You are currently browsing the category archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ category.
John 17:19 AMPC And so for their sake and on their behalf I sanctify (dedicate, consecrate) Myself, that they also may be sanctified (dedicated, consecrated, made holy) in the Truth.
You got to be holy! You got to be holy!!
This is what some believers are shouting from the mountain top.
Holiness is not through will power alone. Holiness comes from an understanding of who we are in Christ. Through Jesus’s sacrifice, we’ve been made holy (Hebrews 10:10).
If we truly have a revelation of being made holy in Christ, we won’t have to use self-effort to abstain from this or that. We can rely on the holiness we have in Christ to do His will.
Now, we ALL will still make some unholy choices, but those choices won’t undo the holiness we have in Christ.
Understand that you are holy and there’s no sin that will supercede the holiness we have in Christ.
#made #right #holy #in #Christ #Jesus #walk #with #God #follow #peace #scripture #devotional #grow #Word #Jesus #Christ
Philemon 1:6 NLT And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.
To accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, it takes faith. To get the promises of God, it takes faith. Nothing can be accomplished in the Kingdom of God without faith.
As we develop our faith, our faith should produce generosity. We shouldn’t want to keep all these wonderful things that faith can obtain to ourselves. We should want to share the gospel of Jesus Christ with others. We should want to tell others how to apply their faith to be healed or delivered.
When we receive the manifestation of what we stood in faith for, we should be generous with others on how we obtained it. If possible, let them experience what you obtained by faith. Give them a piece of what you prayed for. Let’s give them the step-by-step instructions we’ve received from the Holy Spirit. Let’s give them scriptures to meditate on while they wait for their breakthrough.
Faith births generosity. Be generous by giving people natural help and spiritual help.
#have #faith #believe #trust #God #Holy #Spirit #generosity #generous #give #share #peace #scripture #devotional #grow #Word #Jesus #Christ
John 14:16 AMPC And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever–
When we make Jesus Lord over our lives, we’re gifted with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-14). As we can see from John 14:16, the Holy Spirit remains with us (believers) forever.
There is teaching out there that says we can lose the Holy Spirit through sin. They say when we live right, He’s with us, but if we sin, He leaves. My question to them is how much sin does a person have to commit before the Holy Spirit departs from us?
When Jesus said forever, that means forever. The Holy Spirit is not coming and going based on our behavior. He’s remaining based on the word and the promise of Jesus. Who else is tapping us on our shoulder informing us to be kinder to the waitress, more patient with our children, or to discipline our flesh? It has and it will always be the Holy Spirit.
He’s not leaving us. Not now, not ever.
#Holy #Spirit #God #with #us #Helper #Counselor #Guide #neveralone #promise #scripture #Bible #Word #grow #devo
Psalms 4:5 NLT Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the Lord.
God’s word instructed the people under the law to make sacrifices in the right spirit. If there’s a right spirit to offer sacrifices, there’s a wrong spirit. The wrong spirit to offer sacrifices would be to offer sacrifices out of fear.
Under grace, we’re not offering animal sacrifices, but we still offer God something. It could be praise, service, or a financial offering. When you give, be sure that you’re offering it as an expression of your love and appreciation for Him and what He’s done. Don’t do it because you think you’re going to miss a blessing. Don’t do it because you think He’s going to be mad if you don’t. Do it from a grateful heart.
Once again, the right spirit to offer God anything is the spirit of love and gratitude. Anything else is fear based and unnecessary.
#sacrifice #give #love #nofear #offer #praise
John 4:34 NLT Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.
Jesus was nourished, fulfilled, and satisfied from doing the will of God. So much so until His natural body was refueled.
When we do the will of God, we can experience the same thing. When we do what God has called us to do, we can feel accomplished, fulfilled, and satisfied. We won’t wonder if we’re wasting the “best years of our lives.” We’ll know we’re doing the right thing at the right time.
How do we know if we’re doing the will of God? The Holy Spirit will tell us. Consulting the Holy Spirit on a daily basis will confirm we’re in the will of God. Literally ask Him if whatever we plan to do is God’s will. If He says, “yes,” continue on. If He says, “no,” stop immediately. If you’re unsure, don’t do anything until you get clarity.
Whether He tells you to start a business, move to another state, stop working altogether to be a stay-at-home parent, or start a ministry, trust His plan and believe His will will provide fulfillment.
#have #faith #believe #trust #God #Holy #Spirit #Counselor #Helper #Guide #follow #peace #scripture #devotional #grow #Word #Jesus #Christ
When it comes to God’s promises coming to pass, the main questions are…
When is it going to happen?
How much longer is it going to be?
Did I pray correctly?
Did I forget to say in Jesus name?
Do I have enough faith?
