Category Archives: Devotional

Apr4

Happy Birthday To Me!!

Posted on April 4, 2013 by sagescenery

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Today’s My Birthday…

I’m Blessed!!

Here’s What I’ve learned:

1. Always put God first…

2. Walk right behind Jesus…

3. Let Him lead–so what you say, and do, always comes from Him…

4. Don’t walk down the wrong path…

5. Don’t believe satan’s lies…

6. The enemy’s plan is to steal, kill, and destroy-you, your family, and your life…

7. Satan’s tricks lead you down a path of destruction…

8. Constantly ask yourself, “Will this path I’m walking, bring me closer to Jesus???”

9. Let Jesus make your crooked path straight…

10. Love your family and let them know it!

11. Give the care of your family into the loving arms Jesus…

12. Teach with patience wherever you go…

13. Minister, full of the Holy Spirit, and with lots of Love…

14. Laugh each day, don’t take yourself, or life, too seriously! God loves to see us “Joyful, Joyful!!”

15. Encourage everyone you meet to intersect their path with Jesus-their path and His life should meet at the Cross!

16. Choose your path by acknowledging Jesus-His will, His lead, and His guidance…

17. Keep your path clear of clutter, dirt, and debris…

18. Don’t take detours…

19. Walk straight to the Gate of Heaven, to the path leading to Jesus…

20. Don’t fret, worry, or wander-stay on the right path, others are following you, as you follow Jesus!

Lost?

Jesus is the Way...

Follow the path to Him!

Apr4

Are You On The Right Path???

Posted on April 4, 2013 by sagescenery

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Where Is Your Path Leading You?

“‘…Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’

And they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,

and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.'”

Acts 16:30-31

“Jesus answered,

‘I am the Way and the Truth and the Life.

No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”

John 14:6

“Then know this, you and all the people of Israel:

It is by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,

whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead,

that this man stands before you healed….

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other Name under Heaven

given to men by which we must be saved.”

Acts 4:10,12

Are Obstacles Blocking All Your Path?

“He came and preached peace to you who were far away

and peace to those who were near.

For through Him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”

Ephesians 2:17-18

Are You Stuck In A Sand Trap?

“When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom

as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you

except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”

1 Corinthians 2:1-2

Is There Debris On Your Path That Needs To Be Swept Away?

“For no one can lay any foundation

other than the one already laid,

which is Jesus Christ.”

1 Corinthians 3:11

Are There Too Many Stains?

“For it is by grace you have been saved,

through faith —

and this not from yourselves,

it is the gift of God —

not by works,

so that no one can boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9

Are There Too Many Dead Ends?

“Not by works of righteousness which we have done,

but according to His mercy He saved us.”

Titus 3:5

Are There Too Many Big Rocks Along Your Path?

“This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men,

the man Christ Jesus,

who gave Himself as a ransom for all men…”

1 Timothy 2:3-6

Are There Too Many Patched Up Places?

“But He continued, ‘You are from below;

I am from above.

You are of this world; I am not of this world.

I told you that you would die in your sins;

if you do not believe that I am,

you will indeed die in your sins.’”

John 8:23-24

Is Your Path Crooked, And Filled With Large Obstacles??

“And we have seen and testify that the Father

has sent His Son to be the Savior of the world.”

1 John 4:14

Is Your Pathway Just Dirt?

“No one who denies the Son has the Father;

whoever acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”

1 John 2:23

Are You Going Around In Circles?

“But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels,

now crowned with glory and honor because He suffered death,

so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”

Hebrews 2:9

Are You Fenced In?

“Jesus said ‘Enter through the narrow gate.

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction,

and many enter through it.

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life,

and only a few find it.'”

Matthew 7:13

Go Ahead! Open The Door!!!

“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin.

But if anybody does sin,

we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ,

the Righteous One.

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins,

and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

1 John 2:1

There’s Only One Way!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His One and Only Son,

that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world,

but to save the world through Him.

Whoever believes in Him is not condemned,

but whoever does not believe stands condemned already

because he has not believed in the Name of God’s One and Only Son….

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life,

but whoever rejects the Son will not see life,

for God’s wrath remains on him.”

