Tag: Devotionals

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Stay By The Pool

2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8 Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. ~ John 5:2-9

One Sabbath, there was a man who had been ill for 38 years and had given up all faith. So by the time Jesus comes by and asks if he wants to be healed, the man only responds with why he can’t be healed. He had the hope that he could be healed because he remained by the pool all of those years, but when he was faced with the question of whether he wanted to be healed, he couldn’t get passed the years he never received his healing. Doubt had taken route deep within. He had the hope but not the faith. Sometimes, this is his we are today.

When we go through trials and tribulations, it’s easy for us to become defeated and discouraged, but we can’t lose faith. Each day that goes by without our miracle can be hard, but we have to remember that God never shows up late. God always shows up at just the right time, so don’t lose faith. Continue to have the hope that you will receive what you are hoping for.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Stay By the Pool.

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Stop Pouring Gasoline

15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. ~ Ephesians 4:15-16

In today’s world, it’s difficult to show love, especially to those who seem to only spew hatred and evil, but according to Paul, the greatest apostle who ever lived, we are correct and build each other up in love. As Christ was hanging on the cross and the people were mocking Him, He still cried out for God to forgive them because they didn’t know what they were doing. This is how we are supposed to be.

We are supposed to preach, teach, correct, and discipline in love so that we might build up the body of Christ and show the love of God to as many as we can. In doing this, we plant the seed of love within unbelievers and water the tree of love in believers. If we don’t walk in love, we are essentially trying to put out a fire by pouring gasoline on it. So, let the Holy Spirit fill you and mold you so that you might walk in love.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Stop Pouring Gasoline.

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Heal the Land

33 You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it. ~ Numbers 35:33

Today, there is much bloodshed in our nation and around the world. In the days before Jesus, it was an eye for an eye and bloodshed for bloodshed, but we no longer live under this law, so how do we receive justice and cleanse the land? Paul writes that when we are saved, we are spiritually crucified with Christ, so what does that mean for us? We are to spread the love of God with as many people as possible with the hope and faith that the seeds we planted will be watered and harvested, for it’s up to us, the Church, to win souls for Christ and in doing so, heal the land.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Heal the Land.

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Be Thankful For Freedom

9 Then Moses said to Aaron, “Say to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, ‘Come near before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’” 10 And as soon as Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the people of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, the glory of the Lord appeared in the cloud. 11 And the Lord said to Moses, 12 “I have heard the grumbling of the people of Israel. Say to them, ‘At twilight you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you shall know that I am the Lord your God.’” ~ Exodus 16:9-12

When the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they were grumbling before the LORD. They even accused Moses of bringing them into the wilderness to starve them. Keep in mind that they were just taken out of the land of Egypt where they were slaves, and they were away from the LORD their God. They are now, however, free people, and God Himself is leading them, yet they are grumbling and accusing Moses of saving them just to starve them to death.

This is how we are today. The LORD takes us out of our filth, frees us from our slavery, and we aren’t grateful. We complain about how hard life is. We accuse Him of starving us and leading us to our death when it’s only in Him that there is food for our hunger and water for our thirst. It’s easy to look at everything we don’t have and become upset and feel some type of way, but if we seek God and humble ourselves in thankfulness and gratitude, He will supply ALL our needs according to His riches in glory.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be Thankful For Freedom.

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Don’t Be Silent

17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name. ~ Acts 4:17

Whenever they tried to stunt the growth of Christianity, they tried to silence the Church. Why? Because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. How can they believe if they have never heard? So, what does the world do?

They try to stop us from discussing religion. How? They’ve hushed us up in the schools, they’ve hushed us up in the workplace, they’ve hushed us up in government, in our malls, in our stores we can’t even say Merry Christmas because it’s politically incorrect to do so.

People often say that God doesn’t need us, so why does this matter? Paul poses this question; How can they hear if no one tells them? Sounds to me like God intended for us to be His mouthpiece. Jesus did His part. It’s our turn now.

How then can we be silent? God wants the whole world to know the way to salvation, and it’s through our preaching and our teaching. There is no other plan. None. So, don’t let them silence you; you are called to preach the good news. How would you be saved right now if someone hadn’t taught you the way of holiness? It’s time for the Church to arise and stop being intimidated and shamed into being silent while our friends, our family, and our coworkers are going to an eternity of punishment.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Don’t Be Silent.

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Try To Be The Salt of the Earth

13 You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet. ~ Matthew 5:13-16

As Christians, we are called to be the salt of the earth, but what does that mean? Well, some people say that salt was so important in ancient times that it actually enabled society to expand; thus, salt came to actually represent great power and value. We are to be that kind of salt that is influential, powerful, and valuable.

We’re influential because our message changes lives, restores relationships, and gives hope to a hopeless world.

We are powerful because we are connected to the ultimate power, Jesus. He said, All authority in heaven and on earth is given onto Him, and He gives us access to that power and authority.