These are all anxious questions built around doubt. These demonically designed questions enter our minds to make us think we’ve done something wrong to not receive God’s promise.
Don’t allow these doubtful questions to remain in your mind. Like any other trash, throw it away. Verbally say, “I call these doubtful thoughts gone, in the name of Jesus.” You may have to do this multiple times a day, but the alternative is to allow these thoughts to remain and corrupt your faith.
When we’ve prayed in faith for something, give the timing to God. While you wait, exercise patience, learn what you need to learn, remain in faith by hearing the word of God, and praising Him in advance for the manifestation of your prayers.
Don’t worry about a thing, give your concerns to God, and be at peace until your prayers come to pass.
1 Peter 5:7 Amplified Bible (AMP) casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].
#cast #cares #trust #God #choose #peace #scripture #devotional #grow #Word #Jesus #Christ
Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
At times, sadness creeps in unexpectedly. We can be happy one moment, then sad another moment. Sadness isn’t sent from God, therefore we must fight it.
Sadness comes from the devil when he highlights what we don’t have or what we didn’t get. It could be thinking about a close relative who died, a previous relationship we wanted to be successful, a job, house, or car we want, but don’t have yet. The list can go on and on. When these thoughts come and we start to feel sad, instead of embracing the sadness and letting it ruin your whole mood or day, fight it off with the word of God.
First, use the authority God has given you with your words and confess, “I have joy, I have peace, I am happy.” The power in our words truly can change our situation (Prov. 18:21). Secondly, listen to sermons and read scriptures about joy. The power of God’s word can truly change our emotions. Finally, give God praise for what you do have. When we think about all that God has done for us, sadness can’t stay (Psalm 30:11-12).
Because sadness likes to force itself into our lives, this may need to be repeated multiple times a day. But if you don’t give in, joy will stay and sadness won’t win.
#joy #peace #happiness #fight #sadness #choose #light #grow #listen #God #Word #scripture #life #devotional
2 Chronicles 15:7 GNT But you must be strong and not be discouraged. The work that you do will be rewarded.”
This is not the time to quit, throw in the towel, or give up. You’ve trusted in God for this long, so why stop now? Hold on to the promises of God.
Giving up is easy. Holding on takes a bit of effort. Especially, when you’re not seeing any signs of change and you’ve been waiting for years. But, we’re called to walk by faith in His word, not by the signs we can naturally see (2 Cor. 5:7).
So, continue to stand on God’s word. He cannot lie (Num. 23:19). God will fulfill His word and you’ll be grateful that you held on.
#justbelieve #trust #lean #rely #on #Christ #Word #Jesus #breakthrough #manifest #promises #be #encouraged #convinced #God #is #good #faithful
1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
There are people who still believe life as a believer is supposed to be trial-free. When a trial comes, they’re shocked or offended God would allow these negative situations to come. Some people even get mad at God for allowing these things to happen.
God’s Word didn’t say we won’t be tempted or tested. It said we won’t be tempted or tested beyond what we’re able to bear. So, the fact that we’re facing a trial is evidence that we’re able to overcome it.
It may seem extremely difficult and it may look impossible, but if we’re facing any kind of trial, with God’s help, we can overcome it.
Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Allow the Holy Spirit to direct your steps in overcoming whatever trial you face.
#overcomer #in #Christ #depend #relyon #trust #God #Jesus #Savior #helper #redeemer #restoration #confidence #Spirit #scripture #devotional
Hebrews 4:9-11 NLT So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.
Ephesians 6:13 NIV Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
While we’re waiting on our promise to manifest, there are two things we should be doing. Resting and standing.
Resting
There are people who feel like they can force God’s hand by fasting, praying longer, attending more services, or giving. Their motivation is to do spiritual works to get on God’s good side to speed up the process. Our labor is not going to get God to move. Through Christ, He has made every promise available to us. Our responsibility is to rest believing it’s already done. We may feel like we need to do something, but our responsibility is to rest in what Jesus has accomplished.
Standing
Although we don’t work to get God to do something He’s already done through Jesus, there are certain things we can do to maintain our faith in what Jesus has already done. The two primary things we can do is hear God’s word because faith comes by hearing (Rom. 10:17) and confess God’s word because we can have what we say (Mark 11:23). We’re standing on God’s word until His promises manifest in our lives. No matter how long it takes, stand on God’s word until it comes to pass.
Satan will attempt to make us think we’re not doing enough to get God’s promise to come to pass, but we must resist him and remain at rest. He’ll attempt to make us think it’s not coming to pass, but we must resist him and remain standing on God’s word.
Resting and standing are two very important things. Continue to do both to get what Christ has made available for you.
