Daily Devotionals

It’s Simple- Just Walk

21 Jun

Bible Reading: Joshua 1:1-9

Whenever God gives us a promise, there is always an action required on our part. God said to Joshua, “Moses, My servant is dead. Now therefore, arise, go over this Jordan, you and all this people, to the land which I am giving to them—the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I HAVE given you, as I said to Moses.” Joshua 1:2-3 (NKJV)

God had already given the promise to Joshua and the children of Israel but their possession was contingent upon their obedience. We will always be required to do something. In this case, Joshua had to walk. Every place he walked, he would possess. Are you forfeiting things God has for you because you simply won’t walk? Your blessing is in your obedience.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for this revelation. I desire everything that You have already prepared for me. I understand that my possession is contingent upon my obedience. Help me to adopt the spirit of Joshua, and be obedient immediately. I want to do my part, so Your promise can prevail. It is in Your son, Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

What Are You Saying?

19 Jun

Focus Verse: Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words. Proverbs 18:21 (AMP)

“I am a vessel being used for the glory of the Lord.”

There is power in self-talk. How many times have you had the thoughts or felt like, “I don’t measure up. I am falling behind in (fill in the blank) of my life. If I could only master (fill in the blank) my life would be better.” More times than not, as Christians, we are faced with thoughts like these. But where do they come from?

A large part of the thoughts or feelings we have stem from our emotions. And our emotions are heavily driven by our senses; sight, touch, sound, taste and smell. In other words, what we sense, trigger a feeling.

We don’t always have control over what we see or hear, but we do have control over what we say to ourselves to redirect our thoughts or feelings being influenced by our senses. What are you saying to yourself despite how you feel based on your emotions?

Just because you heard that the tumor might be cancerous, doesn’t mean His strips didn’t heal you. Just because you have received another unapproved letter doesn’t mean you aren’t a homeowner. Just because there was another news report about a young person that did not end well, doesn’t mean your ministry isn’t effective.

When our emotions cause us to feel ways that are contrary to the truth, we have to start speaking things that line up with the Word of God, Romans 4:17. It is not enough to just think about those things or meditate on them. The Word of God says we have to speak, open our mouths and verbally say, those things that are not as though they were. “I am healed, delivered and set free. Thank You for my ministry that is changing the world. I am debt free. There is no lack in my life. I have everything I need. I can do all things though Christ because He gives me strength.

What will you be speaking today?

Prayer: Mighty God and King, with power, You spoke the world into creation. Your word declares that I have the same power that raised Jesus from the dead inside of me. So I operate in that power and begin to speak, declare and believe all the promises, that have gone forth, on earth as it is in heaven. I will allow only Your truth to come from my lips. In Jesus name I pray, Amen!

He Knows Best

14 Jun

Focus Verse: He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” Luke 11:28 (NIV)

A few years ago, there was this guy, I really liked him. He had a relationship with God, a great personality, and I genuinely believed that he cared about me. Just as I do with anyone new that comes in my life, male or female, I prayed and asked God to reveal his purpose for being in my life. “God, if he was sent by You, reveal it, and if not, remove him immediately and allow me to accept whatever the outcome is.”

God didn’t remove him, however, He did reveal that he was a distraction, not anything that was sent by Him. I really liked him though and during that time in my life, I wanted what I wanted, despite the warning and guidance to move on. If I can be honest, I still struggle in this area of my life sometimes. This area of obedience.

How many times have you prayed and asked God for direction, if something or someone was for you, He answered and said “no”, but you still tried to force it? A lot of the heartache and pain that we deal with in life have absolutely nothing to do with the enemy, but everything to do with our own disobedience. Understand, God may not always remove distractions or those things that aren’t for you because He wants to see how obedient you will be, where your loyalty lies.

We can, however, be confident in knowing that when we pray and God gives us an answer, although it may not be the answer we were hoping for, there is comfort in knowing that He still hears and answers prayers.

Prayer: Thank You Lord for hearing my prayers and answering them. There have been times that I have heard You clearly, but I still did my own thing, Father forgive me. Thank You for continually revealing Your truth even when I deliberately disobey You. As I walk in obedience to You, give me peace in accepting whatever You desire is. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen!

