Exodus 33:11: So, the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend.

As a father and grandfather, my heart yearns to pass something to my children. If I had but one sentence to pass along it would be this: “Seek the face of the Lord”.

Psalms 27:8: When You said, “Seek My face,” My heart said to You, “Your face, Lord, I will seek.”

We all enjoy the instant messaging, always connected modern world in which we live. This is the world we have created. This is the world we are passing along to our children. But, it comes with one glaring downfall. There is no longer importance and priority placed on face-to-face interaction in our relationships.

We are created in the image of God. As such, in each of our faces there is life. When face-to-face interaction is removed, life is removed.

People are now so connected and yet the crisis of the modern world is a crisis of connectivity. When a person becomes an icon on a device, they become less than human. They become caricatures of their true selves. At best, we do not truly know them, at worse they may become someone we can despise.

The key to the healing of this world is in the restoration of face-to-face relationships. This is true with our relationships with other people and more importantly, it is true with our relationship with God.

2 Corinthians 4:6: For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

We can and must be transformed by seeking the face of the Lord. We can and must have face-to-face interaction with Jesus Christ for the sake of ourselves and the world around us.

Read the full post at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-seek-the-face-of-the-lord/

“Exactly as I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle and all of its furniture so you shall make it.” Exodus 25:9 (ESV)

God Is In The Details

When our family had outgrown our residence, my husband and I began house-hunting. We looked at scores of listings on the market but eventually decided to build. It was a big task- considering floor plans, lot sizes, locations, and several other factors. Some details escaped us, and once we moved in, we often said, “We didn’t think about that.” We weren’t disappointed, just a bit inconvenienced.

Seeing a God of Details

Beginning in Exodus 25, God gives instructions for building. He begins by asking for contributions from every man “as his heart moves him” (verse 2) and then tells Moses an exact pattern. (Exodus 25:9) God gives Moses measurements, placement of items, materials for construction, and even describes rings and clasps, exactly. Yarn, acacia wood, pure gold, engraved flowers, goats’ hair, twined linen…the more I read, the more absorbed I became. Specific details were communicated for distinct purposes. It had become “more interesting” than I thought.

What began as reading to get through these passages, became a lesson in seeing a God of details. God doesn’t change. Nothing in my life escapes God’s eye. Psalm 139 tells us wherever we go, He sees us. Hebrews 13:5 reminds us He will never leave us or forsake us. Matthew 10:30-31 tells me God knows the hairs on our heads. His care and concern for the details of my life are just as true as His communication to Moses for construction of the tabernacle.

I have a God who knows every detail of my life, exactly.

How does that encourage you where you are today?

Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-exodus-25-9-god-in-the-details/

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us,who can be against us? 8:31

The Enemy's Attack

Whether you realize it or not, we are in a daily struggle with the enemy. Our battle is against a tireless enemy, a deceitful enemy, a merciless enemy who continually presses home his attack. This enemy is both fierce and relentless; it hates the truth and seeks only to maim and destroy. If you’re a believer, you’re all too aware of this enemy and the constant attacks on your well-being.

The enemies attacks can be subtle, making you question even small decisions, or they can be bold attacks on your faith in God, “Why doesn’t God answer my prayers?” And, when you find yourself at a low ebb, he chooses that time to press his advantage in an attempt to defeat you. This enemy is as old as creation.

God Is For Us

When the enemy attacks, remember who it is that fights for you, the God of all creation is at your right hand and will not be defeated.

Today, as you consider God’s Word, as you believe in Christ Jesus, your Savior, your risen Lord, rejoice that you are at peace with God, that you are indeed, a redeemed child of God.

Prayer

Almighty God and Father, precious Lord and Savior, we serve an awesome God, a powerful God, a God of love and a God of grace. Thank you Father for standing firm in our struggle against the enemies schemes. Forgive us when we fail to recognize that we need only to be still and know that your are God. By your grace and the sacrifice of your Son we dare to claim our inheritance as we believe on His name. Daily remind us that we are not alone, that you are always there at our side protecting us and loving us. And all of God’s children said, Amen.

May God bless you richly as you dwell on his word.

Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-if-god-is-for-us-who-can-be-against-us/

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 NIV

Why is it challenging to feel strong in faith and content with life?

What makes consistent joyfulness eluding to so many of us in everyday life?

Our spiritual health is not that different from our physical health. If we are inconsistent with or limit our sustenance for periods of time, it has a manifestation in how we feel. There is no denying it. It is a fact of biology.

What is happening to believers to rob them of what they need most for a vibrant, faith-filled life?

Jesus spoke to this dilemma, stressing the vital component necessary for our spiritual health.

In Matthew 4:4, Jesus answers the temptation from the devil with clarity and truth for us all to cling to as if a life preserver. He says,

"It is written: Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

This “thief” that comes to steal, kill and destroy is not easily recognized by believers today, compared to Jesus readily perceiving the danger and temptation of what he intended.

What then is the thief coming to steal from us? Our time with God that is to sustain and grow our faith!

Take control of your schedule and tell the kids, coaches, neighbors, and friends “no”, you will not be consumed and driven by what is starving you to death!

As parents, may we stop allowing busyness to rob us and our families of what we need the most, daily and weekly - regular time with the Lord feasting upon His Word of life! If our schedules are driving us away from God, we are in peril!

The frivolities of this world are passing, but the Word of the Lord stands forever!

Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-john-10-10-the-thief-comes-to-steal/

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

I don’t like being the center of attention.

I feel REALLY uncomfortable in the spotlight.

I prefer to be in the background.

Yet, I am called to shine.

I guess this is why I enjoy writing so much. To write, I don’t have to stand on a stage. I don’t have to address the crowd. I can speak to others with my words instead of my voice. My written words are often clearer than my actual voice. I feel confident sharing my words, but actually standing up and talking to people…not so much.

God gave me the gift of writing to share who He is through my words. I felt that I could remain hidden behind my words, still remaining in the background, letting Christ take the stage. For me, it was the PERFECT plan.

But that was not His plan.

God wanted me on the stage with Him.

He calls me and says "let your light shine before others".

The light that we have inside us is to show others the glory of God. We may be the only example of God for someone in our lives. How will they ever get to know Him, if we are afraid to shine our light?

God then led me to look up the word shine. Merriam Webster’s defines shine as:

To emit light.

When I read that definition, I view the word shine as projecting light.

We project the light, life, and love of Jesus for the world to see.

We project God’s glory.

We shine.

So if you ever feel embarrassed about shining, remember who you are.

You are the light of the world.

Just like our Jesus.

And He calls you to shine.

Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-let-your-light-shine-before-others/

What am I talking about? Forgiving someone seventy times seven?

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. Matt. 18:21-22 ESV

That is 490 times! That’s a lot!

Although Jesus did not say seventy times seven per day in the above verse, he does specifically say “per day” in others.

In Luke 17:4 (NIV), Jesus says, “If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent’, forgive him.”

In the Bible, seven is the number of completion. An example is Gen. 2:2-3 (NIV)

“By the seventh day God finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he ceased from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it he ceased from all the work of creating that he had done.” The footnote in the NIV Bible says the word ceased was used instead of rested.

Seventy signifies spiritual perfection. So seventy times seven means we need to forgive someone completely, and not let it continue to fester or play over and over again in our minds.

The only way we can get rid of it is through the spiritual perfection of Jesus, in us.

We must die to self daily. “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Gal. 2:20 NIV

Since Christ lives in me, I must allow his life to flow through me and choose to do so daily, through faith. It doesn’t matter if they are sorry or not. I must forgive as he forgives.

Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-forgive-someone-seventy-times-seven/

Maybe we cannot see how God's hand is working in our life, maybe sometimes we doubt Him. Even though He let some circumstances in our life, don't worry, He's got our back! He's in control and He cares for you. Those hardships won’t break you, instead they will make you stronger. Trust Him with all your heart, He is in control!

Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-god-has-your-back/

The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego is much more than a children’s story. It is the courageous story of three young men who took a stand to serve and be faithful to God. In spite of the consequences. They had confidence that God would deliver them. But even if their stand were to end in death, they chose to be faithful.

These men had not withdrawn into the wilderness to separate themselves from pagan Babylon. Nor had they gone native and become like all of the other Babylonian citizens.

Instead they engaged their culture, serving faithfully and well in the government. They were in it. But they were also distinct from it. Their clothes may have been indistinguishable from those around them. But their faith and values clearly were. And they refused to compromise that faith.

And that is the wonderful example they set for us today. We can serve in a godless government, participate in a capitalistic society, and dress like our neighbors, without compromising our faith. But like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, we should determine that we will not serve the gods of our land or worship them. Regardless the cost, take your stand for Jesus.

Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-living-faithful-to-god-in-a-pagan-world/

Many of us ponder, ‘what will happen next?’ after hearing the latest local, national and world news these days. The information the media sends out minute by minute is usually hard to process.

Satan is working overtime wreaking havoc in our world, communities, churches, work places, and our homes. The world around us is accepting evil for good, and good for evil.

For many of us, it can be hard to process emotionally. We become sad about the heartaches and disasters, and angry about the evil we hear and see. And that’s okay. As Christians, we are to have compassion and empathy for others. However, it becomes a problem for us when we become so infatuated with the news that we find ourselves emotionally drained with a feeling of hopelessness.

But, guess what?

That’s right where Satan wants us. He is preying on our emotions. He waits for our weak and tired moments to sneak fear and worry into our minds. Satan knows our guard is down. Before we know it, we are paralyzed with fear and we are worrying about things we cannot control.

No, we do not understand what is going on in this trying world, but God does.

So how do we find peace in this uncertain world?


Let's pray without ceasing and press harder into Jesus for his peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:6-7), trusting that He is in control now and in the future.

God is in control.

God knows what will happen next.

He has assured His children through His holy word that we will live happily ever after…with HIM (John 3:16).

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5 ESV

Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-how-to-find-peace-in-an-uncertain-world/

The leadership role that God has ordained for your marriage is NOT an excuse to “rule with an iron fist”. God has not called us to be domineering, but rather he has called us to love our wife like Christ loved the church. I challenge you to lead your wife by serving her and embrace the true scriptural meaning of biblical manhood.

A Challenge to Husbands

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,” Ephesians 5:25 ESV

Perhaps the most cowardly man, that calls himself a follower of Christ, is the one who takes advantage of the leadership role that God has ordained for his marriage. What exactly do I mean? The man that leads his marriage with an iron fist is not actually leading, but rather he is a bully while at the same time a chicken.

Headship Equals Service

In the previous verses, we learn that the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church. (Ephesians 5:23). In God’s creative order, He ordained that the man of the marriage is to lead, and He gave the male the role of headship.

The headship role of the husband does not mean that he now has the right to “rule with an iron fist”. The husband does not assert his dominance over his wife for the sake of showing his power. Biblical manhood as a husband consists of serving your wife.

Consider the words of Ephesians 5:25: “Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.”

If we are commanded to love our wife in this manner, then Christian service to your spouse should be manifested. The leadership role of the man equals serving your wife. The husband has been called to lead their wife by loving her, providing for her, and serving her.

Our Model, Christ Jesus

Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-ephesians-5-25-biblical-manhood/