Simple Devotions

Tag: inspiration

  • 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

  • nothing between

    I was raised to understand the God of the Universe who created all things and then made man in His image is also The One who wants nothing between Himself and His children.

    I know this is true because I have experienced a continued favor in my life. Because of this I raised my three children to know He loves them just the same, and at the young ages when we would load up to go anywhere in the car – I would ask them ” do you have your seatbelts on?” They would say ” yes ” and then I would tell them “ok now lets put on our spiritual seatbelts ” and we would stop and pray.

    I believe that in this life we are subject to all kinds of possible accidents and it’s those accidents that would discourages us from believing that God cares, I’ve heard it said often “if God is love…”

    What we fail to understand is there is this great conflict of { Good verses Evil} this is very much the reason for all the tribulations; trials and heartache.

    This is not because God doesn’t care or love – just like driving safely doesn’t keep you from all the possibilities of an accident. We are subjected to other drivers, their distractions; their lifestyle choices.

    There is a great need for you to trust and obey the Word of God. In order to survive the daily assault’s by the evil one. If you believe in God and His Son Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior then you have become an enemy to the liar and deceiver. You are at war daily to stay closer to the path of righteousness.

    But you need not fear, only respect and trust that whatever is born of God {confessed sinners made new } overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. ( 1 John 5:4)

    We also need to realize Jesus ~ who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father. ( Galatians 1:4)

    He who came and died for you will hear the desire of the humble; He will prepare your heart; He will hear.

    Friends, don’t stop praying let nothing come between you and the Savior – the reward is great.

    In Christ love, amen

  • write a letter to a stranger

    You don’t know me and I don’t know you, but the one who inspires kindness, goodness and love – He knows us both.

    He is the True Vine

    He came as God in flesh to perfect love and joy.

    He represents everything good, and even though the world’s hatred of Him happens – He would do it again.

    He died for salvations plan – He saves those who believe He says who He is.

    When He arose the Heavenly Father gave Him all power and He then gave us His Spirit- He gives us a helper to guide us in making good choices and finding joy.

    Even right now He is helping me to write to you – whom I don’t know.

    But He knows you.

    He wants you to know your sorrow will turn to joy, if you trust and obey Him. His words are given to you to overcome the world.

    He is your best choice. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

    His kingdom is not of this world. He came to witness of the truth of God – and when we listen to His voice and heed Him. We are saved.

    He is the Lord of Lords and King and Kings,

    He is Jesus Christ the Son of God.

    Daily writing prompt
    What’s a simple pleasure in life that brings you joy?
    View all responses

    Friends this was something I loved doing and if you enjoyed this you can read more in the Word of God.

    You can also write a letter to another stranger or share this one.

    God Bless you.

    In Christ love, amen

  • a promise

    What gives you direction in life?

    The purpose of the Bible is so that we will know God and grow in a relationship with Him. This is how we decide if we want to be with Him eternally. If we fall in love with Him we will want this relationship forever. John 5:39

    We also learn in our reading of His word that it is about His law and the message of His love towards us the gospel. All one.

    The law is the gospel embodied and the gospel is the law unfolded.

    Another words when we read about who God is – He is the law. And who Christ Jesus is- He is the gospel.

    God is the root, His son is the fragrant blossom and fruit which it bears.

    Let this understanding sink in.

    Once we understand that while yes Jesus is the fulfillment of the law. This means He is stepping in as God in flesh, never taking away from but giving Himself to anyone seeking a relationship with God. John 14:6

    When you become one with Him, there is a special promise given John 14:15-18 you will have the Spirit of truth.

    Because we open the door of our hearts to know Jesus Rev 3;20 we are given a heavenly gift.

    This begins the dwelling of the Father and the Son.

    We don’t get this promise, unless we submit to first knowing and accepting the law in the gospel. John 14:19-24.

    Now this is how we will have “direction” in life:

    “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” 

    Friends the promise is a choice. Don’t delay in taking the steps to know the truth of God’s Word.

    In Christ love, Amen

  • united by faith

    I belong to a world wide community of believers and serve in different ways to help this group.

    This group of people from all walks of life come together to worship the ONE True God. Helping each other to overcome this world in Christ love, while ministering to the needs we have in life.

    We pray for each other and testify of His love towards us, we work together to share these experiences in more targeted outreaches.

    I currently serve as a bible teacher, and the communications director for my group.

    This is something I do for fellowship while serving Christ.

    I don’t do this for ” brownie points with God” and I don’t get paid to participate.

