Seeds Of Hope Daily Devotionals

Something to "Crow" About!

Early each morning, often before the sun rises, a “rooster” who lives nearby sends a message announcing to his neighbors that “a new day has arrived - get up and go.”

For some, this is unwelcomed news. But for others it is an announcement that a new day has dawned, and there are new opportunities to serve and honor God.

How “roosters” got their name is interesting. All birds - and chickens are considered birds - “roost” at night. So, the one that wakes up first and “leaves the roost” and begins to “crow” is considered “the” rooster. What makes a rooster crow is not known. But how a rooster crows, is.

A rooster never crows with his neck bent and his head down. Whenever he crows, he lifts up his head proudly as if he is thanking his Creator. Roosters never crow with their heads bent.

Psalm 111:1 reminds me of the cry of a rooster as a good way to begin each day. “Praise the Lord! I will extol the Lord with all my heart.” Why? The Psalmist then gives thirteen reasons:

“Great are the works of the Lord.”

“Glorious and majestic are His deeds.”

“His righteousness endures forever.”

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate.”

“He provides food for those who fear - stand in awe - of Him.”

“He has shown His people the power of His world.”

“The words of the hands are faithful – trustworthy - steadfast - upright - just - and He provides redemption.”

Prayer: How great You are, Heavenly Father, for Your great gifts. Without shame or hesitation, we shout of Your greatness every day! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: Praise the LORD. I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly. Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them. Psalm 111:1-2

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Willing

One morning Michael Faraday was walking past a high fence with a large iron gate. Puzzled, he looked through the gate wondering what the fence was hiding. Not being able to see very much he struggled hard and was able to get his head, shoulders, and arms through the gate. When he tried to extract himself, he realized that he was stuck! Laughing at himself he said, “My head and arms are on one side, and my body is on the other.”

He tried desperately to free himself but had no success. Finally, a stranger came to his rescue and was able to pull him from the gate and set him free.

Later in life, after becoming one of the world’s most respected scientists in the field of electromagnetism, he said, “That experience taught me a precious lesson. My head and heart and hands should always be together.”

Another famous person, King David, said the same thing in different words: “Your troops should be willing on your day of battle.” The word “willing” literally means “willing offerings” or “a freewill offering.” So, we can interpret the verse to read, “Your troops are to be a free-will offering.” Could there be a more descriptive way to explain the true meaning of consecration?

Consecration is the voluntary surrender of our heads, hearts, and hands to the Lord. It is to say, “Lord, let your Word make its way from my head to my heart and from my heart to my hands as I willingly use them to do your work!”

Imagine what God could do with us if we are willing!

Prayer: Lord, in Your infinite love, infinite wisdom and infinite power do what You will with my life. I am willing, and I am Yours! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: -But You, O Sovereign Lord, deal well with me for Your name’s sake; out of the goodness of Your love, deliver me. Psalm 109:21

Does Prayer Have Limits?

It takes time to read the Psalms if we want to understand their meaning. Reading them rapidly makes them sound repetitious or unintelligent. Take for example the words, “But You, O Sovereign Lord, deal well with me for Your name’s sake; out of the goodness of Your love, deliver me.”

In this brief, one sentence prayer, David recognizes several critical elements of prayer. The first one is that our God is sovereign. As our “sovereign,” He rules and reigns over our lives as the Ultimate Authority. He is the Guard and Guardian over anything and everything that pertains to us or may have power over us and thereby is our personal protector and provider. Whatever invades our lives is there because He allows it to be there - and if things were intended to be different from the way they are, they would be.

And if it is “in” our lives, it is “in” there for His “name’s sake.” In other words, it is consistent with His nature and character and wisdom. God knows what is best for us what is in keeping with the plan He has designed for us. So, we can be sure of His ways, knowing that what He is doing in us, with us and through us is in His best interests to shape us into the likeness of His Son, our Savior, and Lord.

“Out of the goodness of Your love, deliver me” assures us that God will never abandon us but will ultimately deliver us from what we think will destroy us. Whenever we want to give up on God, remember that He did not spare His Son from the cross, but was with Him and delivered Him through the pain into His presence.

Prayer: Lord, we accept all things in our lives as a gift from You as You shape us into the likeness of Christ. Lead us to protect and project that likeness. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: – For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted. Psalm 109:16

A Heart That Does Kind Things

It was the final set in a tennis match. One of the players had demonstrated his strength and skill as his opponent struggled to stay competitive. Suddenly the player who had been doing so well began to hit the ball out of the lines, into the net and even missed the ball. It seemed as though he lost his focus.

His father approached him during a break and asked, “Keller, what’s going on? You were doing so good. Now, you may lose the match and not go to the state finals. What’s going on?” he demanded.

“It’s O.K., Dad. Leave me alone. I know I can win. I’ve been missing the balls on purpose. I don’t want him to feel bad about losing. I want to encourage him.”

Keller did go on to win. But in the process, he not only thought of “doing a kind thing” but showed what kindness “looked like” to someone who was struggling to defeat him and win the match.

Life gives us many opportunities to “do kindness.” In fact, God “makes doing kind things available” to us each day. For example, we can open a door for a senior citizen; or be gracious and express our gratitude to a cashier during the rush hour at a grocery store; give a smile to someone who looks like they need encouragement; give a compliment to one who is guiding us when we place an order on the phone; or take care to explain something that is unfamiliar to us.

“Doing kindness” is one of the most important things we Christians can do. It represents what God’s grace is all about. If an opportunity to “do kindness” appears, seize it!

Prayer: Help us to be alert, Lord, for opportunities to show Your grace through acts of kindness and love. Help us to show a strong contrast when compared to “the wicked” so people turn to you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: – In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer. Psalm 109:4

Prayer: Force or Foolishness

Prayer, for some, is a force that enables them to approach God in worship and wonder or in times of need for the necessities of life. For others, prayer is utter and complete foolishness because they believe it is foolish and a waste of time.

In the life of David, it was a dominant force. Whenever harmful words hurt him, or he received a wound from a battle or had a need that was beyond his limitations, he turned to God in prayer. Listen carefully to his words: “I am a man of prayer.”

It is always interesting to listen carefully to someone introduce themselves: “I am a doctor...I am the CEO of...I am a sales representative at...I work for...I am the one who...I set a record by...I am the owner of.” We seem to want others to recognize us for what we are doing, what we have done, and not who we are.

But with all his power and prestige, wealth and wisdom, David wanted others to recognize him as someone who was entirely dependent on God: “I am a man of prayer.”

Prayer was a force in the life of David. As we read his prayer in the Psalms, we discover that he had no definite time of prayer, no specific place to pray, no particular position he assumed when he prayed, and it seems as though most of the time when he prayed, he was alone.

David realized that prayer was a force in his life. It brought forgiveness when he sinned, peace when he was anxious, victory when he was embattled and constant joy.

Prayer: Father, help us see the need for prayer in our lives when we look at the results of prayer in the life of others. We need You, and we do need prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture For Today: – Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless. Psalm 108:12