Powerhouse Daily Devotion Page: October 2006

Tuesday, October 31, 2006

God is a perfect teacher

Today's word: Psalm 25:4-12

4 Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;

5 guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

6 Remember, O LORD, your great mercy and love,
for they are from of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth
and my rebellious ways;
according to your love remember me,
for you are good, O LORD.

8 Good and upright is the LORD;
therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.

9 He guides the humble in what is right
and teaches them his way.

10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful
for those who keep the demands of his covenant.

11 For the sake of your name, O LORD,
forgive my iniquity, though it is great.

12 Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD ?
He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.

How about you?
Even the best teachers occasionally make mistakes. But when God teaches you something, you can be sure that it's true. God is the beginning of all knowledge. When you read His word, you can learn about His truths.

To memorize: Psalm 143:10
Teach me to do your will,
for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
lead me on level ground

10:35 AM | Permalink |

Monday, October 30, 2006

Seek God's praise

Today's word: John 12:37-43

37Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him. 38This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet:
"Lord, who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?"^[a]

39For this reason they could not believe, because, as Isaiah says elsewhere:
40"He has blinded their eyes
and deadened their hearts,
so they can neither see with their eyes,
nor understand with their hearts,
nor turn—and I would heal them."^[b] 41Isaiah said this because he saw Jesus' glory and spoke about him.

42Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not confess their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.

How about you?
Whose praise do you seek? Do you care more about what the kids at school will say than about what God will say? Do you dare to be a friend to an "odd" person? To not laugh at dirty jokes? To pray before you eat? Make sure that the words of today's verse can never be said about you!

To memorize: John 12:43
they loved praise from men more than praise from God

9:19 AM | Permalink |

Saturday, October 28, 2006

Be honest in your work

Today's word: 1 Peter 2:11-16

11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.

How about you?
Have you ever copied someone else's work and claimed that it way yours? That is called 'plagiarism'. It means stealing something someone else has written and saying that you wrote it. The Bible says it's wrong to be dishonest and cheat. God says, "You shall not steal". That included stealing words. Be honest when you do an assignment.

To memorize: 1 Peter 2:12
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us

8:15 AM | Permalink |

Friday, October 27, 2006

Don't fuss about little things

Today's word: Ephesians 4:24-32

24and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

25Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26"In your anger do not sin"^[a]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27and do not give the devil a foothold. 28He who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in need.

29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

How about you?
Do you make a big fuss about little things? Do you know the most common cause of anger? It's selfishness, and it can ruin your day, your week- even your life. Make up your mind now not to let little things get between you and happiness- or between you and God.

To memorize: Galatians 5:9
A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough

10:47 AM | Permalink |

Thursday, October 26, 2006

Follow God's direction

Today's word: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

How about you?
When was the last time you read God's word? The Bible contains many specific directions and many principles which you should follow in your daily life. Read it and follow the instructions God gives.

To memorize: 2 Timothy 3:16
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness

11:00 AM | Permalink |

Monday, October 23, 2006

Don't judge others

Today's word: Matthew 7:1-5

1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

3"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.

How about you?
Are you guilty of judging those you don't know? Be careful. God doesn't want you to do that. Besides, you could be wrong. The Bible says the way you judge others is the way you will be judged. And, of course, you want fair judgement. Ask God to help you to be fair, too.

To memorize: Matthew 7:1
Do not judge, or you too will be judged

10:25 AM | Permalink |

Friday, October 20, 2006

Try again

Today's word: 2 Corinthians 4:5-10

5For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. 6For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"^[a]made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.

7But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 8We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 10We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

How about you?
What happens when you fail at something? Do you give up and quit trying? Don't get discouraged. Learn from your mistakes and realize that it takes time to learn to do things well. Depend on God to help you.

To memorize: 2 Corinthians 4:8
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair

10:44 AM | Permalink |

Thursday, October 19, 2006

You don't have to sin

Today's word: 1 Corinthians 10:12-14

12So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don't fall! 13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. 14Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.

How about you?
Do you sometimes feel that you can't help doing something wrong? That the temptation is just too great? You're wrong. No matter what the tempatation, you can be sure that God will help you overcome it if you are willing to let Him do so.

To memorize: 1 Corinthians 10:13
God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it

10:37 AM | Permalink |

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Be a true friend of Jesus

Today's word: John 15:8-14

8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command.

