Today's Good News Devotionals by Clay Corvin

Ps. 145:18 "The Lord is close to all who call on Him." NLT

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OCTOBER 2004 DEVOTIONALS

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11/01 1Sam 7:3
Then Samuel said to all the people of Israel, "If you are really serious about wanting to return to the LORD, get rid of your foreign gods and your images of Ashtoreth. Determine to obey only the LORD; then he will rescue you from the Philistines."

OBEDIENCE
Obedience is an action. We choose to obey the Lord. I must determine in my heart that I will do exactly what the Lord says. This affects everything I do. I will stop sinning. I will start doing the things that the Lord has called me to do. Obedience is the foundation for growth and maturity.

11/02 1 Sam 17:31-32
Then David's question was reported to King Saul, and the king sent for him. "Don't worry about a thing," David told Saul. "I'll go fight this Philistine!"

TRUST
I can do what the Lord calls me to do. Serving the Lord requires that I focus my life on Him and not on the world. The world view only sees obstacles. A Godly view only sees obedience. When I am serving the Lord, I will see the opportunity and serve Jesus by obeying Him.

11/03 1 Sam 31:7
When the Israelites on the other side of the Jezreel Valley and beyond the Jordan saw that their army had been routed and that Saul and his sons were dead, they abandoned their towns and fled. So the Philistines moved in and occupied their towns.

TRUST
Trust in Jesus. Trusting in people, wealth, or strength will always disappoint you. When you trust in things that are passing away you will suffer the consequences of your error. When you trust in the Lord you will have eternal life and wisdom, mercy and grace for daily living.

11/04 2 Samuel 5:10
And David became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him.

STRENGTH

The Lord is our strength. He fills us with His power so that we can live in this world. We need to remember that this place is not our home. We are simply passing through. We will live for eternity in the presence of the Living Lord. It will strengthen us if we claim that promise right now. The Lord is with us.

11/05 1 Kings 3:3
Solomon loved the LORD and followed all the instructions of his father, David, except that Solomon, too, offered sacrifices and burned incense at the local altars.

SIN

Paul’s confession of his sinfulness is a good warning for each one of us. Sin is never far away. Sin is always seeking to usurp the Lord’s authority in our lives. Sin causes me to quit evaluating myself and blame others. Our sin problem is real and must be dealt with. Only Jesus can forgive our sin.

11/06 II Kings 18:16
Hezekiah even stripped the gold from the doors of the LORD's Temple and from the doorposts he had overlaid with gold, and he gave it all to the Assyrian king.

COURAGE

The Lord gave Israel its wealth. The Lord called Israel His people. Hezekiah forgot who owned him. Fear can cause any of us to make hasty, wrong choices. It is in our daily time with the Lord that we fortify our souls to deal with each day’s challenge. Time with Jesus is always time well spent.

11/07 I Chronicles 11:3
So there at Hebron David made a covenant with the leaders of Israel before the LORD. They anointed him king of Israel, just as the LORD had promised through Samuel.

COMMITMENT

The Christian life requires commitment. Jesus loves me and He forgives my sin. I am committed to serving Him and Him alone every day of my life. Every thing I do and say is to be tempered by the Lord’s hand. Jesus is Lord. My covenant in life is with Jesus Christ.

11/08 I Chronicles 15:25
Then David and the leaders of Israel and the generals of the army went to the home of Obed-edom to bring the Ark of the LORD's covenant up to Jerusalem with a great celebration.

COMMITMENT

Jesus is the only way to the Father. The Lord did not need our council to create anything nor does He accept our council on developing a relationship with Him. As much as man would like to make a relationship with God something anyone can do any way they choose, Jesus is the only way to the Father.

11/09 I Chronicles 17:4
"Go and tell my servant David, 'This is what the LORD says: You are not the one to build me a temple to live in.

GUIDANCE

The Lord will not hide His will from you. A tragedy in the life of many Christians is that for much of their life they are trying to tell God what they are going to do. When they arrive at the end of their days, they often discover that they have simply wasted much of their life. Ask Jesus what to do and He will tell you. The key when Christ leads is for you to follow.

11/10 I Chronicles 17:20
"O LORD, there is no one like you – there is no other God. We have never even heard of another god like you!

GOD

God is unique and one of a kind. No other God has ever existed. He is and always will be. The miracle of miracles is that He desires a relationship with me. Through Christ I have direct access to the throne room of our majestic creator. Thank you Lord Jesus, for loving me and forgiving me of my sin.

11/11 II Chronicles 3:1-2
So Solomon began to build the Temple of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah, where the LORD had appeared to Solomon's father, King David. The Temple was built on the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite, the site that David had selected. The construction began in mid-spring, during the fourth year of Solomon's reign.

WORK

The Lord is involved in our work. His plan for our lives includes the work that we do. It is important that we do our work as unto the Lord. Everything we do is important to our Father. Rejoice and work. The Lord is good.

11/12 Ezra 3:11
With praise and thanks, they sang this song to the LORD: "He is so good! His faithful love for Israel endures forever!" Then all the people gave a great shout, praising the LORD because the foundation of the LORD's Temple had been laid.

PRAISE

We can always praise the Lord. He is perfect and His view is eternal. We are imperfect and have a very limited view. Therefore, because I trust and love the Lord I can always praise Him.

11/13 Nehemiah 1:10-11a
"We are your servants, the people you rescued by your great power and might. O Lord, please hear my prayer!

SECURITY

Jesus came for me. He paid my price. My life is bound up in Jesus. I am a part of His work in this world. When I am in trouble Jesus hears my plea. When my world is overrun and I am sinking fast Jesus will not ignore my need.