John 3:16-18, 36

There’s Only One Path!

“From this time many of his disciples turned back

and no longer followed Him.

‘You do not want to leave too, do you?’

Jesus asked the Twelve.

Simon Peter answered Him,

‘Lord, to whom shall we go?

You have the words of eternal life.’”

John 6:66-68

The Path That Leads You To Eternal Life!

“And this is the testimony:

God has given us eternal life,

and this life is in His Son.

He who has the Son has life;

he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

1 John 5:11-12

Who’s Lighting Your Path?

“Just as man is destined to die once

and after that to face judgment,

so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many people;

and He will appear a second time,

not to bear sin,

but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.”

Hebrews 9:27

Are You Going Down The Right Path?

Going The Right Way?

Who’s Leading You?

Mar30

Oh, Yeah…This Is Good Training For My Son!!

Posted on March 30, 2013 by sagescenery

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“There’s Always Something…”

Last August, our Crazy Siberian had a very scary seizure!

https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2012/08/25/crisis-averted/ ‎

Thursday evening she had a second seizure!

We were all right there when it happened…

I was folding clothes..

She was in my son’s room…

I put his folded clothes away, and shut his bedroom door…

In a few moments, I heard her whimpering…

So I thought, “Oh, I shut the door, and now she wants to come out.”

I went back into my son’s room…

And she’s in the middle of floor, whimpering for no reason…

What’s wrong with her???

She gets up, comes towards me, and collapses…

And starts having a seizure!

We shout for my husband who’s watching TV…

He runs for the ice packs…

Barking his “police officer” commands…

I grab the medicine in the syringe we have ready on the kitchen counter…

Praying, “Jesus, Jesus, please help my precious little girl!”

I prayed hard!!

Thanking God we had the medicine on hand…

And knew to use ice packs to cool her down!

But it was so scary!!

Her eyes were unfocused, she was twitching, and so upset…

In about 20 minutes or so, she came out of it!

Praise God!

She wanted to go outside, where her bowels suddenly gave way…

Like last time when it happened on the tile floor in my dining room…

I cleaned it up that time, while my husband and son took her to the emergency vet clinic…

This time my son cleaned it up!

Like I said, “Good training!”

For when he has kids of his own!

We took her to the vet on Friday…

Her thyroid level is a little low, so she’ll be on medicine…

But, she’s fine, and back to her old crazy self!

Thank God!!

Good training for my son…

To pray and trust God!!

Amen!

And I had just been complaining about her fur all over my house…

Since it’s getting really hot in FL…

She was “blowing her coat” all over my house!!

My husband and son finally shaved her!!

“Little Puffs”

I call those nasty hair balls…

However, after this second seizure…

I certainly changed my tune!

Who cares about the “Puffs!”

I want my precious little girl to be healthy!!

Learn, son…

Learn, what’s important!

Then, two weeks ago…

I was home from work with a bad sinus infection…

My head was so stopped up…

I was breathing through my mouth…

It was about 7 pm…

I had just taken a nice warm shower to try to unclog my nostrils…

I settled down on the couch to watch a little TV with my hubby…

I was so tired…

I thought, “I should just go to bed now…”

When my husband calmly says to me…

“You need to take me to the Emergency Room…”

What?!?!

A retired cop never, never, never says that unless…

It IS an emergency!!

I can’t think, I throw on some clothes…

No time for make-up!!!!

Put a visor on my head…

Don’t want to scare anyone in the ER!

Grab the keys…

And GO!!!

I’m praying all the way!

At this point, I don’t even know what’s wrong with him…

I just know what it could be…

And it makes my stuffy nose seem rather insignificant!

On the way, he tells me his hands are tingling…

That his blood pressure has been way up for several days!!

Men…

Husbands, in particular…

Why?

Why?? Are you so stubborn????

Don’t answer that…

I’m stubborn, too!

Ha!

While I’m racing to the hospital, he’s on phone…

Calling our son…

Who had graduate class 45 minutes away from us…

Telling him how much he loves him…

And what a great kid he is…

And I’m just thinking…

Dear Jesus, what did I complain about today?

Concerning this man???

