Devotionals

One of the things that I try to do is that I try my best to stay healthy.  Part of the process is going to the doctors and seeing what I am doing right and what I need to improve on.  One kind of doctor that we tend to not think about is the eye doctor.  Our eyes are just as important as any other part of our body.  We go to the eye doctor to see if our eyes are healthy as well.  They will examine them and see if they are healthy or not.  They also check and see if we need a new pair of glasses or contacts.  Needless to say, it is very important to go to the eye doctor to make sure you’re healthy in your eyes.  

How does the eye doctor tie into today’s passage?  In Matthew 9:27-34, it talks about how Jesus had healed the blind.  Not only did He heal them, but He also healed a man who was possessed by a demon.  Going to the two men who were blind, they were yelling for the Son of David to have mercy on them.  Jesus asked them if they believe He can make them see.  When they assured Him that they do, He reminded them that because of their faith, it will come to pass.  Once they were healed, Jesus sternly instructed them to not to tell anyone about this.  Instead of obeying His instruction, they decided to do the exact opposite and started telling others about Jesus.  After that, there was a man who couldn’t speak because he was possessed by a demon.  He was healed and the crowds were amazed at what Jesus did.  Of course the Pharisees were greatly concerned about the fame that Jesus was getting.  

One of the things that happens to us quite often is that we would become spiritually blind.  While people think that we can see, but they are talking about their physical condition.  It is very rare for people, particularly Christians, to talk about their spiritual health.  In 2 Corinthians 13:5, the apostle Paul reminds us to examine ourselves to see if our faith is genuine.  In Matthew 9:29, Jesus mentions the idea that the two blind men will receive their sight because of their faith.  It is important that we have faith for God to open our spiritual eyes to see and to be aware of what Satan is up to.  His mission is to rob, steal, and to kill (John 10:10) and he will be stalking like a lion (1 Peter 5:8).  We need to be aware of this so that we can be prepared for those attacks (Ephesians 6:10-18).  

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for all that You do for us.  Continue to reveal things that need to be revealed.  Give us strength and wisdom to make it through our day.  Help us to not be spiritually blind by the things of this world.  We known that the enemy is the author of confusion and will do everything he can to keep us away from You.  Help us to be strong and to resist him.  Help us to be prepared.  No matter what takes place in our lives, thank you for loving us unconditionally.  In Jesus name, amen.  

Some may know and some may not know but I work at a funeral home.  While it can be an eye opening experience, but it also is a blessing because I get to help and minister to families who are going through a difficult season in their lives.  One thing that I often hear as I work a service or anything else of that nature is “Why did they have to die?”  In other words, they were asking the why behind the what.  One thing that I have learned is that death is inevitable.  We cannot escape it.  It is going to happen sooner or later or when God calls us home.  What we need to understand is that everything happens for a reason within a season (Ecclesiasties 3:1) and that we called by God according to His purpose for us (Romans 8:28).  

In today’s passage from Isaiah 57:1-13, the prophet is talking about the idea that evil leaders will be rebuked.  In the first two verses, it talks about how the godly or the good people would pass away or die before their time.  Part B of verse 1 says that God is protecting them from the evil which is to come.  How interesting is that?  In other words, God calls us home so that He will protect us from what is going to happen on earth.  It goes back to what was mentioned earlier: everything happens for a reason.  In verses 3 following to verse 13, it speaks about how idolatrous worship will be condemned.  It is interesting how the wording is laid out for us in verse 13 where Isaiah says “Let’s see if your idols can save you when you cry to them for help.  Why, a puff of wind can knock them down!  If you just breathe on them, they fall over!  But whoever trusts in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.”  What’s unfortunate is that people are turning to other things for their source of salvation.  While people turn towards those things, we need to understand that man made things last for a temporary period of time.  God’s love and salvation lasts for eternity.  According to the Bible, there are two things that will last forever: the word of God (Isaiah 40:8) and people (those who will live forever, either with God or apart from Him) (Matthew 25:46).  While things may bring fulfilling and nourishment, only the love and grave and goodness of God will last for eternity.  

Dear Heavenly Father, 

I thank You for your love.  Without Your love, I don’t know where we will be.  Help us to receive nourishment from You and fulfillment from You and You alone.  We know that the enemy is trying to rob us and steal and destroy (John 10:10), but we ask for Your help to keep us filled with Your wisdom, goodness, love, and strength.  We recognize that we are human and we do make mistakes, however, we ask that You help us to learn from our mistakes.  

