Turth..and living it: Warren Wiersbe write, "Learning God's Turth and getting it into our heads is one things, but living God's truth and getting it into out characters is quite something else." So don't be be satisfied to sit on the sidelones and observe the truth at a distance--live it.

My prayer to God:

Heavenly Father, You are the way and the truth and the light. Today-as I follow your way and share your good news- let me be a worthy example to others and a worthy servant to you. Amen.

ok! I got it to work again! Yeah! So very sorry about that.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may it more abundantly. - John 10-10

The 10th chapter of John tells us that Chris came to earth so that our lives might be filled with abundance. But what, exactly, did Jesus mean when He promsed "lifs...more abundantly"? Was He reffering to material possessions or financial wealth? Hardly. Jesus offers a different kind of abundance: a spiritual richness that extends beyond time and space. This everlasting abundance is available to all who seek it and claim it.

 God offers us abundance and joy, but He does not force these things upon us. He promises that we "might have life" and that we "might have it more abundantly" if we accept His grace, His blessings, and His Son.

When we entrust our hearts and our days to the One who created us, we experience abundance through the grace and sacrifice of His Son, Jesus. But, when we turn our thoughts and direct our energies away from God's aommandments, we squander the spirtitual abundance that might otherwise be ours.

Do you sincerely seek the riches that our Savior offers to those who give themselves to Him? Then follow Him completely and without reseration. When you do, you wil receive the love, the joy, and the abundanc that He has promised.

Instant Tip:

God gives us opportunities fo a Reason: To use them. God wants you to make the most out of all the opportunities He sends your way. Billy Graham observd, "Life is a glorious opportunity." That's sound advice, so keep looking for your opportinities until you find them, and when you find them, take advantage of them sooner rather than later.

My Prayer to God:

Lord, as I take the next steps on my life's journey, let me take them with you. Whatever this day may bring, i thank You for the opportunity to live abundantly. Let me lean upon You, Father - and trust you - this day and forever. Amen.

Then Jesus said to them, "Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how one owns." - Luke 12:15

So much stuff to shop for, and so little time.. "These words seem to describe the priorities of our 21st century world. Hopefully you're not buidling your life around your next visit to the lacal mall, but you can be sure that many people are!

Our society is in love with money and the things that one can buy. God is not. God cares about people, not possessions, and so must we. We must, to the best of our abilities, love our neighbors as ourselves, and we must, to the best of our abilities, resist the mighty temptation to place possessions ahead of people.

Money, in all of itself, is not evil; worshipping money is. So today, as you prioritize matters of importance for you and yours, remember that God is almighty, but the dollar is not. If we worship God, we are blessed. But if we worship "The almighty dollar," we are inevitably punished because of our misplaces priorities- and our punishment inevitably comes sooner rath that later.

When we put people before possessions in our hearts, we are sowing seeds of enduring satisfaction. - Beverly LaHaye

Instant Tip:

Everything we have is on Loan from God. Holocaust survivor Corie Ten Boom writes, "I have held may things in my hands, and I have lost them all but whatever I have places in God's hands, that I still possess." Remember: your real riches are in heaven, so conduct yourself accordingly.

My prayer to God:

Lord, my greatest possession is my relarionship with you through Jesus Christ. you have promised that, when I first seek your kingdom and your righteousness, you will give me whatever I need. Let me trust you completel, Lord, for my needs, both material and spiritual, this day and always. Amen.

This messae is huge or the world. All people care about is money. Even I was liek that. But we need to put God first.

Let's see how inventive we can be in, encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshipping together as some do but spurring each other on. - Hebrew 1-:24-25

 When it comes to encouraging other people, we can and should be creative. There are many ways to tell another person, "I appreciate you," Make it a habit to pat people on the back and tell them you care.

In his letters to the Ephesians, Paul writes, "Do not let anyone wholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" This passage reminds us that as Christians, we are instructed to choose our words carfeully as to buiild others up through wholesome, honest encouragment.

Today, look for the good in others and celebrate the good that you find. When you do you'll be a powerful force of encouragment in the world...and a worthy servant to your God.

 Instant Tip:

Do you want to be successful and go far in life? Encourage others to do the same. You can't lift other people up without lifting yourself up too.