And what does that matter right now!?

I know I have Jesus on my side, in moments like this…

Who else is there to help me??

So I keep praying…

Holding hands with my husband…

And with Jesus!

Saying, “You’ll be alright!”

Well, we get to the ER, sign in, and WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An hour goes by…I don’t even have my Kindle with me…since we left the house in such a hurry…

I’m NEVER without my Kindle in “waiting” situations!!

I can’t get through “waiting” situations without something to read!

So, hubby tells me to go home, and he’ll call me when it’s time to pick him up…

Since there are seven families ahead of us…

We’ll be there all night, I know…

I’ve been this route with my Mom…

God Bless her, now in Heaven!

And it’s shift changing time at the hospital!

What does he want me to do ?!?!

Is he serious? How could I do that???

So I say, “No way!

I wouldn’t want you to leave me here!”

We sat there for an hour, only one person was called in…

And my impatient hubby had enough…

He asked the nurse when he was going to be seen…

She said, “Who knows?”

So, he told me he felt better now, and he insisted we leave!

I wanted him to promise to go to the doctor the next day…

But NO!

The next day, he went to WalMart to take his own blood pressure…

Praise God, it was lower by 30 points…

Well, I know there’s no Scripture in the Bible that says,”God takes care of fools…”

But I know God took care of him that night!

Because, I was sitting in that ER…

Silently praying…

And I felt God say, “He’s okay, He’s okay, He’s okay…

You don’t need to worry about this!

I will take care of him!”

Jesus tells me, “I’ll be by your side, whenever you call Me!”

Why are you crying?

Let Me lift up your face!

Why are you still searching?

As if I’m not enough?

To where will you go child?

Tell me where will you run?

To where will you run?

I’ll be by your side wherever you fall…

In the dead of night whenever you call…

Please don’t fight these hands that are holding you…

My hands are holding you…

Look at these hands at My side…

They swallowed the grave on that night…

When I drank the world’s sin…

So I could carry you in…

And give you life…

And I, I love you…

And I want you to know…

That I, I’ll love you…

I’ll never let you go…

Amen!

I believe Jesus has the best for us, so I pray for His best!

I don’t expect the worst to happen…

I expect His Best!

When, “There’s Always Something…”

You Need Someone Who’s Always By Your Side!

Trust!!!!

It’s Good Training for all of us!

Who’s By Your Side?

Mar30

I Don’t Wanna Say A Word!

Posted on March 30, 2013 by sagescenery

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Unless It Points The World Back To You!

The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue,

to know the word that sustains the weary.

He wakens me morning by morning,

wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.

The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears;

I have not been rebellious,

I have not turned away.”

Isaiah 50:4 NIV

Be reminded that your words have the opportunity to make great impact;

allow wisdom to guide how you choose them.

The Daily Verse

by Kat Davis

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

Francis of Assisi

God in His kindness gave each of us different gifts.

If your gift is speaking God’s Word,

make sure what you say agrees with the Christian faith.

Romans 12:6 GWT

Words can make you feel like a prisoner…

Or set you free!

Words can make you feel like a criminal…

Or make you feel like a king!

Words can lift your heart…

To places you’ve never been!

Words can drag you down…

Or bring you down to where you began!

Words can build you up…

Words can break you down!

Words can start a fire in your heart…

Or put it out!

Let Your words be life! Let Your words be truth!

I don’t wanna say a word…

Unless it points the world back to You!

You can heal our heartache…

Speak over our fear…

God

Your voice is the only thing…

We need to hear!

Let the words I say…

Be the sound of Your grace…

I wanna speak Your love…

Not just another noise!

Oh…

I wanna be Your light…

I wanna be Your voice!

Mar29

The Bible…Read It For Yourself!

Posted on March 29, 2013 by sagescenery

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Have you watched the mini-series on TV???

“In a “Feeling the Vibe” interview with Mark Burnett,

the producer of The Bible mini-series, he said,

‘…nobody, by the way, has suggested that The Bible (mini-series) wouldn’t work.

This is a nation built on the Bible…

It says on the money,

‘In God We Trust.’

It may seem like in the media it’s very secular,

but this is a nation that is built on the Bible…”

Read the entire interview at:

http://blog.feelingthevibe.com/exclusive-interview-with-the-bible-producer-mark-burnett/

Or go to a Focus On The Family interview at:

http://community.focusonthefamily.com/b/jim-daly/archive/2013/02/27/exclusive-video-clip-the-bible.aspx?refcd=136901

“Produced by Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Voice)

and his wife Roma Downey (Touched by an Angel),

the ten-hour presentation is a dramatic and ambitious project.

It’s also a labor of love for the Burnetts,

who began this endeavor with a noble and classically evangelistic goal:

to encourage people to read the Bible.

Let’s face it-

it takes some moxie to lift up the Bible in the middle of Hollywood.

In fact, when they first proposed the project

they were told to try and tell the story without mentioning Jesus.

They refused, rightly countering, of course,

that not only is it impossible to omit Jesus,

but that the life, death and resurrection of Jesus

is the climax of the entire book!

…It’s always inspiring to be around people

who have a fervent desire to tell other people about Jesus.

And this couple is clearly passionate

about sharing the message of Jesus with the world

as well as having the opportunity to put on film

the greatest story ever told,

come what may from those who may object to it.

‘It’s our story,’ said Roma Downey,

‘We can identify and relate with the characters,

because their situations might be 2,000 years ago,

but the things that they’re feeling and experiencing,

the dynamics that are going on within their families,

it’s the same issues that we have today.

Human nature hasn’t changed that much.

The mistakes that the characters are making back then,

we’re still making those mistakes today.

Because it’s impossible to tell the entire story of the Bible

in just ten hours,

you might notice that some creative license has been taken from time to time.

For example, we know the Magi didn’t visit Jesus until He was approximately two-years-old,

but in the miniseries you’ll see them honoring the infant Jesus upon His birth.

In short, though, you should know the series never deviates from prevailing themes.

I believe the Bible is the inspired,

inerrant Word of God.

I believe we should treat the Scriptures with the utmost degree of care and respect.

I also know that some people object to any artistic rendering of Jesus

because of the limited nature of art

and the fact that Jesus has no limits.

But I also believe that we’re living in a dark day

when millions of people,

including our neighbors and even many of our family and friends,

refuse to accept Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.

Many of these same people refuse to go to church.

They refuse to open a Bible.

But many of these people watch television.

That The Bible may serve as a spark to rekindle or kindle their faith

should be a source of great excitement for all of us.

I hope people don’t lose sight of the big picture,

that this series is designed to turn people to Jesus

and to encourage them to dig deeper into their Bibles.'”

or at the Examiner:

http://www.examiner.com/article/mark-burnett-roma-downey-on-focus-on-the-family-we-are-christians

“‘We are people of faith.

We are Christians,’

Burnett says.

‘And even though many people out there listening assume that nobody in Hollywood is a Christian

that would be a very wrong assumption.

Maybe the Christians in Hollywood are not as noisy as we probably should be,

but there are lots of Christians in Hollywood.

We’re hoping that through the series people will pick up their Bibles.

There’s a potential here for people maybe, that haven’t been expose to the Bible.”

We completely believe that Jesus is the Son of God….

Jesus is God.

And, we completely believe that

and that’s the story of the Bible.’

Finally, Burnett and Downey express that

while they can only do so much,

they are nevertheless blessed with an enormous opportunity

to share the story of God’s love for humanity

and to encourage others to seek God and read the Bible.

‘We cannot teach the Bible.

We’re not pastors.

We’re not theologians.

What we can do is tell the beautiful grand narrative love story

from Genesis to Revelation

and encourage people to go into churches

to have their knots untied

and seek more information about the Bible.'”

Amen!

Mar29

The Rocks Will Cry Out…

Posted on March 29, 2013 by sagescenery

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If We Won’t Praise Our King!

Luke 19:28-40 NIV

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King

^“After Jesus had said this,

He went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

As He approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives,

He sent two of His disciples, saying to them,

‘Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there,

which no one has ever ridden.

Untie it and bring it here.

If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’

Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as He had told them.

As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them,

“Why are you untying the colt?’

They replied, ‘The Lord needs it.’

They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.

As He went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.

^‘Blessed is the King who comes in the Name of the Lord!^‘

‘Peace in Heaven and Glory in the Highest!’

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus,

‘Teacher, rebuke Your disciples!’

‘I tell you,’ He replied,

‘If they keep quiet,

the stones will cry out.'”

Don’t wait for the rocks to cry out!

Mar28

God’s Gifts Of Spring!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by sagescenery

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Winter Snow Melts…

Spring Flowers Bloom…

New Life…

A New Song!

Born Again…

All Creation brings Glory to God…

“God in His kindness gave each of us different gifts…”

Romans 12:6 GWT

“He has given me a new song to sing,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see what He has done and be amazed.

They will put their trust in the LORD.”

Psalm 40:3 NIV

“Every good and perfect gift is from above…”

James 1:17 NIV

“For God’s gifts

and His call can never be withdrawn.”

Romans 11:29 NLT

“It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts.

He alone decides which gift each person should have.”

1 Corinthians 12:11 NLT

“Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift!”

2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV

“…the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 6:23 KJV

“For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing;

it is the gift of God…”

Ephesians 2:8 KJV

“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit…”

1 Corinthians 14:1

“As each one has received a special gift,

employ it in serving one another,

as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

1 Peter 4:10 ESV

“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

“Jesus answered him,

‘Truly, truly, I say to you,

unless one is born again

he cannot see the kingdom of God.’”

John 3:3 ESV

“And He who was seated on the throne said,

‘Behold, I am making all things new.’

Also He said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.’”

Revelation 21:5 ESV

The Gift of Salvation is Free…

The Motive for the Gift is…

Nothing more than the…

Grace of the Giver!

Grace is a gift…

All Life is a gift…

Including Eternal Life…

Receive God’s Gift by Faith…

And Be His!

Mar28

It’s Finished! Once And For All!

Posted on March 28, 2013 by sagescenery

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Celebrate Easter and the Resurrection!

Once and for all
The Father’s love
He is the light in the darkness
Who took on flesh
And took our place
The weight of the world on His shoulders
The weight of the world on His shoulders

We believe our God is Jesus
We believe that He is Lord
We believe that He has saved us
From sin and death
Once and for all

Once and for all
Our debt is paid
There on the cross it is finished
The Lamb of God for us was slain
Up from the grave He is risen
Up from the grave He is risen

Jesus, Jesus
God from God
Light from Light
You are our salvation
Jesus, Jesus
God from God
Light from Light
Your kingdom is forever

It’s Finished!

Once And For All…

For All Of Us!

Accept The Father’s Love…

Believe…

Jesus is God!

Mar24

Good Morning… It’s Sunday!! Worship! Worship! Worship!

Posted on March 24, 2013 by sagescenery

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Worship Songs To Sing All Week!

Keep An Attitude Of Worship All Week…

There, Now Don’t You Feel Better!?!?

Mar21

I Think I’ll Let God Be God!

Posted on March 21, 2013 by sagescenery

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Oh! Wow! Why Is This So Hard???

When I Know That…

You said, “Lights on!”
And a blinding sea of stars begin to shine…
You said, “Birds sing!”
And a million melodies filled up the sky…
You set this world…
Spinning through a crowded Milky Way…
Well, the sun comes up…
And the sun goes down…

And God doesn’t seem to need my help!

But the One who holds the sea in place…
Is watchin’ out for every step I take…

I think I’ll let God be God!!

Givin’ up control…

Think I’ll relax…

Step back…

It’s time for letting go…

If You kept the Universe in sync…
A million years, or so…
Since the “Keeper of Creation” knows…

I think I’ll let God be God!!

You clap Your hands…
The thunder rolls and lightning fills the sky…
You breathe new life…
A tiny newborn baby starts to cry…
The time rolls in, and it rolls back out…

And never has God needed me to help!

The One who sees the sparrow fall…
And what I need before I even call!

Yeah, nothin’ takes You by surprise…
Never late, always on time…
The One who holds the sea in place…
Is watchin’ out for every step I take!

Amen!

It’s Simple!!

I Think I’ll Let God Be God!