Spiritual Maturity

Following Jesus isn't just learning about Him - it’s becoming like Him. It means allowing the Holy Spirit to reshape the deepest parts of who you are, surrendering your pride, desires, fears, and ambitions to the authority of Christ.

When you first place your faith in Jesus, you're justified - declared righteous in His sight. But that's only the beginning. Next comes sanctification: the lifelong process of being transformed into His image. It touches every single corner of your life:

- How you respond when you're wronged.

- How you handle temptation when nobody's watching.

- How you view money, status, suffering, and even your enemies.

Jesus didn't come simply to improve your old nature - He came to recreate you entirely. The more you walk with Him, the more His character replaces your own: love displaces hatred, humility breaks pride, and forgiveness cures bitterness. What once controlled you loses its grip.

This process is slow and often painful, requiring deep conviction, repentance, and daily surrender. But take heart - transformation isn't a burden you carry alone, it's a supernatural work the Spirit performs within you.

The Christian life isn't about trying harder to "act like Jesus." It’s about abiding in Him so deeply that His life naturally begins to flow through yours. True spiritual maturity isn't measured by how much you know about Christ, but by how much you resemble Him.

"And we all... are being transformed into the same image

from one degree of glory to another."

2 Corinthians 3:18

- David Delfeld

Provided by "I Am With You Always"

Scripture: Proverbs 16:20

When We Run Out, Jesus Steps In

Have you ever found yourself in a place where you have done everything you know to do, but the situation still feels impossible?

A place where you have prayed, waited, and hoped, but you are still standing in the middle of uncertainty? Maybe you feel like you have run out of answers. Maybe you feel like the joy, strength, opportunity, or hope you once carried is running low. But the story of Jesus turning water into wine in John 2 reminds us of a powerful truth: when we run out, Jesus steps in.

At the wedding in Cana, a problem appeared that seemed impossible to solve. The celebration was running out of wine, and there was nothing the people could do to fix it. But Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew exactly where to turn. She went to Jesus because she knew that what was impossible for people was possible for Him. Mary had faith before she had evidence. She did not know how Jesus would solve the problem or what the miracle would look like, but she knew that Jesus was able.

That is what faith does. Faith does not require us to understand every detail. Faith requires us to trust the One who holds every detail. Mary’s instruction to the servants was simple: “Do whatever He tells you.” Those words were not just instructions for the servants at the wedding but they are instructions for every believer today.

Sometimes God’s greatest miracles begin with our smallest acts of obedience. The servants did not see the miracle immediately. They filled the jars with water first. They obeyed before they understood. They moved before they saw the outcome. Then Jesus did what only Jesus could do, He took something ordinary and made it extraordinary.

Are You Going To?

The Carnal Christian

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻 – 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 D𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗽𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 T𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵?

The word “Christian” is used in many different contexts today. However, very few people understand what a “Carnal Christian” is all about. If we search, we will not find the phrase “Carnal Christian” in the Bible, but the Scripture does teach about being carnally minded and living out of our old sin nature or what we inherited as part of humanity. The biblical word translated “carnal” is also translated “flesh” and it denotes mere human nature or the earthly nature of mankind apart from divine influence, and therefore it is prone to sin and opposed to God. A Carnal Christian is a believer in Christ who is more influenced by their human or earthly nature rather than the nature of God. Scripture teaches that we have our treasure in an earthen vessel (2 Corinthians 4:7). An earthen vessel is made from dirt and Genesis 2:7 says that God formed Adam from the dust of the ground. We could then say we have what is ours as believers in Christ in a body of flesh or dirt. We are also told that when we come to Christ, we are a “new creation” (1 Corinthians 5:17). However, the new creation has to do with our spiritual life and is not a transformation of our old flesh or our carnal body. The issue then is what controls our treasure. Are we as Carnal Christians controlled by our carnal or fleshly sin nature or do we surrender to the new creation, which is empowered by the Spirit of God?

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻 – 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱?