Friend, How Many Of Us Are One

12 Jun

Focus Verse: A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 (AMP)

In today’s society, everyone is quick to use the word friend. With social media connecting us more and more, it is so easy to get a misconstrued view of what a friend really is.

I was talking to one of my college friends a while ago and we were just chatting about what true friendship looks like. One of her friends asked her why she was always willing to be a friend even when the friendship isn’t always reciprocated? How is it that she is always there even in times when she knows the same may not be granted to her? Her answer convicted me.

“Because a friendship is not about what I can get, but what I can give. When I know God has called me to a person, it’s not about me, but how I can serve that person better.”

In the past, I have been known to be all about friendship… until you hurt me. My friendship came with stipulations. The most troubling part about that is, I didn’t keep friends long because, newsflash, people will hurt you. After those friendships didn’t last, I would build false relationships where I wouldn’t allow people to get close enough to hurt me.

But the Word of God is contrary to that in its teaching. Our focus verse teaches us that a friend loves at all times. The Contemporary English Version states it this way, “A friend is always a friend…” In order to be the type of friend our scripture verse and my friend exemplifies, we have to be willing to remove ourselves from the equation, not me, but you. This is the same love and friendship Christ showed to us when He gave His life on the cross for us, not Me, but you, Matthew 20:28.

I challenge you today, to evaluate your friendships and the people that God has called you to build a community with. Are you seeking to serve or be served, not me, but you?

Prayer: What an amazing God You are! Thank You for this reminder. So many times I want to look like myself when You desire for me to look like Your Son and resemble His characteristics, please forgive me. Help me to remember friendships are not about what I can get, but what I can give. Allow me to continually look to You Son for guidance for how I should conduct myself. Today, I will focus on “not me, but you”. In the mighty name of Jesus, Amen!

Who Sent You: Your Desires

5 Jun

Bible Reading: So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of it’s fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:6 (NKJV)

Have you ever stopped to think, “Where are these desires coming from?” The things that you want so badly. Those things that keep you up at night that you are thinking about and longing for. Those desires. Have you ever thought about how they originated?

In Genesis 3, we see that Eve had a desire, suggested by the serpent, to eat of the forbidden fruit. But how was it so easy for her to even consider doing something that she knew was against God’s command? Often times, we are tempted to fall because of an extreme desire to have our senses gratified. “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of it’s fruit and ate.” Failing to evaluate her desire resulted in what is commonly referred to as “The Fall of Man.”

In this account, it is pretty clear where Eve’s desires originated. However, in life, it’s not always that obvious. Do you desire to be married because you want someone to love you? Or do you long to be married because you are ready to be a servant in the ministry of marriage? Do you want that higher paying job because you know it comes with the opportunity to achieve another level of status and you could finally get that car you have always wanted? Or do you want a higher paying job because you know it opens the door for you to bless others financially? How about the desire to have a baby? Is it because you have been married for about a year and you feel the next logical step in your family plan is to start having children? Or are you ready to raise children that will be instrumental in advancing the Kingdom of God?

In no way am I saying that any of these desires are wrong. The problem comes when we don’t identify where they came from and want them for the wrong reasons.

Prayer: God, You are pure and I am not. You are holy and I am not. The Bible tells me that my heart is deceitfully wicked and because of the sin of Adam and Eve, sin is innate to me. Father, I pray that You help me to be mindful to evaluate my desires and where they originate. Allow me to know what, in my heart, is from You. And help me to be willing to release anything that is not. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.

True Success

29 May

For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

On my vision board, a few years ago, I wrote “success” and then recorded my personal definition of success. “Productively working in the purpose God has predestined for my life.”

The world defines success as, the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect or fame, according to Merriam-Webster.

Being a young adult in my early 30s, single, never been married, with no children, there have been times that I strived to meet the world’s definition of success. Make your money, obtain a lot of nice things, and be well known and respected amongst those of influence in your community. These are all things I focused on one time or another. But, after working towards and achieving a bit of worldly “success”, I still wasn’t content; it was like something was missing, see Mark 4:19.

I found myself getting involved in a lot of different things, but not really doing anything. I compared myself to others and often times complained about what I didn’t have.

It wasn’t until I started seeking God and doing what He desired for me to do, that I started to experience true success and contentment. Matthew 6:33. How did I know it was true success? Because things began to change.

