Simple Devotions

Tag: christianity

  • battle for truth, part 1

    Did you know your living on a battlefield?

    And did you know you in this very moment you could be fighting on the wrong side?

    Why do I say this, because Jesus asked the Father in Heaven “forgive them ~they don’t know what they are doing”, as He was dying on the cross. Killed by God’s own people, not wanting to do the deed of crucifying Him, they turned Him over to the law enforcer of their time, Rome, which ridiculed Him.

    And in that battle Jesus said forgive them.

    Today I am convicted that I must share the reality on the subject of sin because all have fallen short of the glory of God, ALL.

    Most do not understand that we are falling down on a spiritual battlefield, which is a war over our lives.

    It’s the great controversy between Jesus and the Heavenly Angels verses Satan and his demons.

    You see there’s a loud battle cry going forth from the soldiers of Christ, this battle cry is for our souls.

    God would have not one lost, but He gives the choice over our own lives to us.

    This is why it is not “predestined” as some would say. You get to chose.

    The invisible battle being waged on ALL the children of God daily has been going on since the beginning of time.

    In this present time where nation is against nation, and violence is the theme every day. We must battle for the truth, the Gospel of Christ must be talked about.

    In 2 Timothy 3, we are told of dangerous times in the last days, which are even worse than the days of Christ and His apostles.

    So how do we battle?

    First we must know the Author and the Finisher of our faith. It is the difference between walking in darkness and having God’s light in the darkness.

    You must look to whom this light is, it is Jesus Christ the Son of God, without His light you remain in darkness.

    God‘s Word is the light that divides day from night.

    This is meant to be understood both figuratively and literally.

    The whole matter of light will be found throughout scriptures, all we have to do is seek out the Word, He will give you light to understand the truth of this battle of darkness and how to walk through it.

    Secondly, your battle stance is not on your feet.

    It’s on your knees. It is having a heart posture of humbleness towards the Lord and leaning on His Word, not your understanding.This is where God offers forgiveness and healing.

    Give Him all that is yours, daily. Your cares, your troubles, your future and your past. Give Him access to your mind, your whole life. He will not trespass, He knocks on your heart and waits for you to let Him in.

    Understand this , all your treasures and all your own ways belong to you until you give it to Him.

    Once you surrender, you will learn how to wear His armor. You will become a soldier for Him. Unburdening yourself in surrendered service, means you will no longer fight alone or on your own.

    To battle for the Lord is to share the truth of His Word.

    It is to lay down your own version of right and wrong. It means giving our will to the Lord and choosing His ways in place of ours.

    When we realize that we need repentance, He provides.

    He gives grace and mercy.

    Sounds like a lot, but it’s nothing compared to what He will give you. You will not out give the Lord, He is the ultimate gift giver.

    His ways are higher and He plans good for us.

    With Him in charge, there is no future of harm to us. He plans to heal us and to set us up to succeed.

    Even though the darkness remains at this time, His light gives us a firm footing in the battle.

    I will continue to share more battle plans, however right now look to Christ Jesus the Savior, give Him your heart, commit to study His Word. You will need to do this, in order to trust The Victorious Commander and Chief.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • picture window reminder

    I’m going to describe the morning I wrote this post, and it is my hope that you will see the “intersecting truth” this is the message I hope to convey to you today.

    When we look around at the scenes of life, the beauty of God’s love gets overlooked as the details of life are often distracting.

    The picture window I’m sitting at this morning is presenting a new day dawning. The scene is full, life is happening. The birds are flying from limb to limb in the tall trees, the branches are swaying in the wind. Below those trees are neighboring homes which start to become vividly contrasting in the light of day. One home looks like it’s well cared for, maintained from what I can see on the outside, and then there’s the neighbor next-door which appears like it struggles. Projects piled up in the yard, maybe they ran out of time or energy. Maybe they were more concerned with the chores inside. I don’t pretend to know, this is just an observance, a small part of the bigger picture.

    While in the background the sun is rising in slow procession upwards, its rays are breaking through the fabric of the clouds. And as the light travels out in each direction it gives more light with each passing moment bringing with it warmth.

    I observe the wildlife continue to hunt for their breakfast, while keeping watch for harm. The grass is receiving its morning dew drops and the sun continues to cast rise upwards with with it the wind moves around, in response the tree branches become subject to the sun’s presence in the air. And the rest of nature plays out to the changing of the day.

