The God Who Is Spirit

God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.

John 4:24 (NKJV)
Read: John 4:19-26

During Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman in John 4, He made a very important statement about God's essential nature. They were talking about worship when Jesus said, “An hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers” (v. 23).

Please notice that the phrase in John 4:24 has no article. God is not “the” Spirit; God is spirit. That is, spirit is His essence. That's who He is. This phrase is put at the front of the sentence in Greek for emphasis, so what Jesus is saying is, “I want to emphasize why you must worship God in spirit and truth.”

You can't get very far in a quest to know God without talking about worshiping Him. And you can't worship God the way He wants to be worshiped until you understand that “God is spirit.”

What does it mean to say something is spirit? First of all, it means that God is nonmaterial. He does not have a body. Spirits don't have bodies (Luke 24:39). You say, “But Jesus has a body.”

Yes, but that's because He became man, not because that's who He is in His eternal essence. In God's essence, He is immaterial. Now the Bible knows we have trouble with that because we are material beings in a material world.

So the Bible speaks about God in human terms: “the hand of the Lord” or “the eyes of the Lord.” These human descriptions are used to help us relate to a spirit being we could not relate to otherwise.

But when it comes to worship, God says, “You must worship Me in My essence” - that is, in spirit. That's why we don't make images of God and bow down to them. He forbids it, because nothing on earth could represent our awesome God properly.

That's also why worshiping God is a matter of what you do in your inner being, your spirit. What you do in your spirit is God's first concern, because everything else will flow out of that.

Provided by: Tony Evans - "Time To Get Serious" Devotional

Meme: Keep Going!

The Calendar Changes but Christ Doesn’t

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Hebrews 13:8 (ESV)

Here we go again … another January.

I was back at my dead-end job after the holidays, feeling about 10 pounds heavier (my mom’s mac and cheese was worth it though), stuck and alone in a city where friends seemed to change faster than the seasons. I was still processing the quiet ache of grief. Some people were gone too soon, and others had just walked out of my life without explanation.

The holiday celebrations were over. The sparkle had faded. As I sat at my desk, staring at a computer screen that barely paid my bills, I wasn’t thinking about resolutions or goals. I was thinking about all that had changed in the past year, how behind I felt, and how much I didn’t like it.

Change can be beautiful, but it can also feel brutal. Sometimes January doesn’t feel like a fresh start. It feels like a reminder that time keeps moving whether we’re ready or not.

But here’s what I’ve learned since that quiet, lonely January: While life constantly changes, Christ never does.

When friends walk away, He remains close.

When plans fall apart, He stays sovereign.

When the world feels unfamiliar because of grief or disappointment, He is still God.

Hebrews 13:8 reminds us, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

Even when everything around us shifts, we still have a steady foundation. He doesn’t come and go with the seasons. He doesn’t change His mind when others do. His goodness, His promises, and His presence remain.

So if this new year already feels uncertain, remember: God isn’t pacing the floors of heaven wondering what to do next. He’s fully in control and fully guiding you. It is not your job to understand why things look the way they do, but you can expect God to use your present circumstances to lead you to His goodness. He’s still the same Savior who carried you through last year, and He’ll carry you through this one too.

When we rely on Him through life’s changes, we can experience growth. Change isn’t just about walking away from what was; it’s about what God is bringing our way next.

In my life, I look back now and realize my dead-end job actually ended months later, but that led to something new. The friends who walked away made room for ones who would change my life. There was never a reason to fear the unknown because God was already there, leading me toward His best.

I just wish I could go back and tell my younger self: You don’t need to fear a future God is already in. God is refining you.

Let’s stay close to the One who never changes, even when everything else does. Don’t resent the growth or the change. Expect God to show up in it.

Lord, thank You that while life changes, You never do. Help me trust You with the unknowns ahead and to believe that every change is an invitation to grow closer to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Grace Valentine

Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Prayer: God Knows...

Navigating Difficult People Without Losing Your Peace

Sometimes in life, we encounter people whose selfishness and unwillingness to accommodate others cause frustration, stress, and even conflict. The feelings of anger, hurt, or confusion that arise are real, and God sees them. He knows the weight of carrying the tension that others create.

