Recent Devotions
Focus
How can we recognize the lies of the enemy unless we have something planted deep within our hearts against which to compare them?
War Of The Wills
In many ways, the Bible could easily be considered the written record of the "War of the Wills".
Deeply Rooted Fear
“The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.”
Let It Shine
God wants to use you and the Light that dwells within to open the eyes of those who choose to sit in darkness.
The Ox and the Donkey
How can we claim to know our Master if we cannot obey His Word? Obedience is the key to knowing God, to living in the flow of His blessings, and to fulfilling our destiny.
Lock the Door
You have the power to use the key through Jesus Christ. Use it, shut the door, lock it securely, and refuse to let sin enter the door of your heart.
Greater Than Great
God is greater than great. Higher than high. Holier than holy. Mightier than mighty. He is sovereign over all, totally in control of everything.
Closet Sins
Hiding in the closet is useless. Swing open that closet door and allow the Lord to assure you of His boundless love.
No Hiding
The Father knows us intimately and—even with all our faults and shortcomings—He loves us completely.
Beyond Human Desire
The Psalmist writes of a soul yearning for communion with God, showing an impatience that indicates deep urgency and unfathomable need of the true Thirst-Quencher.
It Is Good
The unfailing hand of our God is right there to guide us with His counsel [His Word]. We're not left hanging or cut off, even when our attitudes are brutish.
Hearts On Fire
Many who call themselves Christians forget this simple truth: to love Jesus is to love His Word. Scripture makes it clear—Jesus and the Word are one. If we love Him, we will love His Word.
Press On
Even when we have realized a victory along the way, we need to keep on pressing on until we reach our final goal.
Our Highest Calling
There is a place in God where we can find increased strength—strength to live a holy life according to
Living Aware
Friendship is not casual. It is sacred. It is a gift entrusted to us by God Himself. A true friend
Before the Gold
Hardship is not random. Disappointments, weakness, and heartache carry a holy purpose.
Tiny Mustard Seed
In God’s economy, small is not a setback. It is often the seedbed of greatness. Just look at the tiny mustard seed!
Watch Out!
The enemy is opposed to us; he resists our efforts to do good and all our efforts to obey God. He attempts to alarm us by his roar...
The Gift of Servanthood
Every man, woman, and child was created and designed to be a servant, either to sin or to righteousness.
No Staggering
If anything would make a man stagger, it would be the third word uttered by God: “Be blameless!”
God Alone
Turn your eyes toward God and God alone; lose yourself in His glory!
Wholly Holy
The fire on the altar did not destroy the offering; it transformed it into total surrender, a pleasing aroma to YHWH.
The Other Side of Surrender
Purpose is not discovered — it is entered through submission. God consistently ties purpose or destiny to obedience before explanation.
Connected to the Source
The Spirit at work flows outward through those who believe in Jesus, to those who are connected to the Source.
Love
It is God's will that the Body of Christ molds its love for others into the shape of His divine love. Pure love. Selfless love. Blameless love. Cross-shaped love.
The God of Amen
Jesus invokes divine authority before speaking. In ancient Israel's legal culture, “Amen” seals truth. Jesus puts the seal on His own words. He speaks as the source of truth!
Cause and Effect
The cause of Hannah's shame and grief was the curse of barrenness. The effect was a glorious prayer offered to the Lord for her miracle child.
No One
NO ONE can stand in the way of God's plans, His purposes, His callings, His schedule, His direction, His programs, His timing ... nothing in the mind of God can be thwarted.
Active Faith
Four things that we should employ as our dynamic and participatory responsibility as disciples of Christ.
The Agape Feast
The early Christian meals (Agape Feasts) included communion within the full meals. It echoed the ancient covenant banquets and was in anticipation of the Messiah Banquet
WORD-MINDED PEOPLE
Concentrating on the negatives in this world will eventually blind us to the faithfulness of God. We may soon become so aware of the evil surrounding us that we cannot see the goodness of God ...
Stay Connected
Abiding not only keeps us spiritually healthy, but abiding also impacts others as we live connected to the life-giving, life-sustaining nourishment that comes from the Vine.
YHWH is ...
In Christ, we are different, set apart, unique. We become "other" as we bear the image of our Father, who is "completely other".
"I AM" No Coincidence
The Gospel of John records seven times Jesus described Himself as "I am..." and not by coincidence.
The Sacred Name
The Name of the Lord is hallowed, holy, sacred, and should be honored, revered, and carefully guarded from misuse or abuse.
