Category Archives: God
Instrument vs. Ornament
Rom.12:2 “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Our final thought from yesterday’s devotional was that we cannot allow the media’s projection of what beauty is define our mentality. We need to look to the spiritual truths of Christ to overcome the media battering of what ‘beautiful’ looks like. Read the rest of this entry
The Right Kind
Ps. 16:3 “And these God-chosen lives all around—what splendid friends they make!” (MSG)
To defeat and overcome fears, the second thing is, I Need To Stop Listening To The Voices Of Fear. We need to stop listening to the voices of fear. Be careful about what you listen to and who you listen to so that you do not become paranoid. Read the rest of this entry
Align With God
Isa. 8:13 “Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread.” (KJV).
Mary had the fear of inadequacy. Joseph had the fear of disapproval. The shepherds had the fear of sudden change. Luke 2:8-10 “That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. SUDDENLY, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.” (emphasis added). Read the rest of this entry
Time, Talent & Treasure
Matt. 2:11-12 “They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” (emphasis added).
God wants us to be positioned in such a way that we can say like the wise men, we are seeking Jesus. What happens when you give God your time, your talent, and your treasure? He multiplies it, that is what He does. Let me share a personal testimony with you. Read the rest of this entry
Ponder vs. Wonder
Ps. 119:105-106 “Your words are a flashlight to light the path ahead of me and keep me from stumbling. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again and again: I will obey these wonderful laws of yours.” (TLB)
To be positioned for God’s blessings, particularly this season and beyond, we have to cooperate like Joseph, celebrate like the shepherds, and contemplate like Mary. Mary contemplated. Luke 2:17-19 “When they had seen him, they told what the angels had said about this child. Everyone was amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured these things and CONTINUED TO THINK ABOUT THEM.” (NCV, emphasis added). Read the rest of this entry
Trust
Jer. 29:11 “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (MSG).
Joseph cooperated, the shepherd’s celebrated, Mary contemplated, and the three wise men dedicated. To get positioned for blessings this Christmas, we must learn from these four categories of people that were rightly positioned at the first Christmas and were blessed. Read the rest of this entry
Reflection
John 15:16 “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”
Yesterday, we highlighted four different expressions of love for God based on growth [level] in God. The spiritual infant expresses love for God by eating, sleeping, crying, and so on. The spiritual child expresses love through obedience and devotion. Read the rest of this entry
Expressions
John 21:17 “Then Jesus asked him again, “Peter, son of John, do you have great affection for me?” Peter was saddened by being asked the third time and said, “My Lord, you know everything. You know that I burn with love for you!” Jesus replied, “Then feed my lambs!” (TPT)
Your expression of love to God depends on your level with God. How an ‘infant’ – a baby Christian, will express love to God is different from how ‘a child’ in God that is not an infant will express love. How a ‘teenager’ in Christ will express love is different from how a ‘child’ would. Read the rest of this entry
Fisher Of Men
John 21:10-11 “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus said. So Simon Peter went aboard and dragged the net to the shore. There were 153 large fish, and yet the net hadn’t torn.”
We would pick up from the final thought from yesterday, which is that we count people because people count. We see in scripture that Jesus was deliberate about picking fishermen as part of His disciples. Fishermen always counted the catch, no matter how large, they will take the time and trouble to count. Read the rest of this entry
This Too
John 19:19,21-22 “And Pilate posted a sign on the cross that read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” …Then the leading priests objected and said to Pilate, “Change it from ‘The King of the Jews’ to ‘He said, I am King of the Jews.’” Pilate replied, “No, what I have written, I have written.”
John 19:38-39 “Afterward Joseph of Arimathea, who had been a secret disciple of Jesus (because he feared the Jewish leaders), asked Pilate for permission to take down Jesus’ body. When Pilate gave permission, Joseph came and took the body away. With him came Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus at night. He brought about seventy-five pounds of perfumed ointment made from myrrh and aloes.” Read the rest of this entry
