Worthy is the Lamb

​S-Revelations 5:9-10 NIV

“You are worthy to take the scroll
    and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
    and with your blood you purchasedfor God
    persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
    and they will reign[b] on the earth.”

O- In this vision John see's God on his throne with a scroll that has seven seals and no one who is worthy to open the seals in heaven.  That is with exception of the lamb of God who sacrificed himself to restore His people.  He did it for every tribe and language, to all people and nations and those who believe he made them priests to serve God.   That is all of us who follow Jesus on earth, who have His spirit in them he gave the right to be priests in the world.  

A -  The application for me is to follow the one true priest who interceded for my sins and reigns now in heaven,  who is Jesus Christ.  I am to rember that Jesus is the one true lamb of God who is worthy to open the seals.   He has his rightful place in heaven and intercedes for those of us on earth. 

P - Dear heavenly father thank you for today's lesson may it be sealed to my heart.   Lord help me to be a priest here on earth by following you and your direction.  I pray you would  make your way known to me for my life.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

A new heart and spirit in me

 S - Ezekial 11:18-21 NIV
18 “They will return to it and remove all its vile images and detestable idols. 19 I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh. 20 Then they will follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. They will be my people, and I will be their God. 21 But as for those whose hearts are devoted to their vile images and detestable idols, I will bring down on their own heads what they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

O - Ezekiel's prophesy to the people of Israel stood as a warning and a dividing line.   The line was those who repented and turned from worship of vile images and detestable idols and those who did not.  For those that turn and repent god would give them and undivided heart and new spirit;  removing the heart of stone and giving a heart of flesh.  This changed heart will allow the people to follow God and His laws.  For those who don't have a changed heart they will receive the consequence of separation from God for worshiping vile images and detestable idols.

A - The application for me is to repent and turn away from the idols in my life.  Idols like finances, occupation, t.v.  I must strive to turn from these idols and turn towards God seeking him in all ways I am to go.  I must give him my undivided heart and turn my hardened heart to a soften one of flesh.   I desire to have a renewed heart and mind and to follow all that God has shown me in his word and through his spirit in me.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for your lesson today may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you help me rid myself of the idols I have in my heart.  I pray for strength and wisdom to follow the laws you have written in my heart.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen

Rebuke and discipline

​S-Rev 3:19-22 NIV

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline.So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come inand eat with that person, and they with me.

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hearwhat the Spirit says to the churches.”

O -  This scripture speaks to the church at Laodicea but speaks to me as well.   It shows God's character and will for his people.   Those whom God loves he doesn't allow them to stay stuck in sin,  he rebukes and disciplines them so they know they need to repent.  They are to stay alert for the Lord will knock on the door of their heart and should run to open and welcome the Lord even in his rebuke.  Through repentance we can turn towards God and find victory in Christ.   The reward is great as we will get to sit to the right of Christ on the throne.

A - The application for me is to listen for the Lord's knocking at the door of my heart and to let him in.   I am to allow him to search my heart and correct and rebuke any unholiness that is in me.  I am to rejoice that Jesus sits with me in my heart and he makes a place for me in heaven next to Him.  

P -  Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would search my heart and know me,  rebuking any evil or rebellious ways in me.  I welcome you Lord into my heart so that I might have your guidance and direction.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Teach me to do your will

​S-Psalm 143:10 NIV

10 Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
    lead me on level ground.

O-  This psalm is my prayer for my life.   Lord teach me to do your will and may the Holy Spirit lead me in your path for my life.  

A - The application for me is to be teachable by God and the guidance of His Holy Spirit which lives in me.  I must daily go and sit at His feet and listen for His word to speak to me.  I must seek him and his direction daily to correct my course and lead me on level and not rocky ground.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's less may it be sealed to my hear.  I pray Lord that you would teach me to do you will and lead me on level ground.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen.

Follow the good example

​S- 3John 1:11 Niv

11 Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God.

O- Paul here exhorts a friend of his on how to live out his days.  He says we are to imitate what we want to be and to not imitate what we don't want to be.  We are to look around us and to see what are those things that re from God and imitate them and what things are evil and not from God and avoid them.  

