FREE DEVOTIONS!
WHICH ISSUES ARE YOU STRUGGLING WITH?
WEARINESS
HOW TO FIND REST FOR A TIRED & WEARY SOUL
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
MARRIAGE
HOW YOU’RE SUPPOSED TO LOVE YOUR SPOUSE.
You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.
I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept!
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised” (Song of Solomon 8:6–7).
If we desire to find our soulmate and build a Christ-honoring foundation which stands the test of time and trials of life, our focus must shift to building Godly character in our lives through saving faith, trust in God’s sovereignty, humbling ourselves daily, and committing to forsake all others till death do we part.
Failing to affirm your wife is simply cancerous to a marriage because the enemy will exploit her insecurities and cause her to adopt a negative self-perception of herself. Consequently, once seeds of doubt begin to take root in her mind, it is difficult to convince her heart otherwise if the only opportunity you take to affirm her is erratic, rare or indifferent.
CHURCH
WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE CHURCH TODAY?
The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.
Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.
MEN
WHAT EVERY MAN NEEDS TO KNOW.
The problem is cheating promises an oasis of happiness but does absolutely nothing to quench a man’s thirst. Regrettably, many of us bear the scars of decisions which prove this to be true, yet many more will continue to justify their sinful actions in hopes of finding contentment in anything apart from God.
The entire family benefits when men take their responsibility seriously and welcome the Lord’s accountability to become more Godly husbands and fathers. Therefore, if you want to transform your family and inevitably meet your wife’s greatest NEED, prioritize SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP and her WANTS and DESIRES will likely be met in the process.
You can’t lead your family spiritually if you’re not living according to God’s Word personally, and you’ll never meet your wife’s emotional needs if you’re not humbled by the conviction of the Holy Spirit at work in your heart. Success begins and ends with surrender to God’s will, obedience to God’s Word, and submission to God’s authority in your heart, first and foremost, so you can minister to your wife.
[TRUTH HURTS!] WHY ARE MEN GREAT ‘TIL THEY GOTTA BE GREAT?
Men, listen up. If you ever wondered what women may be thinking, now you know! Today, countless women are becoming increasingly frustrated and disappointed with their husbands, fiancés and boyfriends, and it’s not surprising why. Because if we stop for a second, look in the mirror, and honestly own our mistakes, we’d likely agree their complaints are justified. The problem is we think more highly of ourselves than we ought and set the personal morality bar far too low, rather than disciplining and determining our minds to achieve greatness.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Marriage can be an incredible journey of faith, full of joy and infinite blessings. But for many of us, our marriages feel like a never-ending desert—dry and barren with little resources to live off of. Coupled with scorching heat during the day and bone-chilling cold at night, the desert is actually an ironic metaphor for the emotional and psychological extremes we long to escape from.
When we hear the words, “ABSENT FATHER,” we typically focus our attention on broken homes and fathers who literally have abandoned their kids. But what if a father is physically present in the home yet disengaged from his wife and children—emotionally, psychologically and spiritually? Would that not also constitute as being an ABSENT FATHER?
CHRISTMAS
FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN!
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
I heard the bells on Christmas day, their old familiar carols play. And mild and sweet their songs repeat, of peace on Earth, good will to men. And in despair I bowed my head. “There is no peace on earth,” I said, “For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth, good will to men. Then pealed the bells more loud and deep, God is not dead, nor doth he sleep. The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with peace on earth, good will to men.
God inspired Matthew to pen these verses as a stern reminder and humble warning to all that from the beginning, the birth of Jesus Christ came in opposition to the selfish desires of man, both then and now, and we would be remiss to forget what happened in Bethlehem.
Sometimes in the midst of holiday pageantry, we lose sight of the Christmas story and forget how grueling the journey must have been for Mary and Joseph, traveling on foot through rugged terrain, brutal weather, and dangerous conditions, simply to comply with a government mandate.
Oh little town of Bethlehem, looks like another silent night. Above your deep and dreamless sleep a giant star lights up the sky. And while you're lying in the dark, there shines an everlasting light for the King has left his throne and is sleeping in a manger tonight.
The Christmas story is full of intrigue, excitement and anticipation. When we think of Christmas, various images come to mind of Jesus, Mary and Joseph; angels, shepherds and wise men; and a stable manger, because there was no room at the inn. However, tucked within the pageantry on display and imagery we envision are raw emotions the characters must have been feeling in the moment.
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MESSAGE | MEANING | REFLECTION
The problem is cheating promises an oasis of happiness but does absolutely nothing to quench a man’s thirst. Regrettably, many of us bear the scars of decisions which prove this to be true, yet many more will continue to justify their sinful actions in hopes of finding contentment in anything apart from God.
The entire family benefits when men take their responsibility seriously and welcome the Lord’s accountability to become more Godly husbands and fathers. Therefore, if you want to transform your family and inevitably meet your wife’s greatest NEED, prioritize SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP and her WANTS and DESIRES will likely be met in the process.
You can’t lead your family spiritually if you’re not living according to God’s Word personally, and you’ll never meet your wife’s emotional needs if you’re not humbled by the conviction of the Holy Spirit at work in your heart. Success begins and ends with surrender to God’s will, obedience to God’s Word, and submission to God’s authority in your heart, first and foremost, so you can minister to your wife.