The Apostle Paul speaks about Carnal Christians in Romans 8:6-7 and 1 Corinthians 3:1-4. The characteristics spoken of in these passages are that the carnal or fleshly mind, which is human viewpoint, is enmity against God or is anti-God. It cannot please God, is unable to digest solid spiritual food, and is filled with strife, envy, and division. These are very unhealthy spiritual traits and the reality is that all believers are carnally minded at one time or another. It is a matter of growing up and becoming mature. That is a process that continues on a daily basis as we acknowledge our need of grace and submit to the process. We fully surrender to the LORD as He works through every situation in our lives to conform us to His image. So then, we know that a Carnal Christian is one who is characterized by inner mental attitudes that are not in agreement with God’s viewpoint and from our inner mental attitudes come our actions. We could then say that a Carnal Christian is one who does not focus upon God’s Word, does not see the necessity of obeying God, and does not experience the abundant peace and joy that is the believers if they submit to the power of the Spirit in their lives rather than being led by their old carnal nature (Galatians 5:16). A Carnal Christian is often very frustrated because the Spirit of God is faithful to us and convicts and convinces us that when we are operating out of our carnal flesh, we are not fulfilling God’s purpose for us. Our purpose as children of God is to bring glory to Him in all our choices and actions and so since we are not fulfilling our true spiritual purpose, we suffer self-inflicted misery.

𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗻 – 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗱𝘆?

How can you be transformed from being a Carnal Christian to being a Spirit-led Christian? We find an answer in Romans 12:1-2 where we read that you can choose to submit your flesh or carnality as a living sacrifice or what that is set apart unto God and not be conformed or molded by the pressure of the world and the flesh. You can be transformed, which is a continual process, through allowing the Word of God to renew your mind so that we may prove or authenticate, to put to the test, what is the good and acceptable or fully agreeable and complete will of God. It is God’s will then for a Carnal Christian to mature and grow strong in their faith and walk of obedience. The ongoing process that takes a believer in Christ from a Carnal Christian or what Hebrews calls a “babe in Christ” to one who is engaged in maturing as a child of God is the choice to take in the solid food of the Word, which equips us as Christians to be able to discern or reason what is good and what is evil and what is good and what is better (Hebrews 5:13-14).

Provided by "All About God Ministries"

Recognizing Your Blessings

“I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works…

Put them in fear, O Lord, that the nations may know themselves to be but men.”

Psalm 9:1,20

There is something deeply grounding about this passage because it redirects attention to where it truly belongs. David begins with wholehearted gratitude, choosing to remember and recount all that God has done. That is not a casual acknowledgment but an intentional act. It requires looking back, reflecting, and recognizing that the good in your life is not random or self-produced. It is given. It is sustained; It is rooted in God’s provision. Yet this is where it becomes easy to drift, because there is a natural tendency to take ownership of what was never fully yours to begin with.

It is subtle how pride can enter into gratitude. You may still thank God, but somewhere beneath that, there can be a belief that your effort, your discipline, or your decisions are the primary reason for the blessings you have. This passage gently but clearly confronts that mindset. It reminds you that no matter how capable you feel, no matter how much you have accomplished, you are still dependent. The phrase that they may know themselves to be but men carries weight because it brings everything back into perspective. It is not meant to diminish your value, but to realign your understanding of your position in relation to God.

There is a difference between participating in what God is doing and taking credit for it. You are invited to work, to grow, and to be faithful, but none of that exists apart from the strength and opportunity God provides. Every ability, every open door, every provision traces back to Him. When that truth is forgotten, it becomes easy to shift focus inward and begin building a sense of identity around what you have achieved. That kind of thinking creates distance because it slowly replaces dependence with self-reliance.

David models a different response. He does not just acknowledge God’s works internally, he speaks of them. He recounts them. There is something powerful in putting gratitude into words because it reinforces where your trust is placed. When you intentionally remember what God has done, it strengthens your faith for what is ahead. It reminds you that you are not navigating life alone and that the same God who provided before is still present now. Gratitude becomes more than a feeling, it becomes a practice that keeps your heart aligned.

There is also a deeper layer to this passage that speaks to how easily blessings can be misused when they are not recognized as coming from God. When something that was meant to reflect God’s goodness is turned into something that elevates self, it loses its intended purpose. This is where humility becomes essential. It is not about denying what you have, but about understanding why you have it. Everything is meant to point back to God, not as a restriction, but as a reminder of where life and provision truly come from.

Just the Next Step

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)

God is teaching me so much about really trusting Him. Fully. Completely. Wholeheartedly.

Though the path I’m on may feel uncertain, He’s faithful to shed just enough light for me to see the very next step. And this isn’t Him being mysterious - this is a great demonstration of His mercy. Instead of bombarding Him with my suggestions or projections, clenching my fists, and reaching for control, I simply need to embrace and obey the very next thing He shows me. And then the next.