A - The application for me is to search my surroundings and take note of the things from God for these are the things I am to imitate.  I can find examples in people I admire who are living a Christ driven life. I am also to take note of those that are following evil and take the example of what not to imitate.  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would show me the good I am to follow and warn me of the evil that I may be tempted to follow. I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen. 

Walk in love

​S-2 John 1:5-6 Niv

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

O- John's exhortation is for us to follow God's command in obedience by loving one another.  There is such truth in this verse but yet we can get distracted by the circumstances in our lives and forget just simply to love one another through all circumstances.   

A - The application for me is to make sure I am not me centric and that I put my focus on loving others first.   When I get focused on all the things that are not going great it can drive my focus inward instead of following the Lord's command her to walk in love.

P- Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would help me humble myself and focus on others and not just my problems.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen

Free to not sin

 S- 1 John 5:18-20 NIV

18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. 20 We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

O - John here speaks to all the ways Jesus is the truth and life.   Those who place Jesus Christ as their savior do not continue to sin and are kept safe from the evil one.  We know the evil one exists in the world as a liar and thief but with Christ we are delivered from Satans traps.    We also know that Jesus came and gave us  understanding so we can know His truth that God is the one true God and we are in Him as we are in Christ.

A -  The application for me is to affirm that I am Christ follower and He is in me, therefore I have been freed from sin.  I am no longer bound in my flesh by my past sins, they have been washed away by the blood of Jesus.   I know now the devil is real and out to get me to abandon my belief in Christ,  but I know the knowledge of Christ is made possible by God and that the truth that He is our one true God and we are in Him.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I pray that you continue to help me be free from the bondage of sin.  Give me the heart and mind to choose thosee thing that honors you and reject those things that seperates me from you.  I pray this all in Jesus Christ name,  Amen,

Freed at last

​S-Jer 31:33-34 NIV

“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
    after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
    and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
34 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
    from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
    and will remember their sins no more

O- God's promises to those exiled in Bablyon is His promises to us today.  When we give ourselves to Christ,  He sends the Holy Spirit and writes His law on our mind and on our hearts and He will be our God.  All of His people will know God and He forgives His people all their sins.

A - The application for me is to receive God's grace in my own life like the exiles received it from the Lord.  Allow Him to write His laws on my heart and mind and receive his grace over all my sins.   Like the exiled in Bablyon I must believe in the promises of God in order for His Grace to work inside of me.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord that you would help me receive your Grace and walk in freedom from my sins.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen. 

God's good plans for us

 S - Jer 29:10-13 NIV

10 This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

O - Verse 11 is a well known verse that is commonly recited but verse 11 provides context while verse 12-13 provides guidance on how to walk in the truth.  The context of the promise of good plans, plans for a future and a hope was the people had been exiled to Bablyon for 70 years and the Lord was getting ready to restore them back to the promised land.  The Lord had the plans already set and he offers up these promises in verse 12, 13 that when the people call on Him, He will listen to them and secondly if they will seek the Lord with all their heart they will find Him.  

A - The application for me is to recognize that God has a plan for me and my family.  That though we are walking through a valley season,  God has good plans for us, plans for a future and a hope. I must follow the example here and call on the name of the Lord and pray to Him and He will listen.  I am to seek the Lord out with all my heart and not lean on my own understanding.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord for wisdom and guidance on how to proceed in the troubled area's of my life : work, finances, and my own beliefs of condemnation versus grace.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen

Trust with all my heart

S - Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.

O - This proverb like all of them are simple and true but can be at times hard to walk in.  The first step in this proverb is to trust in the Lord with ALL my heart.  I know God is worthy of my trust but having placed most of my trust in myself it is a hard habit to break, that is why the second part is so neccessary that I would not lean on my own understanding when making plans or decisions.  The Lord knows when I act by myself I am fallible to making mistakes in judgement.  These mistakes have led me into the circumstances I now find myself, and the way out is not by my own understanding but through trust in the Lord and His directions for me.  I am to submit to him all things and decisions I will now make in order that He will make my paths straight.

