Simple Devotions

Tag: dailyprompt

  • all is vanity

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s your dream job?
    View all responses

    No one can transform themselves by his own will.

    Read that again.

    Yet that dream job is something we have all wished or hope for.

    We have no power by which we think we can posse to be changed forever. None, if something appeals to us that would give us what we think we want, there is always a catch.

    We are like dough which is made of flour and water, but without leaven (yeast/life/good bacteria/ a thriving colony) dense, unformed and heavy laden.

    If you try to make bread with it, it will only be a cooked dense heavy brick, a harden piece of dough.

    The only way for that bread to become a big beautiful loaf of bread – filled with bubbles which rise to the challenge of the ovens heat in the process becoming a tasty and enjoyable life giving piece of bread, is that special ingredient it needed at the beginning. A life giving ingredient, Jesus Christ.

    We have free will to run the way we want as long as we have our breathe, but if we are not purposely seeking the Kingdom of God, the one who created us. We will be like that bread, not made right.

    The only way to run this race is to commit your life to Jesus Christ, then the desired change will be done, it’s when we give Him permission to lead and teach us in the way we should go that change will happen.

    Those dreams we once cherished will instead be a desire to align with Gods will, when we give our lives to Christ as sinners this gives Him permission to lead and teach us in the way that we need to go, then the true dream will happen

    Gods grace is for everyone, but it must be received by the sinner before he can be fitted for the Kingdom of glory.

    ‘Then I turned myself to consider wisdom and madness and folly; For what can the man do who succeeds the king?— Only what he has already done.

    Then I saw that wisdom excels folly

    As light excels darkness.

    The wise man’s eyes are in his head, But the fool walks in darkness. Yet I myself perceived That the same event happens to them all. So I said in my heart, “As it happens to the fool, It also happens to me, And why was I then more wise?” Then I said in my heart, “This also is vanity.” For there is no more remembrance of the wise than of the fool forever, Since all that now is will be forgotten in the days to come. And how does a wise man die? As the fool! Therefore I hated life because the work that was done under the sun was distressing to me, for all is vanity and grasping for the wind. Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me. And who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will rule over all my labor in which I toiled and in which I have shown myself wise under the sun. This also is vanity. Therefore I turned my heart and despaired of all the labor in which I had toiled under the sun. For there is a man whose labor is with wisdom, knowledge, and skill; yet he must leave his heritage to a man who has not labored for it. This also is vanity and a great evil. For what has man for all his labor, and for the striving of his heart with which he has toiled under the sun? For all his days are sorrowful, and his work burdensome; even in the night his heart takes no rest. This also is vanity. Nothing is better for a man than that he should eat and drink, and that his soul should enjoy good in his labor. This also, I saw, was from the hand of God. For who can eat, or who can have enjoyment, more than I?

    For God gives wisdom and knowledge and joy to a man who is good in His sight; but to the sinner He gives the work of gathering and collecting, that he may give to him who is good before God. This also is vanity and grasping for the wind.’

    Ecclesiastes 2:12-26

    So let us run to Jesus, He is waiting and willing.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • mind clutter

    Daily writing prompt
    Where can you reduce clutter in your life?
    View all responses

    The family knew if it wasn’t nailed down, I may get rid of it.

    I have always been this way.

    Even at the beginning of my marriage 30 years ago. Once I tossed out a broken lamp and some dust collecting airplane magazines. The lamp in question had an electrical short and would shock me every time I would turn it on, it belonged to my husband and he thought is was the coolest thing but never fixed it. So I put it in the closet out of sight and later in the dumpster. Imagine my “shocked” face as we visit a families house to see it hanging up in their living room. He looked at it, looked at me and said something like “I had a cool light like that..” they replied how they found that one in the dumpster at the apartments their mother lived in. And if that wasn’t enough, those magazines also resurfaced when a friend thanked my husband for the awesome airplane magazines, that were given to them by the dumpster diving family.

    There may have been a set of golf clubs he never used, they looked like relic, they were taking up space in our little one bedroom home. You can be sure I still haven’t lived that down and am known as the toss~ier of all things.

    Much later in life we endured a house fire which was 98% smoke damaged, l never cried over the replaceable items. Even after rebuilding and starting over, l have lived even more like a minimalist.

    I also learned that our mind is on full display in how we care for our homes, cars and even jobs. It shows others who we are by how we keep our surroundings.

    So this prompt intrigued me to write about it.