The first step is to bring your emotions to Him. Psalm 34:17-18 reminds us, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Don’t bottle it up, prayer is your safe place to release your anger, your frustration, and your confusion. God can handle your raw emotions.

Next, examine your own heart. Difficult people can sometimes push our buttons, revealing areas in us that need patience, humility, or forgiveness. Ephesians 4:31-32 says, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger…Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This doesn’t mean accepting abuse or walking on eggshells, it means protecting your heart while keeping Christ’s example of grace in view.

Set boundaries. Scripture doesn’t call us to endure constant harm or chaos, but to act wisely. Boundaries help protect your peace. Decide what behavior you will or won’t accept and stick to it. Sometimes that means limiting contact, sometimes it’s speaking up calmly and clearly when conflicts arise.

Finally, pray for them. It might feel impossible, but asking God to soften their heart or to work in their life can free you from carrying bitterness. Matthew 5:44 instructs, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” Praying for them isn’t about condoning bad behavior, it’s about freeing yourself from the chains of anger and resentment.

Remember: God’s strength shows most clearly in our weakness. When someone in your life is difficult, lean on Him. He is your refuge, your guide, and your peace.

A Devotional Week on... "Navigating Difficult People Without Losing Your Peace."

Day 1: Acknowledge Your Feelings

• Scripture: Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

• Reflection: Be honest with God about your anger, frustration, or hurt. Naming your emotions is the first step to processing them.

• Practice: Write down how this person makes you feel. Pray over each feeling, giving it to God instead of letting it consume you.

Prayer:

“Lord, I am frustrated and hurt by this person. Help me to place my anger in Your hands and not let it control me. Amen.”

Day 2: Seek Wisdom Before Reacting

• Scripture: Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

• Reflection: Pause before responding. Anger often leads to words or actions you’ll regret.

• Practice: When you feel your blood boiling, take three deep breaths, pray silently, and ask God for a response that honors Him.

Prayer:

“God, guide my words and actions. Help me respond with wisdom instead of reacting in anger. Amen.”

Day 3: Set Healthy Boundaries

• Scripture: Galatians 6:5 – “Each one should carry their own load.”

• Reflection: Boundaries are not unkind, they protect your heart. You can love someone without tolerating harmful behavior.

• Practice: Identify one boundary you need to set this week, maybe it’s limiting time with them or avoiding conversations that escalate conflict.

Prayer:

“Lord, give me courage to protect my peace and the wisdom to know what boundaries are necessary. Amen.”

Day 4: Pray for Them

• Scripture: Matthew 5:44 – “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”

• Reflection: Prayer is not about changing the other person, it’s about aligning your heart with God’s love.

• Practice: Pray for this person’s good, asking God to soften their heart and bless them, even if you don’t see change immediately.

Prayer:

“Father, bless this person and guide them to Your truth. Help me to forgive and not harbor bitterness. Amen.”

Day 5: Focus on What You Can Control

• Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”

• Reflection: You can’t control their actions, only your response. Your peace comes from surrendering control to God.

•Practice: List the things you can control today, your attitude, words, and actions, and focus your energy there.

Prayer:

“God, help me to let go of what I cannot control and focus on living in Your peace. Amen.”

Day 6: Cultivate Compassion

• Scripture: Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

• Reflection: Difficult people often act out of pain or insecurity. Compassion doesn’t excuse bad behavior, but it frees your heart from resentment.

• Practice: Try to see one positive thing in them today, even a small trait, and thank God for it in prayer.

Prayer:

“Lord, help me to see this person through Your eyes, and give me a heart of compassion instead of resentment. Amen.”

Day 7: Reflect and Release

• Scripture: Romans 12:19 – “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath.”

• Reflection: Let go of anger, trusting God to handle justice and change. Holding on only hurts you.

• Practice: Write a short letter expressing everything you feel, then tear it up or burn it as a symbolic release. Pray over your freedom from bitterness.

