Christians, true spiritual growth requires that you consistently reject:
• The temptation to seek worldly approval
• Unforgiveness toward those who hurt you
• Secret sins that corrupt your heart
Run to Christ and walk in his strength every day.
• The temptation to seek worldly approval
• Unforgiveness toward those who hurt you
• Secret sins that corrupt your heart
Run to Christ and walk in his strength every day.
❤4🔥1
September 9: As the Lion Roars
#Devotional
Amos 1:1–4:5; Acts 8:26–9:19; Job 19:13–29
“Surely my Lord does not do anything unless he has revealed his secret to his servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who is not afraid? My Lord Yahweh has spoken, who will not prophesy? Proclaim to the citadel fortresses in Ashdod and the citadel fortresses in the land of Egypt and say: ‘Gather on the mountains of Samaria and see the great panic in her midst and the oppression in her midst!’ ” (Amos 3:7–9).
It’s easy to make excuses when we don’t know or understand something, and it’s equally hard to admit why. Amos declares that God’s plan and His work in the world are known to us—if we wish to learn. If we’re honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we’re not trying hard enough to learn about Him and His work. God speaks through His prophets and through His Word in the Bible, so there is no reason for us to be unaware of how He is working and how He wants to use us in the process.
What was true for the OT prophets was also true for the apostles. Through Philip, we see how God intimately involves people in His work. An angel tells Philip, “Get up and go toward the south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza” (Acts 8:26). It took great faith for Philip to do as the angel instructed. The last part of verse 26 adds, “This is a desert place.” Few people have encountered an angel, as Philip did, but each of us has the opportunity to experience direction from our Lord.
If we ask, God will answer. If we seek to learn how God is speaking, our path will become clear. Often we make this idea more complicated than it should be, but the work of the prophets and the early church demonstrate otherwise: Amos continued to tell of a fate that indeed came to pass, much of it in his lifetime. Philip took that desert road and led an Ethiopian man to Jesus. There is great, enduring hope for us to be part of God’s work if we’re willing to seek His will, listen, and act in faith.
What does God wish for you to know today?
#Devotional
Amos 1:1–4:5; Acts 8:26–9:19; Job 19:13–29
“Surely my Lord does not do anything unless he has revealed his secret to his servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who is not afraid? My Lord Yahweh has spoken, who will not prophesy? Proclaim to the citadel fortresses in Ashdod and the citadel fortresses in the land of Egypt and say: ‘Gather on the mountains of Samaria and see the great panic in her midst and the oppression in her midst!’ ” (Amos 3:7–9).
It’s easy to make excuses when we don’t know or understand something, and it’s equally hard to admit why. Amos declares that God’s plan and His work in the world are known to us—if we wish to learn. If we’re honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we’re not trying hard enough to learn about Him and His work. God speaks through His prophets and through His Word in the Bible, so there is no reason for us to be unaware of how He is working and how He wants to use us in the process.
What was true for the OT prophets was also true for the apostles. Through Philip, we see how God intimately involves people in His work. An angel tells Philip, “Get up and go toward the south on the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza” (Acts 8:26). It took great faith for Philip to do as the angel instructed. The last part of verse 26 adds, “This is a desert place.” Few people have encountered an angel, as Philip did, but each of us has the opportunity to experience direction from our Lord.
If we ask, God will answer. If we seek to learn how God is speaking, our path will become clear. Often we make this idea more complicated than it should be, but the work of the prophets and the early church demonstrate otherwise: Amos continued to tell of a fate that indeed came to pass, much of it in his lifetime. Philip took that desert road and led an Ethiopian man to Jesus. There is great, enduring hope for us to be part of God’s work if we’re willing to seek His will, listen, and act in faith.
What does God wish for you to know today?
❤1
September 9 - The Witnesses to the Incarnation
#LifeOfChrist
“John testified about Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, “He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.”’ For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace” (John 1:15–16).
John brought in other witnesses to the truth about the divine, preexistent, incarnate Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. He first called on John the Baptist.