    I remember watching a series once about how clutter causes more harm then good, it can wreck relationships and cause people to feel overwhelmed. I agree and I love the practices put in place for those that needed help to simplify.

    My favorite tip is organization, if it has a place and it’s not causing any issues with space, keep it. But if the object is in the way and serves no purpose ..get rid of it.

    But today’s prompt also brings a another issue to mind.

    Clutter of the mind.

    This part of life can be very messy, full of emotional clutter, but mostly noise.

    Social media adds to this immensely, if you start with just looking at one picture, or watching a video then the next and before you know it an hour is gone.

    Now that algorithms are a thing it keeps feeding us what we show interest in. It can actually become a full on deep dive and your mind is still reeling from one to the other, emotions are being played until you look up and say ..ok enough I’m done.

    I know, you know.

    Social media platforms are purposed to distract us from the real platform called LIFE. With all the instant information we struggle to keep our minds and hearts de-cluttered daily.

    At times I will set my phone out of sight so I don’t pick it up needlessly. It’s hard because we use them for everything. But a little discipline goes a long ways.

    So if you need to purposely de clutter this part of your life, here’s what can we do intentionally:

    Philippians 4:8 (KJV)

    Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

    Altering even a little in this way gives your life peace. The words of the Bible give assurance and reasonable instructions to become more in tune with Gods will for you, which in turn makes you happier.

    Proverbs 4:23 says above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

    The word of God is very effective in de – cluttering.

    And best of all it gives faith which comes by hearing the word of God. The only thing left to do is get started.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • faithfulness

    Daily writing prompt
    What makes a good leader?
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    You may be asking how would faithfulness make a good leader.

    • A good leader will go the extra mile with you and ultimantly trust is earned because they did what they said, they were faithful.
    • A good leader plans, teaches and supports. They prove to be faithful by seeing things to completion, a good leader doesn’t just lead, they do. Faithful to the end.

    Words in action, faithfulness is key.

    You can not find a leader so great as the one I serve today.

    Christ Jesus is the only leader that lacks in nothing and does everything perfectly. He is the prime example of faithfulness. He went the extra mile for all humankind, He laid down His life for us, He has earned my trust. He died for you, for me and for all humanity.

    He took on the sin of the world. So that we could receive the gift of life. The only thing left to do is let Him Lead.

    He is our perfect atoning sacrifice – what do you have to offer?

    He is our advocate, do you have a better advocate?

    He stands up for those who love Him and calls us His brethren before the Heavenly Fathers throne.

    He, Jesus Son of God, has redeemed all whom believe and follow before the throne of God.

    While here Jesus suffered the crisis we live in today. He endured more then any man due to this worlds sin and pain, He knew heartache deeper and felt it all with tender compassion.

    What leader has ever done so great a deed, leaving His perfect heavenly home coming here to a dark sin filled world.

    Still many today don’t believe or accept His leadership. This is pure rebellion.

    He lived to serve. He taught and shared everything He had. He came to lead a lost world back to God the Father whose love in depth we cannot understand. His life is our example. His words our instructions. His death our redemption.

    I write this to say most urgently, we need to be careful with what’s leading our hearts, it could cause us to go astray.

    The only good leader that is most faithful is the son of God, Christ Jesus. Let Him come into your heart today, He will lead you all the way. Be encouraged, He will give you the faith you need.

    Just say YES to Jesus the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He saves and He is coming back for those who said Yes to His Leadership.

    In Christ Love, Amen

    For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the heathen, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • go.. go.. go..

    I received this testimony from a loved one and I know she will not mind if I share it.

    As she was getting ready for church, she was reflecting on how pleased she was with her choices over the past week. She purposed to not spend any extra funds this college quarter/semester on coffee runs; mindless eating out or stress shopping. However she had a gift card, and thought to treat herself that morning to her favorite drink before going to the campuses young adult church.

    Here’s where it gets interesting, she attends church on the 7th day Sabbath. It was how she was raised and while its natural to think “well if I don’t work, it’s all good” however more recently she also purposed to honor what God asked better, so while preparing to leave her room these words came to mind “you have six days in which to labor, buy or sell, but on the 7th day remember the Lord set it aside as a day of rest to be kept Holy..” as she considered this she knew she had a choice, I may not be working but I would be asking another to work”. This thought did not sit well with her. She decided right then to leave her card in her room and wait. Feeling good about her decision she headed to church.