A -  The application for me is shift my mode of operation from self centered to God centered.  I must face the daily decisions with God first.  I must renew my committment to trust the Lord with all my heart and then to suspend my actions based on only my understanding.  I am to use my devotional and quiet prayer time to submit to the Lord all my ways and listen for his judgement on the correct path for me to take. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray you would help me trust you with all my heart and stop leaning on my own understanding.  Help me to pause and submit my plans to you and wait for your word and guidance on which ways to go.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Belief in Christ

​S-John 20:26-29 NIV

26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.”

28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

O-This is the second time Jesus appeared to the disciples, thought the first time Thomas wasn't there.  We can imagine the other disciples and Mary testified to Thomas and other that the resurrected Lord had appeared to them but Thomas did not believe until he saw it with his own eyes.   Thankfully Jesus points out the eternal truth that blessed are those who believe in the risen Christ even though they have not seen Him.  

A - The application for me is to recognize that my faith in Christ is not dependent on me having seen Him, but rather on the relationship that I am allowed to have with Him since I accepted him as my Lord and Savior.    Christ dwells in me and the Holy Spirit speaks to me so that my faith in Him would be strengthened.  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  Lord I pray that my relationship with you would be strengthened and deepend.  I pray all this in Jesus Chirst name, Amen

Listen and Hear the Lord

​S- Jer 23:17-19 NIV

17 They keep saying to those who despise me,
    ‘The Lord says: You will have peace.’
And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts
    they say, ‘No harm will come to you.’
18 But which of them has stood in the council of the Lord
    to see or to hear his word?
    Who has listened and heard his word?

O - These words are from the prophet Jeremiah who was speaking of the many false prophets that existed.  These false prophets would speak from themselves and not from revelation from God.  None of them has stood in council of the Lord to see or hear His word.

A - The application for me is to recognize I need to seek the council of the Lord and listen to hear his word.  Admittedly I have struggled to hear his voice but know when I do hear his words are pure and true.  Even though I desire to hear his voice I think apart of me is still nervous about what He will say.  I should have no fear because there is no condemnation in Christ and his word is sustenance to my soul.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart. I pray Lord you would speak to me clearly so I can know and understand your direction for my life.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen

17 17 

Blessed are those that fear the Lord

​S-psalm 112:1-4 NIV

Praise the Lord.[b]

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
    who find great delight in his commands.

2 Their children will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches are in their houses,
    and their righteousness enduresforever.
4 Even in darkness light dawns for the upright,
    for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous.

O-  This psalm highlights the character of those God blesses.  He blesses those that have a reverant fear of Him and who find great joy in following His commands.  The psalm goes on to highlight the fruit of those who are blessed: their children will be blessed and walk in His ways.  They will live abundant lives, even in dark times they will find light in the Lord and will be gracious, compassionate and righteous in their walks with the Lord.  

A-The application for me is to take note of whom the Lord blesses and fear the Lord reverently for He is a mighty God, full of love and grace for those that delight in His commands.  I am to steward the gifts and provision that God provides, his good and ample provision.  I am to raise my children up in the way they should go and help them be successful and blessed in this land that we live.  In dark times I am to seek to be gracious in my dealings with other people, compassionate for those around me who are struggling and righeous in my actions.

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you help me to live a life of reverent fear of you and obey your commands with joy. Help me to be gracious, compassionate and righteous in all that I do.  I pray these all in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

1 

Eternal life

​S-John 17:2-3 NIV

 2 For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. 3 Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.

O-  Jesus came to give eternal life to all that the Father has given him.  By this relationship of knowing the one true God and Jesus Christ His son,  we will have eternal life.  What joy, comfort and peace this gives me in knowing that God has given those whom He called to Him.  

A - The application for me is to rejoice in the Lord and His son whom He sent to die for me on the cross.   He has gifted me eternal life, a relationship with Him who resides in Heaven. 

P - Dear heavenly Father,thank  you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would reveal to me eternal life with you so that I may rest in peace in your love and your gift.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen

Repent and speak words that a worthy

 S - Jermiah 15:19-21 NIV

19 Therefore this is what the Lord says:

“If you repent, I will restore you
    that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
    you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
    but you must not turn to them.20 I will make you a wall to this people,
    a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you
    but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
    to rescue and save you,”
declares the Lord.21 “I will save you from the hands of the wicked
    and deliver you from the grasp of the cruel.”

