No Catagory – Chris Creary

Consider the Ants – Daily Devotional

Chris — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 08:00:56 +0000

Consider the Ants - Daily Devotional

Laziness is a big problem for some people. They want everything but are not motivated enough to get up and make it happen. We can learn a lot from ants in this regard. We should live a purpose driven life and not waste time when we should be working. God will give us the energy to be productive and will give us the time to rest. There’s a lot that we can learn when we consider the ants so that what we are going to do today.

To Listen To The Podcast Click Below & Use This Podcast as Your Daily Devotion

Episode Notes & Bible Verses

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. – Proverbs‬ ‭6‬:‭6‬-‭11‬‬

Ants are self motivated to make it

It has no commander, no overseer or ruler…

The only people that you should tell what to do are kids. Adults should know what they are responsible for doing every day. Just like we see with the ant, they don’t have a ruler but they go out every day to collect food because they know that their survival during the winter depends on it.

Ants have great foresight

yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest.

During the summer months we may see this as a time to relax and enjoy the weather but during this season the ant is hard at work collecting food to store up for the winter. We don’t know when the seasons in our life will change but we need to recognize when we are in a season of hard work vs a season when we won’t be able to work and the opportunities are gone. Pray for discernments to recognize these seasons and make the correct decisions in your life.

Ants are purpose driven

And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back.” But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. – Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭38‬-‭39‬‬

If you ever seen a ant trying to get to some food you will see that it is very determined. If you put a rock or obstacle between that ant and the food, the ant will crawl around or over it to get to what it sets it’s mind to get. Likewise we need to have the same determination to accomplish whatever God has placed in front of us to accomplish. There may be an obstacle that try’s to block us but it’s not time for us to shrink back but we need to pray and seek God to overcome it.

Ants work together

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. – Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭24‬-‭25‬‬

If there is ever a crumb of food that is too big for one ant to cary, you will often see two or more ants working together to carry that crumb back to their home for everyone to enjoy. We need to be like these ants as well and encourage and help other believers do great things for the glory of the Kingdom of God.

Ants are stronger than you think

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. – 2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9

From our perspective ants are tiny insects and we often just step of them to kill them if they ever get in our house. But if we look at how strong an ant is compared to its size we would be amazed. An ant can carry 10–50 times their own weight. To put that in perspective, it’s like a grown man that weighs 180 pounds being able to lift and carry a full grown cow! As believers God also know the strength that he has placed in us. When challenges and obstacles come our way we all need to learn how to rest on the strength of God to overcome those challenges. So I’m not saying go lift a cow, but when you have challenges that you don’t feel like you can overcome, pray and ask God for spiritual strength to overcome and be successful.

To download the notes and prayer plan for this episode CLICK HERE.

Put On The Full Armor Of Christ And FIGHT the Good Fight Of Faith! Be Blessed!!

The Christian Life and Restoring an Old Car – Daily Devotional

Chris — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 08:00:04 +0000

The Christian Life & Restoring an Old Car - Daily Devotional

I hope I don’t lose some of you with this episode. If you didn’t know I’m a car guy. I love old Hondas. I love working on cars and I’ve been working on a restoration project for the past year and a half. In 2020 I had the opportunity to buy a 93 Honda Del Sol. It was in rough condition but I finally got it in a shape where I can drive it. Looking back at all the work I noticed there’s many of parallels between a car restoration project and the Christian life. I’m going to use this episode to show you the similarities. By the end you will see how much God loves you.

To Listen To The Podcast Click Below & Use This Podcast as Your Daily Devotion

Episode Notes & Bible Verses

A car is broken down by the world

A car is a machine. And through using it it’s mechanical parts wear out and break down. Also , depending on where you live, most cars have to deal with rust. Since the car I bought was from Canada it experienced some very harsh winters over its 29 year life span. This is the major part of the restoration of a car. Removing rust and parts that wore out over time.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. – Romans 3:23 NLT

Likewise, before we come to know Christ, we were in the world. Most of us had our behaviours and habits framed by the worlds way of thinking and not the word of God. This is similar to the rust on the car that has to be dealt with when doing a restoration project. We were in the world and picked up some bad habits because of the environment that we lived in.