That’s what it means to truly “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5).

Because here’s what I know about myself: If God showed me too much revelation through an exact blueprint of where I'm headed, I might panic if His plan didn’t match what I desperately want. Or I might be tempted to take control and make things happen on my own.

On the flip side, if He showed me too little, never revealing Himself or His guidance, I’d be paralyzed with the thought that He’d abandoned me.

But in His kindness, God gives each of us just enough revelation to keep going today - an invitation from Him to be fully obedient to Him right now. When I read scriptures like Proverbs 3:5-6, I can feel His prodding in my heart: Lysa, are you being obedient to Me in this?

Or as I listen to wise counsel, I am challenged: Lysa, are you willing to implement what is being suggested to you in this situation?

Often my confusion isn’t because God is being mysterious; it’s because I’m not being obedient. As I enter this brand-new day, I’m seeking Him rather than trying to figure out His plan. Instead of filling the gaps of the unknown with my suggestions to God, I’m placing my trust in Him.

We don’t have to know it all to trust Him completely. We can take it one day at a time. One step at a time. One act of obedience at a time. One sliver of light at a time.

El Shaddai, God Almighty, I want to trust You fully, wholeheartedly, with everything. But You know this can wage war with my desire to be certain, to understand, and to control. It feels like there are too many unknowns in my life, but thank You that You are constant, the same yesterday, today, and forever. You know I have dreams, desires, and hopes for my future. Often I want to run ahead of You and make all these happen. But I don’t want to lean on my own understanding; I want to lean on You. I know the best place to be is in Your will. I can count on You to guide me, revealing one step at a time. Whether it’s a small step or a big one, help me to obey. I know each step of obedience increases my faith in You. I want to be someone who lives every day in step with You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Lysa TerKeurst

Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

When The Flesh Wins

Let’s talk about the part of Christianity most people won’t…

What happens when you fail?

When the flesh wins.

When you fall back into something you thought God already delivered you from.

Those moments.

I love Jesus. I really do.

I seek Him. I pray. I open His Word. I want my life to reflect Him. But if you follow my content, I want you to understand something about me…

I’m not perfect.

There are days I struggle.

Days where my flesh gets the better of me.

Days where I walk away from a moment thinking,

“Lord… I should have handled that differently.”

And I’ll be honest…

There are days my flesh wins battles I wish it didn’t. And in those moments the enemy loves to whisper, “See? You’re not who you say you are.”

But here’s something I’ve learned through my failures… Those moments are exactly what the gospel is about.

The gospel was never for people who never fall. It’s for people who fall… and realize they desperately need a Savior. It’s for the person who runs back to God after messing up and says…

“Lord, without Your mercy I have nothing.”

My failures don’t make me run from Christ.

They make me run to Him. Because every time I fall short, I’m reminded of something powerful…

I was never saved because of my perfection. I was saved because of His grace. So if you follow my page thinking I’ve got it all figured out…

I don’t.

I’m just a flawed human being who loves Jesus and keeps getting back up, running to the cross.

The cross wasn’t built for people who have it all together, It was built for people like me who don’t. Author: Ryan Teaford

Faith Is...

We have this picture of the Super Christian who never doubts and never worries. We think faith looks like a superhero standing on a mountain with a chest full of confidence. So when we feel anxiety or dread, we think, I must not have enough faith

But that is a lie. The heroes of the Bible were not fearless; they were obedient. Moses stuttered. Gideon hid in a hole. Esther was terrified to go before the king. Even Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, sweat drops of blood because of the weight of what was coming.

​Faith is not about how calm you feel. It is about who you follow. It is the grit to say, God, I am terrified of this next step, but I am going to take it because You said so. The fear doesn't invalidate the faith. In fact, trusting God when you are scared is the deepest kind of faith there is.

​So stop beating yourself up for being human. Let your hands shake. Just don't let your feet stop.

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid... for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

Provided by "Divine Insight"

Abide In Christ

Abide in Christ – Being in Christ
“Abide in Me [Christ], and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me” (John 15:4).

