• Amazing Facts.
    Daily Devotionals

    Is it possible for the devil to repent?

    August 19th, 2026

    There’s no record of Christ offering to die for the fallen angels. But God is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6)—it’s just His nature—and I think He bore long with them. There was some kind of probation and mercy extended to Lucifer when he was first entering into his rebellion.

    The Scripture says, “He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16). There’s a reason for the difference. Satan and his angels were created perfect. They were not deceived in the way that humans were deceived. Lucifer entered a high-handed rebellion into deception. He was made perfect but chose to be proud and to worship himself; whereas Adam and Eve were made in innocence and they were caught off guard by this rebellious fiend. So the devil was more culpable than humanity was. That’s why the Lord had mercy on humans and became one of us in order to save us.

    We know from the biblical account that before he sinned, Satan was known as Lucifer and stood in the very presence of God (see Isaiah 14:12). He was closest to the throne of God, and there wasn’t anything more that God could do to reveal His character to him. On the other hand, Adam and Eve were not in that same position. I believe that God gave Lucifer and the angels who believed his lies plenty of opportunity to realize the errors of their way. After all, God is a God of justice, and He’s not willing that any of His creatures should perish.

    Key Bible Texts
    Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14 KJV)
    Amazing Facts. Daily Devotionals Is it possible for the devil to repent? August 19th, 2026 There’s no record of Christ offering to die for the fallen angels. But God is “merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6)—it’s just His nature—and I think He bore long with them. There was some kind of probation and mercy extended to Lucifer when he was first entering into his rebellion. The Scripture says, “He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham” (Hebrews 2:16). There’s a reason for the difference. Satan and his angels were created perfect. They were not deceived in the way that humans were deceived. Lucifer entered a high-handed rebellion into deception. He was made perfect but chose to be proud and to worship himself; whereas Adam and Eve were made in innocence and they were caught off guard by this rebellious fiend. So the devil was more culpable than humanity was. That’s why the Lord had mercy on humans and became one of us in order to save us. We know from the biblical account that before he sinned, Satan was known as Lucifer and stood in the very presence of God (see Isaiah 14:12). He was closest to the throne of God, and there wasn’t anything more that God could do to reveal His character to him. On the other hand, Adam and Eve were not in that same position. I believe that God gave Lucifer and the angels who believed his lies plenty of opportunity to realize the errors of their way. After all, God is a God of justice, and He’s not willing that any of His creatures should perish. Key Bible Texts Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; (Hebrews 2:14 KJV)
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  • Day 3. Spiritual credentials do not make anyone immune

    “Spiritual credentials do not exempt one from lust’s trap.”

    Explanation:
    This is particularly relevant to Christians, ministers, leaders, and people actively involved in church. Position, anointing, knowledge, ministry experience, or reputation cannot replace personal vigilance. David and Samson demonstrate that a person can have a significant calling and still fall when sinful desire is left unchecked.


    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FYNH5WMM?lv=shuf&channelId=510&plpRedirect=mhFallback
    Day 3. Spiritual credentials do not make anyone immune “Spiritual credentials do not exempt one from lust’s trap.” Explanation: This is particularly relevant to Christians, ministers, leaders, and people actively involved in church. Position, anointing, knowledge, ministry experience, or reputation cannot replace personal vigilance. David and Samson demonstrate that a person can have a significant calling and still fall when sinful desire is left unchecked. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FYNH5WMM?lv=shuf&channelId=510&plpRedirect=mhFallback
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  • In Colossians 1, Paul uses two closely related but distinct concepts to describe the unmatched status of Christ. To understand the distinction, we have to look at the flow of Paul's argument and the specific Greek words he uses.

    The Distinction in the Text

    Preeminence (πρωτεύων - *prōteuōn*)
    In verse 18, Paul writes that Christ might be preeminent (or "hold the first place") in everything. The Greek word prōteuōn is a present participle meaning "to be first in rank, influence, or position."

    Preeminence speaks to rank, dignity, and rightful position. It answers the question: Where does Christ stand in relation to all other things? The answer is that He stands at the absolute top. He holds the chief place. In the immediate context of verse 18, this preeminence is specifically tied to the new creation—He is the head of the body, the church, and the firstborn from the dead. Because He conquered the grave, He rightfully holds the highest rank in the renewed creation.

    Supremacy (πρωτότοκος - *prōtotokos*)
    While English translations sometimes use "preeminence" and "supremacy" interchangeably, the concept of supremacy in this passage is anchored in the word prōtotokos ("firstborn"), used in verses 15 and 18.

    Supremacy speaks to authority, power, and sovereign right. In the ancient Near East, the firstborn was not just the oldest child; he was the heir who held the highest authority over the household and received the double portion of the inheritance. When Paul says Christ is the "firstborn of all creation" (v. 15) and "firstborn from the dead" (v. 18), he is not saying Christ was created. He is declaring Christ's supreme authority over creation and over the new creation. Supremacy answers the question: Who has the power and the right to rule? Christ does, because all things were created through Him and for Him (v. 16).

    How They Work Together

    Think of it this way:
    Supremacy is the basis of His authority. He is the sovereign heir and creator. He has the absolute right to rule because He is the agent of creation and the victor over death.
    Preeminence is the result of that authority. Because He is supreme, it is only fitting that He holds the first place in rank, honor, and affection in all things.

    Paul builds this argument to counter the early heresies creeping into Colossae, which suggested you needed Jesus plus something else—angelic worship, secret knowledge, or ascetic practices (Colossians 2). Paul's response is that Christ's supremacy and preeminence mean He is entirely sufficient. The fullness of deity dwells in Him bodily (1:19). There is no higher rank to reach, no hidden knowledge to acquire, and no spiritual power to supplement. He holds the first place in everything.