    When she arrived to church the scripture of the service was :

    Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female servant and the stranger may be refreshed. Exodus 23:12

    She realized those earlier thoughts were divinely inspired.

    As she listened to the testimony of the speaker she felt certain that the Lord was making a call on her heart, her new found devotion towards Him was calling her to recommit her life to His will. A new place at 20 years old, knowing that at 14 when she was first baptized it was a different time, but now she knew things were different. The speaker was wrapping up the service and began making an alter call.

    He was pleading for the hearts of those there to come to Jesus completely, after a few more minutes he said he would count to three but continued persistently asking those there to come forward as the Lord was calling them.

    Praying the Holy Spirit would move on the hearts that needed to rededicate their lives to the Lord. She says at this point only one person went forward, she sat there “feeling the pull” but not wanting to go forward, she didn’t want to be the center of attention. She knew the invitation was for her, she felt it strongly, but she was waiting for the speaker to say three, it was so intense she was physically shaking. Her friend next to her notices and ask if she was ok, she tells her friend she was thinking about going forward. She knew she should go forward but was scared. She sat there hoping the speaker would count to three soon, and it would be over. Resisting the urge to stand up and go forward in front of the crowd. The speaker says again, “I know there’s someone here who needs to do this, the Lord is near and is waiting to see you stand up and walk with Him.”

    At this point she is pleading for him to say three and it will be over but instead then she hears these words inside her mind “go..go..go..” and it was then she stood up and walked forward.

    The room starts clapping in praise to God and as she went forward five more stood up to join her.

    Later she sends her mom a text message “so I guess I’m getting re baptized..” If I’m right in the recount of this story that’s a perfect 7 that came forward on the 7th day, Sabbath to give their lives to Christ, regardless, it was a special day for this young lady.

    And here’s why the power of prayer really is needed and works.

    Her mother has been prayerfully asking the Lord to place a desire in her daughters heart ~ to walk more closely with the Lord, that He would reveal Himself to her in the same way He did in her own life 32 years ago. That He would provide for her daughter the experience only He could in His transforming power of love.

    And that He would send her a man, who loves and serves God and would love her too.

    This is where I tell you .. I am that praying mother.

    And while I am watching from the side lines cheering on the team of Jesus, I know that my prayers matter and are heard, I sit in amazement of the wonders of His love. To God by the Glory!

    Yesterday Jesus walked in to her heart, took her hand and is leading her to love and serve the Heavenly Father as we all should.

    That’s the man I prayed for and that’s why she will always have what she needs and be loved forevermore.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • His Word

    Daily writing prompt
    Can you share a positive example of where you’ve felt loved?
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    The question “when have you felt loved..” is one I can answer by personal experience I have in reading and studying the Word of God. The Bible.

    Love is a word many use to describe an emotion. But the real use of the word is an action word. To understand what true love means is to know what it does.

    In the book of 1 Corinthians 13 it is written what love is and what it does. It’s also known as “the greatest gift”.

    In Romans 13:10 Love is described as the fulfillment of the law – to love your neighbor.

    1 John 4:7 says everyone who loves is born of God.

    As I sit here writing , thinking how I have felt it personally from Him ~ His words are love in the truth He teaches me. His words are life giving and freeing. This love He bestowed on the world when He gave Himself a sacrifice John 3:16-17 shows me in action what I mean to Him.

    His words of instructions leads me to safety.

    His love is everlasting not temporary but always – never ending.

    How do you describe a love that never ends a feeling that is a constant companion. His word brings rejoicing to my heart because in it I have seen how deeply He cares for His people. No one and no thing has ever given me all the feels.

    His words are the life, the way and the truth.

    His words are Love.

    In Christ LOVE, Amen

    In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 1 John 4:9

  • *Build board * inspo

    If you had a freeway billboard, what would it say?

    “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus; there’s just something about that name.
    Master, Savior, Jesus, like the fragrance after the rain;
    Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, let all Heaven and earth proclaim
    Kings and kingdoms will all pass away,
    But there’s something about that name.”

    Great .. now I want a billboard!

  • willingness

    Daily writing prompt
    What are your biggest challenges?
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    How often are we asked to do something that doesn’t suit us?

    It can be intimidating to not be in control. That’s my biggest challenge.

    Do you find yourself with the same problem?

    I have a story about being a passenger in an out of control driving incident.

    In November 2022 we took a family trip to see our oldest graduate in Northern California. The grandparents decided to meet up with us in their RV and from there we planned a road trip to visit family on the Oregon Coast.