Spirit-Empowered Skill
Bezalel was the FIRST person in Scripture recorded as being filled with the Holy Spirit. Bezalel functioned as a Spirit-filled "creator" called and anointed by YHWH.
Many Voices - One Truth
If what we read, hear, or share doesn't align with God's truth, it should be rejected! There are many voices in today's world, but only one Truth!
Living Where God Dwells
Jesus invited us to abide in Him, not work harder or try better. It's an invitation to live consciously in His presence.
Beware!
The One True God alone is to be feared above all, by all, and in all.
Reformatted God
The world needs to see God as True, Just, Holy, Righteous, and Pure.
When Obstacles Become Gold Mines
We must come to understand that God may be forming a gold mine of endurance, wisdom, compassion, and deeper trust in Him through our trials.
Innovative Sacrifice
The same fire that signals YHWH's nearness becomes lethal when approached wrongly. Innovation in worship is not neutral – it can be rebellion.
God Speaks Hope
“God is faithful to save His people, even when the situation looks hopeless—and His future deliverance may not look like the past.”
Believing Loyalty
“Believing Loyalty” is a term describing how biblical faith actually works—not mere mental assent, but trust expressed through allegiance and action.
In Excelsis Deo
We literally join with the Hosts of Heaven, proclaiming YHWH as the Most High God, the One True God, the Creator who made heaven and earth.
Mighty to Save
Whether we be trapped by sin that so easily besets us, our God is “mighty to save!"
Boundaries
The boundary line was non-negotiable; crossing it came with consequences.
Out of Context
If we take the time to look closely at their context, scriptures we frequently quote are actually misapplied!
Empowerment
Peace is the result of being empowered by the Spirit to achieve His purposes through us – spreading the Good News.
His Forever Name
"This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations."
The Cookie Jar
The Apostle Paul wants all followers of Christ to understand how important it is to control our urges and cravings and poor choices.
Space For Grace
When we see ourselves honestly, we begin to see God more clearly.
Secure the Perimeter
We're not left helpless or powerless against the enemy's schemes to pull us into ungodly behavior or lifestyles.
The Confrontation
This message is to every soul on the face of the Earth from generations past to present.
Too Strict?
These Korean parents have five rules for their children to live by.
A Near Miss
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. (Prov 30:5)
Unbalanced
Those who love the Lord and are led by Spirit through knowledge of His Word must work to maintain the perfect balance of love within the Body – and it starts with each of us.
Brokenness
Written by Shelia Wrenn ... a word of encouragement to all who are broken.
The Lord Is
The same power that led David victoriously through relentless assaults is at work on our behalf.
Wound Care
From time to time, we all need some form of wound care from those with whom we surround ourselves.
The Voice
Our God is a very communicative partner in life; even in His silence, His presence is constant.
Rainy Day
Build up a storehouse of assurances of God's loving care and provision.
Just a Thought
To untangle our minds and rid them of the enemy's influence, we simply plug into our Power Source!
Jesus' Seven "I Am" Declarations in John
Applying God's Covenant Name to Himself.
When I Am Afraid
It is within our power to stop fear from becoming a stronghold.
The Name
The Name of Yahweh is a tower of strength.
Well-Proved
Our God is very present in times of trouble and His faithfulness has been well-proved.
Distinction
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” (James 4:8).
Turmoil Within
Turmoil is an invitation to reset our focus away from our circumstances and on the God of our salvation.
Loyalty
She takes her role as guard and protector very seriously. That's Josie. Intelligent. Protective. Vocal. Loyal.
Trembling
What Does Trembling at God's Word Mean?
Guarding the Priesthood
The Old Testament priesthood is fulfilled in Jesus. He is our model and standard-setter as we accept the responsibilities and functions of the holy priesthood as imagers of Christ!
We live in a culture overrun by Pontic mice gnawing and tearing apart the truth to fit their own form of God. God cannot be separated from the Truth ... Jesus!
PONTIC MOUSE
We live in a culture overrun by Pontic mice gnawing and tearing apart the truth to fit their own form of God. God cannot be separated from Truth or Jesus, the express image of the Father, IS Truth!!
DAILY SUPPLEMENTS
Many of us take supplements to our daily diet. Most of us didn't realize that spiritual supplements are even more critical in our daily walk as believers.
LEVITICUS
While we no longer bring bulls or goats or fowl or grain, we have an obligation to come with a gift, an offering, and/or a prayer of consecration preparing us for communion with Him.
OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICE
Offerings and Sacrifices still have a place in the lives of every believer. It looks different today because of Jesus whose pure blood far surpasses that which was poured out or sprinkled on the brazen altar.
