Tag: Devotional

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Don’t Hide

14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:14-16

In John 9:5 Jesus states that as long as He is in the world, He is the Light of the World. Jesus however, prepared His followers for His leaving the world and them taking up the mantle of being the light of the world. Now, what I find interesting is that Paul takes this a step further and states that it is no longer us who live, but Christ who lives through us (Galatians 2:20).

We, the Church, are now the light of the world. It’s up to us to spread the Gospel. It’s up to us share the good news of Jesus to all people willing to listen. So many Christians today say that we should keep our religion and beliefs to ourselves. They even say that if we tell others about Jesus and warn them about sin, that we’re hateful and unloving. That we’re nothing like Jesus.

Jesus told us to be the light of the world. To shine His Light, His Truth, His Gospel into the world. That we shouldn’t hide our faith, testimony, or beliefs. Therefore, how can we do anything other than share the Word of God with others? When did Jesus remain silent? When did the disciples remain silent? Never. They spoke the Truth of the Gospel, Jesus, sin, and faith. How can we expect to make it into Heaven and do anything less? Our faith isn’t for us alone. It’s to share with the world that is trapped in darkness.

That was the mission of Christ. That is the mission He passed on to us.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Don’t Hide.

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Learn Meekness

3 Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. ~ Numbers 12:3

Moses was referred to as meek. Many believe that means weak, but Moses was far from being weak. Moses was actually a powerful leader, and Israel prospered under his leadership. But to say he was weak is not a statement that can be attributed to Moses, the man of God.

For instance, Moses was up on the mountain with God for forty days and forty nights, during that time the people of Israel created for themselves a god. So, what did Moses do? He took the god that they had made, the golden calf, and burned it with fire, and then ground it to powder and scattered it on the water, and made the people drink it.

That meek man does not sound like a weak man because he wasn’t. He did not back down from confrontation. He was not skirmish about fighting battles in the time of war, nor was he timid in correcting insolence against God.

What he was meek in doing was defending himself and rising up against any and all false accusers against him. A lot of the time, we Christians spend too much time fighting the small things. We feel the need to defend ourselves because, after all, if we don’t, who will? But Moses did not have that desire.

He did not feel the need to defend himself when his sister and his brother, Miriam and Aaron, spoke against him.

But God, his defender, came down and straightened the whole thing up for him. He didn’t even have to ask or pray about it. God rose up and defended him. Because Moses was no longer his own, he was completely and totally sold out to the service of God.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Learn Meekness.

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Revere The Rock

11 For the Lord spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: 12 “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13 But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. 14 And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 15 And many shall stumble on it. They shall fall and be broken; they shall be snared and taken.” ~ Isaiah 8:11-15

Temple Mount is one of the most controversial and sacred sites on earth. Three major religions all revere this one area. The Muslims. The Jews. And The Christians. Why? Muslims believe that the Dome of the Rock is “al-Sakhrah,” which simply means “the rock.” They believe this is the stone that Muhammad stood on and ascended to heaven from after his night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem. Now, Jews on the other hand, believe this same stone to be sacred as well, but for other reasons. The Jews believe that this is the foundation stone. That this stone is the center of the world, from which creation began, the location where Abraham nearly sacrificed Isaac, and the place where the Holy of Holies stood in the First and Second Temples—the most sacred part of the Temple, where God’s presence dwelled. Now, this is where Christians begins to differ.

Both the Muslims and the Jews cling to this site because of this stone, whereas Christians don’t cling to this site because of the stone but because of the Temple. See, most Christians don’t even realize or have any idea about the Foundation Stone or al-Sakhrah. Most Christians have no idea why the Dome of the Rock is even important to Muslims and they have just the mere basic understanding of why it’s important to Jews. Most Christians, if you were to ask them, would most-likely tell you that the Dome of the Rock is a mosque. When in actuality it’s a shrine to al-Sakhrah.