In Jesus name, Amen

One of the many things that brings division amongst the people is the idea of politics.  People today are solely focused on what political affiliation others have and either agree or disagree.  Not only that, but people are believing in the person rather than looking into the word of God.  This is not how we are suppose to behave.  We are behaving like children.  Because we are behaving like children, we are not listening clearly to the voice of God and start buying into the words of the leader rather than listening to God.  In Acts 5:29, the apostle Peter says that we need to obey God rather than man.  In other words, man’s word is not the last word.  They do not have the final say.  God has the final say.  He has the final word always and forever.  

In today’s passage from Isaiah 56:9-12, it is talking about how sinful leaders will be condemned.  In other words, their hearts are not in alignment with God and they are being led astray by their own greed.  We need to understand that we, as leaders, need to be in full alignment with God so that we are in that of showing others the same love that God gave us.  Some of us are spiritually blinded by what the world is telling that we fail to see God’s word at work in our lives.  I don’t want to see anyone of God’s children get wrapped up in the propaganda of the world that we miss out on the word.  

Dear Heavenly Father, 

I pray that we will not buy into the lies of the world.  Help us to grow closer to You each and every day.  Help us to realign our thoughts and our hearts to You.  Lead us in the direction where You want us to go.  Help us to not be so blinded that we miss out on what You have for us.  In Jesus name, amen.  

When we go though life, sometimes we go through these different phases in our Christian walk.  One phase is the doubting stage.  This is the point where we would begin to doubt God when we exercise our faith.  Basically, we begin to question God and His methodology.  Dr Tony Evans once said, “There is nothing wrong with asking God questions, but don’t question God.”  Another phase that we go through is loneliness.  This is the stage where we begin thinking that we are alone in this life.  As we know, this is so not the case because we are never alone in this life.  Nevertheless, this is something that we tend to experience.  In today’s passage, the psalmist David is writing a song for the pilgrims who were ascending to Jerusalem.  In verses 1-5, it’s asking what would happen if the Lord was not by our side to begin with?  In verses 6-8, David assures us that our help comes from the Lord and no one else.  As we go through different phases and different events in our lives, we need to keep in mind that we are never alone and God has our very best interest at heart because God is Love (1 John 4:8 and 16).  There is also a worship song called “My Help Comes From The Lord” by the Christian group The Museum.  I encourage you to listen to this song as it describes how God is our true source that we need to turn to no matter what life seems to throw at us.  

Psalm 124

“1. What if the Lord had not been on our side? Let all Israel repeat: 2. What if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us? 3. They would have swallowed us alive in their burning anger. 4. The waters would have engulfed us; a torrent would have overwhelmed us. 5. Yes, the raging waters of their fury would have overwhelmed our very lives. 6. Praise the Lord, who did not let their teeth tear us apart! 7. We escaped like a bird from a hunter’s trap. The trap is broken, and we are free! 8. Our help is from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I come before You right now lifting our heart and our minds up to You.  Father, we know that we are going to face different challenges and obstacles in our lives.  No matter what we face, help us to not fall away from You.  You are our source of help.  You are the One who we should turn to during times of hardships.  Help us to turn to You when we are feeling weary or drained.  Help us to be fueled in You and help us to follow Your instructions all the days of our lives.  In Jesus Name, amen.  

In our passage today, Paul is concluding his letter to the Galatian churches, and this message remains Truth to the universal Church of believers today. In verse 11, which is the first line of “Paul’s Final Advice”, he points out that he is writing the letter himself and he does it in all capital letters. The usual practice of writing, at that time, would have been to dictate to a trained secretary who would have neatly printed the letter for public reading in the churches. By Paul writing himself and, in a caps, he is letting believers know the seriousness of this message.

Today’s eight verses summarize what Paul has been saying throughout the letter, that false teachers will try to persuade believers to submit to their flesh rather than to the Holy Spirit, and the sad part is that some of them do not even realize they are working against God’s Word and for Satan. That is why it is critical that you, me, and all believers remain in the Word of God all of the time. Paul uses the example of circumcision again to help believers understand the motives of false teacher’s hearts. The false teachers at that time would want to “look good to others” (not much has changed today, it might even be worse), but those teachers had an outward express of the Jewish system practices (the Law). Paul’s message is the exact opposite of living outwardly by our flesh nature, as he points you, me, and all believers to live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we seek to grow closer and closer in our relationship with Christ Jesus.

