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Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, the Lord, my rock, and my redeemer.”

L – Listen – Listen for him to speak to you. A lot of the times we have one sided conversations with the Lord and don’t give him a chance to speak right when he is about to.

Do you ever find yourself thinking thoughts to yourself, or thinking about issues you have going on in your life? I know I do all the time, especially during those long drives to work and long exhausting days. Have you ever noticed when your thinking these thoughts that you’re trying to make sense of them, and figure out yourself how to fix your own issues by thinking out different ways you could approach the situation? I find myself doing this all the time, instead of just clearing my thoughts and listening to what God has to say. Sometimes the Lord is trying to speak to us and guide us in the direction he wants us to go, but we tend to cloud our minds with thoughts and try to figure out obstacles on our own. It is not our job to figure out the obstacle, but to hand our obstacle over to the creator of the universe.

The Lord is constantly trying to speak to us and tell us his thoughts, but because we are so distracted with our little things in our lives, and we tune him out. Here is an important thing to remember, our lives are not our own, they are His. We think every little thing belongs to us, whether its our money, clothes, our issues, and even our time. In reality our circumstances, possessions, and situations belong to God. So why deal with everything on your own when God can handle all things? All He wants us to do is slow down and Listen. Wait for his words. Pray and spend one on one time with him where you simply clear your thoughts and come into a divine place with him.

Question: What does God have to say to you that you aren’t hearing? Are you spending time to listen to His voice? Or do you become distracted with trying to do everything on your own?

More: The Lord hears you crying out to him. You just need to tune in to listen.

Proverbs 8:6-11

“Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.
Everything I say is right,
⁷ for I speak the truth
and detest every kind of deception.
⁸ My advice is wholesome.
There is nothing devious or crooked in it.
⁹ My words are plain to anyone with understanding,
clear to those with knowledge.
¹⁰ Choose my instruction rather than silver,
and knowledge rather than pure gold.
¹¹ For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies.
Nothing you desire can compare with it.”

I don’t know about you, but I am horrible at listening. When it comes to listening I tend to tune it through one ear and out through the other ear. I have to literally tell myself to pay attention, or else I do not hear a single word that is said. My mind starts racing and I start thinking about other things going on in my life. Can you relate to this?

Listening is probably one of the main things that we can do to gain wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Although, listening is tough for us even if we are good at it. Listening is tough because most of the time we want things our way. We do not take the time out to listen to wisdom because we want to control the situation and circumstances of our lives. We even tune out God when he is trying to speak truth into our lives. Have you done this before?

When we allow God to speak truth into our lives, we gain understanding that we can only receive by listening to his heart. Listening to Gods heart takes us removing our heart and minds out of the way and replacing it with His. We need to understand that this universe is His, and our life is a gift from Him. Sometimes listening just takes quieting your heart before God and allowing God to speak life into your situation and circumstance. When we learn how to quiet our hearts before God, we learn how to listen to Him. Listening takes an act of obedience from our behalf.

Question: What do you need to do to quiet your heart before God? Do you know that God is ready to speak life into your situation?

Psalms 23:4 “4 Even when I walk through the dark valley of death, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.”

Have you ever felt like God why aren’t you listening to me? You say things like “I’m pouring my heart out to you God, and you aren’t answering my prayers. Why are you ignoring me? Do you even love me?” I guarantee the creator of the universe is hearing you, and he understands your heart. God loves you more then you will ever understand. It is an infinite love. The real question that we should be asking ourselves is do we give our hearts and lives to a God who bends down and listen’s to us?

We ask God to bend down and listen to us all the time, but we need to listen to him. God is there to walk us through the dark valley, but we also have to make some changes along the way to stay near to him. Sometimes we need to change the way we see, think, and act to hear what God has to say to us. God wants to protect you and comfort you, but you have to draw near to him and give him the time, so He can show you who He is.

Heavenly Father, You are here and You are near. No matter what I may be feeling right now, I just want to picture You gently cupping my face in Your hands and saying, “I’m listening, my child, what do you need to tell me?” Lord, I believe that you are ever with me and that You fully understand me even when others misunderstand me. I pray that You would heal my heart from any wounds that I have accumulated in hard relationships. Father, Thank-You that You are the source of my life and that with You I get to live it to the full. Thank-you for your goodness and Your sweet mercy. In Jesus Name I pray, Amen

Questions: Is there anything that you need to talk to the Lord about? Are you ignoring God in anyway? Do you need to believe that He truly cares for you and that He bends down to listen to your cries?

Psalms 23:1-3

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quite waters, he refreshes my soul.”

Inadequacy is the feeling of not being able to fulfill a need or meet a requirement; it is the feeling of being inadequate, not capable, or competent. Inadequacy is something that is one of my struggles every single day. I would be a hypocrite to say I did not struggle with the feeling of being inadequate at times. Sometimes I let the fear of what others might think of me get in the way of what Jesus wants to do through me, and how he wants to use me.

