Simple Devotions

Category: study guide

  • a “how to” book

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s a book you never finished but still think about?
    View all responses

    It’s the only book I’ll never finish because it’s inexhaustable.

    It’s a book about the ” a race of faith” this Author is not like any other He is also the faith giver.

    The only way to learn about it is to read it and often.

    It’s guaranteed to help you to learn how to be a good steward in life, which essentially guarantees you a kingdom as an inheritance.

    The Author encourages you to look away from all else and fix your eyes on Jesus our leader, the One on whom our faith depends from start to finish. By faith He looked past the cross to the coming joy of salvation of those who love Him. That’s why He endured the cross, scorned it’s shame and disgrace, and ascended to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God.

    In there you will find hope for the future, strength to endure hardships in this world and faith to understand the unseen things.

    It’s is in this book which teaches the way, the truth and the light.

    It draws us into a closer walk with the One who wrote it before the foundations of the world.

    A truth seeker doesn’t waste time reading philosophers opinions, they want all the facts to get results not confusion.

    So this is why I keep reaching for this book and I keep praying to learn everyday how to live called, chosen and set apart from this world, this is the invitation He makes to all who are seeking truth.

    The Creator God of the Universe who gives each heart a beat, He is the Author of this book. He used men over the course of 2000 years to write it by divine inspiration.

    The whole Word is His.

    Which is readily available to all the World but some refuse to believe its truth.

    It’s man choice to read it and accept it, just the same as it is a choice to accept the invitation to Salvation through the Son of God, Jesus Christ.

    This book has stood the test of times and will continue to be infallible for all eternity.

    So why is it one we don’t pick up first, is there another book like this that gives life meaning and more abundantly so ?

    It is a book that changes lives and sets captives to the dark world free.

    I invite you to learn from it, all you need to do is open it and ask the Lord to teach you the truth with the discernment of His Holy Spirit.

    Friends I am hopeful this encourages you to explore the chapters of running the race towards eternal life.

    In Christ love, Amen

  • worry’bout yerself

    If you have spent anytime scrolling memes or videos online there’s this one that shows a 3 year old toddler trying to buckle herself in her car seat and the parent is trying to help her.

    She is bent on doing the task herself and tells the adult to “worry ’bout yerself..” the parent says ” let me help you..” she then repeats the words ..”no..you worry ’bout yerself” in her little lisped voice.

    This is a great depiction of how human kind struggles with allowing the Creator to help them, but that’s not the point I want to share today. I was thinking about how 2 Peter 3:18 applies to this scenario.

    There are those with good intentions who try to “help” others on their walk with the Lord and it comes across as coercion, meaning pushy. The word expresses that we need to be on our guard against becoming independent from God, but instead staying grounded and purposed in learning from Him.

    God’s love is not forced. We are not the Holy Spirit, we should never try to take the place of Him either.

    Because God’s salvation in Christ is a free gift to us, we also should share it in the same way.

    Jesus the son of God was taught by the Father to love and give compassion toward all humanity freely.

    He was set apart to do the will of God in perfect harmony with all of God’s love as the leading force. {Read that again.}

    It was His love through Jesus that drove Jesus to labor in all righteousness. Jesus never told someone they needed healing or they needed forgiveness. He offered it freely.

    God’s love should compel us in the same way.

    He felt the burden of leading souls in love.

    To share God – means to be helpful not pushy. To be a conduit for service to others but only so they will see love in action.

    God never gives up on us therefore we should never give up on human kind.

    Being thoughtful and loving in ways that are helpful.

    Forced ideas of bible truth on someone goes against Gods character. God didn’t force Adam and Eve to stay away from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. He also didn’t force people into the ark to be saved fro the flood in Genius.

    We need to remember our approach should meet His.

    It’s more important that we “worry’ bout ” growing in knowledge of His Word, which will teach us how to speak love in the truth of the Gospel. Remember you have your own eye to be concerned with. Luke 6:42

    Our mission should be to stay in the Word of God so that He will lead us in all knowledge to help others graciously. Eph 4:15

    In Christ love, amen

  • kind words

    Sweet kind words are like rain to dry ground, refreshing and nourishing the heart and mind.

