Weekly Devotional 

September 25 – October 1

Hold Fast To What Is Good

Scripture: “I delight to do your will, O my God your law is within my heart.”– Psalm 40:8

Devotional: Inwardly, for us as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, there is a daily war being raged between our minds and our free will.  No wonder the Apostle reminds us in Romans chapter 7:15:  “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do.”  Certainly, I believe that it is the desire of all Christians to love God and give their best in service, especially in their hearts and minds but among us and always, there is this present age of evil all around us.  So what do we do?  We hold on and cling to God through our Worship to Him as we read His Word along with our Witness of Him to those around us!

Prayer: Thank you Lord for your abiding presence even when we do fall short of your glory and help us to trust You and not merely what we can see, feel, and touch.  We thank you for filling us with your Grace and Mercy and allowing us today to experience your power through the Holy Spirit to navigate through this day we pray, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!  

Reflection Questions:

1. How do you handle evilness around you?

Weekly Devotional 

September 18-24

The Truth Has Set Us Free

Scripture: “Even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”– John 14:17

Devotional: As we continue on this journey as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, It is vital that we open up our eyes and look beyond the peripheral vision.  Our focus cannot rest merely on what we can see, feel, or touch.  The word of God says in Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”  My friends, it is vital to our spiritual growth to know that you and I have been set free by the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which not only has given us eternal life but also has given us strength, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to look beyond our present condition to find rest and peace in the one who dwells in us!

Prayer: Sovereign Lord, thank you for giving us access to You through the power of the Holy Spirit; that we can recognize truth which comes from you and you alone!  We thank you for loving us and no Father, help us to engage all minds and our hearts in obedience to You in everything that we do; remind us that we have freedom in You as we look for guidance and peace, in the name of Jesus Christ, our emancipator and liberator we pray, Amen and Amen!!! 

Reflection Questions:

1. What do you need God to set you free from?

Weekly Devotional 

September 11-17

He’s Just A Prayer Away

Scripture: “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.“– Hebrew 10:24-25

Devotional: It is said that communication is the key to any successful relationship.  Whether you are married, in a friendship, or as a co-worker, being able to share with one another builds trust and understanding. Beloved, it is good to know that through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we can find rest and sweet communion as we come to the Father with our prayers and our petitions.  Ultimately, as we pray and call on that name that is above all things, we grow stronger in our love and our trust in God!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the presence of Your Holy Spirit in leading us and guiding us along this life in which we are living because we know if we follow Your will and Your way, You will not let us go astray.  We thank you for your lovingkindness and tender mercies; now Lord, enable our hearts and our minds to reflect on You and thank you for the assurance of hearing and answering our prayer, according to Your divine power, in the name of Jesus Christ we pray Amen! 

Reflection Questions:

1. Do I really trust God in all things?
2. What can I know that He hears my prayers?

Weekly Devotional 

September 4 – 10

When We All Gather Together, Things Happen

Scripture: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 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.“– Hebrew 10:24-25

Devotional: It is the simplest things in life that can bring so much peace and happiness to one’s heart.  Things such as seeing a smile on someone’s face or the joy of being content when everyone is on one accord in fellowship.  The writer of Hebrews encourages you and me to come together, to gather together as the community of faith.  Though the past few years have been very difficult on all of us as a result of the pandemic, by now being able to gather together, we have the privileged blessing of one another as we worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ together.   Because the scripture says that we “spur one another on” ultimately when we worship together, our faith, our love, and our trust in God increase. Remember this beloved, things happen when we gather together!

Prayer: Father, we thank you for the opportunity to come together as the community of faith and we pray that You remind us of the importance of gathering together.  As we reflect on Your goodness and Your mercy toward us in corporate worship, all our minds, and our hearts meditate on You and thank you for being everything that we need as we praise our Holy name, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, we pray, Amen!

Reflection Questions:

1. What do you look forward to as we gather with other Christians on Sunday?
2. Are you able to truly give total allegiance to God when you are worshipping alone?

Weekly Devotional 

August 28-September 3

Can You See My Light Shinning Through The Darkness?

Scripture: “Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.”– Micah 7:8

Devotional:The fountain of tears that you sow has a blessing in it and it shall yield a return of full measure. In Jeremiah 31:16 “Thus says the Lord keep your voice from weeping, and your eyes from tears, for there is a reward for your work, declares the Lord, and they shall come back from the land of the enemy.” You see the enemy thinks he can keep you down and you will not get up and fight but we are no longer ignorant to his schemes nor will we negotiate or buy into what he’s selling. The Lord said in Isaiah 49:2 “He made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand he hid me; he made me a polished arrow; in his quiver he hid me away.”

Application: When the stage is set and the glory of God’s light is spotlighted on you take the center stage and let your light shine ever so bright. Do not allow a hater to stop you or even entertain a spirit of hate, envy, or jealousy. The Lord said in Ecclesiastes 2:13 “I saw that wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness.”