Consider abiding in Christ or being in Christ as a journey. This spiritual adventure begins with a personal experience with Jesus Christ and continues for the rest of your life. The steps on this glorious path are ones of both pain and great gain since you must leave your former, natural pathways to follow a new way of living (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new path involves denial of your former path and its accompanying selfish desires and actions (see Romans 6:3-5), but is also filled with great blessings, including the very presence of Jesus Christ and a joy that is beyond description in human terms alone (1 Peter 1:8). This new life is one lighted only in small steps, which require faith in following along with, but not ahead of, Jesus Christ. Yet those who choose to discipline themselves do so with the assurance of fellowship that continues forever with Jesus Christ in His Home called Heaven (John 3:16 and John 14:1-3).

Abide in Christ – Remaining in Close Fellowship with Jesus Christ

To abide in Christ is not a matter of being in a relationship with Jesus and then suddenly being without that relationship. Abiding in Christ is experiencing an intimate, close relationship with Jesus as your Savior. It is more than a superficial acquaintance.

The life of Jesus Christ on earth was one of trial and suffering (Matthew 8:20), but also one of great joy in doing the will of God the Father (John 15:9-11). After the initial experience of coming along side of Jesus Christ, one begins to walk more and more as He walked (1 John 2:6). It is accompanied by a heart that is inclined and dedicated to obey God and His Word.

Abide in Christ – Continuing in Closeness

Being in Christ also involves the Holy Spirit, who convicts, comforts, and communicates with the disciple of Christ (John 14, 16). The truth that the Holy Spirit will teach the believer in Christ is always the same as that which Jesus Christ said to His disciples while they walked with Him on this earth (John 16:13-15).

This invisible leading is one that goes beyond words and even outward actions. There is an intimacy for the follower of Christ who hears the beckoning and guidance of the Holy Spirit which transcends what can be described in human terms alone. This closeness leads to a fruitful life with both inward and outward manifestations. These fruit are gifts from this life with the Holy Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Jesus Christ likened abiding in Him to a branch of a tree remaining part of the main vine of a tree (Luke 13 and John 15). From this vine (Jesus Christ) comes the only true, spiritual nourishment and eternal life. The branch that seeks its own ways and substitutes candy for spiritual food will not grow and will not produce spiritual fruit (John 15:2, 6). The branch which receives this spiritual food grows and helps to lead to other growth on the tree and receives to itself a life of “peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

Provided by "All About Following Jesus"

Application Of God's Word

Verse: James 4:17
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. 

Application:
It is never a minor thing to know God's will and not do it. God calls this sin. We can make excuses for our lack of obedience: “I'm just not ready yet” or “I'll do it later!” or “I don't think it will make a difference” or “I can't afford to!” We rationalize, we procrastinate; yet, in God's eyes, rationalization and procrastination are nothing more than disobedience. At times we deceive ourselves into thinking that good intentions equal obedient actions. They do not. A good intention without corresponding activity is disobedience. When we encounter God and He gives us a direction, it is not enough to write down the date in our spiritual journal, or even to tell our friends and church of our “decision.” God's call is not to “make a decision” but to obey! Deciding to obey is not equal to obeying (Matthew 21:28-31)! Loudly affirming the necessity of obedience is not the same as obeying (Luke 6:46). Making commitments, even publicly, is not the same as obeying our Lord. Substituting our own good works is not the same as obeying.

Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby

Application Of God's Word

Verse: Deuteronomy 32:47a

They are not just idle words for you - they are your life.

Application:

It's puzzling that so many Christians try to live the Christian life without reading their Bible, except for sporadic perusals of God's Word, seeking a pithy thought for the day. The Word of God is not merely a source of helpful suggestions, preventive warnings, or inspirational thoughts: It is life itself!

God commanded His people to bind His words on their hearts, to teach them diligently to their children, and to regularly discuss them in their homes (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). So essential was His Word that it was to hold a prominent place in the daily lives of His people.

To blatantly disregard God's Word is to reject life itself. To obey God's Word is the surest way to experience all that God has in store for us.

The Bible can sit on your bookshelf and gather dust, or you can make it a vital part of your life by regularly setting aside time to study it. When you discover the wisdom of God's message, you will want to apply it to your life and pass it on to your family and others. The Bible is not merely good reading - it's real help for real life.

Resources:

• Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby

• “Life Application Bible Notes”

Victory Versus Defeat

The Lord will cause your enemies who rise against you to be defeated before your face; they shall come out against you one way and flee before you seven ways.

