Devotion 2 Corinthians and Faith 7/1/21

Posted on July 1, 2021 by wondermedia

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What does it mean to have faith? Is it okay to have a faith in some higher power or is it okay to have faith in yourself? Can a person who is a Christian who hopes to only live alone be in great faith in the Lord?

Can God make a way where a believer is a completely different person from what they were before, through Christ?

Hmm, I think most of these are great questions. One reflects more of the world in wondering but if you yourself are a believer you may know that there is a difference (hopefully).

Here is the key verse for today:

For we walk by faith not by sight.

II Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

What does this mean?

Is there an “I” in faith? Yes literally, haha, but in a rather expressive sense, the only thing a believer should do is depend on the Lord and not in self.

It might be hard but even those who claim to be strong (or who say they might be stronger than others) will have this “I” attitude. Even saying that only caring about what God wants and not giving a crap about being with other believers is like having an “I” attitude.

I myself used to think that the church wasn’t important to me. There was a time I thought a church was just a “place” to go to not a body of believers. But it is a time to fellowship to lean on each other and help each other be lifted up emotionally, depending on each other through the love of Jesus.

It’s sad many Christians today now see themselves important over people they should share the gospel to, a strange newer attitude like an “I” one where own goals own drawing from the word is the only thing they think that they themselves should focus on in life.

Though we have the tendency to focus on ourselves, one should not come into a church and think that way. People who do that will probably come in, not talk to people and leave as soon as the “credits” roll, err I mean, when the service has ended.

Are we to act like we are in a movie theater or a body of ones who have learned to be love to one another?

We must have genuine love and also through a unified faith in Christ, we can help guide each other in God-honoring love that is deeper than the world would ever understand.

Also we must know that if we want to live in and for Christ, God can do amazing things in our lives!

I can only boast of the power of and transforming grace of Jesus because He has done things in my life that were not my effort, these in my old life would be impossible.

To keep faith in Jesus and be close to His Word as one walks day to day they will experience change.

And that is because of something that is what Paul mentions later in Second Corinthians about being “new” because of Christ’s blood and revealed love, to be changed by His grace.

In verse 17 of chapter 5, the writer describes being a new creation. It says that if one is in Christ they are a “new creation” and the “old things” have gone as behold by the power of God all things have become new!

When Christ died on the cross the sin of the world was being paid for as He was the lamb of God the sacrifice for all sin.

When Jesus shed His blood it was for the alcoholics, ones with the heart of Saul, people recklessly and hopelessly stuck in sin, people who don’t know any better than what their family taught them, the thieves, the liars, the ones who struggle every day yet feel their sin is not “savable” or can be loved by God, all of the world’s so-called “life,” torn apart by the awful stink of sin.

So if you have wondered what the faith is all about, I hope you one day will know and experience this life yourself.

One can only tell you what the life in Christ is because you would one day have to believe to really understand. It will not be an easy journey but it will be worth it. I sincerely hope you do have it happen in your life, today or maybe soon but all I know is God knows the way your heart really is, believe in something! Maybe you’ll learn to believe in God sooner or later, just don’t let it be too late!

Devotions Light- 6/30/21

Posted on June 30, 2021 by wondermedia

I’m almost groaning as much as the other time. Rebelliousness is awful. God, may I remember what You’ve taught me because I cannot “live” in any other way…!

Do you prefer to live in seeming darkness? Have you ever been afraid of your deeds to be exposed by the “light?”

I know that no one likes their sin to be known to all, even if they might be proud of it. Or there at has been one time where they have this feeling of shame about it. At least one moment!

God does not like sin. He doesn’t even like anyone’s sin! He either will punish the ones who have not been redeemed or will give consequences to believers who continue to go in the way they act that they might claim they only know how.

But there is hope in the midst of people who feel they only know sin. We need a church to help guide us the right way. A real bible-believing church!

Whether we know that or not we need reassurance through fellowship and to seek His goodness.

We need to be inside of Christ’s words if we don’t read the bible. Also there is need to go out of our way to give time to Him to read His word also.

