9/23/19-9/27/19 Devo Two - Qualified in God’s Eye

This is the second devotional for the week of September 23-27. This is a devotional from the Our Daily Bread website. Read this devotional and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below the post. Three or four sentences would be good. Your comments give you devotion credit.

Qualified in God’s Eyes

"Noah walked faithfully with God."
Genesis 6:9

A technology-consulting firm hired me after college although I couldn’t write a line of computer code and had very little business knowledge. During the interview process for my entry-level position, I learned that the company did not place high value on work experience. Instead, personal qualities such as the ability to solve problems creatively, exercise good judgment, and work well with a team were more important. The company assumed new workers could be taught the necessary skills as long as they were the kind of people the company was looking for.

Noah didn’t have the right resume for the job of constructing the ark—he wasn’t a boat builder or even a carpenter. Noah was a farmer, a man comfortable with dirt on his shirt and a plow in his hands. Yet as God decided how to deal with the evil in the world at that time, Noah stood out because “he walked faithfully with God” (Genesis 6:9). God valued the teachableness of Noah’s heart—the strength to resist the corruption around him and to do what was right.

When opportunities to serve God come our way, we may not feel qualified for the work. Thankfully, God is not necessarily concerned with our skill set. He prizes our character, love for Him, and willingness to trust Him. When these qualities are being developed inside us by the Spirit, He can use us in big or small ways to accomplish His will on earth.

By:  Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Reflect & Pray

What character qualities do you need God to develop in you?
Why is your character so important to God?

Dear God, give me a heart that’s willing to serve You in any way.
Equip me in the areas where I lack experience, and fill me with Your Spirit.

9/23/19-9/27/19 Devo One - Student Devo by Jai

This is the first devotional for the week of September 23-27. This video is an encouraging video for all the Faculty and Staff in the VCS Conservatory of the Arts. It is by Jai Sanghrajka and he has his family share about their passion at work and school. May these devotions be encouraging and inspiring for you. Watch this video and let us know what you think by leaving a few sentences as comment below the post. The comments are what give you credit.

Click on the video above or click this link to watch the video:

https://youtu.be/scbyfe_CpF4

9/16/19-9/20/19 Devo Two - Don’t Feed the Trolls

This is the second devotional for the week of September 16-20. This is a devotional from the Our Daily Bread website. Read this devotional and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below the post. Three or four sentences would be good. Your comments give you devotion credit.

Don’t Feed the Trolls

"Make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace."
Colossians 4:5–6

Ever heard the expression, “Don’t feed the trolls”? “Trolls” refers to a new problem in today’s digital world—online users who repeatedly post intentionally inflammatory and hurtful comments on news or social media discussion boards. But ignoring such comments—not “feeding” the trolls—makes it harder for them to derail a conversation.

Of course, it’s nothing new to encounter people who aren’t genuinely interested in productive conversation. “Don’t feed the trolls” could almost be a modern equivalent of Proverbs 26:4, which warns that arguing with an arrogant, unreceptive person risks stooping to their level.

And yet . . . even the most seemingly stubborn person is also a priceless image-bearer of God. If we’re quick to dismiss others, we may be the ones in danger of being arrogant and becoming unreceptive to God’s grace (see Matthew 5:22).

That might, in part, explain why Proverbs 26:5 offers the exact opposite guideline. Because it takes humble, prayerful dependence on God to discern how best to show others love in each situation (see Colossians 4:5–6). Sometimes we speak up; other times, it’s best to be silent.

May we find peace in knowing that the same God who drew us near while we were still in hardened opposition to Him (Romans 5:6) is powerfully at work in each person’s heart.

By:  Monica Brands

Reflect & Pray

How have you witnessed very different approaches being used by God to touch others?
How can you better speak the truth in love?

"Loving God, help me share Your love with others around me."

9/16/19-9/20/19 Devo One - Student Thanks by Riyana

This is the first devotional for the week of September 16-20. This video is an encouraging video for all the Faculty and Staff in the VCS Conservatory of the Arts. It has many JH students saying words of appreciation. May these devotions be encouraging and inspiring for you. Watch this video and let us know what you think by leaving a few sentences as comment below the post. The comments are what give you credit.

