Tag: Devotionals

Posted on

A Word Fitly Spoken

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. ~ Proverbs 25:11

A word fitly spoken, or in other words, a word spoken at the right time and in the right context is like apples of gold in settings of silver. In other words, it’s beautiful. The right word at the right time will work wonders. It will turn a bad situation into a good outcome. It will smooth over those rough words that proceed.

Why add fuel to the fire? Why not douse the flames with water and out the fire? Words can be smooth as silk, while others are sharp and abrasive and can cut to the bone. Those are the words that we want to keep away from, and instead, use the smooth as silk ones.

Words are triggers. Just one word can change the whole atmosphere from something beautiful to something ugly. Just one word can bring about division, hard feelings, and insults. Remember that our enemy is the prince of the power of the air. If he is the prince of the power of the air, and our words travel across airwaves, would it not be reasonable to believe that he has the power to manipulate words?

I believe that is the reason why so many arguments break out for no apparent reason. Maybe he somehow manipulates the airwaves, and it comes across as excessively aggressive when it was really intended for the opposite. That is why one of the first reactions is to say, “That’s not what I said.” Or, “That is not want I meant.”

Facial expressions, I suppose, have a lot to do with it as well. Smile when you talk, and the smile will reflect in your voice and in your words. Endeavor to present a pleasant face at all times in all situations. Train yourself in these things because the Scriptures say that it’s by practice that we develop our gifts. And if we develop our gifts by practice, would it not be reasonable to say the fruits of the Spirit are the same? Yes, it would be the same. So, if joy is one of the fruits of the Spirit, and it is, should we not make an effort to cultivate that fruit? Surely, the fruits of the Spirit does not just appear, they must be cultivated. For just like a physical fruit does not appear in someone’s garden, neither does the fruit of the Spirit just appear in someone’s life; it has to be cultivated.

So, let us strive to cultivate harmony with each other and live in peace with both God and man.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Son Jesus, who died for me, and thank You for Your Holy Spirit that sows the seeds of the Spirit in my soul for me to water, cultivate, and grow. Help me to nurture and grow these gifts so that I might be pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Back to Growth?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Do Nothing Out of Selfish Ambition

3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ~ Philippians 2:3

Wow! I would say that is a hard teaching to grasp. To consider others more significant than ourselves, meaning that other people are more important and we are less important; who thinks like that? Well, true Christ followers do. Paul was instructing the Philippians how to gain even more traction in their Christian walk. He said, first of all, don’t have selfish ambitions because selfish ambitions lead to disregard for your fellow humans. It will become all about you no matter the cost to others. When selfish ambitions play the main role, people get hurt because they are used as stepping stones to achieve that person’s goal or objective.

Conceit is the same because it is driven by pride, and Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride goes before destruction…” Those are very strong words. Not just a mishap, mind you, but Proverbs says destruction. Pride will tear a family apart, divide close friends, and ruin even the most close of relationships. That is why Paul was encouraging the Philippians to stay away from self-ambition and conceit. Then, he advised them to act in humility. We are to do everything in humility, so much so that we even count or value others as more significant than our own selves.

When you measure that against eternity, it is not as hard of a concept as it first appeared. This life is only a very short term when compared to eternity. Nothing that is done here on this earth can even compare to what God has in store for those who love Him. We don’t need to look out for number one, God Himself will look out for us, and will reward us accordingly.

So, let us start today by refusing to do anything out of selfish ambition or vain conceit but to value others more significantly than ourselves, which means that we don’t always have to be right. We don’t always have to win the argument. We don’t always have to be the one who comes out on top. We don’t always have to dredge up past hurts or other’s past failures. Leave the past in the past and press on toward the goal that is in front of us. And you know what? You will be the happier for it.

Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to think like this. Help me to consider others better than myself. Help me to resist selfish ambition or vain conceit. Help me to live a selfless life for You, in Jesus’ mighty name, I pray, amen.

Back to Growth?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Live As Noah

5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ~ Genesis 6:5

Before the flood, the LORD describes mankind as having fallen astray. Matter-of-fact, God tells us that every intention of the thoughts of man’s heart was just continual evil. Verse 8 tells us that only one man out of all the probable millions by then, Noah, found grace or found favor in the eyes of the LORD. Only one man!