O- These words are from God to Jeremiah as he prophesies.  he will likely get a great deal of push back from the people as they had wandered far from the Lord and would take offense to all that God held against them.   God commands Jeremiah to repent and utter worthy words and God will use him a strong wall which the people may push up against but will not break down.  The Lord promises to rescue and save him from the hand of the wicked and grasp of the cruel.

A - The application for me is to recognize while I am no Jeremiah,  I face similar options in my relationship with the Lord.    I must repent and utter words that are worthy in order for God to be my great defender.   All though I am not a prophet I face similar challenges that Jeremiah did must stand tall and trust the Lord and all that He has revealed to me.

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you see in me a repentant heart and that you would help guide the words I speak to be worthy of you. I pray all this in Jesus namen, Amen 

One with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit

​s-John 14:1-4 20-21 NIV

Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4 You know the way to the place where I am going.”

…

20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. 21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

O-  Jesus was preparing his disciples for what was to come (his crucifiction and resurrection).  After being with the disciples for a couple of years,  He knew that his leaving them to go to heaven was still a tough pill to swallow.  He exhorts them to believe in Him and believe in God and lets them know His house in Heaven he goes before them to prepare one of the many rooms for them in the Kingdom of Heaven.  He tells them despite me leaving, He will come back for each of them so that they could spend eternity beside the savior in heaven.    In verses 20-21 Jesus reveals the relationships between Him and the Father (I am in my Father) and His relationship with His disciples (you are in me and I am in you).  Then he proclaims the one who loves Him will be loved by the Father. 

A - The application for me is to receive this message from Jesus to his disciples as if it were to me.  Jesus has atoned for my sins and is seated now on the right hand of the Father, so I am not to be troubled because He is on His throne.  I must be comforted by the fact He has made a way and place in Heaven for me.  The way to that place is through acknowledging him as my Lord and Savior.   While in my earthly flesh, I am to know that Christ dwells in my heart and the Holy Spirit is in me.  

P - Dear heavenily Father thank you for today's devotion , may it be sealed to my heart. Lord I pray that you would help strengthen my faith in you.   I want to believe you are in me and that you are one with the Father.  I pray the Holy Spirit would speak to me so I can hear and know your will for my life.  I pray this all in Jesus Christ name, Amen

Believe in Christ and God

​S-John 13:19-20 NIV

19 “I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am who I am. 20 Very truly I tell you, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me.”

O-  Jesus is preparing His disciples for what is coming so that when it does happen they will believe in Him,  the one true son of God.   For those who accept that Jesus is who he says he is also accepts God the Father.  This was the point for the disciples and for us today, that Jesus is the Son of God, sent to save those called to Him, that through his sacrifice would be restored in relationship God and sins would be forgiven.  

A - The application for me is to receive this message for me today that I would believe that Jesus is the Son of God and came from heaven to die for our (my) sins.  That I would believe in Jesus and God who sent Him.    

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for this devotion today ,  may it be sealed to my heart. Lord I pray that you help increase my faith and belief in all that you are.  Help my faith to believe in all that you are and not something less.   I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen. 

The Light of the world

​S-John 12:44-47 NIV

44 Then Jesus cried out, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. 45 The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me. 46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

⁴⁷ “If anyone hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge that person. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save the world.

O- Jesus is speaking to the Pharisee's who came to see about Jesus.  They saw the many signs and miracles and heard His teaching and yet were afraid to believe because they might get kicked out of their synagogues.  Jesus warns them that whoever believes in him believes in God who had sent him.  He proclaims to be the light of the world, and whoever believes in Him will stay in the light. 

A - The application for me is to put my faith in Jesus, who came to save the lost and bring light into the world.   I must believe Jesus was fully man and fully God.  He can emphathize with me and my struggle as he was fully man.  His spirit and his actions show He is fully God for everything He said and did was to glorify the father and reconcile the lost.  

P -Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you help me to fully believe in the Truth of who you are.   I pray that you help me overcome whatever doubts remain in me that prevents me from believing in all that you are.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen

Faith in Christ

 S - John 11:25-27 NIV

25 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; 26 and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

27 “Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

O - This is a conversation between Martha sister of Lazarus and Jesus.  Martha was wondering why Jesus didn't save Lazarus from death and Jesus answered her that her brother would rise again.   Then Jesus proclaims he is the resurrection and the life and that one simply needs to believe in Him and they will live, and whoever believes and lives will never die.  

A - The application for me is to have faith like Martha and believe Jesus is the Messiah, the son of God who came into the world to save us.  Though I have sinned and fallen short,  Jesus came to die for my sins and to give me eternal life if I would only repent and surrender myself to Him. 

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray to have the faith of Martha and believe you are the Messiah.  I pray you help my unbelief and doubts and help me to put my whole faith in you.  I pray this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

Consequences of forsaking the Lord

​S-Jeremiah 2:19 NIV

19 Your wickedness will punish you;
    your backsliding will rebuke you.
Consider then and realize
    how evil and bitter it is for you
when you forsake the Lord your God
    and have no awe of me,”
declares the Lord, the LordAlmighty.

O-There are consequences for forsaking the Lord.  When we live in wicked ways God will punish us in our sin and backsliding He will rebuke us.   This is true and may be the state we live in until we repent of our sins and turn toward Jesus and His redemptive gift.  In sin there is death but in Christ their is everlasting life.

A- The application for me is not to dwell on all the sins of my past but not to live in them either.  I simply need to repent and turn away from them and turn toward Jesus who is my redeemer.  As Paul says I do not do what I wish to do but at times do what is wrong.  I need to not live in this wrong doing but repent and turn away and seek God's face.  

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for your grace and mercy.  I pray this lesson be sealed to my heart and that I come to your feet repentant of all my sin, seeking your ways.  I pray you help me find the right counselor to help in my recovery and that you would send your Holy Spirit to speak to and guide me.  I pray all this in Jesus name, Amen

Seek the Lord and humble myself

​S-Zephania 2:3 NIV

3 Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land,
    you who do what he commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
    perhaps you will be sheltered
    on the day of the Lord’s anger.

O -  Those who humble themselves and seek His righteousness and humility will find shelter in the Lord. Those that seek him and do what He commands will find shelter.

A -   The application for me is to continue to seek God daily to hear His voice and obey His commands.  I must humble my heart and seek humility in my response to him and others.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord that you reveal your ways to me and that I would humbly follow your ways in all my days. I pray this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.

See, hear and receive God

​S-John 8:12,47 NIV

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of the world

...

47 Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.

O - Jesus is the light of the world , he illuminates the truth of who God is with us to light up the dark places in this world.  We only need to follow the light to see God's ways.  The word of God is the light  and whoever hears His word and follows it , belongs to God. 

A -  I admit that I fearfully seek to hear God's voice and seek His council and sometimes do not hear Him.  I must seek out God's lighted way and follow His word.  I must choose Jesus in times of darkness,  I must surrender my life to Him.  

P - Dear heavenly Father, thank you for today's devotion may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord you would helpme to see your light and hear your voice.  I want to follow you and not get caught up in the ways of the world.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen

The will of God

​S-John 7:16-18 NIV

16 Jesus answered, “My teaching is not my own. It comes from the one who sent me. 17 Anyone who chooses to do the will of God will find outwhether my teaching comes from God or whether I speak on my own. 18 Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth; there is nothing false about him.

O-The source of Jesus' teaching was God who sent him to the world as a living sacrifice and to proclaim the good news that God will reconcile His people to Him through His son.  Jesus was not seeking his personal glory and in fact came not with his large following but came to the fesitval of tabernacles with a low profile.  It was God's truth that attracted the people to his teachings. It is the truth that Jesus was doing the will of His Father.   

A - The application for me is to recognize that I am to seek God, and because of the finished work of Christ I may know God and have His spirit living in me.   I must seek and do the will of God so that I might follow Jesus in His ways.   

P - Dear heavenly Father thank you for today's lesson, may it be sealed to my heart.  I pray Lord for your everlasting wisdom and guidance in my life.  I believe you were sent by the Father and have testified to the Father's plan for our (my) salvation.  I pray that you make clear to me the way in which I am to walk in your truth.  I pray all this in Jesus Christ name, Amen.