Speaking of His word:

The Lord is my light and my salvation. Psalm 27:1

Like a guiding light we should depend a little more every day on Him and also know and remember who saved us from that sin!

If we continue on in our old life, we might become seemingly hopeless. I have had such depth to my own sin I had terrible sad emotions after a while.

But if we know our strength is in the Lord then we can realize that we have hope. There is always a reason to move on and press on, even if a way through life even seems impossible!

Or maybe you haven’t learned about true life in Jesus.

From what I went through I experienced life from knowing Christ. He is real. I can only say that to you at the very least but I pray and hope that you get to experience Him too!

As we close out this time, this month that is well-known I want to share just how proud I am that Christ did so much to change me!

When I wasn’t listening to what He was telling me, I found a hope eventually that was a great comfort. And that was only by being as faithful as I could be.

In these trying times, I found a true path by looking for what else God had in store for me.

Thought the relationship didn’t work out at the time, I still prayed and tried to be faithful to Him in the midst of not knowing who God would send me.

I found that woman after waiting on the Lord. To see just how amazing living a life for Christ can be it is true we have to know that we have sin and cannot know God because of it.

We have sin. An example can be a man who has slept with alot of women. That is wrong, right?

If you think that is okay because he might be an adult it is bad because one day he will be accountable to God.

We all have sin. If we don’t know a good that can save us from it we could be lost and without Christ. And spend eternity in a place called hell.

If we have no hope from God’s Son we have no hope, no matter what the world may say!

It is a sad truth that this world has fallen to sin long ago. Adam choosing to sin was so great that the bible doesn’t even claim that Eve helped do it. It is said that Adam had a responsibility and because he instead of walking with and living for God in close intimacy he chose to eat that fruit in the garden of Eden the bible says, “sin entered the world through one man.” (part of Romans 5:12)

But surely if sin is so vast we can find a way to save ourselves right? Nope.

But God made a way because He sees something in you and wants you to know how much He loves you.

In the bible John 3:16 it says “For God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

You might not be going to heaven but God made a way so that would not be your destiny today.

God gave us Jesus not because He deserved to die but because He was perfect and without evil in his heart. He loved the Lord and we should at the very least want Him in our lives to be like Him.

He is described as the “Lamb of God” because He was without blemish (He was perfect!) and to stop sin from prevailing in the hearts of all people He had to die in their place.

Christ took the world’s sin. He perished for everyone’s sin. He also died for both your sin and mine!

He faced horrible punishment for your sin, was bled by whipping and was tortured on the cross because his blood needed to be spilled for man’s penalty.

The bible says, “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” (Hebrews 9:22)

Then Christ passed away on the cross. His dead body was laid in a tomb. But then after three days, Jesus Christ rose again!

Like a light of the world He can live on in people’s hearts who want to live for Him but first they must want a relationship with the Lord of our lives.

We might want to live on in our sin but God made a way where no one would have to.

That is why to not be in “darkness” is an awful place to dwell in so it is better to see how God sees us and experience the truth of His great love.

We don’t deserve Jesus but yet here we are, finding out about Him!

If you feel led pray this prayer:

God I found out that I can have no hope without what I thought was you. I have sin and it is sin that is undoable by my own actions. I don’t want to end up in a bad place because I heard that you really did send Your Son Jesus Christ to die for my sin. I am grateful that He paid that penalty, I am also glad that He was able to show He had power over death. I want to live a life where I can live forever in Your Son Jesus. To live a relationship I want to start living for Him. Thank you for hearing me. You are my true love in this life. Change me as I follow Your ways.

Now one more verse:

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. Isaiah 60:1

May you live for a glory that will send you on a journey of life and through love that you are amazed by. Have a blessed day reader.

Devotions Joshua- 6/29/21

Posted on June 29, 2021 by wondermedia

Have you ever been afraid to say something even though you knew it would be right to say so? That had been most of my life!

I was a thinker but many times I thought my way out of witnessing too.

A person has many reasons to not witness I think that one of them is out of fear.

What will they think of me if I talk about Jesus?

