Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 10, 2024
“Good sense makes a man slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.” —Proverbs 19:11 (RSV)
There is a wonderful power in silence. When impatient words are spoken to you, do not retaliate. Words spoken in reply to one who is angry usually act as a whip, lashing the temper into greater fury. But anger met by silence quickly dies away. Let the Christian bridle his tongue, firmly resolving not to speak harsh, impatient words. With the tongue bridled, he may be victorious in every trial of patience through which he is called to pass.
In his own strength man cannot rule his spirit. But through Christ he may gain self-control. In his strength he may bring his thoughts and words into subjection to the will of God. The religion of Christ brings the emotions under the control of reason and disciplines the tongue. Under its influence the hasty temper is subdued, and the heart is filled with patience and gentleness.
Hold firmly to the One who has all power in heaven and in earth. Though you so often fail to reveal patience and calmness, do not give up the struggle. Resolve again, this time more firmly, to be patient under every provocation. And never take your eyes off your divine Example.
You are reading an excerpt from a Devotional, “Reflecting Christ” by Ellen G. White.
We may think nothing will offend us, but words are powerful! As Christians, our goal is to possess the Character of Christ. In Jesus’ earthly life, the Pharisees and Jewish rulers consistently dishonored His proclamation of being sent from God. In John chapter 8, verses 37-44, the conversation is recorded by the Apostle John between Jesus and angry Jews who claimed they were holy because of their descent from Abraham.
“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. 45 But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me. 46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the truth, why do you not believe Me? 47 He who is of God hears God’s words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God” (John 8:44-47).
The Crowd’s Reaction: “Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by” (John 8:59).
Even though we are Christian believers, God tells us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9). The worldview of “You have your truth and I have my truth” has permeated the Christian Community. No longer does “Iron sharpen iron” where one believer attempts to help another believer return to God’s Truth.
“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, consider this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and cover over a multitude of sins.…” —James 5:19-20
We must study the Scriptures under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to avoid using our thoughts to discern God’s Truth. How do we respond when a fellow believer tries to guide us back to God’s righteous precepts? Do we react with offense? God uses believers to help each other because our highest earthly goal is to receive our Crown of Life.
If another believer rejects God’s Truth do not try to convince them with a sparring match. Pray for them, if their hearts are receptive, the Holy Spirit will take over.
We can expect Satan to use people to keep us offended. But a spirit of offense reveals a proud, haughty heart. The Apostle Paul tells us in perilous times, “People will be lovers of themselves…” We cannot afford to be above correction! Sanctification, the lifelong journey of the Holy Spirit transforming our minds, characters, and personalities requires our active cooperation as reflected in possessing a spirit of humility and admitting when we are wrong.
May we pray as King David prayed, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” —Psalm 139:23-24
Lord God, we repent for harboring the spirit of offense. We ask You to give us strength, wisdom, and discernment to know when we are in error. In Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen
Praise God! He is a Faithful, Loving, and Dependable Father. Giving God praise lifts us from the mundane struggles of life, gives us hope, increases our faith, and connects us to God at a deeper level. Pray, Sing, and Praise!
Our Daily Walk with Christ – Sabbath Devotional – November 8, 2024
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Prayer is the most important aspect of our Christian experience. Our need for God is greater than we realize. Prayer lifts us up into the presence of God. Our spiritual connection to God’s Divinity only happens through prayer and believing Jesus is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life.” Prayer as the first response comes easily when we have developed a lifestyle of worship—daily praying, studying the Bible, and consecrating ourselves to trust and obey.
“And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit…” —Ephesians 6:17-18
Abiding in Christ requires the daily prayerful commitment of surrender to God who leads us on the Path of Righteousness through the Holy Spirit. Our journey is spiritual and our primary focus is fulfilling God’s will. The Bible is our Treasure Map providing the history of humanity’s falls and victories. Because of the many voices and interpretations of the Scriptures, we are assured if we pray, the Teacher, the Holy Spirit imparts us with the only accurate meaning of God’s Truth.
“Pray without ceasing” —1 Thessalonians 5 17
What does it mean to pray continually? Within our hearts [minds] we maintain the thought of total dependency on God. We practice the privilege of silent prayers and whispering a prayer throughout our waking hours for God’s guidance. Although God desires to be included in every aspect of our lives, usually we are selective in the matters we bring to Him.
Even while working, if feeling overwhelmed or physically exhausted, take a prayer break. Never leave home without praying for Divine protection of yourself and your family. Believers have full access to Jesus, the Fountain of Living Water who serves us as our Heavenly Intercessor. Making Jesus our best Friend is accomplished through much prayer.