Friends, all that you and I do is for the glory of Jesus. Paul makes sure that we know he has no interest in this world, that all of his worldly interests have been crucified and died. That he has been transformed into a new creation because of Jesus. You and I have been transformed into a new creation because of our choice to lay down our earthly lives and to pick up our cross and follow Jesus.

Galatians 6:11-18 NLT

Paul’s Final Advice

11 NOTICE WHAT LARGE LETTERS I USE AS I WRITE THESE CLOSING WORDS IN MY OWN HANDWRITING.

12 Those who are trying to force you to be circumcised want to look good to others. They don’t want to be persecuted for teaching that the cross of Christ alone can save. 13 And even those who advocate circumcision don’t keep the whole law themselves. They only want you to be circumcised so they can boast about it and claim you as their disciples.

14 As for me, may I never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in this world has been crucified, and the world’s interest in me has also died. 15 It doesn’t matter whether we have been circumcised or not. What counts is whether we have been transformed into a new creation. 16 May God’s peace and mercy be upon all who live by this principle; they are the new people of God.

17 From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.

18 Dear brothers and sisters, may the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for being our example. You laid down Your life for each one of us. Holy Spirit, help us to disconnect from our worldly desires, and to grow deeper in our relationship with You. Impart Your wisdom and discernment to our spirit to know when we encounter false teachers and those who seek to spread false doctrine. Thank You for Pastor Mary, who seeks to spread Your Truth, Your Word, and share Your message of eternal love. Cover her with Your protection and protect our spiritual Family so that we can continue to build Your Kingdom. In Your Name, Jesus. Amen.

Faith is a positive response to the Word of God; we act upon the Word because we believe it is how we apply and live the Truth! It can be a temptation to look at the world and view it as reality. However, this world is not reality; it is a perverted imitation of the Truth. Reality is what God created in the beginning through his Word. Heaven is reality and Christ is our example of how to live as citizens of heaven while on earth! God wants us to hunger for the blessing and righteous Truth vs. settle for a lousy cursed worldly imitation that is destined for destruction and empty of Spirit.

In our passage today, the writer of Hebrews revisits some Old Testament heroes of the faith—which is active trust—so we will understand the struggle to live in reality while in a fallen world. Abel responds to God with active trust to remind us God requires his worshipers to offer a holy sacrifice. Enoch responds to God with active trust to remind us of the reality of eternal life. Noah responds to God with active trust to remind us that obedience is required—it separates us from the fallen world—so we can carry the reality of God’s presence. In Christ, we are not of this godless world; reality is whatever God created that has not been touched by sin. Because of Jesus, reality and a Spirit-led life is waiting for you, today; run to Christ and enjoy what is real!

Hebrews 11:4-7 NLT
4 It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.

5 It was by faith that Enoch was taken up to heaven without dying—“he disappeared, because God took him.” For before he was taken up, he was known as a person who pleased God. 6 And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

7 It was by faith that Noah built a large boat to save his family from the flood. He obeyed God, who warned him about things that had never happened before. By his faith Noah condemned the rest of the world, and he received the righteousness that comes by faith.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for providing the reality of Truth. We know your Word is what teaches us about the pure world you created in the beginning. Thank you for the promise that one day you will provide that perfect world for us to live in once again. All glory be to you! In Jesus’ name. Amen.

This week in our devotions, we have learned more about the perfectly organized plan of God for salvation, as well as the temporary tactics and destructive motive of evil to deceive people so they will not receive salvation or live in the Truth. Satan’s purpose to destroy humanity’s relationship with God can only occupy a temporary time on earth; while God’s purpose to enjoy a relationship with humanity is eternal and not bound by time at all. Remember, we must choose to begin a relationship with God before Jesus returns, so we can enjoy that relationship with him forever.

In our passage today, we are told who is in charge of the future of the world. We do not need to be afraid or confused by all that is going on in the world around us, because scripture tells us Jesus is the One with authority to rule heaven and earth. When Jesus descended to earth the first time, he did not come to gain political power. Instead, he came to suffer and die for the sins of the world. While he was here, Jesus chose participation in the spiritual family over demonstrating power over others, a servants heart over a dominating ruler, and giving to others over gaining anything for himself. It is hard to comprehend, but this is the attitude of the Christ in us, as well.

