Think of Others Before Self

Devotion Time

Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer = SOAP

S: Proverbs 22:16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth, or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

O: Whenever I think of myself first - it shows I am selfish. When I put myself first before others - especially the poor, I dishonor the Lord. If seek to give more to the rich than the poor, then I, myself, am bankrupt. I am truly in poverty if I ignore the poor and give more to the rich.

A: I pray that I will seek J-O-Y (Jesus, Others, You) and in that order especially when it comes to giving. I want to be rich in His Grace and Mercy and give to others. May I pray and think of others first - really in all matters.

P: Father, thank You for Your Word. It convicts, corrects and changes us. Give me ears to hear and eyes to see who is in need and may I respond with Your love and grace. Your love is rich and overflowing and may I rejoice in it, know it and share it with others. In Jesus Name I pray, amen!

A New Creation!

Praise You, Father! Praise You, Creator! Praise You for New Life! Praise You for Transformation! Praise You for us being able to carry and sustain life!  Praise Jesus Christ, Praise Holy Spirit, Praise You, Holy One!

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. II Corinthians 5:17

Thank You, Father for the gift of Jesus Christ! Praise You forevermore! Thank You for giving me life. Thank You for giving me Steve, Kelly, Jon, Keith and Clay! Thank You for my parents! Thank you for my grandparents and the saints who have gone before me! Thank You for my family members that have given me encouragement and support! Thank You for teachers that have helped along the way! Thank you for my church family! Thank You for my pets! Thank You for my computer to record my journal with you! Thank You for making me a new creation! Thank You for the ability to change! Thank You that I can renew my mind in You! Thank You for my health! Thank You for guiding and correcting me! 

I confess I have not loved You with my whole heart. I confess that I get irritated and impatient and angry and take it out on my family. I confess that when I get mad, I get stubborn, harsh and critical. I get annoyed by people who don’t think and react impulsively and yet I am guilty of that! Romans 7:15-23! Oy vey! I confess that I am a spender and do not budget myself wisely. I confess that I am not a good housekeeper. I confess that I eat too much junky food sometimes. I confess that I am selfish.  Please forgive me of these things and for those I've forgotten!

Father, I pray that I would honor You in all that I think, say, and do. I pray that I would not be swayed by the evil one to do things that would take my focus off of You. I ask for supernatural healing of my body, mind, spirit and soul!. May I be healed to Your glory and honor and may I live all my days for You, however long that is! May I grow in my prayer life and seek You first in all things!  May I respond in love and affection and acceptance and not in hatred, withholding caring touches or by rejecting others.  God forbid it!  Help me to manage myself, emotionally, physically and financially and protect me, my family, friends and others from the evil one.  The old me could never change or be transformed with You, Lord! I know I am in Jesus Christ, help me not to slack off, become lazy or unfocused in my worship and devotion to You.  Replace my stinking thinking with whatever is right, pure, lovely, excellent, praiseworthy – to fix my mind on those things (Phil 4:8)!  May I never take life for granted and may I extend the joy of life in others including my husband, children, family, friends, neighbors and strangers! 

In Jesus Name I pray all these things, may it be loosed here on earth as it is in heaven!

I Love You, God,

Christine

1. In Christ, you are a new creation! What does that mean to you?

2. What do you want to do that is new in this new year 2013?  Share 3 of them with us!

3. What creating will you do this year?