Tag: Devotionals

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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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Find True Joy

Psalms 16:11 NIV

[11] You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

I started selling on a new site and I’ve been pretty successful on it, so far. My first weekend I had 17 or so packages to go out. Now, this is the most packages I’ve ever had to send out at once. It was pretty cool. The mail lady was like “Wait. What?” Made me feel pretty proud of myself. But I never had that many again. The next pick up was only 5. The mail lady noticed and said something along the lines of “Huh… thought it’d be more…” Now I’ve noticed a bit of a look when I bring out my packages and it started to get to me.

See, that first weekend had a lot of packages but there wasn’t as many sales as the smaller packages. Those items were too large to pack together so they each needed individual boxes. I didn’t even make money on those several large boxes of items I lost money on them. But because it looked good on the outside it seemed like I was going backwards. But it was quite the opposite.

I ended up selling out of all of my inventory in just 5 days. The items were small so several items could fit in one box. My box count went down but my sales and profits both skyrocketed. The crazy part is that the subtle looks that I was getting actually started to discourage me. Then it hit me. My pride was hurt.

I was getting a good amount of sales both online and local pickups, but because the box count went down I was feeling defeated.

When we focus on what boosts our pride instead of how much we’ve been blessed by God, we begin to lose our joy. The LORD is our source of joy not random encounters with strangers, not how much we make, not how well we’re doing financially. God is our one and only source of joy. The moment we allow anything but God to be our source of joy is the moment we lose joy all together and trade it in for happiness.

Happiness is based on our emotions, feelings, surroundings, environment, other people, but joy that is based on the LORD. That isn’t shaken when it’s rooted in Him. That isn’t shaken when we build on the Rock.

When little things that are truly insignificant in the grand scheme of things bring you down, ask yourself “in whom or in what do I find my joy?”

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Find True Joy.

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Go Through The Word

1 Samuel 3:7 NIV
[7] Now Samuel did not yet know the Lord: The word of the Lord had not yet been revealed to him.

It says, Samuel did not yet know the LORD because the Word of the LORD had not yet been revealed to him. Did you catch that? In order to get to the LORD, you have to first receive the Word. The Word of the LORD was, is, and always will be Jesus (John 1). Even in the Old Testament before the new covenant the Son was the gateway to the LORD God. The Son was the gateway to the Trinity.

Jesus doesn’t just say He is the door for no reason. He doesn’t just claim to be the way to the Father just to do it. Jesus, the Word, has, is, and always will be the only path to eternal life. It’s the Word that changes us and therefore, it’s the Word that ushers us into the presence of the LORD. It’s what gives us an audience with God Almighty.

If you’re struggling to feel the presence of the LORD or see Him affect and change your life, start in His Word. Get to know who He is and what He has for you. Get to know His likes and dislikes. His characteristics. Get to know Him, just as you get to know a new friend, and watch your life change.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Go Through The Word.

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Fight To Be Humble

Luke 18:9-14 NIV

[9] To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: [10] “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. [11] The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. [12] I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ [13]  “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ [14]  “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

A proud heart won’t pray sincerely. But the poor in spirit pray like the tax collector in Luke 18:13: “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” That man, Jesus said, went home justified. Why? Because humility always gets heaven’s attention.

God always elevates the humble, but he humbles the proud. When God elevates us, it isn’t always physically in front of others so that they can see. Sometimes it’s spiritually. Sometimes it’s not in this life. God however, is always faithful. God doesn’t forget us.

Therefore, don’t think more of yourself than you ought. Never think yourself better than others. In this world pride will try to keep us from what God has in store for us, but if we remain humble, completely and entirely submitting ourselves to Him, then He is faithful to reward us with greater things than we could ever hope or imagine.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Fight To Be Humble. 

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Live Humbly

Matthew 5:3 NIV

[3]  “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus made the kingdom of heaven is accessible now through faith in Him as the ultimate sacrifice (1 Corinthians 5:7-8), and then will be fully realized when He returns to make all things new.

Therefore, we don’t have to wait for the physical manifestation of God’s kingdom of heaven to enjoy its royal decrees and privileges, such as:

  • No weapon formed against us will prosper, and we will refute every tongue that accuses us (Isaiah 54:17)
  • By His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24)
  • He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deut. 31:6; Heb 13:5)
  • We will renew our strength and we soar on eagles’ wings (Isaiah 40:31)

But here is the thing, Jesus only promises this kingdom to the “poor in spirit”—those who humbly acknowledge their need for God’s grace by fully submitting to His authority, as I described with the Greek term ptōchos meaning to bow down timidly and the Hebrew concept of “afflicting” one’s soul (ʿānâ with ně·p̄ěš) (Leviticus 16:29-30).

Matthew 5:3 is a promise to those who live humbly, seeking God’s forgiveness, as foreshadowed in the Day of Atonement when the high priest made atonement for Israel’s sins.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Live Humbly.

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