Menu
Weekly Devotional | Seeing Is Not Believing

Weekly Devotional | Seeing Is Not Believing

Weekly Devotional 

September 24 – 30

Seeing Is Not Believing

Scripture: “Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,” I Peter 1:8

Devotional: When I was a child, I would anticipate looking forward to certain events each year, in particular the Fall, the beginning of a new school year, Thanksgiving, and of course, my favorite holiday, Christmas!  I would get so excited and so enthused as these days on the calendar approached.  My level of excitement was not based on what I knew or what I could see, but it was based on knowing that my parents would ensure that we, as a family, would have a wonderful experience, regardless of the struggles that we were having financially.   Now, if I had that kind of excitement about the anticipation of those events, shouldn’t my level of joy be even more for my God, who is the creator and sustainer of all things?   No wonder Jesus said to his disciple, Thomas, “blessed is those who have not seen but yet they believed.

Prayer: My Father, who art in Heaven, Holy is thy name!  We bless you and we adore you for being the only true and living God; thank you for being everything to us!  Now Lord, remind us to just think about your goodness and exercise our faith in you, and let us know that this joy that we have can only come from thee, in your darling Son, Jesus’ name we pray Amen!

Reflective Question: If you could visibly see God, what would He look like to you?
Weekly Devotional | Seeing Is Not Believing

Weekly Devotional | Sweet Rest in My Worship

Weekly Devotional 

September 17 – 23

Sweet Rest in My Worship

Scripture: “For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.”  –Exodus 20:11

Devotional: Many of us grew up in homes where there was no option in terms of going to church; you were going to the church for Sunday School and Morning Worship, period.  In fact, we had to prepare for going to church on Sunday on that Saturday before in regard to what we would wear and what we would be giving in the offerings.  Sunday meals were prepared on that Saturday.  In other words, we were raised that nothing would interfere with our Sunday as we made our way to the church.    Looking back on those days, when stores and businesses were closed, the focus, whether you went to church or not, believer or nonbeliever, was keeping Sunday less hectic and allowing one to rest.  Though we no longer live in a time where those days exist, as Christians, we must find time daily to rest and find refuge in our appreciation of our God and you will discover” how sweet it is” to worship the life-giver King, Jesus Christ!  

Prayer: Sovereign Lord, you are so worthy of our worship and praise!  Father, we thank you for choosing us in such a time as this and giving us the ability to participate in ministry in being light to a dark world.  Now Mighty God, enable us to never neglect true authentic worship to you even when the business of ministry gets in the way; bring to our memory how great you are and remind us that our lives can be so much sweeter as we love you, in the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen and Amen!!!

Reflective Question: Is working in ministry keeping you from appreciating who God is?
Weekly Devotional | Seeing Is Not Believing

Weekly Devotional | No Competition In Winning Souls

Weekly Devotional 

September 10-16

No Competition In Winning Souls

Scripture: I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7

Devotional: “Are you ready for some football?”  We are all familiar with the theme song of Monday Night Football as the NFL season kicks off this week and personally, it is one of my favorite times of the year.  I enjoy the excitement and the pageantry that comes with watching America’s greatest pastime.  As much as I enjoy the games, and remember, it is just a game, nothing compares to someone giving their life to the Lord Jesus Christ.  In fact, Heaven rejoices if just one repents than ninety-nine of us who are in Christ!  So, as we prepare to cheer for our favorite NFL team, remember you are on The Greatest Team with the Owner, President, General Manager, Coach, and Quarterback in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ; that worth you and I getting excited when someone joins our team, Team Christian!!!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for choosing us as your children and being a part of your family!  Let us never take that for granted and fill our hearts with joy and excitement when someone gives their life to Jesus Christ and encourages us to be bold witnesses as we share the goodness and graciousness of Him with those who will come our way in His name we pray, Amen and Amen!!!   

Reflection Question: Are you more excited about the NFL season starting or someone coming down the aisle this Sunday?

Weekly Devotional | Seeing Is Not Believing

Weekly Devotional | On The Lord’s Witness Stand

Weekly Devotional 

September 3-9

On The Lord’s Witness Stand

Scripture: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Devotional: “Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God?”  These are words that you will hear in a courtroom as one prepares to share what they have seen and what know regarding someone who’s on trial.  As children of God, we take the stand as a witness daily to testify about the goodness and the graciousness of our God through Jesus Christ, our Lord!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we are your chosen vessels!  Thank you for loving us enough to allow us to be your hands and your feet to those that we may encounter today and let us be bold witnesses to share your saving grace, through your son and our savior Jesus Christ we pray,  Amen and Amen!!!

Reflection Question: What topics are you spending the majority of your time sharing with others about?

Weekly Devotional | Seeing Is Not Believing

Weekly Devotional | Being Saturated By His Love

Weekly Devotional 

August 27 – September 2

Being Saturated By His Love

Scripture: The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail..” Isaiah 58:11

Devotional: In all of my years here on planet Earth, I don’t ever recall experiencing what we are witnessing every day during this summer of 2023. During the past few weeks, we have seen record temperatures well over 102 degrees each day and soaring to numbers that are mind-blowing.  In the midst of all this, this verse reminds us that God is able to guide us through unbearable times and will strengthen us because His grace is like an everlasting water sprinkler that showers us with His love!

Prayer: Eternal and Majestic Father, we worship you and give you glory, honor, and praise for being our Rock in a weary land. Thank you for your protection and your provision during these extremely hot days physically but also for being our shield and covering us emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Now Lord, remind us to never give up or never give in and put us in a place where we can feel your presence falling fresh on us each day; for you are a God who never fails, In the name of Jesus, we pray, Amen and Amen! 

