Insightful Devotion

When we are willing to believe a lie, although we are given the opportunity to understand and speak the truth. We are basically denying the truth, which is Jesus Christ; who is the way, the truth and the life. If we deny Christ, we are willingly accepting death.  So to ensure that we are not deceived by avoiding the truth, we must ask God, to search our hearts and the areas we have not submitted to him.

Scriptures Within This Episode Listed Below:

1 Corinthians 2:11-12   Romans 9:18-33

Acts 19:13-20              Romans 12:2   

Acts 5:1-11                  John 3:16-21

Acts 19:13-20              Romans 12:2  

1 Corinthians 6:9-11    Ephesians 4:25-27

Romans 6:1-2              1 Peter 5:8-9

1 Peter 5:10-11            1 John 1:7-10

Hebrews 4:12-13         Hebrews 8:12

There will be moments when we experience pain from people throughout our lives.  Yet as believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to imitate and respond like him and not the ways of the world.  Meaning God, is able to use our painful moments and receive glory by using us as his humble servants; to draw people closer to him, while teaching us a lesson.  However, when we are able to learn from our lesson.  It is then we are able to count it all joy and respond the way our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, did throughout his life.  By obeying the commands of his Heavenly Father, even when it was not always comfortable, but necessary.

Scriptures Within This Episode Listed Below:

1 Peter 2:21              1 John 2:5-6

John 3:30                 Matthew 14:3-21

Matthew 25:35-40

1 Corinthians 13:4 -- to the beginning of verse 8 

Matthew 6:26            Luke 22:47-51

Matthew 26:39, 42 and 44 

Matthew 5:43-48        Luke 23:34-43

Isaiah 41:10               Philippians 2:1-4

God is able to humble those who walk in pride.  So if you are struggling with pride in your life, just as King Nebuchadnezzar, did within The Bible.  We must understand what Psalms 25:9 says, “He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.”

Scriptures Used Within This Episode Listed Below:

Romans 12:3-5    Proverbs 16:18    Matthew 23:12    Romans 13:7-8    

Galatians 5:24    Roman 6:16    Galatians 5:25-26    Romans 6:18    

Hebrews 11:6    James 1:5-8    Daniel 4:1-37    Proverbs 12: 5

Psalms 25:9    Psalms 149:4    Proverbs 11:2    Proverbs 3:34    

Philippians 2:9-11

How does God, know that we fear him or have a true reverence for him?  Well the answer to that question is seen in our obedience to following his commands, because the scripture in John 14:15 says, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments.”  So with that in mind we are able to take heed to 1 Samuel 15:22 it says, “Then Samuel said, “Is the Lord as delighted with burnt offerings and sacrifices as he would be with your obedience?  To follow instructions is better than to sacrifice.  To obey is better than sacrificing the fat of rams.”

Many resolutions will be made this New Year in 2021, and there's nothing wrong with that.  However, my prayer is that we would all get a New Years Revelation; by seeking God first and being intentional in our relationship with him.  For Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

One day we will all give an answer for what we have done while on this earth.  With that in mind we should live pleasing and acceptable lives before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  While also, taking inventory with whom we associate with, because whom we associate with can either bring us closer to Christ or further away from him.  1 Corinthians 15:33-34 says, “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.  Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God—I say this to your shame.”  

The wise men from the East, had traveled very far to locate the, “King of the Jews.”  Upon locating him they were filled with joy and worshipped Jesus, because they witnessed what the prophet's had declared regarding the coming of the Messiah.  Filled with joy and amazement the wise men, opened their treasure chests and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 

As a believer in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  There comes a time in life where we should see constant growth occurring within us; more often than we’ve seen in our past.  It’s so easy for us to find excuses, as to why we are, where we are.  However, whatever the excuses may be, no matter how persuading they may seem.  When it comes to our spiritual walk with Jesus Christ, and there is no change for the better occurring within us; even in the midst of a good or difficult season.  

We must ask ourselves,  "Are we serving Jesus Christ, or are we serving something else that is captivating us and distracting us at the same time; while leading us into an end of destruction, if we aren’t careful."  So as we grow in our relationship with Christ, 1 John 2:6 says, “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

Too often in our lives if we aren’t careful, we can fill our hearts with complaining and not realize how much our Heavenly Father, has blessed us.  Just think about it.  If at the end of the day you meditate more on your complaints, then you do your blessings.  You need to re-count your blessings, until you understand that the ultimate blessing is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Once we can grasp that, it is then you can acknowledge, that you are truly blessed beyond measure.

So where do you stand today in your spiritual walk, better yet who is your master, who do you glorify and serve giving your all to.  For Matthew 6:21 & 24 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.  “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and money.” 

So although we live in the world, we are not of the world.  We are given profound wisdom seen within 1 John 2:15-17 it says, “Don’t love the world and what it offers.  Those who love the world don’t have the Father’s love in them.  Not everything that the world offers—physical gratification, greed, and extravagant lifestyles—comes from the Father.  It comes from the world, and the world and its evil desires are passing away.  But the person who does what God wants lives forever.”