Words Of Encouragement To Start The Day ( Thursday 6/25/09)

Today's Devotional Written By a Beautiful God Gifted Woman..Tracy Koweh

One Shot

1 Samuel 15:22 (New Living Translation)

²² But Samuel replied, “What is more pleasing to the Lord: your burnt offerings and sacrifices or your obedience to his voice? Listen! Obedience is better than sacrifice, and submission is better than offering the fat of rams.

Recently there have been several sad stories in the news of lives taken and no second chances given. Sometimes in life we take God’s grace and mercy for granted and live as if tomorrow is a sure thing for us. The story of 16 yr old Neda in Iran, the 39 yr old security guard in DC, the innocent people dying everyday because they have gotten caught in someone else’s crossfire. None of these people will get a second chance to make things right, or do things differently.

So I started to look at stories in the Bible and realized that the First Family of Faith (Adam and Eve) didn’t get a second chance. They ate the fruit and God kept his word. He kicked them out of the garden. No if’s, and’s or but’s about it. They were evicted with no second chances. Lot’s wife immediately turned into a pillar of salt and Judas killed himself. None of these biblical people had a second chance.

Now there are just as many stories in the Bible where God’s grace and mercy kept certain people, but the point is that we never know. Do we really want to keep testing God? Last night in Bible Study my pastor said that if you’re still fighting the same demon as the day you first got saved, then you’re not maturing or growing.

Today I challenge you to give the devil a run for his money. If he’s going to keep attacking you, at least make him have to attack you with something new. You never know if you’re going to get a second chance to make it right, repent or say you’re sorry. So today let’s strive to live life as if God is only giving us……………..One Shot.