Tag: Devotionals

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Share Christ

1 Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days. 2 Give a portion to seven, or even to eight, for you know not what disaster may happen on earth. ~ Ecclesiastes 11:1-2

King Solomon tells us to not only cast our bread upon the waters but to give a portion to seven or even eight. Why? Seven is the number of completion, meaning you do as Paul did and try to share the Good News with every single soul that you meet, and eight, the number of new beginnings, means start all over again, and witness to those you’ve already witnessed to.

In other words, follow-up. Disciple.

We have to understand that eternity is a very long time, and once you’re there, you are there for good. There is no getting out. There is no parole. There is no reduced sentence. There’s no time off for good behavior. Once you are there, you are there. Your last breath was your last chance. There’s no getting out. Eternity is forever. We are to be the light in the darkness by sharing Christ with others.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Share Christ.

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Get To Know Them

22 Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23 For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: to an unknown god. So you are ignorant of the very thing you worship—and this is what I am going to proclaim to you.” ~ Acts 17:22-23 NIV

I want you to notice that before Paul spoke to the people of Athens he first walked around carefully looking at their objects of worship. Paul was literally studying their religion in order to explain the Gospel to them. He didn’t just randomly walk up to them and start preaching. He first learned about who their god(s) were and what their culture was. Why? So that he could better explain Christ to them.

Today, the majority of Christians don’t take the time to actually learn what other people believe so when they encounter others, they’re arrogant in their speech and usually misrepresent or misquote their beliefs. As Christians we have to be ready to give a defense for each of our beliefs. And as Christians, we have to go out into all the world and share the Gospel. When all we do is say this is the way. This is the way, but never explaining why this is the way and their way is not, then we fail to see people converting to the Truth.

Each letter Paul wrote was specific to that Church and the culture they were in. Paul didn’t do a “one-size-fits-all” kind of evangelism. No. Paul wrote specific things to specific people. He never changed the Gospel, that’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying Paul personalized his evangelism.

Jesus did the same thing, as did Peter. Jesus used the Law of Moses and the Prophets in order to show He was teaching Truth and that He really was (is) the Messiah. Peter did the same. As did James, John, and Jude. They tailored their writings to their audience. They knew whom they were speaking to. They knew the beliefs and culture they were talking to.

Why today do we just write off others’ beliefs and then tell them they’re wrong? How does this save souls? It doesn’t. When we get to know someone else’s beliefs and we don’t just discount them as fables and lies, but instead show them that there is error in these beliefs and then show them the Truth (Jesus, Peter, James, Jude, and Paul all did), we’ll begin to see a change. We’ll begin to see a revival in the world.

Dear LORD, please help me crucify my flesh and build my spirit daily so that I might grow in Your Word and in wisdom and understanding. Help me to have patience with the world so that I might be able to be the light of the world, as You called me to be. Teach me, LORD, to not just dismiss other people’s beliefs, but instead to be able to show them the error of those beliefs and the Truth of Your Word. I pray that You would be me with boldness and confidence. I pray that You would lead me, guide me, and watch over me. That I might not keep Your light hidden away in me, but that I might let it shine brightly for the world to see. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Prepare For Battle

11 in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes. ~ 2 Corinthians 2:11NIV

I often hear the statement that the Devil is already defeated. That the Devil is just a toothless lion. But I want you to think about that for a second. The Devil is a defeated enemy, but woe to the earth and the seas, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath? The Devil is a toothless lion, but he’s also a roaring lion prowling around seeking someone to devour?

When we say things like “the Devil is already defeated,” we give ourselves a false sense of security. We let our guard down. We stop holding up that shield of faith that extinguishes all the fiery darts of the evil one. We stop praying and fasting, which causes demons to flee and strongholds to be broken. When we believe our enemy is already defeated, we stop fighting.

This is one of the best lies the enemy has told because it’s not out there destroying the world. No. It’s out here destroying the Church. The Church no longer prays, fasts, or worships the way it should, and why should it if there is no enemy to fight? So many of our Church leaders fall into sin because the enemy is already defeated, and what God has me, no one can take away. So what happens? We stop watching ourselves. We just start blindly talking. We just start blindly going. And if we are going blindly, we’ll fall into the pit.

This life for Christians is destined for trials, tribulations, and many attacks by the enemy. It’s not an easy, cushy life. It’s a hard life. A life that we must deny ourselves and pick up our cross every day. A life where we have to run the race set before with endurance. A life where we have to go to battle on behalf of ourselves and our loved ones. The life of a Christian is not an easy one. Why? Cause the enemy is still here. The enemy is still fighting us. The enemy is not yet defeated. Therefore, we must keep fighting. We must keep watching. We must keep seeking God. We must keep running the race set before us.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Prepare For Battle.