Maybe we need to check our motives as Christ’s followers. Invisible forces are always trying to shape our culture and make it more worldly; filled with the idols of consumerism, relativism, and materialism. We need to take a stand against those things so we can properly reflect our Master. Don’t forget how filled with joy you were when you first accepted Christ. That joy—the joy of your salvation—is what will sustain you against the work of evil to derail or snuff out your faith.

Hebrews 2:5-9 NLT Jesus, the Man
5 And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. 6 For in one place the Scriptures say,
“What are mere mortals that you should think about them,
    or a son of man that you should care for him?
7 
Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
8 
You gave them authority over all things.”
Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. 9 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone.

Prayer: Lord, I am so grateful for your salvation and I pray for people to run to you. Only in Christ can we know your designed purpose for our lives. Help us walk each day in obedience to that purpose, so we may glorify you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The human heart will always be occupied and governed by one of two spirits or masters: Christ or Satan. There are no empty hearts and no neutrality; to be neutral is to be an enemy of Christ. We must choose whom we will serve, because there is an ongoing spiritual war between the citizens serving the unrighteous kingdom of the world and the citizens serving the righteous kingdom of God.

We see the truth of this in our passage today from Luke. Obviously, Jesus brings great power to heal and restore—a power that comes from God and reveals his kingdom—but the people have mixed reactions when Jesus takes authority over a demon and sets a mute man free to begin a new life. The people have witnessed a miracle and many presented with a positive response proclaiming God did it. Those with negative responses to Jesus could not deny his power, but they just did not want to admit the power was God’s because they did not like Jesus or want to believe he was from God. So, they gave Satan credit for the miracle.

If hearts are not open and operating by the truth of God’s Word; unfortunately, they are open to Satan’s occupation and deception. Remember, no neutrality. So, Jesus gave the example of a dethroned evil spirit that was forced to leave a person by the exorcism of someone greater—Christ’s cleansing the human temple. Unless that person starts obeying and practicing the Word of God, they are open to even worse demonic rule. Pause and consider this situation. Is it essential for us to internalize and live the Word of God?

Sin is sin and scripture is clear about what is detestable to God; so every disciple of Christ must learn to live according to the Word of God. Every spiritual leader, throughout time, will one day give an account and answer to God for how he or she loved and lived in accordance to the Word of God; we will not be answering to other religious leaders. God’s true anointed leaders serve in humility and possess the power of grace and mercy as evident in their very lives—they seek, by faith, to reflect the Anointed One.

Luke 11:14-28
NLTJesus and the Prince of Demons
14 One day Jesus cast out a demon from a man who couldn’t speak, and when the demon was gone, the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed, 15 but some of them said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan,[Beelzebub] the prince of demons.” 16 Others, trying to test Jesus, demanded that he show them a miraculous sign from heaven to prove his authority.

17 He knew their thoughts, so he said, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 18 You say I am empowered by Satan. But if Satan is divided and fighting against himself, how can his kingdom survive? 19 And if I am empowered by Satan, what about your own exorcists? They cast out demons, too, so they will condemn you for what you have said. 20 But if I am casting out demons by the power of God,[by the finger of God] then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. 21 For when a strong man is fully armed and guards his palace, his possessions are safe— 22 until someone even stronger attacks and overpowers him, strips him of his weapons, and carries off his belongings.

23 “Anyone who isn’t with me opposes me, and anyone who isn’t working with me is actually working against me.

24 “When an evil[unclean] spirit leaves a person, it goes into the desert, searching for rest. But when it finds none, it says, ‘I will return to the person I came from.’ 25 So it returns and finds that its former home is all swept and in order. 26 Then the spirit finds seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they all enter the person and live there. And so that person is worse off than before.”

27 As he was speaking, a woman in the crowd called out, “God bless your mother—the womb from which you came, and the breasts that nursed you!”

28 Jesus replied, “But even more blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice.”

Prayer: Lord, this is such a relevant lesson for us, today. As we look at the world, we see the division of kingdoms and we know our greatest weapon is your Word and our practice of the Truth. Help us to be righteous examples of the gospel which brings the power of salvation to the open hearts of others. We draw near to you, today, and in doing so we take a stand against the work of Satan and his demonic army. In Jesus’ name Amen.

Yesterday, Jen got our weekly devotionals started with a reading from the book of Revelation; the time of Christ’s millennial reign without the deception of Satan (20:1-6). During the thousand years, Truth will be exalted and people will have the opportunity to choose to live in the fear [adoration] of the Lord. Can you even imagine what it will be like at that time to live for Christ without the corrupting influence of Satan’s power and deception?