What can we do but try to be a witness?

We should more than try. We need to remember the confidence we have had since our youth (Psalms 71:5).

Joshua had a lot on his plate it seemed in the book of Joshua Chapter 1.

Moses had a helper, a friend named Nun. When Moses passed away, the Lord spoke to Joshua- Nun’s child- to gather the ones of Israel to go over the Jordan River.

He was promised that the Lord would give over the land to the Israelites. This land was from the Euphrates River, the land of the Hittites, and all the land to the coast to the Mediterranean Sea.

He had to meditate on the law (which was important to believers at that time) day and night. (Source: Totally History – Joshua Chapter 1 Summary, Audio & Text (KJV) (totallyhistory.com) -)

Now how could this happen if men (and women) don’t normally hear from the Lord?

Joshua had a lot to accomplish! The hardest part was He had to trust in something that was not only greater than him, but avoid all of his human expectations and leave things in the Lord’s hands!

The verse to focus on will be Joshua a few verses in:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NKJV

Why did he have to mediate on the law? I believe it was for Joshua a way to focus entirely on the Lord.

If we should not keep our focus on our current or dangerous circumstances then what should (or who should) we keep our focus on to be “brave”?

Bravery. Courage.

It’s what every person needs today.

Have you ever been brave? We should stand for what we believe in. There’s a huge chance it will be against what the people within the world claim but it will still be the truth.

Bravery is going against what everything the world is saying. Is that true courage?

It is best to speak up about it.

Hope that has encouraged you to be a kind and gentle one in this chaotic world. Be the light in the darkness. Be “real” brave today.

Be Like an Angel- 6/26/21

Posted on June 26, 2021 by wondermedia

Last night could have gone a lot better… but it was humbling after coming in to work today…!

The heart whether it is within the will of God or fully in the world wants what it wants yet is often a form of peril. It is too easy to have the habit of straying away from what God wants and keep going back to what the old ways wanted. Those moments of spiritual weakness just slip back in so easily like an old torn up glove; sure it’s not a good idea to “wear” that old thing again but it doesn’t seem so bad, so hey, might as well do it again!

The sad part is if the person permits it they will have a heart like the world if one isn’t barring it from their daily life. That daily life can be something like a habit that a person is conscious of, a thing that they know is wrong but they just keep giving in to it.

Maybe ones have the heart that Paul once described to the church he was writing to while incarcerated with different churches, a church stuck in very immoral lives. A person who does that thinks, “Hey it’s okay to sin like this. God will keep forgiving me. So He will keep being good in my life!” Right?

Is that a way to live every day? Maybe? Well…

I know it’s the “obvious” answer here but no, it is not good to live like that.

It says in Romans 6 we might think it is a good idea to feel like that but it is not a means to help us out. It is like stoking a fire while trying to put it out. If we let something like that continue it will not be beneficial to our walk. There is no growth. There is especially no chance or the want to have opportunities to guide others in the Lord.

If we are so concerned about our so-called “needs,” will we want to tend to others’ needs? Will we decide to change our concern and look to others’ interests?

In a book of the bible (Second Timothy) Paul was writing to Timothy after he was serving in a church for about four years. Paul himself was alone in a terrible prison (one he would soon leave only not alive, as historians say). Paul and Timothy were like spiritual bondsmen. They shared a kinship that was holy but not physical. And here Paul was telling Timothy that he should continue to impact spiritually just as they had when the holy spirit had done great works in their individual journeys for Jesus.

I was going to focus on verse 7 but let me go one back to context what I was talking about which is actually from verse 6. He is reminding Timothy “to stir up the gift of God” reminding or maybe it’s just reinstating something for encouragement. It then continues to the next verse:

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. II Timothy 1:7 NKJV

So in Second Timothy in the first chapter, this verse he tells him that they do not have a spirt of “fear” but of good things!

My father said that what it means is we shouldn’t lose hope. Thanks Daddoo, hehe…

It is too easy to take “fear” the wrong way.

But what about the fear that we should take the right way?

