18Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.f
19And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike.g 20I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.
Pray, pray and pray more! God wants to hear from us at all times. Even Jesus prayed, for 40 days and nights while fasting. He set the example and the bar.
He even prayed for the apostles.
As Paul asked, "pray for me too", I ask that pray for me too, that I may be able to continue with the Lords work and keep Satan from sifting me like wheat. Pray for my health, marriage and home, pray for this devotional, most of all pray for our prodigal son that the Lords will be done in his life.
I pray that all of you reading this devotional that our Lord will bless you, bless your family, keep you in good health and keep His hand of protection over you.
In Jesus name I pray.
Blessings, David
Monday, January 9, 2017
Sunday, January 8, 2017
Ephesians 6 But how will you end?
13Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.d 16In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.e17Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Gods armor
Belt of truth
Standing firm
Stand your ground
Put on the peace
Good News
Fully prepared
Shield of faith
Put on salvation
Sword of the Spirit
Word of God
Resist the enemy
Time of evil
Fiery arrows
In these verses we see how we are to prepare with the Word of God, preparing for battle as a soldier, for a soldier goes to boot camp, learns order, rank, self defense and offensive tactics using all the equipment the military provides.
Brethren the same goes for you as a Christian as the destroyer has sighted you in, and will try to take you down with him. He desires to kill your soul and take you to the Lake of Fire.
In these verses I counted eleven truths or ways a Christian needs to use to withstand the devil (destroyer).
Our orders are to resist, prepare for the time of evil, and stand guard against his fiery arrows!
We know how the Bible ends and the destroyer's outcome (demise).
But how will you end?
Will you "stand guard" or be taken prisoner by the enemy?
Blessings, David
Gods armor
Belt of truth
Standing firm
Stand your ground
Put on the peace
Good News
Fully prepared
Shield of faith
Put on salvation
Sword of the Spirit
Word of God
Resist the enemy
Time of evil
Fiery arrows
In these verses we see how we are to prepare with the Word of God, preparing for battle as a soldier, for a soldier goes to boot camp, learns order, rank, self defense and offensive tactics using all the equipment the military provides.
Brethren the same goes for you as a Christian as the destroyer has sighted you in, and will try to take you down with him. He desires to kill your soul and take you to the Lake of Fire.
In these verses I counted eleven truths or ways a Christian needs to use to withstand the devil (destroyer).
Our orders are to resist, prepare for the time of evil, and stand guard against his fiery arrows!
We know how the Bible ends and the destroyer's outcome (demise).
But how will you end?
Will you "stand guard" or be taken prisoner by the enemy?
Blessings, David
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Are you living outside of Gods plan?
Gen3:6 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
its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 12
Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of
the tree, and I ate.” 17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the
voice of your wife...
pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of
its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. 12
Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of
the tree, and I ate.” 17 Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the
voice of your wife...
Choices are made every day that affect destinies. A choice was made by one
man thousands of years ago that affect our lives today. Adam made a
conscious choice to heed the voice of his wife and disobey God. Mark Twain
stated, “After all these years, I see that I was mistaken about Eve in the
beginning; it is better to live outside the Garden with her than inside it
without her.” Mr Twain was wrong. There are many people who are living
outside of God's plan in will full disobedience to His word and expect God
to be okay with it. For the married people that are dating outside, it is
not dating it is adultery. For those living as a married couple and are
not, it is fornication. I have made my own mistakes before God and
repented. People say "don't judge me", I am not judging, I am stating
truth. Brethren, When Jesus comes back for His church, do you think you
will go? Adam's choice had consequences, living outside with Eve meant that
he would no longer walk with God. What a choice.
Douglas
A Heart Of Servanthood. Colossians 3:1-4 NLT
Colossians 3:1-4 NLT
1Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. 3 For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
David Guzik summed up these verses this way:
· After His resurrection, Jesus left the tomb. So should we - we don't live there any more.
· After His resurrection, Jesus spent His remaining time being with and ministering to His disciples. So should we - live our lives to be with and to serve one another.
· After His resurrection, Jesus lived in supernatural power with the ability to do impossible things. So should we - with the power and the enabling of the Holy Spirit.
· After His resurrection, Jesus looked forward to heaven, knowing He would soon enough ascend there. So should we - recognizing that our citizenship is in heaven.
We are to leave our old life behind and look toward our future life in heaven. No longer do we do the selfish things we once did but now focus on the things that serve others and please God. That is dying to self, that is putting others first, that is a heart of servanthood.
Blessings, Cecilia
Ephesians 6 Who is leading you today?
9Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.
10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12For wec are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Are you a business owner, supervisor, leader? How do you treat those under you? Hopefully with the love of Christ!
How do you start your day? Do you read or listen to the Word of God? If you do then you are putting on the Gods armor, and if you don't then you are walking blind out your front door! How will you stand against the devil?
Verse 12 bears repeating, let it sink in and meditate on it!
"12For wec are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
How will you fight against the unseen world, mighty powers in this dark world, evil spirits in heavenly places?
By yourself?
Or by the name of Jesus?
Matthew 12:43-45 ESV / 16 helpful votes
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
http://www.openbible.info/topics/name_of_jesus_demons_tremble
James 2:19
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
Yes, they tremble at His name! Allow Him to lead you who causes them to tremble!
