Simple Devotions

Tag: jesus

  • Abiding in Christ: How to Discover Truth

    To study the Word of God is to know the matter of the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of error.

    Read 1 John 4:1-6

    Once we start to know the difference we will have choices to make. And He will help us.

    Read 1 Corith 2: 9-16

    As we read these words alone it’s pretty convincing, and while Paul shared with the teachers and the students of the law most were convinced that Jesus was the Son of God but it was not in harmony with their own ambitious desires to confess Him.

    How many times does “our will” conflict with His truth ?

    So it is even still today, for the sake of gaining worldly treasures most will not confess Christ Lord of their lives. And since this is the case for them the treasures of His word are hidden. They will believe in error over truth.

    Yet even so He laid down His life to pay the penalty for our sins – knowing we would still “wonder”.

    There’s only one way to find knowledge. And God intends that the truth of His word shall be ever unfolding to His people. There is only one way we can attain understanding God’s Word.

    By Abiding in Christ..

    1 Corith 1:9 John 15:15 John 15:4

  • abide

    Recently I was clearing some land to plant a new bush I’ve grown from a seed. The hole I dug had roots from every kind of tree and shrub around the area. As I was pulling up anything that would cause issues for my new baby plant. I quickly realized how deep most of those roots ran. What should have taken a few minutes took over an hour to prepare. The vines and buried roots varied in sizes but all had a grip and were not letting go easily, I was tugging and pulling to dismantle these roots from branches that were running deep, even pulling up some web roots. This reminds me how important it is to stay “rooted” in Gods word daily. So that I will be able to withstand the daily dose of life unhinged here. (Eph 6:10-12)

    Being surrendered to Jesus means a life to His service. The channel of communication must be open continually between me and my Savior. Because like the branches and roots that ran deep they draw life and continue to grow and thrive even in dark places. So just like these, we must abide to receive from Him, as His word clearly says. John 15:4-5

    Pray, Read, Apply and Repeat.

    In Christ love, Amen

  • God’s standard, not ours

    2 Peter 1:2-4    According to scripture God gave us  His wonderful and powerful promises, so that as a result, we will share in His divine nature. 

    God's  truth is to be planted in our hearts . It will teach us self control of the mind and feelings. Our whole character will be transformed by His Word, when brought into the daily practice. And when we do this we become in harmony with God's standard of righteousness.  His holy law we will learn to love because the  rule by which God measures the actions in that we should "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul And Love your neighbor as yourself,"  will be the test of character in judgment. 

    Prayer:  "Lord help me to be a voice and light in this dark World.
    Teach me to abide in Your ways completely, being quite when the time calls for it or speaking out clearly for Your glory when necessary.  Let no caution of mine take head to lead when You have a purpose.  Let Your plans for our lives prosper!
    Your Word says: be quick to listen and slow to speak and slow to anger.  These are areas I need more self control of - show me - instruct me to learn this for the purpose of being used by You for Your glory. 
    Thank you Lord for times like this - when clarity and peace meets."

    In Christ love, Amen

    ” I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

    John 15:15 NIV

  • June 2016

    “Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not forgetting to keep His commandments; His judgments, and His status – you shall remember the Lord your God, for He gives power and established His covenant which He swore to your fathers.”

    Deuternomy 8:11-18

    I’m learning to trust You God with everything.

    When I care You care more, when I seek, You already provide, the words just flow from the scriptures to the needs I have at that moment. Even while the enemy wants my life You are shielding me from the unrest and fear.

    You do send the Spirit to give peace and rest.

    Please teach me to pay attention to Your ways and put within me a desire to follow! Hedge me in Your plans for salvation. Let me be used for Your glory!

    In Christ Love, Amen!

    The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.

    Psalm 23:1

  • know Him

    How often have we asked the question,

    “what must I do to please God?”

    Maybe:

    We start praying more; reading our bibles more or maybe we are just nicer to others.

    Make plans to go to church more, give more money to the offering plate.

    Then there are those who say : ” it’s impossible I’m not good enough and I won’t stick with it, therefore why even try.”

    This is actually a lie of the conscience that won’t allow them to believe that they have not gone to far from God.

    The problem here is they didn’t even get to know Him.

    The truth is how do we get to know anyone?

    If you answered “spend time with them” then you just answered the first question as well .

    To know Him is to love Him, that’s how we to please Him.

    Here’s something to read to know Him better today.

    {Psalms 111}

    In Christ love, Amen

  • fruitless

    What good is a fruit stand without fruit?

    What good is a fruit tree if it never gives good fruit?

    And what good is it to be a Christian without the fruit of the Spirit?