    I tell you this so you will understand what I am going to share next.

    Jesus came to make us partakers of the divine nature. As long as we are united to Him by faith , sin has no more dominion over us. God reaches for the hand of faith in us to direct it to lay fast hold upon the divinity of Christ, that we may attain to perfection of character. This is how we are saved, not by means of good works or belonging to a group of do gooders.

    Christ has shown us what He did to overcome the enemy-Satan, it is by the Word of God.

    Only by the Word could He resist temptation. “it is written, “ He said. And unto us are given “exceeding great and precious promises: that by these we might partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.” 2 Peter 1:4

    Every promise in God’s Word is ours!

    By every word that proceeded out of the mouth of God, are we to live.

    When assailed by temptation, don’t look at your circumstances or to your weak self, but to the power of the word.

    All it’s strength is yours.

    Thy word , says the psalmist “have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee. By the word of Jesus lips have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.

    My community helps me and I help them, and then we help others to overcome this world by the Word of God , this is my church.

    A bible believing church that teaches and honors both the old and new testament and calls Jesus the Son of God who saves ~ this where I would look for this special kind of community. Here’s one that is World wide.

    In Christ love, Amen

  • harden heart

    I once thought I understood the scene where God tells Moses “and I will harden his heart..” Ex 4:21

    I truly didn’t understand why God would say this because it seems contradictory to who He is, so in my little brain it had to mean when someone doesn’t want the presence of God near them.

    My reasoning was because God is LOVE, and where love abides it is pliable – filled with good thoughts.

    But take away Gods love and you have a heart of stone.

    After this study here’s what I understand better now, when a person keeps ignoring what they know is right ( this is what Pharaoh was doing. God knowing this is what he would do, foretold this to Moses..) because it conflicts with what they want, A hardening of the heart is something happens over time. Look at all the plagues, warning..warning..warning.

    1 Sam 6:6 repeats the lesson from Exodus which the Prophet Samuel said they didn’t learn – “Why then do you harden your hearts as the Egyptians and Pharaoh hardened their hearts? When He did mighty things among them, did they not let the people go, that they might depart?”

    He was warning them again..
    ‭

    The Word says their ability to tell right from wrong became weaker. The mind becomes darkened — Ephesians 4:18 says people can be “darkened in their understanding” when they turn from God.

    The conscience grows dull. 1 Timothy 4:2 describes a conscience that becomes “seared,” meaning it no longer responds clearly.

    The heart becomes hardened Hebrews 3:13 warns that sin can harden the heart over time.

    Separation from God follows Isaiah 59:2 says sin separates us from God.

    Put simply:

    When we repeatedly choose our desires over what we know God is asking, we slowly lose our sensitivity to truth.

    What once felt wrong no longer does, and that distance leads us away from God.

    When we ignore what God shows us is right, our hearts harden, our conscience dulls, and we begin to lose the ability to recognize truth.

    Friends – check your hearts as the Holy Spirit says: “ Today, if you will hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, In the day of trial in the wilderness,”
    ‭Hebrews 3:7-11

    It takes a simple step.. approach the throne of God in your heart and ask for forgiveness in Christ name, then let Him lead you through this life in a surrendered heart.

    In Christ love, amen

  • come let us reason

    Daily writing prompt
    Describe a decision you made in the past that helped you learn or grow.
    View all responses

    Most do not understand the truth of God’s love for His creation.

    When I read the Word and see the clear evidence of the long suffering, merciful, gracious love of God, my mind cannot understand how great a love this is.

    He was accused of not being fair and called venegful by the lair, one of His own.

    I believe He would have reasoned with the fallen angels had they wanted to be reconciled.

    He would have shown them the truth of His Word and thus spared all humanity the experience of sin.

    Sit with this a minute. Sin is the cause of all evil.

    The world we live in today is a result of not yielding, not trusting in the authority of God’s Word.

    Thankfully there is a small remnant left of those who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus.

    Otherwise we would have all become like Sodom and sin would make us like Gomorrah. Isaiah 1:1-20

    Even so – God still made a way for us to battle for truth and it is simply by yielding to Him to be transformed in Christ.

    Our heart must be yielded to God’s love toward us or the change can never happen in us – by doing this we are restored into His likeness.

    It is by nature of sin, that we are alienated from God..but He desires to heal us and set us free from living in sin nature.

    He works ever so carefully as a loving parent would to a child learning how to live safely.

    I am so thankful to have made my decision to give my heart to Christ Jesus, and I implore you to do the same.

    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