Category: Devotional

³⁴ Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

This is a powerful passage because we are all essentially slaves to our own sins. Whether that be watching porn, cheating on our significant others, relying on the stock market more then God, cheating, lying, the list goes on and on….

Some sins might not be as destructive as others, but essentially it all catches up to us one day. It’s the same old pattern that holds us back. Bad habits as they call it…

Jesus is saying that he is the only way to break this chain of events. Think about the rules you’ve set for yourself that actually benefit you: budgeting, working out, meal prep, things like that.

These are the habits that actually give you what you want: financial freedom, a fit body, a healthy lifestyle, etc.

The same goes for God! Keep him close and watch the benefits unfold. Break free from the BS and you won’t be a slave anymore!

³³ Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”

The people that we choose to spend our time with can shape the way we think, feel and act. This is the idea of “we are a product of our environment!”

If you surround yourself with bad things such as copious amounts of alcohol and dive bars, strip clubs, and mountains of drugs then it is doubtful that anything good will arise from that environment. We as humans really don’t have self control. I can attest to that myself. It is best to put ourselves around good people and good things. By doing this, good things can happen.

It is the ultimate domino effect! The same can go for work, or a “bad apple.” If someone is constantly being negative or breaking the rules, you might do the same. On the flip side, if you have a great manager or co-workers, then you will probably benefit greatly by that environment.

Family can also play a part in this. When you are surrounded by negative energy, it might make it feel as if the entire world is negative. This can also play into the idea of a glass half full or glass half empty attitude.

When you feel yourself getting dragged down by others, try to break free by staying firm and staying positive. All it takes is one positive thought to get the momentum going. This can also make you a light in a dark place!

27 Do not boast about tomorrow,
    for you do not know what a day may bring.

We are reminded here that tomorrow is uncertain, so bragging or resting on our own plans is foolish.True confidence comes from trusting God, not from our own “certainty” about the future.

Have fun making your silly little spreadsheets full of business “projections” and other aspects of worldly day to day activities. Nothing goes as planned when relying on worldly surfaces.

“Man proposes and God disposes”

On the flip side, this is encouraging because we have no idea the miracles or breakthroughs that God might unfold in each and everyday. His hand directs the future!

Know God = Know Peace

No God = No Peace

¹³ For I am the Lord your God
    who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
    I will help you.

God is literally reaching out to you, gripping your right hand and saying, “Don’t be afraid; I’ve got you”

In the 8th century BC book of Isaiah, the prophet, Isaiah speaks to the Israelites who were in exile, feeling abandoned. God reminded them that He is actively involved in their lives and ready to help.

It may seem that God isn’t with you when you wake up to days full of uncertainties. Luckily, that is not the case. Instead of letting stress take over, remember that God’s hand is there to help you organize your life and give you wisdom. He will give you ideas and keep you from feeling negative pressures. Then He will push you in the right direction.

When anxiety creeps in, bring the image of that right-hand grip to your mind. Think back when you were a little kid holding your Mom’s or Dad’s hand, right? It’s not exactly a guarantee that everything will be “perfect”, but it is a guarantee that you are never alone.

God’s help is not just about fixing problems, it’s about being with you through the storm, offering comfort, strength and the assurance that “fear” is not your master.

I like the acronym : “False Evidence Appearing Real”

Take flight, take control and grab that hand from God that will yank you up to keep you firmly planted on the path that you are supposed to be on.

¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

God’s power is the engine of every good thing that we do. When we lean on Him, we can face any challenge – both big and small.

Paul wrote this from prison. Paul’s words remind us that this same strength that sustained him in a cell is available to us in our everyday struggles.

If you find yourself feeling “stuck” remember that Christ can move that mountain.

If you’re battling worry – maybe about money or the future – remember that anxiety is an invitation to lean on God’s strength. When the numbers in the bank account seem to disappear, breath and pray. You might not see the solution right away, but that peace of mind will be the steady force that keeps you moving forward, step by step.

Each small thing you do is a chance to let Christ’s strength flow through you, turning ordinary or small moments into extraordinary breakthroughs.

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

This is a powerful verse and also really enlightening. Surprisingly, the book of Jeremiah is actually pretty gloomy. Jeremiah’s messages speak of doom as he warns people to turn from their sinful and selfish ways and turn to God. It was a difficult task for him to try to reach the people of Judah, but his messages were confirmed when Jerusalem was destroyed.

Luckily, the easy part is simply turning to God. Keep things nice and easy for yourself and stay away from things that keep you off your path. Got the devil knocking on the door? Let Jesus answer that door and allow him to slam it back in Satan’s face! He has a plan for you and every person has a purpose. Keep your head up and go with the flow. God is in control. Do good and good things will happen!

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

This is one of my favorite passages in the Bible. It’s such a nice vibe and really allows me to relax when I don’t know what to do!

God knows the best path for us. We must trust him completely in every choice that we make. This doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t think through our own decisions, but we should stop relying exclusively on our own ideas. We don’t exactly always know what’s best and if you are a narcissist like I have been in the past, then you might find your self in some jams.

Things work out best when we bring our decisions to God. Use the Bible as a guide and then you can follow his lead.

¹⁰ So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

God is your steady hand in every storm. When you feel fear or doubt, remember that he is with you, ready to strengthen, help and uphold you.

Maybe you are looking for or starting a new job, in a toxic relationship or simply “stuck in the grind”. In these moments, that weight can feel heavy. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that you don’t have to take on that weight by yourself.

It’s not exactly a “magic” solution, but God gives us the strength to have the resilience we need to do what we have to do even if the path seems unclear.

We often try to solve our problems on our own, but Isaiah invites us to lean on God’s strength. It’s okay to ask for help! The One above is watching anyways, my as well tap in!