Deuteronomy 28:7 (NKJV)

As the Israelites were preparing to enter the Promised Land, God set before them a choice: Heed His voice, obey His commandments, and experience continued victory. Or turn from God, disobey His word, and experience repeated and resounding defeat. It was a simple choice. The choice they made would be evident by the results on the battlefield.

The assurance of victory did not mean that the Israelites would not have to strap on their armor and go to battle. It did not guarantee them effortless victory. At times their enemies fought fiercely, and the battles raged back and forth. Nevertheless, as the Israelites walked closely with God, they knew that their efforts would always result in victory.

God gives us the same choice He gave the Israelites. If we walk with Him, in obedience to His Word, He will stand with us and ensure victory over our challenges. We must face the battle, but God promises us victory if we remain in His will. However, if we choose to disassociate from God, we surely will be overtaken by difficulties. As with the Israelites, our decision will be evident by the outcome. If you are continually being defeated by everything you face, your heart has departed from God.

If you have been experiencing defeat in the challenges you face, examine your heart. When you are buffeted by the crises of life, your heart may have shifted away from God. Choose to listen to God. Then obey what He tells you, no matter what you face, and you will experience victory.

Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby

Prayer: The Spirit Of Fear...

Dirty Dogs

Scripture:
Be careful of those who do evil. They are like dogs. They demand to cut the body.
- Philippians 3:2

Reflect:
Are there “dogs” in our day? Why should we be so concerned about them? 

In our society today, dogs are generally thought of as beloved pets. They even get referred to as “man’s best friend.” And in many homes dogs are treated like family members. 

These are not the type of dog that Paul is referring to in today’s verses. Paul is likely referring to a wild dog that lived on the streets scavenging dead bodies. Not only were these dogs aggressive and potentially violent but they were also carriers of nasty infections. They were unclean and problematic thus they were generally hated. These dogs were pests, not pets. 

In today’s verse, Paul is comparing false teachers, specifically the Judaizers, to these mangy animals. The Judaizers taught that saving faith was not sufficient for salvation. They mixed the law with grace and said that Gentiles must become Jews before they can convert to Christianity. They argued that it was necessary for Gentiles to practice circumcision.  That’s why he says to watch out for those who “mutilate the flesh.” Circumcision does not secure anyone’s salvation. 

Paul doesn’t mince his words here. He calls them evildoers for spreading this false doctrine. His point is that these false teachers weren’t merely an annoyance. They were dangerous! 

Even today, we have dirty dogs among us. We have false teachers who preach legalism just as the Judaizers did in Paul’s day. They may not be claiming that you have to get circumcised to be saved or convert to Judaism, but the heart of their message is still the same. They are implying that what Jesus did on the cross was not sufficient. They are claiming that you have to add works to His grace in order for it to be effective. This doctrine is dangerous because people’s souls are on the line! 

Maybe someone has told you that you have to get baptized in order to be saved. Or that you have to tithe a certain amount each month. Maybe you’ve been told you must go to church or take a mission trip. Perhaps someone has preached that dietary restrictions are necessary. But we know from Ephesians 2:8-9 that we are saved by grace, through faith and not by works. Salvation is a gift from God. We accept His grace, and we are saved. Our good works and obedience are the result of a transformed life. We seek to please God with our actions because we love Him, not because we are trying to earn our salvation. 

Whenever you hear “grace plus works” preached, run away! Avoid this message like you would avoid a dirty dog in the street. Legalism does not save you and it has the potential to do much harm. It can cause a nasty infection in your faith and sadly, it is contagious. It can be passed to those around you. So be on the lookout for false teachers. Read the Word of God daily to inoculate you against the diseases of false doctrine. And instead of spreading filth, spread the truth! Share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those around you. 

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the free gift of salvation through Jesus. Please grant me the wisdom and discernment to be able to recognize the dogs who are spreading false teaching so I can avoid them. Give me the courage to spread the truth of Your Word instead. Amen. 

- Nat Crawford (Provided by "Back To The Bible")

Let Your Light Shine

Scripture:
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world... - Philippians 2:14-15

 

Reflect:

According to Paul, what is one way that Christians can witness to the world?

I recently asked my kids to complete a simple chore together. I thought they’d be happy to help me out and would work together to complete the task. Instead, they complained about having to do it in the first place. Then, they fought with each other about who would do what.