    When you read this passage, you are looking at a deliberate, poetic structure where Paul establishes Christ's supremacy over the original creation (vv. 15-17) and then His supremacy over the new creation through redemption (vv. 18-20), culminating in the conclusion that He alone is preeminent in all things.
    In Colossians 1, Paul uses two closely related but distinct concepts to describe the unmatched status of Christ. To understand the distinction, we have to look at the flow of Paul's argument and the specific Greek words he uses. The Distinction in the Text Preeminence (πρωτεύων - *prōteuōn*) In verse 18, Paul writes that Christ might be preeminent (or "hold the first place") in everything. The Greek word prōteuōn is a present participle meaning "to be first in rank, influence, or position." Preeminence speaks to rank, dignity, and rightful position. It answers the question: Where does Christ stand in relation to all other things? The answer is that He stands at the absolute top. He holds the chief place. In the immediate context of verse 18, this preeminence is specifically tied to the new creation—He is the head of the body, the church, and the firstborn from the dead. Because He conquered the grave, He rightfully holds the highest rank in the renewed creation. Supremacy (πρωτότοκος - *prōtotokos*) While English translations sometimes use "preeminence" and "supremacy" interchangeably, the concept of supremacy in this passage is anchored in the word prōtotokos ("firstborn"), used in verses 15 and 18. Supremacy speaks to authority, power, and sovereign right. In the ancient Near East, the firstborn was not just the oldest child; he was the heir who held the highest authority over the household and received the double portion of the inheritance. When Paul says Christ is the "firstborn of all creation" (v. 15) and "firstborn from the dead" (v. 18), he is not saying Christ was created. He is declaring Christ's supreme authority over creation and over the new creation. Supremacy answers the question: Who has the power and the right to rule? Christ does, because all things were created through Him and for Him (v. 16). How They Work Together Think of it this way: Supremacy is the basis of His authority. He is the sovereign heir and creator. He has the absolute right to rule because He is the agent of creation and the victor over death. Preeminence is the result of that authority. Because He is supreme, it is only fitting that He holds the first place in rank, honor, and affection in all things. Paul builds this argument to counter the early heresies creeping into Colossae, which suggested you needed Jesus plus something else—angelic worship, secret knowledge, or ascetic practices (Colossians 2). Paul's response is that Christ's supremacy and preeminence mean He is entirely sufficient. The fullness of deity dwells in Him bodily (1:19). There is no higher rank to reach, no hidden knowledge to acquire, and no spiritual power to supplement. He holds the first place in everything. When you read this passage, you are looking at a deliberate, poetic structure where Paul establishes Christ's supremacy over the original creation (vv. 15-17) and then His supremacy over the new creation through redemption (vv. 18-20), culminating in the conclusion that He alone is preeminent in all things.
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  • ~. . . And the evening and the morning were the 230th day. Good Morning, God's Beloved. On this 231st day of 2026, might I suggest to you that it's okay to not be okay. Just remember that there's a Savior who cares . . .==> "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." [1 Peter 5:6-7]
    [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, Please PLAY NICE, PRAY for one another, Distance-CHECK on your neighbors, and Keep a SMILE on your Faith.]
    (For more videos like this, subscribe to my YouTube channel, MelzMark Video Productions, at www.youtube.com/[VStMelz])
    https://youtube.com/watch?v=vpuHsP-dRs8&is=iuOatzUFwDEH-Rs0
    ~. . . And the evening and the morning were the 230th day. Good Morning, God's Beloved. On this 231st day of 2026, might I suggest to you that it's okay to not be okay. Just remember that there's a Savior who cares . . .==> "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." [1 Peter 5:6-7] [And as you RESPECT and LOVE one another as hard as you can, Please PLAY NICE, PRAY for one another, Distance-CHECK on your neighbors, and Keep a SMILE on your Faith.] (For more videos like this, subscribe to my YouTube channel, MelzMark Video Productions, at www.youtube.com/[VStMelz]) https://youtube.com/watch?v=vpuHsP-dRs8&is=iuOatzUFwDEH-Rs0
    - YouTube
    Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
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  • PROVERB OF THE DAY

    (Proverbs 19)

    1. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
    Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool

    2. Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge,
    And he sins who hastens with his feet.

    3. The foolishness of a man twists his way,
    And his heart frets against the LORD.

    4. Wealth makes many friends,
    But the poor is separated from his friend.

    5. A false witness will not go unpunished,
    And he who speaks lies will not escape.

    6. Many entreat the favor of the nobility,
    And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts.

    7. All the brothers of the poor hate him;
    How much more do his friends go far from him!
    He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.

    8. He who gets wisdom loves his own soul;
    He who keeps understanding will find good.

    9. A false witness will not go unpunished,
    And he who speaks lies shall perish.

    10. Luxury is not fitting for a fool,
    Much less for a servant to rule over princes.

    11. The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger,
    And his glory is to overlook a transgression.

    12. The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion,
    But his favor is like dew on the grass.

    13. A foolish son is the ruin of his father,
    And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping.

    14. Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers,
    But a prudent wife is from the LORD.
    15. Laziness casts one into a deep sleep,
    And an idle person will suffer hunger.

    16. He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
    But he who is careless of his ways will die.

    17. He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD,
    And He will pay back what he has given.

    18. Chasten your son while there is hope,
    And do not set your heart on his destruction.

    19. A man of great wrath will suffer punishment;
    For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

    20. Listen to counsel and receive instruction,
    That you may be wise in your latter days.

    21. There are many plans in a man’s heart,
    Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand.

    22. What is desired in a man is kindness,
    And a poor man is better than a liar.

    23. The fear of the LORD leads to life,
    And he who has it will abide in satisfaction;
    He will not be visited with evil.

    24. A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl,
    And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

    25. Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary;
    Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.

    26. He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother
    Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.