#faithful #God #Father #Jesus #Christ #Savior #King #Friend #Holy #Spirit #Counselor #Guide #lean #rely #trust #stand #on #Word #devotional #scripture
Psalms 4:7 NLT You have given me greater joy than those who have abundant harvests of grain and new wine.
There are people who have millions of dollars, but they don’t have joy. Money like that can give us moments of happiness, but only God can provide pure joy.
There are people with only $4.00 to their name, but have more joy than some billionaires. Why? Because they’ve chosen to focus their attention on God and what Christ has made available for them which brings them more joy than any dollar amount.
When we rely on money, people, or material possessions to bring us joy, we’ll always be disappointed. Only God Himself can give us joy.
#pure #joy #is #found #in #God #Jesus #Christ #alone #scripture #devotional #life
Mark 16:17-18 NLT These miraculous signs will accompany those who believe: They will cast out demons in my name, and they will speak in new languages. They will be able to handle snakes with safety, and if they drink anything poisonous, it won’t hurt them. They will be able to place their hands on the sick, and they will be healed.”
This is Jesus speaking. He said, along with casting out demons and laying hands on the sick, all those who believe will speak in new tongues.
Once again, this is Jesus speaking about all believers. This debunks the thought that tongues were only for the Apostles and it passed away. This also debunks the thought that tongues are only gifted to certain people. The scriptures says, ALL who believe.
The gift of tongues are for certain people in a public setting and it only comes as the Holy Spirit wills (1 Cor. 12:10-11). The tongues mentioned by Jesus are tongues every believer can edify themselves, pray with, and sing praises to God (1 Cor. 14:2-4). Only God understands this language. When we privately speak in tongues, we’re accessing the spirt realm of things that no eyes have seen, nor ears have heard, but it will be revealed by the Spirit (1 Cor. 2:7-12). We get access to knowledge, answers, solutions, and comfort.
Stop running from this language Jesus told us we could have just because you can’t understand it. Stop making a mockery of it. Ask Him to help you speak in tongues to get access to supernatural things and to pray for people or situations you had no clue about.
#pray #Holy #Spirit #gift #speak #tongues #supernatural #power #Jesus #Christ #Savior #Lord #God #scripture #growth #devo
Proverbs 16:24 AMPC Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body.
Nice haircut.
Great shirt.
Cool eyes.
Cute kids.
Great job.
Today, we live in a world where no one wants to talk to anyone. People think you’re up to something or you’re hitting on them. Some people don’t know how to respond to a compliment. However, kind statements, like the ones mentioned above, are statements that can make someone’s day.
You never know what someone’s going through and your words could be the inspiration needed to get through the day.
We don’t have to know multiple scriptures in Greek or Hebrew to give a kind word. We just have to have a willing heart to be a light in a dark world. Do the world a favor and consistently speak a kind word.
#speak #life #kindness #kind #words #soul #refreshers #God #loves #Jesus #saves #bible #scripture #devo
If you’ve been in church for awhile, you may have heard someone say, “Praise your way out.” What some of them are saying is if we praise God long enough while facing difficulties, our praise will bring us out of that negative situation. They get this from the story of Paul and Silas in Acts 16.
Acts 16:25-26 CEV About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing praises to God, while the other prisoners listened. Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the jail to its foundations. The doors opened, and the chains fell from all the prisoners.
Praising our way out is not entirely true. Our faith in God’s word and what He’s made available through Jesus Christ brings us out of negative situations.
When Paul and Silas were in prison, they had no clue that their praise would open the prison doors and remove their chains. The Holy Spirit or an angel didn’t encourage them to praise God to be free. They genuinely were praising God because of the love they had for Him.
Praise keeps our focus off the negative situation and on God. When we praise God, we convince ourselves and we let everyone else around us know Who we rely on.
Keep your faith in God’s word to be delivered from negative situations, but keep your focus on Him through praise and worship.
#praise #trust #magnify #rely #on #God #Jesus #Savior #Redeemer #Helper #Provider #King #scripture #devotional #Word #growth #bible
Mark 11:23 NLT I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.
Mark 4:39 NLT When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm.
Acts 16:18 NLT This went on day after day until Paul got so exasperated that he turned and said to the demon within her, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And instantly it left her.
When we read scriptures like these, we should realize we have the authority to speak to any negative situation in the name of Jesus and the situation has to line up with God’s word.
Once we speak to the situation, in faith, it’s done. We don’t have to speak to the negative situation over and over again. Like Jesus speaking to the fig tree, it’s just a matter of time before things change.
If we’re unsure that what we’ve confessed will actually come to pass (confessed in doubt), build your faith in that area by listening to the word of God on confession (Romans 10:17). Once you’re convinced of your authority in Christ Jesus regarding confession, speak to the negative situation with boldness and expect it to change.
