Do you take the time to be still with God?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

“Be still, and know that I am God;
(Psalms 46:10a (NIV))

With all that has been happening recently, the Body of Christ needs to remember to take time to be still in God’s presence. We need to earnestly seek His face. We need to remember that in spite of what is going on in the world, we have a place to turn to for refuge.

Are you at peace with what is happening in this nation and in the world?

I don’t want you to answer that based on how the events anger you or sadden you. I want you to answer based on your faith. Are you at peace with what is happening? Do you trust God to fulfill his promises?

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
(Romans 8:28 (NIV))

There is so much going on in the world right now. Many people are angry. Many are afraid. In other parts of the world, many are losing their lives. No matter what may happen to us as individuals, we must realize that we are not in control. We must draw closer to the one who will one day say that it is time for His plan to come to fruition.

Are you spending enough time in God’s Word, with God through prayer, and with God in praise to truly know His heart? Do you trust in His plans for you, the Body of Christ, and for this world? Do you even know what His plans are?

Seek Him in scripture. Seek Him in prayer and seek Him in praise and you will get to know God. You will get to know His heart!

When was the last time that you were seriously still in God’s presence?

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

Do you have the faith to please God?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
(Hebrews 11:6 (NIV))

Reflect on those words for a moment.

Nothing could be more true. It requires faith to believe that God exists. It requires faith to want to please someone that you cannot see and many people say doesn’t exist. I have a question for you. Which shows more faith – believing in a God that you cannot see, or not believing in Him because you cannot see Him? Can you see the air? Do you believe that it exists? Do your lungs still fill up with each breath?

Just because you cannot see it does not mean that it is not there. Those who claim that there is no God have faith in their convictions, but who stands to lose the most when their faith is overturned by the truth? The only difference in their faith and in the faith of a believer is that they place their faith in themselves. They are not willing to admit that there is someone greater than they are. As believers, we place our faith in the fact that the Bible is true and that God exists. We know by faith that we are sinners in need of a Savior. We know by faith that we can claim salvation through the atoning blood of Jesus. We know by faith that as we claim this salvation, God will draw us closer to Him and that as we draw closer to God, we long to please Him.

Faith can take us down different paths. One path leads to pleasing ourselves. One path leads to wanting to please God. Who do you want to please?

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

Where do you long to dwell?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

One thing I ask of the LORD,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to seek him in his temple.
(Psalms 27:4 (NIV))

I think that David wrote the words that anyone earnestly seeking God truly holds as their one desire. Just as a young man in love does not want to leave the object of his affection, so, too, is the true believer and his Lord.

Are you in love with all of your heart, mind, body and soul? Do you long to stay with Jesus or are you in a hurry to get on to other things that you think are important? Any relationship takes time to build and maintain. Have you committed your time to Jesus?

Copyright 1998 – 2014 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
Subscribe to daily email delivery

Why does God freely give His love?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

Praise be to God,
who has not rejected my prayer
or withheld his love from me!
(Psalms 66:20 (NIV))

Is there a special requirement for God to bestow His love on someone?

Does He only give His love to those who are perfect? No one is perfect. Does He give His love only to those who love Him?

We love because he first loved us.
(1 John 4:19 (NIV))

Surprisingly, God does not withhold His love from anyone. He loves each of us the same. It is we who do not love Him. We do not seek Him. We do not listen for Him. We do not talk to Him. He waits for us to come to Him, even if we originally turn to Him out of selfish reasons. God can use however we turn to Him to draw us closer to Him.

Why don’t people turn to Him? I suppose that the biggest reason is fear. We fear what God will do to us if we acknowledge His authority. Fear can cause us to over look His grace and His love.

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
(1 John 4:18 (NIV))

When we talk to God, He listens. He waits for the prime opportunity to plant a seed that will grow and mature us into what He calls us to be. It is said that God answers all prayers. Sometimes the answer is “No.” Think back on your childhood. Did everything that you asked of your parents result in a “Yes?” Do you fear your parents? Did you stop talking to them simply because they told you “No?”

Keep praying. Keep talking to God. Start listening to that still small voice and learn what He has in store for you. I am positive that it will be far greater than what you are afraid to ask of Him.

Copyright 1998 – 2013 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
Subscribe to daily email delivery

Do we go out of our way to find Him and to worship Him?

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him.”
(Matthew 2:1-2 (NIV))

Do we earnestly seek Jesus?

Do we go out of our way to find Him and to worship Him?

Would you be willing to travel to the ends of your known world in hope of finding salvation?

In today’s world, it is not uncommon for people to travel further than the Magi did for something that is of little importance. We have churches in every community, yet, many people will never step inside of one. These same people will drive hours to see a favorite sports team, yet willingly ignore the grace and mercy that is there for the taking. Our society may be more technologically advanced, but are we wiser than our ancestors? Are we wiser than the Magi?

We seek superficial rewards!

What is of importance to you?

Do you feel that what the Magi sought was and still is of importance?

Where does it rank in importance to you?

What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
(Mark 8:36 (NIV))

I honestly believe that our society has turned this upside down. We do not care about our souls. We only care about what the world has to offer. We only partake or participate in something if we are guaranteed a reward or a personal gain.

Too bad that the world does not consider gaining eternal life a big enough reward.

The Magi were considered to be wise men. I honestly believe that our modern interpretation of wisdom is all wrong. Wisdom is not worldly knowledge and power. In the eyes of God, this is foolishness. True wisdom comes from seeking God and recognizing what you seek when it does present itself. The Magi brought expensive gifts. They were kings. They were learned men. In their worldly status, they chose to humble themselves and seek God’s Son.

We should willingly do the same. We should seek Him to whom all praise is due.

It is my prayer that we find our true reward through Jesus this Christmas.

Copyright 1998 – 2012 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
Subscribe to daily email delivery

Know that He is coming like the lightning

Be Still . . .
Devotionals for Daily Living ^©

“So if anyone tells you, `There he is, out in the desert,’ do not go out; or, `Here he is, in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.
(Matthew 24:26-28 (NIV))

Where do you spend your time looking for Jesus?

Think about that question. Do you spend your time looking for Jesus where those who are dying in their sin gather? He will not return there again. He will reach out to those who are still lost in sin, but He will not come again as He did two thousand years ago. Don’t expect Him to be as a man again. He has ascended into heaven and will return in power and glory. He will not return as a teacher and a healer. Do not look for Him as He once was.

Jesus came into this world to teach us how to live. He left us with great examples and written instructions. Jesus came into this world to die for our transgressions. He was nailed to the cross and He poured out His life blood for us. Jesus came to this world to defeat sin and death. He arose from the grave on the third day. He ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of God the Father. Why would He come back and do something that has already been accomplished? He asks us ot believe in what He has already accomplished and look for His next task, which is to return to earth in power and authority.

Do not look for Jesus as some would look for Him.

He will return. It will be just as it is foretold. When He returns, it will be like the lightning. He will be visible to all. You will not have to seek Him. He will be magnificently presented as He returns. Just as lightning shines with great light and carries great power, so too will be the return of Jesus.

We must spend our time looking for Jesus through the prophecies in the Old Testament. We must spend our time looking for Jesus through the teachings of the New Testament. We must spend our time looking for Jesus in the prophecies of His return. When we know Jesus in this manner, then we will be able to stand firm in our faith and know that He is coming like the lightning. We will not be fooled.

Copyright 1998 – 2012 Dennis J. Smock
Daily Living Ministries, Inc.
http://www.dailylivingministries.org
Subscribe to daily email delivery