You have to search for the specific car

Buying a project car to restore is different from buying a new car. First of all you know I’m your mind the exact type of car that you want to find. Sometimes the search will last a long time be as you are persistent, you will get what you are looking for. It may cost you a lot more depending on the car but if you want it, you’ll buy it.

For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— Ephesians 1:4-5

God had us in mind and chose us to for good works before the creation of the world. He wanted you and paid the price for you with the blood of his son Jesus. Though there are over 7 billion people in the world today, he specifically wants you!! Just like I had my eye out for a specific car. God has his eye out for you and wants you. God searched for us and draws us into relationship with Him by the Holy Spirit

You are Exactly who God is looking for

People asked my why would I get a Honda Del Sol. It’s slow. Has many problems with rust and a leaky roof. And it’s one of the unpopular cars that Honda made. My answer is that I wanted that car. There’s something I love about being unwanted or unpopular. And that was this car.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” – Jeremiah 1:5 NIV

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. – Psalms 139:13-14

You may think that you don’t have anything that God would want over other people. Or think that God doesn’t want to use you to do amazing things. But that’s far from the truth and doesn’t even matter. God still wants you. With all your ability or lack of ability that you think you have. He had a purpose for your life and wants to do amazing things with you. It doesn’t matter what you been through or how bad you think you are God wants you and is looking for you.

Starting the Long process of Restoration

So at this point I had the car and started working to see how much work I had to do. There was mostly a lot of rusted metal that I had to cutaway and replace. It was a long process to cut away, weld on new material and make the body of the car smooth. It took alot of time to do the job right and doesn’t really end because there will always be something to maintain.

being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. – Philippians 1:6

Sanctification is also a long process. I’m fact it’s never ends until we go to heaven. We’ve all had worldly behaviour and habits that need to be removed from our character and this process is the main work in our daily Christian lives. Learning to live like Christ. Cutting away the worldly parts of us and smoothing out our character so that we can resemble Christ. And as long as we are on this earth this process of sanctification will continue.

There will be setbacks

While I was restoring this car I didn’t have some setback when I was working on something and a tool or rusted bolt broke on my. But I just had to figure out a way to overcome that problem to finish the work on the car.

I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. – Romans 7:15-17

The Christian life is the same way. As we are working out our character and changing out habits and behaviour, there my be a time when we sin and fall back into a worldly way of behaving. When this happens know that it did not surprise God. God actually knew this before hand and made a way for you to get back in relationship with him with the blood of Jesus. So get up. Repent and get back in right relationship with God.

You can’t rush the process

While restoring this car I actually got a bit anxious and tried to rush a few steps of the bodywork process. This was a mistake. It ended up in me having to do that part of the job over again. Everyone who has an opportunity to restore a car wants it to look nice. You don’t restore it to look like junk. So it’s better to take ur time on it.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. – Philippians 4:6

We are reminded in the Bible that we are not to be anxious for anything. We are to pray and commit it into Gods hands. And as we pray and thank God, in his perfect timing we will have what we need according to his will. We have to remember that our timing is not Hods timing and if we rush to reach a level of spiritual maturity without a solid foundation of the basics we will not be a fully mature Christian standing on solid foundation.

God wants us to have fun and enjoy life

I finally got the car to a point where I can drive it without worrying that something would fall off it. It’s a good feeling not only that I worked on this car for a year and a half but that I have something that is not common and it has been modified exactly to how I would want it to be. It puts a smile on my face every time I drive it.

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:17 NIV

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

Likewise, when we follow Jesus and give our lives to him, that is just the beginning of the excitement. There is joy full of peace in Gods presence. God wants us to have good things and enjoy the life that he has given us. When we walk in his ways he promises that we will have life abundantly and that God will give us things that we can enjoy while we are here on this earth. So now that the car is in a place where I can enjoy it I pull it out of my garage once in a while and enjoy it. Giving his praise for being able to do something like this. And I make sure I give God glory through the car and make sure it has a redemptive purpose. Like using in this episode or making a new car friend that I can later share the Gospel with. When God gives us good things to enjoy, always thing if there is a redemptive purpose that you can use through it.

To download the notes and prayer plan for this episode CLICK HERE.

Put On The Full Armor Of Christ And FIGHT the Good Fight Of Faith! Be Blessed!!

