Devotional Blog
In Christ, we are more than
conquerors!
Good morning Saints!
Due
to the Fall, humankind is constantly battling lies, doubts, fears,
sickness, and sorrow. But because of the Cross we can live in victory
over sin, hell, and the devil.
1 Cor15:57
But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Presently we struggle and must put on the full armor of God to defeat our enemy.
Eph 6:11
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
But we also live with the hope of complete and total victory over sin and its dastardly effects.
Rev 17:14
They
will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because
he is Lord of lords and King of kings–and with him will be his called,
chosen and faithful followers.”
Our battles, no matter how
difficult, are not the final word. In Christ, we are more than
conquerors. So let’s face our struggles with confidence, knowing the war
has already been won. We are fighting from the place of victory, not
for it!
"We were created to live in the Garden."
Good morning Saints!
We
were created to live in the Garden—a place of commanded blessing. Today
we call it the Kingdom of God—a realm where God rules. Right now it’s
not a physical but spiritual.
Lk 17:20b-21
Jesus replied,
“The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor
will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of
God is within you.”
In God’s Kingdom there is the tree of life. This tree brings eternal and abundant life.
Pro 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
We
enjoy the Kingdom and eat from the tree of life as we follow Jesus. As
Lord, we do everything He commands. When tested to not obey Him we
choose His way.
Pro 14:12
There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.
Let’s choose life today! Let’s enjoy the blessings of the Kingdom!
Rev 2:7b
To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.
Don't talk the talk, just walk the walk!
Good morning Saints!
The
path of discipleship takes many twists and turns. It’s a path of
adventures full of love and unexpected trials that turn into victories.
We know we’re on and staying on the path to victory as we know Jesus and
His love more each day.
1 Jn 2:3
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
Are
we loving God with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind? Do we love
our neighbor—anyone God puts in our path—as we would want to be loved?
Is our heart to make disciples of all nations?
1 Jn 2:5
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him.
Let’s
broadcast far and wide not by talk but by our deeds that Jesus is Lord!
He’s the lover of our souls. How could it be God would die for us? How
could it be that God would die for our transgressions?
Let’s
love by obeying all God’s commands. Let’s live the sure hope of hearing,
“Well done!” Our knowledge of Him will grow deeper every day.
Do we?
Good morning Saints!
God
has good plans for us. He died for us to live an abundant life. Are we
living abundantly? Do we live a life of love, joy, and peace? Does God
meet our every need? Do we live with hope that does not fade away?
Jn 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
The
thief, our adversary the devil, will tempt us to doubt the good
promises of our Father. If we believe his messsge rather than the
message of the Cross, we will not live abundantly. Satan has been lying
about how to live abundantly since the beginning.
Gen 3:4-5
“You
will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. “For God knows
that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like
God, knowing good and evil.”
Eve listened and believed the lie. Her immortality was forfeited.
Gen 3:13
Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”
What
is deceiving us? Do we believe we don’t need to daily practice
spiritual disciplines? Do we believe that giving is not prudent? Do we
think little sins are not that bad?
Let’s trust or believe in
God’s good plans for us. Let’s not believe the lies of culture that
God’s ways are antiquated. Let’s believe in Jesus and the message of the
Cross. Let’s live life to the fullest!
Let’s believe in the faithfulness of God!
Good morning Saints!
We are familiar with Scripture’s definition of faith.
Heb 11:1
Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
If our faith in God is growing stronger everyday, then we look forward to our rewards at judgment day.
Rev 22:12
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
In short, we are certain in the promises of God. We know God cannot lie and is faithful to fulfill all of His promises.
2 Cor 1:20
For
no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And
so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.
So
when tempted to sin by not loving and obeying God, let’s believe in the
goodness and faithfulness of God. Let’s not believe the devil or our
flesh more than God’s loyal love for us.
Let’s remember Satan is the father of lies and that nothing will separate us from God’s love!
Rom 8:35a
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
Reflect the Lord’s glory...
Good morning Saints!
God is holy, and He calls us to reflect His character and be holy too.
1 Pt 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Being holy like God seems unattainable, but with His help, we can reflect His heart in our daily lives.
2 Cor 3:18
And
we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being
transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes
from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Like a mirror, we are called to
reflect His thoughts, words, and actions. This requires surrendering to
the Spirit’s transformative power, allowing Him to shape and refine us.
Each day is an opportunity to grow like Christ and let His light shine
in a world in need of hope.
Mt 5:16
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Let’s embrace the call to holiness—to reflect God’s character in all we do!
How soon is soon?
Good morning Saints!
Over 2000 years ago, Jesus said that He was coming soon.
Rev 22:7a
Behold, I am coming soon!
In this case, “soon” is a relative term. But in view of endless eternity, 2000 years is soon!
Our
attitude must be one of expectancy to see our Savior soon. We must be
about the business of loving God and people, and making disciples.
Rev 22:12
Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.
I
pray we are all about our Father’s business — being fruitful and
multiplying. I pray we give thanks every day for our salvation, the gift
of the Holy Spirit, the ability to pray, read and study the Bible, and
the ability to tell others in word and deed how good it is to be saved.
