Simple Devotions

Tag: truth

  • 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

  • feed on the Word

    It’s said “you can’t walk forward looking back” and while this is true I can’t help but look over my shoulder at how I used to live.

    Deceit; envy; lying and foul language was something which held me back for years as a young adult. It caused all kinds of drama and mistrust. Romans 8:5

    So I can say with certainty that getting rid of this type of living gave room for me to experience more goodness.

    My motivation is to not go back in darkness but live in the light of God’s living Word ~ which abides forever. 1 Peter 1:23

    When His Word at first was preached to me and it begin to transform my understanding, reaching me where nothing else could. It sounded like a sermon on Grace. <Video link>

    So reading the Word of God eventually became a daily habit.

    At first I’d read it to try and find out what I needed to do or what it was saying about me.

    Then I realized I was going about it all wrong, it was a love story about Him and all that He has done to save us. John 3:16-17

    It was His Word that called me to truth and clean living.

    To letting go of bitterness and shame.

    No more looking to be better then others but instead praying for them, as He did. John 17:20

    No looking for acceptance in others because Jesus accepted me, even with all my imperfections He became my new habit.

    His Word fed my soul and it changed my thinking.

    Every misplaced longing for love and acceptance was met by His Word. He showed me what it means to have loyalty and serve others as He did. He changed me, it was Him working out my salvation in me. Eph 2:10

    And then He served me the best news; I was forgiven and loved forever.

    He has taught me to stay close and feed on His Word daily.

    It grows you spiritually strong and when you feed on the Word of God ~ you will find out how good God really is!

    In Christ love, amen

  • hold fast

    Daily writing prompt
    Do you need a break? From what?
    View all responses

    Unless you live on a remote island or deep in the desert of this world, you know we all need a break from the chaos of life.

    I remember years ago I used social media platforms for fun.

    Now, not so much it’s all bad news, so much confusion, division, one tragedy after another, and sadness. But I admit I still get glued scrolling from one post to another and eventually will start to feel anxious. Telling myself “you need to get off this”.

    Finally I will stop because something else needs my attention.

    Nothing new, it starts out as curiosity which turns to feeling overwhelmed at the end.

    I know my time would be better spent reading the Word of God. Immersing myself instead into the great controversy between good verses evil, I’d would benefit far better to be so engrossed with the battle that wages war on the people of God, to “scroll” His pages instead to see how it all works out.

    Now that I look at it from this perspective, I can see how some may feel overwhelmed by the Bible like I do with social media.

    Funny how when we need “a break” it requires tuning out.

    It might look like reading a book, gaming, shopping or using recreational drugs or alcohol, just to name a few. This is how many live today and at the end of the day they all end up with more anxiety.

    What a gerbil wheel. Going nowhere fast.

    Here’s what I have learned.

    When I purposely step away to a peaceful space in my home where no distractions are welcomed, even my phone is not invited.

    I am removed from every care of what’s going on around me, I am on an Island. I’m in a desert oasis. .

    When I sit to worship the Creator, my Savior, the Holy Spirit sits with me there. I journal prayers, study the Word, and it’s here I have an opportunity to just be. Writing, pondering on all things life.

    I get to talk privately to the Heavenly Father in my heart and wait.

    Because every day has it’s challenges, heartaches, disappointments, grief and confusion, I’m am thankful for this space were I sit with Him often to take a break.

    Its stillness quiets the soul and gives me courage to do the hard things.

    A great way to clear my mind, so that while I see the reality of the World on fire, I am reminded whose watching over me. It’s here I see it all in Gods hands. His words of hope bring true joy and the ability to hold fast another day.

    The work of Christ in you, is never about what we can do but what He does through us. We hope better and believe stronger.

    It’s the true place of Joy. Which helps us to help others better.

    To care for our neighbors is a command, but it can only happen if we are going to the Father, He gives the seeds, and the water from the fountain freely, then we can plant and water – but it is God who gives the increase.

    Knowing this makes it easier to hold fast to the truth of His Words and take many breaks with Him.

    The Lord is inviting you to take His rest.