Until the changes manifest themselves, thank God for the authority He has given us, thank Him for the positive thing that’s about to come to pass, and remain at rest. Don’t get discouraged if it seems like nothing is happening. Remain in faith knowing that negative situation heard you and it’s in the process of lining up with God’s word.
#believe #confess #Word #God #Jesus #Christ #power #authority #scripture #devotional
There are still some people who have a problem with grace. They think the grace message gives people the freedom to sin. They think people will live an unholy life with the mindset that they’re covered by grace. That’s not the case at all. Grace gives us the freedom of forgiveness if we do sin, but it doesn’t give us a license to sin.
When a person truly understands what grace has made available to us, they won’t want to sin. They’ll have such an appreciation for the sacrifice of Jesus until sinning would be minimal at best.
If someone paid off all our natural debt, gave us a place to stay, and desires to give us anything we’ll need or want, would we dishonor them or treat them poorly? Of course not. Jesus sacrificed His life so that we can have eternal life, abundance, righteousness, holiness, health, forgiveness, and so much more. A true believer will honor God by obeying His word and being led by His Spirit.
Let’s stop telling people they need to live right before they can receive God’s grace or telling people they need to be holy to keep God’s grace. God’s grace is an unearned gift from God if we believe in the sacrifice of Jesus. Only He will determine who truly believes.
Romans 3:22-26 NLT We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
#Jesus #paid #all #just #believe #trust #God #receive #Christ #walk #free #from #sin #cure #freedom #growth #scripture #devo
Luke 16:9 NLT Here’s the lesson: Use your worldly resources to benefit others and make friends. Then, when your possessions are gone, they will welcome you to an eternal home.
The possessions and finances we obtain are not just for us. What we have should be used to benefit others.
That extra car we’re not really driving can be a good car for your teenage nephew. That extra $100 we really don’t need could be grocery money for that single mother. That leftover food we have from our birthday cookout can be a meal for the poor.
God should have access to everything we have because if it wasn’t for Him, we wouldn’t have it in the first place. If He tells us to give it up, let’s honor Him and obey. From the beginning, it’s always been God’s plan for believers to be a blessing to others (Gen. 12:2). So, remember that in your pursuit of prosperity.
#prosperity #God #first #prosper #bless #expand #kingdom #growth #mindset #scripture #devotional #Jesus #love #people
Acts of the Apostles 15:19 NLT “And so my judgment is that we should not make it difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God.
The Jewish believers attempted to add additional requirements in order for the Gentiles (non-Jews) to be saved. They wanted them to believe in the Lord Jesus and get circumcised and keep the Law of Moses (Acts 15:5).
Most of us would be considered Gentiles. And some of us Gentiles are making it difficult for other Gentiles to be saved. We’re telling people to believe Jesus died for our sins and speak in tongues and live holy and not eat certain foods and be baptized and go through new convert meetings and…and….and. The only thing necessary on this list is believing Jesus died for our sins. When we believe, we are saved.
Stop making salvation difficult by giving other qualifications not mentioned in God’s word. Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
#believe #Jesus #Christ #Son #God #saved #salvation #Word #devotional #scripture
Jonah 2:1-2 NLT Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish.
Another person would have accepted their consequence of disobedience without a prayer, but not Jonah. Although Jonah deserved to be in that terrible situation, Jonah asked the One whom he disobeyed for help.
When we knowingly, intentionally, and willfully go against God and our lives are in shambles, we can always call on God for help.
[2] He said, “I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble, and he answered me. I called to you from the land of the dead, and Lord, you heard me!
Even if we put ourselves in a negative situation, if we throw away our pride and self-pity and ask God for help, in His mercy He’ll hear us and answer our cry.
We don’t have to “go down with the ship” or accept where we are as a permanent punishment. No matter how deep of a hole we dug ourselves into, we can ALWAYS call on God for help and He’ll help us.
#my #help #comes #from #the #Lord #call #on #Jesus #God #Father #Savior #Helper #scripture #Word #devotional
Matthew 18:10 NLT “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.
From the time we’re born, we all are assigned angels. This scripture says our angels are always in the presence of God.
Psalms 91:11 says, God orders His angels to protect us wherever we go.
Between these two verses, this is how we derived the term guardian angel. The only difference is it’s not guardian angel (singular). It’s guardian angels (plural).
God ensures that His angels truly protect us wherever we go. Who knows how many things they actually protect us from? If you want to get a glimpse of their power, take a look at 2 Kings 19:35.
Instead of walking around in fear wondering if something bad is going to happen to us, believe God’s word about your guardian angels and trust that they’ll protect you wherever you go.
#angels #protect #guard #defend #believers #protection #God #Loves #Jesus #Christ #covers #Word #growth #scripture #devotional #devo
When we’re waiting on our prayers to manifest, there’s a temptation to feel stuck. We don’t want to forfeit our promise, but we can’t move forward. Like a prisoner, we have nothing else to do and nowhere to go.
During these immobile moments, the best thing we can do is praise God. Praise God for being faithful. Praise God for answering former prayers. Praise God in advance for exceeding our expectations (Eph. 3:20). Praise Him for the grace and patience to endure.
We may not know when or how our prayers will manifest and we’ve done all we naturally know to do (pray in faith, confessed, and sowed a seed). When you can’t think of anything else, praise God until it comes to pass.
Acts 16:25-26 KJV And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
#pray #praise #thank #trust #God #Jesus #faithful #promises #Word #growth #scripture #devotional #devo
Numbers 14:33 NLT And your children will be like shepherds, wandering in the wilderness for forty years. In this way, they will pay for your faithlessness, until the last of you lies dead in the wilderness.
Praise God that we’re not under the old covenant where our faithlessness permanently stops us from receiving the promises of God. Through Christ, at any point in our lives, we can make a decision to trust and believe God’s word and our lives will become better because of it. However, if we remain faithless to God’s word, we and our children may temporarily reap the consequences.
Our faithlessness to trust God financially may hinder our children from participating in club sports or academic camps. If our finances are low because we don’t trust God, they could be limited in what they can do. Our faithlessness for our children to be protected could leave them susceptible to sickness and serious pain. If we’re not sure God can protect us, what chance do they have on being protected?
Let’s make the decision to put total faith in God’s word. Let’s believe that Jesus made all of God’s promises available to every believer. As we consistently believe God’s word, our faithfulness will positively impact our lives, our children’s lives, and our grandchildren’s lives.
#trust #God #total #faith #belief #believe #allthings #possible #nevergiveup #Word #growth #devotion #scriptural #devo #Jesus #Christ
Proverbs 11:24 NLT Give freely and become more wealthy; be stingy and lose everything.
Here’s a biblical principle that is contrary to the world. The world and logic tells us to save to become wealthy. God’s word tells us to give to become wealthy. Which will you choose?
If we truly trust God’s word, we’ll freely give. We’ll not only give to churches and ministries, we’ll give to parents who have children participating in club sports, we’ll give to the poor, we’ll give to someone who may not need the money. Whoever the Holy Spirit puts in our hearts to give to, even if it doesn’t make sense, we should give to them.
As a result of our obedience and trust in God’s word, we’ll become more and more wealthy. Again, which will you choose? The world’s way of doing things or God’s way? Give as the Holy Spirit instructs you to give.
#generosity #giving #love #kindness #God #gives #wegive #grow #learn #trust #Christ
Numbers 14:11 NLT And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them?
God has done some wonderful things. He’s delivered us from depression, removed a sin tendency, He’s blessed us with employment we weren’t qualified for, and He’s given us material things just because He loves us.
Somehow we forget these things when the new problem comes up and is in front of us. We forget all He’s done. Some of us begin to doubt and others go directly to unbelief. We must realize nothing is too hard for God. There is no problem He can’t handle. If it seems impossible, it’s just right for God.
Don’t forfeit God’s promise just because it seems impossible. Continue to believe regardless of what you see or don’t see. And remember, if He did it before, He can do it again.
#trust #God #believe #allthings #possible #nevergiveup #Word #growth #devotion #scriptural #devo
Today, some of the “mature” believers seem to be tired of hearing all the “fluff” or “candy” in church. They’re tired of hearing about blessings, breakthroughs, and being prosperous. They want to hear about living righteously and honoring God.
Why does it have to be one or the other? Both are true. The same God who said we’ll be prosperous in Jeremiah 29:11 is the same God who told us not to fornicate 1 Corinthians 6:18. The God who healed us through Jesus is the same God who told us not to gossip (1 Peter 2:24; Prov. 16:28).
If a person only hears about the blessings, but they never hear about honoring God, they may be deceived into thinking they can live however they want and still get blessed. On the other hand, if someone only hears about sin and how they need to further honor God, they may not know or expect to receive the promises of God.
Understand, both righteous living and expecting God’s promises are true and beneficial for the believer.
Matthew 5:44 NLT But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!
Matthew 19:26 NLT Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.”
#whatever #is #right #true #good #holy #honor #God #Jesus #Christ #Word #growth #bible #devotional #grow #in #truth #grace #blessings #favor
2 Corinthians 9:11 AMPC Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.
A lot of people, believers included, don’t like the concept of born-again believers being rich. They think riches will corrupt us, makes us too much like the world, or take our dependence off of God. That may be true for immature believers, but as we can see from this scripture, God is not against believers having riches.
