Devo Monday is Back! With thoughts today from Nancy Leigh DeMoss

Believing God
Nancy Leigh DeMoss: “We have no right to be believed so long as we can be explained.” Pastor Adrian Rogers said that at a conference years ago, and it’s stuck with me. “We have no right to be believed so long as we can be explained.” 

A lot of what takes place in the Christian world today can be easily explained in human terms. We rely on natural human efforts and energy, human abilities and plans. 

But have you ever wondered what would happen if God’s people began to operate in the realm of the supernatural? What if we believed Him for the impossible: for broken marriages to be healed? For salvation for unbelieving friends? For transformation of wayward children? For a fresh outpouring of God’s Spirit in genuine revival? 

When the world begins to see the reality of God’s power in our lives, when we can no longer be explained, we’ll have earned the right to be believed. 

What do you think? Does this make sense to you?  

I think it's good food for thought, but consider this: The story of my life is God coming in and making something beautiful of my mess. It can't be explained in human terms alone; Unfortunately, to many people, this STILL isn't enough.

I agree that the unexplainable helps point to the reality of God, but the truth is that people will not believe unless the Spirit draws them--no matter what. When I consider that the crowds which cried out for the crucifixion of Jesus may very well have witnessed some of his "unexplainable" miracles, it just goes to show that having the right to be believed doesn't mean it's always going to happen.

I know many Christians who DO "operate in the realm of the supernatural." Personally, I have believed God for miracles in this life and seen them happen! It doesn't make my unbelieving friend or sister turn to faith, though. And this is a good thing. It doesn't depend on me, whether or not they come to Christ. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit that blind eyes can be opened. (Whew!)

Come, Holy Spirit; open blind eyes to see the beauty of the Lord!  

Warmest Blessings,

Linore

Be Encouraged!

Life can be tough, there's no doubt about it. That's why I thought I'd share a link with you today from Nancy Leigh DeMoss about OVERCOMING. God puts trials in our lives, the devil tries to hit us when we're down, and the world can be a cold, cruel place. So take some encouragment. The Lord knows we must struggle in this life in order to grow, but He never intended for the difficulties we face to keep us down. Overcoming the world, the flesh and the devil is our heritage as followers of Christ!

Take a listen or read today's transcript from Nancy's teaching HERE. And hold your head up, fellow Christian, as you go about your day. We serve a risen Lord! The battle has been won.

Download A List of "Indispensable Ingredients for Life"

from Nancy Leigh DeMoss and
Revive Our Hearts Ministry. Just click HERE.

It's short and sweet like any good morning recipe should be; and free.
Blessings,

Linore

Schedule and Priorities

“They want me to help decorate the church Saturday night, but I can’t even get my own house straightened up! What should I do?”

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: There are a lot of books and seminars on time management, but the best counsel comes from God Himself. I’m learning to submit my calendar and daily schedule to the Lord to seek His will for my priorities.

When interruptions come, I ask Him for wisdom to know whether they’re from Him or whether I should avoid them as unnecessary distractions. I try to remember Proverbs 16:3: “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.”

There will probably never be enough time in a day for you to finish your whole to-do list. There definitely won’t be time for you to do everything everybody else wants you to do. But there will always be enough time for you to do everything on God’s to-do list for your day. When is the last time you asked for His direction?

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

[This post from Revive Our Hearts, with Nancy Leigh DeMoss.] I just love Nancy's brief daily devotions, and am happy to share them now and again on this blog--especially while I finish my latest book; which, by the way, I have just newly committed to Him. : ) What project or situation do you need to entrust to God? Do it now!

You may have surmised by now that I read a couple different devotionals. I don't always read each one every day, but I do play "catch up" if I need to, so I don't miss anything wonderful. (smile) I have reached the conclusion, however, that if I miss a needed message from one source, God will nevertheless speak to me through another one. He is so faithful.

Today, this brief message was encouraging to me. I'm facing a mega-crowded schedule, and I need the engery to do it all! I pray that it encourages you also.

From Nancy Leigh DeMoss:

God Grants Stamina

Lessons from the Life of Joshua (Part 11): Waging and Winning Spiritual Battles

Do you ever find it easier to start a project than to finish it? As he began his military command, Joshua fought some exciting, dramatic battles. But as the years progressed, stamina was required to finish the job he'd been called to tackle.

• The Christian life is lived, fought, and won one step at a time. There are no shortcuts, no such thing as instantaneous sanctification.
• There's no avoiding the enemy until we are through with this life--don't expect it to be easy. Don't expect instantaneous growth, instantaneous victory.
• The goal of the Christian life is to bring all things into subjection to Jesus Christ in every area of my life. Every particle of my life belongs to Him, but in order to get to that point, I'm going to have to fight battles on different fronts.

PS: Six more people subscribed yesterday--not enough for me to hold the drawing. I'm extending it for one more day, for that reason.

RULES: When TEN new people subscribe to this blog, I will choose from among them and award one person a copy of my latest historical romance, "The House in Grosvenor Square."

