The Daily Devotional Blog

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. We've heard many people tell the story of David and the evil giant Goliath, but I've never heard anyone say that there were actually two giants in the story. One was Goliath and the other was David.  Yes David.  1 Samuel 17   tells the story of how David killed the giant punk Goliath by casting a stone that hit him in the forehead. Goliath wasn't used to anyone going up against him. He would taunt the people of God and they were all afraid of him. He was a bully that ran his mouth all the time, but David was the one who eventually shut it forever.  Who would have ever thought the little ruddy David would be the one who defeated a great big giant? Goliath was the natural giant standing at "six cubits and a span"  (v 4) , which according to something I read meant he stood at 9'6"! Yet David was the real giant and although he was naturally short compared to even regular sized men, he ran ...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. When I say make it work, what do I mean by that? I mean we have to start living to the fullest. Recently I tried my best to encourage a young person to go for her dreams. She is a beautiful girl, but had very little confidence in herself and her skills. Even though she had exceptional abilities to help inspire other young girls, she was afraid of what people would say and how they would view her by putting herself out there. Of course I totally understood what she was feeling, because boy ole boy was I there just a few short years ago. I was exactly where she is. Low self-confidence, low thinking about what I had to offer the world, and too afraid to step out. If we're waiting for the perfect time to get things in perfect order, we'll be waiting forever. If we're waiting for someone to come rescue us, we'll be waiting forever. If we're waiting for someone to ask us, we'll be waiting forever. And i...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Today I'm looking ahead; walking ahead, and talking ahead. You know what that means? It means my sights are towards tomorrow -- towards the future. “Why”, you may ask? Well that's simple. My philosophy is this: As long as we keep walking towards the Light -- towards the positive, we will get to where God has for us to go, so why not keep walking forward, right? Why not look forward to tomorrow? Tomorrow is not today and it's not yesterday, so let's at least have the mindset that it offers beautiful and splendid things. If we're not there yet, at a minimum, we have to have the attitude that things will get even better than they are now or have been. If your life is just the way you'd have it to be, then that's awesome for you. I love it. Just keep praising, worshiping, and thanking the Lord for it. If it's not, then give it a chance to get better.  Proverbs 4 :10-12 says, "Hear, my son [...

Jesus paid it all. That's right. He gave everything. Yes, He paid the interest for us, so we wouldn't have to. In other words He paid for our value in full and didn't charge us anything. How awesome it is to know Him? I consider it an awesome blessing. There's no doubt about that. When we need peace, deliverance, joy, healing, resurrection power, or whatever it is, we can count on Him to give us what we need when we need it. He loves us that much. Isn't that great? Who else can we say that about? Do you need anything from Him today? Do you have an issue that you want Him to get you through? When we call on Him -- literally -- call on Him, He will answer. I am a witness to that. He is open 24/7.   Romans 10 :9-11  says, If we declare with our mouth, that “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead, then will be saved. For it is with our heart that we believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that we profess our faith a...

"So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt” ( Genesis 41 :41).    Where is it, you want God to take you? Do you know He will give you the desires of your heart? But...you have to be willing to put some work -- lots of work -- behind your faith, because nothing worthwhile will come easy. Oh no. We have to put some perseverance, determination, stamina, and intensity, in order to go where it is He has for us to go. And guess what? We can indeed get there. Don't think we can't. It's about staying on the word " go"  and continuing on. Don't you dare give up on doing what you were born to do. There is something inside of you that God has gifted you with and God never makes a mistake. We do, but He never does, so don't think your life is an accident, because it isn't. It was a deliberate act of God who wants you do mighty things in this world. Do you believe it?  Believe it.  Take Joseph for instance. In ...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. If you’re in a good place today, that's awesome. I’m glad you made it through. Just in case you aren’t, you will get through too. We have to have faith that God will bring us through anything we may be going through today. We can overcome any situation, because of the God we serve -- the God who lives in us -- and the God who loves us. I remember going through a dark lonely time when I felt no one was there for me. I had a hard time trusting people because of past betrayals by people I thought were close to me. It was a difficult time and what I realize now is that I should have found someone to trust. There were and still are, people out there who are honest and trustworthy. I realize that today. At any rate, I got through that time because of God who I talked and prayed to everyday and throughout the day. It was God who led me to the right people. I’m able to help others now, because of it (glory to God for that). ...