One beneficial reason to be rich is so that we can be generous to others. Our extra money is not solely for ourselves. It’s so that we can be a blessing to others. When we’re generous with others, our generosity will bring thanksgiving to God.
If believers didn’t have anything leftover to give, the truly less fortunate wouldn’t have anything to eat, no where to sleep, or clothes. We couldn’t help out a friend who was behind on their bills. We couldn’t give gas money to that teenager who’s trying to do something meaningful with their lives.
All of our generosity will bring glory to God. If you don’t want riches for yourselves, that’s fine. Believe God for riches in order to give everything you don’t need away so that God can be glorified.
2 Corinthians 9:12 NLT So two good things will result from this ministry of giving—the needs of the believers in Jerusalem will be met, and they will joyfully express their thanks to God.
#give #and #glorify #God #generous #generosity #kind #bible #growth #Word #Christ #believers
Psalm 62:5 AMPC My soul, wait only upon God and silently submit to Him; for my hope and expectation are from Him.
Our hope and expectation should be from God.
If our hope is in the stock market, our 401K, our paycheck, or social security, we have misguided hope. If our hope is in our spouse, our marriage, or the success of our children, our hope is misguided. If our hope is in anything besides God, our hope is misguided.
The source of our joy, happiness, peace, security, safety, and love should be from God. Anything else is temporal and could leave us devastated if it doesn’t work out.
Put and keep your hope in God. He will never let you down.
#hope #in #God #alone #Jesus
Jeremiah 1:12 NIV The Lord said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”
A good owner of a company ensures they have a quality product. Once the product enters their factory, the owner ensures the product is cleaned, packaged, and boxed appropriately. Finally, the owner ensures their product reaches the stores and is properly put on the shelves to sell.
Like a good owner watches over their product, a good God watches over His word to ensure that it comes to pass. He makes sure that anyone who is willing to believe it receives it. It may take a long time for us, but He ensures that it comes to us at the most beneficial time.
God has not forgotten what He has promised. Continue to believe and it will come to pass.
#Faithful #Good #Father #Lord #Savior #God
In every situation, there are facts, the truth, and lies. When a fact shows up, we can believe the truth about that subject or the lies.
FACT:
If someone wakes up with a temperature of 104, the fact is they have a fever caused by some illness or disease.
TRUTH:
Although that person has a fever, the truth is they’re healed (1 Peter 2:24).
LIES:
Satan, who is the father of lies, will throw numerous lies in that person’s mind to convince them they won’t recover, they’ll die, they’ll be in the hospital for weeks and lose their jobs, or they’ll be dealing with this illness for the rest of their lives.
As believers, we don’t act like facts don’t exist. We are to ignore the facts and focus on the truth. What is the truth? God’s word is the truth (John 17:17). It doesn’t matter if the facts are a shortage of money, a problematic marriage, ungrateful children, or a disrespectful supervisor. Our responsibility is to believe the word of God more than facts or the lies.
When we believe and only focus on God’s word, the word of God has the power to change the facts. Our bodies will recover, our marriage will be peaceful, and our children will be grateful and God-fearing.
Don’t panic or stress believing the lies of Satan. Focus on the truth in God’s word that can change the facts.
John 17:17 NIV Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.
#truth #over #fact #miracleshappen #through #Christ #God #is #good #and #faithful
If Satan can make us doubt God’s word or His ability in one area of our lives, He could potentially make us doubt God’s word in another area, and another area, and another.
If he can convince a married couple to doubt God’s ability to get them pregnant based on Exodus 23:26, they may question if healing is meant for them.
If a person believes and boldly declares they’re healed, based on 1 Peter 2:24, but the situation hasn’t improved, this can cause doubt in that person’s mind. They then may question if their financial situation they’re believing God for will improve or if their family dynamics will improve.
Don’t let the seed of doubt grow into a tree of unbelief. If doubt of any kind enters your mind, recognize it’s an attack from the enemy against your faith. Secondly, replace the doubt with the word of God. Where you’re starting to doubt, begin consistently listening to God’s word on that subject. The more of God’s word we hear, the stronger our faith gets.
God’s word is the final authority. If it takes an additional month, year, or five years, don’t doubt God’s word or His ability. It must come to pass.
James 1:6-7 NIV But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
#ask #believe #trust #God #nodoubt #nofear #all #faith
1 Timothy 5:3 NLT Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her.
James 1:27 NLT Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
Helping the widows and orphans is something we don’t hear about too often. We hear a lot about faith, grace, and love, but it’s seldom applied to widows and orphans. Although we don’t hear about helping them often, doesn’t mean that’s not God’s desire.
Shelters are full of widows and child protective agencies are full of orphans. Countries and states are struggling to provide the bare minimum for them. It was never the government’s responsibility to care for widows and orphans. That responsibility was given to the church.
