Devotionals Archives

June 30, 2024July 10, 2024

Don’t Avoid The Truth

¹ Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honor in abundance, and he made an alliance with Ahab through marriage. ² Then after some years, he went down to visit Ahab in Samaria. Ahab slaughtered many sheep, goats, and cattle for him and for the people who were with him, and he persuaded him to attack Ramoth-gilead, ³ for Israel’s King Ahab asked Judah’s King Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to Ramoth-gilead?” He replied to him, “I am as you are, my people as your people; we will be with you in the battle.” ⁴ But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First, please ask what the Lord’s will is.” ⁵ So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, four hundred men, and asked them, “Should we go to Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain?” They replied, “March up, and God will hand it over to the king.” ⁶ But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord here anymore? Let’s ask him.” ⁷ The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man who can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king shouldn’t say that,” Jehoshaphat replied. ⁸ So the king of Israel called an officer and said, “Hurry and get Micaiah son of Imlah!” ~ 2 Chronicles 18:1-8^CSB

They were going to Ramoth-Gilead, but King Jehoshaphat wanted to first inquire of the LORD. King Ahab, on the other hand, only wanted favorable words, not necessarily truthful words. King Ahab wanted a yes man, whereas King Jehoshaphat wanted to hear from the LORD.

Today is no different. We don’t want the Truth; we want our ears tickled. We want our sin justified instead of hearing from God. So, we avoid the Truth because it offends us. We avoid the Truth because it goes against our lives. We avoid the Truth instead of seeking it. This causes us to fall into a deep spiritual sleep that keeps us far away from God.

The Truth may offend us or make us uncomfortable, but it’s the only thing that can set us free.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Don’t Avoid The Truth.

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Judge Their Fruit First

³ The king of Israel had said to his servants, “Don’t you know that Ramoth-gilead is ours, but we’re doing nothing to take it from the king of Aram?” ⁴ So he asked Jehoshaphat, “Will you go with me to fight Ramoth-gilead?” Jehoshaphat replied to the king of Israel, “I am as you are, my people as your people, my horses as your horses.” ⁵ But Jehoshaphat said to the king of Israel, “First, please ask what the Lord’s will is.” ⁶ So the king of Israel gathered the prophets, about four hundred men, and asked them, “Should I go against Ramoth-gilead for war or should I refrain?” They replied, “March up, and the Lord will hand it over to the king.” ⁷ But Jehoshaphat asked, “Isn’t there a prophet of the Lord here anymore? Let’s ask him.” ⁸ The king of Israel said to Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man who can inquire of the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster. He is Micaiah son of Imlah.” “The king shouldn’t say that!” Jehoshaphat replied. ~ 1 Kings 22:3-8^CSB

These men were prophets, but they couldn’t inquire of the LORD. At that time, there was only one prophet dwelling in the land who could. Some may have the gift of prophecy, but they aren’t dwelling in the Spirit of God, so they don’t hear from God. These men weren’t called false prophets but prophets.

There will always come people who claim to be prophets yet have no fruit. They’ll say things that sound good but aren’t rooted in Christ. Therefore, you have to be on guard to judge the fruit. What good does it do us if the word is favorable but not from God?

Therefore, cling to the Holy Spirit that He might awaken your spirit man within you so that you might see who are true prophets of God. So, you might differentiate between good words and the right words.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Judge Their Fruit.

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Repent To The LORD

¹⁶ When David looked up and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, with his drawn sword in his hand stretched out over Jerusalem, David and the elders, covered in sackcloth, fell facedown. ¹⁷ David said to God, “Wasn’t I the one who gave the order to count the people? I am the one who has sinned and acted very wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? Lord my God, please let your hand be against me and against my father’s family, but don’t let the plague be against your people.” ~ 1 Chronicles 21:16-17^CSB

King David had brought the wrath of God on the nation of Israel because of his sin. Satan incited King David to number the people of Israel. This sinful action brought the punishment of the LORD.

Even though the LORD brought His wrath, when David repented and prayed to the LORD for mercy, God heard him. God will always have mercy on a repentive heart. Why? Because his desire is that none perish but all come to acceptance.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Repent To The LORD.

