Winning the Battle
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
Did you know that there is an ongoing battle for your mind? Many of us realize that there is a battle taking place inour minds, but the real battle is forcontrol of our minds. This may sound a little like science fiction and weird but that is just what our enemy wants us to think. We are in a spiritual battle every day for control of our thoughts. For some of us, the intensity of conflicting thoughts can torment us for hours. For others of us, we have learned such mind control that we do whatever it takes to press down those thoughts. Regardless of how we handle them, they are still there.
The only effective weapons that we can use are the ones given to us by God. The weapons of the flesh, such as mental imagery or positive thinking will not bring us the victory that God has for us. Many people use such tools and claim dramatic results, but the deceptions are dangerous. Why? Because the focus and the power are placed completely on us, not on the Lord. The more power we think we have in ourselves, the more power Satan has over us. Scary thought? Let’s go for the real power and learn to bring our thoughts before Christ.
Are you in a battle today over things in your mind? There are two things you must incorporate into your daily routine. First, open your Bible and read at least one verse in the morning. Use a devotional or a Psalm or Proverb, whatever works for you. Second, take what you have read and ask the Lord to put His words into your mind throughout the day. If you will do this every day, in time you will begin to remember God’s words and will think about them because His Spirit will bring them to your thoughts. For those things that you are struggling with in your mind, start talking to the Lord about them. Pray that His words will bring comfort and hope instead of torment and guilt. Let the Lord fight for you by letting Him have the control over your mind instead of trying to handle it yourself.
Wow!!! What a service we had yesterday! When I read this devotion I about had church all over again!! I couldn’t wait to get it posted for all to read. If we would only grasp the heart of this devotion, take it and run with it, what a life difference it will make! You have the choice, choose God today, choose the mind of Christ today. I don’t know who you are but I am going to believe in prayer with you and for you for deliverance. You are His child and He knows who you are and right where you are and He can change you, if you allow him to, meet Him half way and He will hold you and love you and change you in such a way you will stand in awe.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!!
Today’s Reading is 2 Corinthians 10:4-5, Isaiah 40:28-31
Choose to Love
As a child, one of my favorite words was “why.” I know it drove my parents crazy when I used it repeatedly. Why do I have to brush my teeth? Why do I need to eat those green things? The answer was always the same, “Because I told you so.” There are times when we must submit and do as we are told. Children have little choice in the matter, but as adults we can choose our own course. Jesus tells us to “love one another.” And even in this command, we have a choice. Have you ever found yourself wondering why you have to love that person who seems so undeserving? The answer is because Jesus says so.
Love is so important to Jesus that He summed up all Ten Commandments into two: love the Lord with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself. The Apostle Paul says in First Corinthians 13 that nothing we do really matters without love. But in today’s world, we are confused about love. Movies and television lure us into fantasies about “true” love using sex, guilt and manipulation as tools to obtain love. When we are hurt by someone who says they love us, we begin to wonder if love really exists at all. Is love a feeling or is it an attitude or a behavior? Jesus knew exactly why He had to command us to love each other. Because we would not do it based upon our own feelings. We are human and our nature is sinful.
The only way to keep this commandment is to pray. Pray for God’s love to fill your heart. Pray that you will love your enemies as well as your neighbor (the good and bad). Pray that you will love Jesus more everyday. It is only when we stop asking “why” and start asking “how” that we can truly know what love is.
I missed posting a devotion yesterday and I only have a few more minutes left in today but I felt I needed to share this with you before another day slipped by, weather you read it tonight or in the morning, it will get to whomever needs to read it in the moment they need it. I have been going so much in the past couple of days and after reading this devotion I can recall asking God why, many times, and so I needed this before I laid my head on my pillow and it has inspired me to stop asking why and start saying how. Forgive me Lord, help me to love more and to see past the failures and imperfections of those around me, it’s not nor is it ever my place to judge but to love, love beyond measure.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 19
Grow A Vibrant Spiritual Life
I’ve always thought about today’s passage in an external sense, rather than about the spiritual life. After all, that’s how it presents itself.
