Devotion: The Holy Spirit Will Teach You

We have mentioned that you have to follow God’s instructions if you want to become all that God has planned for you to become.  As believers, we now know some of the many benefits to following God’s instructions.  While we are still a work in progress, we have discovered one of “the rewards for them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).  We become “spiritually and morally mature.”  When we become “spiritually and morally mature,” we speak wisdom among them that are the same.  We speak not the wisdom of the world or the wisdom of those thought to be intelligent, wise, learned, or scholarly.  We speak not the wisdom of the sages and the men of discernment.  We speak not the wisdom of the Greek philosophers and orators or the Jewish theologians and the Christian teachers.  No, we speak the wisdom of God, which is given to us by divine revelation.  Yes, we speak the wisdom of God, wisdom that was hidden before the world began.  Yes, that’s right; wisdom that God predestined from the beginning that would result in glory to us.  Jesus prayed, thanking the Father for revealing this wisdom to those who would become “the spiritually and morally mature.”  And as the spiritually and morally mature, we now know that the word of God is wisdom only to “those who have an ear to hear.”

“Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect (mature):  yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes (rulers) of this world (age), that come to nought (nothing).  But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained (predetermined) before the world (ages) unto our glory.  Which none of the princes (rulers) of this world (age) knew:  for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (I Corinthians 2:6-8).

Among “the spiritually and morally mature,” the word of God, spoken of here by Paul, is wisdom to “those that have ears to hear.”  This is not the kind of wisdom that the world uses or the kind of wisdom that the sages and the men of discernment use, but the kind of wisdom that comes directly from God.  This great wisdom does not come from the earth realm or is it the kind that appeals to the great men of this world, but it comes directly through God’s word.  This wisdom tells us of the things of God, which the great men of the world have never understood.  They try to make sense of the information but are unable to assemble all the pieces to form a coherent picture.  Their picture, made mostly of theories, contains much speculation or conjecture, which over the years has not withstood the test of time.

As “the spiritually and morally mature,” we speak, among “those who have an ear to hear,” words of wisdom.  As “the spiritually and morally mature,” we know about these things because God has sent “the Holy Spirit” to tell us of his wisdom.

“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.  But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God” (I Corinthians 2:9-10).

As “the spiritually and morally mature,” we know about these things because God has revealed them to us by “his Spirit.”  This same “Spirit,” which searches out God’s deepest secrets, reveals to his children all of the mysteries of the Bible.  This same “Spirit” reveals words of wisdom to only “those who have an ear to hear,” his children.  However, make no mistake, everyone is a creation of God; not everyone is a child of God.

“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God” (I Corinthians 2:11).

With man and his inner thoughts, only his spirit man, who is inside of him, has knowledge of what they are.  With man and his inner thoughts, only his spirit man, who is inside of him, understands what they are.  It is the same way with God.  Only the “Spirit of God” has knowledge and understanding of the inner thoughts of God.  Only the “Spirit of God” has knowledge and understanding of the things of God.  As “the spiritually and morally mature,” we now know of these things.  We know of these things because we have within us, “the mind of Christ” (I Corinthians 2:16).  Yes, that’s right; we have a portion of the very thoughts of Christ within us.  Because we have this mind of Christ, we can receive “the Spirit” that comes forth from God.  Once received, “the Spirit” reveals to us the things that are freely given to us by God.  Once received, “the Spirit” reveals to us the inner thoughts of God.  And because we have this “mind of Christ,” we have knowledge and understanding of the things “the Spirit” reveals to us.

As always, we pray that our inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Sin Hurts

Because of Adam’s disobedience, the penalty of death came and reigned like a king over all mankind.  It, death, was passed to every man because all have sinned.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

But the sin spoken of here is not what you may think it is.  “Sin is not sin.”  And no, we have not lost our minds or gone over the edge.  However, the explanation may interest you, especially, if you be one of those who has an ear to hear.  One definition of “sin” says, “to miss or wander from the path of uprightness and honor, to do or go wrong.”  Another one says, “to wander from the law of God or to violate God’s law.”  Another definition says, “that which is done wrong as in an offence or a violation of the divine law in thought or in act.”  Then there is “the complex or aggregate of sins committed either by a single person or by many” definition.  Traditionally, “sin” has a very simple definition.  “Sin” is basically defined as “a violation of divine law.”  But could there be an alternative definition?

When we think of “sin,” we usually think of it as “personal sin.”  Typically, personal sin is defined in one of two ways.  There is “the sin of commission,” where an individual does something that is prohibited.  And then there is “the sin of omission,” where an individual fails to do what is required of him or her.  This sin may also express itself in either an act or an attitude.  For example, when someone goes astray like a wandering sheep doing one’s own thing.  Or when an individual transgresses or oversteps the law.  Or this sin could express itself when an individual trespasses.  But could there be an alternative definition?

“Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude (likeness) of Adam's transgression, who is the figure (a type) of him that was to come (Romans 5:14).”

In this passage, we see that there are “them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression.”  And even though they had not sinned like Adam, they still died.  Scripture tells us that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).  It also tells us “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23).  With this being said, what sin did “them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression commit?”  We know from scripture that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.  We also know that the wages of sin is death.  But we have had the hardest time connecting “them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression” to any sin.

“For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law” (Romans 5:13).

We found that this passage sheds some light on our dilemma but offered little into bettering our understanding.  We know that Adam’s disobedience allowed sin to enter into the world.  So, there was no surprise seeing that sin was in the world prior to the law, which was the period between Adam and Moses.  This passage also tells us that during this period, there was no one guilty of sin because there was no law.  Apparently, unless there is some type of law, sin cannot be imputed or attributed to anyone.

“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (I John 3:4).

We see from this passage that everyone who commits sin is also guilty of violating the law, because sin is going against the law.  In contrast, when there is no law, there can be no transgression and with no transgression, no sin.  Therefore, those living before the law were not guilty of sin because there was no law to go against or violate.  This brings us almost back to where we started.  If all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, what sinned did those before the law commit?

We pray that our commentary has given you cause to rethink the meaning of the word “sin,” as it applies to the passage, “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”  We pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Rejoice In The Lord Always

Rejoice in the Lord always.  Even though the fig trees are all destroyed, and there is neither blossom left nor fruit; though the olive crops all fail, and the fields lie barren; even if the flocks die in the fields and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will be happy in the God of my salvation.  The Lord God is my strength; he will give me the speed of a deer and bring me safely over the mountains (Habakkuk 3:17-18 TLB).  Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near (Philippians 4:4-5 NIV).  The Lord is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.  He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him (Exodus 15:2 NIV).  I delight greatly in the Lord; my soul rejoices in my God.  For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of his righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.  For as the soil makes the sprout come up and a garden causes seeds to grow, so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise spring up before all nations (Isaiah 61:10-11 NIV).  I will rejoice in the Lord and I will be joyful in God my Savior.

But let the righteous be glad; let them rejoice before God: yea, let them exceedingly rejoice (Psalm 68:3).  Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite (Psalm 147:5).  Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart (Psalm 32:11).  Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God (Psalm 77:13)?  The righteous shall be glad in the Lord, and shall trust in him; and all the upright in heart shall glory (Psalm 64:10).  Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely (beautiful) for the upright (Psalm 33:1).  Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness (Psalm 48:1).  Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness (Psalm 97:12).  Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation say continually, Let God be magnified (Psalm 70:4).

But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy (I Peter 4:13).  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me (John 14:1).  These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace.  In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).  So, my dear brothers, since future victory is sure, be strong and steady, always abounding in the Lord’s work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever wasted as it would be if there were no resurrection (I Corinthians 15:58 TLB).  Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:18).  Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.  Let your moderation be known unto all men.  The Lord is at hand (Philippians 4:4-5).  May all who come to you be glad and joyful.  May all who are thankful for your salvation always say, “How great is the Lord” (Psalm 40:16 GNT)!

Today’s inspirational message just might give you a new perspective on what it means to “rejoice in the Lord always.”  We pray that this message will bless you, inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Beware Of Pride

Proud men end in shame, but the meek become wise (Proverbs 11:2 TLB).  Pride goes before destruction and haughtiness before a fall (Proverbs 16:18 TLB).  Pride ends in destruction; humility ends in honor (Proverbs18:12 TLB).  Pride ends in a fall, while humility brings honor (Proverbs 29:23 TLB).  And how does a man benefit if he gains the whole world and loses his soul in the process?  For is anything worth more than his soul (Mark 8:36-37 TLB)?

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.  And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: and he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits (store my crops)?  And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow (store) all my fruits (crops) and my goods.  And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry.  But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?  So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God (Luke 12:15-21).  For what is a man advantaged (benefited), if he gain the whole world, and lose himself (is destroyed), or be cast away (lost) (Luke 9:25)?  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul (Matthew 16:26)?

Tell those who are rich not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which will soon be gone, but their pride and trust should be in the living God who always richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment.  Tell them to use their money to do good.  They should be rich in good works and should give happily to those in need, always being ready to share with others whatever God has given them.  By doing this they will be storing up real treasure for themselves in heaven—it is the only safe investment for eternity!  And they will be living a fruitful Christian life down here as well (I Timothy 6:17-19 TLB).  For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul (Mark 8:36)?

