Simple Devotions

Category: Testimony

  • wedding invite

    How do you stay resilient in hard times?

    View all responses

    I’m only able to stay positive and keep going in hard times because of my hope in the resurrection of Christ Jesus.

    He alone imparts the hope that is even now leading me to share the truth of His Word with you the reader. 

    Many do not understand the incredible gift we have been given in that we can have an intimate relationship just by searching the Word of God. It was written and preserved since ancient times to reveal clearly His love towards all humanity.

    Even so God has shared the fullness of His love by not forsaking us but giving us His only begotten son. He makes an invitation to come to His table and receive the bread of life.

    One day soon it will be a banquet table liken to that of a wedding feast for all eternity. 

    Imagine a wedding invitation to the union of Christ and His true church.  

    If your not aware of the coming ceremony you can get an idea in a parable story Jesus tells in Matthew 22

    Friends there is a wedding invite and I hope that you will accept it wholeheartedly because I know Jesus would like to see you there. 

    HE is the only hope anyone can trust in. 

    In Christ love, amen 

  • belief

    What is one thing you can’t live without?

    View all response

    I would have lost my way, unless I had believed.

    Are you floating out there by yourself or are you on a ship that will take you through the roughest storms ahead?

    You notice how society says: be who you want to be, do what you want to do and believe whatever you want to believe but do not tell us how we ought to live. 

    Our belief system is ultimately our choice. 

    Imagine water all around you and the only vessel you have is yourself and you can’t see anything you don’t know what’s below you, you don’t know what’s around you, you don’t even know if you’ll ever see the light of day again, not a place you’d like to live certainly a place you want to get out of.

    Yet, many live like this.

    According to God’s word there are those, whom do not have eyes to see and ears to hear. John 12:37-50.

    Having no spiritual light is what unbelief looks like.

    Living in the dark.

    But for those who want to know and have not harden their hearts towards seeking the truth that light is there for them, they are also those who are open and willing to be obedient to God and believe that Jesus is His son.

    The thing about obedience to God is it’s not really different from a child to a parent relationship. 

    Hopefully you had a good one, if not I’m sorry this is not what God wanted. It’s a sin problem for when there’s no love in the home. 

    But when you accept Christ it’s like growing up in a healthy family environment that has rules and boundaries for protection and peace. 

    God is love, He loved us so much that He gave us His son to atone for the sins of the world and the only thing we need to do is believe in Him enough to follow Him.  This is what stepping out of darkness and into light looks like.

    The choice has always been ours, we can close our eyes to the truth of God’s love but eventually a day will come when all the things are over.

    A relationship with Christ will save you. 

    My choice to believe is my testimony of Jesus.

    I believe that I am able to trust that He will work out all things.

    This comes from believing in His Word and learning daily what it says about who He is and what the plan of salvation looks like. 

    Daily it gives hope and faith that He is coming soon. 

    It helps us to make decisions not based on feelings and emotions but by the living word that comes from His voice. 

    Those whom He directs  – He leads to the path of salvation and along the way encourages them to let go of things that are hurting them, He helps those who are seeking to rebuild their lives and go forward living life being a light for Him. 

    When we chose to look at the truth of His word which is the spiritual light that comes from God – we chose at this moment to not live in darkness or stay in the dark waters.

    Jesus invites you into His lifeboat.

    He will not force you, He does not trespass, you have to allow Him into your heart then He come in and transform your life and be healed.  

    Jesus came into this world as a light and those who believe in Him they will be safely guided through this world of darkness. 

    Reach out to Jesus, He is reaching out to you.

    In Christ love, amen

  • the last one

    Daily writing prompt
    If you could relive one year of your life, which one would it be?
    View all responses

    I’ve heard it many times, what someone wouldn’t give to have one more day .. or just a little more time.

    Maybe I have felt this way about a time in parenting where I wasn’t as patient, it would be nice to have the knowledge I have today as an empty nester now.

    This prompt brings me to a powerful point, we don’t know how much time we have left and there are no do -overs.

    But here’s what I do know.

    God knows all.

    I’ve been reading daily about the faithfulness of God todays was in I Thess 5:24

    So because I believe that He is the one who called me to salvation then I have to trust He will help me to live for Him in body, mind and spirit.

    He will keep me blameless because of His ultimate sacrifice until the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ because He is the One who called me.

    And here’s what I must remember about Him.

    He is faithful to the end and will do what He said He would.

    So looking back and wanting do over’s in this life is not something I have a need for any longer.

    That’s why I decided to share today that the only way to live with no regrets is to live surrendered to the will of the Lord.

    He knows every temptation you deal with and none are new and He still loves you.

    But don’t confuse this with living in sin and doing what you want, no His love is for you is to not live there any longer.

    He wants to save you from it.

    In fact the Old Testament examples and warnings are written for our benefit that we will not repeat the same things they did back then.

    As well as pointing forward to how Jesus was the way, looking back to learn means we have more light to walk in.

    The darkness of this world would keep us stumbling and is why we need His light.

    His word says He will not let you be tempted beyond your strength but will provide a way of escape. 1 Corth 10:13

    However having an attitude of confidence in ourselves thinking we are standing firm and that we can do anything we want and it won’t affect our salvation..this is foolishness.

    The Lord is the only reason we have salvation.

    It’s His to give therefore we need to remain humble looking constantly to Him for it.

    The confidence we need in this life is believing that He will complete the work He began in us. Phil 1:6

    And this friends is how I try to live, I don’t look back and wish to re-live a year in my life because I am pressing forward to the prize ahead.

    Are you looking forward to Heaven?

    You should , He really wants you there too.

    Say this prayer with me :

    Lord Jesus I know that I am not worthy of the goodness You are willing to give me, I need forgiveness of all I have done wrong in my life.

    Please cover me with the sacrifice of your love and create within me a heart that seeks you all the days I have left here on earth, prepare me for Your Heavenly Kingdom. Help me trust that one day You will wipe every tear and heal every hurt explaining to me the truth about all I have lived through, I open my heart to you only Lord God please come in and make me Yours. In Jesus Your sons Holy name I ask all this -Amen

    In Christ love, amen

  • 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?
    View all responses

    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?
    View all responses

    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