In our passage today, Scripture picks up at the end of the millennium when Satan is once again released. I do not know much about Gog and Magog [no one really does], but we must remember in Hebrew when those names [each letter has a numerical value] are added together they represent the number 70 [meaning sacred order/judgment]. Recently, we read in the book of Genesis about the Tower of Babel [Babylon and the symbol of human arrogance, rebellion, and self-sufficiency against the God of Israel] when God scattered people into 70 nations of the world. As well, let’s remember the people’s purpose for building the Tower in the first place was based on the unified hatred of the nations to dethrone the God of Israel; driven by nations who wanted to make a name for themselves rather than align with God’s authority and Name (Gen 11:4). It was believed, the Tower would preserve the Babylonian people should Israel’s God decided to send another Flood to destroy the world.

Well, at the end of time, it will be like it was in the beginning only instead of evil-driven humans trying to ascend to God through rebellious disobedience and hatred, God will return to earth, judge evil and those following Satan, and rid the world of evil arrogance and disobedience once and for all. Then, we will all be unified [whole] in our worship of Messiah.

Revelation 20:7-15 NLT The Defeat of Satan
7 When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. 8 He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. 9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

10 Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

The Final Judgment
11 And I saw a great white throne and the one sitting on it. The earth and sky fled from his presence, but they found no place to hide. 12 I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up its dead, and death and the grave gave up their dead. And all were judged according to their deeds. 14 Then death and the grave were thrown into the lake of fire. This lake of fire is the second death. 15 And anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.

Prayer: Lord, our passages from John’s revelation of your beautiful and eternal presence, as well as your heavenly rule and glory are precious to us. Thank you for the promise you have made to return for us, as well as permanently defeat and destroy evil. You are our Hope. Thank you Jesus for making it possible for our names to be written in your Book of Life. May we gain a renewed vision of the importance of how we live right now. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Friends, as many of you know, when I write a devotion from the book of Revelation, I like to offer a reminder that the book of Revelation is the prophetic messaging through the Apostle John that Jesus gives to His entire Church so our hearts and lives can be spiritually ready for His return.

Today we are looking at “The Thousand Years” in Revelation 20. First, let’s remember that in Revelation 18 John reveals that there will be “The Fall of Babylon” and after that happens there will be “Songs of Victory in Heaven” as the beast (Satan) and his false prophets will be thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur by “The Rider on the White Horse,” Jesus in chapter 19. Then, as we enter into today’s verses, we see that God sends an angel from heaven with a key to the bottomless pit to lock up Satan (who is named, the dragon, the old serpent, and the devil) for a thousand years. Let’s notice how God or Jesus do not go to lock up Satan, rather an unnamed angel is sent to lock him up. This action reveals that Satan is not the opposite in terms of being equal to God, so locking him up does not warrant that the most powerful King of Kings, the Almighty, the Holy Trinity do it; no, God sends one heavenly angel to do the deed. Friends, this is proof that our most powerful weapon against Satan is the Word of God, and since we are container of the Holy Spirit, we need to keep feeding on the Word of God all of the time because it’s always the weapon the Spirit will guide us to use against Satan. He is not more powerful than the Holy Spirit that lives within you and me, so we must be in oneness with the Holy Spirit and keep growing so He can use that growth of the Truth within us to guide us.

There are many views on the thousand-year Millennium reign. No matter the viewpoint, we cannot be afraid of the Good News in Revelation 20:1-6. Please do not get fearfully distracted by the word “beheaded”, rather focus on the glory and honor that each life is given for their devout and unwavering heart for Christ and His Word.

Friends, as you prepare to read today’s passage, let’s remember what Paul tells us about our new life in Christ Jesus, “since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, Who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all His glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

Revelation 20:1-6 NLT

The Thousand Years

1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. 3 The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while.

4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.

Prayer: Jesus, thank You for this Word. Holy Spirit, we call on Your wisdom to guide each one of us to a greater understanding of how this Word is to minister to our lives right now. Father, we look forward to Jesus’s return and the day when Satan is lock up. In the meantime, Holy Trinity, help each one of us to remain devoted to You, to keep growing in Your Word, and to keep speaking Your Truth into a hurting and needing world. Keep us close to You, Jesus. In Your Holy Name, Jesus. Amen.