    This was going to be our first trip together in my dad’s restored 1968 Travco motor home. It was big enough for us all to ride comfortably.

    He spent years restoring it, and loved the opportunity it gave him to share his testimony for Jesus. There’s a video tour of it on youtube, view it here. Where someone came across him on the road in 2020.

    On the this trip headed to Oregon we took a detour to see Crater Lake National park.

    That day was sunny and beautiful, just a few tourists, no traffic or lines and just before they would close the park and roads for the winter.

    However as we headed back down the mountain things turned serious real fast.

    The sun was setting and it was beginning to ice up, as we came around a corner the RV started sliding across the road and we lost traction which ended up sending us into a 360 degree spin – next the tires on the passenger side caught the edge of road and sent us into another tailspin..straight for a line of trees.

    As the scene unfolded I happened to be seated on the dining bench, just seconds earlier my dads wife stood next to me was thrown to the floor.

    One of our children was in the back bedroom being tossed around, my husband who was in the passenger seat was thrown over into the drivers seat on top of my dad.

    I had a panoramic view of everything happening both inside and outside. I could even see the impact of a tree coming – this would hit the windshield where my dad and husband were thrown against, it was not looking like a good outcome..

    As I watched everything in slow motion. Seconds before impact- all the sudden it was as if we were on a carnival ride that uses centrifugal force. A forward motion now being pushed away with the same force.

    But here’s the thing. We didn’t feel it, we saw it .. it was like we were caught and pushed back in the opposite direction gently.

    No whiplash, no sudden movements or anything.. and everything went quite.

    It felt like a being caught and sat down carefully.

    Coming to a complete stop, facing up the mountain, not one tree was hit. No other cars around, even our sons following a short distance behind in another car. They missed the whole thing.

    I was a passenger that day.

    I was not in control of the situation.

    But I saw something that made me more aware of the Heavenly angels who protect us.

    I was not able to appreciate being a passenger for a while. Especially after that trip, but here lately I realize as a passenger we are more privileged to see God work rather than be in charge.

    This example is a bit extreme but it’s truly a testament to asking the Lord to lead and protect you daily. Which we did and still do.

    Yes, there are times when He will allow tragedy to happen not because He doesn’t care but because it’s in the plan.

    He always has a plan.

    We just need to be a willing passenger.

    So my challenge to myself and to you, give the Lord your life. Let Him direct your steps.

    Allow Him to show you the truth and walk in it.

    You will never be misguided as long as He is the one leading.

    “Trust in the Lord completely. Do not think that you understand things well enough for yourself.”
    ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5‬

  • truth

    Daily writing prompt
    What is the greatest gift someone could give you?
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    I realize that “truth” isn’t a gift most would say.

    But it is the one thing that changed my life for the better.

    Living in a world where there’s so much uncertainty this becomes the one thing you desire most.

    Truth.

    Not an idea, but a firm foundation laid out before you.

    One that doesn’t leave nor forsake you but continues to teach you the way and how to walk in it.

    It’s really simple for me, I want to live in assurance of salvation.

    So the words of the Bible like these below, are worth a lot to me.

    John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’

    For example in John 8 much has happened in a few short verses. First there was an adulterous woman who was caught in adultery, and the truth was that no one had the right to cast stones because they all had sin issues. Truth.

    Reminding us that God’s Son Jesus did not come to condemn but to save. Truth.

    Next the crowd around Him was asking why they should believe Him? He explains that He is the light of the world and gives that light to those who walk in darkness. It’s a gift. Many were hearing for the first time, what made common sense to them. Their eyes were open to knowing the truth.

    Light exposes dark. Truth.

    Many who were listening to Jesus began to believe in Him.

    Then Jesus said them, ” If you continue to believe in me and in what I am saying, then you are really my disciples. Soon you will hear more truth, this truth will set you free.”

    He was talking about being free from the slavery of sins.

    When you learn the truth of the Word, it changes who you are and how you think. You keep your eyes on the path that He sets before you not turning to the left or the right. But looking to His truth.

    The truth is worth more than riches, material things or anothers devotion. It gives you a peace that passes all understanding, and it changes how you live.

    The truth sets you free from lies.

    And that is a gift worth giving.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • the bread giver

    Daily writing prompt
    What relationships have a positive impact on you?
    View all responses

    I love bread. All the bread, all the time.

    Pastries are a favorite, and baking with bread is now a new favorite past time. But my favorite bread is the Word.