    All that I witness is because the sun gave light. Without the illumination of this light from the sun, we would not experience the picture before us.

    Without light, we would remain in darkness.

    Nothing would be seen that is seen, just as it is, with the Lord.

    1 Corinthians 1: 26- 31 says only when we seek to know the Lord, will we be able to see his glory ( His light) this is how we become believers. He chose us to see Him.

    We did not choose Him.

    He gives light that He may be seen, revealing that He is the truth. It is how we learn. It is how we become partakers of the truth of His Word.

    God is not the author of confusion, He paints with perfect strokes the picture of completion each new morning. He designed it so that all who look will see and be acquainted with Him the perfect Creator.

    It is the very same in that those who seek to study the Bible will know the will of the Heavenly Father.

    He gave men the pure word of prophecy, angels to help guide and even more His son who is God Himself in flesh, which made what would come to pass. The Gospel message. The God – story. The Good news. The message of Salvation.

    Salvation is not a mystery, the Word of God studied plainly with a prayerful heart will reveal what is to come and how we must work with Him to store up in heaven our treasures. Just like the morning picture.

    Only when we surrender our worldly plans for the cares of our Redeemer we will want to invest in the work purposed for us, His will. Revelations 1:3

    Blessings will come to those who hear and keep His word.

    But to those who, instead stay invested in this world, who buy silver and gold, which will corrode. Those who refuse and remain unrepentant, living unrepented lives, they are treasuring up for themselves wrath in the day of judgment. James 5:2-6

    Since the creation of the world, His invisible attributes are clearly seen and understood. Romans 1:20

    No one denies the suns shining presence when seeing it rise each morning.

    It is the same with God. We only need to be willing to abide in His will as children, to be patient and surrendered to His leading so that in the day of His coming, we will stand unashamed and ready to meet the Savior.

    One day Jesus will return to get His loved ones, whom chose Him and served Him only, don’t be deceived, give your life and every new day to Him that you may be saved.

    Jesus is coming. Revelation 7:22 says: Behold!

    Let’s be ready for that glorious morning!

    In Christ love, Amen

  • humbleness

    Daily writing prompt
    What is the last thing you learned?
    View all responses

    Lately I’ve been watching a lot of body cam videos on law enforcement officers. I’m sure I have only scratched the surface of what happens but I have seen enough to spot the character differences of those who are rebellious and those who are humble. This is not about the justice system but about the citizens reaction towards it.

    The common thread of the rebellious citizen is that most are not law abiding; they are quick tempered and most of the time will try to lie their way out of a situation and act as if they are entitled.

    Their attitudes are hostile even at the onset, when others are using common courtesy. I understand good manners don’t make up for stressful situations, however it should deescalate any type of defensive attitudes. But this is not the case with a rebellious attitude, which seem to behave ugly in nature, and most often abusive. It makes perfect sense as to why there’s so much lawlessness and aggravated events.

    And even before the law is involved these rebellious characters are subjective and demanding towards the public in their nature with irrational attitudes which cause unrest and disrupting the peace.

    These are those who have no regard for others, and no respect towards civility in the law of the land. They want all the considerations, and are unwilling to be humble.

    The other side is this, those who confess and admit to wrong or foul play. They are better able to listen, their behavior demonstrates they made a bad choice but it doesn’t define them.

    In every situation if we handled ourselves in humility we would deescalate and attract better outcomes. A lesson I am learning.

    The problem is we are quick to anger, quick to speak and slow to listen. We believe the lie in our mind that says we will be treated unfairly unless we control of the narrative.

    This never works out – and it’s actually the scheme of the devil to cause this kind of stinking thinking which causes division. James 4:7 tells us.

    While those who are humble minded will submit to God’s will – in that they can resist the devils lies and he will flee.

    We are told to be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. That’s the fruit of humility. James 1:19

    And most of all God is a shield to all who trust Him.

    2 Sam 22:31

    This is why I need to give my battles to the Lord, you should also.

    And let’s be mindful to pray for those whose jobs it is to keep the peace, it’s a hard job to keep balance, they are faced with more then you could imagine. Without law, we have no order.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • love of truth

    Daily writing prompt
    What experiences in life helped you grow the most?
    View all responses

    I am guilty of looking at and listening to misinformation, scrolling along I’ll give a few seconds to platforms that continue to give their opinions of what they perceive as truth in the times we are living in.