That John “cried out” speaks of the bold, public nature of his witness to Jesus; he was “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!’” (Matt. 3:3). He was the herald, proclaiming the arrival of the Messiah, and calling people to repent and prepare their hearts to receive Him. Acknowledging Jesus’ preeminence, John said of Him, “He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.” Jesus, the Expected (literally, “coming”) One (Luke 7:19–20) came after John in time; He was born six months later and began His public ministry after John began his. Yet, as John acknowledged, Jesus had “a higher rank than” he did, “for He existed before” him. This is a reference to Jesus’ eternal preexistence.
The apostle also points to the witness of all believers, who “have all received” the fullness of blessing from the one who is “full of grace and truth” (v. 14). You can add your voice to that testimony by faithfully living out and proclaiming the truth of the gospel.
Ask Yourself
Spend some time today reflecting on all you have received from Christ, how “grace upon grace” has been added, multiplied, and stacked one on top of another in your life—day after day, year after year. Celebrate His grace and goodness with the measure it has been poured out on you.
#LifeOfChrist
“John testified about Him and cried out, saying, ‘This was He of whom I said, “He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.”’ For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace” (John 1:15–16).
John brought in other witnesses to the truth about the divine, preexistent, incarnate Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. He first called on John the Baptist.
That John “cried out” speaks of the bold, public nature of his witness to Jesus; he was “the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of the Lord, make His paths straight!’” (Matt. 3:3). He was the herald, proclaiming the arrival of the Messiah, and calling people to repent and prepare their hearts to receive Him. Acknowledging Jesus’ preeminence, John said of Him, “He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.” Jesus, the Expected (literally, “coming”) One (Luke 7:19–20) came after John in time; He was born six months later and began His public ministry after John began his. Yet, as John acknowledged, Jesus had “a higher rank than” he did, “for He existed before” him. This is a reference to Jesus’ eternal preexistence.
The apostle also points to the witness of all believers, who “have all received” the fullness of blessing from the one who is “full of grace and truth” (v. 14). You can add your voice to that testimony by faithfully living out and proclaiming the truth of the gospel.
Ask Yourself
Spend some time today reflecting on all you have received from Christ, how “grace upon grace” has been added, multiplied, and stacked one on top of another in your life—day after day, year after year. Celebrate His grace and goodness with the measure it has been poured out on you.
Allah: “I will cast horror into the hearts of those who disbelieve” (Surah Al-Anfal 8:12)
Jesus: “A new command I give you: Love one another.” (John 13:34)
Jesus: “A new command I give you: Love one another.” (John 13:34)
🔥4
So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
We are close to the end, and eternity, is a moment away.
Psalm 90:12
We are close to the end, and eternity, is a moment away.
❤5
The Holy Spirit is the anointing of God in you, upon you and for you. Study the word, pray, fast often and be Holy, the Power of God is in you. Stop looking for bottles elsewhere for anointing.
👍6
September 9 (Wednesday)
Dear Daughter,
Weeds and wheat grow side by side until harvest — the wise farmer does not uproot every imperfection early and risk the good with it.
Some flaws in your marriage need patience, not panic. Not every issue needs to be resolved tonight.
Discernment knows the difference between a weed and a weak stalk.
'Let both grow together until the harvest' (Matt 13:30).
What imperfection in your marriage needs patience rather than an ultimatum?
#DearDaughter #PatientDiscernment #StrongMarriage
Dear Daughter,
Weeds and wheat grow side by side until harvest — the wise farmer does not uproot every imperfection early and risk the good with it.
Some flaws in your marriage need patience, not panic. Not every issue needs to be resolved tonight.
Discernment knows the difference between a weed and a weak stalk.
'Let both grow together until the harvest' (Matt 13:30).
What imperfection in your marriage needs patience rather than an ultimatum?
#DearDaughter #PatientDiscernment #StrongMarriage
❤6
Jesus should be the passion and pursuit of every single person
❤1🤝1
Sep 9 (Wed)
Gentle words turn away wrath! 🕊️❤️ Choose softness even in disagreement! Prov 15:1 🌿
How will you soften your tone today? #StrongMarriage #September"
Gentle words turn away wrath! 🕊️❤️ Choose softness even in disagreement! Prov 15:1 🌿
How will you soften your tone today? #StrongMarriage #September"
❤2
All that God requires us to be, Christ is for us.
