Getting the Forever Prize

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. - 1 Corinthians 9:24

One thought shared in the post “Enthusiastically Going After Our Treasured Reward” was that Paul was adaptable for others so he had the opportunity to inspire others towards accepting the Gospel message. He wanted people to feel empowered and ready to be deployed to change the world.

Paul followed the Word and was disciplined like a runner in a race enthusiastically going for first place. The difference for Paul is that the reward that He was after is a crown that last forever.

Like in the song Live with Abandon by Newsboys, desire that your life matters, accept the power God gives through the Holy Spirit, and give God all you have so His purpose can be fulfilled through you.  

Index of devotionals

Interests of Others

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. - Philippians 2:4

Written in the post “Best Motive for Serving” is that Paul didn’t get compensated for preaching the gospel. He didn’t say it was wrong and claimed that those who preach the gospel should be able to receive their living from the gospel. He made the comparison of a farmer who makes his living from what he produces on the farm.

For Paul, the reward was not for himself but for the interests of others and serving the Lord out of love. There was a freeing aspect in serving the Lord out of personal generosity as his faith expressed itself through love.

In the same way, the path built by our generosity is the best way for it is in giving that we find true joy and meaning. Giving not only our time or money but as pointed out in the song When Love Sees You by Mac Powell, giving our testimony or life story and how we became a Christ follower.

Those that give their story to others are blessed. The story of struggles, of pain, of shame, and that Jesus came to give us a new story for the future. A story of joy, of peace, and even fame because those who follow Christ have their name written in the book of life.

Index of devotionals

Free to Run with Grace

We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. - 2 Corinthians 6:3

A thought made in the post “Build Each Other Up” is that there is no need to flaunt our knowledge to the detriment of someone else. Instead build up others. Be interested in finding their strengths and thinking of ways for them to receive the power God wants them to have.

Jesus came to earth and made the complex simple. Our growing faith can never be taken away or depleted. The Gospel message has a beautiful and refreshing simplicity about it that sets us free and never lets us down.  The complexities in life are made more user friendly so we can find greater efficiency in our daily walk.

Take inspiration from the song Control by Tenth Avenue North. God has the power to lift the weight that holds us down so we are free to run with grace.

Index of devotionals

Love From Above

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. - Colossians 3:2

The post “Undivided Devotion” was about Paul’s warnings to the Corinthian church about being separated from full devotion to God.  Marriage can cause this to happen because the things of this world become much more important when we are trying to pay the bills, raise children, do chores around the house, or put time into other concerns of life.

At the same time though, marriage and family relationships can give us opportunities to make an impact on our world in amazing ways. But it takes putting our attention on God and His presence. By putting Him first, the rest of our challenges in life work out.

Our Creator has unlimited resources and can handle our yesterdays and our tomorrows so we can simply concentrate on today. When we worship, we are giving God the one thing He can’t give us; our time.

During worship, we are expressing how valuable He is in our life. So give Him four minutes of your time today. Take in the information given in the song Fix My Eyes by King & Country. Keep your eyes on the ONE who can make all things possible. Be focused today on the main thing … what matters most and realize how you’ve been blessed with the gift of love from above.

Index of devotionals

Growing in Grace

Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

The post “Married or Single” has some thoughts and reasons for marriage. Either single or married, God thinks you are AWESOME! You can use the skills you have, be happy with who you are, and continue to grow in grace for His glory. 

In life, we have to be able to make adjustments because things change. A person can go from being single to being married to being single again. We need a life plan that allows for adjustments along the journey. It’s important to have a cushion that softens change so we can go towards new ideas and strategies that may be hard at first but provides possibilities for a better future.

The Good News is that the principles taught in the Bible provide us with the life plan we need. Take inspiration from the song The Way by Jeremy Camp and continue to grow in grace today.

Index of devotionals

Purpose of Your Body

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

A main point brought out in the post “Honor God with Your Body” is that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit. This truth should govern how we treat ourselves. We should eat healthy foods, have good sleeping habits, and exercise to honor God. We should not misuse our body by smoking, drinking, overeating, or being immoral.

We know much about our physical bodies as we have eyes to see, ears to hear, a mind to think, and a heart to pump blood to feed our body the oxygen it needs but do we know much about the human soul?