The lazy person reaps ruin while the diligent can expect a healthy harvest.
Simple. Makes sense. It’s a good challenge to keep me working hard and ensure I don’t let myself slack off.
But what if we consider this sowing-and-reaping principle in terms of our spiritual life? Specifically in our relationship with God.
Read today’s devotional verse:
I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it, and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man. (Proverbs 24:30-34)
We might not all live in castles or own vineyards, but we do all have the most valuable possession in the world: a human heart, soul, and spiritual life that needs tending.
Which scene resembles your inner quality of life in the following facets:
1. Your spiritual life and relationship with the Lord,
If you’re like me, it’s probably a mix of the two.
Tending To Your Spiritual Life:
For me, being in the Bible and in prayer are two places I’ve experienced incredible life. I have also put myself on the line in order to be obedient to his direction—even though it’s been scary and uncomfortable.
It’s a mainstay of my personal relationship with Jesus.
I may not have a heart populated by colonnades and cascading fountains, but there is life there for both myself and for others.
But if I dig deeper:
* What about envy?
* What about my greed?
* What about mean-spiritedness and incessant judgment of other people based on appearances?
* What about how I deal with anger?
You see, the further I look past the well-tended fixtures of my inner life, I notice neglected places and crumbling walls.
I see nettles intruding on flower beds, choking the life out of what is good.
Tending To Your Personal Inner Life:
* Do I deal with anger before it blossoms into resentment?
* Am I the same person in private as I am in public?
* Am I cultivating habits that, while not comfortable, will produce life?
I encourage you to survey your spiritual life in the same way. Find both areas that are flourishing and those that are crumbling.
How can you be diligent to tend to both? How will you increase fruitful areas while tilling up the weed-infested ones and starting over?
For me, it all starts with a willingness to see reality. So, are you willing to see the real problems that exist in your heart? Are you willing to admit that there are cycles of trouble in your life that don’t stem from everyone else’s actions, but are caused by your own attitudes and dispositions?
Here’s the deal. Until you own the entirety your inner life—the fruit trees and the weeds—you’ll never have the power or clarity to nurture it to its full potential.
So, if you find yourself in a spiritual draught, be diligent in cultivating the places where life can be found.
We can nurture wonderful landscapes within our hearts and minds—but we must do so on purpose. The question today is, are you?
Wow, after reading this I don’t even know what to add. What a challenge for each and every one of us. We are quick to recognize and remind ourselves of the areas that are flourishing but let’s be honest with ourselves today and each day and survey the areas that are crumbling. We have nobody to blame but ourselves. Create in me a clean heart, o God; and renew a right spirit within me. Amen!!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 24:30-34
A Slow Day
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly. (Proverbs 14:29)
Have you ever had one of those days where you started out groggy, as if in slow motion? I woke up tired this morning. As I sat in my chair and began to read my online Bible, I was even more tired. Coffee did not help. I felt like I was swimming against the current. My insides were trying but my reflexes were not responding. I was having a hard time comprehending and focusing on what I was reading. Even my prayers were challenging, as my mind kept wandering. The day seemed to flow with the same kind of beat. Traffic seemed extra slow and congested. Red lights were longer than normal. And my computer…the little hour glass icon next to the cursor became a great nuisance as I tried to double click through files and pages. My irritation and frustration grew at top speed while everything else around me crawled at a snail’s pace. As my day is fast coming to a close, I am still tired and still in slow motion. What does the Lord want me to learn from this kind of day?
Several verses in the Bible include the word “slow,” but are often followed by the words “to anger.” Why? Because we tend to get angry very quickly. Also, when we act on impulse, we usually act foolishly. The more anxious we get at times, the more likely we are to behave rashly. The end result is not good, not to mention who gets hurt in the middle. We must learn the self-control to be “slow to wrath” and slow to anger. We must learn to recognize the triggers in our environment and circumstances that tempt us to lose control and react in the heat of the moment. For me and my day, the Lord reminded me of these lessons.