We are valuable because Jesus, God the Son, Himself, came and died to pay the price for us. So yes, we are valuable, if only to God, but who better to be valuable to?

We are more than just flesh and blood, we are the Temple of God Himself, and we each have a God-given call on our lives to be the salt of the world.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Try To Be The Salt of the Earth.

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The Hope of The Cross

23 and I will sow her for myself in the land. And I will have mercy on No Mercy, and I will say to Not My People, ‘You are my people’; and he shall say, ‘You are my God.’ ~ Hosea 2:23

There was a time when we gentiles were not a part of the people of God. We weren’t a part of the chosen people, but 2000 years ago, we were given hope. When Jesus gave up His Spirit as He hung on the cross, He opened up the gate for those who were not born into the bloodline of the Jews. We gentiles now have the same hope of salvation as the natural-born Jews do because God does not show partiality between people.

He is the same God of the Jews as He is the same God of the Gentiles. He made a way where there was no way. We are not without hope, for we have now been chosen and called by name. We are now a child of Abraham by faith and, therefore, a child of God. And if a child of God, we now have the right to the inheritance of Eternal Life in Christ Jesus our LORD and Savior.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Hope In The Cross.

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Don’t Be A Son of Sceva

 13 Some Jews who went around driving out evil spirits tried to invoke the name of the Lord Jesus over those who were demon-possessed. They would say, “In the name of Jesus, whom Paul preaches, I command you to come out.” 14 Seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, were doing this. 15 One day the evil spirit answered them, “Jesus I know, and I know about Paul, but who are you?” 16 Then the man who had the evil spirit jumped on them and overpowered them all. He gave them such a beating that they ran out of the house naked and bleeding. ~ Acts 19:13-16

We always hear that Jesus is for everybody, but is that true? People had heard the reports of the healings, the exorcisms, the mighty signs, and wonders that were being performed simply by invoking the Name of Jesus. So, these boys, sons of a certain Jewish chief priest, tried this. It apparently worked for them for a while, until one day, they ran into a powerful and obstinate evil spirit. They knew the name but did not have a relationship with the person to whom the name belonged. Therefore, they were not covered by the Blood of Jesus and took a severe beating on account of it.

The name was not given to them for use; it was given to Christian believers. It was given and still is given to Christ-followers because only the redeemed of the LORD has been given the authority to use the name of Jesus by which we have been redeemed. So, no, the name of Jesus isn’t just for everyone, but it is for everyone who believes and follows Him. Why does this matter? Because only Christ-followers have been redeemed from sin, washed in the blood, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Only Christ-Followers have been given the power and authority from God Himself. It’s all about a relationship with God. Do you know Him, and does He know you?

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Don’t Be A Son of Sceva.

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Remember Your Mother

18 When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. 19 And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” ~ 2 Kings 4:19

Now, the young boy went out into the field one day during harvest time. That’s like trying to get some dad’s attention during Superbowl. The boy cried out, “Oh my head, my head!” But dad was too busy harvesting his crops, directing his workers, and overseeing the job. He had to provide for his family. So, what is he to do?

Take him to his mother; she will know what to do. Whenever we are feeling sick, who is it that we want? Mom. And once you get married, who is it that you want? Your wife, another motherly figure. It’s just something about a mother’s love.

    • Her caring
    • Her nurturing
    • Her ability to just know what to do
    • Somehow, mom/wives make everything seem better, more manageable

So, this young boy goes to his father and complains about his head. His father turns to one of the servants and basically says, “I’m too busy right now; take him to his mother.” Dads may be too busy to deal with their children, but mothers are never too busy.

So, especially today, remember to take time out and honor your mother. The woman you honor may not have given birth to you, but she is/was the woman that was always there for you no matter what. Today is her day; honor her for all she’s done for you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Remember Your Mother.

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Speak Up

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. ~ Proverb 31:8–9NIV

There are many injustices in the world today. A mother can murder her baby in her womb, and the world shouts women’s rights. Children are sex trafficked all over the world, and we turn a blind eye because who can really do anything to save them? People are enslaved. The poor are exploited. Widows, orphans, and the fatherless are all forgotten and thrown aside by society, but is this the desire or will of God?

One small voice can easily become a roaring sea of many voices. All it takes is one pebble (one person) to create a ripple in the sea (society). The Devil knows this, so he fills your head with lies that you could never do anything to change the world and strikes fear into your heart that you will be silenced and/or rejected for speaking out. The lies of the enemy only come in like a flood because he knows that one person can change the entire world. He knows that one voice can change the entire course of history.

So, be brave and courageous. Stand strong on and in the love of God and know that He is with you. Know that there is nothing that is impossible for those who believe and have God on their side. Walk in faith and not in fear, for you weren’t given a spirit of fear but of love, power, and a sound mind.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Speak Up.

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