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Praise In No

¹ When David had settled into his palace, he said to the prophet Nathan, “Look! I am living in a cedar house while the ark of the Lord’s covenant is under tent curtains.” ² So Nathan told David, “Do all that is on your mind, for God is with you.” ³ But that night the word of God came to Nathan: ⁴ “Go to David my servant and say, ‘This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build me a house to dwell in. ⁵ From the time I brought Israel out of Egypt until today I have not dwelt in a house; instead, I have moved from one tent site to another, and from one tabernacle location to another. ⁶ In all my journeys throughout Israel, have I ever spoken a word to even one of the judges of Israel, whom I commanded to shepherd my people, asking: Why haven’t you built me a house of cedar? ’ ⁷ “So now this is what you are to say to my servant David: ‘This is what the Lord of Armies says: I took you from the pasture, from tending the flock, to be ruler over my people Israel. ⁸ I have been with you wherever you have gone, and I have destroyed all your enemies before you. I will make a name for you like that of the greatest on the earth. ⁹ I will designate a place for my people Israel and plant them, so that they may live there and not be disturbed again. Evildoers will not continue to oppress them as they have done ¹⁰ ever since the day I ordered judges to be over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. “‘Furthermore, I declare to you that the Lord himself will build a house for you. ¹¹ When your time comes to be with your ancestors, I will raise up after you your descendant, who is one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. ¹² He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. ¹³ I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will not remove my faithful love from him as I removed it from the one who was before you. ¹⁴ I will appoint him over my house and my kingdom forever, and his throne will be established forever.’” ¹⁵ Nathan reported all these words and this entire vision to David. ¹⁶ Then King David went in, sat in the Lord’s presence, and said, Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house that you have brought me this far? ¹⁷ This was a little thing to you, God, for you have spoken about your servant’s house in the distant future. You regard me as a man of distinction, Lord God. ¹⁸ What more can David say to you for honoring your servant? You know your servant. ¹⁹ Lord, you have done this whole great thing, making known all these great promises for the sake of your servant and according to your will. ²⁰ Lord, there is no one like you, and there is no God besides you, as all we have heard confirms. ²¹ And who is like your people Israel? God, you came to one nation on earth to redeem a people for yourself, to make a name for yourself through great and awesome works by driving out nations before your people you redeemed from Egypt. ²² You made your people Israel your own people forever, and you, Lord, have become their God. ²³ Now, Lord, let the word that you have spoken concerning your servant and his house be confirmed forever, and do as you have promised. ²⁴ Let your name be confirmed and magnified forever in the saying, “The Lord of Armies, the God of Israel, is God over Israel.” May the house of your servant David be established before you. ²⁵ Since you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build him a house, your servant has found courage to pray in your presence. ²⁶ Lord, you indeed are God, and you have promised this good thing to your servant. ²⁷ So now, you have been pleased to bless your servant’s house that it may continue before you forever. For you, Lord, have blessed it, and it is blessed forever. ~ 1 Chronicles 17:1-27 ^CSB

David desired to build a house for the LORD to dwell in. He didn’t feel right that he had a house to dwell in, but the LORD only had a tent. So, King David inquired of Nathan, the Prophet, to see if the LORD was with him for this project. Nathan, without inquiring of the LORD, told David to not only build it but that the LORD was with him. When Nathan returned home that night, the LORD came to him and told him to tell David that he wasn’t to build the LORD a home.

David got the idea, checked it with the prophet, got the prophet’s approval, and then was told no. It would have been easy for David to become upset and discouraged. He could have easily become angry and aggressive. Instead, David praised the LORD.

David understood the LORD has good plans for His people. Even though David had a plan himself, he knew that God’s plan was better. That God’s plan was best. So he didn’t just accept God’s plan; David rejoiced in God’s plan. He praised the LORD.

We all have plans and desires for our lives, and so does the LORD. Sometimes, our plans are good, but they aren’t right for us. They’re a good thought but the wrong outcome. Therefore, we must rejoice and praise, even when God says no. Why? Because there is nothing greater than the plan God has for your life. Therefore, cling to the plan of God regardless of your own. Praise Him, for His plans are good and just.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Praise In No.

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Keep Genuine

¹ Some time later, King Nahash of the Ammonites died, and his son became king in his place. ² Then David said, “I’ll show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent messengers to console him concerning his father. However, when David’s emissaries arrived in the land of the Ammonites to console him, ³ the Ammonite leaders said to Hanun, “Just because David has sent men with condolences for you, do you really believe he’s showing respect for your father? Instead, haven’t his emissaries come in order to scout out, overthrow, and spy on the land?” ⁴ So Hanun took David’s emissaries, shaved them, cut their clothes in half at the hips, and sent them away. ~ 1 Chronicles 19:1-4^CSB

David’s friend had passed, and his son had taken his place. So David sent his condolences to his friend’s son, but his advisors told him that they were spying out the land. He didn’t consider that David and his father were friends. He didn’t consider David’s integrity or loyalty. He only heard the lies of those close to him.

Today is no different. The Devil will try to make you out to be a villain regardless of how genuine you are. The Devil will try to twist your genuine actions in the eyes of the corrupted. See, when the LORD isn’t our foundation, we are corrupted and unable to see the Truth. So, the Devil can easily corrupt the innocent in the eyes of the already corrupted.

So, when your genuine actions or statements are met with aggression or defensiveness, don’t be discouraged. That is just the Devil trying to get to you. Though he may corrupt your actions in the eyes of the corrupted, he can’t corrupt your actions in the eyes of the LORD.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Keep Genuine.

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Put God Above

¹⁶King Asa also removed Maacah, his grandmother, from being queen mother because she had made an obscene image of Asherah. Asa chopped down her obscene image, then crushed it and burned it in the Kidron Valley. ~ 2 Chronicles 15:16^CSB

Many of us put family above everything, and in most cases, it’s the right order, but not in all cases. Sometimes the family member is living in sin and needs to be corrected. Sometimes, they even need to be removed from their position of authority.

King Asa was a good king. He tried to follow the LORD, even if it meant taking away the royal position of queen mother from his grandmother. King Asa knew that it doesn’t matter if they are family or not; you have to do what is right in the eyes of the LORD. You have to put God above all other things.

Nothing has changed today. God still must be honored and placed above all else because it is only He that saves. It’s only He that gives life. And it’s only He that can keep us from living a life of sin. Therefore, we must regard God above all else so that He might keep us from a sinful life away from Him.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Put God Above.

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Know How He Works

²³ Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’? Everything is possible for the one who believes.” ~ Mark 9:23^CSB

I saw a short the other day making a joke about having anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Someone commented on the short, stating that Jesus can heal you of all ailments. This single comment upset hundreds of people. The majority of people triggered claimed to be Christians.

They claimed, “That’s not how Jesus works” or “That’s not how anxiety, depression, or ADHD works.” Their claim was then followed by a statement claiming to be a Christian with those afflictions.

What a sad state of the Church we are in. If Jesus can’t heal something as simple as depression, anxiety, or ADHD, how can He save my eternal soul from the pits of Hell? Or redeem me from my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness? If Jesus can no longer heal, then what’s the point of following Him? If you’re just as oppressed following Jesus as the world is rejecting Him, then does that not make Him a liar?

He promised life and life more abundantly. He promised us His peace. He promised whom the Son sets free is free indeed. Peter said cast your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Scripture after Scripture promises freedom from all oppression in Jesus, yet today’s Church is triggered by even the thought of such a thing.

God’s plans for us are good. They are for our welfare, not for our harm. Today, we no longer see healing and miracles because we firmly and wholeheartedly believe that that’s not how Jesus works.

Paul said we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. If we want freedom, our mindset has to change. Our thought pattern has to change. Our mind has to change if we are ever going to see God intervene in our lives. As someone who struggled with very bad anxiety and depression from childhood, I can confidently say that is how Jesus works. He still heals. He still renews. He still tears down strongholds. He is still God.

It’s not that God changed, but that our mindsets changed. God is still the same yesterday, today, and forever. No ailment is too permanent for God to free you of, but you have to first have the faith to believe it’s at least possible.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Know How He Works.