This rock deemed sacred and in need of reverence by two major world religions is quite overlooked and unimportant, if you will, to Christians. Why? Because our Rock that we hold sacred is Jesus. Jesus, who to Jews was simply a criminal and rebel who tried to start an insurrection and was killed for it, and to Muslims was simply a prophet and the Messiah. Nothing more. Nothing less.

Jesus, the Rock, has become a stumbling block to both of Abraham’s two eldest sons (Ishmael and Isaac). See, both of these religions can see the importance and sacred nature of a simple rock. An inanimate object that cannot see, hear, or speak. Something that has no way of communicating with them or helping them. Something created by the Creator, yet they still revere it and hold it as sacred. But the Creator. The Word of God. The literal Rock they stumble over. They misrepresent and they try to overlook in order to not bow their knee to Him. Why? Because He doesn’t fit their idea of God.

What both the Muslims and the Jews stumble over is the very key to salvation. Jesus. He is the way. The Truth. And the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. He is the Rock. The only Rock worthy of reverence and worship. The only Rock worthy of praise and adoration. The World can say what it wants to say. It can deem a created rock as sacred if it so chooses to, but it can never change reality. And the reality is that Jesus is The Rock.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Revere The Rock.

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Believe In God

John 3:16-21 NIV

[16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. [19] This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. [20] Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. [21] But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

I was watching shorts the other day, as I usually do, and a short of an interview with a guy critiquing Christianity popped up. So, like usual I listened to his critique and honestly felt a little confused by why it was an issue for him. The guy stated that his issue with Christianity is that Jesus died for the sins of everyone except for non-believers. There’s forgiveness for murderers, rapists, child-molesters, but not for those who are good people but just don’t believe. Now, on the surface, many can think, yeah, that’s a good point, but when you actually assess what he’s said and how Christianity works, that’s not at all a good point.

Forgiveness only comes to those who repent and then “sin no more.” So, for the murderer to receive forgiveness he has to repent and then stop murdering. The rapist has to repent and stop raping. The child-molester has to repent and stop child-molesting. Do you see the pattern? Do you see the issue with the statement? If the unbelievers wants forgiveness for the sin of unbelieving, that unbeliever has to then repent for his unbelief and now believe. Therefore, yes, there is forgiveness for the unbeliever. The issue isn’t that there isn’t forgiveness, the issue is that the unbeliever doesn’t want to believe.

How can you receive forgiveness if you refuse to believe? You can’t receive forgiveness without repenting and asking for it. And you can’t repent and ask for it if you don’t believe. It’s an impossibility.

If we want God to forgive us and give us that free gift of Salvation He requires one thing. Faith. That’s it. All we have to do is have faith. Then to continue in that salvation, we have to stop doing the thing we just repented of doing. That’s it. Jesus already cancelled the debt. He already took sin upon Himself and took it away from us. All we have to do is choose to believe in Him and stop sinning. He doesn’t ask for much, but because we are selfish human beings, we want our flesh satisfied, we will try to twist and manipulate who God is in order to justify the way we wanna live our lives.

When we do this, all we are doing is further allowing the enemy to use us and keep us away from the love God.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Believe In God.

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Count It All Joy

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4).

Imagine a blacksmith forging a sword. The raw metal, rough and unyielding, must endure the fire’s heat and the hammer’s blows to become strong, sharp, and useful. Without the fire, it remains brittle; without the strikes, it lacks form. So it is with us. Life’s trials—whether a harsh word, a betrayal, or an unexpected loss—are God’s forge, shaping us into vessels of His glory. James challenges us to count it all joy when these trials come, not because they’re pleasant, but because they produce steadfastness, a resolute faith that anchors us in God’s promises.

Consider Sarah, a single mother who faced relentless criticism at work. Her new manager constantly belittled her efforts, tempting her to lash out or quit. Instead, she prayed, choosing meekness over anger, trusting God to vindicate her as He did Moses when Miriam and Aaron spoke against him (Numbers 12:3). Like David, who endured Shimei’s curses while fleeing Absalom (2 Samuel 16:10-12), Sarah refused to retaliate, leaving room for God’s justice. Over time, her steadfastness shone through; her manager noticed her grace, and coworkers rallied to her side. Her trial forged a stronger faith, proving God’s refining work.