    27. Cease listening to instruction, my son,
    And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

    28. A disreputable witness scorns justice,
    And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

    29. Judgments are prepared for scoffers,
    And beatings for the backs of fools.
    PROVERB OF THE DAY (Proverbs 19) 1. Better is the poor who walks in his integrity Than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool 2. Also it is not good for a soul to be without knowledge, And he sins who hastens with his feet. 3. The foolishness of a man twists his way, And his heart frets against the LORD. 4. Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend. 5. A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies will not escape. 6. Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts. 7. All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him. 8. He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; He who keeps understanding will find good. 9. A false witness will not go unpunished, And he who speaks lies shall perish. 10. Luxury is not fitting for a fool, Much less for a servant to rule over princes. 11. The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. 12. The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, But his favor is like dew on the grass. 13. A foolish son is the ruin of his father, And the contentions of a wife are a continual dripping. 14. Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD. 15. Laziness casts one into a deep sleep, And an idle person will suffer hunger. 16. He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, But he who is careless of his ways will die. 17. He who has pity on the poor lends to the LORD, And He will pay back what he has given. 18. Chasten your son while there is hope, And do not set your heart on his destruction. 19. A man of great wrath will suffer punishment; For if you rescue him, you will have to do it again. 20. Listen to counsel and receive instruction, That you may be wise in your latter days. 21. There are many plans in a man’s heart, Nevertheless the LORD’s counsel—that will stand. 22. What is desired in a man is kindness, And a poor man is better than a liar. 23. The fear of the LORD leads to life, And he who has it will abide in satisfaction; He will not be visited with evil. 24. A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl, And will not so much as bring it to his mouth again. 25. Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge. 26. He who mistreats his father and chases away his mother Is a son who causes shame and brings reproach. 27. Cease listening to instruction, my son, And you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28. A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. 29. Judgments are prepared for scoffers, And beatings for the backs of fools.
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  • Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you.

    It appears that the rain monster is headed back our way. Perhaps today. I have one more yard to mow/bale, and hopefully I can get that done before it gets here. If I recall, the rain is supposed to start this afternoon around 3. We kind of made a plan for today, so…fingers crossed that the monster stays away for the right amount of time.

    This year has been a wild year for my yard. I do not recall a year where it felt like a cloud just passed over my place and the grass grew six inches. It is crazy how fast my yard is growing this year. I don’t even think that it has to rain a tiny bit for my yard to keep growing. It is crazy. You know, I always thought a balance of water and sun was the formula for a good growing yard. Apparently, my yard has an attitude and has said, “Give me rain, or not; give me sun or not; give me cold or not; I will grow and will not rot.” I guess it is its version of ‘hold my beer’.

    The wonderful part of it is that my yard actually looks like a fluffy pillow of beautiful grass. Not sure how that happened, but it did. There are not a lot of thistles or weeds; even in the back part of the yard, it is beautiful grass.

    The way that the grass is growing so quickly and fully is a reminder of how quickly sin can manifest in our lives. Now you are wondering, how did I just turn my beautiful pillow grass into sin? Stick with me; I think you will like this. Some of you who are used to my brain are trying to see my vision first. Haha.

    In one of the parables that Jesus taught, the farmer planted bountiful seeds and had a great crop. However, one day one of his servants told him of how the weeds were growing up in the plants and should they pull the weeds. The farmer told them no; they would worry about the weeds at harvest.

    My nice and quick-growing yard is just like the weeds in the parable, in that the weeds sprung up quickly and became noticeable to the servants. They did not need attention, but they were trying to take over the crop to the point that the servant wanted to rid the field of them.

    Sin works the same way. It finds its way into our lives, usually with logic. Such as, Jesus sat with sinners, so why can’t I? The problem with that example is that Jesus was perfect and without blemish. He did not succumb to the sin from which he was trying to save them from. He simply sat with them and told them the truth in love. WE on the other hand, are sinners who are saved by grace. WE are still human and are susceptible to the temptation of the same sins that we are sitting with. Meaning, a drug addict should not move into a drug-infested area to witness because the temptation could become too strong for them to resist.

    Once sin has planted itself in our minds, it festers and grows quickly. It uses logic and ‘common sense’ ideas to justify its existence. Soon, and it does not take long, for those around you to see how the sin has manifested and grew in your/our lives. And the bad part of it all is that many times we either do not see it and still try to justify our actions with the ‘Jesus sat with sinners’ or we do not see it at all.

    Today I encourage you to go to Him in prayer and ask Him to reveal any areas in your life that you may be lying to yourself about as a witness opportunity to allow for your sin. When He reveals it to you, go to Him and ask Him to forgive you. If He had sent anyone to open your eyes, ask them to forgive you for not listening to His servant. As you do that, you are telling the enemy to kick rocks and that will give him a headache for sure.

    Be blessed.