    Some even sound legit but then I’ll hear or see something that registers as an untruth and I’ll know it is time to move on.

    Those of you who know what I’m talking about. Even if you are not well studied in the Bible, in our little understanding we know because of the we are given spiritual discernment, which the Word of God gives to those who accept and read it. Proverbs 2

    The same happened in the days of Noah before the great flood, you see a message was sent from heaven to the world in Noah’s time, He shared it and listened to God about building an ark to save that which God appointed. The creatures, and those who would respond to the message. Their salvation depended upon how they accepted it, yet only Noah’s family escaped because the rest of humanity rejected the warning of God. Gen 6

    The Spirit of God was withdrawn from the sinful race and they all perished. By choice.

    The same happened again in the days of Abraham who pleaded for Sodom. Gen 18: 16 Only three survived. By choice.

    The same fate is true for those in the days when Christ comes back again. Those who do not have the love of truth, but reject Christ Jesus the Lord and Savior, who delight in unrighteousness.

    Matthew 23:37 is how Jesus expressed His lament over Jerusalem’s rejection. Continue reading through 24 and you will see what He says about His coming.

    Those who reject the teachings of His Word. God will have no choice but to withdraw His Spirit and leave them to the deception which they love.

    Friends, the way we spend our time is showing what we love.

    Let’s purpose to put down those things that distract us from learning the truth of God’s love towards us.

    Let’s ask God to help us learn to put away foolishness and instead nourish our minds to have the love of the truth.

    He can and will, we only need to ask.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • no longer a slave

    Sharing a journal entry from March of 2021.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    I should walk in the newness of life.

    According to Romans 6 ~ I am no longer a slave to sin.

    Living as a new creation saved by grace through Jesus Christ.

    Sin shall have no dominion over me because I am no longer under the law but under grace.

    To be obedient to this word so I may be lead to ” right living” righteousness. My life – body – mind – spirit needs to be a willing vessel to right living, instead of wrong living which makes one under the penalty of sin.

    Galatians 4

    No longer a slave to sin ~I am a child of God!

    By grace = saved through faith not of myself but a Gift from God, not by works. However created new in Christ for good works which God prepared beforehand that I should walk in them.

    Ephesians 2

    And like Jesus sweet spirit I need to walk in His will to serve in love & faithfulness. He shared PEACE. I need to also reflect this likeness.

    Only when we love Jesus will there be a spring of action in our steps. This is the action of love – serving for God’s glory. Not self.

    1 Peter 4

    The end is near ( at hand) therefore I need to be serious and watchful in prayers.

    When prompted to pray..do it.

    And above all things have love for one another for love will cover a multitude of sins. Love of family in their weakness – love of friends in their own “lost sense” because we know love heals.

    Love is powerful & divine

    “A soft answer turns away wrath” Proverbs 15

    1 Corinthians 13

    Love suffers long and is still kind.

    This a foretaste of Heaven, if love was used this way.

    Be hospitable towards others without grumbling.

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    I just shared the working out of the scriptures in study. Did you notice how one layer of truth builds upon another and another giving a firm foundation? This helps us to understand better the way the Lord is wanting us to walk.

    This is why it is so vital to study to understand. Acts 17:11

    The only way I can speak about the Word is by the ability He gives me in bringing it forward to my mind, my part is to study to put it there so that I will be able to see and testify to His glory.

    In this, He creates within us the gift of life to share with others freely. Being tender hearted, compassionate and courteous, this is what He calls us to do so that HE may be blessed and seen.

    Better is the end of a thing than its beginning and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Ecc 7:8

    I encourage you to journal your study times to see how He leads you in understanding, it only takes willingness.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • all over the map

    This devotional post today is about a journal entry I wrote five years ago.

    I was prompted to share by a gift of envelopes with the words “Open When you want a devotional prompt..” so when I opened it up and it read:

    “How my spiritual life was 5 years ago compared to now and what changed ? “

    What a great question and as you will soon learn timely also.

    I hoped to be able to look back at my journaling to find something recorded. I went in search of my old journals and found one dated January of 2021. Truthfully I got excited because I wasn’t to sure I was actually writing during this time.

    It gets more interesting, I had only done 14 days of entries that month and the the next entry was in March 21, 2021. So now I’m very curious what was going on then.

    And here’s what I learned, it was the day I started writing and didn’t put it back down again for any stretch of time.