We often “zig” with frustration or “zag” with self-defense, feeling entitled to anger. Yet, James calls us to a higher standard as a “peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9). Trials test our ability to love unconditionally, as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:25), and to live out the Great Commandment (Matthew 22:37-40). When we embrace trials with joy, we allow God to shape us into mature believers, “perfect and complete,” reflecting His transformative grace.

Identify a trial you’re facing today, and instead of counting the cost—your comfort, pride, or need to be right—count it all joy. Ask, “What is God teaching me through this?” Perhaps it’s patience, grace, or trust. Like David, leave room for God’s vindication. Like Moses, choose meekness over self-defense. Pray for strength to endure, knowing God is producing steadfastness in you, preparing you to live as His “peculiar people” (1 Peter 2:9).

Remember, trials are God’s classroom for faith. Embrace them with joy, and let steadfastness shape you into the mature, loving, and meek believer God calls you to be.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your refining work in my trials. Help me to count them all joy, trusting Your purpose to produce steadfastness in me. Grant me the meekness of Moses, the faith of David, and the love of Christ, that I may reflect Your glory as one of Your peculiar people. May I endure with patience, becoming perfect and complete in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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Seek Out His Mercy

Ezekiel 9:3-11 NIV
[3] Now the glory of the God of Israel went up from above the cherubim, where it had been, and moved to the threshold of the temple. Then the Lord called to the man clothed in linen who had the writing kit at his side [4] and said to him, “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it.” [5] As I listened, he said to the others, “Follow him through the city and kill, without showing pity or compassion. [6] Slaughter the old men, the young men and women, the mothers and children, but do not touch anyone who has the mark. Begin at my sanctuary.” So they began with the old men who were in front of the temple. [7] Then he said to them, “Defile the temple and fill the courts with the slain. Go!” So they went out and began killing throughout the city. [8] While they were killing and I was left alone, I fell facedown, crying out, “Alas, Sovereign Lord! Are you going to destroy the entire remnant of Israel in this outpouring of your wrath on Jerusalem?” [9] He answered me, “The sin of the people of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see.’ [10] So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done.” [11] Then the man in linen with the writing kit at his side brought back word, saying, “I have done as you commanded.”

In Ezekiel 9:4, God marked those who grieved over sin, sparing them from judgment. But those who defiled the temple and indulged in their sin weren’t spared. In fact they were slaughtered without mercy.

God told Moses, ‘I will have mercy on whom I have mercy’ (Exodus 33:19, Romans 9:15). In other words, God doesn’t have mercy on every single mercy because not every single person asks for mercy. Instead, many only seek to indulge in their flesh. They refuse to repent, so mercy and grace is withheld from them.

Just as the LORD had a day of judgment for those in Israel and Judah, so will there be a coming day of judgment for the entire world. A day that can only be escaped by those who seek the mercy of the LORD and deny their flesh. But for a world that has rejected His goodness and His grace and has trampled underfoot the blood of His One and Only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, there will be no mercy. For God will have mercy on whom He will have mercy.

Therefore, spread His Word. Share the Gospel with anyone willing to listen, for who knows if the seed you plant may one day grow into a tree of life—rooted in salvation through Christ. And most importantly, pray for your own salvation and work it out with fear and trembling, lest you miss the mercy of God as well.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Seek Out His Mercy.

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Fight In His Name

Ephesians 6:12

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness…

It’s really easy to feel genuine dislike or even hatred towards those who wrong you or mistreat you. It’s easy to hold a grudge. But this isn’t the love of God, this is the flesh of the world. See, your enemy isn’t a person. It’s not your boss, your ex, your critic, or even your circumstances. It’s darkness. Organized. Strategic. Relentless. Darkness.

We’re in a war. Not a physical one against other people. But a spiritual one. In this war, you’re either armed or the target. Awake or the victim. Your enemy? The Devil.