    **Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. – Colossians 3:17
    Good morning to everyone. Grace and Peace be with you. It appears that the rain monster is headed back our way. Perhaps today. I have one more yard to mow/bale, and hopefully I can get that done before it gets here. If I recall, the rain is supposed to start this afternoon around 3. We kind of made a plan for today, so…fingers crossed that the monster stays away for the right amount of time. This year has been a wild year for my yard. I do not recall a year where it felt like a cloud just passed over my place and the grass grew six inches. It is crazy how fast my yard is growing this year. I don’t even think that it has to rain a tiny bit for my yard to keep growing. It is crazy. You know, I always thought a balance of water and sun was the formula for a good growing yard. Apparently, my yard has an attitude and has said, “Give me rain, or not; give me sun or not; give me cold or not; I will grow and will not rot.” I guess it is its version of ‘hold my beer’. The wonderful part of it is that my yard actually looks like a fluffy pillow of beautiful grass. Not sure how that happened, but it did. There are not a lot of thistles or weeds; even in the back part of the yard, it is beautiful grass. The way that the grass is growing so quickly and fully is a reminder of how quickly sin can manifest in our lives. Now you are wondering, how did I just turn my beautiful pillow grass into sin? Stick with me; I think you will like this. Some of you who are used to my brain are trying to see my vision first. Haha. In one of the parables that Jesus taught, the farmer planted bountiful seeds and had a great crop. However, one day one of his servants told him of how the weeds were growing up in the plants and should they pull the weeds. The farmer told them no; they would worry about the weeds at harvest. My nice and quick-growing yard is just like the weeds in the parable, in that the weeds sprung up quickly and became noticeable to the servants. They did not need attention, but they were trying to take over the crop to the point that the servant wanted to rid the field of them. Sin works the same way. It finds its way into our lives, usually with logic. Such as, Jesus sat with sinners, so why can’t I? The problem with that example is that Jesus was perfect and without blemish. He did not succumb to the sin from which he was trying to save them from. He simply sat with them and told them the truth in love. WE on the other hand, are sinners who are saved by grace. WE are still human and are susceptible to the temptation of the same sins that we are sitting with. Meaning, a drug addict should not move into a drug-infested area to witness because the temptation could become too strong for them to resist. Once sin has planted itself in our minds, it festers and grows quickly. It uses logic and ‘common sense’ ideas to justify its existence. Soon, and it does not take long, for those around you to see how the sin has manifested and grew in your/our lives. And the bad part of it all is that many times we either do not see it and still try to justify our actions with the ‘Jesus sat with sinners’ or we do not see it at all. Today I encourage you to go to Him in prayer and ask Him to reveal any areas in your life that you may be lying to yourself about as a witness opportunity to allow for your sin. When He reveals it to you, go to Him and ask Him to forgive you. If He had sent anyone to open your eyes, ask them to forgive you for not listening to His servant. As you do that, you are telling the enemy to kick rocks and that will give him a headache for sure. Be blessed. **Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. – Colossians 3:17
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  • Dear Father,

    Edmund Gettier, a philosopher, proposed an addition to the concept of epistemology-- the study of knowledge, when he argued that a person can believe something without knowing it, but no one can claim to know something without believing it. How true is this of humanity? There is also a branch of epistemology called empiricism, which supports the idea that the most reliable source of human knowledge is experience or sensory perceptions. My problem with this view is that it limits the truth of humanity’s existence to what is attainable in his lifetime.

    I was reminded of Thomas, who, when the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” responded, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” The issue, however, lies not in the limitations that exist in obtaining the experience needed for an unwavering belief in You, but in how willing we are to pay the price to know what we have always believed.

    It is true that many of us are like Thomas, with certain doubts and confusions, believing in Jesus but not all that He purports to represent. Perhaps this is what Edmund communicates: that there is a risk in believing when sufficient knowledge is lacking. Isn’t this one of the reasons we struggle with our faith? Isn’t this the reason we doubt-- asking questions without necessarily seeking answers?

    Today, I took it upon myself to reflect on how much I have put into knowing all that I believe about You.

    Translations;
    Slide 1: English
    Slide 2: French
    Slide 3: Bengali
    Slide 4: Hindi
    Slide 5: Urdu
    Slide 6: Portuguese

    #LettertoGod
    #believe
    #knowledge
    #doubt
    #Thomasstory
    Dear Father, Edmund Gettier, a philosopher, proposed an addition to the concept of epistemology-- the study of knowledge, when he argued that a person can believe something without knowing it, but no one can claim to know something without believing it. How true is this of humanity? There is also a branch of epistemology called empiricism, which supports the idea that the most reliable source of human knowledge is experience or sensory perceptions. My problem with this view is that it limits the truth of humanity’s existence to what is attainable in his lifetime. I was reminded of Thomas, who, when the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” responded, “Unless I see the nail marks in His hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” The issue, however, lies not in the limitations that exist in obtaining the experience needed for an unwavering belief in You, but in how willing we are to pay the price to know what we have always believed. It is true that many of us are like Thomas, with certain doubts and confusions, believing in Jesus but not all that He purports to represent. Perhaps this is what Edmund communicates: that there is a risk in believing when sufficient knowledge is lacking. Isn’t this one of the reasons we struggle with our faith? Isn’t this the reason we doubt-- asking questions without necessarily seeking answers? Today, I took it upon myself to reflect on how much I have put into knowing all that I believe about You. Translations; Slide 1: English Slide 2: French Slide 3: Bengali Slide 4: Hindi Slide 5: Urdu Slide 6: Portuguese #LettertoGod #believe #knowledge #doubt #Thomasstory
    Love
    1
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  • Matthew 20:17-34

    Jesus was always clear that He demands it all from us if we are to follow Him. And during this journey of miracles, feedings and teaching Jesus again warns them of the fact that when they arrive in Jerusalem that He would be handed over to be killed.

    Now what the disciples were thinking I can't tell you. Maybe they thought that if they ignored it long enough it just won't happen. Maybe they thought this was another parable they didn't understand fully, yet. But they were too scared to ask.

    He told them He would be raised on the third day but that good news didn't really get through their heads. Because to accept the good part they had to mentally accept the bad part. A ‘raising from the dead’ can't be done before the death part comes.

    And it is in this context I believe that James and John’s mothers’ prayer for her sons was answered. Her prayer? That it would be her sons seated at Jesus’ left and right hands in the Kingdom. No doubt being the Jewish mother of all mothers she wanted her boys on the leadership council when He takes his Kingdom. She wanted them to be preeminent amongst all the disciples and Jesus is horrified at the request because he knows what it will mean for them and her.

    She was thinking they would be powerful, Jesus knew it would cost their lives. Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink? He asked, are you able and willing to die for this position? And they affirmed it. And that is the point that God made these two men the effective book ends for the Martyrdom that would claim the lives of all apostles.

    James was the first Apostle to die.

    Acts 12:1-2
    [1] Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm. [2] And he had James the brother of John executed with a sword.

    Herod was insane, but he was a people pleaser and when the church began making inroads into Jewish life and James’ death marks the beginning of the effort that led to the continued persecution of the church and the death of the apostles.

