2 Corinthians 12:9-10 NIV – But he said to me, “My grace is – Bible Gateway https://share.google/6WXXUBbxRjRJ7xkDR

I have to open this devotional this time with the following statement: God has dealt with me in the area of who I am in Christ. He pointed me to 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, and then to Hillsong’s, “Who You Say I Am.” Finally, the Spirit enabled my sister and I to attend a Women’s Study, which happened to be about Moses’ mother.  Her name was Jochebed.

Jochebed was the daughter of a Levite, and her name means God’s Glory.  Jochebed’s parents sounded like they devoted her to God.  In turn, this laid the foundation of her offering her son to God.  She and her husband had faith enough to send Moses down the Nile in an ark of bullrushes.  While he was traveling, Moses ended up falling into the hands of Pharoah’s daughter.  This encounter opened up the door for Moses to be instrumental in the exodus of the Hebrews from Exodus. God was given the glory!

It was shared in the study that in order to experience the presence and power of God, we have to come to the point of offering everything we have to God (Romans 12:1). When the Spirit has the reigns in our life, we will experience the perfect plan of the Father.

The plan of the Father is not the easiest road, but the straightest one (Proverbs 3:5-6). My husband and I were talking about our walk with God.  We both shared how important it is to take our times of confusion to God. When we give room for confusion, it opens the door for Satan to move.  After all, the Enemy is the Author of Confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). May we walk in the Spirit, and may we be able to say that we finally see Him.  Like this guest speaker said, when we go through trials and stay close to God, we will be able to make that statement of Job’s (Job 42:5). It won’t just be an issue of hearing about the Creator, but one of experiencing Him.

Romans 12:1 NIV – A Living Sacrifice – Therefore, I urge – Bible Gateway https://share.google/keFr9pMn4TuWClzwd

I would like to take this devotional blog and share about the subject of praising/worshipping God. I heard this beautiful song by Lauren Daigel, Let it be a Hallelujah. It is a vital part of our spiritual growth and health.  It starts with us turning our lives over for Him to use.

After all, letting Him do His perfect will is showing that we trust the Creator.  Yes, He loves us and wants the best for us; Jesus created us to show compassion and love to everyone.  So many times, we get so caught up in trying to take care of ourselves that we don’t let God grow and develop us.

Being so wrapped up into trying to figure life out, using our own understanding, we end up becoming lifeless and unsuccessful. I remember hearing and reading Romans 1:22. Paul was sharing that when people claim to be wise in their own strength, that is when they end up being very foolish.  Psalm 115:8 talks about how useless individuals become worshipping idols, becoming exactly like them.

Devoting ourselves to His inspiration, we end up becoming what we were made to be.  It is beautiful when you see the God-breathed you coming to life!  When that happens, it cuts down on our dissatisfaction with life.  We have that joy that only the Spirit gives. Lord use us; you only know what is best for us!

1 John 4:4 NIV – You, dear children, are from God and – Bible Gateway https://share.google/NTywergucfb4XLUuj

The message I have been receiving from God is in the area of fear of our enemies; God is there to release us from all fear. When I was listening to Tauren Well’s song, Take it all Back, God was encouraging me to remember whose child I am.  I can go out on the battlefield knowing God has overcome my giants; I wanted to encourage us to be like David fighting Goliath.

Even though my family and I have had some areas that have been torn down, God is there to rebuild the walls.  In Nehemiah, my dad shared with us that God spoke to him the thought of not tiring in rebuilding the walls Satan had torn down. The Spirit then spoke to his heart that those who would be of him would rebuild the old way places (Isaiah 58:12).  What a special promise my sister, husband, and I have to hold onto!

Every single promise God gives us, we can be assured it is a yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). There are many times in Scripture that Christ encourages us to not be afraid.  It is beautiful to note that God can use us when we turn our fears over to Him; He has chosen the foolish things to confound the wise (1 Cor. 1:27).  People like Gideon can be used.  Thank you, Jesus!