    In Mark 11:12-14 It reads that Jesus was hungry for something to eat and going to this fig tree which had leaves and the appearance of it looking like it was giving fruit, but it offered nothing to eat. And He cursed the tree ” let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”

    The strange thing was it wasn’t even in “season” and even the disciples heard and wondered. But I’ve learned that this is a WARNING to all the churches and Christians, no one can live the law of God without ministering to others “the fruits of the spirit”.

    Believing you are a Christian but not serving the needs is like a tree with no fruit. This is of no service to God. If we plan and study to please ourselves this is the act only in respect to self. And those who live for self are like that fig tree, which made every pretention of being useful but was fruitless.

    Galatians 5:16-26 does an excellent job of planting seeds in us to grow into a fruit bearing tree for God. As we receive His spirit of truth to do His good will, may we grow and bring forth good good fruit!

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • are you happy

    Recently while scrolling through social media I came across a document type of platform. Someone just walking around recording random strangers and asking this question, and the answers are not what you would expect. Some answered directly and to the point and when pressed about why or why not, the door of conversation would open. Most were really transparent and those who had true happiness were always quick to point out that it was JESUS who was the reason for their countenance.

    How much do we really value other people?

    Enough to care about them beyond “how are you”? Do we really want to hear something other than the usual “fine” reply, because for most, these conversations need to happen.

    What if today were your last day? How would you show others how you value them? I’m guessing you would do more than normal. It’s a simple matter of asking and listening. You don’t have to have answers. Remember God gave us two ears and one mouth, the need to listen outweighs the need to speak.

    The word says and I’m paraphrasing a part: lets be quick to listen today and slow to speak. As well as, the least we do undo those (Are you Happy?) we have done unto Him.

    But whatever we do:

    Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure , pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. Luke 6:38

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • beloved of God

    I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is still day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the World. John 9:4

    The Heavenly Father accepts those who with contrite hearts come and repent, He desires for them to trust His ways and return to His leading.

    Jesus said to them ” My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work. John 4:34

    His commandments are safe guards and instructions how to love God and your neighbor. Giving God our loyalty in obedience gives us prosperous, healthy lives as it teaches us to do to others how we would like them to do to us.

    In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God And Your law is within my heart. Psalms 40:7-8

    Then Jesus said to them, ” Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” John 5:19

    But I have a greater witness than John’s : for the works which the Father has given Me to finish-the very works that I do-bear witness of Me, that the Father has sent Me. John 5:36

    And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life: he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

    Let me always remember that You Lord are fair and merciful to a 1000 generations!

    Thank you Lord for your grace and mercies in our lives.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • the void God fits

    Based on Matthew 19;16-26 ; Mark 10:17-27; Luke 18:18-27

    Depending on the heart and ones perspective it seems many are always filling their lives with one thing or another.

    Goals are good but even they can take up a lot of space in our lives. Work goals ; relationships goals ; health goals; vacation goals and even hobbies that give us an outlet or downtime sometimes mindless times. Then comes the things of comfort and yes, even more things added to a cart and shipped to the door of our homes.

    And even when we try to simplify because of the stress of all the responsibilities, there remains a feeling of void “something is missing”.

    The rich man Jesus talks with appears to have everything and it seems he is doing everything right. BUT when he asked Jesus what he must do to enter into the kingdom of Heaven this shows the truth of his situation, something is missing.

    If the rich mans heart was filled with all that he needed would he have asked “what must I do..” it’s because he didn’t have this assurance. And that my friends is the void.

    So he asked and Jesus explains very plainly what he must do.

    In essence a self filled life leaves no room for a God filled one.

    Ask God today to remove from your life anything that separates you from Him, and fill you with everything that matters!

    In Christ Love , Amen

  • who will answer

    In Isaiah 6:8 the Lord asked a question.

    “whom shall I send, who will go for us?”

    Here’s something to consider, the word “US” was used in the beginning in Genius 1:26

    “Let US make man into Our image, according to Our likeness, let them have dominion over..”

    If there’s ever any doubt that God can use YOU let this issue be put to rest! This was always the plan from the beginning.

    We each have our work, talents, gifts that He has blessed us with, and to everyone who wants to work for God there’s a purpose for each of us. And when He asked Isaiah “who will I send?”

    Isaiah responds ” Here I am ! Send me.”

    Today His Word is asking will you answer the call?

    What’s the requirement of the job?

    • First things first: Willingness (see Ish 6:8 for ex.)
    • Secondly : put on the new man which was created in Gen 1:26

    Read Ephesians 4:24 it helps to build understanding in how this works then read Romans 6:4 and then God will reveal His plans for You and give you the light needed for the next steps.

    And if you are still are not sure what to do refer to 1st step again!

    In Christ Love ~ Amen