Month: July 2025

Eight Calamities of Religion

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There are seven “woe” statements in Matthew chapter 23. Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and scribes. However, they are still applicable to “Christians” today! Why do I use quotes around the word Christians? I use quotes because many profess they know Jesus Christ, when in actuality they only of Him. I was very religious before my salvation. But my heart was dark with sin and had not experienced the freedom that Christ’s salvation brings. So let’s take a look at these “woes” to see if you can see yourself in them.

  • Matthew 23:13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.

Do you invite people to your church in hopes that they will start attending and your numbers will increase? Is salvation in Jesus Christ, and only through Him, a priority in your church? If you are one of these, then you are guilty of this woe.

Matthew 23:14  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.

The Pharisees knew they were supposed to take care of the widows. But instead, they would cheat the widows out of their property. They also would stand in the marketplace and make long public prayers so people would notice them and think how holy they were. Do you pretend to be more spiritual than you are? If you are one of these, then you are guilty of this woe.

Matthew 23:15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

Are you a Mormon or Jehovah’s Witness going door-to-door spreading a false gospel? They don’t believe that Jesus IS God but yet they adamantly spread their false teachings. If you are one of these, then you are guilty of this woe.

Mat 23:16-22  Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor!  (17)  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold?  (18)  And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty.  (19)  Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?  (20)  Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.  (21)  And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.  (22)  And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

Jesus is confronting them about their teachings which had become tradition rather than what God had taught their fathers. Making an oath to God was serious business but they found a loophole. They could make an oath and swear by the temple, for example, because it couldn’t possibly be a binding oath since it was not made to God directly. They got around this by deception. If you are one of these, then you are guilty of this woe.

Matthew 23:23  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

They were paying their tithes but they did not enforce righteous law, judgment, mercy and faith. They did the obvious but left out what meant something to God. It’s no different than a religious person going to church to fulfill an obligation but leaving and living the same way. If you are one of these, then you are guilty of this woe.

Matthew 23:25  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

If you are “religious” looking on the outside but your heart is full of sin, then you suffer from the same thing Jesus was pointing out. You are guilty of this woe.

Matthew 23:27  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.

Hypocrisy is at its best when you paint a picture of yourself to others as being a holy Christian but yet you live a life filled with lies. I have heard many a “Christian star” living in the limelight but yet their personal lives were filled with sin. They were living a lie. If you are one of these, then you are guilty of this woe.

Matthew 23:29-33  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, (30) And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. (31)  Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. (32)  Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. (33)  Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? 

These Pharisees promoted their prophets and claimed they would have never had them killed. However, they were making the same religious mistakes as their fathers had made. They were following traditions, rather than faith in God. If you are one of these, then you are guilty of this woe.

If you see yourself in any one of these woes, ask yourself if you are truly born again? If you are not certain, follow this link and read the Scriptures that will show you how you can be born again according to God’s Word!

Take Heed (Re-Post)

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BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psa 119:9)

I wanted to write about how God uses the Word to bring conviction against sin to us. However, as I read and re-read this verse, it became apparent to me that the Lord used the words “young man (or woman)” here. Why would God use this adjective to describe the man? He could have just used the word man. So why did God interject with the word “young”?

I’ve seen older Christians who have remained “spiritual babes” because they have not spent time in the Word. Taking time in the Word is work but a blessing follows. Some of us work for a living and at the end of the pay period, we receive a check. At the end of our hard work of reading and studying, we also receive a check – a spiritual check. However, our check lasts for eternity. Paul spoke on these spiritual babes. 1 Cor. 3:1-2, “And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.” Paul likened the spiritual babes as carnal. They were still more concerned about the things of the flesh than spiritual things. After all, isn’t that what a human baby does? He cries and cries unto he is fed. He is only concerned about his own needs at this point. Not once does this baby consider that Mommy is really tired and could sleep an extra hour if he would just hold off! Paul used the right choice of words here, didn’t he?

The more we grow in the Lord and by His Word, the more we become spiritual adults. We no longer have the same struggles we did as younger believers. We’ve learned to trust more in the Lord; we’ve learned that we can never lose our salvation and we’re sure of it and can prove it from the Word; we’ve learned that God is faithful and won’t abandon us; we’ve received this peace that young Christians and spiritually immature Christians can’t understand. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Phi 4:7) Suffice it to say, however, that just reading the Word is not sufficient. One has to heed its warnings, as the Psalm continues to point out. What’s the use in reading a self-help book if you don’t apply what you’ve learned, right? Applying God’s Word to our lives is the key to maturing as a believer.

