Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY THURSDAY!

Today’s scriptures are about the penalties of sin, and warnings of temptations. I don’t know one person who doesn’t sin, or isn’t tempted to sin. It doesn’t matter if it’s our Priest, Pastor, or parents, we all come from dust, so we are weak. That’s just the way we’re created. Because of this, God has offered forgiveness of sin and protection against temptation, through Jesus Christ. Jesus has taken on the sin of all mankind, and conquered it, so that we could have the opportunity at a life full of peace, joy, and love. At the same time, we still have freewill, so to sin or not to sin is our choice. When we sin we’re punished, and if we do well we’re rewarded, because the law of life is “you reap what you sow”. I love the way the Apostle Paul explains it: Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (Gal 6:7-9 NIV)

God doesn’t expect us to be perfect, but He does require that we love Him with all of our heart, and love each other. In keeping these commandments, we should think of Him first, before we make any choice. We should seek His instruction by studying His Word, and do our best to follow it. When faced with temptation, we should cry out to Him for help. When dealing with each other, we should ask ourselves “what would Jesus do”, and follow His examples. After all, Jesus is the only person who’s ever lived in the flesh without sin. Through Jesus, we also learn that we’ll be tempted, there’s no way to avoid it, because even He was tempted. However, God never gives us more than we can bear. Sometimes the temptations are tests, to see if we’re ready to move on to the next level in life. Other times they’re meant for testimony, or to help our fellow brothers and sisters, either way, know that you’re more than a conqueror through the blood of Christ.

As we grow spiritually, the enemy’s plots to bring us down becomes more evident, and it becomes easier for us to overcome them, and avoid sin. We all have our weak spots–things that have a hold on us, which we can’t seem to break. We must actively work on those things through prayer, meditation, and fasting. Paul once described it as a “thorn in his flesh”; which was something that was placed in his life to keep Him completely depended upon God. God will remove that thorn when He sees fit, but until then, we must continue to pray for deliverance, and seek His face when it feels like temptation is too strong. Always know that you can overcome anything the devil throws your way, because you are a child of God. We’re one with Christ, and Christ is one with God, so there’s no way to penetrate our shield. The enemy only wins when we let him, so keep fighting temptation, with the help of Jesus Christ.

We can find help in church, from the Body of Christ. This is why Paul suggested that we avoid surrounding ourselves with people who are “unequally yoked”, because sometimes we need to seek strength and solace in other believers. Make sure you’re in a church that’s filled with supportive leaders, and members you can depend on. Not saying that there isn’t controversy in the church, but if you have the right church, God is at the forefront of everything. If you’re one of those people who think that church isn’t that important, then this is just one of the many reasons why you should find yourself a good Church home.

Earlier in Galatians chapter 6, Paul said: Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their own load. Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor. (vs.1-6) Always remember that we’re in this together, so loving one another requires support, forgiveness, humility, and guidance.

If you don’t know Jesus as Lord and Savior, then sin will consume you, and lead you to death and destruction for all eternity. This is not a dramatization, but the truth by the Word of God. Jesus gives us life now and forever; so in order to overcome the darkness in your life, ask Him to come into your heart as Lord. If you aren’t sure where you stand with God, take a few moments to take the God Quiz today! My favorite verse today is: God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying the end of another workweek (for most). I'm doing well, and really feeling good about what the day will bring. TGIF!!! This week flew by quickly, and as of today, we're already halfway through October. It's amazing how fast 24 hours goes, and the types of routines we become accustomed to. It's also amazing how many hours within those 24 that we dedicate to God. Is it too much to offer Him one hour per day, instead of a few hours a week in church on Sunday? I know how hard it is to stay focused, and prioritize, especially in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Once you go to work, come home, cook and eat dinner, shower, and prepare for the next day, you're beat! However, quiet time with God needs to be at the top our mental checklist. Time with Him is as vital as food and water in our life. Enjoy your weekend, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about the Lord being our strength and shield. Do you know how powerful you really are? Jesus not only offers us salvation and forgiveness of sins, but He gives us the strength to endure, and over come everything we're faced with in life. No matter the inflictions, through Christ, God will help us see our way through. Not only will we be able to get through them, but we'll also come out stronger and wiser on the other end. When we serve the one and only God, who’s all powerful, merciful, and gracious, His strength lives on the inside of us. There's nothing this world could throw at us, that we cannot defeat, with God on our side. He protects us every minute of everyday. It's unbelievable how many times the enemy attacks us a day, which we never see, because of God’s shield of protection that surrounds us. As we grow in our Spiritual faith walk, we mature, and are able to overlook at lot of things. Especially things that are meant for our harm, but God turned it around for our good.