Our thought process can either make us or break us. I started today’s devotional off like this because I needed to be honest about my own personal weakness that the enemy tries to blind me with, and I also know that there are other people out there like me at times. God wants to do great and mighty things through us, but we must let him. The enemy tries to hinder us with his thoughts, but Jesus gives us life with his grace and mercy.

When we allow the Fruit of the Spirit to control every aspect of our lives; there is know telling how much God can work through us. We just have to get that simple little thought into our heads that “I can do anything through God who gives me strength.” When we lie down beside him and we let God refresh our soul through His Spirit, we honestly really do lack nothing. God takes care of his children, and we are his children.

Question: Have you every felt the thought of being inadequate? Are you struggling with inadequacy right now? Do you need Gods strength to lead you on?

Hebrews 4:14-16

^“14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. ¹⁵ This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. ¹⁶ So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

Have you ever reached that point in life where you have got smacked right in the face with the stick of weakness? I mean everything that was happening to you, or around you were things that the enemy knew you were weak with. Maybe your even being smacked with that stick of weakness right now. I know I have been smacked right in the face with that stick. See Satan wants you to feel the pain of being hit with a stick. He wants you to crumble and fall to defeat, but Jesus wants you to feel the presence of His light.

God uses our weakness to grow us and mature us into the human being that we were created to be. When we let the enemy affect our thought process that’s when the enemy gets the best of us. The scripture above says that even Jesus was tempted with the very same things that we are tested with everyday. Jesus conquered temptation by living a Holy Spirit filled live, and staying obedient to the Father. God even took it a step farther by coming to die for our sins.

If you need strength or direction come to God and meet him face to face. Jesus died for you so you could be strengthened by the Spirit and so you wouldn’t make the same mistake over and over again. Yes, God forgives, but He wants to see you grow as a human being and not fall into the same trap of the enemy every single day. Give God your weakness so you can hit the enemy right back with that wiping stick?

Question: Do you need help with your weakness? Do you know that God offers strength when we reach out for him?

Isaiah 1:18 “Come now, let us argue this out, says the Lord. No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool.”

Have you ever seen freshly fallen snow on the ground? It is white as can be and it is beautiful.  Do you know that God see’s you as beautiful even though you might not see yourself as beautiful? Just like He created the beauty in snow; He created even more beauty in you. You are God’s most beautiful creation, and He created your life with a purpose.

I absolutely love this verse above because I know there is a lot of people who can relate to this. There is a lot of people who are in desperate need for their lives to be made white as snow. I think what this verse is also saying is no matter how deep the pain God can heal you. I know this because I have seen it in my own life, and I have seen it in many others lives. I have seen him heal people that you don’t think can be healed, and it is absolutely amazing to see his power at work.

Getting rid of sin takes an act of faith. We must come to God in faith knowing that he can heal the broken hearted. God wants each and everyone of our hearts, but it takes us acting in obedience and asking God to forgive us and redeem us. If you need some healing in your lives, or maybe someone around you needs healing in certain areas. Ask him because there is power in the name of Jesus, and he can break every chain. God see’s the beauty in you.

Question: Are you ready to be forgiven and made white as snow? Do you know that God thinks your beautiful?

2 Corinthians 12:9

“My gracious favor is all you need, and my power works best in your weakness.”

Grace is not cheap at all. The only grace that is seen as cheap is the grace that is not used. A lot of the times we see ourselves as unworthy of grace because of the past events that have taken place in our lives. We may also see ourselves as unworthy of grace because of the things that we are doing at this very moment. God says we do not need to have this mindset. I believe that he gave us the ability to choose grace, and he also gave us the ability to keep on living the life that we are living.

This scripture above is probably one of my favorites because he does His best work in our weakness. I had the chance to run into a homeless guy named Jason this one Sunday morning at the gas station. I could tell that he was lost and had been beaten up by Satan physically, mentally, and emotionally. I told him that I had just gotten out of church, and he asked if I could take him there. I was a little hesitant at first because I did not feel safe with this guy and he stunk, but the Lord spoke to my heart right when I felt that.

God does not see us as messed up, but he does see us in a need of a Savior. He wants all of his people so bad because we are all His creation. He even wants to be intimate with us and show us what true love is all about. God really does not care about your past or present. He cares about the now. I have no idea if Jason will ever go back to church, but what I do know is he had a chance to experience the Lords grace this one Sunday because I decided to take a risk and take him to church. God is ready to pour his grace out upon you, or even use you to touch someone else’s life. Let his grace come in and work in your life and hearts today. He wants to show us his grace every second of the day.

Question: Are you letting God show you his grace, and are you letting your life be used for his will in your weakest moments?