If we want to actually see a change in our lives we have to stop fighting people and start fighting darkness. How?  Through prayer. Standing for Truth, righteousness, and goodness. Putting on the full armor of God. And fasting. The armor is there—but you have to wear it. You have to put it on. You have to apply it. And you have to use.

Passive Christians lose ground. Armed Christians take it. Jesus has already won us the victory, all we have to do is fight in His name.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Fight In His Name.

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Mourn

Isaiah 61:3 NKJV

3 To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.”

God’s promises are never random. Every word He spoke through the prophets was pointing forward to Jesus—the fulfillment of everything God intended to do in and through His people. Isaiah 61 is one of those promises. Jesus didn’t just know this prophecy—He was the prophecy.

Jesus knew the prophecies about Himself … He is the Word that became flesh and dwelt among them, right? Therefore, He was only prophesying the Word of God.

That’s why He felt confident to say that those who mourn will be comforted, because He Himself will bring us comfort, so that we can comfort others with the same comfort that we ourselves have been comforted with (2 Corinthians 1:4).

Jesus doesn’t speak empty promises. He speaks the Word—because He is the Word. What He declared in Isaiah, He fulfilled in Himself. So when He says you’ll be comforted, believe Him. That comfort isn’t distant—it’s personal, alive, and here now.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Mourn.

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Can You Discern The Times?

Luke 19:41-44 NIV
[41] As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it [42] and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes. [43] The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. [44] They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.”

Towards the end of Jesus’ ministry He weeps or mourns for Jerusalem. He ended His thought with “because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you.” Jesus, the Word of God, gave prophecy after prophecy about His first coming. He gave signs and miracles to look for, yet His own people rejected Him. His own people missed their opportunity to worship God in the flesh, why? Because they didn’t know, nor could they recognize the time of His visitation.

Jesus is coming back. He’s coming for His people. He’s coming with signs and prophecies fulfilled just as He did the first time. This now begs a very important question: do you know the time of your visitation? Do you know the signs that proceed His coming? The prophecies that need to be fulfilled? Do you know when to look up for your redemption draweth nigh? Or will you be like the Israelites 2000 years ago and miss the second coming of Christ?

Casting Crowns has a song called “While You Were Sleeping.” The first verse starts with how Bethlehem had no room for the Messiah to be born in Him. The second verse then goes to how Jerusalem crucified Him. Then the third and final verse they asked America “will you be sleeping?” Will you be asleep and miss the second coming of Christ as Israel missed the first?

Jesus is coming back real soon. He’s coming in a time the majority will not be ready for. Not because He wants to catch people unaware but the world and the church alike are falling into a deeper and deeper sleep allowing for evil to run more and more rampant. The LORD God set a specific time for the coming of Jesus. The Father set a perfect time to rescue His people from the evil of this world. It’s up to us to get ready. To discern the times. So, I’ll ask you one more time, will you be like the Israelites of Jesus’ day or will you be ready for His return?

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His Justice

15 So people will be brought low and everyone humbled, the eyes of the arrogant humbled. 16 But the Lord Almighty will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will be proved holy by His righteous acts. ~ Isaiah 5:15-16

God said that people will be brought low, but God will be exalted by His Justice. Now what exactly does that mean?

I believe the problem of understanding that is that we get the God of the Old Testament confused with the God of the New Testament. We believe Him to be two entirely different Gods. Or at least two entirely different personalities. But that is an incorrect belief and gross misinterpretation of Scripture. God said that He is the LORD God Almighty and He does not change.

So, the God of the O.T. is the same God of the N.T. He did not change His personality nor His ways. His laws are the same, for the soul that sinneth, it shall die. But every soul that accepts the sacrifice of Jesus Christ will live.
We have life because of Jesus’ death and resurrection. Be blessed in the LORD.

Father, help me to always remember and put my faith in Your Son, Jesus of Nazareth. And it’s in His mighty Name that I pray, amen.

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