    The Word of God teaches us how to be refreshing and nourishing to others in a surrendered spirit.

    I just read a story about a Pastor who was in a hurry to teach a class at his church but was running late and as he was driving another car cut him off and his response towards the driver was not kind. What we can call a very mild case of road rage.

    He finally gets to class and begins teaching -as he scans the faces his eyes land on the driver whom he was angry with.

    The point is this, both were headed the same direction.

    Friends we are all traveling towards an eternal kingdom of Christ Jesus, if “love of self” gets in the way it will bring unrest.

    Unrest serves no purpose and will not be allowed there.

    Jesus himself never rose to applause or became dejected by critics and disappointment in others. But many who profess to be His followers have anxious troubled hearts as they have not made a complete surrender to His will because it means not having it their way.

    If we are to gain victory over sin in this life we must be of the same mind of Christ.

    This means we need to not allow our selfish nature to rule us, but instead fill our lives with Gods love and follow Jesus ways.

    Matthew 11: 25-30

    Jesus will give us rest and in turn we will be filled with thoughts of kindness. Let us surrender our ways for His today and always.

    In Christ love, Amen

    .

  • the spoiler speeds & the plunder hastens

    Daily writing prompt
    What is something you wish you could tell your 20-year-old self?
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    The older you get the wiser you are supposed to be..but the Word says : Get wisdom! Get understanding! Do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth. Proverbs 4:5

    Don’t wait till your older.

    We are told to pay attention to the word of God – for it is a safeguard for His people.

    I have shared 133 post here about this, because staying in His Word and learning from it teaches us the truth and gives us light to walk through the false narratives and misleading spirits of darkness.

    Satan employs every possible device to prevent men from coming to the knowledge of the Bible, for in it reveals plainly his deceptions.

    In the final moments of earths history we are presently experiencing the midnight hour – the struggle between Christ and His followers.

    As the title says – and bible warns, the last great delusion is soon to open before us.

    The antichrist is to perform his marvelous works in our sight.

    It will so closely resemble the truth that it will be impossible to distinguish between EXCEPT by the Holy Scriptures.

    Those who know the truth will be tested to obey the deceivers rules.

    Only by abiding in God will they be able to stand, which essentially means by His Word, knowing Jesus character, His government and purposes and living in accordance with them.

    None but those who have fortified the mind with the truth of the Bible will stand through the last great conflict.

    Are your feet firmly planted on the rock of Gods imputable word?

    Are we prepared to stand firm in the defense of the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus? Revelation 12:17

    Friends get wisdom. Proverbs 4

    In Christ love, amen

  • walk in the light

    Have you ever tried walking in the dark?

    It doesn’t work out so well, it takes longer to go from one place to another and can result in a stubbed toe.

    As your feeling your way along in a familiar place it can be ok if your not in a hurry however you appreciate having some light to guide you as it gets you to where you are trying to go faster.

    So if this is the case why would we choose to walk without light?

    God the One who created and gives light, sent His son Jesus as the “light of the world “ – why would we try to walk through our days here without Him ? Is it inconvenient or do we think – I got this, I’ll catch up with Him later Or is it a faith issue?

    There’s a passage in Deu 32 where Moses is talking to the Lord and The Lord responds all that His children have done and it is because they have no faith.

    This hits when you think about all that the Israelite nation experienced during this time with Moses in the wilderness and still they had no faith. Are we just like them chasing foolish idols?

    Idols are whatever the heart wants.

    If we don’t believe we have need of Him then this is equivalent to us stumbling around in the dark. We need light to walk here.

    A sad spiritual reality is that those who do believe still choose to walk in their own ways because being surrendered to His will is not what they love first. They want what they want and they don’t want to feel guilty about it. So they continue to pretend to believe in Gods grace, His mercy and His love. They may even say what is right but continue to live selfishly. This is what walking in darkness looks like.

    What does walking in the light look like?

    Slowing down to look for the truth. This is the beginning of wisdom. It’s also where peace lives, when you are still before Him.

