Be One of the Branches

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. - John 15:5

As noted in the post “Spirit Is Received By Those Who Have Believed “, we are justified by faith in Christ. Each day, we can count our blessings and turn our whole life around. Nothing is impossible if we believe that Jesus is the Vine and we are the branches.

Be one of the branches today. As in the song Be One by Natalie Grant, be the light in the dark, be the change, and be the hope.

Index of devotionals

Be a Miracle for Someone Today

For in the day of trouble

   He will keep me safe in His dwelling;

He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent

   And set me high upon a rock. – Psalm 27:5

As explained in the post “No Fear since He is Near”, David prayed for God’s power to get him through his difficulty. He desired God’s presence and His protection from enemies. David trusted in God and went to Him in prayer for strength. He was confident that God would pull him through.

Many of us in life, fear rejection from friends or relatives. But we don’t have to fear because like David, we can go to the Lord for strength. We may be rejected on earth but rejection is never permanent. What is permanent is our acceptance by God when we follow His Plan for Us. Be a miracle for someone today and reblog or forward this link. Always remember, by accepting Christ as Savior, you are never rejected in heaven.

David said in Psalm 27:6 that he would sing and make music to the Lord. Let’s do the same today as we praise Him with today’s video: Good Fight by Unspoken.

Index of devotionals

It Only Takes a Spark

As shared in the post “Sparking Curiosity”, Paul began his missionary work in Athens by just meeting people and telling about Christ. This new teaching of Paul in Athens is still available to us today.

Many are looking for answers to the challenges of this world. They’ve looked at the various philosophies in how best to take on these challenges and none seem to work. But there is one plan that has proven to work and continues to work.

Here’s a video to provide that spark today: Build Your Kingdom Here – Rend Collective Experiment.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. - Galatians 2:20

Index of devotionals

Son Beam to Every Hope and Dream

Shared in the post He Clears the Path to Safety, the lesson was to examine our hopes and dreams and strive to accomplish them in order to give glory to God just as Moses did by creating a path through the sea to the other side.

Keep in mind that God can create a path for us to victory.  So this day with God, remember there is no more fear because the path is made clear with His Son beam to our every hope and dream.

Since God always delivers on His promises, let us do like Moses and the Israelites by praising Him with a song. Enjoy today’s video: Hope in Front of Me – Danny Gokey.

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope. - Romans 15:4

Index of devotionals

Lifted on Wings to Explore the World

I remember one day getting home from church and seeing some baby birds from a nest near our back porch trying to fly. We watched for about 30 minutes until all five could fly and explore the world in which they were a part.

This day with God, be lifted up on the wings of aspiration and make the flight God has for you to see the beauty that He has to offer. Know that you and God are a team as you receive inspiration from today’s video: Me and God – Josh Turner.

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us. - Ephesians 3:20

Index of devotionals

Nothing is Impossible with God

Many say that David wrote Psalm 8 soon after he killed Goliath. The post How Majestic is Your Name points this out.  I also wrote in this post about my trip to Austin a while back to a concert; about how I could keep up on reading blog posts with the technology of today.

Nothing is impossible with God and as ruler over the work of His hands; we can participate in innovation and create solutions to problems that we once thought impossible.

With new technology of today, we all have the ability to be innovative and creative. This day with God, let us stretch our thinking, dream big, and break old barriers. Here is today’s inspirational video. Enjoy! J : Me and God – Josh Turner.

For nothing is impossible with God. – Luke 1:37

Index of devotionals

Arranging Time with God Results in the Changing of Lives

Jacob faithfully prays to God and receives hope in a dream to finally be reunited with his son Joseph. After all these years and now at an old age, he finally understands what faith is all about. It’s all about prayer and listening to God in order to follow His will. As a person spends time with God, changes do occur as in brought to us so well in this video: Changed – Rascal Flatts

Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice. – Proverbs 13:10

Index of devotionals

He Loves Us Even When We Do Not Deserve It

Joseph had been sold into slavery many years ago because of his brother’s jealousy but his ability to interpret dreams helped him progress from slave to second-in-command in Egypt. When a famine hit the region, Joseph was prepared because God had told him in a dream that the famine would occur so Joseph had stored up provisions.

