Taking several days off to go out of town.
Here are your devos for Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
DO YOU HAVE A TEACHABLE SPIRIT?
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” Romans 15:4
If a person wants to learn anything at all it is necessary to have a teachable spirit. To learn you must listen. There is a big difference between hearing and listening. A person has to be willing to listen intently and not just hear what is being told to them. You can hear someone speak all day long, yet if you are not listening, you’ll not hear a thing they’re saying.
The Bible was written to teach us. If you believe it to be God’s flawless, inerrant Word, then that which lies between the covers is food for the spirit; worthy of being digested and adhered to. It’s meant as a tool to build up our faith and trust in God. If we have a teachable spirit we will harvest many nuggets of truth from its’ pages. It will act as a source of encouragement, instruction, peace and hope.
Although many fail to realize this, there is a spirit realm that exists where angels and demons wage war all around us. The prizes sought are men’s souls. The devil already knows he is a defeated foe. His lone desire is to drag as many down to hell with him as possible. We are making it easy for him. We are not paying attention. We are doing as we please and not allowing ourselves to be taught. This is war! If it weren’t, why would God have wasted space on his pages to speak of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6? “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” We must learn our lessons well and be prepared to stand our ground.
We have nothing to fear for we are the children of God. We do however need to be attentive to our surroundings and allow ourselves to be taught by our Lord and Savior. The knowledge is there for the asking. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2015
GODLY ALTERATIONS NEEDED
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” 1 John 5:13-15
The Apostle John makes sure to encourage his readers first off by acknowledging and confirming that those who believe in the name of the Son of God can know that they have eternal life with Him. We know from the remainder of scripture that there is more to it than just believing in the existence of Jesus. It is in the change that takes place in us that the difference comes. Many say they believe in Jesus, yet never allow the Spirit of God to make any alterations to the fiber of their being. Nothing changes for them. Their value system remains unchanged, as does their moral structure. They profess and then go about business as usual, as if nothing had happened.
It’s in the changing that we become very different. We see things differently, from a different perspective … a Godly perspective. Just like an expensive suit needs alterations to fit us properly, so our own mind, soul and spirit requires alterations so as to fit us for heaven. We must submit to these alterations and allow them to change our behavior. It’s not just in the believing, but in the living that people notice the change and are drawn to it. God loves us and has great plans for us if we will just submit to His Spirit’s work in us.
If we truly know God in an intimate way, as He knows us, then we will inherently ask for that which is in His will for us. It is in the knowing that we find common ground. God desires for us to know Him. We must desire to know Him ourselves. We mustn’t clutter our minds and lives with trivial nonsense that is temporal at its best and harmful at its worst. We don’t want to be so heavenly minded that we’re no earthly good, but conversely, we don’t want to become mired in the things of this world that we’re no use to God. Satan is clever. His devious ways are meant to entrap us so we do nothing of any eternal value. We are to set our focus on that which is good and right and just and shun that which serves us no good purpose.
God promises in scripture that He will provide for and sustain us throughout this life. He has a general and very specific will for us all. Generally speaking, God’s will is to love and worship Him and spread the gospel message to the far corners of the earth. His specific will is not for us to say, but to be determined and manifest before us as we serve Him. It will become apparent once we get to the place where we need to know. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2015
WHAT’S YOUR WORTH?
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7
What do you think you’re worth? Let me tell you, you are of incalculable worth to God, who created you to begin with. Think about how insignificant 5 sparrows would be. Let’s take a brief look at the sparrow. There are five species of sparrow in the world today. The largest species group is referred to as True Sparrows. There are 27 different types of True Sparrows flitting about the earth. Generally speaking, sparrows are small, plump, brown-grey birds with short tails and stubby, powerful beaks. The different species can weigh anywhere from a 1/2 oz to 1-1/2 ozs. Sparrows, which are primarily seed eating birds, have an extra bone in their tongues to help stiffen it giving them the innate ability to hold their seed firmly in their mouth.
The first thing that could be said is regarding the intricacy of the bird’s skeletal structure, especially the extra bone in its tongue to aid in eating. Do you seriously think that just happened? I choose to believe that it was by grand design and the designer was Almighty God.
Like the tiniest seed, the mustard seed, being the perfect example for the amount of faith that is required to believe, so one of the tiniest birds is a perfect comparative example of worth. If God, in all His power and wisdom, values the sparrow and doesn’t neglect them in any way, how much more does He value you?
Luke goes on to make a good point by saying that every single hair on your head is numbered. It is meant to show that God cares and not just in a casual way. He cares for you intimately. He cares about everything that matters to you. He loves you and wants you to know it. If you seek His face and trust in Him He will never fail you. We are not worth more to God than one sparrow, but rather many sparrows. If the Lord takes good care of the little birds of creation, He will most assuredly take good care of you. But you must have faith; you must believe. You must place your complete trust in Him.
God cares deeply for you as an individual. Never forget that. Call out to Him regardless of your situation. He’s there waiting to hear from you. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
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SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2015
What’s Your Motivation?
“People may think all their ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Proverbs 21:2
Throughout the ages man has been drawing on his own resources, leading him to believe he is self-sufficient. While he may not feel invincible, he feels pretty good about himself and believes that his assessments of any given situation are right. However, when the dust settles on the day, it’s our heart’s motivation that truly matters. You see, it matters little what we accomplish in this life if our heart’s motivation is self-centered. God looks at the heart of a man. He knows the what and the why of the things we do. The why is far more important to Him than the what. Does worldly success motivate us? Is it personal fame and notoriety? While generally harmless, these things are temporal and shall pass away. Only that which is done for Christ will last. The why of motivation is of eternal importance.
Some folks are concerned about leaving a legacy. What will people say about them after they are gone? Did they make a difference? As believers we should want to make a difference for Christ. Our lives are mundane and lifeless without the fulfillment of exhibiting the mercy and grace of God to those around us. It’s what our calling is. It’s what our heart’s motivation ought to be.
Things may not always turn out as we would like them to, but if our heart’s motivation is on the mark, then God will bless our efforts. He wants to use us to share the gift of redemption to a lost and dying world who thinks they have their act altogether. God wishes to impart forgiveness thru us for His glory. Be still and get your motivation lined up with His. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing!
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