Devotions

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

Matthew 16:24

What Jesus is saying here is simply, “Just say” ‘No’ to “yourself” bring along your execution stake, so every time your fleshly desires come “up” you can say ‘No’ to them and execute “them!”

“As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

2 Samuel 22:31

Also, we need to ask what and who do we identify with? Is it the LORD, is it the world or do we go back and forth? Remember, His way is perfect!

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Luke 16:13

Today, let us deny ourselves and identify with Jesus, no matter what the cost! Don’t compromise, you may get ridiculed, made fun of or even left out. Just remember, Jesus will never leave you or forsake you. He really has you covered, so cling to Him today! May your day be richly blessed!

Shabbat Shalom!

“At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, Ask! What shall I give you?”

1 Kings 3:5

If the LORD asked us, “What shall I give you?” We may ask for all kinds of things: health, even though we’d still die; a new car, maybe, even though it would become an old car, or mass riches that would consume our lives! What we should ask is: LORD what do you want!

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you But to do justly, To love mercy, And to walk humbly with your God?”

Micah 6:8

We all ask this question at one time or the other: “God what do You want from me?” The answer is always going to be, to walk with Him, talk with Him and place our faith in Him! We need to be consumed by the LORD!

“Keep My commands and live, And my laws as the apple of your eye.”

Proverbs 7:2

We will never go wrong when we have more of the LORD in our lives!

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

John 14:15

In this chapter, Solomon realizes he is nothing but a child who knows nothing! We are so like little children whining, complaining and making messes! Today, let us take some time and get into the word of God and ask for understanding! Have a blessed day walking, seeing and hearing things The LORD”S way and let’s reflect the light of the LORD!

“Then Judah said, What shall we say my LORD? What shall we speak? Or how shall we clear ourselves? God has found out the iniquity of your servants; here we are, my lord’s slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found.”

Genesis 44:16

What is important for us to see here is Judah just admits and confesses they’ve blown it. He doesn’t place blame, just takes responsibility!

“I acknowledge my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD. And You forgave the iniquity of my sin.”

Psalm 32:5

We live at a time when people, including ourselves, don’t confess or admit we are wrong! We don’t take responsibility for our mistakes, but, place the blame on someone else!

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

2 Chronicles 7:14

Today, let us simply just confess, be humble and move on, don’t get caught up in the blame game. There is enough of that going on around us!

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

Have a blessed day confessing and talking to the LORD, let Him clear your name and cleanse you from all unrighteousness!

“But he said, Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your God and the God of your father has given you treasure in your sacks; I had your money. Then he brought Simeon out to them.”

Genesis 43:23

How much time do we waste making up scenarios that never come to pass, worrying about things that never happen? Remember, Joseph has been witnessing to the people around him for thirteen years or so, even though his brothers had no clue. Like Joseph who went through some trials, he still was a witness of the LORD, so should we be.

“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.”

Isaiah 26:3

Don’t focus on the problem or the situation you are going through, all it will do is give you anxiety! Instead, focus on the LORD, look to Him, hope in Him and trust Him!

“Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.”

Micah 7:7

Today, if we are looking to the LORD in every situation, we start reflecting His peace, His light and His love! Have a blessed day shining for the LORD!

“And Reuben answered them, saying, Did I not speak to you, saying, Do not sin against the boy; and you would not listen? Therefore behold, his blood is now required of us.”

Genesis 42:22

How often do we look back on actions or things we said in the past that come back to bite us? One of the saddest things if someone warned us not to do or speak and we still do!

“But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the LORD; and be sure your sin will find you out.”

Numbers 32:23

We can always look backwards and get stuck in our past, but the best thing to do is to repent and move on! Move forward in the LORD!

“From this time Jesus began to preach and say, Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Matthew 4:17

Don’t get hung up on past mistakes! Realize, you’ll make plenty of new ones tomorrow! What we need to do is repent, and let Jesus take over.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9

Today, let us be thankful that when we confess (repent of our sins), He forgives and His blood covers our foolishness! The key here is confess and repent, and let the light of the LORD shine in your life! Have a blessed day!