Since I woke up in slow motion, He meant for me to go with His flow, not mine. Today, God wanted me to slow down, sit longer at lights, and even wait on my computer to respond. Instead of impulsively getting upset, He wanted me to think about Him during those moments, talk to Him and let Him talk back. Instead of talking to the Lord, I was wondering just when that red light was going to turn green.
Today, and any day, when you are sitting in traffic, at a long light or waiting for service somewhere, stop and talk to the Lord. God has set your day in motion for His purposes. It is okay to go slow, especially when circumstances pull at our emotions. If you go with His flow and follow His tempo, you will end your day with peace and joy, instead of regrets and fatigue.
I certainly needed this reminder today. I have had circumstances pull at my emotions more than once in the past few days and I must admit I have impulsively gotten upset with how unfair the situation was and how wronged we had been but then God speaks right into my situation as He did today and reminds me that He has set my day in motion for His purposes and it’s up to me how I control my emotions and allow my day to end. My prayer today is that we go with His flow, not our own, and follow His tempo and not allow our emotions and circumstances to dictate our day but to end each day with peace and joy. Slow to wrath and slow to anger.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 13, 2 Corinthians 5
The Imaginary Line
In today’s verse, we see a definite dichotomy between living in the world and living in the Lord.
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24)
One must either choose to live a life in service to God or a life debasing oneself to what the world offers. In direct contrast to this is the phrase, “What you do is OK, just as long as you don’t cross the line.”
This thinking, unfortunately, pervades Christian thought and attitude today. Valuable time of growing deep in the Lord is wasted on debating where the “proverbial line” is between the world and Christ.
There could be 30 people sitting in the church and I’ll guarantee you that the line will be in 30 different places. At the end of the day we have to face the reality that there is no line. We see this throughout the Bible. Even Jesus said that it’s either one or the other in today’s verse.
We make decisions about life based on a line that isn’t even there. We use that line to rationalize compromising and potentially sinful decisions. By rationalizing, we fool ourselves into arrogantly believing that God has to accommodate our rationalizations. If we have to question it, then we shouldn’t do it. Always err on the side of righteousness. Always! It is of the utmost importance that we grasp this concept so that we may continue growing in the Lord rather than being stifled by trivial questions about how far is too far. It’s that spiritual laziness that causes us not to make the effort to both make and carry out godly decisions. It is in this way that we, by our works, deny Him.
How are you going to erase the imaginary line you have made for yourself today?
Err on the side of righteousness, wow, I have heard many times in my life to err on the side of caution but honestly I’ve never thought of it in this light. To some this may step on your toes but it is such an important truth that needs to be spoken. The Lord’s return is soon and I don’t want to be caught in spiritual laziness. I want to be challenged each and every day to make godly decisions. Remember, what’s right isn’t always popular, and what’s popular isn’t always right. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22).
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Galatians 6:9, James 4:17
Looking for God’s Wisdom
So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly. He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints. Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path. (Proverbs 2:2-9)
As King David was facing his death, he appointed his son, Solomon, as the new king of Israel. In the beginning of King Solomon’s reign, the Lord spoke to Solomon in a dream and said: “Ask! What I shall give thee?” (1 Kings 3: 5) His reply greatly pleased the Lord, as he asked for wisdom and discernment so that he could rightly judge God’s people. The Lord gave Solomon such an abundance of wisdom that he became famous throughout Israel and other lands, attracting the attention of many who came just to hear his wisdom. His own people feared and respected Solomon because of the power of his words.
The Proverbs are filled with Solomon’s nuggets of wisdom, which are still applicable for our lives today. However, this man of wisdom begins this book of wisdom by instructing us to seek for wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Solomon tells us to “seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures.” He obviously was thankful that he had the right answer when God asked him years earlier, “What shall I give you?”