My prayer to God:

Make me sensitive, O Lord, to the many gifts of encouragement I receice each day. And, make me like Barnabas of the Bible, an encourager who made a different for Your kingdom's work. Amen.

Ok, I promised I would have it ready today and I do!

Every morning he wakes me. He teaches me to listen like a student. the Lord God helps me learn. - Isaiah 50:4-5

Every day has 1400 minutes - can you give God a few of them each morning? Of course you can...and of course you should!

Has the busy pace of life here in the 21st century robbed you of time with God? If so, it's time to reorder your priorities and your life. Nothing is more important than the time you spend with your Heavenly Father, so slow down and have a word or two with Him. Then, claim the peace and abundance that can be yours when you regularly spend time with your Heavenly Father. His peace is offered freely; it has been paid for in full; it is yours for the asking. So ask. And then share.

I need the spiritual revival that comes from spending quiet time alone with Jesus in prayer and in thoughtful meditaion on His Word. - Anne Graham Lotz

Instant Tip:

Trust God's Timing. God has vey big plans in store for your life, so trust Him and wait patiently for those plans to unflold.. And remember: God's timing is best, so don't allow yourself to become discouraged if things don't work out exactly as you wish. Instead f worrying about your future, entrusit God. He knows exactly what you need and exactly when you need it.

My prayer to God:

Lord, help me to hear yoru direction for my life in the quiet moments of each day. Let everything that I say and do be in yor perfect will. Amen.

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10 NKJV

When it comes to spending time with God, are you a "squeezer" or a "pleaser?" Do you squeeze God into your busy meals? and maybe with a quick visit to church on Sunday)? Or do you please God by talking to Him far more often than that? If you're wise, you'll form the habit of spending time with God every day. When you do, it will change your life.

When you begin each day with your head bowed and your heart lifted, you remind yourself of God's love, His protection, and His commandments. And if  you are wise, you will see your morning prayer time to align your priorities for the coming day with the teaching and commandments of God's Holy Word.

Are you seeking the abundance and joy that can be yours through Christ? Do you seek to improve the codition of your spiritual or physical health? Of so, ask for God's help and ask for it many times each day... starting with your morning devotional.

We all need to make time for God. Even Jesus made time to be alone with the Father. - Kay Arthur

What did you think? I liked it. I think I need to spend more time talking with God. Please leave a comment if you can, if not thats ok too. If you have any questions, please ask m and I'll do my best to answer them. Thanks for reading!

-OnlyGod

Hey Everyone! Sorry I haven't been on much. Well I'm starting my devotions up again. But this time I hope i's more interesting, it is to me. And it's shorter. I'm getting it out of the book. INSTANT MESSAGES FROM GOD FOR GIRLS. It's a 30 day devotions. Please everyone join me. If you join I need you to post a comment every day telling me what you think. PLEASE JOIN! When people join me I get more into it. So who wants to join???

Heres the introduction to see if your interested.

Okay, Girlfriends, heres something to think about: God is trying to get His messages through to you - can you spare at least five minutes each day for him? Of course you can...and of course you should! No matter how busy you are, you should never allow the stresses of everyday living to come between you and your creator.

As you know from first and expriences, it isn't easy being a young woman in our 21st century world. Every day, you are confronted with countless opportunities to wonder for from the paths God intends for your life. Every day, you come face to face with temptations and distractions that were unkown to previouse gennerations. Every day, you have difficult choices to make-choices that can quite literally affect the rest of your life. And, the world is changing so rapidly that, at times, it seems difficult to watch your breath and keep balanc. this blog is intented to help. We will cover 30 brief devotion messages from God that should be of particular interest to you. Are you facing difficult decisions? Are you seeking to change some aspect of your life? Do you desire the eternal abundance and peace that can be yours through Christ? If so, ask for God's help and ask for it many times each day...starting with a regular, heartfelt morning devotional. Even five minutes is enough time change your day...and your life.

I hope you join me. I need to know by September 14th. 

One of my friends got me thinking about this.

Why do people put bumper stickers on there cars? To tell a message? To be cool? Because you got them for free? Just because there fun to peel off and stick on the car? Well the ones with pictures and stuff are cool to look at. But when they say things you have to be careful. Like ones that say Got milk? are ok. But some poeple, Christians even have some bad ones. Likes ones that say I LIVE BY MY RULES. Thats not true, God makes the way you live. Just think about it.