    Seeking the truth means change and change means confession which leads to surrender.

    “Lord I need You, I can’t walk well because I can’t see.”

    These words will give light, which He gives freely.

    He is the light we desperately need to walk in.

    In Christ love, amen

  • mars is not in the script..

    Daily writing prompt
    Do you think humans will ever colonize Mars? What would life there actually look like?
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    Hello readers,

    I’m happy to inform everyone according to the Word of God, we will not be leaving this planet until the Son of God comes for those who chose to surrender their lives to His calling.

    How do I know? Prophecy declared and written in the infallible Word of God.

    Only through accepting the Gospel of Christ is how one will leave this place called earth.

    The best way to prepare for take off is to read the accounts of the great controversy from cover to cover. The Holy Word-Jesus Bible.

    The Word of God is purposed for all to see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who created all things through Jesus Christ. Eph 3:8-21

    To the intent that the manifold of the wisdom of God might be made known by the church {His followers/believers/disciples} and to those principalities and powers in the heavenly places.

    According to the eternal purpose which God the Father accomplished in Christ Jesus the Lord.

    Those who are insistent that Mars is a possible escape route from this deteriorating sin filled world are misinformed and deceived by the enemy of God – the liar aka Satan.

    God invites all to investigate the truth of His Word boldly with confidence and I hope that whoever reads these words will seek the truth in the Word of God.

    You should pray and ask the Lord for the light to see the truth in this dark world and this will only happen if you have faith in Him.

    The Lord invites every person to accept His invitation to eternal life and even life today more abundantly, by allowing His Holy Spirit into your heart you will experience the healing power of Christ forgiveness.

    All are sinners born into this sin filled world having a very selfish nature which is why we need a new heart and mind in Christ.

    He invites you to come as you are, He will heal, clean and prepare you for life with Him. To be able to even begin to comprehend what is the width and length and depth and height of the love of Christ which passes knowledge.

    Let Him dwell in your hearts, so that you will know the love of God and begin to be rooted in His truths.

    That you may be filled with the fullness of God.

    Because He who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to His power that works in us.

    And it will be to the glory of Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever who leave this planet with Him.

    Friends accept the invitation open the stony heart of yours and let His light come in,

    In Christ love – amen

  • money buys happiness

    Daily writing prompt
    Share a proverb you think is completely wrong and make your case.
    View all responses

    This title is one proverbial saying ~ I’ll never agree with.

    It’s been my personal experience that it’s an attitude that brings happiness.

    In the book of Matt 5:1-12 Jesus sat down and explained the distinctive joy of His kingdom.

    He begins by saying: Happiness comes from having a humble attitude.

    Have you ever noticed this is true with most humble people even in just passing by? It seems those who smile or even acknowledge you by holding open a door to let you go first, those people have a certain attitude about them.

    While those whom perceive themselves better or superior do not act in this manner, I’d guess they are in fact not happy and less then humble.

    Back to Beatitudes: Humility means you feel your need of God and if you trust in Him , you have the kingdom of God within you.

    So clearly humbleness in God, gives confidence which gives happiness!

    We see humility at its best where confidence is within.

    How appropriate that we can see this clearly.

    I’m going to stop here but stay tuned from more beatitudes.

    And I suggest we really think about what this means.

    There is nothing in the life worth more then our need of God the Father. He gave us His son Jesus Christ as our Savior, we only need to humble ourselves in acceptance of this gift and repent in our need of forgiveness. It’s not hard. Stop chasing what you think you want, and give God the opportunity to work in your life to give you what you need.

    Friends if we are not feeling confident about our eternal life. We should pray and ask God to show us what needs to change in our walk with Him, He wants to give us a happiness the world can’t not offer.

    In Christ love, amen

  • Perseverance

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s the most profound piece of advice you’ve been given? Did you take it?
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    What does perseverance look like to you?

    Maybe it’s a race your trying to run or working on a project till its done successfully.

    Both require endurance and self discipline to go through something that temps us to quit, to stop and say “I can’t or I’m tired and don’t want to.”

