Exodus | Kristi's Morning Devotional

December 1, 2017December 1, 2017

The Gift of a Prepared Room

Last year Dave and I listed our home on the Airbnb website. We love having our friends come to our home to spend a few days. It’s fun to entertain and perhaps pamper them a bit. It’s what we do. So we began toying with the idea of offering our home to folks who were coming to visit in our area. We had a couple guests each month during the winter and it was nice to meet new people and tell them about our area. The last few days I’ve been getting ready for guests who will be coming the first of next week and this morning I was thinking about preparations that still need to be made.

And then my thoughts went to other preparations. Can you imagine the plans that Mary was making in her last month of pregnancy? Moms you know what I’m talking about, especially when it was your first child. Everything had to be perfect – was the cradle ready, was there enough swaddling (diapers), was the house clean enough – all the details. She was preparing for her son, her first child but she was also preparing to receive the Messiah and it was her responsibility to raise him. Now that was a big responsibility.

But in thinking about the preparation, all the little details, I asked myself, how have I prepared for this child called Jesus? Have I kept things back, hidden away or have I been completely open in giving Him all of my heart for His home? Have I allowed Him free rein to transform me?

He loves me more than I love myself. He has never nor will ever ask me to make any changes that aren’t for my best. He’s not out to destroy my life but to make it better than I ever dreamed possible.

“A thief comes only to rob, kill, and destroy. I came so that everyone would have life, and have it in its fullest.” John 10:10 CEV

Now let’s go back for a moment to our new mother. Having a baby in your home meant you went without sleep, your life was no longer your own. Your primary focus became the baby’s well-being; you had a new purpose in life. And it was worth every second – no regrets!

So I ask now, are you prepared? Have you made room for the King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

“The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” Exodus 15:2 KJV

Make preparation today not for just a guest who will come and go but for the One who comes and promises to never leave us alone!

November 29, 2017November 29, 2017

The Gift of Strength

Don’t you love looking at the presents under the Christmas tree? There are all shapes and sizes, some in plain paper and others with big fancy bows. As a kid it was torture to have them out too early and yes I admit there was one year in particular that my sister and I opened some to see what was inside and then carefully wrapped them again.

The gift I’m giving you this morning also comes in all shapes and sizes and so I’ve included several boxes for you to open. I have for you this morning the gift of strength. Yes, strength. Lots of different examples in the Bible for you to see on this one.

Most notably we have Samson who destroyed God’s enemies with his great strength. But we must also be reminded of Noah who took on a huge construction project with just his 3 sons to help; David, a young shepherd who killed a lion, bear and a giant; Elijah, the prophet, who called down fire from heaven, defeated 400 prophets of Baal and outran Ahab’s chariot all in the same day. Then there was the woman who had bleeding condition for over 17 years and she faced a hostile crowd to get to Jesus; Paul was shipwrecked numerous times and was also beaten for his preaching but he kept going. Peter needed moral strength and failed when he denied Christ but went on to be a powerful preacher after the Lord forgave him.

The Bible is full of examples for people needing and finding strength; some was physical strength, while other strength came in the form of courage and mental fortitude. Some challenges were common and others were life threatening; sickness, emotional distress, financial ruin, failed relationships, fractured families, perilous circumstances.

Any of those sound familiar? God is so practical. He isn’t just concerned about the “religious” part of our lives, He desire is to fill every area of our life with His life changing relationship. I’m going to take a moment to run through a few Scripture verses on strength so bear with me.

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.” Isaiah 40:29 KJV

“The Lord is my strength. He saves me, and I sing songs of praise to him. He is my God, and I praise him. He is the God of my ancestors, and I honor him.” Exodus 15:2 ERV

“God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.” I Samuel 22:33 KJV

“Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.” Job 4:3

” God is the one who gives me strength. He clears the path I need to take.” Psalm 18:32 ERV

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 KJV

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

“The Lord is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.” Psalm 118:14

“But he replied, “My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So if Christ keeps giving me his power, I will gladly brag about how weak I am.” II Corinthians 12:9 CEV

“Christ is the one who gives me the strength I need to do whatever I must do.” Philippians 4:13 ERV

“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31 KJV

Each verse is like opening another package – more treasures inside each one – more strength when it’s needed.

I don’t know what situations are working to deplete your strength today but I do know the one who steps in and takes over when we feel we have come to the end of what we can do. Instead of coming to the point of exhaustion start out by saying this little prayer.

“Father, today I don’t want to operate in my power. I’m prone to fail. I want to have Your strength in all that I do, in every situation I want to depend on You and Your abilities.”

Enjoy the gift of His strength!

September 20, 2017September 20, 2017

Family Resemblance

This year for my mom’s birthday I added pictures to a digital frame. All the family contributed some of their favorites for the slide show. It was so much fun to see how we’ve all grown and aged.

I realize that as the year’s go by our facial similarities become more and more defined. We look more and more like mom and dad.

All this made me ask – how much more do I look like my heavenly Father this year than I did last year? Our goal as christians should be to be conformed to His image more and more each day.

When Moses went up on Mt. Sinai to meet with God, his appearance changed. The Bible says that his face reflected God’s glory and it glowed. Moses veiled his face so that the Israelites would listen to him without being alarmed. (Exodus 34)

This experience is what Paul is talking about in II Corinthians 3 and he compares it to us being changed into the image of Christ.

“The Lord and the Spirit are one and the same, and the Lord’s Spirit sets us free. 18 So our faces are not covered. They show the bright glory of the Lord, as the Lord’s Spirit makes us more and more like our glorious Lord.” II Corinthians 3:17-18

Make it your goal today to look more like your Father and your older brother, Jesus. Let others see the family resemblance!

August 28, 2017August 28, 2017

A Gift Called Wisdom

We have a real need in our world today for wisdom – God inspired, God given wisdom! We don’t need intellect or education – that’s knowledge. Knowledge without wisdom is futile.

Good old common sense, isn’t so common anymore.

I was doing a search on wisdom and what I found was really cool. Really it was! Wisdom, the word, is first used in Exodus chapters 28 – 36 when the Lord showed Moses how to make the Tabernacle. It talks about all the workers who were assigned the tasks …of building. It says that they were all filled with a spirit of wisdom.

“I have chosen Bezalel from the Judah tribe to make the sacred tent and its furnishings. 3-5 Not only have I filled him with my Spirit, but I have given him wisdom and made him a skilled craftsman who can create objects of art with gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood.” Exodus 31:2-4

Then it goes on to show that Joshua was filled with wisdom and Solomon had wisdom. Solomon said wisdom was of more value than gold and we should “pursue” it!

Wisdom brings understanding; understanding of God’s ways and the blessings He has given to us as His own children.

“So I never stop being grateful for you, as I mention you in my prayers. 17 I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you his Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God. 18 My prayer is that light will flood your hearts and that you will understand the hope that was given to you when God chose you. Then you will discover the glorious blessings that will be yours together with all of God’s people.” Ephesians 1:16-18

God has promised to give wisdom to anyone who asks – so as you are looking at your day, your occupation, your marriage, your kids… Let God fill you with His wisdom and it will definitely make a much more favorable outcome.

“If any of you need wisdom, you should ask God, and it will be given to you. God is generous and won’t correct you for asking. 6 But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm.” James 1:5-6

If you need wisdom today – ask and you will receive it.