I know I sound like a broken record, but God stresses over and over in His Word that we need to be IN the Word and applying it to our lives! Without it we die spiritually. That baby would die without his Mommy feeding him, right? So will the babe in Christ stunt his growth in Christ by not opening his Bible and gleaning from its spiritual nourishment.

There’s a banquet table awaiting the believer who stops to eat! Colossians 3:2  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Dear God…
May I come to you each day
With an open mind and heart
Let me search until I find
Your will, may I not depart

Petra Versus Petros

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Nothing has caused so much division and confusion than these words by Jesus Christ. It has been twisted so as to create a “religion” that is far from what Christ’s teachings were! The Apostle Paul taught clearly that Jesus is the head of the body, the Church!

Colossians 1:17-18 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. (18) And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

This clearly teaches us that Peter is not the head of the Church, as the Catholic church teaches. It is Christ who is the Head. It is Christ who is the Rock on which the Church is built. He is the only Rock.

Deuteronomy 32:4  He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Deuteronomy 32:15  But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.

Who is the “the Rock of his salvation”? Acts 4:11-12  This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.  (12)  Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Deuteronomy 32:18  Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

Deuteronomy 32:30  How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?

Deuteronomy 32:31  For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges.

2 Samuel 23:3  The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

1 Corinthians 10:4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

So applying this to the graphic above, one can see how these verses were twisted. Christ would not contradict the Scriptures for they are perfect! Jesus is revealed in all the books contained in the Bible! The entire Bible is all about Jesus so why would Jesus bring Peter into the mix and say Peter is the rock?

John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Jesus stated that God the Father had revealed this truth to Peter in verse 18. The Greek word for Peter is petros. In my research, I learned that this word is a masculine noun that means:

A detached stone, a stone that might be thrown or easily moved” (Zodhiates, S., The Complete Word Study Dictionary: New Testament, AMG Publishers, 1992, p. 1,154).

The Greek word for rock in the phrase “upon this rock,” is petra, not petros. Petra is a feminine noun that means a mass of rock or a cliff, which is bigger than petros. It reminds me of when Jesus talked about building your house upon the Rock in Matthew 7:24-25. Why would there be two different uses? Of course, Jesus knew that the Catholic church would take this and create its own religion. Here is a religion with an ounce of truth turned into many, many heresies!

However, I believe these verses are talking about Peter’s statement that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. Jesus said that this is what the Father revealed to Peter. Israel would not recognize her Messiah but Peter and the other Apostles were learning that Jesus was/is their Messiah! That is the foundation of the born-again Church! Peter and the Apostles would be part of that foundation with Jesus being the Chief Cornerstone!

Ephesians 2:20  And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Paul could have easily worded this verse “and are built upon Peter, the apostles and prophets…” But Peter is not even mentioned here. The apostles and the prophets are the foundation according to Ephesians 2:20. Therefore, Peter cannot be the rock spoken of by Christ. Christ would not contradict the seven verses (eight uses) using the capitalized word “Rock.” Rock is used to represent God, the Lord Jesus Christ! When you study God’s Word as a whole, you come to the same conclusion. You cannot take a few verses and base an entire religion on it. It will eventually be like the house built on sinking sand. The lies and errors will eventually cause the foundation to fail.

Isaiah 28:10  For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:

Isaiah 28:13  But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.

But not the foundation of Christ, our living Rock! If you happened to stumble onto this post, I pray that it has helped you to understand what Jesus meant in today’s verses. If you do not know Christ as your Saviour, I pray that you will follow this link and read the Bible verses that will show you how you can be saved.

Mercy Versus Sacrifice

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Hosea 6:6  For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.