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Call It Into Action

²⁹The people of the land have practiced extortion and committed robbery. They have oppressed the poor and needy, and have extorted from the sojourner without justice. ³⁰And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. ³¹Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord God.” ~ Ezekiel 22:29-31

God made a long list of wrongs and called out the iniquities that both the people and the priests were guilty of. But He doesn’t want to bring a swift and terrible punishment on them as He would be justified in doing.

He doesn’t do it because He does not take pleasure in the death of the wicked. Neither does He find delight in punishing the guilty. God would rather bless than curse. Give than take. Help than hinder. Forgive than punish because His love is a steadfast love. Therefore, God looked for someone, anyone who would stand in the gap and intercede for those wayward people, but He could find none.

Today is no different. God is still looking for intercessors. He’s still looking for someone to stand in the gap and pray for the lost that they might be found. The love of God will move, but only if we will call it into action.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Call It Into Action.

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Choose Your Father

^24aNo one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. ~ Matthew 6:24a

This past Sunday was Father’s Day. On Father’s Day, I came across two entirely different father types. One drove across town to get his son a video game and card game he wanted, while the other pretended to be out of state so he didn’t have to see his son for Father’s Day.

The first father gave up his special day so he could get a gift for his son. He wasn’t a rich man. He wasn’t well off, but what he had, he spent on his son. He did his best to give his son good gifts. Possibly even striving to give his son the life he didn’t have.

The second father couldn’t spare his son (who is also a father) an hour of his time. He had the time. His wife was going out of town, and he had already agreed to go. The son even thought he was looking forward to it, but then he canceled, saying he was going out of state when he was, in fact, just home alone. To say the least, his son was heartbroken by it.

We have two fathers to choose from today: one who’s willing to give you everything and one who’s willing to talk a good talk but never follow through. Our God wants a relationship with us. He wants to be with us and spend time with us. Whereas the Devil doesn’t care about us. He only wants to use us to destroy ourselves and others.

Many of us aren’t blessed with a good earthly father who loves us, so we struggle to choose between God and the Devil, especially when the Devil disguises himself as good. I am so grateful and thankful that I have been blessed with an amazing father who spent his special day driving me to pickups for my business. He didn’t have to. He could’ve said no, but he didn’t. He did it with a smile on his face and love in his heart. He was so proud that my little business was taking off that he didn’t care that it was Father’s Day. He was just proud of me and more than happy to help me where he could.

That’s the kind of father our heavenly Father is. He is like the first dad and my dad. A father who is willing to give everything and more to the child He loves more than anything in this world. We may not get to choose our earthly father, but the choice is ours entirely when it comes to our spiritual father. So, choose wisely.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Choose Your Father.

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Tear ‘Em Down

²⁸ Jehu eliminated Baal worship from Israel, ²⁹but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit — worshiping the gold calves that were in Bethel and Dan. ³⁰ Nevertheless, the Lord said to Jehu, “Because you have done well in carrying out what is right in my sight and have done to the house of Ahab all that was in my heart, four generations of your sons will sit on the throne of Israel.” ³¹Yet Jehu was not careful to follow the instruction of the Lord God of Israel with all his heart. He did not turn from the sins that Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit. ³² In those days the Lord began to reduce the size of Israel. Hazael defeated the Israelites throughout their territory ³³ from the Jordan eastward: the whole land of Gilead — the Gadites, the Reubenites, and the Manassites — from Aroer which is by the Arnon Valley through Gilead to Bashan. ~ 2 Kings 10:28-33^CSB

Jehu did good in certain areas but not in all. He removed the house of Ahab and the high places, but he allowed for other idolatry to remain. Jehu, though he corrected one aspect of his kingdom, didn’t clean his full house. The LORD honored the good job he did when he obeyed the LORD and removed the house of Ahab, but he continued in sin, forcing the LORD to punish him.

Many of us believe that we can live our lives however we want as long as we go to church, give thanks for our food and day, and occasionally read our Bibles, but that’s not the desire of the LORD. He desires us to remove all sin from our lives. We are expected to be perfect like God is perfect. We have to tear down all strongholds, not just the ones written out blatantly for us but the ones we have to seek God to find. The ones deep within us that we don’t even realize.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Tear ‘Em Down.

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