Get Up & Keep Moving

Chris — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 09:00:22 +0000

Get Up & Keep Moving - Daily Devotional

As we are walking with God on a daily basis there comes a time when he was direct us to just go. Make the move. Change your position or step out in faith and do what he put on your heart to do. There are examples of this all through scripture and we can use these examples to help build out faith to step out of our comfort zone into the bigger plan that God has for us.

To Listen To The Podcast Click Below & Use This Podcast as Your Daily Devotion

Episode Notes & Bible Verses

Now there were four men with leprosy sitting at the entrance of the city gates. “Why should we sit here waiting to die?” they asked each other. “We will starve if we stay here, but with the famine in the city, we will starve if we go back there. So we might as well go out and surrender to the Aramean army. If they let us live, so much the better. But if they kill us, we would have died anyway.” So at twilight they set out for the camp of the Arameans. But when they came to the edge of the camp, no one was there! – 2 Kings 7:3-5

Lepers were not allowed in the city but were to depend on charity outside the city gate. Because of the famine and the army their situation was desperate. They thought to themselves “what do we have to lose if we make a move”? And this is the question that some of us need to ask ourselves if we are in a tough situation. There may be no other way out but to risk it and move forward boldly into what God called you to do. As we see in this passage of Scripture, God already prepared the way ahead of them.

But Peter said, “I don’t have any silver or gold for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” Then Peter took the lame man by the right hand and helped him up. And as he did, the man’s feet and ankles were instantly healed and strengthened. – Acts 3:6-7

We may be asking god for what we want and that’s all and we’ll bit God knows exactly what we need. Here the man asked for money. But through Peter God gave him the ability to walk again.

When David saw them whispering, he realized what had happened. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” Then David got up from the ground, washed himself, put on lotions, and changed his clothes. He went to the Tabernacle and worshiped the Lord. After that, he returned to the palace and was served food and ate. – 2 Samuel 12:19-20

The previous chapter gave us an account of David’s sin. This chapter gives us his account of his repentance. Thought David sinned he was not utterly cast down and by the Grace of God he was able to get up and continue to follow God. When David found out that the child died he got up and comforted his wife and continued his life. This can be a foreshadowing for us when we realize that Jesus died once and for all for all of our sins. We don’t need to dwell in our sins and mistake but He died so we can keep moving forward on our relationship with God.

Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on. Raise your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea to divide the water so that the Israelites can go through the sea on dry ground. – Exodus 14:13-16

We all know this story but think of this for a moment. This was the first time that the Israelites saw this type of miracle. They witnessed the plagues in Egypt, but to see the sea divided and dry land for them to walk through would’ve been terrifying. Same is true when God is preparing a way for us. It may look terrifying but we have to muster up the boldness and walk into what is calling us to go through. I can imagine that the hearts of the people were beating fast and that they didn’t make a sound as they were walking through the dry sea bed. Actually it was only after the sea closed up on the Egyptians that Moses and the Israelites began to sing and praise God. This is in chapter 15.

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said. “Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.” He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, “Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.” – 1 Kings 19:3-7

When discouragement sets in it’s important to do a few things. First rest and eat as what Elijah did here. Next is to pray and talk with God about the situation. Don’t keep it inside. Lastly is to return to doing what God called you to do. When you are discouraged, always go to God and remember what he called you to do. Ask for strength and keep focused on doing Gods will.

The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!” “Sir,” Gideon replied, “if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all the miracles our ancestors told us about? Didn’t they say, ‘The Lord brought us up out of Egypt’? But now the Lord has abandoned us and handed us over to the Midianites.” Then the Lord turned to him and said, “Go with the strength you have, and rescue Israel from the Midianites. I am sending you!” “But Lord,” Gideon replied, “how can I rescue Israel? My clan is the weakest in the whole tribe of Manasseh, and I am the least in my entire family!” The Lord said to him, “I will be with you. And you will destroy the Midianites as if you were fighting against one man. – Judges 6:12-16

God promises Gideon that he would be with him and told him to God in the strength that he had. Hearing this from God should be enough but Gideon still wanted confirmation. At times it may me scary to step out and do something that you have never done before. But if God is telling you to go then what else do you need to hear? I’m speaking to myself here too. Don’t make excuses for not going forward and see how God could work through you.

Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20

This is the command that all believers have to follow. We are called to go out there and make disciples. The places this will happen is in our homes, our neighbourhoods, workplaces and among our friends. Where ever we go we are to be a witness for him and share the gospel with others.

