Devotionals Archives

July 26, 2024July 26, 2024

Build Faith Over Fear

Isaiah 41:10 CSB
[10] Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

A lack of faith and a lack of trust amount to the same thing with the same results. Faith believes that God can do all things, and trust believes that He will do it for us.

Lack of faith produces:
• Fear
• Worries
• Anxieties
• And doubt
• Amongst others

Over and over again the Scriptures warn, teach, and proclaim, “Fear not! Fear not!” But we reply, “It is easier said than done.” This may be a true statement, but it doesn’t have to be an excusing statement.
So often we make excuses to justify not getting close to the LORD. To justify not building up your spirit man, while allowing your forest to lead and run rampant. We are to crucify our flesh everyday so that we might not let anything keep us from God.

If we want to see our faith restored, then we need to spend time in the Word of God and in prayer and worship. If we want to see our fears vanish, our faith needs to be built up into at least a faith of a Mustard Seed. Faith that has the potential to grow and produce fruit. Faith that has the potential to see God move on your behalf. Faith in the love God has for us.

If we would just build up this kind of faith through seeking Him and therefore, dwelling in His love, fear wouldn’t stand a chance.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Build Faith Over Fear.

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July 25, 2024

Seek Like They Did

Acts 3:1-6
3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. 2 And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple. 3 Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms. 4 And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, “Look at us.” 5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!”

It was the hour of prayer when Peter and John were heading to the place of prayer, to do what? To pray. And what happened? The power of God showed up. Without prayer there is no power. This is why the Church today doesn’t see the same miracles the early Church did. Our prayer lives are different than theirs were.

We consider praying before each meal and before bed an intense prayer life. How sad is that? Our prayer lives are basically non-existent anymore. We don’t need a second outpouring, the Spirit is here waiting for us to pick u0 the slack and start seeking God again. To start striving for Holiness and putting Christ above everything else.

If you want to see God move in your life, start by setting up a prayer time everyday and keeping it. Build your relationship with God by building up your spirit-man. Crucify your flesh and put it into submission, so that nothing will separate you from Christ.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Seek Like They Did.

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July 24, 2024

Return To The Former Way

Acts 19:32 CSB
[32] Some were shouting one thing and some another, because the assembly was in confusion, and most of them did not know why they had come together.
Paul was packing, teaching, and leading many to the LORD in Ephesus. This slowed the business of those who made shrines of the gods because people were getting saved and no longer buying them. So what do they do? They incited a mob and started rioting.

Their goal was to silence Paul and his friends so that the Gospel would no longer be preached and their way of life would stop being affected. See, Satan is the master of confusion. God on the other hand is not. So, Satan used the greed of those men in order to silence the Apostles and Disciples.

There was so much confusion that many of those rioting had no idea why they were rioting. Herd mentality had caught hold of them. Being offended for another person had wrapped its claws around them. Today is no different. So many people are angry, offended, victimized, oppressed, but they have no idea why or how they are those things. Those that have answers repeat the lies they have been told, just as they did 2000 years ago against Paul and the other Apostles and Disciples.

There is nothing new under the sun. The strategy of the enemy hasn’t changed, so why should our defense change? The Apostles and Disciples stood their feelings and remained peaceful and silent. They didn’t insult, get loud, or agitate the crowd. They kept their peace and allowed God to move on their behalf. They didn’t allow anyone to keep them quiet. They simply accepting the punishment for preaching, teaching, and spreading the Gospel, then kept going. They didn’t stop. They refused to allow chaos to stop them from sharing the good news of Christ.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Return To The Former Way.

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July 23, 2024

Flip The World

Acts 17:13 CSB
13 But when the Jews from Thessalonica found out that the word of God had been proclaimed by Paul at Berea, they came there too, agitating and upsetting the crowds.

Paul and Silas were traveling throughout the known world, spreading the Word of God with anyone willing to listen. They even went into the Synagogues and showed the Jews the prophecies of in the Scriptures why the Messiah had to suffer. They were leading many to Christ, even the Gentiles in those areas. God was moving in the lives of those willing to listen. Because of this, the enemy had to try to stop Paul and Silas.

He stirred up people against Paul and Silas. They were thrown into prison. Those who had invited them and showed them hospitality were attacked and imprisoned. They even left the city and went to a new one, but the same angry men came to incite the people around them.

Whenever God is moving, Satan will try to move even harder. When you feel a spiritual attack coming on you, don’t be discouraged. Keep going. This only means you’re heading the right way.

