Daily Devotional: Thursday, Nov 26
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: Dangerous Dreams
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Run by Hillsong United; The Time Has Come by Hillsong United; Cannons by Phil Wickham; Hosanna by Hillsong United.
Read: Luke 12:42-48 (The Message); James 1:27; Proverbs 21:13
Think: What are your plans today? For many, today will involve a feast of turkey, potatoes, cranberries, gravy, a green bean casserole, sweet potatoes, more potatoes, more gravy, more turkey, and if that is not enough, pie ala mode of course. I am grateful that for me and my family, as well as many of my friends, it will probably look much like what was just described.
The truth is that for many, such a lavish feast will not be possible today. That is certainly true in countries such as India and continents like Africa - which is why these areas are given a priority in the Timberlake Go Forward offering. Part of these funds will go directly to helping the poorest of the poor in India and will help send a missions team of Timberlake folks to Africa. But it is also just as true in our own backyards. Jesus provides ample warning to all of us about the expectations and responsibilities we have with what God has given us (Luke 12:42-48). In essence the greater the gifts the greater the responsibility we have. I love the translation in The Message version, appropriately for this day, it even admonishes us that if we don't shape up we will be back in the kitchen peeling potatoes! But the warning is real; God is watching what we do with what he has blessed us with.
God provides us further encouragement in James 1:27. We hear God implore us to action, to not sit idly by while brothers and sisters less fortunate than ourselves are suffering. He tells us to reach out to the homeless, those without love, and help. I can only hope and pray that I would have such a faith as this.
God has granted each of us gifts that can be used for His Kingdom. May today's blessings be used to bless others as well.
Do: Thank the Lord for the blessings in your life, your family perhaps, a friend, your passions and talents. Look for opportunities to bless others with God's truth and provision. Let your faith be a faith of action.
Pray: Heavenly Father I thank you for what you have provided to me, to my family. Open my eyes and my heart to those in need. Spur me to action!! Let me be excited about using the gifts you have given me to advance your Kingdom. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