We need to get in the habit of asking the Lord for wisdom, knowledge and understanding every day. The New Testament writer, James, also instructs us to ask for wisdom as he says in Chapter 1 verse 5, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” In other ways, anyone can ask for wisdom at any time and the Lord will give it liberally regardless of our shortcomings and faults. Asking for wisdom is a gift as much as begin the recipient of the wisdom that He gives. There are no prerequisites or strings attached. There will be tangible fruit in your life as you begin to understand things from a different perspective. Certain habits will break and your own words will inspire you as they bring edification and counsel to others.
Oh Lord, please give me wisdom, knowledge and understanding today so I can think Your thoughts as You direct my words, hands and feet. Amen.
When I read this I thought about how often times we have jerk reactions and responses to situations that occur throughout our day, not allowing much thought as to how God would have us handle the situation or situations but if we would stop, take a moment every morning before we even begin our day and ask God for wisdom, knowledge and understanding, we just might be surprised at how with God’s help we are able to redirect our words, hands and feet for His good. Let’s inspire and bring edification and counsel to others today. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Proverbs 1, 1 Corinthians 16
Praise Him and Find Victory
Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. (Psalm 150:2,6)
As we meet and talk with women, we often hear of their struggles, especially in their own thoughts. They feel unworthy to be serving the Lord. Thoughts like, “Who are you to be doing this?” or “Why are you working on this–someone else could do it better?” are common components of mental attacks. These thoughts then trigger certain emotions and the next thing for women is a pit of depression and hopelessness, just what the enemy had planned. The enemy wants you to feel so condemned and depressed that you quit or are too demoralized to minister effectively and powerfully.
Some Christians recognize that these types of thoughts are not of the Lord but they do not know how to stop them. Some of us quote verses, rebuke the devil, and attempt to reason our way out of it with logical comebacks, but still have no real victory. Instead of fighting back, we begin to justify the bad thoughts, thinking that maybe these self-condemning behaviors are from the Lord to keep us humble. Wrong!
Jesus came to give us life to the fullest. He wants us to share in His joy, not wallow in our flesh. We are sinners. We are unworthy to do anything to please God. We are to love Him and to worship Him. Our faith is the only way to please God. It is not for us to dwell on our unworthiness but to praise Him for His willingness to save us.
How can we change this process? Start praising the Lord! Put on praise music, read the psalms aloud (as if you wrote them to the Lord) and worship the Lord. The key is to get our eyes off ourselves and focus on Him. He is worthy and by His blood that cleanses us, we can do all things through Christ, even change those negative thoughts.
When I read this I couldn’t help but think of how mighty God is, I’ve had a few people call or txt me this week with these exact struggles, asking for prayer or just a listening ear. It amazes me what happens when we pray, God provides the answer, an uplift for our spirit man. Wow!! What a mighty mighty God we serve. We are so beyond blessed being loved by Him. Praise Him and Find Victory!! Amen!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalms 148, 1 Cor. 15:29-58
Hold Fast
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2)
One day, I spent time with a patient who had just been diagnosed the day before with breast cancer that had spread to her brain, liver and lungs. She was a young woman in her forties. I met her on the Oncology Unit in the hospital where doctors were just beginning a treatment plan. This patient seemed to have a peace. She spoke to me about her signs and symptoms that led up to this diagnosis; she was honest with her emotions and heart’s desires to get better. When I had asked her what her source of strength was during this time, she told me that over 300 people were praying for her and that she had wonderful family members and friends to see her through this difficult time. As the conversation continued, I asked her if she had the assurance of her salvation. I asked her if she had ever accepted Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Savior. Her answer was quick and confident as she said, “I don’t need to do that because my father is a minister. I have the church’s support.” My heart was grieved for there aren’t any grandchildren in heaven. God wants to adopt sons and daughters into His Kingdom. God desires to personally raise each one of us, to call us each by name and for His kids to call back to Him, “Daddy,” knowing that His arm isn’t too short too save or ear too dull to hear the cry of His own children.