I realize I was getting a little out of context with the first verse about what I wanted to get to, haha, sorry. I’m not very great at digging deep into the bible especially when I find a good deal of verses. This time there was some needed context but it will make more sense from here on out, I promise!

If we fear the Lord does that mean we will get struck dead by lightning the moment, say, a guy glances at a woman?

Is fear meaning we won’t get to have moments of weakness? Is being a believer like being a monk?

The world believes that actually. It’s not true. There might even be churches that do that too. If they follow things that are not from the bible, it’s more like man’s rules and it’s not from the Word of God..!

It’s funny how complicated us as people can make things. We think if we do things that are good and avoid all bad we get blessings from God. No. Not true.

You have to have a heart attitude. You go from believing that once you could get nothing but “good” stuff from the world to being fearful of knowing what is right and wrong. We battle sin every day, Christians. To struggle against it is better than claiming “I never do wrong” which is sin itself and a terrible way to be a representative of Christ.

To be one who never does wrong means there is denial to sin. That is like claiming they are God Himself.

Anyway I am tangenting, sorry haha….

We have to change our attitudes. We can think to only dwell in specific things because we “can’t” do wrong, we can live shallow lives because we think that a relationship we have is more important than say seeing how much more we can represent Christ Jesus.

Here’s one that hits close to home for me. We can live almost our entire lives as Christians but realize we haven’t totally given our heart to Christ!

We must question and search our own hearts individually if we want to really live for God. Take time to wonder about your life and then ask God “Am I really living a faithful life for You…?”

That’s where God’s word comes in to play.

I lived almost my entire life conformed to the world. It wasn’t until I was a teenager that I read something that reflected something spiritual that moved my heart (and the Holy Spirit kind of said “Ta Da, I can do this for you too!”). I was floored. I didn’t know that God could change that in my life. He really could??

To serve God means to give everything to Him. Let it be remembered what the cross had done so you don’t feel you have to suffer so much about it or as much as you used to!

Verse below. The main gist of this writing:

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13

If we let that be left behind we might not have to struggle like it’s the end of our worlds. Following Jesus again is like turning around and finding out with His mercy He is just one step away, no matter how far we have “wandered” from Him!

If you follow Him and you have struggled with sin be honest and genuine with Him! Say you are sorry (you better be sorry! Oh, I digress again, apologies, haha!) and ask forgiveness. Then say you repent and will follow again. Simple. Simple but powerful in the relationship with God.

Now you must know the wonderful life and love of a church. There is a lifeblood within it. We must be changing every day and live for His glory. We must have our lives more and more glorified so that we are closer to the reflection of Christ.

We might not be “angels” (Oh yeah by the way. I’ve seen an angel four times now! I will share that hopefully soon in a future article or blog note which might be multiple accounts though) but we can live a reflection close “enough” to what we hope Christ is like.

What we all need to get through while happening to walk in this world is a fellowship with other believers. That is by going to a church!

We all must lift each other up and guide each other either in love or in prayer. In prayers we get a special protection while we go about our daily lives.

We must learn to show love to each other within the church. Good, God-honoring love.

We also need to learn to see ourselves the way God does. I feel like if we did, we would have better attitudes about what we should do day to day.

An encouraging verse to end on below:

Let all that you do be done with love. I Corinthians 16:14 NKJV

Let’s be as good as we can be if we have a problem with attitudes or be too much “like” the world. We should be like ones who put on a new clothing, something that is different than what we once were. As ones who believe let’s live for the One who only wants to guide us, give us empathy to show toward others, and be ones who love the Lord with all our hearts! We can be like angels instead of little “devils” hehe.

Devotion Romans- 6/25/21

Posted on June 25, 2021 by wondermedia

Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus. Romans 15:5 NKJV

Have you ever been in a group that was divided in opinions? Did anyone agree on anything? Maybe it would feel like a place where no thought was “safe” and was easy to be shut out by the others after it was criticized.