    I have learned the most important part of my day is when I wake up to sit at the Lord’s table and break bread with Him.John 6:35 He provides the best nourishment, I never lacked any good thing when I make this time a priority.

    So to answer the question, it is my relationship with the bread giver, the Lord God. Having a relationship with Him has had the most positive impact on me.

    He has many names, most know Him as God. I call Him my Heavenly Father. But He is also known as the Word.

    The Word which most call the Bible, is the inspired Word of God [John 1] which is also known as the bread of life.

    Throughout the scripture, the stories and the prophecy all give account to the Creator God and Father of all that lives above, upon and below, He is the truth and source of all encouragement which gives courage in faith in our lives.

    It doesn’t start with us going to Him, it started with Him coming to us, seeking the lost, giving us an invitation to the Kingdom of God. [Luke 19:10]

    Accepting the Gospel message is the first step, it means saying yes to learning from Him, asking His counsel on all things life. Learning to take every decision to Him and choosing at every crossroads His way. It’s a daily surrender to make Him your priority and not an option for when you need help in a fix or emergency.

    Many who hold onto the world and want only His benefits, are never satisfied in their lives. It only works if we live with Him daily, and choosing to do so, is life changing.

    I know and believe His plans are for us not against us. [John 3:17]

    Because God the Father, came to us in flesh through His son Jesus Christ, this reveals a lot about His character. [John 1:14]

    It required Him leaving a perfect place in Heaven to live in the most humble way, ministering and showing us the way, the truth and giving us the light in which we walk in todays dark world. [Ish 9:2]

    When we answer the knock on our hearts from Him, He promises to come in to our hearts and sit with us so that we may learn from Him the matter of His love for us. [Rev 3:20]

    As a result we learn to love Him with our whole heart, mind and soul. Then He can do His good will in and through us.

    Yes, there are times when I roll over in bed and want more sleep, only to have no quiet time later. But I find that when I purposely sit with Him, I am a better person towards family and friends. Even to perfect strangers. Remembering when He says to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself, this can only be done by first loving Him.

    The relationship goal here is to develop as much trust possible, so that when trials and tribulations come I will know and believe God has worked it out and will make a way for me to overcome those times.

    This is the only relationship I’ve ever experienced such trust and safety.

    So, today if you are hearing a knock on your heart, answer this personal invitation. It will be the most positive relationship you will ever encounter.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • needs

    Daily writing prompt
    What skills or lessons have you learned recently?
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    I have been in the process of learning this.

    How often do you say to yourself, I have need of nothing?

    I believe it can be a perspective or a mind set at certain times when I can say this.

    Otherwise all are constantly looking to our needs in one way or another. There’s physical, emotional and spiritual needs that take up most our time.

    And this is only dealing with our immediate needs, add to that the needs of your family relations; work/ profession and society.

    This can be a driving force of stress that keeps us so preoccupied that we don’t stop, and give all those needs over to God the Creator who supplies all needs.

    The air for our lungs to breathe, the water to nourish and grow what we eat for our body which is how we live.

    For those whom don’t believe this to be true, I’m sorry for you however science proves there is a greater source of life to me.

    So how do we give our needs to God?

    This is done in prayer and the instructions are in Matthew 6:4-15 .

    The Lords prayer is not only one given by Jesus the son to the Heavenly Father, but also given to us that we would know the way to present our needs before Him.

    Here’s what the former language would read like in today’s:

    “Our Father in heaven, may your name be glorified. May we grow your kingdom. May we also do your will on earth, as it is done in heaven.

    Please take care of us today.

    And forgive us as we have forgiven others. Do not leave us alone when our loyalty to you is tested. Help us overcome every temptation which the evil one brings against us. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours forever. Amen”

    When we pray this way, we need to remember that the answers to our prayers is conditional.

    If you forgive others, the Father will forgive you. But as long as you have an unforgiving attitude, it would not be right for your Heavenly Father to forgive you.

    Forgiveness is never for others – it’s for us. Even non believers know this.

    When we learn to communicate our needs in this way, it teaches us to know that God cares and hears which gives us the confidence that He will supply all our needs.

    It’s about dependence and co-operation. When we realize we can accomplish anything because of our trust in Him. Phil 4:19-20 it’s in moments like those that we can honestly say: I have need of nothing.

    This is for His glory – so in essence we learn that our needs given to Him gives opportunity for Him to be glorified.

    So why are we holding onto anything ~ let go and let God.

    In Christ Love, Amen