The physical body at some point no longer grows and eventually does not even work. Take inspiration from the song Oh My Soul by Casting Crowns. God has provided a way to lay down our burdens like worry and anger. A way to receive peace and joy. A way to make sure our soul continues to grow and last forever. 

Index of devotionals

Guided in Truth

Show me Your ways, Lord, teach me Your paths. Guide me in Your truth and teach me, for You are God my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long. – Psalm 25:4-5

Ethics and love of neighbor is already in the agreement of Christianity. If disputes occur, the idea of trying to handle them within the believer community rather than putting them into our legal system would free up resources.

In the post “Set Apart”, we were given an idea for reforming our legal system. Many frivolous lawsuits bog down our system but to make the system function efficiently, the believer community could play a part by handling minor disputes before they go through the extremely expensive and inefficient legal system.

As pointed out in today’s song If We’re Honest by Francesca Battistelli, mercy is waiting on the other side if we bring our brokenness to the Cross.

Index of devotionals

Cut it Out

For the Word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. - Hebrews 4:12

Within the post “One Bad Apple Can Spoil the Whole Bunch” discussed is how Paul instructs the Corinthian church to expel a leader within the church because of sexual misconduct.

One thought brought out in the post is that many problems within our society today were initiated from the lax attitude of sexual immorality in the 1990’s. It took 20 years to manifest itself as a cancer in society with all the sexual harassment cases in Hollywood, the media, and in government leadership.

Like cancer, we must cut it out.  We must step ahead of hate, iniquity, and other corrupting influences in our society that keep us down; instead desire the authenticity, sincerity and certainty that God provides. Take inspiration from today’s song

Stronger by Hillsong.

Index of devotionals

Build Up and Encourage

If you have anything against anyone, forgive them, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses. - Mark 11:25-26

A few thoughts listed in the post “Power in Life” is that there is power in our life when we let God be the final judge. There is power in our life when we give God credit for what we are blessed with. There is power in our life when we strive to be good examples for others to follow.

We should approach each day with patience, gentleness, love, and humility. Never judge but build up and encourage others. As the song Forgiven by Crowder points out, we all have done things we wish we would not have done.

We all have sinned and should forgive others because we all need forgiveness. To gain worthiness, all we need is grace which is available when we accept that the debt has been paid by our Savior on the Cross.

Index of devotionals

You are God’s Temple

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? – 1 Corinthians 3:16

As the post “Healthy Living” points out, we should take care of ourselves because we are God’s temple. We should plant the seeds of Christ’s principles into our soul.  By adding the clear water of the Spirit, God will make these seeds grow into the fruits of the Spirit.

One idea to growing the fruits of the Spirit that can be shared with others is to build great memories that last forever to help in times of worry or anger. We can reminisce about good times or a song like “Oh My Soul by Casting Crowns” to fill our thoughts with peace and joy.

Index of devotionals

Bringing Glory to the Father

Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. - Matthew 5:16

Within the post “Spirit of GodWorks in our Life” the thought is that the Spirit of God is at work searching for ways to counsel, inspire, and instruct us on a daily basis. As we live out our life, bad things happen but by accepting what Christ did for us on the cross, we are able to speak to the ONE who already has the answer to our problems. We have available to us what is needed to bring glory to the Father.

In our prayers, the Holy Spirit can direct our thoughts so they are absorbed into our heart and poured out in our actions at work, home, or wherever we are. Like the song Speak Life by Toby Mac inspires, let us speak hope, speak love, and let the Holy Spirit direct our thoughts. Then our light will shine and others will see our good works so that we bring glory to our Father in heaven.

Index of devotionals

Show Me the Way

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

   For I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

   For to you I entrust my life. - Psalm 143:8

The things of this world can be impressive. There are new apps coming out each day to choose from but as pointed out in the post “Receive the Big Picture”, the love of Christ given to us on the Cross is the most amazing choice we can make. There is no need for an upgrade because the work of Christ on the Cross is perfect.

So this day with God, use the navigation tool known as the Word of God as you journey through life. Be inspired by this song I Choose Jesus by Moriah Peters and daily download the Gospel message in your heart so you are led to a place beyond what you could ever imagine!

Index of devotionals

Power of the Cross

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. – Romans 15:5-6

One point written about in the post “Pulling Together with Christ” is that unity comes from having a common purpose and all Christians should agree about the purpose of the Cross. Around this agreement, there is great power to organize and be victorious against anything that goes against this great purpose.

The church is a community of people working together with Christ as their leader. We are stronger together and God’s Plan for Us not only changes our individual life for the better but also the world is changed for the better.

Let us be inspired by the song How Great is our God by Chris Tomlin and know that everything is possible because of the power of the Cross. 

Index of devotionals

Blessed with a Home

What no eye has seen,

   What no ear has heard,

And what no human mind has conceived

   The things God has prepared for those who love Him. - 1 Cor 2:9

Within the post “Warnings from Mom”, good advice is given by the mother of a future king. Wives and mothers are so important in a society because children are blessed, husbands are blessed, and all who are around them are blessed.

Wonderful memories come from a great home. It is unfortunate that all homes are not perfect but there is one home that is perfect. Be inspired each day that heaven is our ultimate home and reward. 

As the song Home by Chris Tomlin highlights, heaven is a place where every tear is wiped away and all fear is gone. There is always something to look forward to when our forever home is a place where the streets are golden and all chains are broken.

Index of devotionals

Limitless

Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with men is possible with God’. - Luke 18:27

In the post “From Ordinary to Extraordinary” the point was made that through God’s power, the impossible is made possible.

Like an eagle in the sky, a mighty lion among beasts, or a servant who becomes king; God can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. The one who can gather up the wind in His hand or wrap the waters in His cloak will make it possible.

Since we are nourished in His word, graced with His Spirit, and inspired by songs like Come Alive by Lauren Daigle, let us awaken to the potential for this day and believe that the possibilities God has written into our tomorrows are limitless.

Index of devotionals

Chipping Away

But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold. – Job 23:10

As brought out in the post “Lighten the Load”, we need to get rid of that extra baggage in order to be all that God want us to be. We need to get rid of negative qualities that weigh us down like anger, pride, fear, and dishonesty. We need to trust in the Lord and lighten the load by being disciplined in His ways.

This day with God, celebrate the truth because God has started something good in you. As in this song Unfinished by Mandisa points out, His work in you is unfinished but day by day you are chipping away producing a masterpiece for God’s glory.

Index of devotionals

Joy Even in Trials

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

Within the post “Joy and Excellence in the Future” are ideas to building up character. By following God’s plan for us, we have joy and the game plan for a victorious life.

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 weights to build muscle. The resistance of water as we swim laps to burn extra calories or the hill as we 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 keep going.

As in the song Keep Making Me – Sidewalk Prophets let us have the attitude of continuous growth in the ways of God. Even during tough times, there is joy when God is put in control.

Index of devotionals

Stand Firm in Faith

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. - 1 Peter 5:8-9

The post “Iron Sharpens Iron” gave some ideas for ways we can have right relationships with others. We all have certain God given personality strengths and weaknesses. With our strengths, we should refine them and share with others. With our weaknesses, we should be humble, listen, and be sharpened by others.

Sometimes we learn by observing what not to do. Maybe a brother, sister, parent, or some other person struggled with an addiction and you saw what it did to their life. Their negatives taught about the importance of creating positives in life. To stand firm in faith.

To create positives that heal and inspire us to do what we should, let the scars from life be completely understood. Let Grace be ushered in as pointed out in this song The Hurt & The Healer - MercyMe.

Index of devotionals

Grace for the Humble

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble. - James 4:6

The post “Removing Bad Traits” gave some ideas to fix broken things in our life. To take the mistakes of the past and give them to God. He offers grace to the humble so admit mistakes and live with confidence in what God can do for the future. 

Like the song Live Like You’re Loved – Hawk Nelson, we don’t have to live with perfection. It’s just energy wasted. Instead, live like you’ve been set free with no more guilt. Be who God made you to be; a very valuable person to take on big challenges. He can change our character to do amazing things to fulfill His purpose.

Index of devotionals

Speak with Words that Build Up

Be careful! Our words can hurt or help. "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up". - Ephesians 4:29

The post “Free to Be All We Can Be” highlighted the importance of God’s Word in your life. As you take in God’s Word, your heart will be filled with the fruits of the Spirit. So full that the overflow will naturally build others up. 

Our Creator has produced 100 billion galaxies with each galaxy having billions of stars but it is His people that are His greatest creation of all. Therefore, treat everyone with kindness and tact. As the song Words – Hawk Nelson points out, God’s Words bring truth and abundant life for all.

Index of devotionals