Tag: Galatians69

September 10, 2024 Devotional Post a Comment

Bloom Where You Are Planted

Opening Verse

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”
— Galatians 6:9, KJV

Introduction

There are times in life when you may feel stuck, overlooked, or even out of place. You might wonder why you are where you are. But God often plants us in places we don’t expect, intending for us to grow and be fruitful, even in difficult or uncomfortable situations.

Devotional Story

A young woman named Emily had recently moved to a new city, far from her family and friends. She struggled to adjust to the unfamiliar environment and felt like she didn’t belong. Everything seemed harder—her job, making friends, and even finding a church to attend. She often asked God why He had placed her there.

One day, as Emily walked through a park, she noticed a small flower blooming in a crack in the sidewalk. It wasn’t in a garden or a flowerbed but in a place that seemed unlikely for anything to grow. Yet, it was flourishing. Emily felt a nudge from the Holy Spirit, reminding her that just like that flower, she too could thrive where God had placed her. The circumstances didn’t have to be ideal; she only needed to trust in God’s plan.

Inspired, Emily began to look at her surroundings with new eyes. She joined a local Bible study, reached out to her coworkers, and even volunteered at a nearby shelter. Slowly but surely, she started to see God’s purpose in her being planted in that city.

What This Means

God sometimes places us in situations that challenge us, not to harm us but to make us grow. Like a flower that blooms even in the cracks of a sidewalk, we can flourish in unexpected places when we lean on His strength. You may not understand why God has you where you are right now, but trust that He has a purpose for it. You are called to bloom where you are planted, regardless of the circumstances.

Think About This

  • Are you resisting where God has planted you? How can you embrace it and trust Him?
  • In what ways can you “bloom” in your current situation, no matter how difficult it may seem?

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for planting me where I am. Help me to trust Your plan and to bloom even when the soil around me feels rocky or dry. Give me the strength and grace to grow where You have placed me, knowing that Your purpose will be fulfilled in Your time. Amen.

Closing Verse

“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
— Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV

October 2, 2023 Devotional Post a Comment

The Unseen Warmth

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, KJV)

Introduction

Nancy, a devout believer, had lately found herself in a spiritual rut. She wondered what it truly meant to love others the way Jesus does. Then, she heard the story of Farmer John and a helpless baby horse, told by the farm workers who witnessed it. The story changed her perception of what love really means.

Devotional Story

On a bitterly cold winter morning, Farmer John discovered a baby horse stuck in a frozen pond. His farm workers and some folks who were just passing by watched as he quickly removed his warm jacket and shirt without a second thought. Shivering in the icy wind, he waded into the pond and lifted the struggling animal into his arms.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13, KJV)

Witnessing this, the onlookers and farm workers couldn’t help but be moved. Nancy, hearing the account later, felt her heart swell with admiration for John’s selfless act.
As John made his way back to the shore, his body quaking from the cold, he wrapped his discarded clothing around the shivering foal. The workers hurriedly brought blankets and joined in to help warm the animal.

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18, KJV)

Nancy felt like the message was loud and clear. True love wasn’t just words or good intentions; it was actions, even if those actions meant personal discomfort or risk.

Conclusion

Nancy’s spirit was lifted that day. The story was more than just heartwarming; it served as a vivid example of the depth of love Christ calls each of us to have for others. The farm workers and those who witnessed John’s act couldn’t forget what they saw; neither could Nancy. It urged her to examine her own life and how she could manifest this kind of love to others.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9, KJV)

This lesson, witnessed by ordinary folks and shared with Nancy, affirmed that true love often requires us to go beyond our comfort zones. It challenged her to be more Christ-like, to be a person who loves not just in words, but in meaningful action.

And Jesus called the people unto him, and said, “Here’s a tale that happened not so long ago.”

And He began, “True love involves sacrifice, for to love is to serve.”

“Therefore, anyone who humbles himself to help another shows the love I teach.”

“And he that does good unto even the least of these, does it unto me.” (Matthew 25:40)

October 1, 2023 Devotional Post a Comment

The Butterfly’s Whisper

1. At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?

2. And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,

3. And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.

4. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

5. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. (Matthew 18:1-5)

Introduction

Rebecca, though sincere in her devotion to God, had felt her enthusiasm wane amidst the busyness of adult life. A chance encounter with a butterfly, and young Luke’s childlike joy in the experience, served as a vivid reminder of the awe and wonder that should characterize her faith.

Devotional Story

Rebecca was diligently reading her Bible in the garden when she heard an excited voice. It was Luke, her young neighbor, enchanted by a butterfly fluttering about.

“Look, Miss Rebecca, a butterfly! Do you think God paints each one by hand?”

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork” (Psalm 19:1, KJV).

Caught off guard, Rebecca pondered the simple yet profound question. She had indeed lost that childlike sense of wonder.

Luke’s eyes followed the butterfly as it danced in the air. “Isn’t it amazing how it starts as a caterpillar and becomes something so beautiful? That’s like us when we find God, right?”

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV).

Rebecca felt her heart stir. Luke had captured the essence of transformation in Christ, something she had started to take for granted.

Finally, the butterfly settled on a flower, its delicate wings closing in prayer-like fashion. “I bet the butterfly is thanking God for the flower,” Luke mused.

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18, KJV).

Conclusion

That day, Rebecca’s heart was touched and humbled by Luke’s observations. His childlike awe and wonder were a strong reminder of the attitude she should maintain in her walk with God.

“Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9, KJV).

Luke’s excitement served as an inspiration for Rebecca to reinvigorate her own relationship with God, reminding her that a deep sense of wonder and awe is essential in our journey of faith.

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3, KJV).