Subscribe by entering your email in the box at left. It's that simple! Winner will be chosen the evening after reaching the number of 25 subscribers.

Send your friends over! Thanks!

Guest Devotional from Nancy Leigh DeMoss
The ChoiceI'm still using guest devotionals, and most likely will be until my current book manuscript is finished. I hope they bless you in your daily walk with Christ.
Hugs,
Linore

The Choice

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: A woman came to me one time and said, “How do you forgive a whole church?” She told me the story of how a year earlier the church had thrown out her dad as the pastor. They had sinned against him greatly. A lot of broken relationships had come about as a result of this situation.

This woman’s pain was still deep and fresh, but she was called to forgive. And in her case, she had to choose to forgive.

That’s because forgiveness isn’t a feeling. It’s a choice. It’s an act of my will. And it’s possible—thanks to God’s help. According to Philippians 2, God’s grace within us gives us the desire and the power to do whatever He has called us to do. Is there some area of hurt in your life? Ask God to give you His supernatural desire and power, and then—choose to forgive.

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

If You Live in Texas...

And are the parent, grandmother, aunt or guardian of a female "tween" (ages 7-12) you should check out the PURE IN HEART Conference, given by Revive Our Hearts (Nancy Leigh DeMoss).

Click the link to learn about dates, times, and place and to see a cool video.

If we lived closer to Texas, I'd love to take my 12 year old daughter to this!

The motto is "Planting Seeds of Purity in the Next Generation." Our youth today desperately need to know how precious they are to God: mind, soul, AND body! Kudos to Ms. DeMoss for
addressing this urgently needed topic. The media loves to hiss at abstinence programs, despite their undeniable success. This conference is NOT an abstinence program but a well-rounded, wholesome and godly approach for young girls to understand their value. Girls who know they are loved and cherished by God won't be the ones giving themselves away for the wrong guys.

The potential for avoiding grief, pain, sexual STD's and a host of other problems that befall young women who are looking for love in all the wrong places, is enormous. I urge you to consider attending this conference with your "tween!" It could be a blessing with an impact that will last for generations.

Today's message is from Nancy Leigh DeMoss, that intrepid lady of faith:

April 27, 2009

El Shaddai

(baby crying)

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: A newborn baby can be so fretful and disturbed. It seems like you can’t do anything to comfort it. But when a mom pulls the baby close and begins to feed it, everything’s okay.

That’s the way God wants to relate to us. One of the names of God is El Shaddai. That’s usually translated “God Almighty” in English. But there’s more to this name than suggested by that translation.

El or Elohim speaks of God’s power and strength. But the word Shaddai is a tender, touching word that speaks of a nursing mother supplying everything a child needs.

The name El Shaddai tells us that God is the strength-giver and satisfier of His people. What do you need today? Instead of looking around for a solution or inward to your own strength, look to El Shaddai for everything you need.

With Seeking Him, I’m Nancy Leigh DeMoss

This transcript is taken from the nationally-syndicated
daily radio program Seeking Him with Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

I have a devotion for you today from that wonderful lady, Nancy Leigh DeMoss. Remember, I "borrow " devotions when I'm writing on deadline--not every day, but when I'm in a time crunch. Enjoy.

April 24, 2009

Keep the Commitment

“Please leave your question at the tone.” (beep)

“My quiet time seems like something to check off my to-do list every day. If I really loved God, wouldn’t I jump out of bed every morning and run to spend time with Him?”

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: Not necessarily. You don’t want to live by your emotions, but there is something to be said for maintaining any good habit—even if we’re not full of warm feelings.

A lot of times when we’re faithful to carry out a discipline, the desire follows. For instance, even if a woman doesn’t feel warm toward her husband, she can act in a loving way. And she’ll probably find that her feelings for him will grow.

The same is true in our relationship with God. As Charles Spurgeon said:

“We should pray when we are in a praying mood, for it would be sinful to neglect so fair an opportunity. We should pray when we are not in the proper mood, for it would be dangerous to remain in so unhealthy a condition.”

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

This transcript is taken from the nationally-syndicated
daily radio program Seeking Him with Nancy Leigh DeMoss.

April 17, 2009

The Unbroken Religious

(A Guest Blog Spot)

Nancy Leigh DeMoss: After studying God’s Word, I’ve had a sobering thought. We know that God is offended by people who don’t even pretend to be godly, such as adulterers, fornicators, abortionists, pornographers.

But it seems that God’s even more offended by unbroken, religious people—those whose spiritual-looking outside covers a proud, unteachable spirit.

Jesus had strong words for these people: “Woe to you hypocrites, for you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.”

I think that proud, hypocritical Christians have done more damage to the church than any unbeliever. By looking down on others as “less spiritual,” we’re missing the heart of the Gospel and the grace of Christ.

So, whether you are a thief and adulterer or a whitewashed tomb, remember the grace of God is available to those who lay down their pride and come to Him with a repentant heart.

With Seeking Him, I'm Nancy Leigh DeMoss

To follow Nancy's teaching on a regular basis, click on the "Revive Our Hearts" button on the left side of this blog!