    In Christ love, Amen

  • John 17:17

    In this passage Jesus is speaking to the Heavenly Father in prayer,

    “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

    Sanctify means to set them apart, He speaks of the mission that He was sent to do, to give the Word. He requested that God the Father would protect those who receive the word and that they would not be overcome by the evil in the world.

    And then He went on to complete the mission, fulfilling the Word completely.

    This is the testimony of Jesus, the gospel message gone out to all the world, every nation; tongue and tribe.

    To those who believe in His word, they are able to attain His salvation in truth.

    Salvation in Jesus the son of God as our Savior, means we know we need to be cleansed from our own sinfulness.

    Psalms 119:9 ask the question how can one be cleansed?

    The answer: take heed according to the Word of God.

    Righteousness is everlasting because God’s law is truth and because Jesus was the fulfillment of it. He is truth.

    The Word is Holy forever.

    Yes, Lord’s beauty is in the grace He abounds toward us however it’s because of His Word that there is grace.

    Remember in John 17, when Jesus was asking the Father to protect those who heed the word. That’s grace, knowing we would need something and we didn’t ask for it.

    In Psalms 119: v. 142 – v. 151 – v. 152 His truth is the law that doesn’t condemn us to death, but saves us from sin.

    The truth of His Word sets us free. The testimony of His way, is not something new, it has always been, even before the foundations of the World.

    So the Word of God is forever, eternally.

    Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away. Luke 21:33

    Isaiah 40:8 The Word is a Rock – This Rock is Jesus, the living Word of God who stands forever.

    Closing thought:

    From the beginning to end we need to consider the whole matter which was written for our benefit. In the Word is life, and more abundantly, those who truly accept the righteousness of Christ Jesus will give serious consideration to the Word of God, because it works to cleanse us, to give us light to walk and to show us the way to a life everlasting, this is what it means to be set apart from this world that lives and dies in darkness.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • harden

    “Do not harden your hearts, as in rebellion as they did in the trial in the wilderness.” Psalms 95:6-11

    God’s unfailing care for forty years to the children of Israel were daily reminders of His miraculous provision, God gave them food from Heaven which the angels served and they were taught that having God’s promises they were secure from want or harm.

    The problem was they did not appreciate what they were saved from or what they were given. And this was the hardening of their hearts. They complained often, He was giving them freedom and the love of a master but they said it would have been better back in Egypt, how quickly they forgot their trials. They did not trust in His salvation which was leading them to the promise land.

    The truth is the “manna from Heaven” He gave was like the “bread of Heaven ” who came down to give life. John 6:26-40

    The connection here is that God truly cares. We are blind to what we live in, we don’t see His gifts as life, because it doesn’t look like what we want. Matthew 15:14

    Have you ever watched a child receive a pair of gloves or a new jacket and the disappointment on their faces because they wanted something to play with, it wasn’t an object of affection to their own expectations. However give that kid a few years or a really cold day and they are going to love those new things that will help to keep them warm while they play outside. With God the Father its about needs, not wants.

    Our hearts are set against Him when we say “I’ll do it my way..” like those in the wilderness we have a lot in common, until we learn to trust and be obedient we will not be able to hear and follow His call and receive His care.

    His promises contain power.

    In every command, in every promise of Gods word is the power, the very life of God, by which the command is fulfilled.

    His Promises = His Provision

    So those who by faith receive His word, receive the very life and character of God. John 5:24

    So today trust Him, do not harden your hearts.

    In Christ Love, Amen

  • my Father

    Daily writing prompt
    Describe a family member.
    View all responses

    Oh come, let me sing to you about the One

    Let me shout joyfully to the Rock of my salvation

    Let me share the thanksgiving on my heart

    To always proclaim Him above everything is my joy

    He is the name above all names

    For He is great, the greatest of all

    The heavens rejoice, the earth is glad because He created them

    The sea roars and all it’s fullness, the fields are joyful and all that is in it. All the trees of the woods rejoice because He is coming and He is coming to judge rightously.

    Are you ready for my Lords visit?

    This is my Fathers World.