Put on Gods armor before you start you day just as a soldier grabs his gear, then you too will be prepared!
Who is leading you today?
Blessings, David
10A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12For wec are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Are you a business owner, supervisor, leader? How do you treat those under you? Hopefully with the love of Christ!
How do you start your day? Do you read or listen to the Word of God? If you do then you are putting on the Gods armor, and if you don't then you are walking blind out your front door! How will you stand against the devil?
Verse 12 bears repeating, let it sink in and meditate on it!
"12For wec are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places."
How will you fight against the unseen world, mighty powers in this dark world, evil spirits in heavenly places?
By yourself?
Or by the name of Jesus?
Matthew 12:43-45 ESV / 16 helpful votes
“When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but finds none. Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ And when it comes, it finds the house empty, swept, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and dwell there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So also will it be with this evil generation.”
http://www.openbible.info/topics/name_of_jesus_demons_tremble
James 2:19
You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.
Yes, they tremble at His name! Allow Him to lead you who causes them to tremble!
Put on Gods armor before you start you day just as a soldier grabs his gear, then you too will be prepared!
Who is leading you today?
Blessings, David
Friday, January 6, 2017
Remember Me? Philippians 1:2-11 NLT
Philippians 1:2-11 NLT
2 May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.
3 Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God. 4 Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, 5 for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. 6 And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
7 So it is right that I should feel as I do about all of you, for you have a special place in my heart. You share with me the special favor of God, both in my imprisonment and in defending and confirming the truth of the Good News. 8 God knows how much I love you and long for you with the tender compassion of Christ Jesus.
9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.
How are you remembered when people think of you? Do you bring a smile to their face? Does their heart swell with joy? Do they long to spend time with you again? Or do the grit their teeth, groan and shake their head?
How are you remembered when God thinks of you? Is it with gritted teeth, a groan and a shake of the head? Or does He remember you as Paul thought of the Philippians? If you behave as the Philippians, God will remember you with a smile and joy, wanting to spend eternity with you. Share the Gospel, love with a love that is overflowing, continue to grow in knowledge and understanding, live pure and blameless, with a righteous character produced by your relationship with Christ Jesus.
Really, His is the only opinion that really matters. Paul knew that, do you?
Blessings, Cecilia
Ephesians 6 Are you a slave to your job?
5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. 6Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. 7Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. 8Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.
Slaves were freed in the United States:
The Emancipation Proclamation was a presidential proclamation and executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. It purported to change the federal legal status of more than 3 million enslaved people in the designated areas of the South from "slave" to "free", although its immediate effect was less.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emancipation_Proclamation
But in other parts of the world slavery is still an issue. In the New Testament times they had indentured servants.
http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/four-differences-between-new-testament-servitude-and-new-world-slavery/
An indentured servant or indentured labor is an employee (indenturee) within a system of unfree labor who is bound by a contract (indenture) to work for a particular employer for a fixed period of time.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indentured_servant
It is believed my ancestors came to the Colonies in 1720's as an indentured servant.
Are you a slave to you job? Performing it daily only for an income to survive in this cruel world. Then these verses also speak to you. Perform your work sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them always, with enthusiasm as though you are doing it for the Lord.
"As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart."
I remember when I was a teenager I painted my grandparents house every several years, it would peel, you would spend a day scraping, a day priming and several days painting.
Next door there was a garage that needed painting. My grandmother talked to the owner and told me to paint it. I didn't want to, but I did it. I hated every brush stroke! It was enamel paint and required thinner to clean up brushes. I painted that garage as though I was doing it for her. That paint lasted 20 years!
I believe this was where I developed my work ethic.
Whatever task you are doing, do it as if you are doing it for the Lord. He will reward you.
Blessings, David
Slaves were freed in the United States:
The Emancipation Proclamation was a presidential proclamation and executive order issued by President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863. It purported to change the federal legal status of more than 3 million enslaved people in the designated areas of the South from "slave" to "free", although its immediate effect was less.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emancipation_Proclamation
But in other parts of the world slavery is still an issue. In the New Testament times they had indentured servants.
http://coldcasechristianity.com/2014/four-differences-between-new-testament-servitude-and-new-world-slavery/
An indentured servant or indentured labor is an employee (indenturee) within a system of unfree labor who is bound by a contract (indenture) to work for a particular employer for a fixed period of time.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indentured_servant
It is believed my ancestors came to the Colonies in 1720's as an indentured servant.
Are you a slave to you job? Performing it daily only for an income to survive in this cruel world. Then these verses also speak to you. Perform your work sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them always, with enthusiasm as though you are doing it for the Lord.
"As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart."
I remember when I was a teenager I painted my grandparents house every several years, it would peel, you would spend a day scraping, a day priming and several days painting.
Next door there was a garage that needed painting. My grandmother talked to the owner and told me to paint it. I didn't want to, but I did it. I hated every brush stroke! It was enamel paint and required thinner to clean up brushes. I painted that garage as though I was doing it for her. That paint lasted 20 years!
I believe this was where I developed my work ethic.
Whatever task you are doing, do it as if you are doing it for the Lord. He will reward you.
Blessings, David
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