Becoming a child of God and receiving the assurance that you are His child is so easy. However, we resist so hard. In 1 Corinthians 15, Paul lays down the basics of salvation again. A child of God accepts that Jesus came to earth, fully God and fully man, and that He died on a cross for our sins, He was buried and rose from the dead three days later. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by Him. His death on the cross allowed sinful man to have a relationship with a Holy God. His resurrection gives us the power to live this earthly life for His purposes, instead of our own. Romans 10:9-13 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
If you want to be sure that you have come to know the Lord Jesus in a personal way, pray this prayer:
Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins and forgiving me. I want you to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want to live for You as I believe You died for me. Thank You for hearing my prayer. I want Your Spirit to fill me. Amen.
When I read this it touched me. I knew it had to be shared. Time is short, we need to be bold, we need to be honest about the importance of salvation. There are so many living this life deceived and confused and headed straight for hell, where they were not created to be. As I have said in the devotions past, we must be His hands and feet extended to save those who are lost. Have you missed an opportunity or just been too busy to change someone’s life for eternity? It’s not to late, start today, share your salvation story with someone today, let them know where God has brought you from and be a light in this dark world. Salvation, it’s so beautiful, hold fast.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 146, 1 Cor. 15
Which Way Do I Go?
Today’s devotional verses speak directly to this question:
Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:6-9)
We can be reassured from Isaiah 55 that as we seek God, he wants to be found and he wants us to know his path.
We are also challenged that our desires may be radically different from God’s. This Scripture has several implications.
Our perspective is limited. We cannot see anything beyond our five senses. We cannot see into people’s hearts around us. We don’t know what the future holds—not even 10 minutes from now. At any given time, we only see a small part of the big picture.
Our perspective is broken. Due to selfishness, pride, and sin’s impact on us, we have a skewed perspective concerning ourselves and the surrounding world. Our inner compass points toward what we want. The problem is that what we want may not be what is right and best.
God’s perspective is perfect. God can see everything going on in the world right now. He sees everything going on in every person’s mind and heart. He views everything from eternity past and in eternity future with one glimpse. Additionally, his path is set on everything that is right and best.
As you pray about God’s direction for your life, do you let go of what you think you know? Have you offered to God your mind and heart as a blank slate?
As I read this I couldn’t help but be reminded of the very thing God has been speaking to my heart over the past few days. In fact Isaiah 55 has been resounding back to me every day, For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. We must never underestimate God, we must let go of what we think we know and trust Him to lead and guide our every footstep. Allow His word to be a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path.
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Isaiah 55:6-9
Free From Fear
I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)
Fear sneaks into my heart without permission. It paints a picture of helplessness and hopelessness. It steals my peace and my concentration. What am I fearful about? I’m concerned about the safety of my family or the health of loved ones. I panic at the loss of a job or a broken relationship. Fear turns my focus inward and reveals a heart that sometimes finds it hard to trust.
When these fears and worries strike, how good it is to read David’s prayer in Psalm 34: “I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (v. 4). And how does God deliver us from our fears? When we “look to him” (v. 5), when we focus on Him, our fears fade; we trust Him to be in control. Then David mentions a different type of fear—not a fear that paralyzes, but a deep respect and awe of the One who surrounds us and delivers us (v. 7). We can take refuge in Him because He is good (v. 8).
This awe of His goodness helps put our fears into perspective. When we remember who God is and how much He loves us, we can relax into His peace. “For there is no want to them that fear him” (v. 9), concludes David. How wonderful to discover that in the fear of the Lord we can be delivered from our fears.
Lord, I’m aware of my worries and fears, and I place them in Your hands. Give me peace as I face the day. Amen.
After reading this I couldn’t help but think of this scripture, Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10). Face each fear, each problem and say, My God Is Bigger!!!
Have a wonderful day in The Lord!
Today’s Reading is Psalm 34:1-10