Don’t be caught off guard!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ©

Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.
(Revelation 16:15 (NIV))

Those who profess a faith in Jesus longingly await His return, but will we be ready when He does return?

It is human nature to let our guard down. We work for something or we desire something, and the longer we wait, the less devoted we seem to be. I fully understand how the old saying, “Out of sight, out of mind” came into existence. Human beings are so easily sidetracked. We soon loose sight of what we strive for once the reminders are removed from our immediate perception. How many families have been broken apart because of long distances? How many dreams have been set aside because of a perceived, more immediate need?

How long has it been since you accepted Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?

Is your faith as strong now as it was when you first believed? Have you found yourself slowly losing sight of Jesus in your daily life? Have you found yourself questioning whether you believe at all because you don’t see any movement on His promise to return? One thing is certain!

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
(2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV))

Just because we don’t see God moving according to our desires and our timing doesn’t mean that He is not moving. Don’t give up! Stand firm in your faith while He completes His task of bringing others into His grace.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
(2 Peter 3:9 (NIV))

Don’t let the world make you lose sight of Jesus. Don’t lose hope in His promises. He will come when you least expect it.

Don’t be caught off guard!

Copyright 1998 – 2020 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
Subscribe to daily email delivery
Visit us on facebook

Is there any doubt as to what will happen?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living

You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the LORD your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.
(Joshua 23:14 (NIV))

When somebody looks at how something performs, they look at what they refer to as their “track record”. Nothing or no one ever has a track record that is perfect, except God. With God, all promises He makes will be kept. When choosing sides, isn’t it wise to choose a perfect track record. You know that He will not lose, and therefore, you will not lose. Better yet, you will win. It is the goal of everyone to be on the winning side. We have God. We have God’s track record. We have God’s Word. We know what He has done in the past, and we have a written record of what He will do in the future.

Is there any doubt as to what will happen?

Copyright 1998 – 2019 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
Subscribe to daily email delivery
Visit us on facebook

God kept that promise just as He keeps all promises.

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living

After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision:
“Do not be afraid, Abram.
I am your shield,
your very great reward.”
(Genesis 15:1 (NIV))

If God can fulfill a promise made to an old man who had no sons and make his descendants as numerous as the stars, then what can He do for you? Abram was an old man. His wife was also old. Yet, God fulfilled the promise to Abram that his descendants would be as the stars.

Do you face a situation that looks like it cannot be overcome. Turn it over to God. He is the one who is in control. Let Him be your reward.

Are you being faithful in seeking that reward? Are you earnestly seeking God to work in your life? Abram was counted faithful for his devotion to God.

When you look up at the stars at night, what do you see? Abram saw a promise from God. God kept that promise just as He keeps all promises.

Copyright 1998 – 2018 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
Subscribe to daily email delivery
Visit us on facebook

You are uniquely created for a purpose!

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

Now the LORD was gracious to Sarah as he had said, and the LORD did for Sarah what he had promised.
(Genesis 21:1 (NIV))

Do you ever feel that God is not going to keep a promise to you?

Take a look at Sarah.

If you remember, Sarah was very old. She was too old to have children, yet, God promised her that she would have a son. Sarah even laughed at God. Still, He kept His promise.

What is it in your life that God has promised you? Be honest. Don’t look at your life from a selfish perspective, but look at the things that have been tugging at your heart. The things that you know are impossible. The things that would glorify God if they came to be. These are the promises. God calls each of us to be a unique creation. If He created us to be that unique creation, then we each have a promise from God that He will fulfill that unique purpose if we will let Him. It takes faith. It takes patience. Sometimes, it may even take laughter. We can laugh at the impossibilities as the world sees it, and rejoice.

For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
(2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV))

God has given us a gift of salvation through the atoning blood of Jesus. He has also given us a promise. He will keep His promise to each and every one of us when His timing is perfect.

When it seems that God has forgotten you and His promises to you, remember Sarah and rejoice.

Copyright 1998 – 2016 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
Subscribe to daily email delivery

Whose schedule are you on, yours or God’s?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
(2 Peter 3:9 (NIV))

Do you ever find yourself thinking that the Lord is slow?

Has He not answered your prayers when you thought that He should?

Has He not found you a spouse when you thought that He should?

Has He not found you a new job when you thought that He should?

Has He not returned for His church when you thought that He should?

Have you ever stopped to think that it is not God who is the problem? Could it be that it is your lack of patience that is the problem?

Just because God does not operate on your time schedule does not mean that He is slow! We are impatient! God is patient.

Think about God’s promises. Has He ever left one unfulfilled? We know that He will keep the rest, we just need to get on God’s time schedule and not ours.

Are you on God’s schedule?

Copyright 1998 – 2015 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
Subscribe to daily email delivery