Matthew 9:13  But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Mercy versus sacrifice … just what does that mean? I was raised a Catholic, and sacrifice is a major tenet in their beliefs. What was the point of sacrifice in the Old Testament? It was to atone for sin, an act that sought to restore the relationship between man and God. These sacrifices were a way for people to express their remorse and desire for forgiveness through the offering of innocent lambs. If sacrificial lambs had been sufficient, then what was the point of God sending His own Son to be the sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world? This act symbolized a transition from mere ritualistic sacrifices to the incarnation of divine mercy, highlighting that true forgiveness comes not just from the act of sacrifice, but from love, grace, and the ultimate sacrifice made for our redemption. It serves as a reminder that while sacrifices can demonstrate faith and repentance, it is the mercy that follows which completes salvation and offers hope for a renewed life.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Therefore, following a religion and all of its rules cannot gain entrance to Heaven! The only way to Heaven is through Jesus Christ, who stands as the ultimate Mediator between man and God. Jesus frees His followers from sin; He secures their salvation and guarantees them a place with Him in Heaven, a promise that brings hope and joy to those who believe. God’s mercy is beautifully reflected in Jesus’ very entrance into this world, His perfect and sinless life so that He could die for our sins and offer us redemption. God’s mercy is revealed in the mere fact that He knew we could not live a sinless and perfect life, acknowledging our weaknesses and sinfulness, so He provided a way—through grace extended to us through faith. That is love … that is mercy! It is a divine gift that invites us to respond with a transformed heart, leading us to share this beautiful truth with others, encouraging them to seek the path that leads to eternal life with Him.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:1-4  Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.  (2)  In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.  (3)  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.  (4)  And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Not all roads lead to Heaven, and one must be extremely careful in their choices. If you go by the most “popular” route, often filled with the allure of comfort and acceptance, you will never find the true way that leads to eternal life and true joy. Jesus wasn’t popular in His day; He was often criticized and is even less popular today, as society increasingly favors messages that align with worldly values over spiritual truths. One won’t get kicked out of school for wearing a t-shirt with Buddha on it, celebrated for its perceived inclusivity and tolerance. But if that t-shirt has a cross on it, the child will be sent home, and there will be a considerable uproar, reflecting the cultural clashes around Christianity. This is true for Christians and Jewish people. The slick Joel Osteen’s of the world and their “oily” lectures do not lead people to Heaven; instead, they merely serve to distract their congregations with a feel-good message, enticing them with promises of prosperity and happiness so that they think they are on the right path. These teachings often prioritize human comfort over Biblical truth. But what does Jesus say? Are we truly prepared to follow Him down the narrow path that may lead to trials and tribulations, or will we continue to seek the wide road that many travel, even when it leads away from His teachings? That’s a good question. Look what Jesus says about the two different paths:

Matthew 7:13-14  Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:  (14)  Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

Be leery, dear Reader! The only road to salvation and Heaven is through Jesus Christ! Any sacrifices you make before salvation are worthless and will not bring you closer to God. You can give up things during Lent, showing superficial commitment, but they will mean nothing in the eyes of God. You can be the best philanthropist on earth, generously donating your time, money, and resources, but such acts, while noble, will ultimately mean nothing if they are not rooted in faith in Jesus Christ. Once you are born again, however, God wants us to embrace the profound responsibility of showing mercy to others by sacrificing ourselves for their benefit. Just what does that mean? It means that you will think of the other person before yourself, prioritizing their needs and wellbeing above your own desires. You will show the love of Christ through your actions and sacrifices to the unbelieving world, embodying compassion and selflessness that reflects His teachings. Self-giving will not only transform you but will also touch the lives of those around you, revealing the light of Christ in a world often shrouded in darkness.

If you happened upon this post today, please take a moment to follow this link. It will walk you through the Scriptures that will show you how to be born-again according to the Scriptures. This journey towards being born again is not just a change in perspective; it is a transforming act that connects you with God, as a child with his parents. Won’t you take this opportunity to broaden your understanding and strengthen your faith as you delve into the wisdom contained within these Bible verses?

Just How Far is Close?

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Matthew 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

I have never heard anyone say they are too close to God, have you? If you stop and think on that for a moment, you will see how much sense my statement makes. The more one draws close to God, the more one wants to be closer, as this relationship enriches the soul and brings peace and purpose to one’s life. God desires that closeness with you; He wishes to reveal His love to you, His guidance, and understanding. It is a promise, and God never breaks His promises, standing steadfast in His commitment to us. If He says He will draw close to you as a result of your search, He will do so! Every step taken in faith brings you nearer to the heart of the Creator, lighting your path and feeding your spirit in ways you can’t even imagine.