    It was actually the year I picked up the sword “the infallible Word of God.” and started working with it to cut away fears and doubts of my faith. He became my shield because I purposely through prayer and study started to trust Him.

    The Lord walked with me through many paths of uncertainty and here’s what I wrote about that started it all.

    ______________________________________________

    All over the map..

    You wake me with the words “Pray..pray.. “

    I heed Your voice looking to say that which is pleasing and You provided the Word, reminding me that:

    Ish 54:17

    “No weapon formed against you will prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn. This is the hertiage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is from Me. says the Lord.” … And their righteousness is from Me.”

    Todays verse of the day happens to be 1 Thess 5:17

    “pray without ceasing”

    I watch my kids drive all over the map(on Life 360)

    I pray for their safety every day. For the Lord God their Father to protect and guard them from harms way. Your Word gives me comfort to know You will and have!

    I pray for protection against the evil and harm the enemy seeks to do – and know that this is only possible if it is Your will Lord – but also there comes a time according to Your Word where Your arms are shorten because we choose to turn away, Numbers 11:23 :( – I seek to change this !!!

    Even now You provide my own hearts cry?!

    I find a note from my daughter stuck inside my bible just for this moment. THANK YOU!

    Psalms 13:5 ” But I have trusted in Your mercy; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.”

    The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Please be near Hunter..

    ________________________________________

    I just shared with you the very intimate moment when I realized I didn’t want to shorten the Fathers arms towards me any longer. Because we have “free will” this happens as a result, not because He doesn’t’ hold out His arms, No, it’s because we limit Him with our free will.

    We struggle and try to do everything ourselves and even at our best this is a pride and sin problem.

    This is why Jesus said dying on the cross “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.” because we continually live in sin and don’t even know it.

    He has always provided for my needs, He knows my hearts desires. He will never leave nor forsake me, I may be all over the map but He is not.

    He is the only right direction giver, He is the true North.

    Pray continuously for the Lords leading – give Him first place every day, while you walk, when you sit or lie down – take hold of His hand and let Him lead you all the way.

    You can trust Jesus, He is the Son of God and all power and dominion was given to Him, He is The Alpha and Omega, The Word and The Final Authority over all things. This is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. No other like HIM.

    While you learn to abide in Him – your life will never be the same.

    He will reveal to you all truth – you will learn to trust Him.

    He will never leave you nor forsake you – He is able to do more then you could ever ask or imagine.

    He is the only way – to eternal life. No other way but Jesus Christ.

    Friends take action today, give Him your life completely. This is where I was five years ago today, uncertain and scared. Today I have this hope that burns within my heart, hope in the coming of the Lord I am loved by Him and I am assured of His promises. Friends one day soon He will come again and He wants to know you and receive you into His Kingdom. But the choice is yours.

    In Christ love, Amen

    ( The words in the picture) 5 years ago ..I started to journal about God’s Word. I have written many days of pages getting to know who He is and what I needed to do to be in one accord with Him.. today He reveals the reality of this walk with Him and His great LOVE.

  • presumption

    Daily writing prompt
    What advice would you give to your teenage self?
    View all responses

    We can list many examples of expecting something and it not turning out as we thought it would.

    This is just the same with faith in Christ Jesus.

    We know He is a Savior to all, He is. We hear that God is love and He is. But then like a teenager whose parents have always been there for them, we start to take them for granted that no matter how the teen child treats them they will be there.

    However something changes and the parents can’t be there any longer. Have you seen this happen? It’s a shock to their system, they were not prepared for this turn of events. Their parents may have warned them and they didn’t hear them or just chose not to believe it.

    Friends the Lord of heaven and earth the Creator God has also given us those same warnings.

    In 1 John 2:3-6 we are warned if one does not walk with the Lord but exercises their own standards of living, they are without light.

    John 15:1-8 says we are to be constantly connected to Him, abiding in Christ means a constant receiving of His Spirit, a life surrendered to Him in service.

    Remember nothing good comes from us, but Christ – so just because we act good and giving does not mean we earn rights to the Kingdom – that’s presumption.

    The channel of communication must be open continually between you and God. Just like that true vine that John writes about, so we are to cling to and draw “sap” from Jesus and in doing so we receive from Him by faith the strength and perfection of His own character. Colossians 1:23

    This is how we are reconciled in Christ. This is what pleased the Father that in Him all fullness should dwell and by Him be reconciled.

    So we need to ask ourselves ” do I just assume knowing about Him and believing in Him is enough”?

