ADs September Devotional

Odd Ducks and Peculiar People

 

Have you heard about the “Duck Dynasty” show?  A&E's family friendly show is the most watched reality show on cable television ever.  "Duck Dynasty," chronicles the lives of members of the Robertson family of West Monroe, La., and their duck call making company.   All the men have signature long beards.   America loves family, rednecks and ducks, apparently or is that it?  A couple in PA loved the show so much that they based their wedding on the show.   What was it about the show that a couple would put on camouflage outfits to march down the aisle of a sports store to the sound of duck calls?   Charlie Miller the groom when asked this question exclaimed, “the Robertson’s have family values, proclaim their faith and aren’t afraid to pray publicly.” There is no sex, violence or cursing in this show yet it has a massive following.   Maybe they aren’t odd ducks.   Maybe they are peculiar people.  1 Peter 2:9 proclaim our identity as believers, “Ye are a chosen generation…a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” (KJV)   We’re peculiar in the sense that we’re purchased of God, his possession… “to whom he bears a peculiar love…and a peculiar blessings..”  [John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible].   I hope that you are living in God’s love today.  If you are odd or peculiar, I hope it’s not your colorful character but rather God’s love radiating through you.   If you are going to be an odd duck, let it be His love shining through you for you are, after all a peculiar people to show forth His glory, beard or no beard.

 

 

Area Director's August Devotional

The Power of Words  

The video, produced by Andrea Gardner has gone viral on youtube.com.  A blind gentleman sits on the street trying to get donations as a few disinterested people pass by barely paying any attention to him.   A few drop an occasion coin.  His sign states, “I’m blind.  Please help.”    A sharply dressed woman passes by, stops and returns, writing something on his sign as he reaches out and touches her shoes.   Suddenly the passer-byes begin to respond to his need generously!  The woman comes back.   He recognizes her as he touches her shoe and asks incredulously, “What did you do to my saying?”  She replies, “I wrote the saying but in different words.”  As she walks away, the camera pans out to read the new sign, “It’s a beautiful day and I can’t see it.”   There is power in words!  Our words reveal our hearts and our perspective.  Jesus said our words come from either a good or an evil heart ‘for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.’ Luke 6:45   Paul warns us to meditate on whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, of virtue and anything praiseworthy. (Phil. 4:8)  Proverbs asserts, ‘Death and life are in the power of the tongue Prov. 18:21.  I pray that you are filling your minds and your hearts with noble and praiseworthy things.   I pray that you are speaking words of life, encouragement, hope and Divine perspective to your colleagues, friends and family.   Speak life with your words, not death.   Your words do make a difference.

Area Director's July Devotional

 

Nevertheless 

Stuck, bottled up on the inside, and paralyzed on the outside.   We have a city to take, a battle to win.    We have been called and anointed yet our enemy taunts us.   Like David of Old, our enemy doubts if we can take back territory that is rightfully ours.   He mocks, “You will not get in here; even the blind and the lame can ward you off.”   One word changes everything: “Nevertheless!”   Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David.   (2 Samuel 5:6-7).   How does the trapped warrior break through to become a triumphant one?  In God’s timing, God orchestrated two powerful sermons during Missionary Renewal to address that need and to stir us on to victory.   Greg Mundis, World Mission's Director, called us to a godly brokenness.   “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart.” Psalm 34:18  (NKJV)   This is 'a heart that is broken because it in part knows itself and its shortcomings.’  It is also ‘a heart that is broken for lost mankind.’  Greg exhorted us to let God deal with our ‘unexposed, secret, and hidden parts of our lives which determine our behavior, relationship, and interaction with God and others.’     Next, Renay West urged us to hold on to God because our break-throughs were almost here.  The secret?  As David spent time with God, he became stronger ‘because the Lord God Almighty was with him.’  (2 Samuel 5:10 NIV)   God Himself was fighting his battles.  “I watched the Lord break through my enemies like a mighty flood.” 2 Samuel 5:20 NIV.    The enemy may sneer at us.   Conquest may seem impossible; nevertheless we serve a God who breaks through at strategic times if we stay broken before Him.  Let God cleanse your secret life and give you a brokenness for lost mankind.

 

Area Director's June Devotional

The Makings of a Triple Crown Winner 

The caption to the article intrigued me: “Triple Threat.”  The photo captured on American Airlines magazine (April 2013) was one of Miguel Cabrera’s intensity moments before he hit the ball.   In 2012 he was the first Detroit Tiger since Ty Cobb (1909) to hold the coveted “Triple Crown” at one time leading the American League in batting average, home runs and RBIs.   I had to know.   What makes Miguel so effective in baseball?   Here’s what I discovered.   1. He is totally focused on the game.  He played through a pressured season complaint-free despite the pain in his bum ankle.   2. He loves the game! He often laughs and interacts with the fans.  His enthusiasm spills over to his fans of all ages.  3. He knows the dynamics of the game, which keeps him flexible.   “Cabrera can remember without the benefit of the printed scouting report, how each opposing pitcher got him out in the past, then make the necessary adjustments.”   4. He has great instincts for the game, which come from his family.   His mother played for Venezuela’s national softball team.   His father was a baseball player.   Last, but certainly not least: 5. He is a team player.   “He may be a Triple Crown winner but the Detroit Tiger’s Miguel Cabrera isn’t all that interested in talking about himself.”   “We’re a team.   You win games with 25 guys.   You don’t win games by yourself.”  As missionaries, if we applied these principles to our ministry, we could be a Triple Threat to Satan’s Kingdom.  2 Timothy 1:7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.