    After James’ death, the enemy used the one tactic that would continually fail throughout history, persecution. Yes, some solid Christian leaders fell to the violence, but persecution always spurred on mighty works of the Spirit which grew the church. The one strategy the enemy believed would discourage the church became the catalyst for rapid expansion of Christianity worldwide.

    And it was encompassed by these Bookends of Martyrdom, James and John. A position their mother believed would be an honor to them not realizing that honor would claim their lives as James became the first and John the last to give their lives for Him.

    Think of the reception in Heaven when these young men arrived. Their arrival is a victory celebration in eternity while those who believed they were in the right for killing them celebrated here, temporarily. And now they suffer eternally.

    Be careful mothers about what you pray for. You may end up getting it. The passage ends with healing blind men on their way. And amongst his warning of His impending death, His followers' fates and a prayer for a blessing she didn't fully comprehend Jesus has compassion and heals them.




    [17] As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the road He said to them, [18] “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, [19] and they will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and flog and crucify, and on the third day He will be raised up.” [20] Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. [21] And He said to her, “What do you desire?” She *said to Him, “Say that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine shall sit, one at Your right, and one at Your left.” [22] But Jesus replied, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They *said to Him, “We are able.” [23] He *said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit at My right and at My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” [24] And after hearing this, the other ten disciples became indignant with the two brothers. [25] But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. [26] It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, [27] and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” [29] As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. [30] And two people who were blind, sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” [31] But the crowd sternly warned them to be quiet; yet they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” [32] And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [33] They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” [34] Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.

    Matthew 20:17-34 Jesus was always clear that He demands it all from us if we are to follow Him. And during this journey of miracles, feedings and teaching Jesus again warns them of the fact that when they arrive in Jerusalem that He would be handed over to be killed. Now what the disciples were thinking I can't tell you. Maybe they thought that if they ignored it long enough it just won't happen. Maybe they thought this was another parable they didn't understand fully, yet. But they were too scared to ask. He told them He would be raised on the third day but that good news didn't really get through their heads. Because to accept the good part they had to mentally accept the bad part. A ‘raising from the dead’ can't be done before the death part comes. And it is in this context I believe that James and John’s mothers’ prayer for her sons was answered. Her prayer? That it would be her sons seated at Jesus’ left and right hands in the Kingdom. No doubt being the Jewish mother of all mothers she wanted her boys on the leadership council when He takes his Kingdom. She wanted them to be preeminent amongst all the disciples and Jesus is horrified at the request because he knows what it will mean for them and her. She was thinking they would be powerful, Jesus knew it would cost their lives. Are you able to drink the cup I am about to drink? He asked, are you able and willing to die for this position? And they affirmed it. And that is the point that God made these two men the effective book ends for the Martyrdom that would claim the lives of all apostles. James was the first Apostle to die. Acts 12:1-2 [1] Now about that time Herod the king laid hands on some who belonged to the church, to do them harm. [2] And he had James the brother of John executed with a sword. Herod was insane, but he was a people pleaser and when the church began making inroads into Jewish life and James’ death marks the beginning of the effort that led to the continued persecution of the church and the death of the apostles. After James’ death, the enemy used the one tactic that would continually fail throughout history, persecution. Yes, some solid Christian leaders fell to the violence, but persecution always spurred on mighty works of the Spirit which grew the church. The one strategy the enemy believed would discourage the church became the catalyst for rapid expansion of Christianity worldwide. And it was encompassed by these Bookends of Martyrdom, James and John. A position their mother believed would be an honor to them not realizing that honor would claim their lives as James became the first and John the last to give their lives for Him. Think of the reception in Heaven when these young men arrived. Their arrival is a victory celebration in eternity while those who believed they were in the right for killing them celebrated here, temporarily. And now they suffer eternally. Be careful mothers about what you pray for. You may end up getting it. The passage ends with healing blind men on their way. And amongst his warning of His impending death, His followers' fates and a prayer for a blessing she didn't fully comprehend Jesus has compassion and heals them. [17] As Jesus was about to go up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside by themselves, and on the road He said to them, [18] “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death, [19] and they will hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock and flog and crucify, and on the third day He will be raised up.” [20] Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came to Jesus with her sons, bowing down and making a request of Him. [21] And He said to her, “What do you desire?” She *said to Him, “Say that in Your kingdom these two sons of mine shall sit, one at Your right, and one at Your left.” [22] But Jesus replied, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They *said to Him, “We are able.” [23] He *said to them, “My cup you shall drink; but to sit at My right and at My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by My Father.” [24] And after hearing this, the other ten disciples became indignant with the two brothers. [25] But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles domineer over them, and those in high position exercise authority over them. [26] It is not this way among you, but whoever wants to become prominent among you shall be your servant, [27] and whoever desires to be first among you shall be your slave; [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” [29] As they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. [30] And two people who were blind, sitting by the road, hearing that Jesus was passing by, cried out, “Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” [31] But the crowd sternly warned them to be quiet; yet they cried out all the more, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!” [32] And Jesus stopped and called them, and said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” [33] They *said to Him, “Lord, we want our eyes to be opened.” [34] Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes; and immediately they regained their sight and followed Him.
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  • “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.”
    1 John 3:16

    In some Bible translations, John 19:2 reads
    "And the soldiers TWISTED together a crown of thorns and placed it on His head..."

    JESUS is The One King whom the Old Testament book of laws and of prophets all longed for.
    HE is also the same LORD that the New Testament disciples all looked back on.

    Today, we see a list of thousands of religious groups that were established even before we were born.

    Some religions led families to charity, humility, and blessings of heaven, and we should be happy about that.

    On the other hand, there are still existing congregations that when left unchecked, crush souls, control people, and create even more divisions while protecting and elevating a few, canceling others instead of celebrating shared prosperity together and of keeping alive our hope for eternity through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. This is devastating but not unusual. Sadly, it happens to both the humblest local sects and cathedrals of megachurches.