Colossians 3:17 NIV – And whatever you do, whether in word or – Bible Gateway https://share.google/ci5RFxSpPc4q4vqXc

Hello, I am giving another devotional due to the fact that I published the last one late… pray this speaks to you!  This time, God laid it on my heart to speak about stability in life.  I have observed in my life and others that the more we use our own or others’ views, the more it only leads to discontentment and unbalance. It makes sense, due to the fact of our being fallen individuals.

When we give ourselves to the Father, He will make all things work together for His glory; He wants us giving the Spirit full control (Romans 8:28).  I don’t know about you, but when I do it in His name, it motivates me to do or say things that honor Him!  It puts my mindset on what is good and what matters (Phillipians 4:8-9).

When our mindset is where the Creator wants it, it is pure and not fallen.  This will result in our having the joy of the Lord; it fills an individual with satisfaction and thankfulness.  It enables an individual to realize that God gave us everything we need, and we are created in His image.

It is so awesome that we are His creation and that there is nothing we have to strive for (Psalm 23)! While I am thinking about this fact, it reminded me of the Children of Israel. They were pretty much spoiled and not grateful for their every need being met.  Having a Godly attitude will fill us with the peace we are all seeking, with no danger of going overboard in one direction or the other.

John 16:33 NIV – “I have told you these things, so – Bible Gateway https://share.google/rENyoOXwLP2y64HoK

I agree that living in this world brings depression and oppression! The precious truth Jesus was revealing, which is in John 15 and 16, is that we are not alone.  The Lord wants us to have peace, so He told us, while still here on Earth, that He would suffer to the point of death; afterward, He did just that and was seated at the right hand of the Father.

The reminder of how God, through the Son, overcame the world should fill us with reassurance. He gave insight into the fact that His path would be hard and difficult. The Spirit is here to comfort us.  He wants us abiding in Him and not falling away at the first sign of difficulties.

Colossians 1:15-21 describes how Jesus is the firstborn: He created everything, He holds everything together, heads the Church, and will come to present His church spotless before the Father. He cared enough for us to offer Himself for us.  While He shared what would happen, He also encouraged that a Comforter would come.

Our prayer should be one of keeping us close to God.   Our desire should be that we would remain on the straight and narrow without scattering. As we observe the condition of the world, we need to be seeking Him to become just like Jesus.  As we do this, we have the promise of the Spirit being with us until the end of time.  After all, as we love Christ, it gives proof that we love God and will share in the inheritance.

 

John 16:22 NIV – So with you: Now is your time of grief, – Bible Gateway https://share.google/RqtrpjqNBaF7zRlI1

This week, I want to focus on the promise of Jesus giving us everlasting joy.  In an everchanging world, with its highs and lows, it is so encouraging to hang onto the character and promise of joy throughout life. It is found in walking with Jesus, and in believing what God has revealed to us.

In walking with God, His Spirit wants to have constant fellowship with us.  While on the topic of communication with the Spirit, it is interesting that Enoch walked with God and “was not” (Genesis 5:24).  I believe our former pastor, Pastor Chuck, brought up the fact that probably difficulties with his children encouraged him to seek God’s counsel.  Enoch was in such a close relationship with the Maker  that it probably wasn’t such a shock when God took him to Heaven. I pray we all could develop a similar close, stable walk with Him!

Even though we go through hardships and trials, He is faithful to carry us through.  I was reminded in Psalm 23 how it describes death as a shadow.  That tells me that it may look like death,  but it is not permanent. Trials, and even death itself, are merely seasons we go through until we are forever with God.

The moment we give ourselves to the Spirit, He will work in our lives to give us fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). That includes joy and peace!  Jesus mentioned that the water that He gives will always satisfy and give life.  To me, that represents joy (John 4:14).  Let us all partake of Him, the life that Jesus gives.  When we reach Heaven, He has promised to wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4). What a hope we have as we go through life with our Creator, the knowledge that He is with us and has created a place for us to always be with Him!

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A33&version=NIV

Matthew 6:33 NIV – But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

This week, I wanted to discuss the subject of seeking God. There are several areas in my life I have been pouring my heart out to God about.  There are many dear Christians who are going through financial or health issues, my husband and family members have financial issues, and life is not giving any room to breathe.