Do you know there's power in the name of Jesus? And do you know you can tap into that power at anytime? It's about knowing the voice of the Lord. For, He speaks in so many ways. To help illustrate the power of the voice of the Lord, I'm going to read the poetic  Psalm 29 :3-9, which   says:  The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord thunders over the mighty waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon. He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!” Now, that's power, isn't it? If nobody knows what the voice of the ...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Continue to keep going and going and going...Translation: God has much for you and I, so we have to keep toiling and keep rolling. There are many reasons I write so much about continuing to grind and never giving up on what the Lord has for you and I. The main reason is because I want what God wants for us — for us to live an abundant life. As long as we toiling and rolling with Him, what God has for us is for us. I know that first hand in many areas of my life, I'm telling you. So, we must continue to go go go for what it is God has for us. His vision for your life and my life should be clear. If not, we have to seek Him out to find it.  Matthew 6 :33  says to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all the things He has for us will be added to us. That’s it. 

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Do you know that when God says you're going to be blessed with a promise He's made to you, it's going to happen? Because when God said it was going to get done, it's going to get done. Nobody can stop it, nobody can block it, and nobody can influence the outcome. What God has your name on, is for you and only you.  I have gotten so many prophetic words that I would be doing what I'm doing now. But none of it came as a surprise to me, because I knew it for a long time. Nevertheless, it's nice to know when God sends me those reminders of His promises though. They never get old. When we get a promise from God, we just have to know that it will take work and we have to work it. As I said many times, nothing valuable comes easy and nothing from nothing leaves nothing. We're going to have to work for what we want even if God promised it, ok? There's no getting around that. Be encouraged though,...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Sometimes we have good days and sometimes not so good, right? Yet we can't let it get us down. We have to give ourselves a few minutes of sulk time then it's off to the races. I know now that being depressed about our past, present, or even future won't help anybody. But developing a plan of action, will. Just remember, there is something that can done about something . So, we have to believe we  will  prevail and that's what will happen. Will it be overnight? Maybe. Maybe not. But when we know the promises the Lord God has made over our lives, we will make it. Isaiah 43 :2  says,  “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will no t  set you ablaze.”  So believe you will prevail and you will, as you continue to fight for your right to do so. ...

Believe or not, some people don't think God is real.  Some of them may say His name in a sentence every now or then, but they really have no real concept of Him. They just imagine Him as a far-off entity that has no real bearing on their lives and/or they just consider Him a "higher being" of some sort. Some of the people who have been blessed (by God) with monetary wealth are sometimes the most challenged when it comes to that mindset, as well as, some of the people who have had really negative and awful things that happened in their lives. The former thinks they've acquired their wealth all by themselves (self-made) and they think God (Jesus) had nothing whatsoever to do with it. Or they may consider themselves "lucky." The latter questions where God was, to allow such bad things in their lives and thus, do not believe He really exists either.  Let me say this,  God is real . How are you breathing? How is your blood flowing? How was your brain ma...

