Date: Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:00:07 -0400
From: firstlight@billriceranch.org
To: jacksoncompound@hotmail.com
Subject: Daily Devotional for July 19, 2010
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 | Philippians 4:5 "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand."
At Hand
Do you know people that are "mood changers"? The moment they walk into a room, the mood changes! Have you ever had a conversation about someone as they entered the room? Instantly, the mood changes (for a different reason). Philippians 4:5 points us to an experience like that: "Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand."
We are supposed to let our "moderation" (gentleness; sweet reasonableness) be known unto all men. People should "pick up" on our gentleness because "the Lord is at hand"-God is right here, at arm's length. "At hand" could mean closeness in time (He is coming back soon) or proximity (He is literally right here), but both are true and the rationale is the same either way. Someone "at hand" is right here!
This business of gentleness ("moderation") is not a matter of weakness; it is a matter of meekness. The fact that "the Lord is at hand" produces for us a gentleness because of His power. Let me illustrate: In the Philippines, I saw several armed guards at the stores in the mall. Not only were they outside every store, they were all carrying 12-gauge shotguns! I never observed a guard in a panicked or threatened state. He could afford to be cool, calm, and "gentle" because of the firepower he had over his shoulder! As believers, we are to show meekness because the Lord and His power are at hand.
Would people know that God is "at hand" by the way you acted yesterday? Will they know by the way you act today? I began praying last summer that I would literally know God's presence in counselor devotions, in my afternoon meetings, and all throughout my day. His presence was there; I just wanted to be aware of it. What I found is that when I was pressured and my patience had worn thin, my natural response was always disappointing. However, when I recognized that God was "at hand," that made all the difference! Don't you think God's power is capable for each situation of your day? The fact that God is "at hand" can give you calmness, comfort, and confidence for your day. If another human being can change the mood by walking into a room, how much more should the truth that "the Lord is at hand" change your actions today. We would do well to live in light of Philippians 4:5 today.
"Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand." | Prayer Requests: 1. Protection and provision for staff 2. Salvation of unsaved teen, junior, and deaf campers Camp Quote: "God made you for fellowship with Him." -Evangelist Tim Thompson | | Visit our website for more information about our summer camp weeks! | | | |
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