August 2018 - Tabetha’s Devotions

August 15, 2018

The KEY of Power

Revelations 1:18
I am the LIVING ONE: I was dead and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.

I held the small cold metal in my hand. I turned it over and over, running my finger down its jagged edge. It was mine. All mine! My parents had trusted me with a key to the house! Wow! What a huge responsibility. They must have thought I was quite grown up!

A few years later, another key was placed in my hand. This one to a 1966 Ford Mustang. I was sixteen years old and just passed my driver’s license test. My dad and mom bought me a car. Wow! What a huge responsibility! What power! It was all mine!

Next came the key to my first apartment, then several rental places. One beautiful, magical day came a few years ago. The realtor said, “Congratulations! It is all yours! Here are your keys!” My first home. It was amazing. It was a huge responsibility! It was powerful!

There is just something about holding keys to something, whether it is a car, apartment, or a house. It means you own a part of something. It is YOUR car or YOUR home! You are not just along for the ride or staying somewhere.

My friends, I want to remind you something. Satan tries to convince us he is this all big and powerful being. He tries to manipulate and deceive us with his lies of power and grandeur. However, he doesn’t even have the keys to his own home! It clearly states in Revelations 1:18 that Jesus holds the keys to death and hell. He isn’t even important enough to have a key to his own home.

Satan has no control! He even had to ask permission to torment Job (Job 1:6-12)! He is not a big, bad all powerful being. He does not have any control over you. He cannot touch you without God’s knowledge. He doesn’t even hold the keys to his own home. He holds NOTHING over us. Shoot he can’t even blackmail us because God knows everything we have done and is waiting and willing to forgive at any moment.

Live today with your head held high! The next time Satan comes around bothering you, just remind him, he doesn’t even own the keys to his own home!

August 7, 2018

Stop It! You Are Not Going to Die!

Judges 6:23
But the LORD said to him, “Peace! Do not be afraid. You are not going to die.”

“Oh, stop! You are not going to die!”

I am not sure how many times I heard this growing up or how many times I have said it myself to my own kiddos. It is a rather popular phrase to throw out when someone is overreacting.

These words jumped out at me recently when I was reading the story of Gideon in Judges chapter 6. I stopped and giggled. Yep! Even, an Angel of the LORD used this phrase!

Now, I am not so sure this Angel had the hands on the hips, head cocked, eyes rolled and loud sigh when he said these words to Gideon. However, I sure heard it that way when I read it. Then I stopped and wondered just how many times had God spoke those words over me?

How many times had I once again turned a mole hill into a mountain? Now, I am not talking real problems here. I am talking those little things that you just let your imagination run with and now the world is coming to an end. The sky is not falling chicken little!

I can hear God telling me, “You are not going to die!” As a matter of fact, a frequent phrase I hear is, “Are you done yet! You are not going to die!” When that thought enters my head, I draw my bottom lip back in, suck up the snot bubble, wipe my eyes and reply, “Yes LORD, I am finished. What do I do now?”

You see, I hear these words when I have been trying to work out my issue on my own. I have not turned to God. Instead, I decided I was big enough to solve this problem all by myself. In simple words, I. Have. Messed. Things. Up! Now I am slinking over to my corner to lick my wounds wondering why everyone is out to get me.

It is in that moment, my wonderful Heavenly Father leans down and quietly says, “Are you ready for some help now? If so, let’s get you cleaned up and walking in the right direction again. Now, pull it together sweetheart, you aren’t going to die. We can make this right. Don’t be afraid, I am going to be right here with you.”

I will never be too old to mess up and I will never be too old to hear these loving words!

August 3, 2018

Be a Helper Not a Hater

Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

I remember a scene, in the first Harry Potter movie, where Harry, Ron, and Hermione went searching for the sorcerer’s stone. They had to get past several barriers placed along the way to get to it.

Each barrier seemed to play into one character’s skill set. The first one was a man eating plant. Hermione used her cleverness and remembered studying about it in class. She was able to defeat it and the trio moved on to the next spot.

This brought our heroes to a room full of flying keys and a locked exit door. Seeing a broom, Harry quickly figured he could use his excellent seeker skills from quidditch to catch the key. It took very little effort on his part and they were soon off to the next adventure.

A giant game of Wizards Chess was set up in the next room. It was no question at all as to who would defeat this puzzle. Ron was an expert at the game and used his skill set to move Harry on to find the stone.

Each person brought his or her skill set to solve a problem together. We as Christians are also gifted different skills. It is when we stop competing with each other and learn to work together that we grow and move on.

We have to learn that no one can ever be us! I am who I am. I am the best me that can be me. I am unique. I have my own set of strengths and weaknesses. Instead of trying to be like someone else, I need to use my skill sets to help others. Then, when I need help I need to humbly ask for it.

We were never meant to travel through life alone. We were always meant to partner with each other and help each other. We have been called to carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).

Month: August 2018

The KEY of Power

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Stop It! You Are Not Going to Die!

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Be a Helper Not a Hater

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