    But The Bible ends with "GRACE", not with chronic depression and hopelessness.

    The consistent pattern throughout the Scriptures is that it redirects all our devotion and attention to GOD.

    The book of Genesis starts with: "In the beginning, GOD created..."

    While Revelation ends with:

    "The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all. Amen."

    The scene where the soldiers thought of twisting together a crown of thorns displays this fallen world and our tendency to join or create yet another religion that may only give us and others headaches instead of leading us to have a vision of our Savior: THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH —JESUS.

    And just as JESUS bled and was painfully hurt by the soldiers' twisted crown of thorns they designed for His head, we can also expect to experience a similar sense of treatment from others against our mental headspace as we now pursue the glory of GOD through His Son, JESUS CHRIST.

    Our LORD has done His part.
    His sacrifice on the cross is finished.
    THE WORD OF GOD is sufficient.
    His Holy Spirit is given to our hearts.

    Reflection questions:

    Where is He leading you today?
    What is He directing you to do?
    When was the last time you had an honest talk with JESUS?

    Prayer:

    Our Heavenly Father,

    You are The GOD of sound mind.
    You give clarity where there is confusion and provide us with correction when needed.
    You feed Your children with daily bread through Your incorruptible WORD that nourishes, strengthens, and teaches us to see yet another day of grace through the cross of CHRIST.

    Despite the twisted crown of thorns You humbly received from fallen humanity, You still finished Your journey then with us in Your mind.

    Forgive us LORD GOD, for the many times we dishonored Your precious words by how we responded to Your grace through our actions and imaginations. We ask that you also give a forgiving heart to those we have hurt in this earthly journey and comfort us through the pains we still do carry.

    We ask You to lead us into a lasting and honest fellowship with Your Holy Spirit and keep us joyfully serving You and the people You surround us with as we await Your return.

    In JESUS' Name, Amen.

    Matthew 12:49
    “And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said,
    Behold my mother and my brethren!”

    #perception
    #notdeception 🫣
    #religion
    #LifeWithJESUS 🕊
    ✟ “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1 John 3:16 In some Bible translations, John 19:2 reads "And the soldiers TWISTED together a crown of thorns and placed it on His head..." JESUS is The One King whom the Old Testament book of laws and of prophets all longed for. HE is also the same LORD that the New Testament disciples all looked back on. Today, we see a list of thousands of religious groups that were established even before we were born. Some religions led families to charity, humility, and blessings of heaven, and we should be happy about that. On the other hand, there are still existing congregations that when left unchecked, crush souls, control people, and create even more divisions while protecting and elevating a few, canceling others instead of celebrating shared prosperity together and of keeping alive our hope for eternity through our LORD JESUS CHRIST. This is devastating but not unusual. Sadly, it happens to both the humblest local sects and cathedrals of megachurches. But The Bible ends with "GRACE", not with chronic depression and hopelessness. The consistent pattern throughout the Scriptures is that it redirects all our devotion and attention to GOD. The book of Genesis starts with: "In the beginning, GOD created..." While Revelation ends with: "The grace of our LORD JESUS CHRIST be with you all. Amen." The scene where the soldiers thought of twisting together a crown of thorns displays this fallen world and our tendency to join or create yet another religion that may only give us and others headaches instead of leading us to have a vision of our Savior: THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH —JESUS. And just as JESUS bled and was painfully hurt by the soldiers' twisted crown of thorns they designed for His head, we can also expect to experience a similar sense of treatment from others against our mental headspace as we now pursue the glory of GOD through His Son, JESUS CHRIST. Our LORD has done His part. His sacrifice on the cross is finished. THE WORD OF GOD is sufficient. His Holy Spirit is given to our hearts. Reflection questions: Where is He leading you today? What is He directing you to do? When was the last time you had an honest talk with JESUS? Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, You are The GOD of sound mind. You give clarity where there is confusion and provide us with correction when needed. You feed Your children with daily bread through Your incorruptible WORD that nourishes, strengthens, and teaches us to see yet another day of grace through the cross of CHRIST. Despite the twisted crown of thorns You humbly received from fallen humanity, You still finished Your journey then with us in Your mind. Forgive us LORD GOD, for the many times we dishonored Your precious words by how we responded to Your grace through our actions and imaginations. We ask that you also give a forgiving heart to those we have hurt in this earthly journey and comfort us through the pains we still do carry. We ask You to lead us into a lasting and honest fellowship with Your Holy Spirit and keep us joyfully serving You and the people You surround us with as we await Your return. In JESUS' Name, Amen. Matthew 12:49 “And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!” #perception 🤓 #notdeception 🫣 #religion 📜 #LifeWithJESUS ✝️➡️📖⬅️🕊💕👑
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  • FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD
    Believe, Come, and Diligently Seek Him

    Key Scripture:
    “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)

    Thought Of The Day...
    There are many things we desire from God—healing, provision, direction, protection, restoration, peace, deliverance, and breakthrough. But Hebrews 11:6 turns our attention from what we want God to do for us to what pleases God.
    And Scripture gives us the answer:
    FAITH PLEASES GOD.
    Not perfect circumstances.
    Not having every answer.
    Not knowing how everything will work out.
    Faith.
    Faith says, “God, I may not understand what You are doing, but I still believe You.”

    • WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD
    The Scripture does not say it is difficult to please God without faith. It says:
    “Without faith it is impossible to please him.”
    Why is faith so important?
    Because faith reveals where our confidence rests.
    When everything is going well, it can be easy to say, “I trust God.” But genuine faith is revealed when the diagnosis is uncertain, the money is tight, the family is struggling, the door has not opened, the prayer has not yet been answered, and you cannot see what God is doing.
    Faith says:
    “Even here, I trust You.”
    Job declared:
    “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” — Job 13:15 (KJV)
    There will be seasons when you cannot trace God's hand. But you can still trust His heart.
    Your circumstances may change, but God has not changed.

    • YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT GOD IS!
    Hebrews says:
    “…he that cometh to God must believe that he is…”
    Before believing God for something, we must believe God is.
    He is God when you understand Him.
    He is God when you don't.
    He is God when the door opens.
    He is still God when the door closes.
    He is God when the answer comes immediately.
    He is still God when He makes you wait.
    Sometimes our faith becomes focused primarily on God's gifts: “Lord, give me this. Lord, change that. Lord, open this door.”
    But mature faith says:
    “Lord, even if You don't give me what I requested when I requested it, I still want You.”
    Remember the three Hebrew men standing before the fiery furnace:
    “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…” — Daniel 3:17 (KJV)
    But then they declared:
    “But if not… we will not serve thy gods…” — Daniel 3:18 (KJV)
    That's powerful faith.
    God can.
    God is able.
    I believe God will.
    But even if He chooses another way, HE IS STILL GOD!

    • FAITH COMES TO GOD
    Notice the wording:
    “…he that cometh to God…”
    Faith doesn't run away from God during trouble.
    Faith runs toward God.
    When you're hurting—come.
    When you're confused—come.
    When you're disappointed—come.
    When you're weary—come.
    When you've made mistakes—come.
    When you don't know what tomorrow holds—COME TO GOD!
    David said:
    “When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” — Psalm 61:2 (KJV)
    Your feelings may tell you to withdraw.
    Your disappointment may tell you God has forgotten you.
    Your circumstances may tell you prayer isn't working.
    But faith says:
    “I'm going back into His presence.”

    • DILIGENT FAITH DOESN'T QUIT SEEKING!
    The verse concludes:
    “…he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
    There is a difference between casually seeking God and diligently seeking God.
    Diligence means persistence.
    It means you keep praying.
    You keep believing.
    You keep worshiping.
    You keep reading His Word.
    You keep serving.
    You keep showing up.
    You keep trusting God even when nothing appears to be changing.
    Jesus taught:
    “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” — Luke 18:1 (KJV)
    Some answers require faith that refuses to quit.
    You prayed yesterday?
    Pray again.
    You worshiped yesterday?
    Worship again.
    You believed yesterday?
    Believe again today.
    Don't allow God's silence to convince you that God is absent.
    Silence does not mean abandonment.
    Waiting does not mean denial.
    Delay does not mean God has forgotten you.

    • GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM!
    God promises that He is:
    “…a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
    But we must understand the greatest reward of seeking God.
    The greatest reward is not merely receiving something from His hand—it is experiencing more of His presence.
    Sometimes the reward is an open door.
    Sometimes it is healing.
    Sometimes it is provision.
    Sometimes it is restoration.
    But sometimes the reward is strength to endure what God has not yet removed.
    Paul prayed three times for his thorn to be removed, but God's response was:
    “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
    Paul asked for removal.
    God gave him sustaining grace.
    Never limit God's reward to one particular answer.
    Sometimes God changes the situation.
    Sometimes God changes you while you're walking through the situation.
    Either way, God remains faithful.
    DON'T STOP BELIEVING!
    Perhaps you have been praying about something for a long time.
    You've asked.
    You've waited.
    You've cried.
    You've prayed again.
    And you're wondering:
    “God, when will You answer me?”
    Hebrews 11:6 speaks directly into that season:
    KEEP BELIEVING.
    KEEP COMING.
    KEEP SEEKING.
    KEEP TRUSTING.
    Your faith is not wasted.
    Your prayers are not wasted.
    Your worship is not wasted.
    Your obedience is not wasted.
    God sees every moment you choose faith instead of fear.
    “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)
    You don't need to see everything God is doing to believe God is still working.

    PRAYER...
    Heavenly Father,
    We come before You today declaring that You are God, and besides You there is none other.
    Lord, increase our faith.
    When we cannot see the way, help us trust You.
    When we don't understand what You're doing, help us trust You.
    When our prayers seem unanswered, help us trust You.
    When our bodies are hurting, our finances are strained, our families are struggling, our hearts are heavy, and our minds are weary—help us trust You!
    Father, forgive us for the times we allowed fear to speak louder than faith.
    Forgive us for the times we doubted Your goodness because we could not understand Your plan.
    Today we declare:
    YOU ARE STILL GOD!
    We believe that You are.
    We believe You are faithful.
    We believe You are able.
    We believe You are our Provider.
    We believe You are our Healer.
    We believe You are our Deliverer.
    We believe You are our Keeper.
    And we believe You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek You.
    So we will seek You when life is good, and we will seek You when life is difficult.
    We will seek You when doors open, and we will seek You when doors close.
    We will seek You when we understand, and we will seek You when we don't.
    Give us faith that refuses to quit.
    Let our lives declare:
    “I DON'T HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT, BECAUSE I KNOW THE GOD IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!”
    We trust Your timing.
    We trust Your wisdom.
    We trust Your Word.
    We trust Your plan.
    And most importantly, we trust You.
    In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray.
    Amen and Amen!