Getting closer to God means placing a barrier between what the world is teaching us and what God’s Word teaches us. It brings to mind how we wore masks during the pandemic in order to keep the germs away from us, creating a protective shield that helped preserve our health and well-being. Are the world’s teachings any different than those germs? Just as we took precautions to guard ourselves from sickness, why aren’t we protecting ourselves in like manner from the practices of the world that can corrupt our faith and values? I can think of so many things the world promotes that, as Christians, we should be “masking” our spiritual selves against! It is essential that we recognize these influences, ensuring that we align more closely with the teachings of Christ rather than the teachings of society. To name a few of these teachings:

  • Abortion
  • Pornography (yes, those who call themselves Christians should not be engaging with this)
  • Antisemitism
  • Gossip
  • Anger

We can say all we want that we love God and are Christians. But how does your heart really feel? You can lie to yourself, but deep down you know the truth! I know that when I sin, the Holy Spirit of the Living God convicts me and I feel awful, as if a heavy weight rests upon my conscience. This conviction not only brings spiritual discomfort but also serves as a wake-up call, urging me to realign my life with God’s will. Each moment of struggle with sin becomes an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding of His grace. This conviction causes me to acknowledge to God what I have done and leads me to repentance and the need to turn back to Him. Repentance is a complete turning away from that sin, a desire to live in a way that honors Him and reflects His love. Granted, one can fail in this area, but those occurrences will happen less and less as the Lord guides and directs you. Every step forward in faith brings a renewed sense of joy, knowing that with each failure, there is an opportunity for His mercy to abound even more.

1 John 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

1 John 1:9-10  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.  (10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Praise the Lord that Jesus Christ has paid the debt for our sins … all of them! When we come to Christ, our sins are forgiven; we now possess the Holy Spirit who enables us to say no to sin! However, we live in this flesh … in this body … which desires to sin. That is why we must stay close to God in order to overcome sin.

1 John 2:1-6  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:  (2)  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.  (3)  And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.  (4)  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  (5)  But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.  (6)  He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

The Christian walk is not an easy walk. We are constantly battling with the physical flesh that craves to sin. But it is a “doable” walk, my friend! It is not an impossible walk. We can use each failure to draw nearer to God. In so doing, He gives us the strength to overcome. Reading my Bible every day strengthens my inner woman.

Do you need more strength to draw nearer to God? Read your Bible! It is the answer to all struggles in life! If you happened to stumble onto this page, I pray that you know the Lord Jesus Christ in your inner man, not just your head. If you don’t, please follow this link and read the Scriptures that will open your eyes to eternal salvation!

You Can’t Do Both!

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I am absolutely amazed at how many “Christians” turn to their daily horoscope to see what’s in store for them! I never knew there were so many! 😮 Signs of the Zodiac have a demon attached to them. They represent a specific demon, specializing in the dark evils of the enemy. I would post examples here, but that is not the purpose of this writing. I am stunned at the number of Christians who dabble in Tarot readings, horoscopes, and other such things.

Most Christians don’t engage in psychic phenomena. But 27 percent consult astrology such as horoscopes at least once or twice a year, Pew Research found, with 9 percent turning to tarot cards and 6 percent to fortune tellers just as frequently. And while many respondents said such activities are mostly a fun pastime, 25 percent of Christians believe the astrological positions of the planets and stars impact their lives. That’s nearly as high as the 27 percent of the general U.S. adult population who say the same.

Although I am discouraged at the percentage reflected in this Pew Research, I am not surprised considering the “signs of the times” in which we live! I’ve heard believers say that when someone dies, they are made into angels. To a Christian that reads the Bible daily, we clearly see how ignorance prevails in today’s culture. Some believe there are good and bad witches. There’s no such thing as a good witch. There’s no such thing as harmless divination. All are harmful. Granted, the following verses are from the Old Testament, but God does not change and He feels the same way today as He did in these verses:

Deuteronomy 18:10-12  There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch,  (11)  Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer.  (12)  For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Exodus 22:18  Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Why do you think the punishment is so great? We are warned not to be deceived in this world. The only way we can avoid deception is by knowing the truth! The simple-minded believer will most certainly be deceived! Know the truth! Read your Bible; highlight verses that speak to your heart; listen to the Holy Spirit as He guides and directs you! He will not lead you to have your horoscope read!

Romans 16:18  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Are you being deceived? Have you engaged in these “seemingly harmless” practices? They are not harmless at all.

Ephesians 4:14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Research and study before you dive into something that seems OK! Yoga, for example, has become a common practice. Some churches even have groups who hold “Christian yoga”! Do you know that each yoga pose is to honor a Hindu god? Why would a Christian be involved in something like this?!

As a born-again child of God, you cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons! Be a Joshua!

Joshua 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

If you have happened on this devotional by accident, and you are not 100% certain where you will go when you die, please visit this link. It will give you Scripture verses to show you how to be saved!

Thoughtful Threads

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I began this devotional in July 2025 with the thought of focusing on the Lord as I stroll through the Scriptures during my morning devotions. They are focused on the topic of the Lord and how we should live according to His Word. I hope they are a blessing to you!