Now that I had experienced true joy from doing what God wanted me to do, there was a level of focus that I had never achieved before. I wasn’t distracted by the things that were going on around me or by what others were doing. No longer did it bother me that I was still single or that I had yet to become a homeowner.

David shares with us in Psalm 16:11, that when we walk with God and do His will, we will experience joy and pleasure now, until eternity.

Does that mean we no longer think about the things that we desire, but still have yet to achieve? No, we will. But they won’t consume us. There is true contentment in walking in our God given purpose.

Are you productively working in the purpose God had predestined for your life? Have you consistently looked for fulfillment in careers, degrees, possessions, etc., only to end up unfulfilled? Have you, like me, struggled with contentment and comparison?

Prayer: God, thank You for Your purpose for my life. Your word says that Your plans will give me a future and a hope. Many times I have sought after what the world suggests is success but I still found myself empty. Forgive me for not setting my eyes on heavenly things as Your word instructs. Allow me to know Your plans and thoughts for me, so that I can experience true success. It is in Jesus’ name I pray, Amen!

Go Back To What I First Said

24 May

Focus Verse: Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel. Philippians 4:7 (CEV)

It had been a few years since God had revealed to me a promise He had for me, however, nothing had yet to be manifested. As a matter of fact, my life looked as if it was going in the opposite direction of what was spoken. Ironically enough, I was fine with that. After going through so much spiritually and emotionally, I had made up in my mind if God had changed His mind about His promise for my life, then so be it. He knows best anyway, right? Imagine that, God changing His mind about something He promised, how foolish of me!

As I began to prepare myself for the life I had manifested in my mind, absent from His promise, I constantly heard, “Go back to what I first said.”

“God, do You see where my life is right now? Do You see that it looks nothing like You said and it doesn’t look like it’s even starting to go in that direction?” At this point, I was totally fine with walking away from this. Although I know God’s voice and have heard it multiple times in my life, I was fine with expressing that I had gotten it wrong. Yes, that would discredit everything else I had confessed God had spoken to me, but honestly, I didn’t care. I was ready to move on.

“Go back to what I first said.”

The peace that followed this guidance is unexplainable. As much as I wanted to walk away from this, and I still struggle with that feeling regarding some of His promises for my life, there is peace in knowing He hears your concern and is also concerned.

All throughout the bible are promises that God’s word will come to pass, Numbers 23:19; Isaiah 55:11; 1 Thessalonians 5:24. If you are currently struggling or have struggled in the past with accepting the promise of God, meditate on the above scriptures, hide them in your heart, memorize them if you have to. Then consider the promise, hold on to those promises, accept it and receive the peace that comes along with it.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are awesome. Thank You so much for being concerned about the things that concern me. So many times I have let what I see dictate how I feel and react, please forgive me. Thank You for the reminder that Your promises are true and they will come to pass. As I continue to walk with You, help me to remember the promises in Your word that confirm that. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

In The Fire

22 May

Bible Reading: Malachi 3: 2-4

Have you ever been to a bonfire and paid attention to how the wood burns? The wood pieces burn from the inside out. This is really amazing because the flames from the actual fire are closest to the outside of the wood, but initially the inside of the wood is most affected . In order for the wood to serve it’s purpose of providing a source of heat, it has to go through a process.

A process, much like one a Christian goes through in order to fulfill their purpose. God created you for a purpose. And, in order for you to fulfill the purpose God has for you, He had to change you; but from the inside out. Like the wood, He has to burn some areas in your life so that you are effective in the area He has predestined for you.

Initially, when wood burns, its a red, orangish/yellow color on the inside. But the outside bark stays in its original state as if it’s not affected. I’m sure there is some chemical change law that is associated to explain the process. But, as it pertains to us as Christians, in order for us to make long lasting effects for the Kingdom, God has to take us through a process, where others may not even see what’s going on with us on the inside.

As stated before, the purpose of a fire is to produce heat. And when you are sitting really close to a fire, it can get hot. Uncomfortably hot. Similarly, in order for us to serve the purpose God created us for, we too will encounter some uncomfortable times.

After a fire has burned out, there is evident physical change in the bark. It is no longer brown, but a grayish white color.