I’d like to think that as believers in Jesus, we would all joyfully obey God with an attitude of cooperation and unity. But when I read the Bible, I discover that grumbling and disputes are a frequent occurrence, even among God’s people! In Exodus, Moses led the people out of Egypt and God miraculously parted the Red Sea for them to cross over. But the people soon grumbled because they didn’t have any water. Later, God provided manna from heaven for them to eat but the people grumbled because they wanted meat. In Numbers, God promised to give the Israelites the land of Canaan but it was occupied by giants that needed to be driven out. So the people grumbled that they would have been better off dying in the wilderness. It’s easy to read this and think, “God’s people are acting just like everyone else!”

In today’s verse, Paul says that we should refrain from grumbling and disputing with each other. Why? Because when we joyfully obey God and serve Him with a godly attitude, we show the watching world around us that we are different. The world is “crooked and twisted” but we have been made “blameless and innocent” in Jesus Christ. We should stand out like lights shining in the dark.

I have no doubt that my kids will improve in these areas as they grow and mature. The same is true for Christians. Joyful obedience and unity are markers of spiritual maturity. They are evidence of spiritual growth. God is working in us through the Holy Spirit that enables us to grow and change.

I encourage you to ask God to help you shine a light into the darkness around you. Ask Him to improve your attitude so that you will behave in a way that is in stark contrast to the rest of the world. The world is watching and they will wonder what makes you so different. As believers in Jesus Christ, our behavior is oftentimes our greatest witness to others about our faith.

Pray:
God, I confess that sometimes I am prone to arguing and complaining. But You have called me to joyful obedience and unity with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Work in my heart God so that I can be an effective witness for You. Help me to shine Your light in a dark world. Amen.

- Nat Crawford (Provided by "Back To The Bible")

Obedience Step by Step

Now it came to pass after these things that
God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”

And he said, “Here I am.”

Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love,
and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering
on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”
Genesis 22:1-2

God tested Abraham, not to trip him and watch him fall, but to deepen his capacity to obey God and thus to develop his character. Just as fire refines ore to extract precious metals, God refines us through difficult circumstances. When we are tested, we can complain, or we can try to see how God is stretching us to develop our character.

Our difficulty is not that we don't know God's will. Our discomfort comes from the fact that we do know His will, but we do not want to do it!

When God first spoke to Abraham, His commands were straightforward. “Go to a land I will show you” (Genesis 12:1). Then God led Abraham through a number of tests over the years. Abraham learned patience as he waited on God's promise of a son, which took twenty-five years to be fulfilled. Abraham learned to trust God through battles with kings and through the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The pinnacle of Abraham's walk of faith was when God asked him to sacrifice the one thing that meant more to him than anything else. Abraham's previous obedience indicated that he would have quickly and decisively sacrificed anything else God asked of him, but was he prepared for this? God did not ask Abraham to make such a significant sacrifice at the beginning of their relationship. This came more than thirty years after Abraham began walking with God.

As the Father progressively reveals His ways to you in your Christian pilgrimage, you, like Abraham, will develop a deeper level of trust in Him. When you first became a Christian, your Master's instructions were probably fundamental, such as being baptized or changing your lifestyle. But as you learn to trust Him more deeply, He will develop your character to match bigger tests, and with the greater test will come a greater love for God and knowledge of His ways. Are you ready for God's next revelation?

- Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby

Don’t Underestimate the Opportunity Called “Today”

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Ephesians 2:10

Isn’t it funny how time passes quickly, but a lot of our days sometimes look the same?

We go to the grocery store to buy food for our family, just to have to go again next week. We help our kids or grandkids put together a puzzle, and then have to break it apart and put it back in the box. We hear about other people’s accomplishments and compare them to our lives, wondering if we’re making any difference at all.

In the middle of our routine, everyday tasks, it can feel like we’re missing out on fulfilling a much bigger purpose or assignment. With a desperate sigh at the dailiness of life, we get to the end of these days, thinking, Is this all there is to my life? Or does God have something more for me?

Scripture tells us that God has set eternity in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We know it. We feel it.

It’s a sacred stirring - we sense it so deeply that we know it’s not an inkling of our imagination but rather an igniting of God’s revelation. God is pointing us in the direction of something. A blurry vision of how our seemingly mundane lives could change the world.

The ordinary can be so very, very holy. If we are obedient to God in the midst of our ordinary lives, extraordinary impact is always possible.