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Answer Truth

1 Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” ~ Genesis 3:1NIV

They say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. No one embodies that quote better than Satan. The very first temptation started with the question, “Did God really say…?” Satan honestly hasn’t changed his approach. Today, it’s the same thing. Did God really say that? How do you know? Don’t you know the Bible has been changed and rewritten multiple times? Books have been taken out and added back. It can’t truly be trusted.

Satan didn’t ask this to Adam. Why? Adam was there when God gave the command. Eve, on the other hand, was not yet created when God gave this command. It’s the same with us today. When God breathed the Word of God to the authors of the Bible, we were not there. So, what does Satan do? He asks us the same question he asked the woman. Did God really say…?

So what are we to do? We are to build our faith. How do we do that? We study the Scriptures. We learn them inside and out so that they might be written on our hearts. So that when Satan uses someone to say, “Did God really say …?” We can not only confidently say what God has said, we can explain it and defend it.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Answer Truth.

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Distribute The Bread

Mark 8:6-10 NIV

[6] He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. [7] They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. [8] The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. [9] About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, [10] he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

The Gospels say that Jesus gave thanks, broke the bread, and then gave it to His disciples to pass out. Then He did the same with the fish. To me, it sounds like to everyone else after His prayer of Thanksgiving, nothing happened. It doesn’t sound like the bread multiplied then. It sounds like he broke it in half, gave it to the disciples, and they then distributed in obedience. Now, I could be wrong, but that’s how it sounds to me.

It doesn’t sound like the miracle took place before they started passing it out, but because they were obedient to Christ they did as He commanded. It wasn’t necessarily about their faith, but about their obedience. We can see this when He tells them to cast their nets on the other side. They didn’t believe it would do anything, but they were obedient anyways.

Our faith doesn’t have to be super strong to see miracles. It just has to be tied to obedience. Most of us will never see a miracle because of disobedience. Whether it’s disobedience of not going or doing a specific action because we don’t fully understand the why in that moment or because we don’t do the basic requirements of loving God.

When we walk in obedience, whether we realize it or not, we are walking in faith. Obedience is faith in action. We may not see it in that very moment, just like the disciples didn’t see it in the moment Jesus broke the bread, but if we are obedient, we will see it.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Distribute The Bread.

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How Do You Love?

Matthew 20:25–28

“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

While the world asks, “What is in it for me?” Christ-followers asks, “How can I serve you?” While the world shrinks away from generous giving, the Body of Christ gives unconditionally.

And again, while the world is looking out for number one, and fighting to climb up the corporate ladder, the Church endeavors to be last, the servant of all and considers others more important than ourselves.

We are called to a Selfless kind of Love. A love that is sacrificial and requires the giving of oneself.

Our religion teaches that in order to be first, we must be last. In order to rule we must take the place of the lowest servant.

Just like Jesus came not to be served, but to serve, we too are not called to be served, but to be servant all.

  • Ours is a sacrificial love
  • It is a selfless love
  • It is a giving-of-ourselves kind of love

So, this Valentine’s, don’t ask what your loved one can do for you, but how can you serve your loved one.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

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A Physical Thing

23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. ~ 1 Timothy 5:23

Timothy had frequent illnesses, even though he was a leader in the church and was Paul’s son in the faith. Paul didn’t tell him to make sure to pray about those frequent illnesses. He didn’t tell him to fast about it. He told him to drink a little wine for it. What does that have to do with anything? So often, we pray about our illnesses and fast about them without ever doing anything to physically fix them.

The LORD has given us the necessary means to help our illnesses. Not all things need laying on of the hands. Sometimes, it is our diet that needs to change or our routine or a specific action that is the source of an issue. If we continue in the same way, even if we pray or fast, nothing will change. Therefore, sometimes, it’s not a spiritual issue; it’s a physical one that needs to be dealt with in the physical world.

Dear LORD, please open my eyes and give me discernment so that I might know the difference between physical and spiritual ailments. So that I might know when it is me (my flesh) and when it is a spirit. Please give me wisdom and understanding in all of these things so that I might help myself and, in turn, help others live a more fulfilling life. Thank You, LORD, for all of Your many blessings. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

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Two Are Better Than One

16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working (James 5:16).

We are a unit. We are one people. We can’t prosper while in division, but we thrive in solidarity. There is great strength in the power of agreement. Therefore, if we offend someone, go to that person and apologize. Clear the airways, so to speak. The old saying, “No man is an island” is certainly true. God did not intend for us to be hermits, or to exist alone. God created us to be members of a close nit society. Ecclesiastes chapter 4 explains that two are better than one, because they can help each other, and they will have a better reward for their labor. But the drawback with going at it alone is if he or she falls, who will lift them up, but if they had a companion that person would definitely help them back to their feet. Solomon goes on to explain that if two people lie down together they can help keep each other warm, but if one lies down alone, how can he or she keep warm alone? Then there is the power of agreement if any two agree on the earth about anything, it will be done for them.