They had all dropped the ball. They were not doing their job as Satraps. They had caused the king to suffer great loss, so much so that He determined that they would all perish in a worldwide flood.

I want you to think about this. If there was another flood coming, would you find favor in the eyes of God? Would your actions please God? Would He look at you with regret, or would He look at you and take pleasure in what He sees? Why does it matter if there’s never gonna be a flood again? Jesus compared the last days to the days of Noah.

37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, 39 and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.

Matthew 24:37-39

They didn’t have a care in the world. They didn’t have a love for God or the things of God. They were consumed with self. Their love had grown cold, and their hearts had turned away from God. They had fallen spiritually asleep. When you truthfully evaluate yourself according to the Word of God, would you be awake to get on the Ark?

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Live As Noah.

Back to Spiritual Slumber?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

We All Share In The Blessings

23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:23

Listen, the Gospel is not a selfish ambition or a one-sided effect where only one person benefits. Paul said that in a secular race, everyone runs the race, but only one person receives the prize. But it is not so in Christianity. Everyone shares in the blessings. Jesus said in Matthew 10:41 that if anyone receives a prophet because he is a prophet, that person will receive a prophet’s reward. To share in the prophet’s reward, all we have to do is to receive them. That is what Jesus said.

He even went on to say that if anyone gives a cup of water to a little child, they will receive a reward. So, the kingdom of God is about rewards and consequences. People only focus on the consequences. Oh, if God was so good, why would He send people to hell? Well, first of all, He doesn’t, it’s all your choice. You must choose to go there or not; it’s all up to you. Second, why not focus on the rewards and strive for those instead of throwing the baby out with the bathwater? I can’t serve a God who would do that. Well, how about serving a God who blesses and rewards everyone who participates? One who gave His very life so that you do not have to go to that awful place. Serve Him.

Far too often, even Christians will focus on the consequences instead of the unsearchable, unknowable, and surpassing good things that God has in store for those who love Him. God is not out to get you; if He wanted to get you, He would get you. Because who can deliver out of His hand? Or who can intercede for you against God? Therefore, let us focus on the good rewards, encourage others in the race, and share the Gospel with others, for there will be a great reward to share for those who win souls.

God is not a bad paymaster; He will give to each what they have earned because God is no man’s debtor. So, share the Gospel and so share in the blessings.

Thank You, Father, that You are not mean and stingy, but in fact, You are a generous God who loves to give good gifts that are pressed down, shaken together, and running over. Your blessings are exceedingly and abundantly more than we can even imagine. Thank You Father that You are kind and generous, and help me to always remember that so that I may grow to be like You, in Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.

Back to Encouragement?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Have Faith And Works

16 Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘If anyone swears by the temple, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that has made the gold sacred? 18 And you say, ‘If anyone swears by the altar, it is nothing, but if anyone swears by the gift that is on the altar, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 You blind men! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? ~ Matthew 23:16-19

The word sacred is actually the word for sanctified. Therefore, we can understand that to be sanctified means not only that we are set apart, but we are set apart because we have been welcomed into the Kingdom of God. We no longer dwell in the world but in the arms, the hands of the Almighty.

This is why there are goats in the sheepfold. They accepted salvation, but they didn’t allow Christ to sanctify them because they refused to be set apart from the world and their own sin, taking up their cross and following Christ. Therefore, allow the LORD to sanctify you and set you apart. Salvation is more than just belief and acceptance. Salvation has to be held on to. The race set before you has to be run. Battles have to be fought. Strongholds have to be torn down. Salvation is only acquired through faith, but it is kept through our actions.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Have Faith And Works.

Back to Growth?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Your Decision, Your Choice

19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. ~ Deuteronomy 30:19-20

God does not send anyone to hell. Each one must choose for their own selves where they will spend eternity. Either they will spend it in the Lake of Fire or in eternity with Jesus in blissfulness, with every need and desire supplied.

With no more fear, worry, hot sun burning you up, hunger, thirst, weariness, lack of anything because all poverty will be vanquished, all hate and deception gone, all wars will cease, and eternal peace shall reign. All oppression will be a thing of the past. Imagine a place where you are free and truly loved for who you are. No hidden agendas, only truth and love. This is a true utopia promised to those who God and follow Him.

I know it is a hard concept to imagine (for some), but God has promised an eternity of love, joy, and peace, never again knowing pain to those who believe in His name, have held on to His promises, and have obeyed His commands. It’s an eternal paradise or eternal damnation. It’s your choice. How? Because we choose with our actions, our words, our decisions, what we support and don’t support. The way we live this life on earth will directly affect the way that we will live our lives in eternity.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Make Your Choice.

Back to Cleansing?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Look To That One Day

17 For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. ~ Isaiah 65:17

All of this suffering, aches, and pains. The sorrow of death shall not enter into the eternity of those who love God. Why? Because death will be swallowed up with life, and not just life, but abundant, eternal life. It does not matter how much the nations rage, or how its leaders plot and coerce, nothing can change, or disrupt God’s plans for His people, those who call upon His great and mighty Name.

Back to Hope?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

See Change

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:16

In the movie The Little Mermaid, Prince Eric drives his ship into Ursula and kills her. After they defeated Ursula, King Triton was released from his imprisonment, but he wasn’t the only one. All who had been deceived and held captive by Ursula were freed. This is a beautiful and touching scene to watch. They didn’t intend to free all those people, but they did. Imagine, their efforts to save themselves for Ursula led to the freedom of all captives.

This is the same in our lives. When we strive to overcome, defeat, and remove a stronghold, burden, etc., from our lives, it will positively affect those around us; how? One of my favorite quotes is,

“Be the change you want to see in the world.”

When you change, it affects everyone around you.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and See Change.

Back to Spiritual Warfare?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

They’ve Been Abolished

13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. ~ Colossians 2:13-14

Ariel signed away her soul to Ursula (the sea witch), not fully realizing all that entailed. By the time her father found out, it was too late. His youngest child, his baby girl, was held captive by the sea witch, and there was nothing he could do to destroy the contract. The contract was valid, and he couldn’t break it no matter how much power he had. So, what does he do? He takes her place. Our relationship with Christ is very similar.

The main difference, though, is that when Christ died, He defeated sin. He took our sin away and defeated what once held our souls captive. He abolished death. We were once slaves to sin, unable to control our flesh. We were once hopeless, but just as the characters in the movie killed Ursula and made the contract null and void, so sin and death have to be overcome and abolished.

Because Christ overcame, through Christ, we are able to overcome as well. There may be generational curses, strongholds, depression, oppression, etc. that plague your life. It may feel overwhelming, but there is hope. Our God has overcome the world. He’s made these contracts null and void. They no longer have any hold on us. It may not happen overnight, but it will happen.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Claim The Abolishment.

Back to Hope?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Posted on

Look At Your Relationships

37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. ~ Matthew 10:37

One of my favorite TV shows as a child was Avatar: The Last Airbender. During the series Aang is told by Guru Pathik that he has to let go of his earthly attachments in order to allow the cosmic energy to flow through him from the universe. Now, I don’t want you all to misunderstand; I don’t believe in allowing cosmic energy to flow through you and connecting with the universe. However, I do believe there is a lesson here though. See, like Aang, I didn’t understand what Guru Pathik was saying. It sounded like he didn’t know what he was talking about, but today, randomly, it came to mind, and I think I understand what he was saying.

We aren’t supposed to just throw people away. No, as Christians, we’re called to love people and let the Light of God shine through us. I believe he was saying we have to learn to let go of attachments. Our relationships with people shouldn’t affect our salvation. They should never affect our peace, joy, and especially not our love. We have to learn to separate ourselves and let go so that the main relationship we are worried about is our relationship with Christ.

See, so many of us allow our relationships with our fathers, mothers, mentors, pastors, teachers, siblings, or friends to affect our relationship with God. When we view certain relationships with others in such high esteem that it begins to negatively affect our relationship with God, then our relationship with this person has become more important than our relationship with God. We have to build our relationship with the LORD on His love for us and our love for Him. It can’t be built on anything else. We have to grow that relationship with the LORD separately from our other relationships so that they don’t have any weight on our relationship with the LORD.

This is what Jesus is telling us in these verses. Our relationship with Christ should thrive and grow regardless of what is going on in our other relationships around us because our relationship with Christ is based on His love for us and our love for Him regardless of what is going on in our lives.

Peace. Love. Go Forth and Look At Your Relationships.

Back to Growth?

Back to Daily Bread?

Similar Content

Like and Share This:
Proudly powered by WordPress