Charles H. Spurgeon
Charles H. Spurgeon
❤2
You can spend your entire life building something everyone applauds and eternity considers worthless. Live for what will matter when you stand before Christ.
❤5
Real biblical love does not affirm people in the sin that is destroying them. Real love tells them the truth about God and points them to the Savior.
HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH HALLELUJAH!!! GOD IS KING, GOD IS ALMIGHTY AMEN!!!
🙏1
If we're going to accept the parts of the Bible that talk about God's love and grace, then we must also accept the parts of the Bible that call for our repentance and holiness.
❤5💯1
God is:
•Holy
•Omnipotent
•Omniscient
•Omnipresent
•Righteous
•Perfect
•Glorious
•Infinite
•Eternal
•Immutable
•Sovereign
•Love
•Gracious
•Good
•Just
•Merciful
•Compassionate
•Faithful
•Matchless
He’s worthy of all worship, now & forever.
Happy Lord’s Day!
•Holy
•Omnipotent
•Omniscient
•Omnipresent
•Righteous
•Perfect
•Glorious
•Infinite
•Eternal
•Immutable
•Sovereign
•Love
•Gracious
•Good
•Just
•Merciful
•Compassionate
•Faithful
•Matchless
He’s worthy of all worship, now & forever.
Happy Lord’s Day!
❤8🎉1
A person who is truly born again will demonstrate:
• A deep hatred for personal sin
• A longing to obey God's commands
• A steady love for other Christians
• Joyful endurance in times of trial
• A deep hatred for personal sin
• A longing to obey God's commands
• A steady love for other Christians
• Joyful endurance in times of trial
💯2❤1
September 10: God Doesn’t Promise Ease or Invisibility
#Devotional
Amos 4:6–5:27; Acts 9:20–43; Job 20:1–11
As Christians, we might be tempted by the lure of invisibility—the fabled cloak or ring that gives us the power to walk undetected among our friends or enemies. Although it is true that “making much of God” means making little of ourselves, we sometimes use this truth as an excuse to avoid proclaiming God’s work in our lives. Living under the radar is much more comfortable.
Paul never chose the comfortable route. As a former persecutor of the Church, Paul knew the danger of preaching Christ in the open—the chief priests had once empowered him to imprison all who publically professed Christ (Acts 9:14). Yet as a new convert, Paul loudly proclaimed the name of Christ to anybody within hearing distance: “And he was going in and going out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. And he was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they were trying to do away with him” (Acts 9:28–29).
Most of us know that life as a Christian won’t be a life of ease. But what is our image of a life of ease? Is it overstuffed chairs, butlers, and bulging bank accounts? Is it remaining silent when we should confess the name of Christ? Or is it judging from afar when we should be coming alongside people in their pain and brokenness? If we follow Paul’s brazen example, we will boldly and wisely share Christ in every possible circumstance.
Are you choosing invisibility? How can you boldly and wisely proclaim Christ?
#Devotional
Amos 4:6–5:27; Acts 9:20–43; Job 20:1–11
As Christians, we might be tempted by the lure of invisibility—the fabled cloak or ring that gives us the power to walk undetected among our friends or enemies. Although it is true that “making much of God” means making little of ourselves, we sometimes use this truth as an excuse to avoid proclaiming God’s work in our lives. Living under the radar is much more comfortable.
Paul never chose the comfortable route. As a former persecutor of the Church, Paul knew the danger of preaching Christ in the open—the chief priests had once empowered him to imprison all who publically professed Christ (Acts 9:14). Yet as a new convert, Paul loudly proclaimed the name of Christ to anybody within hearing distance: “And he was going in and going out among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. And he was speaking and debating with the Greek-speaking Jews, but they were trying to do away with him” (Acts 9:28–29).
Most of us know that life as a Christian won’t be a life of ease. But what is our image of a life of ease? Is it overstuffed chairs, butlers, and bulging bank accounts? Is it remaining silent when we should confess the name of Christ? Or is it judging from afar when we should be coming alongside people in their pain and brokenness? If we follow Paul’s brazen example, we will boldly and wisely share Christ in every possible circumstance.
Are you choosing invisibility? How can you boldly and wisely proclaim Christ?
❤1