Satan will try his best to stop you, but it’s up to you to stand firm and refuse to back down. For greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. No matter what evil may come your way, you have to keep fighting in order to turn the world upside down, just as Paul and Silas did.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Flip The World.

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July 22, 2024

Speak To Your Soul

Psalms 42:4-11 CSB
[4] I remember this as I pour out my heart: how I walked with many, leading the festive procession to the house of God, with joyful and thankful shouts. [5] Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God. [6] I am deeply depressed; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and the peaks of Hermon, from Mount Mizar. [7] Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your billows have swept over me. [8] The Lord will send his faithful love by day; his song will be with me in the night — a prayer to the God of my life. [9] I will say to God, my rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about in sorrow because of the enemy’s oppression?” [10] My adversaries taunt me, as if crushing my bones, while all day long they say to me, “Where is your God?” [11] Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil? Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.

David wasn’t a man without strife or hardship. He had enemies that came for him. His own men turned against him at one point. David had many (earthly) justifiable opportunities to give up and allow depression to consume him, but he didn’t. David always overcame. How? He rooted himself in the LORD.

At times, David had every right to feel sorry for himself, but he never did. He refused to allow depression to whisper in his ears. He didn’t allow his thoughts to become corrupted by pain or hurt. No. When depression came for David, David spoke to his soul. He spoke to himself. He encouraged himself in the LORD.

Too often today we give up the battle and call in defeat without even a fight. We throw in the towel and just accept our fate without even fighting back. Why? Because we listen to the lies of the enemy instead of the promises of the LORD. The LORD promises victory, overcoming, joy, peace, prosperity, success, and much more. We can’t allow the enemy to bombard our thoughts with lies and corrupt our emotions. We must speak to our soul and encourage ourselves in the LORD as David did, less we be consumed by the attacks of the enemy and miss out on fulfilling our God given purposes.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Speak To Your Soul.

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July 21, 2024July 21, 2024

Believe Regardless

²⁴ Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” ²⁶ Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” ²⁸ Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” ~ John 20:24-29

Thomas had stayed with Jesus for three and half years. He walked with Him and talked with Him. He saw miracle after miracle. He himself performed miracles, healings, and casting out of demons in the powerful name of Jesus. He believed in Jesus, but he couldn’t understand how God could be killed by man.

His faith had been put to the test just as many others had. The majority of people believe Jesus was a good man, a prophet, even the Son of God, but not God Himself. They can’t grasp how God, who flooded the whole world, could have come in the form of man and allowed His creation to kill Him. This is the same boat Thomas found himself in.

He refused to believe Jesus even rose from the dead because his faith had been so destroyed. He even went as far as to say he would never believe without being able to physically put his hand in Jesus’ wounds. It’s not until Jesus physically shows Himself to Thomas that Thomas truly believes that Jesus is God.
Jesus even responds to Thomas with these words:

Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.

He didn’t deny that He was God. He didn’t tell Thomas he got it wrong. Jesus asked do you only believe because you have seen me? Then He says blessed are those who haven’t seen but yet believe.

We are to live by faith, not by sight. We are to believe regardless of what our eyes see. Jesus never blatantly comes out and says, “I Am God.” No. Jesus tells us through the Scriptures He fulfills and through the names He has. Why? Because He refuses to testify about Himself but allows others, such as the Father and His apostles, to do such things.

Today, you have the option to either walk by faith or by sight. To either believe that Jesus is God or just a good man and prophet. The choice of salvation is yours. So seize it today, for tomorrow is promised to no one.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Believe Regardless.

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Keep Going In Christ

¹⁹The people came up out of the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they encamped at Gilgal on the east border of Jericho. ~ Joshua 4:19

On the 10^th day of the 1^st month of the Israelite year, they crossed over the Jordan into Gilgal. That would be the day they were to select either the lamb or the goat for the Passover sacrifice, which would be slaughtered on the 14th day of the month.

The 10^th day of the 1^st month can be thought of as the DAY of CHOOSING. Spiritually, what was happening was that God was choosing these people that day.

Remember that their fathers were all rejected because of unbelief and disobedience. So now God was selecting or choosing these people to enter the Promise that He had given to them and their forefathers several hundred years before. From the time of Abraham.

Then Paul likened the passing through the water to baptism into Moses (1 Corinthians 10:1-5). Those who were baptized, coming through the Red Sea, were now all dead, so these new Promise-Receivers had to be baptized.

Now, after they cross over and are symbolically baptized into Moses, they are circumcised on a mountain (Joshua 5:2-3). In prophecy, a hill or a mountain always represents places of worship. This act of circumcision was an act of worship to the LORD. An act of submission and acceptance of the covenant of God.