Prayer: God you are our Commander – in Chief and we report directly to you. Lord At Thy word you will command us to walk this path and we shall go. At Thy word, you will command us to be still and we will know that you are God. Thank you dear God for allowing us to go through the various trials because through the darkness your presence was made known unto us. Lord, you said in Isaiah 60:1 “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you.” In Jesus’ name amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. The Light of God is always shining how has his light-filled your burning lamp

Weekly Devotional 

August 21-27

You Have A Reason To Live

Scripture: And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. Fishermen will stand beside the sea. From Engedi to Eneglaim it will be a place for the spreading of nets. Its fish will be of very many kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fails, but they will bear fresh fruit every month because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing. – Ezekiel 47:9-12

Devotional: You have a reason to live, your life is not over, and it’s worth fighting for. At this very moment the water is flowing down from the temple and it has everything you need to live. The Spirit of God is with you and he will lead you through the deep waters. In the water is your healing to set you free from the heavy burden of depression. In the water is your cure to heal that disease. In the water is your peace to break the chains of bondage. In the water, the thoughts of suicide are taken captive and become obedient unto the name of the Father. In the water, your marriage is saved and restored back unto the 3 strained cord. In the water, the locust can no longer eat up your finances. In the water, you are protected from every lying tongue that bears false witness. In the water, God’s grace will keep you and sustain you. 

Prayer: Lord you are the river that flows out streams of living water. Father, we know you hear our prayer and you are doing something right now. God, we believe good news is coming to the thirsty soul who longs after and seeks you. Lord, you said in Jeremiah 31:25 “For I will satisfy the weary soul, and every languishing soul I will replenish.” In Jesus’ name amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. When you look over the waters what do you see?
2. Will you trust God and enter into the waters?

Weekly Devotional 

August 14-20

You May Have Hurt Me But God Grew Me

Scripture: “After Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, David is in the Desert of En Gedi. So Saul took three thousand able young men from all Israel and set out to look for David and his men near the Crags of the Wild Goats. He came to the sheep pens along the way; a cave was there, and Saul went in to relieve himself. David and his men were far back in the cave. The men said, This is the day the Lord spoke of when he said to you, I will give your enemy into your hands for you to deal with as you wish. Then David crept up unnoticed and cut off a corner of Saul’s robe.Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord. With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. And Saul left the cave and went his way. Then David went out of the cave and called out to Saul, My lord the king! When Saul looked behind him, David bowed down and prostrated himself with his face to the ground. He said to Saul, Why do you listen when men say, David is bent on harming you? This day you have seen with your own eyes how the Lord delivered you into my hands in the cave. Some urged me to kill you, but I spared you; I said, I will not lay my hand on my lord, because he is the Lord’s anointed.

See, my father, look at this piece of your robe in my hand! I cut off the corner of your robe but did not kill you. See that there is nothing in my hand to indicate that I am guilty of wrongdoing or rebellion. I have not wronged you, but you are hunting me down to take my life. May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.” – 1 Samuel 24:1-12

Devotional: Betrayal can be very painful especially when it comes from someone within your own camp. The Lord said in Psalm 55:12-14 “If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.”

Application: Do not repay evil for evil but forgive others their trespasses as your Heavenly Father has forgiven you.

Prayer: God, we come before you to surrender every hidden pain that we have been holding onto. Lord great is thy faithfulness for your mercies are new every morning. Lord please heal us O Lord and help us to let go of the offense. Lord, you said in Proverbs 25:21 “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.” In Jesus name amen.

Weekly Devotional 

August 7 – 13

Please Quiet My Racing Heart Lord I’m Listening

Scripture: Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.”  – Psalm 25:4-5

Word of Encouragement: Will you listen and allow your ear to be attentive to wisdom? The Lord said in Proverbs 1:5 “Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance.” Why does the weight of this life have you in distress dear child of God? The Lord said in Psalm 94:19 “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.” Do you know when you are weighed down with stress it accelerates your heartbeat? You are precious in his sight and the Lord cares about you. We have the blood of Jesus flowing through our veins and nothing is impossible for those who believe. 

Application: Be still and know that he is God and he can do the impossible. The Lord said in Isaiah 32:17 “And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.”

Prayer: Almighty God please help us to stand on your word in times of uncertainty. Lord please still our spirit and help us to wait patiently for the answer to come. Lord you said in Lamentations 3:25-26 “The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him. It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” In Jesus name amen.

Reflection Questions: 

Weekly Devotional 

July 31-August 6

The Secret of Deception 

Scripture: Then she said to him, How can you say, I love you, when you won’t confide in me? This is the third time you have made a fool of me and haven’t told me the secret of your great strength. With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it. So he told her everything. No razor has ever been used on my head, he said, because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man. When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, Come back once more; he has told me everything. So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him. Then she called, Samson, the Philistines are upon you! He awoke from his sleep and thought, I’ll go out as before and shake myself free. But he did not know that the Lord had left him.  – Judges 16:15:21

Devotional: Samson was a man hand-picked by God who was destined to set Israel free from the bondage of the Philistines. God had given Samson incredible strength to overpower all his enemies on every side. Although Samson was very strong in his body he was a weak vessel in his flesh. The downfall of Samson came from him falling into the web of deception by Delilah. Samson allowed his flesh to be weakened by his love for Delilah which in return entrapped him and caused him to lose his strength, and God’s spirit had departed from him. 

Application: What lesson can we learn from the story of Samson? When God tells us to do something we need to do it. When we venture off and decide to go in another direction there are consequences for our actions. The amazing thing about our God is when we repent of our sins and we cry out to him he hears the prayers of the righteous. The second lesson we can learn from Samson is to be careful to who we tell our secrets. 

Prayer: Sovereign Lord you know every one of our weaknesses and what makes our flesh weak. Lord, you said in Ephesians 3:16 “That according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being. Father, we thank you for releasing your power through our inner being to intercede for us through our weakness. Lord, you said in 2 Timothy 2:22 “So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” In Jesus’ name amen.

Reflection Questions: