Joy Destroys any Ploy

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. – James 1:2-4

Alone, we are like one drop of water but together we make an ocean. In the post “Persistence Overcomes Resistance”, we get the account of Paul spending two years in prison for simply being a Christian. Paul and many early Christians went through many hardships as they laid out the foundation for Christianity; a foundation that has proven can withstand extreme opposition.

Next time your day is filled with some resistance, smile at it, say thank You God, and keep going. Like a stream of water, persistence will eventually cut into a rock and if we remain persistent at focusing on the possibilities God gives us, we can cut into and go through any obstacle in our way.

Take inspiration from this song knowing that together, we can press on with confidence that our joy destroys any ploy: Press On – Building 429.

Index of devotionals

Meet Resistance Head On with Patience and Persistence

Count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. - James 1:2-4

During the missionary journeys of Paul, he went through physical and mental strain yet carried out God’s will. Paul spoke all night at one stop along the way as explained in the post “Joy Even in Trials”.

There were plots out to kill Paul, yet he had confidence that God would protect him. He took every opportunity to share about the Lord even when it caused personal inconvenience.

As the scripture above states, let us take this inspiration and count it all joy when we fall into various trials; knowing that God is making us into the person He wants us to be. Enjoy today’s inspirational video Keep Making Me – Sidewalk Prophets.

Index of devotionals

He Is In Our Midst so Persist

There are days we may be tired, confused, or kind of down but if we keep going and make some progress for that day, we can wake up the next day with some momentum that eventually gets us back up to full speed. This day with God can be amazing because of our faith in the possibilities He gives.

Persistence like a stream of water eventually cuts into a rock and if we remain persistent at focusing on the possibilities God gives, we can cut into and go through any obstacle in our way.

With God, we have something amazing and there is no need to add anything extra; just highlight the amazing and keep it simple. That’s what I like about this song: Press On – Building 429

So you must be brave. Don’t give up! God will honor you for obeying him. - 2 Chronicles 15:7

Index of devotionals

Focus On the Possibilities

Things can be frustrating but the thing to do is be patient and keep going. Remember God is working the plan. Go to Him for assurance and support when you’re pressured with problems or criticisms.

Believe this day with God will be amazing because of your faith in the possibilities He gives. Persistence like a stream of water eventually cuts into a rock and if we remain persistent at focusing on the possibilities God gives, we can cut into and go through any obstacle in our way. Take inspiration from this video: Everything I Need - Kutless.

So you must be brave. Don’t give up! God will honor you for obeying him. - 2 Chronicles 15:7

Index of devotionals

Always Pray And Never Give Up

In the post Maintaining Faith Over The Long Haul, I wrote how Jesus teaches a lesson on perseverance. He teaches about the need for us to press on like the widow who continued to go to the judge and plead for justice until it was granted. The lesson is to always pray and never give up. Here’s a video to inspire us to keep going today: Building 429 – Press On.

We may not feel good at times, we may feel lonely, we may feel inferior or just physically worn out but these are the things that create resistance and ultimately make us stronger; the resistance like lifting a weights to build muscle. The resistance of water as we swim laps to burn those extra calories or the hill as you run to the top. Without resistance, the wings of a plane can’t produce lift and fly through the air. Without resistance to fear, there is no courage. Next time your day is filled with some resistance, smile at it, say thank You God, and press on.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. - Hebrews 12:1-3

Index of devotionals

In the post Rise Up several parables are told by Jesus to inspire us to be productive. Like the man who still had hope in the unproductive fig tree, we can go the extra mile to work on the things in our life that are unproductive and need a little extra care.

We may not feel good at times but other times, we may feel lonely or we may feel inferior. Sometimes, we may just be physically worn out but these are the things that create resistance and ultimately make us stronger. Like the resistance when lifting weights to build our physical muscle, we can also build up our spiritual muscle.

Examples include the resistance of water as we swim laps to burn those extra calories or up a hill to the very top. Without resistance, the wings of a plane can’t produce lift to fly through the air. Without resistance to fear, there is no courage. Next time your day is filled with some resistance, smile at it, say thank You God, and keep going.

Remember, persistence like a stream of water eventually cuts into a rock and if we remain persistent at focusing on the possibilities God gives, we can cut into and go through any obstacle in our way. This day with God, ask that He keeps making you stronger and receive inspiration from this video: Keep Making Me – Sidewalk Prophets.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character, and character, hope. – Romans 5:3

Index of devotionals

Hope in the Lord

The psalmist has dedicated his life to praising the Lord as pointed out in Psalm 146. The psalmist points out that those who hope in the Lord are more trustworthy. Many societies put their hope in a government but history has told us that governments are not always trustworthy.

I heard recently that for the first time in the history of the United States, more people are receiving government assistance than are working. Our nation cannot expect to make it if this continues. People have to be willing to go the extra mile for each other and not depend on a government. We must realize that what works is our faith in God and in each other. Incentives have to be put in place to encourage the creation of more jobs and the desire to work.

When we have faith in God instead of government, we will not be let down because our hope is in the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them – the Lord, who remains faithful forever (v. 6). Our trust must be in God and in the work for His purposes. Then together, we can uphold the cause of the oppressed, give food to the hungry, and provide for health.

Our love of God and neighbor can best support the alien, sustain the fatherless, and the widow (v. 9). This day with God, let us pray for steadfastness and righteous because it is in our faith that there are true possibilities. Persistence like a stream of water eventually cuts into a rock and if we remain persistent at focusing on the possibilities, we can cut into and go through any obstacle in our way. Praise the Lord for the beauty of nature, for His power, and for our chance to meet with Him in prayer.

For an inspirational start to each day, join the journey at: This Day with God Devotional.

Image Source