Afternoon Ti: Lift the Savior Up!

Often, when Jesus ministered to someone they could not contain their gratitude and told everyone they knew about what He had done:

Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you. And their eyes were opened; and Jesus straitly charged them, saying, See that no man know it. But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that country. Matthew 9:29-31

And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee. Mark 1:27, 28

The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? John 4:28 29

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel. Mark 5:19, 20

How often do you share the greatness of what God is doing in your life? It's one thing to share during a testimony service with other Christians. But, how often do you share God's marvellous works with everyone you know?

You may share stories of your blessings - but do you give God the credit? Do you exalt your Heavenly Father to the point where others want to learn more about Him?

Today, I want to challenge all of us to put Jesus on blast. We should broadcast His goodness to all we know. We should share His wonderful works with our friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers whether they know Jesus or not.

Today, let's give God His just praise, so others can see how great God really is.

Verse of the Day: And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. John 12:32

What's Going On?

I would like to apologize for the missing and late posts recently. I am now in my final semester (yay!) of school, and my classwork has doubled. So, for the next 8 weeks I will not be posting devotions on the regular.

I will definitely try to at least post twice a week to be somewhat regular, but I thank you for your understanding in advance.

I can at least post something today...

Throwback: It Doesn't Matter... God's Plan Will Prevail!

Looking back at posts can be refreshing. The post below just encouraged me all over again about the goodness of the Lord. God is faithful!

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This morning in my devotions Psalm 33:11 was my focus scripture: But the Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken. (NLT)


This verse blessed me so much! In spite of how much things appear to be out of order, late, or even non-existent, God's plans for me will continue to stand firm! What He has ordained for me will come to pass! I don't have to be concerned about what is or isn't happening, who is or isn't acting right, or what I do or don't have. The Lord's plans will stand firm.

Whatever you may be going through, hold on to what God has spoken over your life! Don't give up out of frustration or fear! The Lord's plans will override whatever obstacles, interruptions, or detours that hit your path. In fact, the very thing that is frustrating you may be a part of God's omniscient plan.

Take heart and know that the Lord always has the last say. Even if we messed it up ourselves, we cannot stop God's plans from unfolding. If He said it, He will do it!

That just made my week! I can smile both inside and out knowing that God's plans are the ones that will prevail. Hallelujah!

Verse of the Day: Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ... Philippians 1:6

Wednesday's Word: Love Is A Verb

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.


If we love our Christian brothers and sisters, it proves that we have passed from death to life. But a person who has no love is still dead. Anyone who hates another brother or sister is really a murderer at heart. And you know that murderers don’t have eternal life within them.

We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?

Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.

Dear friends, if we don’t feel guilty, we can come to God with bold confidence. And we will receive from him whatever we ask because we obey him and do the things that please him.

And this is his commandment: We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as he commanded us. who obey God’s commandments remain in fellowship with him, and he with them. And we know he lives in us because the Spirit he gave us lives in us.
1 John 3:11-24 (NLT)

Have you been showing love through your actions?

Have a great day!

Afternoon Ti: Changing Seasons

So, the weather is finally changing here in Chicagoland, and I'm thankful for a warmer breeze than what we've been getting. Yet, there are a few people around me that are not enjoying the changing tides: the allergy sufferers. Right now, their eyes are itching, noses are sneezing, and sinuses are acting up because of all the change going on. Their bodies are sensitive to the pollen in the air, and they have to suffer through the blooming of spring.

It got me thinking to our own spiritual changing of seasons. They are those times when God is taking us to a higher level, requiring more out of our behavior, and asking us to submit fully to His will. Although we may bask in the joy of getting closer to the Lord and walking out our salvation, our flesh has issues.

Our bodies itch to get back to those sins we're trying to leave. Our eyes look back and remember how we used to do things. The burgeoning of righteousness makes our flesh suffer, and in order for us to move ahead - that fleshly will has got to die.

Is God changing any seasons in your spiritual life? Is your flesh having a hard time dealing with the change? Don't give in to your fleshly desires! Quench those symptoms with the word of God, and bring yourself into full submission of His will. As you follow after the change the Lord is offering, you will experience the benefits of being fully committed to Christ.

Verse of the Day: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1, 2

Afternoon Ti: Fortress of Solitude

I love to be alone. There's something about getting away from other people that helps me to focus. I am a natural thinker, and I like to go through my own process in making decisions or working through a problem. I'm not one to share a lot of what's going on with me. I just keep things to myself and only open up if I feel I really need to.

One of the biggest advantages to this method is that the only other major voice in my ear is the voice of the Lord. He's the only One who knows it all, so when I turn to Him, He's always ready with an answer. He hits right at the root of the issue, and then it's up to me to listen to His voice or choose otherwise. Where another person may bring in confusion or a suggestion that may or may not work. God's way is the best way 100% of the time.

There is a time and place for friendly advice, other people's wisdom, and collaboration with others. Yet, you can't pay too much attention to other people and what they think. When it comes down to it, you need to know what you think and what God thinks. Then you have to determine if those two beliefs are in line with each other. If not, yours is definitely the one that needs to be changed.

Today, take some time to get by yourself. Quiet the noise of those around you and focus in on the One voice that really matters. Allow the Lord to speak to you in your solitude and gain strength from His wisdom.

Verse of the Day: Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Thanksgiving Friday!

Oh give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good! His mercy endures forever! (1 Chronicles 16:34)

I'm thankful for Jesus on today. I'm thankful for His sacrifice, for His love, for His faithfulness, for His example... Without Jesus Christ, I would be lost in so many ways. It's humbling to think about how messed up you can be and know that Jesus still chose to come and give up His life to save you. Thank You, Jesus, for Your love!

Got to let the classic play today! I'm not big on choirs, but this is the thanksgiving jam!

Verse of the Day: But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.1 Corinthians 15:57, 58

Day of Prayer

Today is the National Day of Prayer. It's the perfect time to practice prayer without ceasing! (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

Prayer is simply talking with God. Adam enjoyed face to face prayer when he was able to walk with God in the garden of Eden. Moses' every footstep was ordered by prayer when he led the Israelites in the wilderness. David stayed in a state of prayer and worship both in the fields watching sheep and in the palace. Daniel was willing to be fed to lions just because he wouldn't stop praying. Jesus used prayer to get God's instructions on what to do in His ministry. The apostles were in prayer when the Holy Spirit came.

What has prayer done for you? How have your prayers impacted your life?

Today, let's enjoy our time of prayer. Let's lay out our requests, listen for God's take on things, pray for someone else, and watch what God does!

Prayer is not a ritual, a habit, or something just to soothe our minds. Prayer works. Prayer is reaching out to the Lord and Him reaching back with His all-powerful hand.

Today is going to be an awesome day!

Verse of the Day: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16b

Wednesday's Word: Who Are You Serving?

Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.


Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you.  Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.

Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy.

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:12-23 (NLT)

Who are you a slave to? What are you serving? You've already obtained the gift of eternal life. Don't turn yourself back over to bondage and death by following after sin. Give yourself over fully to the Lord!