Prayer: “God, I release my anger and frustration to You. Guard my heart and help me walk in peace, trusting You to handle every situation. Amen.” - Ellie Mont

Public Enemy Number One...

If you are facing heavy spiritual attacks right now discouragement, temptation, chaos - take it as a compliment. A thief doesn't break into an empty house; he only targets a house that has treasure inside.

​The enemy is attacking you because he sees the value of what God has placed in you. He knows that if you keep going, you are going to do damage to his kingdom. He is trying to stop you now because he is terrified of who you are becoming.

The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy.

I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10 (NKJV)
Provided by "Devine Insight"

My Testimony

I don’t have a polished testimony. Mine still has dirt under its nails, tear stains on its pages, and prayers that never made it past a whisper.

There are parts I don’t know how to tell. Chapters I didn’t think I’d survive. Memories that still catch in my throat when I speak them aloud.

But here’s what I’ve come to know deep in my bones…

God never asked me to be shiny. He never waited for perfect. He asked me to be real.

And in the raw, in the wreckage, in the moments I thought I was too far gone, He stayed.

He saw what no one else did. The fight it took just to keep breathing. The strength it took to show up anyway. The silent prayers I cried when the world thought I was fine.

So no, I don’t have a tidy before and after.

But I have a testimony that’s still being written. One that’s honest, unfiltered, and laced with grace. And that, lovely, is holy ground.

Provided by "Little Sparrow Loved"

Spiritual Maturity

A Definition

Spiritual maturity is a process that begins when a person accepts Jesus Christ as Savior. He or she is born again of the Holy Spirit and then chooses to live "in Christ." The Apostle Paul said that spiritual growth is an ongoing process. "Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:12-14). Even the Apostle Paul had not arrived, yet he continually pressed toward the prize.

Therefore, in order for Christian maturity to develop in your life, you must make a choice to learn God's Word, allow God to renew your mind, and then be obedient to what you learn. Romans 12:1-2 says, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God - this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Accomplishing Growth

What are the marks of spiritual maturity? Spiritual maturity is learning how to walk in obedience to God. It is making the choice to live by God's viewpoint rather than your human viewpoint. Galatians 5:16 and 25 give the key, "So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature…Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." The word "walk" in verse 16 is from the Greek word peripateo, which means "to walk with a purpose in view." The word "walk" in verse 25 is translated from another Greek word stoicheo and it means "step by step, one step at a time." It is learning to walk under the instruction of another. That person is the Holy Spirit. Since believers are indwelt by the Spirit, they should also walk under His control.

How can you learn to walk in the Holy Spirit's control? You study God's Word! 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17 instructs us, "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth…All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." This is good practical instruction on how you become spiritually mature. It is not done by osmosis, but it is done by choosing to apply God's Word in everyday circumstances. As you walk step-by-step, applying God's Word to your life, you will grow spiritually.

Spiritual maturity should be a priority for you. "Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil" (Hebrews 5:13-14). As a believer, you are not to be milk-fed. Instead, you are called to chew on the "meat" of God's Word. Discover God's truth by in-depth Bible study and feed yourself spiritually. Then apply that sustenance to your life as you walk in the Holy Spirit.

Scripture: Galatians 5:25

 

Application of God's Word: Galatians 5:25

 
Verse: Galatians 5:25
 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Application:

Again Paul reminded the Galatians that in addition to a divine judgment of the sinful nature there is a divine enablement in the person of the Holy Spirit. He made the believer alive by regeneration (cf. John 3:5-6), so each believer is exhorted to keep in step (stoichōmen, translation “follow” in Galatians 6:16) with the Spirit. Step by step one's Christian walk should conform to the Spirit's direction and enablement.

God is interested in every part of our life, not just the spiritual part. As we live by the Holy Spirit's power, we need to submit every aspect of our life to God: emotional, physical, social, intellectual, vocational. Paul says that because we're saved, we should live like it! The Holy Spirit is the source of your new life, so keep in step with his leading. Don't let anything or anyone else determine your values and standards in any area of your life.