That financial increase we’re in faith for should partially be used to help with assisting widows and orphans. That love we like talking about so much should be applied to widows and orphans. The grace we freely receive is something that should be given to widows and orphans.
Stop looking for someone else to help. Let’s take on our God-given responsibility to help the widows and orphans. If you don’t know where to start, ask the Holy Spirit and He’ll guide you in area where you can assist.
#help #somebody
Genesis 16:2 NLT So Sarai said to Abram, “The Lord has prevented me from having children. Go and sleep with my servant. Perhaps I can have children through her.” And Abram agreed with Sarai’s proposal.
Abram and Sarai made a flesh-led decision. Flesh-led decisions are birthed out of impatience and a lack of trust in God.
We’ve all made flesh-led decisions. We took a job we eventually hated because our flesh told us it paid more. We got into a relationship knowing there were red flags just so our flesh won’t be lonely. Our flesh got anxious while driving and caused an accident.
Although we’ve made flesh-led decisions before doesn’t mean we have to do it again. Instead of making flesh-led decisions, we can make Spirit-led decisions.
Ask the Holy Spirit which job to take, who to date, and where we should live. He’ll tell us everything we need to know. Once He tells us, don’t argue or debate with Him. Trust Him. Trust that God knows what He’s doing and He’s working everything out for our good (Rom. 8:28).
One of the fruits of the Spirit is patience (Gal. 5:22). Patience is a requirement when it comes to obtaining the promises of God (Heb. 10:36). We will have to wait at times. Instead of making an impulse decision grounded in logic or emotion, wait on God to fulfill His promise.
No more flesh-led decisions. Be patient, trust God, and let the Holy Spirit guide you into what God has for you.
#faith #patience #trust #God
Ecclesiastes 7:10 NLT Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise.
When we get around old friends or by ourselves, some of us like to play the “remember when…” game. We’ll tell or recall stories of how we acted and the things we did (some good and some bad), and we’ll just reminisce.
Some of us get stuck reminiscing about the “good old days.” We may not like what’s currently happening in our lives and long to go back to a “happier time.” As we can see, that’s not wise.
It’s not wise for a few reasons.
- Ungratefulness. Some are not grateful for all the good things God has done since then. Even if our lives are not going as planned, we’re still alive and God has blessed us with our necessities. We should be grateful.
- We’re not exercising our faith. The same God who allowed us to enjoy ourselves in the past is the same God who can make a better future. Trust God’s word where it says He will increase us more and more (Ps. 115:14). This includes an increase of joy.
- It doesn’t please God or benefit us if our longing is based on sinful activities. Focusing on how many women/men we were with, how drunk we used to get, or how hard we would party is something we shouldn’t long for. Be grateful that God’s grace and mercy kept us in our foolishness.
Don’t live in the past. Be grateful for the present and expect good things for the future.
#expect #good #letitgo #befree #enjoy #life
Hebrews 6:12 CEB This is so you won’t be lazy but follow the example of the ones who inherit the promises through faith and patience.
Some of us have drive-thru faith. Like being at a fast food restaurant, we make our request to God and by the time we get to the window, we expect it to be ready. It’s great to have high expectations for God to respond to our prayers quickly, but what if it doesn’t happen immediately? What if it takes weeks, months, or years for our prayers to manifest?
When the manifestation of our prayers takes too long, like some of us at a drive-thru, we give up our order, get out of line, and try to find another way to be satisfied.
Don’t give up on God or His word because it’s taking too long. Be willing to go the distance. Be willing to trust that God’s word will come to pass regardless of how long it takes.
Impatience is an enemy to faith. Have unwavering faith and believe that every delay is working in our favor (Rom. 8:28).
#faith #and #patience #promises #God #favor
Psalms 16:7 NLT I will bless the Lord who guides me; even at night my heart instructs me.
It’s a choice to let God guide you. Don’t resist His guidance. Embrace it. The more we resist Him, the more spiritual warfare we have on the battlefield of our minds. God is saying one thing, but our flesh is saying another. If we could make up in our minds to submit to God’s way, we’ll experience more peace.
Give Him praise for His guidance. Don’t be deceived into thinking you’re missing out on something. Why? Because His ways lead to victory. We may not know how or when this victory will occur, but we’re certain it will come to pass.
Submit to the guidance of the Lord and give Him praise. He could have just let us bump our heads by figuring it out on our own. But, He wants to be responsible for leading us to the promises that He prepared.
#trust #follow #believe #rely #on #God #Jesus #HolySpirit
Psalms 42:6 MSG When my soul is in the dumps, I rehearse everything I know of You, From Jordan depths to Hermon heights, including Mount Mizar.