The CaptainA Divided HeartYou Can’t Do Both!

A Divided Heart

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Hosea 10:2  Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty: he shall break down their altars, he shall spoil their images.

James 1:8  A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

A divided heart is indeed a tragedy. How can one know what path to follow without a GPS or map for direction? One has to know his destination before he can know what path to take, right? Just as a traveler must plan their journey, we too must seek clarity in our lives and understand where we want to end up. The path to Heaven has only one road; there aren’t many roads to Heaven, just one leads to eternal peace and fulfillment. Jesus told us which road to take.

John 14:6  Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

To me, a divided heart means someone who would like to go to Heaven but really doesn’t want to commit to it right then and there. They want to continue down the same road they’ve been on and live just the way they want, indulging in their desires and beliefs without making that “spiritual” commitment. A divided heart can also mean someone who has not separated himself from the world completely. For example, a born-again believer that still believes that living with someone outside of marriage is OK. In their eyes, making that commitment means giving up something significant—a freedom to sin, the familiar comforts of their current lifestyle, and perhaps even relationships that don’t align with a new path. It’s a complicated struggle, where they feel torn between the longing for spiritual fulfillment and the comfort of sinning. The Holy Spirit won’t give us peace to live in sin.

Colossians 3:1-2  If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.  (2)  Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

Colossians 3:5-7  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:  (6)  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:  (7)  In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.

Once we are born again, we are considered to be “in Christ.” We now have new desires: a desire to do good and not to sin. God places that desire in our hearts and the Holy Spirit works in our hearts to convict us. Being born again removes us from the category “children of disobedience” to the “children of promise”!

Galatians 4:28  Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.

Having a divided heart is the same as being double minded. The Holy Spirit dwells within us and will guide us when we are tempted to sin. He will stir our heart to do what is righteous. When one gives in to sin, he gives way to the enemy. His choice to sin has now given him a double mindedness. When one is born again, they now have the ability to say no to sin. It now becomes a choice. Double mindedness or a divided heart leads a person astray. So what does one do? One must choose! One must choose to be born again by the Spirit of the Living God. Then, and only then, will a person have the ability to say no. Each time one says no to sin, it gets easier because one’s faith grows stronger. So what do you choose?

Joshua 24:15  And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Make your choice, Reader. If you choose to be born again and receive power from on High to say no to sin, follow this link. It will guide you through the Scriptures on how to be born again.

The Captain

On By KateIn Devotionals, Thoughtful ThreadsLeave a comment

Joshua 5:13-15  And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?  (14)  And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?  (15)  And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

In today’s Scripture, we see a beautiful depiction of Christ taking on human form in order to communicate to His servant, revealing His desire to connect with humanity. This extraordinary event highlights His personification of divine grace and understanding in a form that we can recognize and relate to. He goes by the name “captain of the host of the LORD,” which signifies His authority and leadership in the spiritual realm, guiding and protecting His people with unwavering strength. So what in the world is a Christophany?

A Christophany is a visible or otherwise perceptible manifestation of Jesus Christ, typically in a non-physical form, before his incarnation as described in the Gospels. It often refers to appearances of Jesus in the Old Testament, particularly those attributed to the “Angel of the Lord”

These moments are pivotal, as they reveal the depth of His commitment to humanity and that continuous thread of His presence throughout biblical history. Some say that this was not a Christophany but an angel of the Lord. This cannot be an angel because Joshua knelt and worshiped this peson. When men knelt down to worship an angel in the Scriptures, the angel was quick to correct, as we see below:

Revelation 22:8-9  And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things.  (9)  Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.

Jesus Christ is God’s spoken and visible word to man. We serve a God that loves His creation and wishes to comfort, teach and guide!

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14  And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

1 John 5:7  For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

Revelation 19:13  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

God loves His creation so much!! He knew that man needed to “see” God in a tangible way to encourage an understanding and connection with Him. The Bible says that no man can see God and live. (see Exodus 33:20-23) Yet, in His infinite wisdom and goodness, God made a way through His Son, Jesus Christ, who embodies the image of the invisible God. Christ came in bodily form at different times in the Scriptures, displaying God’s love and grace so that His will would be accomplished on Earth. Through Jesus, we see the heart of the Father revealed — His compassion, His mercy, and His desire for a relationship. We not only see the Lord’s character and promises through the Scriptures, but also through the transforming work of His Holy Spirit in our lives, guiding us, comforting us, and enabling us to reveal His goodness in our daily interactions with others. When we embrace these truths, we deepen our faith and understanding of God’s everlasting love for us.