ENCOURAGEMENT
God is always working behind the scenes for our good and for our deliverance from the burden of life. Always for His glory ... and His glory WILL be seen.
BELIEVE IN GOD
Do you "believe in God" according to the standards set forth in Scripture? Or, do you simply fall in line with popular responses without giving what it means to believe much thought?
MESSIANIC
While we are reading the Story of the Bible, we see the Messianic line through Abraham, Isaac, and now Jacob! Always be attentive to what God is doing in and/or through other characters; be careful to not simply ignore or consider them to be insignificant.
WATCHMAN
Being on the watch for God to sovereignly work in response to our prayers reveals the heart of a watchman … alert, aware and filled with expectancy.
MANIFEST YOUR GLORY
The wedding feast wasn’t the focus … not even the best wine as the feast-master commented. No, the focus is the manifestation of glory which caused Jesus’ followers or disciples to have faith as He revealed Himself to them as the glory of God being manifest in their presence!
MAKING DISCIPLES
Are those who profess to be Christians based on an “I-need-to-get-to-heaven-when-I-die” motive deceived and have we failed Jesus' mandate?
PESKY PETS
We live in a time when the enemy is looking for hidden places in our hearts to deposit his “soil”. At the same time, we are looking for excuses to cover up the soil and make excuses for it rather than tackle it and clean it up...
COMPLETELY OTHER
Yahweh, the God of the Bible, the Most High God! Being “completely other“ indicates He is peculiar, different, set apart, unique, and completely other than ordinary. In other words, YHWH) is Completely Other and Uniquely Unique!
YAHWEH IS A VERB
According to the sacred Hebrew symbols Yod, Heh, Vav, Heh, Yahweh not only means “I am”, but it also means “I BECOME”, or “I am the One who causes to BECOME”. Essentially, God’s name is a VERB!
For The Beauty Of The Earth
Thanksgiving is a time of year when memories are stirred of a childhood rich with tradition reflecting Christian heritage.
FAITHFUL ALWAYS AND FOREVER
Be loyal in your trust as He is loyal to you. Never substitute your loyalty to God for another path to true peace. It is in our believing loyalty to God that He is always found FAITHFUL!
MARY KNEW
"She not only knew, she willingly consented to the angel’s remarkable calling, saying: 'Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word' (Luke 1:38)".
Our job as imagers of God is to expand the Kingdom, not win an argument, and not be comfortable. We’re here to show our love for our Redeemer who paid the utmost price and paved the way by His own example, to take the Gospel message to everyone including those who don’t believe like we do, to those who may use or abuse us, and even to our persecutors.
Ephesus Syndrome
Have We Lost Our First Love?
The Church at Ephesus has my attention today and I can’t go on
PURPOSEFUL PRAISE
Turn your attention to Him, focus on His love and mercy, and begin to praise Him in the midst of your circumstances.
WORDS HURT
Our words minister to those who hear them. They either minister grace or they cause people to turn away hurt and dejected; they may even bear the scars from our careless words for an entire life.
TAMIM
Tamim … being made thoroughly whole, rejecting double-mindedness and making the Word of God the only lens through which I view life.
ORDERS FROM HEADQUARTERS
Our order from headquarters: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
IDLE WORSHIP IN THE CHURCH
Active worship was just that -- there was a work assignment that was required of them -- required of us all per orders of the Lord Jesus Himself. We are assigned to Love God and Love People.
HOPE TO HANG ONTO
When our minds are being flooded with fear and doubt they are times that God makes His presence known. It is during these times that our faith is stretched to "hold on"...
SHOW US YOUR GLORY
As my heart has so often cried out to the Father: “Show us Your Glory, Lord!” … I hear the voice of my Father: “Look to Jesus for in Him you will find the fulness of My Glory!”
A HARD PLACE
I'm a seeker of Truth because Jesus is Truth. Jesus isn't the gifts. Jesus isn't the sermon. Jesus isn't the book. Jesus IS the Truth and I will seek Truth until the day I leave this world.
COMPROMISE
Seeds of discord have been sown in the soil of this great nation and it is those discordant seeds that have been allowed to grow and reproduce unchecked and without boundaries.
LAW OF CHRIST
The Law of Christ can be summarized in one word: LOVE. To truly love God and love people is to fulfill the Law of Christ, to rein in the impulses of the flesh...
COUNT IT ALL JOY
James is admonishing us to be CONVINCED from the depths of our heart that whatever we’re facing is going to produce something in our lives that is profitable for us and for the Kingdom of God.