Thursday Devotion

Thursday July 5, 2007
I'm glad in God, far happier than you would ever guess—happy that you're again showing such strong concern for me. Not that you ever quit praying and thinking about me. You just had no chance to show it. Actually, I don't have a sense of needing anything personally. I've learned by now to be quite content whatever my circumstances. I'm just as happy with little as with much, with much as with little. I've found the recipe for being happy whether full or hungry, hands full or hands empty. Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. I don't mean that your help didn't mean a lot to me—it did. It was a beautiful thing that you came alongside me in my troubles. Philippians 4:10-14

Morning Devotion

Thursday July 5, 2007
But it's trouble ahead if you think you have it made. What you have is all you'll ever get.
And it's trouble ahead if you're satisfied with yourself. 
 Your self will not satisfy you for long. And it's trouble ahead if you think life's all fun and games. 
 There's suffering to be met, and you're going to meet it. "There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular. "To you who are ready for the truth, I say this: Love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person. If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it. If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously. Luke 6, selected sections

Mid-Day Devotion
“Joy is a net of love by which we capture souls. God loves the person who give with joy. Whoever gives with joy gives more…We wait impatiently for the paradise where God is, but we have it in our power to be in paradise with Him, right now; being happy with Him means: To love as He loves. To help as He helps. To give as He gives. To serve as He serves.” -Mother Teresa of Calcutta
Q: What act of service today is giving you the greatest joy? What act of service that you are doing today is giving joy to another person?