    DECLARATION OF FAITH...
    Today I declare:
    I WILL WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT!
    I believe God is.
    I believe God can.
    I believe God is able.
    I believe God is faithful.
    I will not allow what I see to cancel what God has spoken.
    I will diligently seek Him.
    I will keep praying.
    I will keep worshiping.
    I will keep trusting.
    I will keep believing.
    And even while I am waiting, MY FAITH WILL STILL PLEASE GOD!
    BELIEVE. COME. SEEK. TRUST.
    GOD IS STILL FAITHFUL!
    “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
    FAITH THAT PLEASES GOD Believe, Come, and Diligently Seek Him Key Scripture: “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV) Thought Of The Day... There are many things we desire from God—healing, provision, direction, protection, restoration, peace, deliverance, and breakthrough. But Hebrews 11:6 turns our attention from what we want God to do for us to what pleases God. And Scripture gives us the answer: FAITH PLEASES GOD. Not perfect circumstances. Not having every answer. Not knowing how everything will work out. Faith. Faith says, “God, I may not understand what You are doing, but I still believe You.” • WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD The Scripture does not say it is difficult to please God without faith. It says: “Without faith it is impossible to please him.” Why is faith so important? Because faith reveals where our confidence rests. When everything is going well, it can be easy to say, “I trust God.” But genuine faith is revealed when the diagnosis is uncertain, the money is tight, the family is struggling, the door has not opened, the prayer has not yet been answered, and you cannot see what God is doing. Faith says: “Even here, I trust You.” Job declared: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him.” — Job 13:15 (KJV) There will be seasons when you cannot trace God's hand. But you can still trust His heart. Your circumstances may change, but God has not changed. • YOU MUST BELIEVE THAT GOD IS! Hebrews says: “…he that cometh to God must believe that he is…” Before believing God for something, we must believe God is. He is God when you understand Him. He is God when you don't. He is God when the door opens. He is still God when the door closes. He is God when the answer comes immediately. He is still God when He makes you wait. Sometimes our faith becomes focused primarily on God's gifts: “Lord, give me this. Lord, change that. Lord, open this door.” But mature faith says: “Lord, even if You don't give me what I requested when I requested it, I still want You.” Remember the three Hebrew men standing before the fiery furnace: “Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us…” — Daniel 3:17 (KJV) But then they declared: “But if not… we will not serve thy gods…” — Daniel 3:18 (KJV) That's powerful faith. God can. God is able. I believe God will. But even if He chooses another way, HE IS STILL GOD! • FAITH COMES TO GOD Notice the wording: “…he that cometh to God…” Faith doesn't run away from God during trouble. Faith runs toward God. When you're hurting—come. When you're confused—come. When you're disappointed—come. When you're weary—come. When you've made mistakes—come. When you don't know what tomorrow holds—COME TO GOD! David said: “When my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” — Psalm 61:2 (KJV) Your feelings may tell you to withdraw. Your disappointment may tell you God has forgotten you. Your circumstances may tell you prayer isn't working. But faith says: “I'm going back into His presence.” • DILIGENT FAITH DOESN'T QUIT SEEKING! The verse concludes: “…he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” There is a difference between casually seeking God and diligently seeking God. Diligence means persistence. It means you keep praying. You keep believing. You keep worshiping. You keep reading His Word. You keep serving. You keep showing up. You keep trusting God even when nothing appears to be changing. Jesus taught: “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” — Luke 18:1 (KJV) Some answers require faith that refuses to quit. You prayed yesterday? Pray again. You worshiped yesterday? Worship again. You believed yesterday? Believe again today. Don't allow God's silence to convince you that God is absent. Silence does not mean abandonment. Waiting does not mean denial. Delay does not mean God has forgotten you. • GOD REWARDS THOSE WHO SEEK HIM! God promises that He is: “…a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” But we must understand the greatest reward of seeking God. The greatest reward is not merely receiving something from His hand—it is experiencing more of His presence. Sometimes the reward is an open door. Sometimes it is healing. Sometimes it is provision. Sometimes it is restoration. But sometimes the reward is strength to endure what God has not yet removed. Paul prayed three times for his thorn to be removed, but God's response was: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” — 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV) Paul asked for removal. God gave him sustaining grace. Never limit God's reward to one particular answer. Sometimes God changes the situation. Sometimes God changes you while you're walking through the situation. Either way, God remains faithful. DON'T STOP BELIEVING! Perhaps you have been praying about something for a long time. You've asked. You've waited. You've cried. You've prayed again. And you're wondering: “God, when will You answer me?” Hebrews 11:6 speaks directly into that season: KEEP BELIEVING. KEEP COMING. KEEP SEEKING. KEEP TRUSTING. Your faith is not wasted. Your prayers are not wasted. Your worship is not wasted. Your obedience is not wasted. God sees every moment you choose faith instead of fear. “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” — 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV) You don't need to see everything God is doing to believe God is still working. PRAYER... Heavenly Father, We come before You today declaring that You are God, and besides You there is none other. Lord, increase our faith. When we cannot see the way, help us trust You. When we don't understand what You're doing, help us trust You. When our prayers seem unanswered, help us trust You. When our bodies are hurting, our finances are strained, our families are struggling, our hearts are heavy, and our minds are weary—help us trust You! Father, forgive us for the times we allowed fear to speak louder than faith. Forgive us for the times we doubted Your goodness because we could not understand Your plan. Today we declare: YOU ARE STILL GOD! We believe that You are. We believe You are faithful. We believe You are able. We believe You are our Provider. We believe You are our Healer. We believe You are our Deliverer. We believe You are our Keeper. And we believe You are a rewarder of those who diligently seek You. So we will seek You when life is good, and we will seek You when life is difficult. We will seek You when doors open, and we will seek You when doors close. We will seek You when we understand, and we will seek You when we don't. Give us faith that refuses to quit. Let our lives declare: “I DON'T HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT, BECAUSE I KNOW THE GOD IN WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED!” We trust Your timing. We trust Your wisdom. We trust Your Word. We trust Your plan. And most importantly, we trust You. In the mighty, matchless, powerful name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen and Amen! DECLARATION OF FAITH... Today I declare: I WILL WALK BY FAITH AND NOT BY SIGHT! I believe God is. I believe God can. I believe God is able. I believe God is faithful. I will not allow what I see to cancel what God has spoken. I will diligently seek Him. I will keep praying. I will keep worshiping. I will keep trusting. I will keep believing. And even while I am waiting, MY FAITH WILL STILL PLEASE GOD! BELIEVE. COME. SEEK. TRUST. GOD IS STILL FAITHFUL! “But without faith it is impossible to please him…” — Hebrews 11:6 (KJV)
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