Do you know God has alot for you? Do you? Are you familiar with the scripture that talks about God giving you back double for your trouble? That means He's giving you back everything you lost for all the hell you've been through. I have good news for you.   Isaiah 61 :7 says, " Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours."  What fabulous news that is -- that God will give you everything back you've lost, plus a whole lot more. That's right, all the hell you've been through, God will give you blessings that far exceed your pain. Then you will be able to tell the world what He did for you and others will believe your testimony of His goodness. Then they will believe God. They will know He is real. Then He will do it for them when they follow the steps of obedience you followed. All because...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Won't God do it? Won't God take His people from "nothing" to something, in an instant? He did it all throughout the bible. There are many stories about the nothing, low, underdogs who triumphed over undeniable feats  ( 1 Corinthians 1 :27-29) . Don't you just love the the spirit of the underdog? I know I do.  I love what God does with the person of little status in the world. I love it when the Lord shuts the mouths of lions  ( Daniel 6 :21-22)  like He did with Daniel when the king's men wanted to stop Daniel's anointing. I love it when the Lord protects us against the monsters and giants who try to come against us. I love it when the Lord sees to it that the underdog, the one who was looked at as the mistaken one, comes out unscathed. Yes I just love it when the Lord Jesus Christ reassures the saints that they will reach the mountain tops. God loves it when we walk the walk. God loves a gr...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. A short while ago, I did a devotional/podcast series of the book of Proverbs. I like Proverbs, because it makes me think, but honestly we can say that about the entire bible, right? Not only does Proverbs talk about how we're doing with the resources God has given us -- like the wisdom, our work ethic, our finances, and other things Proverbs is about, it makes us think about how we are using those things to help people. I know a married couple with a pretty huge house. It's a nice house and what I like about them is that they invite people into their house to spread the gospel -- to talk about God and the bible. That's great, because maybe some of those people would never hear about God if it wasn't for that couple. Anyway, today I want to share a little about what  Proverbs 3 :13-18 says. Maybe it'll bless you with something that is on your mind today. “Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who ...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Proverbs 16 :3 says, "commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established."  You know what that means, right? It means great things for you and I when we do the work. Yes that means when we're not sitting around like I used to do. It means living every day to achieve all that God has for us. Yesssssss. I remember when I talked a good game. I would tell my friends the things I was going to do, but I never moved on those things. I had plans, but one-I didn't carry them out and two-I didn't consult with God about them.  But today I talked to Him and His spirit talks back. You wouldn't understand that though if you don't have a relationship with Him. You may see it as weird, but I honestly, I can't concern myself with that. You see, when we talk to God, it's not like talking to the wind. No, it's talking the a source -- the source -- that will align things for us. Y...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Have you ever heard  Habakkuk 2 : 2/3 ? It's scripture that talks about seeing a vision, writing it down, working towards it, and waiting for it to come. Now waiting doesn't just mean sitting around. It means working, because remember, faith without works is dead, right? The scripture says:  "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." One of favorite scriptures in the bible, because I'm reminded every day that it doesn't matter how big my vision is, God can do it. Yes, if our vision is so big it scares us, then God is in it. Every little thing we do counts towards it. It's points towards our vision. Yes, and as long as it's moving in a positive direction, it will make an impact. I'm so grateful fo...

Just in case you may be wondering, Jesus can fix, heal, repair, restore, or reclaim anything that you are in need for Him to do.  If He can do it for the blind beggar He passed by, He can surely do it for you and I. In  Luke 18 :41:43 , Jesus asked the blind man what he wanted Jesus to do for him and the blind man said he wanted his sight recovered. And Jesus said to him,  “recover your sight; your faith has made you well"  and immediately he recovered his sight and the blind man followed Jesus. It was just that quick. The blind man didn't care who was around or what people were saying. He knew he needed Jesus of Nazareth.  Now, what do you think it was that made the blind man call out to Jesus? Do you think it was simply because he was tired of being blind? Are you tired of anything? Do you think he wanted to be healed, so he figured, 'hey Jesus is passing by, this is my opportunity'? Have you seized on an opportunity lately? Do you think it had ...

"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit” ( Psalm 34 :18). That's another way of saying the Lord will revive our heart when needed. He is in the heart mending business just in case we need a heart change or a heart transplant. He's a miraculous God who will rejuvenate us in a heartbeat. Do you need Him for anything? Do you need help with a downcast heart? If so, today I've come to encourage you to stay in the race, to keep looking up, to continue to be optimistic, and to be faithful about your life. Some of us have been through more than the next person and some of us haven't. Yet we may all still hurt, because pain is pain and pain is painful. Some of us hurt deeper and longer, because the wounds went in pretty deep. Yet, the Lord is near us. The Lord saves us. That means the Lord God will revive your spirit and bring you back to life. Wake up mighty men. Wake up mighty women. Your blessing is coming and I'm not just sayin...

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin." ( 1 John 1 :5-7). God is where goodness and mercy endures forever. When we walk with Him, we walk in His glorious light. And when we walk with Him, we are forgiven. In other words, " If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8/9).  1 John 1  is a great reminder that we are to look no further when it comes to knowing where our love and the glorious light is, which shines so bright on us.

