A daily devotional through the Bible speaking with God as Adam and Eve may have in the garden east of Eden. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com

Paul found in Christ the hope he tried to find in his religion without success. He felt the forgiveness that lifted the burden of guilt sin placed upon his life and knew the stories he heard from Christ's followers about God's grace and mercy were true. Paul understood the transforming power of His Spirit and gave himself fully to Christ. 

Paul died to himself. He gave up everything for Christ. Paul recognized the mission He wanted him to complete and eagerly accepted it. He saw the eternal ramifications of his decision and the temporary nature of all else around him. Paul could say without any doubt that everything he gained to that point in his life truly appeared as garbage compared to knowing Christ. 

Why? Because Jesus is the Eternal God…and that’s enough.

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready - Philippians 3:1-11

Set - 1 Kings 14; Philippians 3

Go! - 1 Kings 13-14; 2 Chronicles 12; Philippians 3

A daily devotional through the Bible speaking with God as Adam and Eve may have in the garden east of Eden. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com

It might seem I’m always talking to you about selfishness, but that’s the essence of sin, the opposite of perfect love. God's love in you thinks about other’s interests ahead of your own. It doesn’t mean you ignore your own needs, but it meets their needs before your wants. It looks after your brothers and sisters. It demonstrates the kind of love God demonstrated toward you.

Paul puts it in terms of having the mindset of Christ - Him incarnate. When He came to you in the flesh, He showed you how to love. He showed you what love really means. It means putting others ahead of yourself even if it means to die. God let you put Him on a cross to show you how much He loves you. He died to pay the penalty for your sins to demonstrate His love for you.

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready - Philippians 2:1-18

Set - 1 Kings 12; Philippians 2

Go! - 1 Kings 12; 2 Chronicles 10-11; Philippians 2

A daily devotional through the Bible speaking with God as Adam and Eve may have in the garden east of Eden. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com

What would have happened had Paul not been imprisoned? How many letters would you miss had Paul been set free? How would the doctrine have survived had God not allowed the Jews to force Paul's plea to Rome for justice? Paul still didn’t understand the full ramification of his imprisonment. He saw how his message spread to the guards, but never envisioned his letters would reach to you…but God did.

Never second guess God's decision to put you where you are. He has reasons for your position in life. Just understand, like Paul, you have an opportunity to witness for Him to those around you. From your witness incredible things can happen. Whether you introduce Him to one person or thousands, the message remains vital to the spread of His name. He placed you where you are today for a reason. Don’t let today go by without knowing your role right now is important to God. 

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready - Philippians 1:12-26

Set - Song of Songs 8; Philippians 1

Go! - Song of Songs 5-8; Philippians 1

A daily devotional through the Bible speaking with God as Adam and Eve may have in the garden east of Eden. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com

All God's saints discovered the importance of the discipline of consistent prayer as part of their growth in their spiritual maturity. You can’t get close to Him without it. It’s a natural progression in maturing your relationship. Just like talking with your friend is important in maturing your relationship with your friend. 

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready - Ephesians 6:10-23

Set - Song of Songs 1-2; Ephesians 6

Go! - Song of Songs 1-4; Ephesians 6

A daily devotional through the Bible speaking with God as Adam and Eve may have in the garden east of Eden. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com

Paul tells you when you are filled with God's Spirit you are empowered to speak to each other with the soulful words of pious songs, hymns, and spiritual songs. You know where you find those? The Psalms that speak of His joy. The Wisdom books that tell His story, strength, and glory. The Prophets that promise the riches of heaven to those that follow Him. Those pious songs are filled with the joy of following God. There are no funeral dirges in those songs, but rather hymns of praise to Him. 

Life can be full of fun and laughter and joy without crossing the line of bad behavior or speech. After all, God created all good things. Why wouldn’t they bring a smile to your face?

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready - Ephesians 5:1-20

Set - Ecclesiastes 12; Ephesians 5

Go! - Ecclesiastes 10-12; Psalms 94; Ephesians 5

A daily devotional through the Bible speaking with God as Adam and Eve may have in the garden east of Eden. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com

If you say you cannot control the base desires of your body, you lower yourself to the level of the creatures God commanded you to control and care for. You lower yourself to the level of your pets, the cats and dogs that run your streets and live in your home. You are better than that. You can choose your actions. You can discipline your body and refuse to bow to the actions that will cause discord and dissension within society. 

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready - Ephesians 4:17-32

Set - Ecclesiastes 7; Ephesians 4

Go! - Ecclesiastes 7-9; Ephesians 4

A daily devotional through the Bible speaking with God as Adam and Eve may have in the garden east of Eden. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com

Once again, I want you to examine Paul’s prayer. He understood what makes God's children different from the rest of the world. Paul asks that God fill your souls with the power of His Spirit and make love the rich soil where your lives take root. And that you will have the power to understand that God's love surpasses anything you have ever experienced in your lives. 

Can you do it? Yes, with the power of God's Spirit in you. He will help you succeed. He will strengthen you. Just stop and ask Him. He will show you how.

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready - Ephesians 3

Set - Psalms 18; Ephesians 3

Go! - Ecclesiastes 4-6; Psalms 18; Ephesians 3

A daily devotional through the Bible speaking with God as Adam and Eve may have in the garden east of Eden. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com

Prejudice never seems to go away among God's highest creation. For some reason, humankind in all its array of colors, sizes, and shapes knows each of its individual races obviously attains the highest level among the races. But that’s just not true. He made them all. Some races have had more advantages than others through the centuries. Some races because of prejudices tried to destroy others. It didn’t work because He won’t let it, but they tried nonetheless. 

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready - Ephesians 2:11-22

Set - Ecclesiastes 3; Ephesians 2

Go! - Ecclesiastes 1-3; Psalms 45; Ephesians 2

A daily devotional through the Bible speaking with God as Adam and Eve may have in the garden east of Eden. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com

God is beyond understanding, but His message to you is not. So pray for understanding. Pray for wisdom. Pray for discernment. Pray that His truth will flood your mind, soul, and spirit so that you will revel in the glory of His presence with you and in you. Understand He will guide you if you let Him. God will lead you into perfect peace if you will follow Him. He will give you riches the world doesn’t know if you will be His child.

Put Paul’s prayer in your place of devotion. Put it in the Bible you carry to church. Put it in your prayer journal. Put it in a place you will refer to often and pray that prayer for yourself and those around you whenever God's word opens before you.

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready - Ephesians 1:14-23

Set - Proverbs 31; Psalms 33; Ephesians 1

Go! - Proverbs 30-31; Psalms 33; Ephesians 1

A daily devotional through the Bible speaking with God as Adam and Eve may have in the garden east of Eden. Our website http://alittlewalkwithgod.com

Some proverbs explain the chasm only the cross can bridge as people finally see their sinful life against the purity of God's spotless sacrifice. But when you see it and reach out to Him, He bridges the gap and forgives. God brings you into a renewed relationship with Him so you can live a righteous life as He created you to live.

Today’s Bible reading plans include:

Ready - Proverbs 29

Set - Proverbs 29; Romans 16

Go! - Proverbs 28-29; Psalms 60; Romans 16