Sometimes at church meetings a member will feel so angry about things they will shout their opinion. What he may say might be wrong, so is it good to yell at the pastor or whoever is leading the discussion? No I don’t think so. But sometimes people will feel strongly about a subject and will want to “attack” with their thoughts and maybe divide the other people in the room.

In the bible we as people should be in a group setting (in this case, a church) and have many things in agreeance. Not all of our current thoughts should be completely on one side (personal views might be just a little different) but on most important things there should be like one accord, if one belongs within a church.

What I brought up above is not a problem at the church I currently attend. Yet it becomes apparent at churches where it is time to speak up about certain topics and there seem to be strong “passions” about the way things are being done.

But all in all if you or if anyone you know who is looking for a church to attend the important thing is that they follow the bible and not man’s ideas or things that do not have the bible based on them.

May the One who gives patience and comfort give you the ability to discern the truth versus man’s ways and you learn to be like-minded in a church that is like Jesus. Amen!

Another Quick Devotion?- 6/24/21

Posted on June 24, 2021 by wondermedia

And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Matthew 6:13 NKJV

We must remember that in order for us to be rescued from the perils that we were once slaves to, we should know just what exactly we were first rescued from. There is a lot of bad stuff out there and if we as Christians keep giving into it there might be a reason that it feels the holy spirit leaves a person’s life. Not completely abandoning the person, but it is a time where God goes “okay, it’s time for you to take me seriously again… whenever you want to, I’ll be here.”

I’ve experienced that time and time again before and worse before that. Giving into my old ways, not caring what other people might think. But there are always consequences, especially if a believer after a while does so and keeps doing so with reckless abandon! We must take the Lord seriously.

We also must not pray to look good. That was the flaw of the Pharisees during the New Testament. They loved “showy” prayer and yet God was not in them. We must adjust our praying so that He is glorified and we must talk directly to Him before we might have to speak in public, let’s say.

No pride. If pride then no glory. And let’s remember what we were delivered from so we can be strong during those temptations, AMEN

A Quick Devotion- 6/23/21

Posted on June 23, 2021 by wondermedia

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:13-14 NKJV

Paul was very dedicated to what he believed in before and after He found out who Christ was. When he took some words out of context he was literally killing believers! How sad. So many were perishing while Paul (then actual name: “Saul”) was thinking doing so was in “God’s Will.”

Have any of us ever did something not in God’s Will but we thought it was right? I’m sure many have.

In fact I believe with all my heart there are people today with Saul’s “hopeful” purpose. Ones should hopefully realize though that there is love that might not be where they believe now.

There is hope. There is a love. And it must not be taken out of context.

Ones who are in love and hope of one who is greater than themselves should not be discouraged even though in these current times it may be tough. We must forget our past (though not repeat it), we must reach forward to our goals either for the Lord or for our hopes for wanting to live a better life. We must press on like a runner, though it might seem tough if all you think of are your current understandings and what you see right now in “front of” you.

Don’t lose heart, my friends. Press on toward the goal because His love and giving (or our “outgiving” God which is impossible) will help the cause but we must respond first to the call of Christ Jesus.

Grief is Complicated- 6/23/21

Posted on June 23, 2021 by wondermedia

Was listening to a song and thought it would be perfect to direct a music video for and perform it. Didn’t realize until a moment later it would be perfect for a “future” movie project, which will surprise some of you…. 🙂

Sometimes we “grieve” over what we went thought. Sometimes we grieve over the past or things that were definite hurdles. I believe with all my heart we have limits to our bodies because we are strong and able bodied but after the fall we must know that there needs to be a glory or worship that is not in us.

We were made for something great and that first thing was to worship or give glory to God.

I think we were made for a great purpose! We all need to know that.

Mine had happened quite some time ago. But I had learned then and now just how powerful music is as well.

When I was struggling mentally I was still looking to the Lord. I was having seemingly impossible things happen in my life and yet I kept pushing on.

It was only by the strength of the Lord and nothing of my old self that kept me wanting to press on and strive forward.

But if you ever think of the “wonders” of writing we must know that in our lives as we are like the ‘protagonist’ there is always an ‘antagonist’ that keeps stopping whatever we might plan.