To download the notes and prayer plan for this episode CLICK HERE.

Put On The Full Armor Of Christ And FIGHT the Good Fight Of Faith! Be Blessed!!

Bible verses to Manifest the Promises of God – Daily Devotional

Chris — Mon, 01 Feb 2021 09:00:25 +0000

Bible Verses to Manifest the Promises of God - Daily Devotional

So regardless of what the prayer request is we need to always remember what the word of God says about asking. Asking God for anything that we need is not wrong actually she encourages us to ask him for anything that our hearts desires. And it’s in asking him that he can show himself strong and provide everything you need in your life. So why do you need healing financial breakthrough help finding a house to live in or if you just want peace from your enemies you have the right to go to God in prayer and ask him and they are promises in the word of God given to us that he will give you answers to those prayers so that’s what we’re going to talk about today.

To Listen To The Podcast Click Below & Use This Podcast as Your Daily Devotion

Episode Notes & Bible Verses

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! – Matthew 7:7-11 NIV

Prayer is an earthly request for heavenly intervention. There are three answers to prayer: yes, no, or wait. If you haven’t heard yes or no then keep asking. Jesus tells us to persist in pursuing God. People often give up after a few half hearted efforts and conclude that God cannot be found. But knowing God takes faith, focus, and follow through. Jesus assures us that we will be rewarded if we do not give up on our efforts to seek God.

This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. – 1 John 5:14-15 NIV

The emphasis here is on gods will not our own. How do we know that we are praying according to the will of God? First we begin with the word of God. Pray the Bible with all of his promises and commands. Let it be in your heart and on your tongue. God wants his word to be done so pray for it to be done in your life and in the life of others. If we align our prayers to his will, he will listen and you can be certain that he will give us a definite answer. So you can pray with confidence.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. – John 15:7-8 NIV

To have Jesus’s words remain in you requires more than merely reading or listening to them. You must internalize them. Another way to describe this is meditating on God’s word in order to grasp what it means and how to apply it into your life. Doing so will align our will to his well when we are praying and asking God for anything.

If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the good things of the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword.” For the mouth of the Lord has spoken. – Isaiah 1:19-20 NIV

Isaiah was a prophet during the time when the original nation of Israel had been divided into two kingdoms. Israel in the north, and Judah in the south. The northern kingdom had sinned greatly against God and the southern kingdom was heading in the same direction. They perverted justice oppressed the poor, turned from God to idols and looked for help from pagan nations rather than from God. God in his mercy was reaching out to Israel and was urging them to be willing and obedient to listen to him and he promised that they would eat the best of the land. This too is a promise for us that if we are willing and obedient and do what God says that he will bless us with the best of the land.

Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah: “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me. – Jeremiah 32:26-27 NIV

Jeremiah knew that God’s rhetorical question, “is anything too difficult for me?”Was not a multiple-choice question. Why then did God professors omnipotence? Because he was about to tell Jeremiah that after Judah’s punishment was complete, God would do the seemingly impossible. He bring the nation back to its land and the people would enjoy prosperity again and you can see that in Jeremiah 32: 36- 44. When we are praying regardless of how impossible the situation may seem we need to remember that nothing is too difficult for God.

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ – Jeremiah 33:3 NIV

This is a promise that God gave Jeremiah that when he called on to him that God will answer and show him great things. We can remember this promise as well and pray to God asking that he will show us the great things that will help us every day.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. – Psalms 37:4 NIV

David calls us to take delight in the Lord and to commit everything we have and everything we do to him. To delight in someone means to express great pleasure and joy in his or her presence. This happens only when we know that person very well. And to commit ourselves to the Lord means in trusting everything to his control and guidance. We should be willing and wait patiently for him to work out what is best for us as we pray.

You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. – James 4:2-3 NIV

James mentions the most common problems in prayer. Not asking, asking for the wrong things, and asking for the wrong reasons. Your prayers will become powerful when you allow God to change your desires so that they perfectly corresponds to his will for you. A Helpful question to ask yourself when praying about something is this: How will God’s program be advance through the answer of my prayer??