Christ will come again in the same likeness that Joshua saw. He will come as Captain and Conqueror of the enemy.

Revelation 19:11-16  And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.  (12)  His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.  (13)  And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.  (14)  And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.  (15)  And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.  (16)  And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Every knee will bow to this King! Has your heart bowed to Jesus Christ? Many know OF Jesus; many use His name in every day conversations; but they do not know Jesus Christ. They don’t even realize they need a Saviour from their sins. It is this that differentiates between the two. The knowledge of Christ must travel from the brain to the heart. Eighteen inches is the distance between you going to Heaven or going to Hell. You will have to bow to Jesus some day, Reader. Wouldn’t you rather bow to Him as your Saviour rather than your Judge?

Isaiah 45:23  I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.

Romans 14:11  For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.

Philippians 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

If you have not met the Lord Jesus Christ and bowed your heart’s “knee” to Him in this lifetime, you will have to spend eternity without Him in the Lake of Fire! It is better to bow the knee to Him now and let Him be the Captain of your life. If you want to know how to be saved, follow this link and it will guide you through the Scriptures.

What Power

On By KateIn Devotionals, Hymns for TodayLeave a comment

How often have you sung this beautiful hymn and yet not really known the profound power that is in the blood of Jesus Christ, which was shed on the cross at Calvary? How can you sing this song and not shed tears, knowing the depth of His sacrifice for our salvation? The longer I am saved, the more I grieve over the sins in my life, the transgressions that separated me from such grace! It is MY sin that caused the precious Lamb of God to be slaughtered, and each time I reflect on this truth, my heart aches. This realization drives me to a deeper understanding of His love, a love that sought me when I was lost and unworthy. His sacrifice only magnifies the importance of repentance and a heart truly transformed, allowing me to appreciate the full impact of His incredible mercy and the eternal life that His blood has secured for all who believe. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Ephesians 1:7  In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

When we truly realize just how sinful we are, we begin to see the overwhelming purpose of Christ’s coming to earth! What was His mission? He came so that we might have salvation, offering hope and redemption to all of humanity. He understood our struggles, our temptations, and our weaknesses; He knew we could not do it on our own. In our own efforts, we fall short time and time again, and He recognized that we could never be good enough to enter Heaven’s gate. That, my friend, is why Christ came—to create that bridge between our sinful nature and the born-again child of God. A love so deep that He was willing to die for us. His journey to the cross signifies not just His willingness to endure suffering, but His commitment to restore our relationship with God, reminding us that no matter how lost we may feel, there is always that path back to grace and redemption.

2 Corinthians 7:10  For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

There is no other power on this earth that can accomplish this mission. NONE! You will never find it. It’s senseless to look! This power is life-changing and it transforms beyond measure! Once you wholeheartedly commit your life to Christ and truly accept the fact that He died for you personally, you find that you can’t possibly go back to that life of sin that once held you in its grips. Sin, which used to seem like such a part of your life, now becomes a conscious choice, where before salvation you felt as though you had no choice at all. It’s as if a veil has been lifted, revealing that you can genuinely say no to sin because you are empowered by the Holy Spirit to resist temptation. You now can live a life marked by freedom,righteousness and purpose. This newfound strength helps you to navigate through life’s challenges with confidence and assurance.

James 4:7  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Romans 6:14  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

John 14:17  Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

If you know this from the bottom of your heart, deep within, then sing this song and see if you can make it to the end without tears! If you have sinned, praise the Lord we have a Saviour who forgives us. (1 John 1:9)

There is Power in the Blood – By Lewis E. Jones (1899)

1 Would you be free from the burden of sin?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
Would you o’er evil a victory win?
There’s wonderful power in the blood.

Refrain:
There is power, power, wonder-working power
in the blood of the Lamb;
there is power, power, wonder-working power
in the precious blood of the Lamb.

2 Would you be free from your passion and pride?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
Come for a cleansing to Calvary’s tide.
There’s wonderful power in the blood. [Refrain]

3 Would you be whiter, much whiter than snow?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
Sin-stains are lost in its life-giving flow;
there’s wonderful power in the blood. [Refrain]

4 Would you do service for Jesus your King?
There’s power in the blood, power in the blood.
Would you live daily His praises to sing?
There’s wonderful power in the blood. [Refrain]

Friend, if you have not accepted Christ as your Saviour, and received that forgiveness of sin through the power of His shed blood, follow this link and read the Scriptures. Accept His precious salvation, for which He gave His life for!