1 Pt 3:15b
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Let’s make disciples with a sense of urgency.
Rev 22:20b
“Yes, I am coming soon.”
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
Today, whatever we face, let’s hold to this truth:
Good morning Saints!
As new creations in Christ, because of the indwelling Spirit, we can know that we have everything needed to live life to the full.
Jn 10:10
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Since we are “in Christ” we are protected from the enemy’s attacks. His attacks come from lies since he is the father of lies!
Rom 8:35
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?
Instead, like David, we will proclaim that our Shepherd-King, our Creator-God will set us up to succeed.
Ps 23:1
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
So today, whatever we face, let’s hold to this truth: we are deeply loved by God, who knows us, sees us, provides for us, and is always by our side. In His care, we can find rest, strength, and the assurance that we truly lack nothing.
Rom 8:31b
If God is for us, who can be against us?
This is how you live life fully.
Good morning Saints!
Adam
had no sin nature initially. He was created in the image of God,
perfectly reflecting God’s character. As such, Adam wanted to serve
creation so it would be fruitful and multiply with stunning beauty.
Everything existed in peaceful harmony. Adam lived a full life by
fulfilling his purpose of serving.
Gen 1:27-28
In the image
of God he created them; male and female he created them. Then God
blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and
govern it.”
After the Fall, our purpose to serve so others
fulfill their purpose seems illogical. Instead of reflecting the nature
of God, we think of ourselves first.
That’s why many times Jesus emphasizes denying self.
Lk 9:23
If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Praise God! We can live a full life for we have a new nature to serve others.
2 Cor 5:17
If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
"God wants us to know Him as the One who sets us up to succeed."
Good morning Saints!
God wants us to know Who He is. The Bible begins with God the Creator. As Creator everything He made was good and was fashioned so man, created in His image, could work the earth without fear or worry but with peace.
Gen 1:28
God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
God wants us to know Him as the One who sets us up to succeed. That’s what righteous authority does. He rules to bring love and faithfulness. When we obey Him we are able to rest, knowing God’s will is to provide for our every need.
Mt 11:29-30
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
As we fulfill our purpose to love God and others, we live worry-free. God has set us up to succeed!
Did you know you can tell God anything?
Good morning Saints!
One of my favorite Bible verses is found in Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
God has good plans for us and we realize them as we seek Him with all our heart.”
Jer 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
How do we seek God with all our heart? It means we cultivate a deep and authentic relationship with Him. It means we bring to Him all our fears, worries, and doubts. It’s seeking an intimate relationship with Him. Intimate can be defined as “into me see.”
So finding God and His will for us must involve transparency. Faith is essential but talking to Him about the things which rob our faith is essential, too. It’s only by bringing our doubts and fears to the Light that our faith grows. When we hide we walk in darkness, where the enemy traffics.
Let’s seek Him with all our hearts! Let there be light!
Rest for success!
Good morning Saints!
Our
Creator God loves us so much! He created the heavens and the earth to
serve us by making our habitation a place where we could thrive and rule
over living beings so they could thrive.
Gen 1:31
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning–the sixth day.
God rested afterward and set apart the seventh day as holy. Why did God establish this holy day of rest?
Ex 20:11
For
in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all
that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD
blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
It was much more than rest from activities. It was so we could realize that God is the source of our provisions!
Once
a week man was to rest. Additionally, once every seven years the land
would rest for a year. And once every 49 years the land would rest for a
year. All debts would cancel and land would return to the original
owner.
It isn’t business acumen or luck that causes one to prosper; it is our Creator, the God whose name is Jehovah Jireh.
Dt 8:18
But
remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to
produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your
forefathers, as it is today.
Let’s trust God and honor Him above
all else. If we do, our love for Him will be a testimony for all to see.
We will proclaim to others that Jesus is all we need.
Prov 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.
Mark Edwards:
Good morning Saints!
Today I’m going to take the liberty to celebrate my wife 🎉
God
has blessed us with so much. Yesterday we were encouraged to count them
one by one. He has blessed with me the best wife a man could ask for.
Today we celebrate her birthday.
Ps 118:24
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Indeed I am blessed. Please join with me and praise the Lord for Kathy Edwards
Pro 31:29-31
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Happy birthday Kathy. I love you ❤️
What are you thankful for?
Good morning Saints and Happy Wednesday!
As we enjoy this “hump” day or middle of the week day, let’s count our blessings and name them one by one!
1 Thes 5:16-19
Be
joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for
this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not put out the Spirit’s
fire…
So with joy, let’s give thanks for good times as well as challenging times.
Lets give thanks for:
1. God’s unfathomable love for us demonstrated on the cross.
2. The precious gift of the Holy Spirit.
3. Mercy—undeserved forgiveness.
4. Grace—the power to do His will.
5. Our church family bound in unity and love.
Of
course, we are thankful for our spouses or future spouses, children,
siblings, parents, cousins, grandparents, and all blood relatives.
Let’s
give thanks for provision and health. Let’s also give thanks for
various trials that strengthen our faith. We give thanks for faith that
allows us to face trials with joy.
Indeed God is good—all the time.