I'm going to be gone 15-21. So I will not be able to post a new devotions up for a while. Also I will be going to a sleepover tomorrow so I will not be able to do one for those two days. And then when I get back from my camp I'll probably will be tired and wont make one. So basically. I wont have a new devotions on here from July 13-22. So here is one.

Watch your Actions!

Dear friends, you are like visitors and strangers in this world....people who do not believe are living all around you. They might say that you are doing wrong. So live good lives. Then they will seethe good things you do, and they will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again. 1 Peter 2:11-12

Justin couldn't get to excited about his new church at first. His parents wanted to make there own. Justin missed his old Church. Where many of his best buddies attended. This new one met in a school gym just to get started, and only two or three kids Justin's age came. That's why he decided to start inviting some friends to the new place.

But many of his friend already belonged to churches. His parents said to invite nonbelievers who didn't attend anywhere. Jusin thought about Shane, who played on his basketball team but didn't have a church. Justin jogged up to his friend after practice and asked, "What are you doing this weekend? Some of us are starting a new church, and it'll be a lot cooler if you're there. Wanna come?" Shane's reaction surprised Justin. His friend just stared back at him for a monent, then turned and left. What was that all about? Justin wondered.

The next day Justin caught up with Shane during a water break. "Are you mad at me or something?" he asked.

"Not really," said Shane. "It just seemed weird, you asking me to church. Isn't church all about 'do unto others' and stuff? Like remember last week, when we were tied with the Blazers, near the end of the game? You told me how you tripped their center under the basket to keep him from getting the ball."

Shamed Justin looked down. Shane's obervation hit him like a ton of bricks.

"You were kinf of proud of that," Shane continued. "So I just wondered what kind of church you went to, that all."

So basically it means you need to watch your actions. Because people are watching you. If your acting bad there going to think, I don't want to be a christian if they act like that. But if your acting good then they will think. Those Christian are really nice. I want to be one and get to know the Lord. So watch what you do.

The more the merrier

"By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit;so you will be my desiples."  John 15:8

Have you ever known two friends who loved each other a lot, yet competed to everthing? I have friends like that. They do everything the same and if one person got one thing, the other had to have it too. There weren't many arguments between them; they just likes being equal!

Then they joined Girl Souts, together, of course. Both of them did well on every single project. But you know what's coming, don't you? Cookies!

The scouts were asked to sell cookies to help pay for their uniforms and things. But there were some extra incentives. Selling a certian number of boxes earned you a T-shirt (big whoop!). A few more boxes got you a Game Box (a little better). Eventually, you could actually earn a new bike or a cool stereo system. (wow!)

My friends soon became cookie-selling fanatics.

The real prize

But something sad happened. One of the girls went out to sell cookies in the rain, determined to reach her goal, and she got the flu. She had to spend the final two weekends of sales laid up in bed. There was no way she could earn any of there really good prizes. Her body was ailing but her spirit sank even lower.

Weeks later, the scouts had their award ceremony. The girl that gotten sick had gotten over the flu, but she coudn't get too excited about the ceremony. She hadn't wanted to earn the bike for herself; she wanted to give it to her dad. He worked two miles away and had to walk each way every day. She wanted to earm a boys bike and brighten his day a little, so he woudn't always be so tired.

At least she could be happy for her friend, who led the troop in sales. She'd sold more than five hundred boxes. She wanted a stereo so bad. The girl was exspecting to see a big stereo presented to her friend. But to her surprise, the troop leader rolled out an excellent blue bicycle. But her friend already had a bike, why hadn't she chosen the stereo?

"Stereos are cool," Her friend said as they walked home, "But I knew your dad needed a bike more that I needed music. Anyway, I couldn't have won anything if you hadn't talked me into joining the scouts. And I'd never have sold so many boxes if  hadn't been so determined to beat your total!"

They had a good laugh over that one. And you know what? I have to think the Lord was laughing right along with them, laughing for joy. He is pleased when we give uselfishly. He's also pleased when we do out best and get good results. The key word is much, as in John 15:8 ...that you bear much fruit."