How about you?
Are you a friend Jesus can depend on, or do you act as if you don't know Him when you're with people who aren't Christian? Are you a part-time friend of Jesus? Be a true friend to Him- show that you love Him at all times. Talk to Him and talk about Him.

To memorize: Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times,
and a brother is born for adversity

11:07 AM | Permalink |

Monday, October 16, 2006

Keep trying

Today's word: Proverbs 14:23-27

23 All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty.

24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
but the folly of fools yields folly.

25 A truthful witness saves lives,
but a false witness is deceitful.

26 He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress,
and for his children it will be a refuge.

27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,
turning a man from the snares of death.

How about you?
Do you keep trying even though you're discouraged? If God has given you an interest in something, and a talent for it, keep on trying even if you're not the best in it, yet. Ask God to bless your efforts.

To memorize: Proverbs 14:23
All hard work brings a profit,
but mere talk leads only to poverty

10:32 AM | Permalink |

Friday, October 13, 2006

Obey the rules

Today's word: Matthew 22:35-40

35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question:

36"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'^[a] 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'^[b] 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

How about you?
Are there rules you don't like? List three of them. Why do you think they are needed? Can you see how loving God and others will help you obey these rules? Pray for God's help in obeying them.

To memorize: Matthew 22:37
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind

11:07 AM | Permalink |

Thursday, October 12, 2006

Eat spiritually

Today's word: 1 Peter 2:1-5

1Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

How about you?
Did you eat food today? Did you also "eat" from God's word? It's importatant to take care of both your physical and spiritual needs on a daily basis.

To memorize: Matthew 5:6
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled

10:56 AM | Permalink |

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Be a loving witness

Today's word: 2 Peter 1:5-9

5For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

How about you?
Have you experienced persecution for being a Christian? Be sure your attitudeis right. Don't be afraid to witness for Christ, but do it out of love, not pride. Check to see if the qualities listed in today's scripture can be seen in your witness. Don't be "pushy".

To memorize: 1 Peter 3:17
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil

11:08 AM | Permalink |

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

God always listens

Today's word: Psalm 17:5-8

5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not slipped.

6 I call on you, O God, for you will answer me;
give ear to me and hear my prayer.

7 Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings

How about you?
Are your parents sometimes too busy to talk? Do you wish you had a friend who would listen to what you have to say? Let Jesus be that friend. Talk to Him whenever you have problem, or if you just feel lonely. He's never too busy!

To memorize: Micah 7:7
But as for me, I watch in hope for the LORD,
I wait for God my Savior;
my God will hear me

10:42 AM | Permalink |

Monday, October 09, 2006

Don't be wastefu;

Today's word: Luke 15:11-24

11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.

13"Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So he got up and went to his father.
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.^[a]'

22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.

How about you?
The scripture today is a story of the prodigal son. Are you a prodigal, too? Do you waste time? money? food? Luke 15:17 says the son came to his senses. He returned to his father, asking forgiveness and willing to be a service. If you're a prodigal, you need to change your ways, too. Ask forgiveness of God and of any others who have been affected by your wastefulness.

To memorize: Proverbs 18:9
One who is slack in his work
is brother to one who destroys

11:03 AM | Permalink |

Saturday, October 07, 2006

Christians should be united

Today's word: Luke 11:14-20

14Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon left, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15But some of them said, "By Beelzebub,^[a] the prince of demons, he is driving out demons." 16Others tested him by asking for a sign from heaven.

17Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them: "Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. 18If Satan is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? I say this because you claim that I drive out demons by Beelzebub. 19Now if I drive out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your followers drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 20But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

How about you?
Do you sometimes say unkind things about other Christians? Do you think it will make you look better perhaps? Not so. You not only hurt that person, but you also hurt yourself and other Christians. When Christians are divided against each other, the whole church suffers. Work together, not against one another.

To memorize: Luke 11:17
Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall

11:43 AM | Permalink |

Friday, October 06, 2006

Live each day carefully

Today's word: 1 Peter 1:13-17

13Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy."^[a]

17Since you call on a Father who judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear.

How about you?
Are you careless about the things you do or the words you say? Consider each day a gift from God. Live it carefully. You can't go back and change anything. You can, however apologize to someone you may have hurt. Do that if you need to. Be able to look back on each day knowing you've done what you should.

To memorize: Psalm 90:12
Teach us to number our days aright,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom