JACKS DAILY DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS
Having a “statement of faith” is a good thing because it lets people know your beliefs and values and where you stand on issues pertaining to faith.
But it also carries with it a certain danger.
That danger being that some end up portraying the thought that they know every thing about the subject of faith and relationship with God.
You can end up believing you know all there is to know about the subject… or at least all that is important to know… and still be missing the point and or the truth.
(Hosea 6:3) is a powerful and symbolic verse that speaks to the faith and commitment of the people of Israel.
The verse is part of the larger context of the book of Hosea, which is a prophetic message that addresses the unfaithfulness of Israel and the consequences of their actions.
In this verse, the prophet Hosea is calling the people of Israel to return to the Lord and follow him with renewed dedication and devotion.
The verse begins with the statement, "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord."
“If we follow on to know the Lord”!
This phrase highlights the idea that true knowledge and understanding of the Lord… comes from following Him.
The word "know" in this context is not merely intellectual knowledge…but a deep and intimate understanding of God and His ways.
This implies that the people of Israel need to actively seek the Lord and pursue a relationship with Him in order to truly know Him.
And the same is true for you and I.
A relationship with God does not automatically begin and you don’t really know God until you have sought after Him… passionately followed after Him, and made “knowing Him”… a priority in your life.
Just going to church does not make you a “knower of God” or “one who knows God”.
The Bible challenges us to keep learning and growing spiritually.
“Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord.”
God wants us to understand there is more about Him to be revealed than we currently know.
That’s why you must always keep your mind open.
The day you stop “following” God or “pursuing” God… is the day you stop learning more about God and growing spiritually.
Paul wrote (1st Corinthians 2:9-12)… “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined… what God has prepared for those who love Him.
But it was to us that God revealed these things by His Spirit.
For His Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.
No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit.
But we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit)… so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us”.
God’s plan for humanity is to fulfill the unconditional promises of blessing that He had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and to bless the people in the land.
But before He would fulfill those covenants of blessing for Israel, God would ensure that they were not placing confidence in their own efforts and righteousness.
God wanted to ensure they would seek Him with all their heart.
They would call upon Him and pray to Him, and He would listen to them.
While many of the Old Testament prophecies and promises are specifically related to the people of Judah and Israel… the principle that God will draw near to those… who draw near to Him… is a truth recorded in (James 4:8)
But we have to draw near to God on His own terms… with clean hands and purified hearts that only God can provide… by grace… through faith in Jesus Christ.
(Ephesians 2:8-9) “for by grace are ye saved thru faith and that not of yourselves but it is the gift of God… not of works lest any one should boast”.
While much of Jeremiah’s letter records the words of God for the exiled people of Judah… readers today can benefit from recognizing that the same God who said, “You will find me when you seek me with all your heart”… has also told us that we can “draw near to Him and He will draw near to us” (James 4:8)… and that “He will never leave or forsake us” (Hebrews 13:5).
So the word for you today is… there is more to be revealed about God than the human mind can comprehend… but don’t stop trying to know Him or understand Him… because the effort is well worth it.
God says “If you seek me you will find me”!
Good Day
(Philippians 4:13) “I can do all this through Christ whom strengthens me”.
One of the quickest ways to get discouraged is to try living the Christian life in your own strength.
It’s like trying to lift yourself up by your own bootstraps… it cannot be done.
Indeed, God designed it that way.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments… and I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper that He may abide with you forever…the Spirit of truth… whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him… but you know Him… for He dwells with you and will be in you” (John 14:15-17).
God’s commandments are never too difficult for us to follow if we do them through Christ’s indwelling strength.
And you must learn to draw on that strength daily.
He is in you and with you at all times to enable you to do what you cannot do… and to do with ease what you would otherwise find hard to do without Him.
Paul talked about the constant struggle between his flesh and his spirit.
At times it drove him to despair.
Then he gave us the key to victorious Christian living saying…(Philippians 4:13) “I have strength for all things in Christ… Whom empowers me, strengthens me and sustains me”.
I am ready for anything and equal to anything… through Him Who infuses inner strength into me… I am self-sufficient in Christ’s sufficiency”
In Christ… in Christ… in Christ!
I think the saints of old knew that truth when you think back to some of the old hymns they wrote and sang.
Remember the old hymn… “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.
How about… “Victory in Jesus my Saviour for ever… He sought me and He bought me”...
Learn from the light bulb… it cannot illuminate itself… but when it’s connected to an electrical power source… all that’s required is to flip a switch.
What is the switch you ask?
Its called choice… “choose ye this day whom you shall serve”.
When you choose to put God first in every thing you do… according to His Word… you can arrive in time, on time, every time, at the right time, all the time, with lots of time.
In Christ… in Christ… in Christ!
Paul writes in (Romans 7:18)…” For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing… for to will is present with me… but how to perform that which is good I find not”.
Then in the very next chapter (Romans 8:1) He starts off by saying…
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are “in Christ Jesus”, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life “in Christ Jesus” hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
The phrase “In Christ” is used 76 times in the New Testament of the Bible… do you think Paul and Peter realized and knew something that we need to learn?
So do it in Christ’s strength, not your own.
Good Day!
(Philemon 1:6) “I pray that the faith you share will make you understand every blessing we have in Christ.”
If you’re struggling with self-worth, or inferiority… the answer to self confidence is knowing what you have… and who you are “in Christ.”
Now don’t stop here… over the years I have often talked about the need to humble ourselves and to remove, forsake, and get rid of “confidence in ourselves” so to speak… so perhaps you might be thinking “Jack have you lost it… are you confused?
Well suffice it to say that I am not confused… nor have changed my stance on this topic of self confidence and self worth in my flesh!
I do not take pride in… or have confidence in the flesh concerning my works or what I can do!
And I take that stand because of Paul’s words to the Philippians in (Philippians 3:3)… “we who serve God by His Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus… and who put no confidence in the flesh”
The phrase “take no confidence in the flesh” comes from Paul’s insistence that true believers should not rely on human efforts or achievements for their identity and or salvation.
Instead… we… believers in Christ should boast about Christ Jesus and what He has done in our lives… and what He is using us to do in the lives of others... thru the Power of the Holy Spirit.
The word “flesh” as used in this text refers to any effort, achievement, or accomplishment outside of Christ.
Instead of boasting about our capabilities… we should boast about the Lord
This teaching of Paul’s contrasts the self-righteousness of his past with the grace and strength he has now found in Christ… highlighting the importance of spiritual transformation over physical accomplishments.
To have no confidence in the flesh is to forsake “self-reliance” and depend solely on God.
It means constantly returning to the foot of the cross, acknowledging our need for Christ’s redeeming work, and rejecting the temptation to claim any spiritual or moral achievement as our own.
It also involves humbly recognizing that every good thing in our lives is due to God’s grace and not our worthiness (Ephesians 2:8–9).
To have “no confidence” in the flesh… is to completely depend on Christ and forsake placing confidence in our own works.
True circumcision is of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the Mosaic Law (Romans 2:29).
As believers, we must redefine our notions of success in terms of its relation to Christ and His people.
As we learn to have no confidence in the flesh… we become more attuned to the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit… who makes us effective witnesses of the gospel.
Let us then strive to surrender ourselves to God, living out our faith by the power of the Spirit.
There is however... a “Godly self confidence” that we all need to acquire… and that Godly self-confidence is acquired or found… developed “in Christ”.
Paul wrote, “I pray that…you understand every blessing we have in Christ.”
Here are some practical steps you can take to increase your sense of Godly self-confidence and self-worth.
(1) Don’t speak negatively about yourself.
Instead of focusing on your weaknesses and flaws… start acknowledging and verbalizing every good thing you have “in Christ.”
Peter writes (2nd Peter 1:3-4)… “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a Godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him… He has given us great and precious promises. These promises… enable you to share in His divine nature”.
(2) Avoid comparing yourself to others.
One day Peter pointed to John and asked, “Lord, what about him?” (John 21:21).
Jesus corrected him by saying, “What is that to you… You must follow me?” (John 21:22).
Instead of comparing yourself with others, work on being conformed to the character qualities of Christ.
(3) Let God determine your worth.
As His redeemed child… God sees you clothed in the righteousness of Christ… therefore you are always loved and accepted by Him
(2nd Corinthians 5:21) “God made Him (Christ) who had no sin… to be sin for us… so that in Him (Christ)… we might become the righteousness of God.
(4) Keep your flaws in perspective.
It’s okay to see where you need to improve… but make sure you appreciate your progress in Christ. (Hebrews 10:35) “Cast not away your confidence in Him (In Christ) which hath great recompense of reward”
(5) Discover the true source of confidence.
If you place your confidence in God, you can’t help but have a healthy attitude.
Confidence in God who is at work in you is essential to a strong faith.
It allows believers to trust His promises and love… especially during challenging times.
The Bible encourages us to have confidence… not in ourselves or in worldly activities but in God… who is faithful and unchanging.
You can have confidence… you can possess self worth… because you know… that you know... that God is on your side… and He has a plan for you in Christ.
(Jeremiah 29:11) "He has plans for our future… filled with hope and purpose which can strengthen our confidence in Him".
So in everything you lay your hand to… do your best… be the best you… you can be… and leave the results to Him.
Good day!
(Exodus 20:17) “You must not covet…anything…that belongs to your neighbour.”
Envy, in essence, accuses God of being unfair… a respecter of other people and unaware of what’s best for our lives.
Therefore, as a people whom claim to trust God in all aspects of our lives…we should engage in an all-out campaign, a war against envy when it sticks its ugly head up and into our business and life.
James insists that a believer’s life and behaviour are a litmus test… “If you are wise and understand God’s ways… then prove it… by living an honourable life, doing good works with the humility that comes from wisdom” (James 3:13).
If a Christian holds bitter envy and selfish ambition in the heart, in essence, he is living a lie contrary to the wisdom of God.
True wisdom from God flows from a place of humility.
It seeks to magnify and glorify the Lord alone,
It does not seek self-promotion.
It rejoices when a brother or sister in Christ succeeds and graciously strives to live in harmony with others.
On the other hand, worldly wisdom is based on the carnal need to exalt oneself.
It secretly envies and critiques others.
It causes a person to boast, deny the truth, and harbour bitter envy in his heart.
When earthly wisdom seeps into the church, it can manifest as selfish, flesh-driven promotion… and a desire for personal gain and glorification.
A sobering revelation of this truth is found in (Acts 5:1-11) with the story of Annanias and Saphira …whom became envious of the attention given to Barnabas and others of the early church whom had gained respect and praise from other early church believers for their unselfish act of generosity… by giving money from the sale of a piece of land to the church so that others could have their needs met.
Filled with envy, Annanias and Saphira conspired to gain the praise of their neighbours by selling some land as well… but only gave a portion of the sale to the church and the support of the needy… and there was nothing wrong with that decision so far… according to (Acts 5:3)
But when asked if the portion they were giving was the whole amount… envious of the praise of Barnabas and others… they lied and said yes that it was the whole amount.
However in their lie… they were exposed by the Holy Spirit of their envious malignant jealousy… and as a result… breath/life was removed from them and they died in the grip of envy and sin for lying to God and the Holy Spirit.
A person who harbours bitter envy may see himself as zealous for the truth, but, in reality, he is bitter, angry, and full of personal pride.
God and others around him can see how far he is from the truth.
Bitter envy breeds contention, destroys unity, and brings disorder to the church (see 1st Corinthians 3:3)… (2nd Corinthians 12:20)… and (Galatians 5:20)
Bitter envy arises from sin in the heart… and is profoundly destructive… (Proverbs 14:30… “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones”
The Bible calls Christians to examine their hearts to see if they are pure and to test their actions to see if they are in the faith, living according to God’s wisdom…(1st Corinthians 11:28) (Psalm 139:23-24)
We must get rid of fleshly sins such as hatred, jealousy, envy, discord, and selfish ambition (Galatians 5:19–21)…
(Romans 13:13) “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy”.
(Proverbs 23:17) “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord”.
If we don’t… the sin of envy will lead to our downfall (Psalm 37:1-2)
God’s love “does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking” (1st Corinthians 13:4–5).
When God saves us, He gives us new life through the Holy Spirit, freeing us from lives “full of evil and envy”
(Titus 3:3-5) states clearly that “we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and deluded slaves to various desires and pleasures… living in malice and envy… hateful our selves and hating one another.
But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared… He saved us…not because of righteous or good things we had or had not done… but because of His mercy”.
This passage of scripture from Titus emphasizes the transformation brought about by Gods mercy and kindness… highlighting that salvation is a gift… rather than a result of our own deeds.
So if you find that you are leaning toward being envious of those whom God seems to be blessing and you don’t seem to be included… I encourage you to implement these next six steps into your life.
A sobering revelation of this truth is found in (Acts 5:1-11) with the story of Annanias and Saphira …whom became envious of the attention given to Barnabas and others of the early church whom had gained respect and praise from other early church believers for their unselfish act of generosity… by giving money from the sale of a piece of land to the church so that others could have their needs met.
Filled with envy, Annanias and Saphira conspired to gain the praise of their neighbours by selling some land as well… but only gave a portion of the sale to the church and the support of the needy… and there was nothing wrong with that decision so far… according to (Acts 5:3)
But when asked if the portion they were giving was the whole amount… envious of the praise of Barnabas and others… they lied and said yes that it was the whole amount.
However in their lie… they were exposed by the Holy Spirit of their envious malignant jealousy… and as a result… breath/life was removed from them and they died in the grip of envy and sin for lying to God and the Holy Spirit.
A person who harbours bitter envy may see himself as zealous for the truth, but, in reality, he is bitter, angry, and full of personal pride.
God and others around him can see how far he is from the truth.
Bitter envy breeds contention, destroys unity, and brings disorder to the church (see 1st Corinthians 3:3)… (2nd Corinthians 12:20)… and (Galatians 5:20)
Bitter envy arises from sin in the heart… and is profoundly destructive… (Proverbs 14:30… “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones”
The Bible calls Christians to examine their hearts to see if they are pure and to test their actions to see if they are in the faith, living according to God’s wisdom…(1st Corinthians 11:28) (Psalm 139:23-24)
We must get rid of fleshly sins such as hatred, jealousy, envy, discord, and selfish ambition (Galatians 5:19–21)…
(Romans 13:13) “Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy”.
(Proverbs 23:17) “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord”.
If we don’t… the sin of envy will lead to our downfall (Psalm 37:1-2)
God’s love “does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking” (1st Corinthians 13:4–5).
When God saves us, He gives us new life through the Holy Spirit, freeing us from lives “full of evil and envy”
(Titus 3:3-5) states clearly that “we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and deluded slaves to various desires and pleasures… living in malice and envy… hateful our selves and hating one another.
But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared… He saved us…not because of righteous or good things we had or had not done… but because of His mercy”.
This passage of scripture from Titus emphasizes the transformation brought about by Gods mercy and kindness… highlighting that salvation is a gift… rather than a result of our own deeds.
So if you find that you are leaning toward being envious of those whom God seems to be blessing and you don’t seem to be included… I encourage you to implement these next six steps into your life.
1) Confess and repent of your impure intentions for wanting something other than for the glory of God. “But if you harbour bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth” (James 3:14).
(2) Count your blessings. Envy is rooted in dissatisfaction.
Frequently we are so upset at the good fortune of others that we can’t see our own blessings and advantages.
Somebody previously said, “Envy is the habit of counting someone else’s blessings instead of your own.”
(3) Understand what envy is telling you… about what needs to be changed in order for you to reach your destiny.
Pray this prayer…“God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
(4) If feasible, spend time with the person you envy and learn more about their secrets of success.
In the process, you may realize they have a multitude of problems and issues that will reduce your envy.
(5) When anyone is mentioned with appreciation and admiration, instead of making a negative comment about them, try speaking words of praise.
(6) Reject seeing another person’s success as your failure.
Instead of thinking their blessings came at your expense… start believing that the God who blessed them wants to bless you too.
(Jeremiah 29:11) tells us “For I know the plans I have for you says the Lord. Plans to prosper you and give you a future… not plans for evil”
Good Day.
(Exodus 33:14) “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
When you sense God’s presence and know He is with you, you can handle whatever life brings.
Try to imagine the assignment Moses had – liberating two million people from the grip of slavery… leading them through a wilderness where they were exposed to enemies and elements such as extreme heat and cold… feeding and clothing them… settling their disputes…and keeping them moving toward their destiny.
Here is what Moses prayed… “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us” (Exodus 33:15)
Moses preferred to go nowhere with God… than anywhere without Him.
This verse encourages us to ask ourselves… am I moving forward in life with God by my side?
Do we recognize the significance of His guidance in our decisions, relationships, and pursuits?
This reflection beckons us to cultivate a deeper relationship with God, one that acknowledges Him as our source of strength and direction.
Moreover, it challenges us to seek God’s presence actively, whether through prayer, meditation, or engaging with scripture.
Just as Moses would not settle for anything less than God’s presence, we too should strive to align our lives with His will, understanding that true fulfillment and purpose come from walking in communion with Him.