[TRUTH HURTS!] WHY ARE MEN GREAT ‘TIL THEY GOTTA BE GREAT?
Men, listen up. If you ever wondered what women may be thinking, now you know! Today, countless women are becoming increasingly frustrated and disappointed with their husbands, fiancés and boyfriends, and it’s not surprising why. Because if we stop for a second, look in the mirror, and honestly own our mistakes, we’d likely agree their complaints are justified. The problem is we think more highly of ourselves than we ought and set the personal morality bar far too low, rather than disciplining and determining our minds to achieve greatness.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s; he makes me tread on my high places.
But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
You have captivated my heart, my sister, my bride; you have captivated my heart with one glance of your eyes, with one jewel of your necklace.
I am very dark, but lovely, O daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Kedar, like the curtains of Solomon. Do not gaze at me because I am dark, because the sun has looked upon me. My mother’s sons were angry with me; they made me keeper of the vineyards, but my own vineyard I have not kept!
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised” (Song of Solomon 8:6–7).
If we desire to find our soulmate and build a Christ-honoring foundation which stands the test of time and trials of life, our focus must shift to building Godly character in our lives through saving faith, trust in God’s sovereignty, humbling ourselves daily, and committing to forsake all others till death do we part.
Failing to affirm your wife is simply cancerous to a marriage because the enemy will exploit her insecurities and cause her to adopt a negative self-perception of herself. Consequently, once seeds of doubt begin to take root in her mind, it is difficult to convince her heart otherwise if the only opportunity you take to affirm her is erratic, rare or indifferent.
You have said, ‘Seek my face.’ My heart says to you, ‘Your face, LORD, do I seek.’
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.
In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.
In our present culture, love is the overwhelming alternative to God's character that most people cling to when it comes to eternity. No one wants to accept that God would ever sentence anyone to never-ending torment in hell because that it seems unloving. However, the Bible is clear that God is just and will judge mankind when we pass from this earth according to the decisions we make, especially as it relates to our relationship (or lack thereof) with Him.
Many people struggle discerning the voices in their head. What do they mean? Where are they coming from? Why am I hearing them? All are valid questions. However, who is speaking is perhaps the greatest question we must answer, because discerning the messenger far outweighs unlocking the message.
If you drive by my house on any given Saturday, you will likely find me on my hands and knees individually pulling weeds up by their roots for hours and hours. Why? Because it is a dirty and exhausting process, but absolutely necessary if I truly want to fix the problem and address the true source of my affliction at its core.
“And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord” (Psalm 27:6).
For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock” (Psalm 27:5).
When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident.
One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.
SOCIAL ISSUES
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ( )?
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Some may argue that vaccinations and testing are necessary to not only protect oneself, but protect the safety of others. However, if I do not believe these vaccinations are safe or morally manufactured, is it unloving to refrain from participating? If testing is inaccurate or creates a false positive, who am I truly hurting by missing work and quarantining myself for no reason other than fear?
Government welfare in the United States today is incredibly tragic. Superficially intended as a means to provide financial assistance to those in need, protect children and elderly, compensate for unemployment, and combat poverty, welfare programs have done nothing more than enslave millions of Americans to financial bondage, perpetuate generational poverty, promote entitlement, expectation and lack of accountability, and essentially destroy the nuclear family unit.
How should Christians vote? It is an important question with varying opinions across the political aisle, especially heading into a contentious presidential election less than 3-weeks away in the United States. At the moment, Republicans and Democrats could not be more polarized on almost every major issue, but surprisingly, many Christians support legislation which blatantly contradicts Biblical morality. Why?
How can a follower of Christ be intolerant if the post-modern definition of tolerance requires that all values, beliefs, lifestyles and truths are equal? Is the Bible somehow not a system of belief protected under the relative neutrality/impartiality banner of post-modern tolerance?
Cultural Marxism is a term often identified in socioeconomic academia which liberal pundits reject as a far-right conspiracy theory. The left-wing is quick to dismiss it as an intellectual debate which should remain in higher education and devoid of political forums, deeming it inapplicable to the working-class man or woman. However, nothing could be further from the truth.
The problem is radical social justice advocates are determined to hide the fact that what they really covet is equal outcomes, not simply equal opportunity, which elicits a victim mentality under the umbrella of unconscious bias and systemic racism.
In many ways, our culture has misdiagnosed systemic racism through the statistical manipulation of numbers, charts and graphs which appeal to emotional sensibilities and are strategically designed to illicit indignation (i.e. anger or annoyance provoked by what is perceived as unfair treatment). Unfortunately, many statistics used to support systemic racism are purposely selective and highly subjective to support biased narratives, often lacking complete anthropological and sociological perspective.
Police officers are imperfect human beings, who possess the ability to make mistakes despite their best efforts to maintain compliance unto governing authorities and behavioral integrity in their endeavors. However, considering the contentious environment where we reside, police officers are now falsely and unjustifiably portrayed through liberal media outlets as racist, abusive, discriminatory and untrustworthy.
There is a distinct difference between believing the slogan, "Black Lives Matter," and endorsing the organization, Black Lives Matter. However, our culture has rather easily convinced the majority of society through predominately liberal, social media platforms they are intertwined and one in the same. Therefore, let us be unequivocally clear from a Biblical perspective: THEY ARE NOT!
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.