In much the same way, Jesus became a servant only to rise up as King. He loves us even when we do not deserve His love and provides for our needs. Today’s video is about this love that has been given to us: You Loved Me Anyway – Sidewalk Prophets.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no records of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. - 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Index of devotionals

Let it Go

In the post Redeemer, one point written about is how the family of Jacob was being destroyed by the past. When Judah steps ahead and begs Joseph for the chance to take the place of Benjamin, we are reminded of Christ who died for us on the Cross. Judah was willing to take the place of Benjamin and become a slave so that Benjamin could go free.

Many times in life, our past begins to wear on us and consume our joy. Individuals and families feel that there is no way out. It is during times like this that the only hope is to let it go. Once the past is let go, a change can take place through faith to set us free.  

Today’s video is about a hopeless life being turned around; a new believer seeing the light and being changed by the amazing cleansing power of the blood of Christ: Something in the Water – Carrie Underwood.

For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. - Colossians 1:13-14

Index of devotionals

Deja Vu

Have you ever had something occur and you feel like you have been there before? It’s like on the old TV show “Raven” when she could see into the future. That’s kind of what happened with Joseph as his dream is realized.

In the post Dream Coming to Fruition, Joseph’s ability to see into the future allowed him to be prepared for the famine. Every detail of what was needed could be mapped out so his actions would lead to the dream he had many years ago when his brothers bowed down before him.

It’s the same with us; hope becomes reality through prayers so paint a colorful and detailed picture. Let God deliver His blessings as we study the Holy Scripture. Here is a video I produced a while back with these thoughts in mind: Blessings Throughout Each Hour.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. – James 1:22-24

Index of devotionals

Blessings Multiplied

After the dream that Jacob had at Bethel as written about in the post An Amazing Future in His Presence, he acted promptly and stepped ahead with a purpose. The world tells us that everything is limited but with God, everything is unlimited and the blessings are multiplied.

Jacob’s dream gave him hope and optimism for a blessed future. It gave him momentum to apply his faith and do what is right including giving a 10th of all he would receive to God. Today’s video is about God’s love and our growth potential in His presence: Multiplied - Needtobreathe.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. - Romans 8:28

Index of devotionals

Encouraging Word

God encouraged Abraham through His Word. The Word came to Abraham in a vision and said, “Do not be afraid, Abraham. I am your shield, your very great reward.” It is the same for us today as God is by our side to protect and encourage. Enjoy today’s video: Whom Shall I Fear – Chris Tomlin.

You came near when I called you, and you said, "Do not fear." O Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed my life. - Lamentations 3:57-58

Be encouraged by His Word at "This Day with God" devotional.

Change The World

Some float through life doing things for which they have no passion. They are consumed by their weaknesses. They never discover the benefit they could provide to our society if they would explore, dream, and discover! Over the next few paragraphs, my objective is to provide you with an example of someone who didn’t float through life but went down the roaring rapids of life.

He loved to draw and had an interest in motion pictures. Often, he took his sister to Electric Park which was only a few blocks from their home and one of the world’s first full time amusement parks. It was near Heim Brothers Brewery in Kansas City Missouri.

While in High School, he took night courses at the Chicago Art Institute. He became cartoonist for the school newspaper. He dropped out of school at sixteen to join the army but rejected because he was underage so he decided to join the Red Cross where he was sent to France during World War I. For a year he drove an ambulance.

In 1919, he found work as an artist but was told by the newspaper that he was not creative enough. He started his own animation company making Laugh-O-Grams or what we call cartoons today and secured a deal with a local theater to screen them. The cartoons became popular in the Kansas City area but studio profits were insufficient to cover employee salaries and it went bankrupt.

He moved to Hollywood in 1925 and started a studio with his brother Roy. By now many of you know who I’m writing about. Walt Disney was most valuable to their company when he was using his gift of innovation instead of running the day-to-day operations. Roy was good with running the day to day operations of the business. They had some success with a series put into production through Universal Pictures but Universal cut their fees and stole some of their artist.

But Walt continued to be an Innovator and created some of the world’s most well-known fictional characters including Mickey Mouse in the 1930’s and Donald Duck in the 1940’s. In 1938, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was the first animated movie in America made in Technicolor. It became the most successful motion picture of 1938. In the late 1940’s, he drew sketches of ideas for an amusement park and Disney Land opened in 1955.

In the 1950’s, his company began expanding into other entertainment operations. Treasure Island became the studio’s first all-live-action feature, soon followed by 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, Old Yeller, and Swiss Family Robinson. The television show, Mickey Mouse Club debuted in 1955. Walt Disney won twenty two Academy Awards – More than any other individual in History. In May 1965, land owners were happy to get rid of swamp land a few miles southwest of Orlando. Walt Disney world opened in October 1971.