The only benefit to these hard times is voiced in this song by Tasha Layton. It makes an individual stop and evaluate whether their heart is right with Jesus.  Are these the only times we find ourselves worshipping, in the easy times?  As Psalm 34:1 states, praise to the Lord should be given no matter what we feel like or what is going on around us. 

I guess the problem boils down to whether we are putting our attention on ourselves, or our we giving God the first place in our lives. It really is a hard exercise of faith; it is saying, not my will, but yours Lord (Matthew 26:39).  Never should we come to the place of questioning God’s will.  Remember, Satan was the one to come to Adam and Eve and questined if the Creator had actually meant well by telling them to refrain from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

Finally, I wanted to close by encouraging everyone to listen to the Spirit.  When He has given us specific tasks or situations, we can share with God how it is very difficult for us to handle; it is not the time to tell God how it should be done differently. Let our hearts cry out with the martyrs in Revelation 6:10, to long to see the retribution of the Father in making all things right.  Amen!

Psalm 90:12 NIV – Teach us to number our days, that we – Bible Gateway https://share.google/BPkr9YV6CUUMYKp9c

What an important life lesson is stated through Psalm 90:12 and Jeremy Camp’s song!  The older I have gotten, I have seen how some opportunities have been missed by believing there are many days to accomplish them.  In addition, fears actually hinder us from producing fruit we were meant to bear.

When a person is younger, that is an excellent time to really push towards attaining dreams and goals.  An individual never knows when it is their last day; neither is it known when a loved one is not going to be around the next day.

The way we all can make things count in life is to focus on God’s will and what is being placed before us presently.  The end result of this is not looking back in regret.  There is, instead, a gratefulness and joy in being a part of the Spirit’s moving. Let us use wisdom by paying attention to the gifts and people God has blessed us with!

Philippians 3:13-14 NIV – Brothers and sisters, I do not consider – Bible Gateway https://share.google/3lPapEMxwjmBoTmXa

Philippians 3:13-14, and Hallelujah by Brandon Lake, express the importance of perseverance in a Christian’s life. It is one of those things that the Holy Spirit has to bring about; it is related to long-suffering, one of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23.

I have noticed, Satan tries to rob us of our joy in Christ by having us focus on issues we had in the past or will face in the future.  There are many times our flesh is weak, and we get tired out and depressed (Matthew 26:41).  Jesus was encouraging the disciples, and encourages us, to be vigilant in prayer. 

When we keep our hearts and minds on Christ, we will be following Christ’s example (Hebrews 12:2).  He didn’t let the cross distract and overwhelm Him.  He let God’s will develop in His life, and He trusted the Father.  Since He was in line with God in wanting the human race saved, He despised the shame of the cross and persevered to the right hand of the Father.

I am praying for so many of us, Brothers and Sisters in Christ, that we will please God by our faith and perseverance.  I want to hear that my job on the Earth was well done (Matthew 25:23). May this week be one of perseverance and victory!

Galatians 5:1 NIV – Freedom in Christ – It is for freedom – Bible Gateway https://share.google/Re0JzKwnAgvW9NVcS

Today, July 4th, marks another year for the United States of America. When I was dwelling on this and thanking Jesus for our freedom,  my heart was burdened for the spiritual state of our country.  This holiday has become nothing more than setting off fireworks and eating,  for most people.

We, as Christians, have so much to be grateful for!  We need the Spirit’s help in sharing how there is freedom, hope, and mercy in Him!  We can rebuke Satan, in the name of the Lord, when we start to gravitate toward the fleshly bondages.  Galatians 5:1 reminds us that, that is why Christ came.  He came so that we wouldn’t be burdened or heavy-ladened (Matthew 11:28-29). We can experience the rest that only the Savior can give!

When a Christian truly knows God, they will experience the freedom and satisfaction that nobody or nothing can bring.  I was recalling what Peter was speaking to the Messiah. When asked if the rest would turn away from Jesus, Peter asked the question of where else could they go (John 6:68). Amen! Where else would we go to experience life and love that Christ has graciously given?  Happy 4th of July!