The protagonist which might be the believer in good, wants to live and serve and see great things happen because of the amazing change that has happened in their life. But the antagonist which is Satan wants to stifle anything that is good that keeps him the prince of lies from stopping his plans.

That was a battle for all of my senior year almost as soon as I started my movie project for the Lord.

And it seemed to end when things became too much. I could not handle it all! And I ended up in a psychiatric hospital, while my friends who were very concerned thought I was never coming back…

I was examined at a children’s hospital (I was young, only 17) then after they saw that something was definitely off they sent me to a place where I signed myself in.

My dad was with me every step of the way.

So fairly recently whenever my brothers would practice our songs we wanted to do that were covers I had mine from childhood but I thought about it in such a new way.

The words after that in a way tough experience made me feel like the music video I wanted to shoot would be about that time! The moments I thought I was dying and needed help. Having so many complicated feelings yet in being in some kind of rest. Thinking that time in the hospital I was going to be there that night. I called my dad a “visitor” and also was frustrated about how much he was trying to help me but his “helping” was getting overbearing beyond passing the line of what I was comfortable with, it felt!

And I was growing very claustrophobic and he wasn’t understanding what I was going through and wouldn’t leave the room even for a few seconds.

That was somehow this song! And when I thought of making the music video I had a flashback that made me feel like it had just happened yesterday…

and I would keep crying.

Those times really did seem tough but I easily forget the good things or the things where God rescued me from a lot. In this case He just wanted to show just how vast His love really was. (Note to reader: Read my first testimony post if you wonder what happened then).

It starts in the heart torn by sin and the bad daily things that happen in the world as one grows up. People turn to bad and dangerous things either too young or as they are trying to develop or maybe even when they are adults!

And yet like a “song” somehow there is a reminder that hope and love is still there.

But music really is a powerful thing. It can bring on emotions and bring to the forefront a lot of things to meditate on or just be a lot of fun!

As a bad part of life that I know all too well, this life is precious. Don’t make a bad decision that will end for you to early… because there is a love here that will take you to wondrous, amazing possibilities.

There is love. Learn about it, because it will save your life. And God bless you!

Devotion 2 Corinthians Verse- 6/22/21

Posted on June 22, 2021 by wondermedia

Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. II Corinthians 4:16-18 NKJV

Hello dear reader.

How awesome God is being in my life lately. It’s funny how just a year after I was in a bad situation all I cared about was a “feeling” and I wanted it back more than probably anything.

I shared that on my first “testimony” heading. Well I mean the one this year in June was the time I put that testimony on officially for the site (but there’s a chance I will change older ones into having those main tags as well!).

Now though I have not the feeling I also see this as “maybe I’m not done.” I had an intimate relationship with the Lord many years back and yet I feel this time it’s either almost the same or more so, greater than when I might have felt I was in the past supposedly “stronger” in Jesus.

But I must not lost heart especially then that lately I see God’s invisible hand in my life. Things that are not seen. Yet I know there is something or a lot of things happening only because of the Father’s glory.

Though this life is tough and to easy too we must not be discouraged. We have God on our side even if it seems that it is too hard for it to feel like it is true.

We must not forget the attitude God helped us develop also. That is what I feel it means when it says to “not lose heart.“

More and more every day we are more like Christ especially if we stay in God’s word (the best way to do this at least is daily. It helps the heart stay consistent and in tube to what He wants to say to us!). To read is to have our minds renewed, to be refreshed in the Holy Spirit, and also a reminder that though it is easy to expect a lot from God, a relationship is a two way thing: we can talk and pray as much as we want but we must also read the Bible to find out what he wants to say to us too!

May we not “see” the storms in lives as ways God has “abandoned” us. May we keep our hearts and minds in tune from the love of Jesus because it was by His blood we were healed. May we all see that though we might love God He was first to love us!

I hope we all walk in His ways and seek things like sharing His Wrd and the gospel that might be like baby steps but will turn into ways to show our gratefulness to God and lead to our treasures in heaven!

Amen

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