When God takes us through a process in changing us internally, those around us will be able to see the result.

Prayer: Almighty God, although it may get uncomfortable sometimes, I thank You for the process. I recognize there are things in me that You need to burn out in order to make lasting effects for Your Kingdom. I bless You for the change now. And when it’s all said and done, You will get the glory because of the evidence of what You did in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The Value You Hold

17 May

Bible Reading:Psalm 139: 13-15

Focus Verse: My frame was not hidden from You, When I was being formed in secret, And intricately and skillfully formed [as if embroidered with many colors] in the depths of the earth. Psalm 139:15 (AMP)

There are two things you will never see when you visit the authentic Louis Vuitton website, a sales or clearance page. And the same holds true when you go into the store, there is no clearance section in the back of the store offering 35% off of their past season merchandise. Why? Because the creator of Louis Vuitton knows the value of his product. And that his product isn’t going to lose its value as time goes on.

The same holds true for you. When your Creator made you, He knew the value of His product and that you would never lose your value. In Psalm 139:14 David praises his Creator, God, because he knows that he is fearfully and wonderfully made and that God only makes wonderful things, period.

You too are one of the wonderful things David referred to that God intricately and skillfully formed in secret in verse 15 of Psalm 139. When you take the time to intricately and skillfully make something, you want to keep it a secret and wait until it’s perfect before you reveal it. And when God make you, it was with that same consideration. You were created exactly the way God wanted and needed you to be. And when He felt like the world was ready for you, He unveiled His wonderful creation to the world!

We have all, at times, struggled with feelings of being undervalued, worthless, unappreciated and the list goes on. But always remember that God secretly, intricately and skillfully prepared you for this time. Hear me when I say, He did not make one mistake when He created you the way He did for this time.

Louis Vuitton never discounts his products because a stick isn’t in line or a monogram printed sideways; there are never defects with their product. And the same holds true for you too!

Prayer: My Heavenly Creator, thank you so much for that reminder. I have struggled in the past, and sometimes still do struggle with who I am. Thank You for reminding me that You created me the way You wanted and needed me to be to accomplish the plan that You have for my life right now. In times when I am feeling less valuable, help me to remember You only make wonderful things. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

The Silent Faith of Issac

15 May

Bible Reading: Genesis 22

Why does no one ever talk about the faith of Issac? All throughout the Bible are references to Abraham and the faith that it took to believe that God was going to provide a lamb for the burnt offering when He instructed Abraham to sacrifice Issac. However, have you ever thought about the amount of faith it took for Issac to stay on the altar after his father bound him and laid him there?

Think about it for a moment. What would your response be if you were in Isaac’s position? Would you have honestly believed that your earthly father was hearing from the Heavenly Father when he first started tying you up? I have to be honest, I would have questions, lots and lots of questions! The silence that Issac exemplified in Genesis 22 definitely would NOT have been my countenance.

For many believers, the ability to trust God independent of another human being is fairly simple, for the most part. It’s not difficult to believe that God will come through when there’s really no one else involved. But what do you do when you have to trust God when others are involved? When you have to believe God and someone else’s mind, will and emotions are a part of the equation. When you have to have faith that they will heed the voice of the Lord. What do you do?

We can look at Issac as an example. After he questioned Abraham in vs 7, we don’t see him say another thing. He was completely silent. How many times have you exemplified silent faith? How does one even successfully do that? By trusting God! He had to trust and believe that even if Abraham had it wrong, God was going to get it completely right. We don’t know what was going on with Issac internally, the Bible doesn’t share that. However, I could imagine for him to be silent at a time like this he HAD to be talking to God!

Obviously, none of us are being bound and laid on an altar as a sacrifice, naturally. However, you may feel that you are, or have in the past, experienced this spiritually. If this is the case, I encourage you to examine the life of Issac as an example of how to respond in the future.

Prayer: Dear God, Thank You for using me! There have been times in my life where I have not been physically bound but it sure feels like I was spiritually. I may not have had the same response as Issac did, but I thank You for trusting me enough to allow me to go through it. Father forgive me for not always respond the way I should. In the future please help me to remember that I have to put my faith in You and even though others are involved I can believe that you have everything under control. It is in the might name of Jesus I pray, Amen!