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (ruin), and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also (Matthew 6:19-21).  Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you.  For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions.  These are not from the Father, but are from this world.  And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave.  But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever (I John 2:15-17 NIV).  There is no benefit to gaining the world and losing one’s soul; for there is nothing, not one thing worth more than your soul.

We again give thanks to God for this avenue that he has given us to share his word through this inspirational message.  We continually pray that God’s grace will be upon you and that our devotionals will continue to be a blessing to you.  If you are blessed by any of them, please share them so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Your Every Hair Is Numbered

“O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me.  You know when I sit or stand.  When far away you know my every thought.  You chart the path ahead of me and tell me where to stop and rest.  Every moment you know where I am.  You know what I am going to say before I even say it.  You both precede and follow me and place your hand of blessing on my head.  This is too glorious, too wonderful to believe!  I can never be lost to your Spirit!  I can never get away from my God!  If I go up to heaven, you are there; if I go down to the place of the dead, you are there.  If I ride the morning winds to the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, your strength will support me.  If I try to hide in the darkness, the night becomes light around me.  For even darkness cannot hide from God; to you the night shines as bright as day.  Darkness and light are both alike to you” (Psalm 139 1-12 TLB).

God knows everything there is to know about you.  He knows your name.  He knows your every thought.  He sees each and every tear that falls from your eyes.  He hears you when you call to him.  He knows to where you go and from where you come.  He is there whenever you go and whenever you return.  God even knows the number of hairs that you have on your head (Matthew 10:30).  Man is very important to God.

“When I look up into the night skies and see the work of your fingers—the moon and the stars you have made—I cannot understand how you can bother with mere puny man, to pay any attention to him!  And yet you have made him only a little lower than the angels (only a little lower than God) and placed a crown of glory and honor upon his head.  You have put him in charge of everything you made; everything is put under his authority: all sheep and oxen, and wild animals too, the birds and fish, and all the life in the sea” (Psalm 8:3-8 TLB).

David, when he looked at the night skies, saw the creative works of God.  It made him wonder how such an awesome God could want to bother with and pay attention to “mere puny man.”  But, to God, man is very important.  To God, we are important.  To God, you are important.  Man was created in the image and after the likeness of God.  Man was actually created a little lower than God himself.  Man was created above the angels and placed in charge of everything that God had made.  Everything, the entire creation was placed under man’s authority.  Man is very important to God.

“You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb.  Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex!  It is amazing to think about.  Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it.  You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion!  You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe.  Every day was recorded in your book!  How precious it is, Lord, to realize that you are thinking about me constantly!  I can’t even count how many times a day your thoughts turn toward me.  And when I waken in the morning, you are still thinking of me” (Psalm 139:13-18 TLB)!

David would go on to recognize that it was God who had made him this wonderfully complex individual, woven together from the very beginning of his existence in the womb of his mother.  David credits God with forming and knitting together all of the delicate inner parts of his body, resulting in what he calls “marvelous workmanship.”  However, the most revealing of David’s revelations is the fact that God’s thoughts continually turn toward him, so much so that he finds it impossible to keep up a daily count.  Man is very important to God.

Man has been and will continue to be very important to God.  He knows everything there is to know about you, from the time of your birth through the time of your death before.  He knows your every thought.  He sees every tear.  He hears your every call.  He is there whenever you go and whenever you return.  God even knows the number of hairs that you have on your head.  How awesome is that!  Man is very important to God.  You are very important to God.

As always, we pray that our inspirational message will be a blessing to you, that it will greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: You Have A Purpose

Did you know that God has a plan, a purpose for your life?

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).

Yes, it is true.  God has a great plan, a purpose for your life.  God wants you to succeed and not fail.  You were not created to fail, no matter what has happened in your past or what it appears like now.  God’s plan has always been for good, meant to prosper you, a plan to give you hope and to give you a future.  His plan never included evil that was meant to harm you.  How awesome is that!  Did you know that you are called and set apart for a heavenly purpose?

“But you are not like that, for you have been chosen by God himself—you are priests of the King, you are holy and pure, you are God’s very own—all this so that you may show to others how God called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.  Once you were less than nothing; now you are God’s own.  Once you knew very little of God’s kindness; now your very lives have been changed by it” (I Peter 2:9-10 TLB).

According to scripture, this is one thing that we can be sure of, “God has set us apart the godly for himself” (Psalm 4:2 NLT).  Once we were separated from God, a creation that was living in total darkness.  But now, because of what Jesus Christ has done for us and because of God’s unmerited grace, we have been called out of the darkness and into his marvelous light.  And because we have answered the call, we are now set apart to show others how to answer that same call, to bring them out of the darkness and into God’s wonderful light, something that can change their life.

