My Bible....Thoughts from Dayspring...

I lost my Bible.

I once heard a well known speaker talk about when she decided she didn’t want her Bible, with all of its well worn pages, to become a source of pride for her. So, she gave it away.

A co-worker told me how she felt like God prompted her to give her Bible away to a stranger she was talking to at Starbucks and she did!

I, on the other hand, will not be giving mine away. I love all the notes I have written covering the pages, the passages I ‘ve highlighted, the names and dates written alongside verses on its tear stained pages, and even the pages that have fallen out and are stuffed back in. I’m telling you, God Himself would have to come and rip it from my hands and He’d get a fight!

So here I was with my Bible missing, in a near panic, when it hit me:

“For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword.” Hebrews 4:12 (Amp)

Alive and active and full of power no matter the source of His Word. I can get the same amazing life-changing experience even if it comes from the cheap, stiff Bible I stole from my church. Or the huge, million page, hardback Bible with four versions side-by-side in my cabinet. Or the family heirloom Bible from the 1800’s that is nine inches tall at my in-laws house. Or on a billboard sign. Or even on my smart phone. Or from a blog my mom writes each day ;)

It’s still His alive, active, and powerful word. No matter the source.

So tell me. Where have you seen His Word at work outside of the comfort of your own personal Bible? Comment below.

(And by the time I finished this simple realization I had found my Bible. Thank God!)

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by Dayspring Boldt Broxton

A Sack of Wheat...and More...

The Word of God is like a sack of wheat…

"But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands [it], who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty."
Mat 13:23

You have probably heard this type of story before:

A relief agency heads into a famine-entrenched area with sacks of seed to grow life-giving crops for generations to come. Nevertheless, the impoverished people are so starved they tear into the bags of grain and devour them. Nothing is planted, nothing is sown, and nothing is cultivated. Life-sustaining harvests that might have fed them for years are no more.

This is the same for us if the only spiritual nourishment we receive is when Sunday rolls around. Our pastor’s teaching from God’s Word feeds us for a moment. However, because we don’t sow the seed of His Word for ourselves - cultivating and nurturing it with daily attention – we are spiritually famished. We wonder why God seems far away, guidance is hard to come by, and His voice seems to be quiet.

Instead, let’s stop having our only spiritual meal once a week and sow a rich harvest of His Word in our lives that will be lush and bountiful for years to come. Jesus promises: we will never be hungry.

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Into the Deep...

Often Jesus is calling us to go deeper than we want to go…

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch."

Luke 5:4

Recently, my son-in-law stated: I wish everything didn’t always require faith! We laughed out loud. How many times have we felt the same way?

Nevertheless, when we signed up with Jesus – you know – invited Him to be Lord of our lives, we stepped from the realm of our controlling our destiny, to fully trusting Him. And that requires our faith. And often, He calls us into the deep waters of trust rather than safely standing on the shore, missing the adventure – missing Him.

What area of your life is Jesus calling you to deeper trust about? Don’t delay in responding to Him. Just read the rest of Luke 5 and see the splendor of what He can do in your situation.

Thoughts from Dayspring...

For the last 6 months I have been using a new “wand” to curl my hair with and I have burnt myself about five times since I have started using it. Pretty ridiculous since I’ve been a hairstylist by trade for 23 years! So, being as handy as I am, I made myself a silicone neck cover using a pot holder I cut up and elastic bands to tie it around my neck. It’s funny looking but does the trick.

However, the first time I used my new neck cover I was so confident I wouldn’t get burned on that larger section I ended up burning a smaller section; my right cheek! I was so focused on one area, I forgot to be mindful of other areas.

Which made me think about God. Sometimes we are so busy looking for the big things that we miss all the little things. Has is been a while since you’ve seen a miracle in your life? Are you wondering where God is in your day to day?

Start looking around.

I’ve made it a point to find Him in the small things AND to acknowledge Him for those small things.

Did anything good happen for you today? Thank Him! Did you see a sunset that you appreciated? Thank Him! Did you hit all green lights on your way to work? Thank Him!

I promise if you start looking you will see His hand!

“The LORD said, ‘Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.’ Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave.” 1 Kings 19:11-13

It was in the gentle wind he finally heard God.

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by Dayspring Boldt Broxton

He Knows You...

He knows you...

"But whoever loves God is known by God." 1 Corinthians 8:3 (NIV)

I didn’t know it at the time, but looking back, I can see many poor choices that stemmed from wanting to be known—to be loved. I mean, trainwreck-level decisions that carried weighty emotional costs. Things I am still healing from decades later.

It really is amazing how strong this drive is. It will overpower our common sense and cause us to accept behavior we normally would run away from. We will settle for far less than we should— yet somehow it’s better than being alone. At least that’s how I felt. I spent so much time looking for someone to really know me, protect me and love me, which resulted in many wrong turns and dead ends.