God even protects us from ourselves, because more often than not, we have not clue what we should or shouldn't be doing. We put ourselves in impossible situations, with no way out, but God always seems to come to the rescue. I know I'm not the only one who’s done some pretty foolish things in the past, with no regard for my safety, or no grasp on the reality of the situation. As my co-worker would say, "I was a habitual line walker". In life there are boundaries outlined, and I was always the person to push the lines of the boundaries a bit too far. God always gave me the strength to endure my self-inflicted pain, and I eventually gained wisdom from them.
Then there's my optimistic spirit. I give everyone the benefit of the doubt; I'll trust you until you give me a reason not to. I'm always very understanding, and quick to forgive; most people would call it being naive. However, I like having this type of spirit, because it fills my heart with joy and love. I'm open to everything and everyone that God brings in my life, because I know that they're here for a reason. Don't get me wrong, I have common sense, and the Holy Spirit has helped me build a wonderful spirit of decrement. At the same time, I don't want to live my life thinking everything and everyone is bad, and being constantly on the defensive. God allows me to keep that "free spirit", and protects me from myself, and anyone who means me harm. He shields me from a lot of the evils of the world, because He created me to be the compassionate person I am today. Most of the time, I discover the danger that I may have encounter, or the person who tried to hurt me in hindsight, when it's often too late to do too much damage. I simply praise God for the lessons learned, and for delivering me from that trial, with the ability continue moving on.

We should rejoice in knowing that as children of God, nothing happens in our life unless He allows it. This, and fact that He’ll never give us more than we can bear, helps us live a life full of peace. We have no reason to have fear or doubt, because we are children of God, through Christ. Jesus said: “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends." (John 15:11-13) Jesus has already laid down His life for us, and He considers us friends, all He asks in return is our love. Live your life in knowing that Jesus Christ is your good friend, and He's making intercessions for you in Heaven. There's nothing anyone can do to take us out of God's hands.

If you confess Jesus as Lord, and believe that He lives, then God considers you one of His children. He'll protect us, as any father would do or his child. At the same time, He allows us to make our own choices, and He gives us all of the tools we need to choose wisely. The first and wisest choice we should make is to choose Jesus as Lord. If you haven't confessed Him as your Savior, then you're open to any and everything this world will throw at you. Take a few minutes to pray and ask Him to come into your life as Lord, and get to know Him today. My favorite verse today is: The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psalms 2:7)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

Today's scriptures are about Christ, our Passover. The blood of Christ protects us from the evils of the world. When God’s wrath is upon the earth, we will be passed over, when we're under the protection of the mighty Lamb of God. The first Passover started with Moses, when he was attempting to get Pharaoh to free the people of Israel, from the bondage in Egypt. God was going to cast a plague upon the land that would kill all of the firstborn. He instructed Moses and the Israelites to take a blemish free Lamb, and sacrifice it. It's written: Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. (Exo. 12:7) They then were to cook the Lamb over an open fire, and eat it that night with bread cooked without yeast. When God came through with the plague, He vowed the Passover all of the homes that were marked with blood. This was the beginning of an everlasting ordinance, to mark the day that God freed the Israelites from the enemy.

Does this all sound a bit familiar? As I was reading through this story, I started to think about the things that Jesus said at the Last Supper. It was as similar scenario, but Jesus came to free all mankind from the hands of the enemy. We've been enslaved by evil since the beginning of time, and Jesus was the Sacrificial Lamb, brought here to protect us, when God allows evil to completely plague the earth. Jesus’ blood not only cleanses us from unrighteousness, and grants us eternal life, but it also offers protection under the covenant of God. That's a reason to rejoice!