In essence, (Exodus 33:15) serves as a reminder that the journey of life is not merely about reaching destinations… but about experiencing the transformative power of God’s presence along the way.
When his affair with Bathsheba was exposed, David didn’t pray… “Don’t take my crown from me, or my kingdom, or my army.”
No, he knew what mattered most.
His cry was… “Do not take Your Holy Spirit from me” (Psalm 51:11)
David knew that his very existence... his life... and his future depended on the Holy Spirit being a central part of his life... with out Him (the Holy Spirit)... David knew he was lost doomed even.
In order to grow spiritually, we must develop an increasing awareness of God’s presence in our life.
Maybe your wondering how do you do that?
Instead of being a rock, become a sponge.
When you place a rock in the ocean, its surface gets wet but its core remains hard and dry.
But when you place a sponge in the ocean, the water alters the very essence of its being.
Slow down and sense God’s presence.
Begin by reading this scripture from
Write it down... repeat it over and over while opening every pore of your soul to God’s presence.
“The Lord your God is with you… His power gives you victory.
In order to grow spiritually, we must develop an increasing awareness of God’s presence in our life.
Maybe your wondering how do you do that?
Instead of being a rock, become a sponge.
When you place a rock in the ocean, its surface gets wet but its core remains hard and dry.
But when you place a sponge in the ocean, the water alters the very essence of its being.
Slow down and sense God’s presence.
Begin by reading this scripture from
Write it down... repeat it over and over while opening every pore of your soul to God’s presence.
“The Lord your God is with you… His power gives you victory.
The Lord will take delight in you, and in His love He will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you” (Zephaniah 3:17)
There is no greater satisfaction or sense of security in life... than having the experience of Gods presence in your life.
It is truly something to be desired and sought after more than any thing else in this life that you think you might need.
Good Day!
There is no greater satisfaction or sense of security in life... than having the experience of Gods presence in your life.
It is truly something to be desired and sought after more than any thing else in this life that you think you might need.
Good Day!
1st Corinthians 10:13) “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man.”
In scripture, Satan is called “the tempter” and “the accuser.”
First, he will tempt you, and when you finally succumb and fall to the temptations, then He will accuse you.
He wants you to feel unworthy and disqualified in God’s eyes.
But you’re not!
(Hebrews 4:15-16)… “We do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are… yet He did not sin.
Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need”
When you fail, stumble, fall, you can still go to God with confidence, knowing He will not only forgive you but provide the enabling grace to help you overcome temptation next time.
We all face temptation… it’s an unavoidable part of life.
Even believers who have walked with the Lord for many years deal with it.
Their areas of temptation may be different from yours, but Satan doesn’t give any of us a free pass.
However, when you are tempted… you can overcome temptation with the help of the Holy Spirit.
One of the first steps to conquering it is to start thinking it...
(Proverbs 23:7) "As a man thinketh in His heart so is he"…
Then start saying the right thing…
(Mark 11:23) "whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith".
One of the first steps to conquering temptations power and influence, is to start thinking and then saying the right things denouncing it.
The Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).
Your words give life to what you say… so, start speaking God’s Word.
Jesus said, “I give you the authority…over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).
Claim that promise today!
For what God promises… He will give you the strength to do and overcome.
Good Day!
Then start saying the right thing…
(Mark 11:23) "whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith".
One of the first steps to conquering temptations power and influence, is to start thinking and then saying the right things denouncing it.
The Bible says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21).
Your words give life to what you say… so, start speaking God’s Word.
Jesus said, “I give you the authority…over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19).
Claim that promise today!
For what God promises… He will give you the strength to do and overcome.
Good Day!
(Proverbs 2:1-9) “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you… turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding…
Indeed… if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure… then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God”.
As we continue to mine the treasure of “relationship with God”… going beyond the shallowness of living life with little purpose or fulfillment …we find there are some tools that must be used consistently, to unearth the valuable ore that holds the treasure of Gods will for you and I.
The first is a tool called discipline!
Discipline to unearthing… “the Word of God”… and its intended purpose for our lives (Proverbs 2:1)
The discipline of desire… or passion… an inner desire to experience God in all of His uniqueness… in all of His greatness.
Second is the discipline of prevailing prayer.
(Proverbs 2:2-3) “Cry for discernment… lift your voice for understanding”
Perhaps the single most overlooked discipline in the Christian life and among the most difficult… is consistent prayer.
Prevailing prayer… on going, continual and unceasing prayer.