“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT).

This we know and are very conscious of that our God will cause everything, all things both good and bad, to work together for good to those who have love for him.  However, please do not misunderstand what this is saying as many believers have done.  Though the scripture goes on to say that these things also work together for good to who are “called according to his purpose for them,” you must first answer the call for things to work for good.  God has not called forth certain individuals as many “predestination messages” try to claim (Romans 8:29-30).  The call has been issued to everyone, no one left out, no one omitted, “For there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11).  This means that God treats everyone the same, giving all the same opportunity to answer the call, which is evident in John 3:16, where it clearly states that “God so love the world.”  Please note that God did not specifically name a single person or a group of people.  God actually made available, to all mankind, a way for him or her to be saved and to receive salvation, but you must answer the call.

“For from the very beginning God decided that those who came to him—and all along he knew who would—should become like his Son, so that his Son would be the First, with many brothers.  And having chosen us, he called us to come to him; and when we came, he declared us ‘not guilty,’ filled us with Christ’s goodness, gave us right standing with himself, and promised us his glory” (Romans 8:29-30 TLB)?

What God “knew beforehand” was those who would answer the call.  What he “predestined or prearranged” was the fact that those who chose to answer the call, would be conformed to the “image or nature” of Jesus, much like he “predestined or prearranged” that we would conformed to the “image or nature” of Adam, in the beginning.  Just like in Adam, all were “made sinners and fill with an evil sinful nature” (Romans 5:19), it would be in Jesus that all would have the opportunity to be “made righteous, to be declared not guilty, to be filled with the goodness of Christ, and to have right standing with God” (Romans 8:30).

So you see, God has a great plan and purpose for your life.  Knowing your purpose will give meaning to your life.  However, you have to answer his call and come from the darkness and into his marvelous and wonderful light.  There is nothing else that matters more than knowing and following God’s plan and purpose for your life.  Trust God because he has declared that he knows the plans he has for you; plans to prosper you and not hurt or harm you; plans to give you hope and a future.

As always, we pray that today’s inspirational message will abundantly bless you, greatly inform you, and that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by this message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW

Devotion: Keep Your Eyes On The Prize

Believe that no matter what you are going through, the Lord is with you!

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Moses, when he was a hundred and twenty years old and forbidden to go over the Jordan, told the children of Israel to “be strong and of good courage; not to be afraid” as they prepared to go over the Jordan into the Promised Land, led by Joshua.

“And the Lord, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither

“forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed” (Deuteronomy 31:8).  “...as I was with Moses, so I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee” (Joshua 1:5).

Moses then called forth Joshua to tell him in the presence of the children of Israel “be strong and of good courage” as he instructed him and the children of Israel to go into the land which the Lord had promised to give to their fathers.  Moses went on to tell Joshua that the Lord would “be the one to go before them” into the Promised Land and that they should not worry because the Lord would “be with him,” no matter what; he would “never fail him nor would he forsake him.”  After the death of Moses, the Lord came to Joshua and told him that he would be with him the very same way he was with Moses and that he would “never to fail him nor forsake him.”

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

The Lord also spoke to Israel, during the time of Jacob, saying, “fear not, for I am with you.”  He went on to tell them that he would “strengthen them, help them, and uphold them.”

“And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do it: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the Lord God, even my God, will be with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord” (I Chronicles 28:20).

David would call to Solomon and tell him these same instructions, “be strong and of good courage and fear not nor be dismayed” at the task that was ahead of him.  David would go on to say to his son that the Lord would “be with him” and that the Lord would “never fail him nor would he forsake him.”

“Let your conversation (conduct) be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.  So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall (can) do unto me” (Hebrews 13:5-6).

Throughout scripture, we find the Lord God telling us that he will “be with us” and that he will “never fail us nor will he forsake us,” something that we can be sure of.  We have to believe and never lose sight of the fact that no matter what we are going through, God is with us.  We cannot look at all of the troubles that we see all in front of us, all of those things that we see happening in the world because they will all be over soon.  We need “to be strong and of good courage” as we look forward to the joys that we have yet to see, for the joys to come will last forever.  We should fear not or be dismayed and we should not worry because the Lord is truly with us; he will “not fail us nor forsake us,” he will keep us “in perfect peace all those who trust in him and whose mind is stayed on him” (Isaiah 26:3).  All we have to do is just keep our eyes on the prize.

May our inspirational message abundantly bless you and greatly inform you.  We pray that you will be the better for having read it.  If blessed by today’s message, please share so that others may be blessed as well.  Amen.

Enjoy your blessings - KW