Kristi Burchfiel
Christian Devotional Author/Speaker
Living in the World
Living out the Word
Twitter Link
Changes - They are a'coming!
I know, I know, I just used the scary "c" word. Still, without change there is no growth and it's time to do some growing here.
The Blog is Moving
Starting tomorrow, new posts and updates to this blog will no longer post here. The blog has been moved and incorporated with my recently updated website www.kristiburchfiel.com. All the old posts are there and you can still scroll through those based on their category.
The Benefits
There are several. This moves allows me to keep everything all in one spot, my website and my blog so I can easily add and update both. Also the look and feel of the blog is the same as the website. After all, continuity is nice!
Also, I don't have to pay a separate fee to maintain a separate site. I realize that's not a large fee, but hey, every little bit helps and I want to be as responsible with the resources God gives me as possible.
The Bottom Line - What does this mean to you?
Yeah, I know, we all just want to know how this is going to affect each of us. Well, if everything goes to plan, you won't notice much difference. Here's a synopsis of the changes:
- If you currently receive the blog updates by email, you're still going to receive them by email. No change needed
- The updates are going to be emailed at a standard time of 9:00am central time now.
- If you get this via an RSS feed, double check to make sure that you are subscribed to the correct feed. http://feeds.feedburner.com/KristiBurchfiel
If you have any doubt whether you're going to receive something, you can always subscribe to the email updates by visiting the new page for the blog: http://kristiburchfiel.com/blog
I hope you're enjoying going through Chronicles as much as I am and I look forward to seeing you on the new blog tomorrow!
~Kristi
Christian Devotional - March 5, 2013
2 Chronicles 4:18--All these things that Solomon made amounted to so much that the weight of the bronze could not be calculated.
TRUTH:
Do we keep track of what we offer and give to the Lord? Solomon had so much created in bronze for the temple that they could not keep track. Often, we try to keep track of what we offer to God thinking that He is then obligated to bless us that same amount later. We must remember, God is worthy of everything that we have and everything that we can give regardless of whether or not He chooses to bless us financially in return.
RESPONSE:
Father, I will give to You with no regard for the amounts of the cost. You are worthy of everything anyway and I will not get so focused on making sure I'm paid back for what I've done for You. I will praise You and sacrifice to You simply because You are worthy.
Book Review - Flirting with the Forbidden by Steven James
My husband is a huge Steve James fan and he recommended that I take a look at his book “Flirting with the Forbidden.” I know that Steve James is known for Christian suspense fiction, but also writes in other genres as well, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I found was a beautiful gem of a book that has wonderful insight while being entertaining.
Each chapter of this book begins with an account from a character in the Bible. Steven James gives us a fictional account that builds on the Biblical account of that person. We can get a grasp for what that person, whether it’s Joseph, or a Jewish mourner, or even a disciple, might have been thinking as they recount a specific incident in the Bible. This brought the stories to life in a whole new way. Then he goes even further by adding a thoughts and study ideas to go along with the key points from the fiction story. This adds depth and richness to the story and really helps people apply those truths to their own lives.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and could see it being used for small group study in addition to just individual reading. The writing is excellent and the concepts are well thought out and deal with real issues that we all face. I highly recommend “Flirting with the Forbidden.”
Click on the cover picture above to find out more information from Amazon.
Christian Devotional - March 4, 2013
2 Chronicles 3:2--He began building on the second day of the second month in the fourth year of his reign.
TRUTH:
Even though Solomon knew that he was to build the temple from the beginning of his reign, and even though David had set aside huge stores of supplies for this purpose, it still took Solomon 4 years to finalize getting additional supplies and plans needed to be able to even begin the work. Do we get discouraged when things take longer than we had originally conceived? Do we lose heart or lose focus or both? God has a plan and we are to move in His time. Don't get discouraged when things seem to take a long time. Rejoice that God's timing is perfect!
RESPONSE:
Father, I want things to move so quickly! Forgive me for my impatience, I confess that it is wrong! I will remember that You have the perfect timing for all things and I will continue to do what You have for me knowing that in Your perfect time it will all make sense.