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. – Hebrews 11:6 NIV

Do you want to live in a way that pleases God? Then you must operate by faith, even if you must do so alone and go against the excepted norms of society. You must believe with expectation that God responds when you seek to please him. He wants a personal dynamic relationship with you that will transform your life. Those who seek God will find that they are rewarded with his intimate presence.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins. – Mark 11:24 -25 NIV

Spiritual authority comes through prayer and through repenting of sin. Prayer will enable us to access Gods power in our lives but unrepentant sin blocks Gods power.

To download the notes and prayer plan for this episode CLICK HERE.

Put On The Full Armor Of Christ And FIGHT the Good Fight Of Faith! Be Blessed!!

What Pleases God? Daily Devotional

Chris — Mon, 30 Nov 2020 09:00:14 +0000

What Pleases God? - Daily Devotion

The Bible says in Proverbs 16:7 “When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” So in today’s episode were going to talk about what pleases God. I’m going to find what the bible says that God is pleased with so that we can focus on doing those things. Lets get to it.

To Listen To The Podcast Click Below & Use This Podcast as Your Daily Devotion

Episode Notes & Bible Verses

And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. – Hebrews 11:6

Many of us know this verse but when reading it, you need to ask yourself the question, ”Why does faith please God?” I would answer that question by saying ”Faith is confidence in God’s power, His promises, and His tenderness towards His people. Therefore you have to have faith to believe God is God and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him diligently.

Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. – Romans 8:8 ESV

The reason why you are not able to please God when you operate in the flesh is because the flesh is sinful and perishing. Nothing done out of the flesh is able to be pure enough to be acceptable to God. Doing things in the flesh is like dressing up to go out to dinner at a fancy restaurant without taking a shower. Yes you may look good on the outside but you are not clean and might smell.

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. – Hebrews 13:16 ESV

Acts of kindness are when you give, serve and help others. These acts often times go unnoticed by other people but God sees your sacrifice and is pleased when you show love for others this way in His name.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. – Psalm 19:14

There is a connection with your heart and what comes out of your mouth. When you meditate in your heart will eventually come out of your mouth. This is why it’s not only important to watch what you say but also to guard what you meditate on in your heart. In meditating on the Word of God it is pleasing to him because, eventually your words and actions will be in line with His word.

For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, – Colossians 1:10

When you bear godly fruit, do good works, and grow in your knowledge of God it is pleasing to God. This doesn’t happen by accident, but you have to diligently and purposefully set aside time to serve, study the Word of God and fellowship with him in worship.

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. – Galatians 2:20

It is pleasing to God when we dedicate out lives to living for Christ. Our Christian life begins when we die to our old life and live according to Gods word.

You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. – Psalm 51:16-17

You can never please God by outward actions if your inward heart attitude is not right, no matter how good the actions is. God is pleased by the genuine humility that you show when you are truly sorry for your sins, intend to stop and repent.

He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love. – Psalms 147:10-11

We spend a lot of effort to sharpen our skills or increase our strength. There is nothing wrong in doing that and in fact our gifts can be used to glorify God. But when we use our skills with no regard for God, they are indeed worth little. It is reverence and trust that God desires.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8

What God wants is your live and obedience. He’s a personal God and desires a personal relationship with you. He also expects you to love your neighbors by doing them good and ministering to their needs.

But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24

Once reason you might be looking for something is because you desire it or if it pleases you to have it. This verse says that worship in spirit and truth is something the God is looking for. The question becomes now “How can you provide that kind of worship?” To worship God in Spirit is to have a heart that is in pursuit of an intimate relationship with God. To worship in truth is to worship God in a biblically accurate way.

To download the notes and prayer plan for this episode CLICK HERE

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Put On The Full Armor Of Christ And FIGHT the Good Fight Of Faith! Be Blessed!!

Strength In Time of Need

Chris — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 09:00:40 +0000

Strength In Time of Need - Daily Devotion

Every now and then we all need an extra level of strength to help us to accomplish something. You could have a lot of things to do in a day and you need God to strengthen you to get the things done. You could just need strength to deal with a particular difficult situation. Or you could need spiritual strength to pray or endure through in praying for something. God is there to give us strength to do his will. Let’s talk about it.

To Listen To The Podcast Click Below & Use This Podcast as Your Daily Devotion

Episode Notes & Bible Verses

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

It’s by Gods strength that you can accomplish all things that are in line with His will for you to accomplish. The key knowing what God has called you to do is to see if he has given you the supernatural strength to accomplish it through His Holy Spirit.

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. – Isaiah 40:31

Hoping in the Lord is expecting that his promise of strength will help us rise above life’s distractions and difficulties. Keep this verse in mine when patiently waiting for something that you have been praying for.

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” – Deuteronomy 31:6

As Israel was about to cross over into the promise land Moses gave them a final encouragement. This was what they had been promised for years and they were at the verge of their breakthrough. It was going to be a tough battle but God was with them. As you move forward to do the will of God, know that He will never abandon you but He will be right with you.

Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord: “I will sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. Both horse and driver he has hurled into the sea. “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 ESV

The Israelites just saw the mighty hand of God swallow up their enemies in the sea and allowed them to walk through on dry land. Though this was a response to the miracle, we can use it as a reminder to praise and worship when we need God’s strength to accomplish something or for defense against the enemy.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. – Psalm 46:1-3

The Lord is a place of security for his people. He is never too busy but always available. The psalmist imagines terrible conditions on earth yet if even the worst things happens, we will not be afraid. God is always near to help us.

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds. – Psalm 73:26-28

Asaph began this psalm with “But as for me my feet almost slipped.” He finished it was But as for me , God’s presence is my good. You have to ask, what happened from verses 2-28? He encountered God in worship. In the presence of God he found truth hope and strength that he needed.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Ephesians 6:10

This verse is from Ephesians 6, where is talks about the armor Christ that we should put on daily. It is also often referring to spiritual warfare (Did an episode on this chapter back in 2019. Check the archives to listen) Standing firm in the armor of God doesn’t stop the battle from raging, but is stops it from defeating you. Keep this in mind and it will strengthen you as you stand victorious through your battles.

Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! – 1 Chronicles 16:11

If you are facing a situation that you can’t avoid and you need Gods strength to overcome, one of the things that you can do is seek Gods face for his strength. When you spend time in God’s presence through worship and praise his strength will come over you and allow you to overcome all obstacles.

To download the notes and prayer plan for this episode CLICK HERE

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Put On The Full Armor Of Christ And FIGHT the Good Fight Of Faith! Be Blessed!!

Keeping Your Ego in Check

Chris — Mon, 05 Oct 2020 08:00:42 +0000

Keeping Your Ego in Check - Daily Devotion

The word ego is defined as “a person’s sense of self-esteem or self-importance.”

This may be difficult to detect in ourselves but we need to always be honest and evaluate ourselves regularly. We are all important in God’s sight and we should treat others with the proper respect. Where we need to be careful is when we allow our view of ourselves to make us think that we are more important than the other people around us. This is when we need to keep our ego in check in order to have good relationships with others. Also, be aware of people who have egos that make you feel less that who you are which is a child of the Most High God.

To Listen To The Podcast Click Below & Use This Podcast as Your Daily Devotion

Episode Notes & Bible Verses

“I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me. – John 5:30

Everything that Jesus did was because it was initiated by the will of God. He did not seek his own will but God’s. This is what life looks like when it is completely submitted to God.

“If I testify about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who testifies in my favor, and I know that his testimony about me is true. – John 5:31-32

This witness that Jesus was talking about was John the Baptist. It’s important that we don’t go around boasting and bragging about who we are and what we’ve done. A better way to do this is to just serve or do what you are gifted to do and let other people talk about how you impacted their lives for the better.

Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” – 1 Peter 5:5

One thing that we can do to ensure that we remain humble and not let our ego get the best of us is to be accountable to someone who is more mature than we are. Peter was saying here when we do that it will prevent us from getting prideful and when we remain humble, more of God’s grace will be given to us.

Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. – Proverbs 16:18

This verse serves as a warning. When you have an ego about yourself be aware that you may be setting yourself up for a fall. We need to remember that in everything that we are doing, it’s God who is sustaining, keeping and allowing us to be successful.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. – Philippians 2:3-4

Many people live only to make a good impression on others or to please themselves. But selfishness or empty conceit brings discord. Paul stressed spiritual unity asking the Philippians to love one another and to be in one spirit and purpose. Don’t be so concerned about making a good impression or meeting your own needs that you damage a relationship in Gods family.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. – Romans 12:10

As Christians, we honor people because they have been created in God’s image, because they are our brothers and sisters in Christ, and because they have a unique contribution to make to the body of Christ. When your ego is in check you shouldn’t have any problem honoring others or putting them first.

just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” – Matthew 20:28

Using this as our example, we see that Jesus’ mission involves serving others, not to be served by everyone else. So in everything that we strive to do, we should constantly remind ourselves that we need to serve others so that we can be a blessing to them.