It's written: And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. (Mark 14:22-24) Most Christians practice this ceremony as often as every Sunday, and some once a month. No matter how often you do it, just as God commanded the people of Egypt, you do it as a symbol of God's everlasting love and protection. He shed innocent blood to atone for the sins of the wicked, because He loves us. Be careful to know the commitment you make, and do it with a pure heart. Paul warns us to be true the covenant of Holy Communion.

Now I'm sure many may question, if every Christian is covered under this covenant, why do so many bad things happen to “good people”? There are many explanations, and some we won’t receive until we reach Heaven. Using the old example of the Passover, we have to stay under the protection of those two doorways, which are marked with the blood. Had the people of Israel stepped outside on the day of the Passover, when the plague was coming through, they would’ve fallen victim to it as well. God gave them specific boundaries, and it was up to them to stay within them.

The Apostle Paul explained it best in his letter to the Church of Corinth, that he had written when word got back to him that they had been sinning, and bragging about it. Paul said: Your boasting is not good. Don't you know that a little yeast works through the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast that you may be a new batch without yeast—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Cor. 5:6-8NIV) A little sin could spread into a huge mess, in the life of a Christian, so if you step outside of the covenant of God, into a life of Sin, that blood no longer protects you from it’s effects. It isn't until you repent, and ask for forgiveness that you can come back under total protection of the Lord.

As I look around at the state of our world today, it saddens my heart. I see so many things in a different light. Sin is "the norm" right now, and people actually brag and boast, and even commercialize it for the world to see. With no regard of Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave His life to protect us from just that. Sin is a plague, and what could end up killing us, so we must be careful, and ready at all times. If you've already accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, you're halfway there. You must still serve the Lord, and keep His commandments. It isn't that hard to love God with all of your heart, but it most certainly could be if you aren't keeping your eye on Him at all times, preparing for His return.

If you don't know Jesus as Lord and Savior, then you are like the Egyptians; you have no protection from the plague of sin. The Lamb has been sacrificed, so in order to receive that much needed protection, all you have to do is ask Jesus to be your Savior. He's a simple prayer away; so let me know if you need someone to pray with. My favorite verse today is: Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. (1 Peter 4:1-2)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

Today's scriptures are about God’s protection of those He loves. When we’re protecting, or being protected, there are certain steps we must take in order to stay safe and taken care of. God offers us protection from not only the evils of the world, but protection from ourselves. The commandments He gave us, through Moses, were all designed to protect us. He gave us laws of integrity, which teaches us to carry higher standards. Most importantly, He commanded us to love Him first, and allow Him to do the rest. He's our Heavenly Father, so for Him to say, “trust Me and I'll protect you”, means a lot. When we're born again, or confess Jesus as our Savior, we became babes in Christ, and just as a parent would protect their child, that's how God protects us. When we start off on our journey with Him, He holds our hand, feeds and nourishes us with the right knowledge and understanding, until we mature enough to stand on our own. Even then, He's with us every step of the way, so when we do fall, He's there to pick us up, dust us off, and get us back on the right path. He's such a wonderful and loving Father, and because of that He gives us choices. He gives us instructions on how to live life, the Holy Spirit for guidance, and the blood of Jesus for forgiveness, but continues to leave it up to us to use those resources. It's written: At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. (Matt. 18:1-5) Humility comes to mind when I read this passage of scripture, because Jesus laid it all out for us right here. All we have to do is become as little children, and we'll be considered the greatest, of God's chosen, in Heaven. Look at life in the eyes of a child, they're so carefree, joyful, and full of life. They have this undeniable innocence about them, and they never worry about anything. They look for the good in all things, and use their imagination to take them to wonderful places. They rely on, and trust in their parents’ protection, without a care in the world. Now I know what you must be thinking, but Jesus isn't asking us to be oblivious to the dangers of the world, because He also said: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves." (Matt. 10:16) He’s simply asking us to trust in our Heavenly Father, stop worrying about things we can't control, and as long as we do these with a humbled heart, we won't have a care in the world. Do you realize the magnitude of the power of Christ? We can do all things through Christ, because His power lives inside of us. Just as you did when you were a child, dream of your best life in Christ, and ask for His guidance to get you there. When you put your faith and hope in Him, He'll take you where you need be, giving you protection against the enemy along the way. The enemy will always try to steal that childlike innocence Jesus is referring to, but when we stay in the presence of the Lord, He'll rebuild all that the enemy attempts to tear down. Notice the keywords today like trust, hope, faith, and humility, because they're all necessary to receive the full coverage of God’s protection. Think of it this way, when you buy a car, it's equipped with door locks and an alarm system, to keep thieves from stealing it, but if we don't lock the doors, and activate the alarm, it's wide open, and the thief can just get in and drive away. Your car will eventually be replaced, if you have insurance, but it’s just the hurtful process it takes to get the replacement. We wake up each day to a God with open arms, ready to receive us, but it's up to us to welcome that embrace, and hold on tight. Jesus is the bond that brings us together with God, so you need Him before you could have that full embrace. Get to know Him, and the condition of your salvation, by taking the God Quiz today. My favorite verses today are: The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. (Psalms 37:23-24)