Christian Devotional - March 3, 2013
2 Chronicles 2:6--But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?
TRUTH:
Solomon writes this in a letter to the king of Tyre explaining why he is building a temple for God and why it is to be so lavish. Even so, Solomon recognized that this magnificent temple would not be to contain God, simply to honor and glorify God. God is everywhere and we must never make the mistake of assuming he stays in the church. We are to honor Him and glorify Him in everything and everywhere because He will not be contained or boxed in.
RESPONSE:
Father, I know You are greater than anything I can give or make for You, yet I will praise You and glorify You through everything. You are worthy and You are so much greater and more powerful than I can even imagine. Today, I will praise You everywhere I go knowing that You ar right there with me and You are worthy.
Christian Devotional - March 2, 2013
2 Chronicles 1:15--The king made silver and gold as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills.
TRUTH:
When Solomon became king, he started out following God and God blessed him and the entire kingdom. They were wealthy, extremely wealthy, as a nation. However, later the wealth became a stumbling block to the people as they chased after other gods and accepted other things in their life besides God. They began to worship their own wealth and prosperity instead of God. We have received many blessings from God. Do we worship the blessings or the One who provides the blessings?
RESPONSE:
Father, even if You take away all You have blessed me with, I will praise You. If You choose to bless me with all the things this world has to offer, I will praise You. You are the only thing that matters and the only thing that is worth having. Regardless of poverty or wealth, happiness or suffering, I will follow and praise You.
Christian Devotional - March 1, 2013
1 Chronicles 29:9--The people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given freely and wholeheartedly to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly.
TRUTH:
The leaders set the example for the people and the people want to see that their leaders have integrity and generosity. In this case, the leaders, including king David, gave a huge amount of gold and silver to the building of the temple. The obedience of the leaders caused the people to praise God. As leaders, do we walk with integrity and in obedience to God in all areas, even money? As people, do we acknowledge and praise our leaders when they are obedient to God?
RESPONSE:
Father, I want to lead and set an example by giving generously to the things You desire that I give to. Also, forgive me for not acknowledging the obedience I see in other leaders as they set an example of generosity and obedience to You.
Christian Devotional - February 28, 2013
1 Chronicles 28:20--David also said to Solomon his son, "Be strong and courageous and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the services of the temple of the Lord is finished."
TRUTH:
Solomon had been tasked with a job by both God and his father, David. David encouraged him to be strong and do the work. When we are given a responsibility from God, our response should be: be strong and do the work. God promises to be with us and to help us do all that He has commanded us to do, we just have to follow Him and do the work. Are we doing the work God has for us today?
RESPONSE:
Father, I praise You and love You. You give me the strength and courage to do the jobs You have for me. I will continue to do the work You have for me to do. I will recognize Your tasks for me and will be strong and courageous and will do the work.
Christian Devotional - February 27, 2013
1 Chronicles 27:24--Joab son of Zeruiah began to count the men but did not finish. God's wrath came on Israel on account of this numbering, and the number wasn't entered in the book of the annuals of King David.
TRUTH:
God had promised to bless the nation of Israel and to multiply them. Why would it be so wrong to count the number? God knew that if they kept a count, then they would start to trust in a number instead of Him. They would care more about having superior numbers over their enemies than about having a supreme God. Do we trust in God to bring security and victory? Of, do we instead trust in the things of this world to provide that for us?
RESPONSE:
Father, I pray You would be my safety and security. I know You are greater than anything else and I will trust in You to see me through everything. I love You and praise You.
Christian Devotional - February 26, 2013
1 Chronicles 26:27--Some of the plunder taken in battle they dedicated for the repair of the temple of the Lord.
TRUTH:
The people recognized that the victories and successes that they had were the result of God working and moving in their lives and so they gave back to God some of the results of their winning. The people wanted to make sure that God's house was taken care of and they also wanted to glorify God in all that He had done in their lives.
RESPONSE:
Father, You are the reason I am successful and I will give back to You from the blessings You give me. You are worthy of everything for it is only through You that I have anything at all.