Therefore, do not limit yourself to you alone because of pride. Do not let little things leave you divided from friends, family, or loved ones. There is more power in company, than in isolation. Do not let your prayers be held up because of pride. Go to the person who is offended, even if it’s not your fault. You do not want hindered prayers. And according to James, the brother of our LORD, we can hold up our own healing. When we are in unity, our prayers are powerful, working miracles and yielding much results.

Sometimes we offend people without us even realizing it. I remember one time years ago, when I was in my twenties, I worked with a woman, whom I liked very much. She was really nice and non-confrontational. She was showing me some pictures of the home she and her husband were building together. I thought it was funny to say, “Wow! What a nice house Robert (not his real name) is building. And it was a nice house. But that offended her and I didn’t even know until years later. I was only teasing her by not including her with her husband. I use to tease her all the time and did not realize that this time I obviously went too far. She never said a word about it for years, then one day she confessed. I never knew and I never meant to hurt her. She was my friend and coworker, I only knew her husband through her.

So, the moral of the story is, our words can hurt people even if we don’t realize it. We must be careful of how we carelessly sling our words around. We never know who will get hit even if we are not aiming at them, or intend to do harm. I apologized to her when I did find out and I’m happy to think that the incident did not strain our relationship, praise the LORD.

Heavenly Father, help me to see those whom I have offended without even knowing. And help me to be quick to confess and apologize. Help me to keep a close inventory on my words and my actions to make sure that I am in complete harmony with those in my circle of influence, in Jesus’ Name I pray, amen.

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Be Honest In Love

15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. ~ 2 Timothy 2:15

Every time I watch a short on social media, no matter the platform, there’s always someone calling sin sin and someone else telling them they can’t because only God can judge. What a sad world we live in today. We go from one extreme to the next. We go from condemning every little action that isn’t even a sin to supporting every single action, even if it is a sin that will lead to death. And how did we get to this new extreme? Because the first was out of hatred and now we want to walk in love and understanding. But here’s the problem, we don’t know what love is.

We’ve allowed the enemy to come in and twist our understanding of love. We believe that to love, we must accept all sin, and if not, then we don’t truly love. But think about this. Remember the phrase, “Friends don’t let friends drive drunk,” from the early 1980’s? Well, here is a spin on that, “Love don’t let others go to hell.” We’ve loved people right into hell.

Because ‘a perverted’ type of love says that we must accept them for who they are, no matter what they do. But the Scripture says, “For the LORD disciplines the one He loves, and chastises every son whom He receives (Hebrews 12:6).”

If you love, you will correct. If you love, you will chasten. That is An Acceptable Kind of Love. We help bring out the best in people; we don’t leave them to their own broken-down devices. And it’s true in all of our relationships. With our children. Spouses. Family. Friends. Co-workers. We were put on this earth to share the Light of Christ with others, and we can’t do that unless we show them why they need Christ, which would mean we have to show them that they are living a sinful life away from Christ.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Be Honest In Love.

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Request Adamantly

Genesis 19:1-3 NIV

[1] The two angels arrived at Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gateway of the city. When he saw them, he got up to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. [2] “My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” [3] But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate.

Whenever I think of the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, I never put too much thought into Abram’s request being fulfilled. Abram begged the LORD to spare the city for 10 righteous men. Abram didn’t beg to save Lot. He begged for the city to be saved if for the sake of 10 righteous. The angels coming into the city weren’t going to stay with Lot, then came to test the city. Too find any righteous. This is why Lot had to convince them with much urgency to come stay with him because that was never the plan. If Lot had left them to fend for themselves, he and his daughters may not have been saved from the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Lot saved his family by taking those two men into their homes. He did it out of the kindness and love in his heart, not knowing that were angels. Not knowing they were going to rescue him from destruction. Lot didn’t know that there was something in it for him.

Hebrews tells us that some of us have hosted angels unknowingly. In the days to come before the Man of Lawlessness takes his seat in the Temple of God and proclaims himself to be God, the love of many must first grow. Our love is what separates us from the world. The love of God is a pure, untainted love. It protects and covers those who run into it. That love fills us with a piercing Light that shines into the darkness.

If today we had the opportunity to give sanctuary to a complete stranger, would we take that chance? Many of us would just walk right by them. A lot of us believe in minding our own business. But the safety of our fellow man is our business.

Therefore, don’t let your hearts be hardened. Look out for your fellow man. Care for the less fortunate. And help those in need.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Request Adamantly.

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