    However – we know if we don’t complete the task – we wouldn’t see the finished product, enjoying the end results.

    Like these examples this is how it can feel when you follow the Word of God.

    Even with good intentions I have fallen short where life gets complicated and I get stubborn. Had I stayed in a surrendered attitude just around the corner was a beautiful reward.

    Surrendering to Gods Will means we give Him our desired outcome, its when we don’t trust Him with it that life becomes hard again.

    In this life we will have all sorts of trials and troubles, but the only way to preserve is to do it with Him, which leads to eternal rewards.

    We must learn that it is better to live His way then trying to do it our way, and it only means saying

    “Lord lead me..help me to finish this race and may all that I do glorify you.”

    The Lord is good and He will help you.

    Lamentations 3:25

    In Christ love, amen.

  • battlefield for the mind

    John 16:33 Jesus is speaking about the times of tribulation and how the way is already prepared, how it plays out both good and the bad.

    It’s not something we get to change, it was done on the cross.

    However this is the hope of salvation and because we live in a sin filled world it will be hard, however the Lord prepared the way for us to overcome it.

    It is His will that we know He has defeated the evil one and has overcome the great conflict, therefore He does not want us to be intimidated and discouraged by the assaults of the serpent.

    He being Christ Jesus has won.

    We must learn this truth to accept the peace He supplies – He who made us all equal, He wants to bring together in one body – the body of believers of God’s son Jesus Christ the Lord.

    Putting away hostility toward each other at the cross.

    It is in Christ we have access to God the Father – through the Holy Spirit, this means we are no-longer stranger or foreigners living outside the will of God and with out hope.

    Because of Jesus we can be in one accord.

    We don’t need to look any farther then Jesus the son of God for peace of mind – there is no other who has laid down His life in love who gives forgiveness not earned.

    There is no other who has the Creator God divine authority to be our Lord and Savior. No other who will rescue us from this place.

    The battle today is over your belief system – your mind.

    So what do you believe is true, is it from traditions or is it reasoning of what you have seen or heard?

    The truth is Jesus will explain Himself in the Word (His Bible), He will reason with you – the real battle is will you believe Him or will you listen to the spirit of the enemy?

    What you believe and whom you believe will decide your own fate.

    Abiding in the Spirit of truth is peace and safety.

    Friends – Yes ! God loves His children and wants to save all, there is only one way – through Christ Jesus.

  • seek the Lord

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s the most profound piece of advice you’ve been given? Did you take it?
    View all responses

    My grandmother on her dying bed said these words from the book of Isaiah 55:6 to me..it was the best advice I’ve ever been given, and now I counsel you all to take it as well.

    Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.

    To believe in the story of creation in the book of Genius and how this whole world became you need faith in the bible.

    To understand why you need a Savior who is the Lamb of God, The Word, Jesus, Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Messiah you need to have hope and love and faith in the bible.

    To look forward to the coming of CHIRST in the clouds with great glory also a multitude of shining angels who will attend Him.

    You need to seek Him.

    When He comes, He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

    He will come to honor those who have loved Him, and kept His commandments, and to take them to Himself. In the clouds, not on the earth, not in secret.

    Those who sought Him, He will come for.

    He has not forgotten them nor His promise in John 14:2 there will be a relinking of the family chain.. a little longer and He will wipe all tears from our eyes. Our faith will be rewarded.

    No one knows the day or the hour, but of that day and hour only the Father knows, not even the angels of heaven know.

    Matt 24:36

    So don’t be deceived by those who say otherwise.

    Read Isaiah 55 – if you need to understand how to seek Him and then purpose to follow throughout the Word to know Him.

    Friends, a great tribulation is coming to the doorsteps of our lives, we have never experienced anything like this because the world has never known this and yet we are warned and admonished in His word to seek Him, as those in the days of Noah only eight souls believed and obeyed God’s word through Noah who preached 120 years in righteousness. He told them to seek Him, He warned the world of the coming destruction, but his message was rejected and despised. Just as it will be now..

    Don’t be caught unaware when sudden destruction comes.

    Seek Him and be saved.

    In Christ love, amen