If I didn’t have people around me, even super dysfunctional and unhealthy people, I felt a sense of panic. A deeply rooted fear of abandonment will do that to you. It wasn’t until I lost several people, that I was determined to find a love that would never leave me.

I finally opened up to the possibility of God, and He began to fill the holes in my heart with His love—holes I had been trying to fill with broken people. The more I felt known by God, the more I loved Him. And the more I loved Him, the more known I felt.

It’s a beautiful dance that never ends.

He knows things about us we don’t even know about ourselves, and yet He will never walk away. His love for us is boundless and inexhaustible. We can never be more known or loved by anyone else in this life, and to try and live otherwise is to set ourselves up for heartache.

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By: Jaime Betters - for more of Jaime's Devotions, check out the Remade Community: http://www.remadecommunity.org/

Ouch!

Ouch!

"No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening--it's painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."
Hebrews 12:11

Yes, He is saying some difficult things to me in his gentle, but firm, voice. He is speaking these words because He loves me. If you read further, the writer of the Book of Hebrews explains this further.

Still, it is hard to hear these words from His lips, yet my joy in Jesus is returning. You know, the kind of happiness not based on sweet circumstances, but the joy of freedom from some junk that was starting to overtake my life. I had wondered where my joy in the river of the Holy Spirit had gone. So…

Don’t be afraid to hear and face some stuff in your soul. He is at work releasing you from: selfishness, self-centeredness, self-will, self-righteousness – all the self stuff. I am right there with you in this. And the best part of all? He promises to replace these broken, rebellious areas in us with the best self of all – Himself.

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photo: Rick Gomez

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should your yard be overgrown, your jeans too tight, or your wallet a little too empty, look up! King Jesus is the All-Sufficient One. Get your eyes on Him alone and let Him do the heavy lifting for your cares.
Philippians 4:19

Should a loved one go sideways, a neighbor go ballistic, or a co-worker become annoying, well, remember you have issues, too! Jesus has all the patience in the world to bring you into freedom, now grab hold of His patience in you for others, by the power of the Holy Spirit!
Galatians 5:22-23

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything!
1 John 4:4

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Thoughts from Dayspring...

There are people in my life, and there are those who have passed through, that are just not nice. They are mean, they lie, they steal, they use others, they cheat and they don’t follow God in any way. And yet…their lives go on just fine.

It makes me so mad!

They are awful people and yet they have good jobs, they drive fancy cars, live in fancy homes, have fancy friends, are seemingly happy, and loving life. And I hate it! I want them to get what they deserve! I want them to suffer for their choices! I want payback!

That may seem a bit extreme for you and maybe only a few of us have ever thought this way, but just in case you’ve secretly wished the worst for someone I’m going to lead you to a passage that I love and keep marked in my Bible for easy access. Plus it proves I’m not the only one who has felt this way.

Psalm 73. Take time and read it.

The first half is basically the way I often feel. A complaint about all the good things that happen to bad people. And the unfairness of it all. Then we hit the key word: Until. If you write in your Bible make sure to underline that one word because that is when the story takes quite a turn.

“When I thought how to understand this, it was too painful for me— Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I understood their end.” Psalm 73:16-17

The second half of that chapter goes on to talk about their end without God in their lives and the author’s whole tone changes.

Anytime I find myself feeling that same way, I read this chapter and I end up feeling sorry for the one I want to suffer. I end up wishing that they would know God rather than have a miserable existence on this planet. I end up changing MY whole tone.

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by: Dayspring Boldt Broxton

Appearance...

It just takes some sunbathing in Honolulu to realize appearance doesn’t matter. Really…

"…For the LORD does not see as man sees;
for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
1Samuel 16:7

We love Hawaii. My husband loves to walk, but simply give me a beach chair, a ton of sunscreen, an iced tea and I am a happy camper. Yet, as I watch several thousand folks out on that white sand with Diamond Head in my frame, there is maybe one Perfect 10 out there. That man or woman, well they are a rare group and I ain’t in that group. Maybe you aren’t either. Still, I am more than okay with that.

Just sayin’ – Jesus looks at our hearts and if we let Him really heal our hearts; our negative thoughts about ourselves won’t run our lives. Only He can do this. As someone set free years ago from a deeply entrenched eating disorder, I have found the joy of this truth. Plus our bodies tend to follow His game plan of health when our hearts are healed. Go figure.

So whether, you are male or female, let Him have at your heart. You are a Perfect 10 in His eyes, let Him set you free to realize it, too.

At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should you need to forgive someone, no matter how slight or large the offense. Get to it pronto!! Ask for Jesus’ help! He has completely forgiven you and He will give you the strength to forgive others.