Don’t misunderstand… I’m not suggesting we should simply spend more time in prayer.
Increasing the number of minutes talking to God should not become our focus.
Instead, let us cultivate a mind-set passionate about “building relationship with God”… a lifestyle that includes a sustained, ongoing conversation with the Lord throughout the day.
Instead, let us cultivate a mind-set passionate about “building relationship with God”… a lifestyle that includes a sustained, ongoing conversation with the Lord throughout the day.
(1st Thessalonians 5:16-18) "Rejoice always pray with out ceasing and give thanks in all circumstances".
This means to maintain an attitude of prayer throughout your daily life.
Are you plagued by worry?
Let that prompt you to unload your concerns before God.
Dismayed by conflict?
Share them with the Lord and ask for His intervention.
Perplexed by a problem?
Ask God for insight, understanding, and discernment.
Don’t save up your problems and questions for a long session later in the day.
Converse with God moment by moment, as you experience life.
Pray as you go, but don’t neglect time for reflection.
Be sure to set aside a few minutes throughout the day… five to 10 minutes or as often as necessary… find a place and a time that will allow you to clear away distractions and give your mind a break.
Nothing mystical or mysterious here… but don’t be surprised when clarity displaces confusion.
Number three is the discipline of “daily consistency”.
(Proverbs 2:4) “If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures…”
We’re talking diligence and effort here!
The saying calls us to seek God’s truths as if we are digging for silver ore likened as a treasure… and to search His mind and His will as its contained in His Word… in the same way we would pursue hidden treasures.
This is no superficial game!
It’s an earnest, diligent pursuit of the mind of Christ!
While we don’t have to earn His favor… and we can be sure that He’s not withholding insight to make us work harder…
We must nevertheless cultivate a desire for His wisdom that’s no less intense… than our natural lust for wealth.
Cultivating a desire for “divine wisdom” begins with the decision to make it a priority… and to begin pursuing it.
In (Matthew 6:21) Jesus said… “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
It’s a biological principle that you will increasingly value whatever you make a habit to pursue.
Shallowness and selfishness stand in direct conflict to Solomon’s encouragement to hunger and thirst for righteousness or a satisfying relationship with God.
Solomon declares that cultivating an earnest hunger for wisdom will be rewarded… “Then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5)
So lets determine in our lives to move from shallow living… to a deep and rewarding relationship with the One whom loves us more than we can ever imagine.
Yes it takes commitment and hard work… but as the old cliché says… “nothing worth while come easy”!
Good Day!
Are you plagued by worry?
Let that prompt you to unload your concerns before God.
Dismayed by conflict?
Share them with the Lord and ask for His intervention.
Perplexed by a problem?
Ask God for insight, understanding, and discernment.
Don’t save up your problems and questions for a long session later in the day.
Converse with God moment by moment, as you experience life.
Pray as you go, but don’t neglect time for reflection.
Be sure to set aside a few minutes throughout the day… five to 10 minutes or as often as necessary… find a place and a time that will allow you to clear away distractions and give your mind a break.
Nothing mystical or mysterious here… but don’t be surprised when clarity displaces confusion.
Number three is the discipline of “daily consistency”.
(Proverbs 2:4) “If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures…”
We’re talking diligence and effort here!
The saying calls us to seek God’s truths as if we are digging for silver ore likened as a treasure… and to search His mind and His will as its contained in His Word… in the same way we would pursue hidden treasures.
This is no superficial game!
It’s an earnest, diligent pursuit of the mind of Christ!
While we don’t have to earn His favor… and we can be sure that He’s not withholding insight to make us work harder…
We must nevertheless cultivate a desire for His wisdom that’s no less intense… than our natural lust for wealth.
Cultivating a desire for “divine wisdom” begins with the decision to make it a priority… and to begin pursuing it.
In (Matthew 6:21) Jesus said… “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”
It’s a biological principle that you will increasingly value whatever you make a habit to pursue.
Shallowness and selfishness stand in direct conflict to Solomon’s encouragement to hunger and thirst for righteousness or a satisfying relationship with God.
Solomon declares that cultivating an earnest hunger for wisdom will be rewarded… “Then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5)
So lets determine in our lives to move from shallow living… to a deep and rewarding relationship with the One whom loves us more than we can ever imagine.
Yes it takes commitment and hard work… but as the old cliché says… “nothing worth while come easy”!
Good Day!