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Has anyone ever told you, your words have power? If not, I'm coming to tell you to start believing they in fact do have power, much power.  Proverbs 18 :21  says,  "death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."  I take positive self-talk seriously especially at this point in my life. I've been through enough ups and downs that I have made a conscious choice to trust what God has to say over my life more than what any man has to say. How about you? Are you at that place in your life? If not, there is hope for all of us to get what God has for us. It's never too late. It starts with thinking positive, speaking positive, and acting positive. I'm not talking pie in the sky, I'm talking about what has worked in my life for quite some time now. So yes, speak positive over your life by putting positive words in the atmosphere. Isaiah 55 :11  says, whic...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Do you know God is watching our every move? Yes, and do you know He's with us when we do things right and when we do things wrong? I don't know about you, but that gives me peace and solace especially when some of my days are not good. Yes, I know He will never leave me or forsake me. How about you? Are you aware of that? I'm sure you are, but listen to this: His word is true and will never come back void. Therefore we have to believe that all things will work out for the good to those who love Him unconditionally. Isn't that great news? It really is. That really is great news, I'm telling you. And it should give us hope for tomorrow -- for brighter tomorrows. I will always believe God has even more for me. That's right, I know His grace, favor, and mercy are applicable to those who believe Him. Even though all isn't well all the time, we have to stay with it and we have to stay with Him. We hav...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Once upon a time I didn't think the Lord was pleased with me. You see, I had made some mistakes. I had dropped the ball. And I had made some stupid decisions. I wasn't feeling too hot about myself either at that time, because I had disappointed even myself and I eventually forgave myself. I had too. So, I was wrong about God. He was still pleased with me even though I made mistakes, even though I dropped the ball, and even though I made some stupid decisions. I know that, because God has made me fearfully and wonderfully. Yes, Psalm 139 :14 is proof of that. And I know it. I know it also because Romans 8 :1  tells me there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. So, yes the Lord is pleased with me, that I know. Do you realize He is also pleased with you? He is. Yes, I'm here to tell you that. I am here to tell you He is pleased with you, as well. He is pleased with the people who made mista...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Proverbs 9 :9 says,  "give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning."  That verse is saying, put your energy into a person who is open to hearing and accepting wisdom. Doing so will get better results, because such a person is interested in doing what God would have him to do, and will become wiser as a result. Yes. A scoffer, on the other hand, is the opposite. That person doesn't believe God or the wisdom that comes from God and guess what? It's a waste of time trying to convince such a person otherwise, because more than likely it will lead to argument, debate, or dispute. I refuse to argue with a person who doesn't want to change and sometimes we have to walk away, because certain people don't want to change, they want an argument; they want a debate; they want to dispute everything you're saying about things you know ...

Daily Devotional Podcast. Follow along with blog post. Are you seeking anyone? God, perhaps? Who are you seeking? Because  Proverbs 8 :17  says,  "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently will find me." Yes, Proverbs 8:17 is God talking. Do you hear Him? It's pretty cut and dry, wouldn't you say? It's just right out there. No interpretation, explanation, or dissection needed. It's plain and crystal clear. Those of us who love God -- who search for Him beyond measure or comprehension, are the ones who find Him. That means continuous seeking, asking, craving, appealing, supplicating, communing, crying, and on and on, in order for us to make a lasting connection with Him. Those of us who do those things, have what is called, a strong relationship with Him. When we love and seek Him, we will find Him.  My walk with God is every day and some days I am more communicative than others, yet I am always with God and He is always with me...

Proverbs 7 says, "My son, keep my words and treasure up my commandments with you; keep my commandments and live; keep my teaching as the apple of your eye; bind them on your fingers write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and call insight your intimate friend..." I'm grateful that I have made it through bad decisions and mistakes. Today, I know the right way. Yes, I lived through hard lessons -- lessons of having no wisdom or insight. I was blind, but now I see. I see more clearly now, because I understand what some of what Proverbs 7 is saying, which is when we keep close to God's commandments and teachings, no everything will not line up perfectly, however, wisdom will help us better navigate the dirty waters of life. I know that to be a fact of life and of my life. Consequently, I want to call wisdom my sister and insight my friend. I want to live my life learning through God's Word and treasured commandments. I a...

Proverbs 6 :6-8 says, "Go to the ant, O sluggard  [lazy person] ; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest." Just about everyone knows the story of ants. The hardworking insects who put all their effort together to build and are then able to take pride and comfort in the fruits of their labor. The smart little critters who put the lazy to shame by using their industrious, hard-working acumen to make things happen. We have to give those ants credit where credit is due. The ant pretty much epitomizes  Proverbs 6:6-8 and Proverbs 10:4/5 , because they're not lazy, they gather in the summer, and they are able to sleep well in the winter. What a tidy little case-study in using one's intellect and wisdom to go from A to B to Z. Just goes to show that God will use anything to get our attention, right? The ant, if we would study to show ourselves approved, can teach us ...