Click on the video above or click this link to watch the video:

https://youtu.be/y5vBBcJn0yU

9/9/19-9/13/19 Devo Two - Better Than Ever

This is the second devotional for the week of September 9-13. This is a devotional from the Our Daily Bread website. Read this devotional and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below the post. Three or four sentences would be good. Your comments give you devotion credit.


Better Than Ever

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day"
2 Corinthians 4:16


The Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris is a spectacular building. Its architecture is spellbinding, and its stained-glass windows and beautiful interior features are breathtaking. But after centuries of towering over the Paris landscape, it needed renovation—which had begun when a devastating fire caused extensive damage to the glorious old building.


So the people who love this eight-century-old landmark are coming to its rescue. More than a billion dollars has been raised to restore the building. The stone structure must be shored up. The damaged interior and its prized artifacts need to be repaired. The effort is worthwhile, though, because for many this ancient cathedral stands as a symbol of hope.


What’s true of buildings is also true of us. Our bodies, like this old church, will eventually look a bit worse for wear! But as the apostle Paul explains, there’s good news: while we might gradually lose the physical vibrancy of youth, the core of who we are—our spiritual being—can be continually renewed and growing (2 Corinthians 4:16).


As “we make it our goal to please [the Lord]” (5:9), relying on the Holy Spirit to fill and transform us (3:18; Ephesians 5:18), our spiritual growth need never stop—no matter what our “building” looks like.


By:  Dave Branon

Reflect & Pray
Where have you seen the Spirit renewing your spiritual being?
How does the knowledge that our spiritual growth never stops inspire you?
"God, thank You for Your Spirit renewing and transforming us.
Please continue to give us the strength and courage to rest in You."

9/9/19-9/13/19 Devo One - Student Thanks by Isabella

This is the first devotional for the week of September 9-13. This video is an encouraging video for all the Faculty and Staff in the VCS Conservatory of the Arts. It has many JH students saying words of appreciation. May these devotions be encouraging and inspiring for you. Watch this video and let us know what you think by leaving a few sentences as comment below the post. The comments are what give you credit.

You can click on the video above or click on this link: https://youtu.be/AT1zw5OHG80

9/3/19-9/6/19 Devo Two - It's Slippery Out Here!

This is the second devotional for the week of September 3-6. This is a devotional from the Our Daily Bread website. Read this devotional and let us know what you think by leaving a comment below the post. Three or four sentences would be good. Your comments give you devotion credit.

It’s Slippery Out Here!

"Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil."
Psalm 141:4

Years ago, when I was learning to ski, I followed my son Josh down what appeared to be a gentle slope. With my eyes on him I failed to notice he turned down the steepest hill on the mountain, and I found myself careening down the slope, completely out of control. I cratered, of course.

Psalm 141 shows how we can easily find ourselves slipping down sin’s slope. Prayer is one of the ways we stay alert to those slopes: “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil” (v. 4) is a plea that echoes the Lord’s Prayer almost exactly: “Lead [me] not into temptation, but deliver [me] from the evil one” (Matthew 6:13). In His goodness, God hears and answers this prayer.

And then I find in this psalm another agent of grace: a faithful friend. “Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it” (Psalm 141:5). Temptations are subtle. We’re not always aware that we’re going wrong. A true friend can be objective. “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6 nkjv). It’s hard to accept rebuke, but if we see the wounding as a “kindness” it can become an anointing that puts us back on the path of obedience.

May we be open to truth from a trusted friend and rely on God through prayer.

By:  David H. Roper

Reflect & Pray

What slippery slopes do you gravitate toward? In what ways can you set a guard over your heart?

Father, please keep my feet from straying. Help me to listen to You and good friends.

9/3/19-9/6/19 Devo One - Rene & Laurie Schlaepfer

This is the first devotional for the week of September 3-6. This video is by Rene and Laurie Schlaepfer talking about intentionally managing the “interior dialogue” you’re always narrating to yourself about your life. Rene is the Senior Pastor at Twin Lakes Church in Aptos. May these devotions be encouraging and inspiring for you. Watch this video and let us know what you think by leaving a few sentences as comment below the post. The comments are what give you credit.

You can click on the video above or click on this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qg2h01Z1EvU