When we get to heaven, I think we’ll be surprised by what actually mattered the most. What actually changed the world. What actually fulfilled the purpose for which we were created. And the small places we showed up and served in obedience will actually be what prompts Jesus to say, “Well done. Remember when you took the time to share encouraging words with someone who needed them? That’s the day you helped change the world.”

You have a unique and wondrous calling from God every day of your life. We find this truth spelled out clearly in Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Today it could be in the line at the post office; tomorrow it could be a phone conversation with a friend. Wherever it is, whatever it is, remember: You were created to participate in God’s divine activity.

We don’t know how our lives could impact eternity. How our stories could unfold; how our talents, gifts and resources could be used; and how God could redeem what feels purposeless in the everyday to bring hope to a world that desperately needs it.

God made the very DNA of your being to carry His hope and bless the world with it. Your life has never been and will never be wasted in the hands of our Creator. Every aspect has purpose, and every moment has potential extraordinary impact … even when you cannot see it.

So take what feels ordinary and place it into God’s hands. Ask Him how He would like to use it. Ask Him to reveal who needs the extra dose of encouragement today, and ask Him to help you see others’ needs as you journey along the path He has called you to.


Dear Lord, thank You for wanting to use me today. Even if my everyday moments feel insignificant, I know You will use them for great impact. I need Your help as I learn to say “yes” to Your calling on my life to participate in Your divine activity. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

- Lysa TerKeurst
Provided by "Proverbs 31 Ministries"

Truth Is To Be Experienced

When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon,
“Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
Luke 5:4

When Christ teaches you something about Himself, He implements it into your life through experience. As the crowds gathered around, Jesus chose to board Peter's boat and teach the people from there. All day long Peter sat in the boat listening to Jesus teach the multitudes. At the close of His discourse, Jesus allowed Peter to experience the reality of what He had just been teaching the crowd. The crowd had heard the truth, but Peter was to experience it.

Jesus put His teaching into language a fisherman could understand. He told Peter to put out his nets into the deep water. Peter hesitated, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing.” Peter had been fishing all night, had washed and repaired his nets in the morning, and then listened to Jesus teach. He was tired. He probably was not expecting a dramatic encounter with God at a time like that. Yet, as Peter obeyed Jesus, he pulled in such a miraculous catch of fish that his boat almost sank! Peter was filled with amazement and recognized that he had just experienced the power of God (Luke 5:4-11).

Peter learned that with a command from Jesus, he could do anything. Thus, Jesus was able to reorder Peter's priorities from catching fish to catching men (Luke 4:10). Peter's obedience led to a dramatic new insight into the person of Jesus. This was an invitation to walk with Jesus in an even more intimate and powerful way.

God does not want you to merely gain intellectual knowledge of truth. He wants you to experience His truth. There are things about Jesus you will learn only as you obey Him. Your obedience will then lead to greater revelation and opportunities for service.

- Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby

Love Brings Obedience

“He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.
And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father,
and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:21

Obedience to God's commands comes from your heart. When you begin struggling to obey God, that is a clear indication that your heart has shifted away from Him. Some claim: “I love God, but I'm having difficulty obeying Him in certain areas of my life.” That is a spiritual impossibility. If I were to ask you, “Do you love God?” you might easily respond, “Yes!” However, if I were to ask you, “Are you obeying God?” would you answer yes as quickly? Yet I would be asking you the same question! Genuine love for God leads to wholehearted obedience. If you told your spouse that you loved her at certain times but that you struggled to love her at others, your relationship would be in jeopardy. Yet we assume that God is satisfied with occasional love or partial obedience. He is not.

Obedience without love is legalism. Obedience for its own sake can be nothing more than perfectionism, which leads to pride. Many conscientious Christians seek to cultivate discipline in their lives to be more obedient to Christ. As helpful as spiritual disciplines can be, they never can replace your love for God. Love is the discipline. God looks beyond your godly habits, beyond your moral lifestyle, and beyond your church involvement and focuses His penetrating gaze upon your heart.

Has your worship become empty and routine? Have you lost your motivation to read God's Word? Are you experiencing spiritual lethargy? Is your prayer life reduced to a ritual? These are symptoms of a heart that has shifted away from God. Return to your first love. Love is the greatest motivation for a relationship with God and for serving Him.

- Excerpt from “Experiencing God Day-By-Day” by Henry and Richard Blackaby