Walt Disney died of lung cancer on December 15, 1966, before his vision was realized but he taught us to be enthusiastic about life. He taught us about having a passion; an absorbing interest in what we do. Things come easier when we do what we like to do. Kids seem to get it a little better than adults. Every day can be a holiday if we look forward to what tomorrow will bring. Each day, we should be like a child going on a vacation.

More pictures are taken at Walt Disney World, the world’s number one tourist attraction, than at any other single location on the planet. Today, Walt Disney’s animation/motion picture studios and theme parks have developed into a multi-billion dollar television, motion picture, vacation destination and media corporation.

What lesson has been learned: Just to have solid dreams and let God take it to a level that you never dreamed of. We serve a supernatural God who is not limited to the laws of nature. He can do what human beings cannot do and make a way in our lives where it looks as if there is no way; therefore we should stop focusing on what we can't do, and start focusing on what God can do. Give it your all. Don't settle for mediocrity but do things with a passion. Imagine approaching each day with enthusiasm because you have the chance to bring order to God’s world. You have a chance to enthusiastically explore, dream, and discover!

Below is a video I made of our vacation to Disney World last summer.

Thanks for reading. I'd like to invite you to take a look at my other blogs at the links below:

This Day with God
Step Ahead

Beyond Your Wildest Dreams

The year is around 1970 and two high school students were members of their high school programmers group. The group received free computer time in exchange for writing computer programs. Someone came to them one day about the need to process traffic information so engineers could make good decisions on how to adjust traffic lights and improve roads.

These two friends dabbled with an idea. They kept after their dream with a passion; even making friends with some college students who helped with developing the hardware to a machine. You see, their idea was to develop a device that would process traffic data cheaper and faster than local companies. They graduated from high school and went their separate ways off to college but maintained their dream. They finally got to know enough friends with the hardware knowhow to build a device that would work with their computer programs which would read traffic tapes directly and eliminate the tedious manual work.  

It was a useful device and they started a company called Traf-O-Data. The company produced a few thousand dollars of revenue but later the states started offering free traffic processing services to cities. This ended the need for their device so the company never did take off.  

It was a lesson learned though. They may have failed with their first company but they gained experience in developing software for computer hardware that did not exist. The experience gained in this venture later was used to write a program that started a very successful company. In 1975, the two young friends named Bill Gates and Paul Allen established Microsoft to develop and sell BASIC interpreters for Altair 8800. Microsoft rose to dominate the home computer operating system market with MS-DOS in the mid-1980s, followed by the Microsoft Windows line.  

The lesson learned in the story above applies to each of us today. Dream and imagine where you want to go or want to be. Don’t be afraid to take big steps and think about things no one else has thought about. Thinking, believing, passion, and working together may lead to something beyond your wildest dreams.

Check out my other blogs where I receive a constant supply of inspiration for my writings by clicking on the links below:

Step Ahead
This Day with God Devotional

Everything is Possible

Mark Twain said one time, “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore – Dream - Discover.”

In 1852, an eighteen year old from Scotland did just that. With fifty dollars, he set out to pursue a new life in the land of opportunity. By 1899 he had become a lumber baron who procured tracts of pristine timberlands in East Texas and Louisiana and operated over sixty retail lumberyards in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma with assets near $4 million. With inflation, $4 million back then would be like $100 million today.

Like Mark Twain said, we need to sail away from the safe harbor. We need to aspire for objectives that are helpful and good for everyone. I once heard a story of a young girl who planted one yellow flower in a field. Twenty years later, the field was covered with yellow flowers. The lesson is that we should take advantage of the chance to be generous and plant our flowers because there is no assurance that the opportunity will persist. We should act out of love with no expectation of anything in return.

 

The lumber baron mentioned above died in 1899 and his heirs gave a one-hundred acre tract of land to the city in his memory. In 1910, the city turned it into a park and the family donated more land during the next few decades, expanding the park to its current 416 acres. In 1993, a 52-acre zoo opened within the park. Cameron Park Zoo in Waco Texas is a natural habitat zoo that has grown steadily in size and reputation providing great memories for all that visit.

 Like William Cameron who took initiative to set out with adventure, who knows what may start as you set out each day. Ask for water, God may give an ocean. Ask for a flower, He may give a garden. Whatever you ask for, God just may turn it into something beyond your wildest dreams.