Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

February 17, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 43:5
Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   Back in the late 1980’s there was a song that came out which had sort of a Jamaican sound to it. Everyone was singing it. Around the house, at work, on the street, and yes, I have even heard it in the walls of the church house. It said very simply, “Don’t worry, Be Happy.”

    In Psalms 42 and 43, we find the author saying almost the same thing. In today’s verse, he says, “Why are you cast down, O my soul?” In other words, why should a child of the Living God who has everything in control, a God who sees, hears, and allows, (or not) every moment of every day, why should that person be discouraged or worried? He goes on to say, “For I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.” By this, he means that in the end, life is all up to God. We have placed our life in His hands the day we accepted His Son Jesus Christ as our Saviour. At that very moment, our life was placed IN HIM. To break it down for you in just a little simpler language, “Don’t worry, Be Happy, In the LORD.”

  

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    If today seems to have crept up on you with all the worries and concerns of this world, and you feel as though there is little or no hope, take heart. Let me invite you to do as the Psalmist, along with millions of others who have felt this way has done. Place all of your concerns, worries, fears, and sorrows into your faith in the Lord.

    We read in 1 Peter 5:7 “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” Do you believe that today? It is still true! He really cares for you.

Who do you think you or God can handle your situations better?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and today’s Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  February 17, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(O.T.-1,   N.T. & PS.-2,   Prov. – Monthly)}
Leviticus 1-3 – Psalm 43
Proverbs 16-17 – Luke 8-9

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Leviticus 9-11 – Matthew 27:33-66

He’s Listening

February 15 & 16, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Luke 7:13
And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.

 

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

   

     I am not sure how things may touch you, but I know when I see someone crying, it often makes me want to cry also. When you can see the pain in their eyes and hear the sorrow in their voice, it makes you want to do something to try to ease their suffering. God also sees, hears, and even feels all our pains and all our sorrows. 

 

     In today’s verse it says that when Jesus looked at this woman, He had compassion toward her. It broke Jesus’ heart to see her heartbroken. According to customs of that day and Temple law, Jews were not to touch the dead. However, Jesus was willing to become ceremonially unclean by touching the bier, what we call a coffin, to bring help to this grieving widow who lost her only son. Ceremonies and rituals were not on His mind. Negative-thinking people and what they might say later were not on His mind. This woman, her pain, and grief were the only things on His mind and His heart.

 

     You know, He still hears us, and He still feels our sorrow and pain when our hearts are broken, and we cry out to Him today.

   

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

   

     As Jesus became ceremonially unclean here, He also became unclean for the sins of the world when He died on the cross. He died for all sins, including yours and mine. Jesus has always been about giving life. In today’s verse, it was physical life, but for you and me it was something even more important. It was Eternal Life. If you have never asked Jesus to come into your heart, cleanse you from all your sin, and make Him your Lord and Saviour, let me just say this. He is still listening to your heart today! 

 

Does it bring comfort to know the Comforter cares?

 

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and today’s Devotion?

 

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

 

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

 

  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  February 15, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
Exodus 36-40 – Psalm 41-42
Proverbs 15 – Luke 7

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Leviticus 7-8 – Matthew 27:1-32

 

WHAT TO DO ON SUNDAY:

 

    There will not be a Daily Devotion sent out on Sundays. Instead, we encourage you to attend your church and listen intently to what God has prepared in the heart of your Pastor. Write down all the scriptures he uses in that message, then when you get home re-read those passages for today’s reading. God has given to your Pastor exactly what He desires for you on that day.  

 

GOD TALKING TO ME:  February 16, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1,/NT & PS-2,/Prov-Monthly)}
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY

 

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
NO READINGS ON SUNDAY

 

Waiting…

February 14, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Psalm 40:1
I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

    When you are sitting in the Doctor’s office waiting your turn, it seems like the longest time in the world. In fact, if you are really sick, or have a painful problem that needs looking into, it can feel like it is an eternity. While you are waiting for your turn to see the doctor, you are also waiting for the Doctor to help. You not only want to have a turn to see the Doctor, but you are also putting hope and trust in the fact that when you do finally get your turn, this Doctor will be able to do something to help your situation. While you are waiting, you are waiting.

    That is what today’s verse implies. It says, “I waited patiently.” It has the meaning of, While waiting for the Lord; I am also waiting on the Lord. While waiting for His return, that day in which He will come and take us to heaven to be with him, we are also waiting on the Lord, or placing confidence in Him, that He will also handle our daily needs and hear our every prayer. Then the last part of this verse says just that. He hears our cry.   

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

     On this Valentine’s Day, what better picture of a “Love Story” is there than this? We as the bride look longingly for our groom, Jesus, to come back to take us to His home. We love Him so because He first loved us. He is our Saviour who died for our sins, who made a place for us in heaven, and we are waiting. At the same time, He is the one who lives to make intercession for us today, who listens to us daily and shows us His love in so many ways. What a “LOVE STORY” indeed. We wait patiently for and on the Lord.

While waiting for and on the Lord, what will you do for Him?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and today’s Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  February 14, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Exodus 34, 35 – Psalm 40
Proverbs 14 – Luke 6

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Leviticus 4-6 – Matthew 26:57-75

These Are Really Good Seats!
February 13, 2025

KEY FROM GOD’S WORD:

Exodus 33:21
And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:

THOUGHTS ON GOD’S WORD:

  

    Imagine with me you walk into a crowded sports arena. It is the game of the year, and the place is packed. You look over the sea of faces and recognize very few if any. To get the attention of anyone you might know you would have to yell, and with all the noise, it would most likely do no good.

    Then, as you are looking around, you see someone looking back toward you from really good seats and you recognize them as someone you know. A smiling face, and even better, they are motioning for you to come over by them. When you get there, they invite you to join them. In your mind, you’re thinking, “WOW here?” These are excellent seats. You ask, “Are you sure?” Their reply is, “Yes, I was saving them for someone who I might know. I’m so glad you came as I did not want to be here alone either.” It seems almost too good to be true. You did nothing to cause this or earn this, and yet here you are in the absolute best seats imaginable. In gratitude, you feel a sense of wanting to do something nice for them someday.

    Well friend, let me encourage you to think about what the Lord is saying to you today. Listen as He says, “Good Morning, look, here is a place for you right next to me. Come join me and we can spend the day together.” Moreover, if that were not enough, you find that the creator of the entire universe is holding this special place just for you. The one who controls the day and everything around you just asked you to hang out with Him. What more solid footing in life could you possibly ask for? You are standing on a solid rock for sure.     

 

CARRYING THAT THOUGHT THROUGH THE DAY:

    Today when things get tense, remember where you are standing. When troubles creep up, remember with whom you are sharing this day. Today you are the invited friend of God All Mighty. Then tomorrow He will call again, “Come, and stand by me.” My friend, these are life’s really good seats.

What might you do differently if you recall
that God is by your side?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and today’s Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME:  February 13, 2025

THROUGH THE BIBLE ACCELERATED READING
^{(OT-1, NT & PS-2, Prov-Monthly)}
Exodus 32, 33 – Psalm 39
Proverbs 13 – Luke 5

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
Leviticus 1-3 – Matthew 26:26-56