    Living in faith is good. Being grounded meaning living connected and steadfast is better, as we will not be moved from the hope of the gospel which we have heard. And it is fruitful.

    Friends sit down put away all the distractions of this world, pray and listen to the Word of the Lord.

    He is very much interested in meeting you daily to solve the problems and issues of your heart and yes this is what every teen needs to hear, please encourage them as well.

    To be still, and know the one true God.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • God’s glory

    Christ is the reflection of God’s glory, the visible expression of God’s thought and the exact copy of God’s inmost nature. {Heb 1: 1-3}

    To deny Christ Jesus, is to deny God.

    Jesus made Himself of no reputation {Phil 2:6} but honored the Father as a servant, because of the great emergency in Heaven and then the fall of man in the garden of Eden, through the deceptive power of Satan.

    God did not ordain that sin exist but He foresaw it’s existence and made provision to meet this terrible emergency. He covenanted that He give His only, begotten son a sacrifice for sin.

    Psalms 110 is telling us about Gods assignment to Jesus His son.

    Saying Jesus will be priest forever.

    His name is more excellent than the angles. He was written about in the Old and New Testament. He was manifested to the patriarchs, and in the sanctuary His life’s work a symbol of the sacrificial service. He is the law and way revealed by the prophets, He came here to fulfill all the Word – when He said it was finished – It’s because He fulfilled the whole word of God. {John 17}

    Jesus Christ our Savior IS God’s Glory.

    Friends, believe on Him and live.

    In Christ love, Amen

  • ministry spoken in love

    When the message of Salvation is shared those hearing will see and know by the Holy Spirits convicting presence.

    We are not able to do what God does.

    There will be signs like “God drops” given by purity of knowledge from those who live it. They will be patient, kind and love all people everywhere, because of the power of the Holy Spirit in them.

    It is not because of the messengers, but by the love of Christ found in them. Sinful lives will be converted by the presence of God’s power to heal and forgive. 2 Thess 3:3 And the Lord is faithful who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. That you will not be tempted beyond what you are able, He will comfort your hearts and establish you in every good work.

    Don’t be discouraged when you see often that the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, remember to those who are being saved it is the power of God. 1 Corth 1:18

    Self wisdom will fail. But those who become wise unto salvation, receiving the light and knowledge that He alone can give. 1 Corth 2: 13-14 This comes only to the spiritually discerned which are those of the mind of Christ. John 15:15

    Read, pray and look to the Lord!

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • Romans 13

    Do you know what true righteousness is?

    Here’s the simple answer: it is love.

    Romans 13 has a lot to say about the allegiance to God and the Country, loving your neighbor, and putting on Christ.

    If you don’t know what I ‘m referring to go read the scriptures it’s linked. Be prayerful, ask that the Lord show you what you need to see and know at this moment.

    The way a believer of Christ comes to the understanding of what is true and right is by looking at His plans ( the Bible) considering the message of salvation ( the Gospels) accepting His son Jesus was sent as a sacrifice to you (a sinner) repenting of your sins (asking forgiveness) putting to death your old sin filled life to be born again living in the way Jesus calls us (baptism) and then surrender your life daily to serve the Lord Jesus and keep His commandments. (righteousness)

    Not really hard to understand, but more hard to apply when you are holding tightly to the world and it’s ways of folly.

    But here’s the hard facts.

    Considering the times we’re living in, it’s high time to wake up, because our lives might end sooner than we think.

    Because it was important enough for God to send His son Jesus because He wanted a relationship with us, then we need to understand it’s still important today. If you have lost that first love go back to that time when you first believed.

    And if you have never experience it. Do it today.

    Today it is more important then ever before.

    Time is not what it used to be.

    The night of sin is coming to an end.

    The dawn of God’s eternal morning will follow.

    Jesus is coming.

    So throw away everything belonging to the darkness of this world and take up the armor of light. Conduct yourself honestly, as people do in the daytime. Don’t get involved in those things that people like to do in the dark, such as carousing, drunkenness, sensuality of off kinds, sexual immorality, fighting , jealousy.

    Put on the robe of Christ’s righteousness and don’t do as others whose constant effort in life is to satisfy the cravings of their sinful human nature.

    If you have any doubt, cast those to the side.

    If you believe and know God is making a call to your life right now accept the invitation, friend you have nothing to lose and eternity to gain.

    In Christ Love, Amen