11/14 I Corinthians 13:7
Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

LOVE

Jesus loves me. Every thought that the Lord Jesus has towards me is a thought for good. My life was created for good and serving Jesus results in good. Life is good.

11/15 Esther 4:13-14
Mordecai sent back this reply to Esther: "Don't think for a moment that you will escape there in the palace when all other Jews are killed. If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. What's more, who can say but that you have been elevated to the palace for just such a time as this?"

SERVICE

There are no small places in the Kingdom of God. Jesus uses each one of us in a place that we can be successful and useable. We serve the Lord. Service to Jesus is caring for those around us. People count with the Lord.

11/16 Job 42:1-2
Then Job replied to the LORD: "I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.

STRENGTH

We are not at the mercy of the world. Jesus is Lord and is Lord of all. We are part of His work in this world. Nothing can stop the Lord.

11/17 Psalm 6:9
The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD will answer my prayer.

CONFIDENCE

I can live my life with the knowledge that the Lord is on my side. He loves me. He desires for me to talk with Him and put my burden upon Him. When I am walking with Jesus the burdens of life will be light.

11/18 Psalm 10:11
The wicked say to themselves, "God isn't watching! He will never notice!"

CONTROL

The Lord is in control. The wicked live as if there is no God. Their evil lifestyle does not affect the reality of the Lord. Our lives in this world are only a tiny speck on eternity. The Lord is giving us an opportunity to develop a relationship with Him. Jesus would that no one be lost. His patience is not an indication of weakness only a sign of His love.

11/19 Psalm 11:5
The LORD examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates everyone who loves violence.

STRENGTH

Violence is destructive and divisive. The Lord calls each one of us to a life of love. Love is an action and in many cases is the direct opposite of violence. Love calls us to sacrifice, service and submission. The Lord is in control.

11/20 Psalm 15:1
Who may worship in your sanctuary, LORD? Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?

WORSHIP

Jesus equips us to worship the Lord. Christ cleanses us from our sin, and gives us His righteousness. On the basis of our salvation in Christ, we can come before the Lord and worship Him. Jesus is God’s everything.

11/21 Psalm 16:1
Keep me safe, O God, for I have come to you for refuge.

SAFETY

There is safety with the Lord. In Jesus we live and move and exist. Without Jesus we are dead in our trespasses and sin. Man on His own does not acknowledge God nor does he follow God. In Christ we have a Shepherd that will see us through life and at death take us into the physical presence of the Father. Jesus is Lord.

11/22 Psalm 19:8
The commandments of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are clear, giving insight to life.

OBEDIENCE

Jesus requires that I obey Him. His directions to me are clear and detailed. He calls me to obedience because He knows what is best for me. I always see the future as uncertain. Jesus knows the future and equips me to deal with the future. Obedience is the pathway to an abundant life.

11/23 Psalm 20:7
Some nations boast of their armies and weapons, but we boast in the LORD our God.

PRAISE

I want to be praised. I enjoy praise. But in my heart I know that when I receive praise it is often times not warranted. However, the Lord is worthy of all my praise. He is great and wonderful. Praise the Lord.

11/24 Psalm 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd; I have everything I need.

NEED

In a nation with great abundance it is difficult to realize how effectively the Lord meets my need. He knows the future and I don’t. Whistling through the unknown of the future with confidence is not the way to deal with my need. Growing in my relationship with Jesus is the only way I can have my needs met.

11/25 Psalm 27:1
The LORD is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The LORD protects me from danger – so why should I tremble?

SECURITY

This world is passing away. In Jesus I have present and eternal security. Jesus has a plan for my life. I can live each day knowing that the Lord will not desert me nor will He let me down. The Lord is good. His plans for me are good. I can live confidently with that knowledge.

11/26 Psalm 30:1
I will praise you, LORD, for you have rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.

JOY

Whatever I do, whatever I face I can live with a joyous heart. Joy comes out of my relationship with the Lord and not as a result of what is happening to me at the moment. The Lord loves me, has a good plan for my life and one day will escort me into the presence of the Father. This is real joy worthy of all praise and honor to God.

11/27 Psalm 51:1-4
Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my shameful deeds – they haunt me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

SIN

Sin is a destructive force in life. It is prolific and aggressive. You and I must recognize our need for cleansing and forgiveness. I want to make sure that my heart is sensitive and that my sin is forgiven. One thing I am aware of is that when I condemn and criticize others in my heart sin is crouching at my door. Forgive me Lord for my sin and help me change my ways.

11/28 Psalm 70:4-5
But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, "God is great!" But I am poor and needy; please hurry to my aid, O God. You are my helper and my savior; O LORD, do not delay!

FAITH

This world is a tough and difficult place. Sin seeks to masquerade as good and I must be on the alert. Time with Jesus is the very thing I need each day to help me live a Godly life. The faster my pace the more I need time with Jesus.

11/29 Psalm 94:12
Happy are those whom you discipline, LORD, and those whom you teach from your law.

FAITH

I belong to Jesus. I spend time with Jesus. I am trusting Jesus with my soul and eternity. His correction is a confidence builder as I grow in my faith.

11/30 Psalm 100:1-5
Shout with joy to the LORD, O earth! Worship the LORD with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. Acknowledge that the LORD is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and bless his name. For the LORD is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

WORSHIP

God is good. Everything about the Lord is positive and glorious. He is worthy of my praise and my attention. I can praise the Lord and worship Him. Great is the Lord.

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I send out the devotionals by e-mail and on an irregular basis observations from a Christian perspective.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright© 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved. NASB Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New American Standard Bible, copyright 1975. All rights reserved by the Lockman Foundation.

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