G.M. Sunshine Devotionals

“Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” Philippians 4:9 NIV

Day by day, moment by moment, and thought by thought, putting these things into practice requires purposeful remembrance.

Proverbs 3:1-2 NIV says “… do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace…”

So, what have you learned, received, heard, and seen from the Lord?

Sometimes, we honestly read scripture but don’t realize what God expects of us. Not knowing what your father expects can constantly bring thoughts of wondering if we’re walking in the path that he has for us that would lead us into our purpose.

Micah 6:8 NIV says “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” The bible says “Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow” Isaiah 1:17 NIV.

To act justly simply means to do the right thing. This is what we’ve learned from the Lord. But doing the right thing is easy to see when it’s toward those who we feel deserve it. But what about those who don’t? Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost. He made the ultimate sacrifice once and for all. This could only be done because of his great mercy toward us, that allows us to receive his compassion, forgiveness, and kindness. This is what we’ve received from the Lord. So he requires that we too, love mercy.

Defending the oppressed has two sides. We can speak up, stand up, and protect those who have suffered at the hands of others. But can we dare to extend our heart, step up, step in, and rescue those who have lost their way? Left to themselves, some without parental guidance, the fatherless and motherless, those caught up in the wrong things, the wrong friends and the wrong advice; Those succumbing under the pressure of negative environments, or bounded by addictions. They too, are oppressed by the hand of the enemy. Their thoughts are distorted, their choices are questionable, and their ways are not right. But Christ died for us all so that we all may receive the opportunity to be saved. This is what it means to love mercy.

Matthew 9:13 ESV puts it this way, “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus told many parables, the parable about the sheep and the goats is one that speaks of the distinction and a separation between those who are like him, those who follow after his leading putting into practice his ways, and those who are not. For the sheep who are lead by the Shepherd, he said…

‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40 NIV

This is what we’ve heard from the Lord.

Now, can we walk humbly?

Are we thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought to? Are we willing to take the lowest place and let God elevate us. Or, when given the opportunity, do we choose for ourselves the best at the risk of being demoted by one more deserving? 🤔

Being humble not only makes room for others, but it also leaves room for honor. Sometimes, it’s hard for one to understand that the best choice is not always the wise choice. Or that having the most is not always beneficial. Many of us are not content with just having a portion; We want it all. But God designed the body in such a way that it is portioned. Each part has its own function, and the head has to manage it well.

Picture our daily lives as our body. We can get so used to hoarding all the stuff of life and placing all the junk in places designed to be an opening or room for others to function. Being humble is not just how or who we purport ourselves to be. But we are required to walk humbly; And we cannot walk humbly if we leave no room for others.

Are we open to others? Have we made space in our lives for guests, strangers, those in need, the lost? Have we made room for other disciples; Those on a journey, mission, assignment, or appointment? Have we made room even for those who reside in our home, or for friends and family? Emotional room, physical room, prayer list room, sacrificial room, giving of our time room, giving of our resources room. These are all rooms in our lives that we may have been consumed with trying to fill for ourselves. Are we giving the best to others? Are we being impartial? Are we meeting a need?

Sometimes, we pass things and people off to others without any personal investment. Are we unselfishly making room for others? Jesus made the detour and went through a storm to get to the demon possessed men in the graveyard. His heart was moved towards the faith of the men that lowered the man down from the roof to where he was teaching. He felt and stopped when the woman touched the helm of his garment. Despite not wanting to be involved, Jesus performed a miracle and provided more wine when the wedding was out of wine. He spoke life into the man who was making excuses for 38 years of why he couldn’t make it into the pool of Bethesda when the water was troubled. He revealed the view of life as it was and challenged the woman at the well to desire more than the temporary. He healed those who wanted to be made well. And He laid down his earthly life when his time came, to make eternal life available when our time comes.

This is what we have seen from the Lord.

Knowing and putting all these pieces that we have learned, received, heard, and seen from the Lord into practice, ensures us a long life full of peace and prosperity.

Jesus said in John 16:33 NIV, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Be blessed,

G.M.