Reflection Question: Can you describe feeling God’s presence when the heat is on in your personal life?

Weekly Devotional | Seeing Is Not Believing

Weekly Devotional | Just For Me

Weekly Devotional 

August 20 – 26

Just For Me

Scripture: You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6

Devotional: Have you ever felt that the odds of you winning or attaining success in a particular event, career, or personal achievement were possible when others doubted you?   Sometimes we wonder to ourselves, “How did I accomplish this or how did get to this position?”  In most instances, if we really take a retrospect of our lives, we recognize that this was an impossibility to achieve all by ourselves but because of the assistance from someone, now this is a reality.  As children of the Most High God, we know what we have in Jesus Christ is manifested in God’s love for us because we Jesus paid the price just for you and just for me! 

Prayer: Holy and Righteous God, we adore you and we appreciate all that you have done for us; for You have brought us back into right relationship with you through your darling son, Jesus Christ, our Lord!   Thank you for loving us and redeeming us!  Now Father, remind us that aside from You, we cannot do anything but with You all things are possible!   We give glory and honor for who You are, in that wonderful name of Jesus, Amen! 

Reflection Question: Do you recognize how valuable you are to God?

Weekly Devotional | Seeing Is Not Believing

Weekly Devotional | Being Happy In Him Alone

Weekly Devotional 

August 13 – 19

Being Happy In Him Alone

Scripture: Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4

Devotional: Many of us work out or exercise because it is our desire to be healthy. While we may do this routinely and many times don’t really just enjoy it, we know that it is good for our bodies, and we prepare our minds and, in many instances, end up finding satisfaction in it.  In our walk as Christians, the Psalmist reminds us to likewise trust God and enjoy Him even when we do not always feel it because, in due season, you and I will reap a harvest of His joy and peace, which, ultimately, will bring happiness to our hearts! 

Prayer: Father, You are awesome, you are majestic; we thank you for being our Joy!  Now Lord, give us the willingness and realization to see what we have in You and in You alone.  We worship and we adore You for who You are; we cannot thank You enough and through our gratitude, enable us to experience You and find true delight and pleasure in knowing You!  We give You praise through Jesus Christ, who died and resurrected for us, in Him we pray, Amen and Amen! 

Reflection Question: What brings a smile to your face when you think about the Lord? 

Weekly Devotional | Seeing Is Not Believing

Weekly Devotional | From Fear to Faith

Weekly Devotional 

August 6 – 12

From Fear to Faith

Scripture: For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” 2 Timothy 1:7

Devotional: In grade school, many of us, unfortunately, were bullied by those who were bigger and thought they were tougher than everyone.  Looking back, we thank God for family and friends who would do their best to strengthen and encourage us as children.  The Apostle Paul’s message to Pastor Timothy is clear:  stand strong in the Lord because He lives inside of you and His power and presence will make the difference when opposition comes your way; remember you are an overcomer!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for being an Ever-Present help for us during days of difficulty.  We know that the enemy comes against us day by day, but we thank you for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit who lives, and reigns in us.  Thank you for not giving us a spirit of fear but one of faith; we give you glory and honor in Christ Jesus we pray, Amen and Amen! 

Reflection Question: What are you using today to fight the bullies in your life?

Weekly Devotional | Seeing Is Not Believing

Weekly Devotional | To Do or Not to Do?

Weekly Devotional 

July 30 – August 5

To Do or Not to Do?

Scripture: Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

Devotional: “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?”   This line from the wicked witch in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs reflects the power of what we think we see, or what we want to see.  However, good, flawless mirrors always tell the truth regardless of what we think or what we interpret.  When we look at the mirror of God’s word, we see our imperfections, but we also see Christ’s perfection and through Him, we have restoration as a result of living His word and not just hearing his word!

Prayer: Lord, we love You and we praise your Holy name!  Help us to prepare our hearts and minds to be active and willing participants for your Kingdom.  Heavenly Father, allow us to be devoted to discipling ourselves to carry out the power of your Holy Word which you have given to us, in order that we be your witnesses to those that we may encounter, in Jesus Christ we pray, Amen and Amen! 

 

Reflection Question: What will you do when you encounter someone who needs encouragement?

Weekly Devotional | Seeing Is Not Believing

Weekly Devotional | Are You Ready For Your Encounter?

Weekly Devotional 

July 23 – 29

Are You Ready For Your Encounter?

Scripture: Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;Jeremiah 1:5a

Devotional: One of the beautiful things that I often received as a minister of our church is a card of appreciation for something that someone felt I had done to encourage them or to enrich their lives during their time of crisis. While it is a wonderful gesture and now, I am being blessed and encouraged by the member or family of a love one, sometimes I wonder, why will someone take the time to write out a card, and mail if off when I am just doing what I have been called to do?  The truth of the matter is simply this:  we all have been set apart to be a blessing to those we encounter who need to see Jesus though our acts of kindness and to display love toward them and one another! 

Prayer: My Father and My God, we thank You for Your Grace and Your Mercy; for You, alone, are worthy of our Praise!  Thank you for consecrated hearts and minds to do what You have called us to do; we give You Glory and Honor for being your vessels in the world today.  We pray that You will remind us to be ready, all at times, to be used in Your service for Kingdom building, in the name of Jesus Christ, our Rock and our Redeemer we pray, Amen!!!

 

Reflection Question: What will you do when you encounter someone who needs encouragement?