Tag: Devotionals

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Let God Shine

There’s a song that I really love by Jason Upton called Dying Star.

We better trash our idols if we want to be
In the army of the Lord
And the greatest idol is you and me
We better get on the threshing floor
When will we learn that God’s strategy
Is giving glory to the Lord?
So we trash our idols cause we want to be
In the army of the Lord

Star how beautiful you shine
Your shine’s more beautiful than mine
You shine from sea to shining sea
World-wide is your strategy
But shining star I hope you see
If the whole wide world is staring straight at you
They can’t see me

They can’t see me
I want them to know, but they can’t see me
I want them to know me
I want to show my glory
But they can’t see me

These are just a few verses of the song. The lyrics, I believe, are about allowing pride to build up in you because of success. Because of the platform you’ve built, so Jesus gets lost behind you. For the average person, that’s a little hard to relate to. The average Christian doesn’t have a big platform that Jesus can get lost behind. No big spotlight or center stage for Jesus to fade into the background. But lately, as I sing these words, my brain no longer thinks it’s just talking about God getting lost behind the spotlight, but God getting lost behind you. Here’s what I mean.

It’s not just about being on a big stage and everyone looking at you and forgetting about Christ. The average Christian gets in the way of Christ through our own flesh. We get in the way. Our pride, anger, depression, anxiety, lust, addiction, etc. We are God’s representation on this earth. We are the hands and feet of Christ. We are His body. His Light should be shining through us. The only reason it doesn’t is because our flesh gets in the way. We allow our own feelings and emotions to control us, instead of Christ and His Spirit directing and guiding us.

We don’t need a big stage or platform to distract from Christ. Each of us comes in contact with nonbelievers every single day. How many of us can honestly say that we do a good job of being Christ to them? The majority of us can’t say that we do. Each one of us has become our own idol. We no longer crucify our flesh. We no longer put our flesh into submission to obey Christ. Anything comes out of our mouths. Anything fills our minds. Our thoughts are no longer put into check. Our actions are no longer held accountable. No longer are the Salt of the Earth and Light of the World, but instead, we have become like the World. Therefore, come out of the World. Be Christ to the World. And don’t be another dying star. Another Christian in name only, but instead be a true believer. A true follower. A true Christian.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Let God Shine Through You.

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Cut Off Your Perverse Tongue

31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. ~ Proverbs 10:31NKJV

Whenever we see the Bible talk about perverse this or perverse that, I always think of this in modern Church terms. Usually, when the Church uses the word ‘perverse,’ it’s in regard to sexual perverseness, but that’s not actually what King Solomon is talking about in this verse. Here, he’s actually referring to the faithless. See, he uses the word tǎh·pû·ḵā(h). This word is given a definition by God while He is rebuking the Israelites and all the sins they have committed.

20 And He said: ‘I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end will be, For they are a perverse generation, Children in whom is no faith.’

Deuteronomy 32:20NKJV

King Solomon is saying that the words of the faithless will not last. Those who claim to be in the Church but speak words of doubt, words contradicting faith, it is their tongues that will be off. Their words that will be found to have been false. Those who say Christ cannot cure depression, anxiety. Those who say there are no more miracles, signs, wonders, healings. Words of a faithless generation won’t change the Truth. The Truth is that the same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead lives in us. The Truth is that whom the Son sets free is free indeed.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Cut Off Your Perverse Tongue.

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Seek The LORD

14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,

Who bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14-15).

Paul is not stating an absolute fact here; he is claiming a principle. How shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? Or how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard?
These are legitimate questions to ponder. For indeed, how shall they believe if not told? Here is the thing, though. Jesus is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that which we can ask or even think. He can use whatever means He so chooses to use.

There are stories of Jesus coming to Muslims in dreams. Even in prison cells. Jesus is God, and He can use whatever means He wishes.

Now, here is the point. If Jesus can and will, and has used dreams, visions, and other means to reveal Himself to unbelievers, how much more will He reveal His good and perfect will to those who do believe? We are not abandoned; we are loved, and God desires a relationship with us. But if we say that we see or know Jesus, yet we do not seek Him, or have no desire for Him, then our belief is in vain. But if we put our own desires aside and seek His face, He will gladly reveal Himself to us.

So, do not be dismayed, and do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is for you and not against you. He will deliver you from the fowler’s snare, and pull you out of the pit. Your job is to seek Him while He may be found, and call upon Him while He is near. Do it now. Do it today. You will not regret it.

But someone might say, “I am seeking.” But they never really pray. They never worship. Seeking is more than just mere words; it is building a sincere and sure relationship with the LORD Jesus. So, do it today. Set a time and place of prayer, and let nothing steal your time and your friendship with the LORD Jesus.

Father, please deliver me as You have promised. LORD Jesus, come and abide in me that I might abide in You. Teach me how to worship and teach me how to pray in Your name. Amen.

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Study The Old

For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: “This is My resting place forever; Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.” ~ Psalms 132:13-14NKJV

When God says that His dwelling is in Zion forever, I think we overlook what He’s actually saying. Because what He’s saying is absolutely beautiful. The LORD isn’t talking about an earthly Kingdom. He isn’t talking about something physically here on earth right now. Nothing from this earth. Nothing that had been corrupted, but that which is not created by human hands. Something uncorrupted. Something created by the hands of the LORD and brought down out of heaven at the End of Days.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

Revelation 21:1-2ESV

When we read the New Testament we often think it’s just new revelations, but it isn’t, at least not in the way we think. It’s confirming all that we have with us and further explaining it. Giving us more insight. Scripture interprets Scripture. These concepts throughout the New Testament aren’t brand new ideas and revelations. These are the Old Testament without the veil.

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts.

2 Corinthians 3:12-15ESV

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Study The Old To Understand The New. 

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Prepare A Hedge

Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.” ~ Job 1:9-10ESV

Sometimes when you’re having victory after victory, and you’re not falling for the Devil’s usual schemes, he uses those around you to knock the joy right out of you. You don’t have to be a non-believer to be used by the Devil; Peter was arguably Jesus’ best friend, and he was used by Satan at the Last Supper. Judas was a follower of Jesus, and Satan entered him. You don’t have to be unsaved to be used by the enemy; he just simply needs an open door in your life to use you. And sometimes that’s what happens.

Paul tells us that we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood but against the spiritual realm. The unseen world. The enemy and his kingdom. Their goal is to separate you from God, but because they can’t do it themselves, they try to force you to do it through temptation and trials. When temptation doesn’t work, they use those around you to try to steal your joy, your peace, your love. They try to steal your fruit because if you aren’t producing fruit, then the Father will cut you off of the Vine, who is Christ Jesus. So, he goes after your fruit when temptation doesn’t work.

So, be on guard. Put up a hedge of protection around you. How? Through prayer. Through worship. Through speaking the Word of God over your life, your family, your household, your relationships, your job. Speak the Word of God over all that is in your life so that it might be covered and protected.

We are not unaware of the Devil’s schemes, so don’t play his game. Don’t allow him to steal your joy. Your peace. Your love. Once you’ve covered all in your life, cover yourself. Put on the full Armor of God. Be prepared for battle at all times. Don’t give him anything the LORD has promised you; He has promised all the fruit to those who follow Him and allow Him to transform us into a new creation.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Prepare A Hedge For The Attack.

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Blind Servant

Who is blind but My servant, Or so deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is so blind as he that is at peace with Me, Or so blind as the servant of the Lord? ~ Isaiah 42:19NASB1995

If you think about this statement by the LORD, it is pretty frightening. He is not talking about the blindness or the deafness of the heathens, or those who hate Him. No, God is talking about His own people. His own servants. These people who are supposed to be working for Him. The ones who should have a close relationship with Him. But instead of closeness we find distance. Instead of intimacy, we find lukewarmness.

Just because we claim a relationship with the Almighty God does not mean we have one. God’s people, the ones who should know Him intimately and serve Him wholeheartedly, are the very ones who are trampling the blood of Jesus underfoot and making the name of His Holy One something common. That’s why God asks the question in Isaiah 1:5: “Why will you be struck anymore?”

In other words, why continue to rebel after He has redeemed you with His own blood, and now you’re receiving just punishment, punishment that He takes no pleasure in. It is not God’s will that anyone perish, but that all come to repentance. But we refuse to draw close to God because we love the pleasures of the world. Let us forsake evil and turn from feeding our lukewarmness and cling to God in pursuit of holiness.

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Live Your Testimony

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. ~ 2 Timothy 3:16-17ESV

I recently had a conversation with a young man online about how Christians should and should not act. See, he had commented an insult on one of my videos for no reason other than just being mean. When I clicked on his profile I was met with his bio: “God First, Family Second” and then on the third line he had all of the Fruit of the Spirit written out. This actually really angered me. See, his comment didn’t upset, the fact that he had the audacity to have Christ in his bio, making him a representative of Christ, while spewing hatred online. When I corrected him, not rude or aggressively I might add, I was met with denial that he did anything wrong and then he continued to push the insults, and then I was met with anger.

He was angry because I had corrected him and he said he is a grown man and therefore, doesn’t need correction. The problem with that? Everyone needs correction. None of us are perfect. None of us are not in need of growth. Not one of us. He didn’t realize that the entire Bible was literally written as a correction to adults men and women as well as an example for children to be taught by.

When we allow our flesh to control us, we throw hate at people for absolutely no idea. We allow any kind of talk to come out of our mouths. We allow our actions to taint our testimony. To keep us from witnessing to others. Jesus said that the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. So, pray for workers. In another place He said the fields are white for harvest. In other words, it’s not because the world has refused to believe in Christ that people aren’t getting saved. It’s because we claim to follow Christ but we act like the Devil. We don’t follow in His footsteps, and the world sees. It notices. We’re so caught up in our own flesh. In our own selves, that we don’t even try to harvest, we just think about ourselves. We have become our own biggest enemy. For we have one main goal as the Church, and that is to get souls saved.

Therefore, don’t just be a Sunday Christian. Don’t just put up verses in your bio. Live your life as a testimony. Be like Daniel pure and innocent to the point where they could not even lie on him. Your testimony isn’t just what you say. It’s how you live your life. It’s how God now lives through you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Live Your Testimony. 

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Make Your Life

1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt, and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, the captain of the guard, an Egyptian, had bought him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him down there. 2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, and he was in the house of his Egyptian master. 3 His master saw that the Lord was with him and that the Lord caused all that he did to succeed in his hands. 4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and attended him, and he made him overseer of his house and put him in charge of all that he had. 5 From the time that he made him overseer in his house and over all that he had, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; the blessing of the Lord was on all that he had, in house and field. 6 So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate. ~ Genesis 39:1-6a

20 And Joseph’s master took him and put him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined, and he was there in prison. 21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison. 22 And the keeper of the prison put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners who were in the prison. Whatever was done there, he was the one who did it. 23 The keeper of the prison paid no attention to anything that was in Joseph’s charge, because the Lord was with him. And whatever he did, the Lord made it succeed. ~ Genesis 39:20-23

14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. 37 This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt. ~ Genesis 41:14, 37-45

One of my favorite characters of all time said:

Life happens wherever you are, whether you make it or not.

Uncle Iroh

Sometimes life feels unfair. When we’re in the valley, we just want to get out. We don’t want to make a life in the valley. We don’t want to spend any time there. We just want to move on to a better life, but sometimes you’re in the valley for a while.

See, Joseph made a life as a slave in Egypt, and because he made the best of a terrible and unfair situation, God honored him and elevated his position. When he was wrongfully taken to prison, he made the best of that unfair situation as well, and God elevated him to second in command to Pharaoh.

Life happens wherever you are. No matter if it’s fair or not. Whether you’re on a hill or in a valley. It doesn’t matter. Life still goes on. Therefore, we have to make the best of wherever we are because God is with us wherever we are. And He will always work things out for your good if you remain faithful to Him.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Make Your Life.

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Continue Doing Good

1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. ~ Ecclesiastes 11:1

King Solomon tells his readers to cast their bread upon the waters, and in many days it will be found. I used to think that that meant that if you treated others well, others would treat you well, but I’m not so convinced of that anymore. See, I think that King Solomon was saying that when you cast your bread upon the water, if you keep looking for it, then you’ll find it. If you continue treating others the way you want to be treated, then even when others mistreat you, God will work it out for your good. When people take advantage of you or cost you something important, God will send help your way if you continue doing good. If you continue treating others as you want to be treated. Paul says it this way:

9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Galatians 6:9

Bad things aren’t going to stop happening to you. People aren’t going to stop taking advantage of you. There’s still an enemy out there whose goal is to destroy you. To get you to give up on your race. To get you to sin so that you might never see an eternal reward from your God. So, hold fast and don’t give up. Keep turning the other cheek and treating others the way you’d like to be treated, regardless of how they have treated you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Continue Doing Good.

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Test Your State

13 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, 14 for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” ~ Ephesians 5:13-14

11 Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. 12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. ~ Romans 13:11-14

Spiritual slumber and spiritual death are two frightening states to be in. I’d say the most frightening, if I’m being honest. Why? Because in the state of spiritual slumber and spiritual death, you don’t even realize that you have fallen into that place. You’re unaware you’re asleep. You have no idea you’re dead. You think you’re okay. You think you’re good, but you’re asleep. You’re dead.

So, how do you test your spiritual temperature? You pay attention to your reaction to the LORD. To His Word. His Church. And even the World. Does the Word of God move you? When you worship, does the Presence of God fill the atmosphere? Do the things of God excite you? Are you falling asleep every time you’re in church? Do you become disinterested in a conversation when the things of God are brought up? Does God stir you?

When the Presence of God came down in the Old Testament, the ministers had to stop ministering. His Presence was just too much to continue. How much more should we, the Church, usher in the Presence of the LORD with our worship? We have the very Spirit of God dwelling in us. We are the Temple of the Living God. When the Spirit fell on the early Church in the New Testament, they were filled with power from on high and spoke in tongues. They were alive. They were awake. They were moving in the Spirit of God Almighty.

Today, so much of the Church is spiritually dead. Spiritually asleep. The Word of God has become just mere words, and worship has become just singing. What good is knowing the Scripture if it doesn’t change you? What good is worship if it doesn’t usher in the Presence of God? When we are spiritually asleep or spiritually dead, we make His Word void. We make His Presence cold. We remove the Power of God from our midst, and we allow darkness to reign in our lives, our homes, our communities, and our nation. It’s time the Church awakens from its deep sleep and rises out of the depths of its grave.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Test Your State.

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