Psalm 23:6 “Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”

King David knew that God’s unfailing love would pursue him know matter what. His love was never going to stop, and this is why we see David proclaim this in this Psalm. He knew just like we know. God never stops pursuing us even when we are not pursuing him. We can’t get away from the fact that he loves us, but there are definitely times when we run away from the fact that he is absolutely crazy about us.

In Romans 8:35-37 it states, “35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or are hungry or cold or in danger threatened with death? 36 (Even the scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

I think this scripture hits it right on the dot. Things of this world push us away from his love, but he never intended for these things to happen.  We may get mad at God and push Him to the side at times, but God does not want to hurt you. Satan is the one that wants you to feel hurt, and God is the one that wants to draw you closer to his heart. The enemy is the king of deception, and wants you to be mad at God and think negative. We must give our thoughts and desires to God, so we can be overwhelmed by Christ love.

In this scripture above it states “despite all these things, overwhelming is ours through Christ, who loved us. ” This is why God sent his son Jesus to die for us. God knew that we would feel hurt, troubled, cold, hungry, threatened with death, and persecuted. He also knew that he was not going to let you suffer. God wore all these burdens on the cross, and His unfailing love is why we have hope and victory is ours through Christ.

Question: Are you mad at God in any way? Do you need to lay your burdens at the cross? Do you need to ask for forgiveness?

Luke 21:3-4

“Truly, I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them. For they all contributed  out of their abundance, but she out of poverty put in all she had to live on.”

This story has so much implication to it because this story can  relate to how we live our lives with God. We give our lives exactly like the rich do instead of giving our lives like this poor widow did in this scripture. So many times we never give our lives completely surrendered to the spirit, and the chains are never broken. Breaking the chains in our life takes participation on our behalf. We must step into the line of relationship with two feet, and not just one foot in. When stepping in with two feet takes place we build deep intimate relationship with the father. Deep intimate relationship means the love of God working inside of us.

If there are chains that need to be broken hand them over to God. We live in a society that say’s “I can do it, and I am my own me. I have everything under control.” Many of us need help, and are deeply wounded inside. We find help by asking for help, and seeking relationship with a God who absolutely adores every little aspect about us. Truth is our society is losing focus on God because we are to stubborn and selfish to realize that we need relationship with him.

The Holy Spirit is waiting for us to put in all of us, so the Spirit can completely dwell within us. So if you are having trouble in this area, or even having trouble breaking chains that need to be broken; maybe you just need to participate a little more like this poor widow did in this scripture above. She understood what it meant to give all that she had. When a person is committed to the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit will come out of his or hers life.

Question: Are you committing all of your life to God? Or are just half way in? Ask yourself what is holding yourself back from stepping into relationship with God, and ask God to conquer those mountains for you.

2 Corinthians 4:7-11

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given our death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body.”

As believers in Christ we must walk in relationship with God contagiously. We must have a contagious love for the Lord because there are so many things that want to hinder our walk with Jesus. Things like media, technology, people, and even our own sinful desire want to pull us out of relationship with Christ. In order to grow in the Lord we must know the Lord. We know the Lord by pushing everything aside and giving him every aspect and area of our life. Yes, there might be trying times that we run across, but the Lord is faithful with those who maintain an intimate relationship with him.

This walk that us Christian’s walk is so much more than just some religious belief. It is actually being in a personal relationship with a savior who loves us more then we can comprehend. Being a Christian is knowing the creator of this universe and walking with the spirit of a living God every step of the way. Being a Christian is not always the easiest because the Bible states to uphold your cross daily. Our walk with God is tough at times, but God offers something that no one in this world could ever offer. He is a living God and wants to live in us.

Question: How is your relationship with God? Do you understand that being a Christian is something much more then just some religious practice? Do you know that you can actually have an intimate relationship with the creator of this universe? Have you ever even tried to? Or are you just one of those who just pushes the whole idea of  relationship with God away?

Proverbs 4:25-27 “Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.”

It is so easy to get side tracked from what you are doing at any given moment. Take for example have you ever been working on a project, and a bunch of other things come up right in the heart of the project. You get a phone call from somebody, your friend ask you to get some food with them, or even your favorite episode is on television. You know what I am talking about. It happens all the time.

Well, this is very similar to how the enemy works in our Christian walks. The enemy see’s you drawing closer to the heart of the Lord, and he wants to distract you in anyway possible. That is when our response comes into play, Do we give into the pressure of the enemy or do we keep our eyes and hearts focused on the name of Jesus? There are definitely bumps and bruises that you are going to take as a Christian, but do you give into what the world has to offer. Not getting sidetracked is very tough to do, but we have a God on our side that will help us through any given circumstance. The Bible states in Matthew 19:26 ” Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” So, if you think your circumstance is to big for God, I am here to tell you that it is not. The great thing about God is he is there at any given moment, and he is ready to help you walk on that straight path.