Life has its difficult moments. Some of us don’t know how we’re going to pay our bills, some of us are dealing with excruciating pain, and some of us are having difficulties with our children.
When dealing with these moments, it’s important to rehearse everything we know about God. What we know and rehearse should be based on His word.
God’s word says He’s healed us, meaning the pain and sickness we may be experiencing must stop as we believe (1 Pet. 2:24). God’s word says He’s a deliverer, meaning these difficulties won’t last forever (Ps. 18:1). God’s word says our children shall be delivered, therefore we can give our worries about them to God and He’ll perfect our concerns (Prov. 11:21; 1 Pet. 5:7; Ps. 138:8).
To accompany His word, we can rehearse personal experiences of how God positively impacted our lives. We can recall how He healed our bodies in the past, we can remember when He blessed us financially at the last moment, and we can remember how He saved us from that car accident.
When we rehearse everything we know about God, that will give us the faith and strength we need to overcome our current difficulties.
#remember #testimony #believe #God #is #good
John 20:25 NLT They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
Why did Thomas doubt? Jesus told all of his disciples that in three days He will rise again. After all the miracles Thomas has personally seen and all the testimonies of people who witnessed Jesus alive, he still chose to not believe.
Some believers are like Thomas. They could see a promise in God’s word and hear about the testimonies of others, but for some reason, they still choose to not believe.
The main reason believers don’t believe in certain promises of God is a lack of trust in God’s word. They believe Jesus is the Son of God, but they don’t believe every believer is totally forgiven. They believe they’re healed, but they don’t believe every believer can be prosperous. They believe they’re loved, but they don’t believe they’ll receive a harvest from their giving.
These unbelieving believers can be influential or important people to us. They could be a grandmother, a pastor, real good friend, or widely seen as knowledgeable, but if what they believe or don’t believe contradicts the word of God, their belief is not the truth.
Beware of these unbelieving believers. If an opportunity presents itself, share the truth of God’s word with them in the efforts to help them become a believing believer.
#believe #God #Word #Jesus #miracles #goodness #faithfulness #life #joy #peace
John 20:25 NLT They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”
What’s an unbelieving believer? It’s a person whose belief is roughly limited to salvation. For reasons such as, not wanting to be disappointed, fear of failure, or ignorance, they don’t believe in other things the bible has promised.
For instance, there are believers who don’t believe in healing. They believe if we get sick, it’s God’s will. If we get well, it’s God’s will. If we get sick and die, that God’s will too. They believe Jesus saves, but they don’t believe His stripes healed.
There are people who have made Jesus Lord, but they don’t believe in prosperity. They view prosperity as being associated with the world. They see having little as a spiritual badge of honor. Jesus died to save AND to prosper our lives. We don’t have to choose.
We must be mindful of unbelieving believers because, they can talk or preach us out of what’s been promised to us. Yes, preachers can be unbelieving believers too.
We must know with absolute confidence that what it says in God’s word belongs to us. Don’t let anyone twist the scriptures to make you think it’s something it’s not. If God says we’re healed, blessed, prosperous, forgiven, whole, delivered, etc., that’s exactly what we should believe.
Make sure you’re not an unbelieving believer and make sure you’re not being influenced by an unbelieving believer.
#trust #rely #believe #God #Word #Jesus #healed #delivered #blessed #prosperous #successful #in #Christ
Psalms 119:105 NLT Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.
When we’re walking by faith, in the natural, we can’t see a thing. We don’t know how God’s promises are going to happen and we don’t know when it’s going to happen. The only source of light or hope we have is in the word of God.
From God’s word, we can see our healing, deliverance, help, the source of our guidance, and so much more. We may not see how any of this will come to pass, but if we can see it in God’s word, we can put our faith in it, and let that light guide us until it manifest.
Don’t look around in the natural for confirmation of God’s word. Sometimes the only thing we have is a few verses in God’s word. But those few verses have enough power to change our lives forever. Be guided by the light of God’s word.
#light #Word #God #power #guide #faith #trust #believe #Jesus
Mark 4:16-17 NLT The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.
Negative experiences come to take our confidence in the word of God.
The word says we’re healed (1 Peter 2:24), however having the flu attempts to tell us we’re not healed. What are you going to believe? The word or the negative experience?
The word tells us we won’t be barren (Exo. 23:26), but our experience says we’ve been waiting 13 years to have a child. What will you believe?
One more…
The word says we’re blessed (Gal. 3:14), but the problems in our lives and our bank account says otherwise. Will you believe what you see over the word?
We will have negative experiences and unfortunate circumstances, but we must not let those things convince us that the word doesn’t work. We must believe that God’s word can change any facts we see. If not, we’ll miss out on what’s rightfully ours.
Believe the word of God above anything else.
#God #is #greater #than #experience
Graced To Do God's Will 