Should you feel hemmed in by your circumstances, walls on every side, Look up! Let God scoop you up in His everlasting arms and give you all that you need. He may have you hemmed for a strategic purpose so don’t try to wrangle out of what you are going through. Let Him carry you safely to your next destination in Him.

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything! 1 John 4:4

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My Anthem...

This has been my anthem for a few weeks now…

"Every morning
you’ll hear me at it again.
Every morning
I lay out the pieces of my life
on your altar
and watch for fire to descend."
Psalm 5:2-3 MSG

Maybe it is that I am just getting older or maybe that I feel I wasted so much time in my Journey in Jesus. But honestly. I just want leave it all on the field. You know, the field of my life.

So lately, every morning, I lay the pieces of my life on His altar and watch for fire to descend. I want all the “me” stuff to burn away and have Jesus in me be all that is left. And honestly. I have seen Him do some crazy-sweet, powerful stuff these past few days.

Yes. I think this is going to be my prayer for the rest of my days.

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At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

If your stocks have dropped, your smile has drooped, you’ve locked your keys in the car, and your dog isn’t sure if she likes you anymore look up! There is ONE who knows the number of hairs on your head; Who knows you inside-out, and loves you beyond reason. His love never fails!
1 Corinthians 13:8

Should you have a disagreement with a loved one, co-worker, class-mate, house-mate, in-law or out-law. Forgive quickly! Check your own heart first before you decide to check-out of the situation. Make amends. Jesus has forgiven you everything let His grace in you spill onto someone else.
Matthew 18:22

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus because He Who is in you is greater than anything! 
1 John 4:4

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1 Corinthians 13...Some Thoughts From Dayspring...

I just celebrated my one year wedding anniversary! We had so much fun in a drive through wedding chapel in Vegas wearing matching shirts and sitting in the car. And we kept it a secret.

A month later we had a beautiful ceremony at sunset in our backyard with our handwritten vows and a section out of my Bible that we had begun to memorize. And though these verses have been said so many times at so many events, today I want you to take in this version with a fresh set of eyes.

“Love suffers long. Having patience with imperfect people.

Love is kind. Active in doing good.

Love does not envy. It actually wants other people to get ahead.

Hence it does not parade itself. Love has a self-effacing quality.

Love is not puffed up. Treating others arrogantly.

It does not behave rudely, but displays good manners and courtesy. 
Love does not seek its own, insisting on its own rights and demanding precedence. Rather it is unselfish.

Love is not provoked. It is not irritable or touchy, rough or hostile, but is graceful under pressure.

Love thinks no evil. It does not keep an account of wrongs done to it, instead, it erases resentments.

Love does not rejoice in iniquity, finding satisfaction in the shortcomings of others and spreading an evil report.

Rather, it rejoices in the truth, aggressively advertising the good.

Love bears all things defending and holding others up.

Love believes the best about others. Credits them with good intentions and is not suspicious.

Love hopes all things. Never giving up on people, but affirming their future.

Love endures all things. Persevering and remaining loyal to the end.

Love never fails.”

(Adapted from my Bible in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

And here is what I know as we just said these words again at our one year vow renewal:

Love is a lot of things I am not.

Love is everything God is.

But…Love is something I can strive for every single day in every single way.

Because…Love Never Fails.

Everywhere I Walk...

Leaving eternal footprints…

“How beautiful upon the mountains
Are the feet of him who brings good news...
Who says to Zion, "Your God reigns!”
Isaiah 52:7

Every day it seems I take a lot of steps. Steps around the busy medical clinic I work at; steps through my favorite market; steps along my neighborhood as I attempt to jog. Steps, yes, steps. Lots of them.

God’s Word tells me that I have the potential to leave eternal footsteps. This speaks to my heart. I want every step I take to count. I want to walk where He is leading me to walk and seize the everlasting opportunities Holy Spirit places all around me.

Yes. Everywhere I go, may my steps, actions, prayers, thoughts, and words proclaim: my God reigns!

Want to join me?

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At the Start of This Week...

At the start of this week...

Should your tires be flat, your wallet be even flatter, but your tummy seems to be anything but flat, it is time to take a deep breath of the Holy Spirit, turn off all media, and run to Jesus' presence. Open His Word and drink in His life.

Should your work seem daunting, your household is floundering, and your peace of mind is disappearing, it is time to re-surrender your life to the One and Only who can bring hope, joy, strength and the ever needed wisdom and calm you are lacking. He is faithful, even when you are not.

This is a week of new beginnings, hopes to be realized, and miracles to watch for. Keep your eyes open, your heart tender, and your mind from distraction. This week will be awesome in Jesus, no matter what you face, because He Who is in you is greater than anything!  1 John 4:4

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