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Daily Devotional Day & Night

HAPPY MONDAY!

I pray all is well with everyone, and you're enjoying the beginning of another workweek. I'm doing well, excited about the sunshine, because the gray weekend was a bit much. It reminded me of when I lived in Portland, OR, it rained and was gray like that for at least 7 months straight. That was so hard for me to endure, because I'm a bit of a "flower child", I need sunlight to survive. They have beautiful summers in Portland, because of all the rain, everything is green and vibrant, and it’s awesome. Have a wonderful day, and be blessed family!

Today's scriptures are about having confidence in God's protection. There are so many things we have to face in this life, and leaning on God for strength to endure them is the only way to remain sane. I cringe when I think of how much we allow fear to control us. God promises to protect us from harm, and deliver us from evil, however we must trust in Him to do just that. When you think of stories like David and Goliath, or Daniel and the Lion's den, how can you doubt God's delivering power? We must be willing to go to war for the Kingdom of God, yet we must carry the protection of God through Faith. David was a lowly Shepherd of sheep, and when this giant Goliath threatened to destroy all of Israel, David volunteered to fight him, because he was confident in God’s strength. David told King Saul in 1 Samuel 17:32: "let no man's heart fail because of him, your servant will go and fight with this Philistine". Nobody, not even King Saul, believed that David could do this, but he allowed him to try. David went to battle this man with a slingshot and three stones, and everyone thought he was crazy. Even the Giant taunted him, and thought that this would be a fairly easy defeat. Here's the key to how David destroyed this virtually "un-destroyable" Giant: Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin. But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you and take your head from you. ...That all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel." David didn't have any confidence in his own ability, nor did he boast about how strong and mighty he was, but He gave all the Honor and glory to God. He came to battle in the Name of the Lord, and that is the only way he was able to win. We face many Giants in life, and the one and only way to defeat them is by Faith in God. We face physical, mental, and spiritual obstacles everyday, and God is with us to help us along the way. It's time to stop running from the Giants of life, and step out on the promises of God. We have Jesus Christ in our hearts, so just imagine how much more powerful that makes us. When we're working for God, it's important not to back down from anything, especially if it questions our integrity and the Kingdom of God. Don't allow anyone to feed you lies about who you are in Christ. You're joint heir of the Kingdom, and He loves you no matter what. We're forgiven of all transgressions by the blood of Jesus, so let's start facing our fears with confidence in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our Fate lies in our Faith! If you don't know Jesus as Lord, or have strayed, that's okay. It’s written in Ezekiel 33:17-18: When the righteous turns from his righteousness and commits iniquity, he shall die because of it. But when the wicked turns from his wickedness and does what is lawful and right, he shall live because of it. I don't know anyone who hasn't been there at one time or another. God's protection is open to all of His children, but only if we ask for it. If you need help with prayer please let me know, we can help keep each other lifted, which in turn will help build our Faith. My favorite verse today is: Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. (Jeremiah 17:7)

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