A Web walk each day with Peggie through a home called Peggie’s Place! . . . .
Happy 72nd Wedding Anniversary to my dear mom and dad, celebrating in heaven today–far surpassing any party we could give them on earth! Here’s a re-run devotional, so appropriate to celebrate a “knot” well tied for which our family is forever grateful. We love you, Mom and Dad, and treasure the godly heritage you passed on to us. Now, faithful readers, hope you will enjoy this devotional in their honor!
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Mama was a preacher! Well, Daddy was too–and that’s how they met! You see, she was a single lady evangelist; he was a bachelor pastor–he arranged for her to speak in his church, and to make a long story short, they spoke their “I do’s” shortly after, and for nearly fifty years, Mom became a very effective “speaker” in the Coletti home!! Her words of wisdom, advice, humor, encouragement–AND scolding–will long be remembered!
As will her sermons! Infrequently, she would be a “pulpit fill-in” and I would hear this “ball-of-fire” mom of mine preach up an old-fashioned Pentecostal storm! When Mom preached, people listened! She had a favorite sermon called “The Five Nots” and I recalled it as I prepared for this devotional! And so Mom and I are going to preach this one together (and she’s been in heaven for a number of years now!).
What would Mama say if you told her to “tie a knot and hold on?” She’d laugh, and with a twinkle in her eye, she’d say, “Well, you can if you want to–but bless God, I’m NOT knotting myself up in anxiety and fear. I’m going to “TAKE a PROMISE and PRESS ON!” She tied a NOT (see below) and pressed on to the portals of heaven, a faithful servant of the Lord. And now it’s up to us–how will we react to circumstances of life? We have two choices–we can tie a knot and hold on, hoping we’ll survive–OR we can go to God’s Word and turn the trial around into a positive praise for the Lord!
FORGET NOT!…It’s His Word! God’s promises, already proven in your life, are your strength! In times of trial, go to the Word. Ask the Lord to bring alive a special promise from His blessed Word. Then take it, believe it, and press on!
“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, who healeth all thy diseases, who redeemeth thy life from destruction, who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things, so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s (Psalm 103-1-5 KJV).”
FEAR NOT!…It’s His Word! God’s presence, already proven in your life, is your companion! In times of fear, know that He walks with you. Again, ask the Lord to bring alive a special comfort from His blessed Word. Then take it, believe it, and press on!
“Fear thou not; for I am with thee. Be not dismayed; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10 KJV).”
FAINT NOT!…It’s His Word! God’s power, already proven in your life, is your strong tower! In times of discouragement, know He is the One you can lean on. You CAN depend on Him for strength in your weakness. That strength is found in the power of His Word. Take it, believe it, and press on!
“And let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not (Galatians 6:9 KJV).”
Tie a knot and hold on? No way! Child of God, you can do better than that–if you will TAKE a PROMISE and PRESS ON, you will see the arm of the Lord mighty in your behalf–for HE’S got a “FAIL-NOT” promise, especially for you!
“”Blessed be the Lord, who hath given rest unto his people, Israel, according to all that he promised; THERE HATH FAILED NOT ONE WORD OF HIS GOOD PROMISE, which he promised by the hand of Moses, his servant (1 Kings 8:56).”
“HOLD ON” one more minute – grin! After publishing this devotional on my Web site several years ago, a careful reader wrote to remind me that there were only FOUR “nots” in the supposedly FIVE-not sermon……and while I did rather “fret” about that, I remembered THAT is the fifth knot – FRET NOT – so if you are fretting about anything today, FRET NO MORE – give it to God; let Him turn your fretting into faith–and look up–for HE is there!
Now “tie a NOT and hold on” – and you will have a great day in the Lord!
–Feature link – Listen to Dad preach: “The Blessed Hope of the Church!”
Today’s Bible verse: “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret NOT thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass (Psalm 37:7 KJV).”
Today’s prayer: “Lord, I’m tired of “tying a knot and holding on.” By Your grace, I shall NOT be moved from the promises of God. I will TAKE A PROMISE AND PRESS ON….. I WILL claim each one as Your Word for me, this day, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”
–Copyright 2012 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, MO 65803. All rights reserved.
–Visit the Fun ‘n Faith blog archives for any Fun ‘n Faith posts you may have missed.
–Find more devotionals by Peggie at The Devotional Buffet.
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Featuring a Page at Peggie’s Place!
–The Fun Room at Peggie’s Place!
–Pastor Appreciation at Peggie’s Place!
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Daily humor and inspiration
“Kids Say the Funniest Things” and “A Season, A Reason, or a Lifetime”
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God Said!
If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I’m a Healer?
If you never went through difficulties, how would you know that I’m a Deliverer?
If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?
If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I’m a Comforter?
If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I’m forgiving?
If you knew it all, how would you know that I will answer your questions?
If you never were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to
your rescue?
If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?
If you never had a problem, how would you know that I can solve them?
If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what Jesus went through?
If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure?
If I gave you all things, how would you appreciate them?
If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?
If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on me?
If your life was perfect, then what would you need Me for?
THANK YOU, GOD!
–Selected from E-Mail Ministry newsletter.
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Today’s quote:
“The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.”
Have a great day serving the Lord!
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–Archived sources:
The Devotional Buffet – 500+ archived devos
Tickles ‘n Truth archives
The Virtual Chocolate Shop
–Quote credits: Mikey’s Funnies and/or Walking with Jesus Ministries .
–Copyright 2012 by Peggie C. Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.
–A weekday feature from Peggie’s Place, “the most fun Christian home on the Web!
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