Simple Devotions

Tag: jesus

  • the last one

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

  • kind words

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Unrest serves no purpose and will not be allowed there.

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

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

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

    Matthew 11: 25-30

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

    In Christ love, Amen

    .

  • the spoiler speeds & the plunder hastens

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

    Don’t wait till your older.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Friends get wisdom. Proverbs 4

    In Christ love, amen

  • mars is not in the script..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    That you may be filled with the fullness of God.

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

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

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

    In Christ love – amen

  • money buys happiness

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

  • school of trials

    Those whose purpose it is to serve God in their lives will walk in His light, they will endure all kinds of tribulations.

    Why? Ephesians 6:12 we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

    Even so we are able have fellowship with those whom also serve Jesus Christ the Son of God who cleanses us from all sin, this class of believers help one another battle, in prayers encouraging each other to stay on the path of right doing.

    Living to serve God through Christ examples means enduring burdens. Jesus is the only one who redeems however sin still exist to remove God’s children from the choice to accept His son’s offering.

    His redemption was given that in faith those who believe would be saved. Jesus is the new covenant – which the evil one of the world hates, yet if we who live in the world would take heed to the words of truth that gives life accepting Gods gift of life to us, we will learn that Christ Jesus is indeed the Savior of the world.

    This gift is to everyone, many will not receive it because it requires belief and also works, some say it doesn’t matter and we only need to confess we are sinners to be saved but they continue to live in sin filled lifestyle.

    This will not work out for them.

    He who says I know Jesus but does not keep HIs commandments is a liar and the truth is not in him. 1 John 2:3

    And to those who understand the cost of Christ who educate and discipline themselves through the school of trial for the sake of Jesus Christ their reward is great, because they chose heavenly rewards over earthly ones.

    They chose eternal life, not life here.

    As the title of this post says, the school of trials will mean enduring opposition; hatred – and yet still following Christ.

    These are those who come out of great tribulation, whom washed their filthy garments ( confessing they are sinners ) and made them white in the blood of the Lamb ( accepting The Saviors blood for their sins.) They will stand in the presence of God and joyfully serve Him day and night in His temple (in His presence.)

    These are those who stayed in class and learned from the teacher The Lord Jesus Christ.

    Don’t be tardy, late or absent friends accept the invitation.

    In Christ love, amen

  • Perseverance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    The Lord is good and He will help you.

    Lamentations 3:25

    In Christ love, amen.

  • battlefield for the mind

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

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

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

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

    He being Christ Jesus has won.

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

    Putting away hostility toward each other at the cross.

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

    Because of Jesus we can be in one accord.

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Abiding in the Spirit of truth is peace and safety.

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