The enemy wants into our minds, if we keep our eyes and mind focused on God then the enemy can’t get in. The mind is a huge part of us, and we are able to control what gets in and out of it. We must train our minds to be focused on the name of Jesus, and we must fix our eyes on the cross. When we live a life of complete obedience to God nothing can separate us from his love.

Papa God, keep me walking in the shadow of your steps. Help me to exercise my life, focusing on you. Let my life be a reflection of you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Question: Where is your walk with God today? Are your eyes focused on the cross or the things of this world? How do you keep your life focused on God?

John 15:5

“I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

In order for our light to shine we must participate with God. We participate with God by drawing ourselves closer to him in prayer, worshiping him, getting plugged into his word, getting ourselves around other believers, and letting healing take place in areas where it needs to take place. If you never participate with God How do you expect to grow and know who he fully is? We have to participate with God on a one on one basis in order to grow and to know who he fully is.

Matthew 5:16

“Even so, let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your father in heaven.”

In order for our light to shine we must participate with God. We participate with God by drawing ourselves closer to him in prayer, getting plugged into his word, getting ourselves around other believers, and letting healing take place in areas where it needs to take place. If we never participate with God How do you expect to grow? We have to participate with God on a one on one basis in order to grow and to know who he fully is.

It’s like sitting on the outside of a fence watching your team practice with a blindfold over your face. Your team and teammates are gaining full understanding of the concepts that are being taught by the coach, and they are developing their skills. As for you, there is no growth happening. You can slightly hear what is being talked about, but you are not close enough to fully understand. In order to grow as player you must first take your blindfold off to watch and listen to what is going on. Once we take that blindfold off we are able to step onto the field and participate and grow as an athlete.

The same thing applies in our Christian walk. A lot of the times we have a blindfold covering our eyes, our thoughts, and our ears. We are not open to what God is trying to teach us and show us. We have people in our lives telling us how good God is, but we are just not open to learn and see for ourselves. When we take our blindfold off we begin to see the grace and goodness of God. God opens our hearts to have an active participation with him. There is a light in each and everyone of us, but we have to be willing to take the blindfold off and participate with the king.

Question: Do you have a blindfold covering your face? Are you ready to take it off and see the fullness of God? Do you know that you are God’s light?

Hebrews 13:15-16

“Therefore, let us offer through Jesus a continual sacrifice of praise to God, proclaiming our allegiance to his name. And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God.”

It is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life that we take our eyes, ears, mind, voice, and hearts off of Gods will. As an athlete growing up, taking time away from God was a constant struggle. It was a constant struggle because I would constantly put my sport in front of God, and I would never put Him first. It still is a struggle, but when you truly fall in love with Gods presence you don’t want to waste one second away from what He has for you.

There are many distractions that surround us everyday. There is the craziness of work, school, relationships, family, and even the sport that you play. The enemy likes to surround us with distractions all the time. It is essential that we invite God with us in anything that we do, or anywhere we go. When we put distractions in front of God anger, bitterness, and all kinds of sin take place.

We need to surround ourselves with God 24/7, and make God our surround system. Everything that we do, or say should be a vibration of sound waves directed by the director. Our thoughts, and words that we speak out should be a direct reflection of Gods will. We should be so in tune with God that, we wouldn’t miss one word that he wants to tell us through His surround system.

Question: Are you constantly trying to surround yourself with God? What are ways to surround yourself with more of Gods presence?

Psalms 119:101-105 states, “I have refused to walk on any path of evil, that I may remain obedient to your word. I haven’t turned away from your laws, for you have taught me well. How sweet are your words to my taste; they are sweeter then honey. Your commandments give me understanding; no wonder I hate every false way of life. Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light for my path.”

Sometimes we fall away from the path that God has created us to walk on. We try to do things on our own, or we let the world influence us in believing that we have to live in the now. Everyday we wake up, and go on with our lives is a new opportunity to fix what we have messed up. The Lords love is continues and it never gives up on us.

God wants us to walk in obedience with Him, so he can mature us into the person he created us to be. When we learn how to be obedient to the word of God, we realize that we never needed anything that ever pulled us away from Him in the first place. This life that we live is only for a short time, but eternity is forever. I know as for me I rather walk in the light, then follow the ways of this world. I have gotten a taste of and seen what God has to offer me, and it is more then the world will ever have to offer me.

Father, help me to walk in your path and to refuse the things of this world. It is so easy to get caught up, and help to remain still in the presence of your word. For when I fall off track from time to time that I would remember the greatness of your word and what you have taught me. Father refresh my heart with a simple taste of your heart. I desire to walk in your presence, but I need your help to do so all the time. Father, I thank you for never leaving my side. One thing always remains, and you are always faithful. Lord I love you. In Jesus name, Amen.

Question: Are you walking in obedience to Gods word? Do you know that God is always faithful and forgiving?