Therefore, consecrate yourself for the LORD. Turn your eyes away from evil and your feet away from the world. Seek the LORD and all of His righteousness. Don’t be conformed by the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

When we decide to follow God, we have to make sure to never turn away. We have to be on guard defending our faith and our relationship with Christ, lest we lose it as the first generation of Israelites to leave Egypt did. They didn’t make it into the promised land. They never experienced the blessings of the LORD and the victories the second generation did. Therefore, cling to Christ. Don’t allow yourself to fall into a spiritual rut, lest you spiritually fall asleep and spiritually die.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Keep Going In Christ.

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Multiply Your Talents

¹⁴For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property. ¹⁵To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more. ¹⁷So also he who had the two talents made two talents more. ¹⁸But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master’s money. ¹⁹Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here, I have made five talents more.’ ²¹His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ²²And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here, I have made two talents more.’ ²³His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ ²⁴He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed, ²⁵so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here, you have what is yours.’ ²⁶But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed? ²⁷Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. ²⁹For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ ~ Matthew 25:14-30

In the parable, Jesus contrasts the kingdom of God with a man going on a long journey. The man called his servants and handed them each a portion of His property according to their own ability. He gave one five talents. To the other, He gave two. And still the other He gave one talent.

The one with five immediately went and doubled his money. The one with the two talents did the same. But the one with the one talent went and hid his master’s money in the ground. After a long time the master, who represents Jesus, came back and wanted to settle accounts with them.

He called the five who now had ten and He was proud of him calling him a good and faithful servant. Then He gave him ten cities of his own to be over (Luke 19:17). The same with the one with the two talents. He was given five cities. Seems like Jesus grades on the curve, which is good news for us.

But the one with the one talent who went and dug a hole, wrapped the coin in a handkerchief and buried it, with him the master was not pleased. Jesus labeled that servant a wicked and slothful servant. He not only threatened, but He carried out His threat as well. Taking his mina away from him represents taking away his place in eternity and assigning him a place with the unfaithful.

Our life on this earth is temporary. It’s a very short trip compared to eternity. So, don’t allow anyone or anything to distract you from building the Kingdom of God while you’re here. While you still have time. We’re each given a gift so that we might further the Kingdom of God. Don’t waste that gift. Don’t waste the time you have left to share with your loved ones, friends, and co-workers.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Multiply Your Talents.

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Be Concerned

¹⁰ And the Lord said, “You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night. ¹¹ And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?” ~ Jonah 4:10-11

God’s ways are not our ways, and our ways are not God’s ways. Not even our thoughts are like the Most High thoughts. Because like Jonah, we are concerned about the plant, while God is concerned about souls. That’s why He told us to cast our cares and our concerns on Him. The reason He said that is because He does care for us, and He does love us.

God wants us to be kind and loving to each other. He wants us to be concerned about other souls, especially lost souls. The book of Proverbs says that he who wins souls is wise. We are expected to tell the world about Jesus by testifying about His goodness.

Father, thank You for all Your many blessings upon me. Thank You for Your goodness and Your mercy. Thank You for Your everlasting love and Your perfect grace. Thank You that I know You and that You know me. Help me to be bold and testify to Your goodness. Help me to be a laborer in Your field, harvesting many souls for You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Let The Message Change You

⁵¹ “You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You are always resisting the Holy Spirit. As your ancestors did, you do also. ⁵² Which of the prophets did your ancestors not persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One, whose betrayers and murderers you have now become. ⁵³ You received the law under the direction of angels and yet have not kept it.” ⁵⁴ When they heard these things, they were enraged and gnashed their teeth at him. ~ Acts 7:51-54^CSB

The people stayed silent and listened to Stephen’s message. He started with Abraham and made his way to Moses. The people didn’t contest anything he said, but when Stephen mentioned that they were the problem. That they killed the Messiah. That they were in the wrong, they were enraged. They were angered. Stephen had struck a nerve.

See, people are okay with hearing the historical references of the Bible. They’re even okay with hearing a moral story from the Bible. People only have a problem when you personalize the Bible. When the Scriptures are used to convict the conscience and change lives, that’s when people have a problem. That’s when people become angry because they’ve become attached to their flesh. The flesh becomes addictive. It becomes a stronghold that keeps you bound.

The message of Christ isn’t just to feel good and tickle our ears. The message of Christ is to lighten the darkness and change the lives of those who hear it. It’s not to make you feel comfortable in your sin; it’s to convict you of your past sins and change your life.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Let The Message Change You.

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