By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:35

This is a way that you can keep your ego in check. Seek to help others when it’s not convenient. Devote your energy and efforts to others when it may be difficult to do so. And by absorbing hurts from others without complaining or fighting back. This kind of love is hard to do but when people see and notice what you have done they will see that it’s the power of the Holy Spirit that is working through you to accomplish this.

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? – 1 Corinthians 4:7

A humble heart has no room for ego or pride or arrogance because it recognizes that all we have and all we are comes from God. We need to remind ourselves of this from time to time and thank God for all that he has done in our lives.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. – 1 Corinthians 15:10

This is one of my life verses. This verse shows us that It is all by God’s grace, so there is no room for ego or to boast about myself. (grace in 3 tenses) It’s by His grace that you are forgiven from your past. It’s by his grace that he is empowering you to do what you are doing now, and his Grace will cause you to get the results that you will get as you work to do his will. Grace in the past present and future to ensure that your ego doesn’t make you think it was only you.

To download the notes and prayer plan for this episode CLICK HERE

If you want to contribute financially to this podcast donate through Patreon CLICK HERE to donate.

Put On The Full Armor Of Christ And FIGHT the Good Fight Of Faith! Be Blessed!!

Finding your Work And Career Identity – Daily Devotion

Chris — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 08:00:09 +0000

Finding your Work And Career Identity - Daily Devotion

We all have to work but we don’t have to hate our work. In Genesis God created the garden of Eden and then placed Adam in the garden to care for it. We see here that God placed Adam in paradise which is what the Garden of Eden was and gave him something productive to do. The same is true today. God wants to place us in the perfect environment where we will enjoy working and be productive.

To Listen To The Podcast Click Below & Use This Podcast as Your Daily Devotion

Episode Notes & Bible Verses

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6 ESV

The Hebrew word to trust here means to lie down and to put your entire weigh on something. Know that your work or career is directed by God because there is a redemptive purpose to wherever he places you. Whatever career or work you do, know that God positioned you there to impact other lives or to bring others into a relationship with Him. Since this is the case God has some vested interest in you being where you are supposed to be. Therefore, you can rely on Him to direct you to where you need to be.

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord, and I will restore your fortunes and gather you from all the nations and all the places where I have driven you, declares the Lord, and I will bring you back to the place from which I sent you into exile. – Jeremiah 29:11-14 ESV

When we evaluate verse eleven in context, we see that it’s God’s promise to bless his people in the midst of a pagan culture. This, however demands more than attending church on Sunday and hearing a sermon. We must commit our hearts to the Lord 24/7 because when we worship and obey the lord through our day-to-day walk with him. He’s ready to communicate with us and lead us to where we should be.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. – Psalm 32:8 ESV

God longs to guide us with love and wisdom rather than punishment. He offers to teach us the best way to go. Accept the advice written in God’s word and don’t let your stubbornness keep you from obeying God.

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. – Proverbs 16:3 ESV

If you truly commit your way to the Lord, it means your will is in submission to his. When that happens, you’re inviting His will to be done in your life. Once you commit your work to him, obey to his leading as you seek out your business, career and work goals.

Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. – Proverbs 22:29 ESV

Since Christians should be known as those who work with excellence at whatever we do. As we are searching for purpose in our work we should look at what we can do excellently. This can be used as an indication of what we are good at.

Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going. – Ecclesiastes 9:10 ESV

Since you don’t know what tomorrow will bring, enjoy the legitimate pleasures of each day, because God richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Don’t seek enjoyment independent of him.

In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty. – Proverbs 14:23 ESV

If you want to be successful in your work, business/career, then you cant just talk about it. You have to do work, study and train to become great at what you do. Just talking about what you want will get you nothing.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. – Ecclesiastes 5:10 ESV

It’s not wrong to have money, but its wrong to love it. This is why you can’t allow money to be the only driver towards what you do as a career.

Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing. The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. – Proverbs 20:4-5

God wants us to anticipate future needs and prepare for them. We can’t expect him to come to our rescue when we cause our own problems through lack of planning and action. He provides for us but he also expects us to be responsible.

To download the notes and prayer plan for this episode CLICK HERE

If you want to contribute financially to this podcast donate through Patreon CLICK HERE to donate.

Put On The Full Armor Of Christ And FIGHT the Good Fight Of Faith! Be Blessed!!

A Christians Response to Racism

Chris — Mon, 08 Jun 2020 08:00:31 +0000

A Christians Response to Racism

By now we have all heard of the murder of George Floyd in the US by a police officer. This is only one of a number of murders that police officers have committed against unarmed black men. This episode will be a little different from my usual episodes but share what I feel is the Christians response to racism.

To Listen To The Podcast Click Below

To download the notes and prayer plan for this episode CLICK HERE

If you want to contribute financially to this podcast donate through Patreon CLICK HERE to donate.

Put On The Full Armor Of Christ And FIGHT the Good Fight Of Faith! Be Blessed!!

The Mission of Jesus

Chris — Mon, 25 May 2020 08:00:14 +0000

The Mission of Jesus

Throughout the new testament we see the mighty works that Jesus did on this earth and If you are a believer, you know that the most powerful thing that he did was die for our sins and resurrect from the dead three days later. He also showed us how to live and gave us a way to access our heavenly father through him. Let’s go into this episode to understand more about Jesus.

To Listen To The Podcast Click Below

Episode Notes & Bible Verses

Lived so that we can triumph in his name.

But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. – 2 Corinthians 2:14

The apostle Paul was talking about his ministry in these verses and in the middle he decided to Give God thanks for his ministry, his relationship through Christ and the way that God was able to use him to help others. Likewise we also need to be thankful to God that through Jesus we can minister to others who need to hear the good news of the gospel.

Give us authority and power in His name

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20

He has given us authority to Go in His name and do his will. We are to go. Weather it is to go next door or to go to another country and make disciples. It is the great commission and every Christians call. We are not all evangelist in the formal sense but we all have gifts that we can use to fulfill the great commission. As we go we have comfort knowing that Jesus is with us.

Came not to bring peace but a sword.

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. – Matthew 10:34-39

Christian commitment may separate friends and loved ones. In saying this, Jesus was not encouraging disobedience to parents or to cause conflict at home. Rather, he was showing that his presence demands a decision. Because someone will follow Christ and some wont, conflict will inevitably arise. Don’t neglect your family but remember how important your commitment to God is.

Came to set the captive & oppressed free.

“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” – Luke 4:18-20

In Jesus saying this He was saying that he was proclaiming himself as the one who would bring this Good news to pass. As we are living about 2000 years later, we see the impact that Jesus has had in our lives and in the entire world. Think about all the people he healed of physical blindness, and how may spiritual eyes he has opened. How many people have been bounded up and oppressed by the devil and through the power of Jesus they are now free. This was what Jesus came to do.

He came to fulfill the law

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. – Matthew 5:17

God’s moral and ceremonial laws were given to help people love God with all their hearts and minds. Throughout Israel’s history, these laws had been either misquoted and misapplied and by this time when Jesus arrived, the laws were turned into a confusing mass of rules. When Jesus talked about a new way to understand God’s law, he was actually trying to bring people back to its original purpose. And as we accept Christ and live in Him, we are under grace and not a slave to the law again.

Show us how to have abundant life in Him (Abide in him)

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

In contrast to the thief, who takes life, Jesus comes to give life. The life that He gives right now is abundantly fuller and richer. It is eternal yet it begins immediately at salvation. Live in Chris is lives at a higher level; because of God’s forgiveness, love, and guidance.

Jesus Died to set us free from the penalty of Sin

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b] God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. – Romans 8:1-4

Imagine that you are on death row and the judge suddenly declares you absolutely free to go. The fact is that the whole human race was in line waiting to try to pay for their sins themselves until Jesus came to die for the world. Without Jesus we would have no hope at all but thank God that he has declared us NOT GUILTY and has offered us freedom from sin and given us the power to do h

To download the notes and prayer plan for this episode CLICK HERE

If you want to contribute financially to this podcast donate through Patreon CLICK HERE to donate.

Put On The Full Armor Of Christ And FIGHT the Good Fight Of Faith! Be Blessed!!