Devotionals and Musings

A Constantly Updated Document

Copyright by
Joan Saunders

These are devotionals derived primarily directly from word searches in a

concordance – checking context and checking between versions in order to
not take verses out of context. I believe much of the discord in the world
occurs because people take religious teachings out of context and twist
them to meet their own purposes. I do not believe that any religion is
exempt from this, but Christianity has perhaps gotten the worst reputation
because of it.

From Book One

Day 28 - Fear

By now I think you've realized that while sometimes you get the overflow of my
blessings, other times this devotional is the personal medicine that I am needing. Today,
is one of those days. These verses comfort me:

Proverbs 3 (English Standard Version)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.

Let go and let God.

Proverbs 29 (New International Version)

25 Fear of man will prove to be a snare,
but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.

God trumps man every time.

Philippians 4 (New International Version)

13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

I can do it. I can do it. Yes, I can. Yes, I can – God leading.

Psalm 37 (English Standard Version)

4 Delight yourself in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.

Delight, I need some delight. What’s delightful – my children, my garden, the gifts and
blessings that surround me, good friends…

Psalm 37 (English Standard Version)

8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.

Don’t worry, don’t fret, don’t get mad. What was that that delighted me? Funny pets,
good books, being warm and well fed…..

John 14 (New American Standard Bible)

27"Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to
you Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.

Breathe, focus on God. Thank God for those blessings. Let go of the fear and reach for
the peace.

2 Thessalonians 3 (New American Standard Bible)

16Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every
circumstance The Lord be with you all!

I read once that in math, 'slow is fast'. I've found that to be true in many
arenas. Peace makes it work.

Day 29 Faithful

Is God faithful? All my life I've heard people gripe about, "How could God let this
happen?" I don't know about other people's lives, but I know in my own, either
1) There was a purpose, a very definite purpose, for the tribulation.
or, more often
2) I really wasn't involving God in the decisions that led up to the tribulation.

That's kind of like blaming your friend, who had moved out east, for your divorce, when
the last time she saw your spouse was at the wedding.

"But, gee, I talked to her on the phone every week."

"You asked for marital advice?"

"Well, no. But, she's my best friend. She should have known."

“If she gave you advice you didn’t request, would you have followed it?”
“She should have made me take it.”

Anyway, I, personally, have found God to always be faithful - provided I am involving

Him in that area of my life.

Deuteronomy 7 (New International Version)

9 Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his
covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his
commands.

We need to be faithful in return:

Psalm 31 (English Standard Version)

23Love the LORD, all you his saints!
The LORD preserves the faithful
but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride.

How about this one, for a little perspective?

Proverbs 28 (English Standard Version)

20A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but whoever hastens to be rich will not go unpunished.

That goes back to: Where is your heart? What is your goal?

Luke 16 (New American Standard Bible)

10"He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is
unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.
11"Therefore if you have not been faithful in the use of unrighteous wealth, who will
entrust the true riches to you?
12"And if you have not been faithful in the use of that which is another's, who will give
you that which is your own?

We really need to let God hold our hand.

Psalm 37 (New American Standard Bible)

23The steps of a man are established by the LORD,
And He delights in his way.
24When he falls, he will not be hurled headlong,
Because the LORD is the One who holds his hand.
25I have been young and now I am old,
Yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
Or his descendants begging bread.
 1 Thessalonians 5 (New American Standard Bible)
24Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass.

2 Thessalonians 3 (New American Standard Bible)

3But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.

Chin, up, smile, think about positive things and talk to God often - knowing He is
listening and loving and has it all planned out. Be sure and find moments of peace to
listen. He may be waiting for you to 'git it' - whatever 'it' is. If that's the case, and you've
been a little slow - once you do git it - life may move so fast you can't get a breath in.

Day 30 – Give Thanks

If you have a negative number, then to get a positive number, you must add a positive
number to the equation. In life, victory requires overcoming the negative with
positives. It requires adding a positive to eliminate a negative – in the thought
realm as in any other. Thanksgiving, praise and worship are powerful ways of
doing this.

Psalm 100 (English Standard Version)

1 Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth!
2 Serve the LORD with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!
3Know that the LORD, he is God!
It is he who made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
and his courts with praise!
Give thanks to him; bless his name!
5 For the LORD is good;
his steadfast love endures forever,
and his faithfulness to all generations.

Did you wake up in a bed? Was their heat? Did you have breakfast? Clean clothes to
wear? Give thanks!!

1 Thessalonians 5 (New American Standard Bible)

18in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good;

I'll add: let go of that which is not. Let God have it and let it go.

And make a joyful noise unto The Lord.