“Prayer is the opening of the heart to God as to a friend. Not that it is necessary in order to make known to God what we are, but in order to enable us to receive Him. Prayer does not bring God down to us, but brings us up to Him.” EGW
“Your ears will hear a word behind you, saying, this is the way, walk in it…” —Isaiah 30:21
Yes, we live in perilous and uncertain times, still, Christ is our Rock of Stability in whom we can always depend. We cannot afford to play Satan’s Game of Chance with our lives. “God is willing and able to carry our burdens if we stop trusting in our own resources and strategies.” Our earthly journey is one of desperation for Divine Intervention. We humbly ask for God’s guidance because He is faithful, and we cherish and honor Him.
“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” —Psalm 27:14
Instant gratification has given us a false perception of God. Our challenge is to pray and wait on the Lord. God’s timing always differs from our timing. Nothing we experience is an emergency to God. We remind ourselves that God is aware of our circumstances, yet, our Father God is never intrusive. He waits for us to pray the simple but powerful prayer, “God, I need Your help.” Pray in faith, let Him take control, stay calm, and wait on the Lord.
“Casting all your cares [all your anxieties, all your worries, and all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares about you [with deepest affection, and watches over you very carefully].” —1 Peter 5:7, Amplified Bible
Feeling weary because of life’s struggles? Prayer invites the Holy Spirit to empower us with Jesus’ Divine strength and gives us the reassurance that God is in control. Instead of suffering from the anxieties and worries of the unknown, we place our lives into God’s Omniscient Hands. Most importantly, through consistent prayer, we develop an unbreakable bond with Jesus based on unwavering faith. Our faith [whether great or small] allows us to receive from the Fountain of His Never-ending Peace.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You. Trust in the Lord forever, For in YAH, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” —Isaiah 26:3-4
Decision-making is a gift from God and if used correctly with His guidance, we will experience victory. We hear the Voice of God guiding us through our thoughts and the Holy Scriptures. To be led by the Holy Spirit is to receive spiritual insight, wisdom, and discernment.
How do we know God is speaking to us? Because we receive a deep sense of inner peace when we receive instructions from God. When God intervenes, the outcome is always miraculous, honors His Holy Name, and reveals His Sovereign Power. No human effort can mimic God’s Divine Intervention!
Prayer is the Spiritual Gateway to God. Prayer is the catalyst for opening the Heavenly Windows of Blessings. We receive peace, joy, contentment, comfort, and guidance for every challenge of opposition. God knows our lives from beginning to end. Whether we face temptations, health issues, marital problems, disobedient children, financial loss, or the death of loved ones, our Loving Father waits for us to ask Him to intervene.
“And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.” —Ezekiel 36:26
From praying, we experience spiritual growth and maturity. Sanctification is the lifelong spiritual transformation of our minds, characters, and personalities into the image of Christ. Prayer invites God to change our habits and behaviors into character traits that reflect the righteousness of Christ. To cooperate with God invites the Holy Spirit to give us a righteous heart and spirit necessary to receive our reward when Jesus comes.
“Be holy, for I am Holy.” —1 Peter 1 16
Through prayer, righteous living is possible. We can do nothing in our own strength. We become changed when pouring out our innermost thoughts and challenges to God. Prayer allows us to talk to God, the Father as children who implicitly trust their earthly parents.
Created to be dependent on God, we let go of the self-destructive worldviews of self-reliance and independent thinking. How important is prayer? Our destiny of Eternal life depends on it.
Lord God, teach us to pray and to depend on You. We are tired from the vicissitudes of life and need Your help. As we enter the Sabbath rest, we thank You for giving us 24 hours to exclude the earthly matters and commune with You. We ask for a spiritual blessing of strength to persevere in this journey of life. Thank You for hearing and answering our petitions that we ask in the Righteous Name of Jesus, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 7, 2024
“…Who then is able to stand against Me? Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.” —Job 41:11
The Test of Righteousness: “Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?’ ” —Job 1:8
Yes, Job was a righteous, devout, and blameless man, therefore God presented His loyal manservant to Satan [Job 1:1-8] who was allowed to bring harsh adversity into Job’s life. The story of Job’s extreme sufferings reveals we must steadfastly proclaim an unwavering faith in God despite our circumstances. Still, God knows the human heart. Even if we are devoted disciples of the Most High God, hardships that linger usually result in diminished faith in God’s Love and Sovereign Power. While we lack a specific timeline for Job’s suffering, we can be assured that it was prolonged.
“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you.” —Isaiah 43:2
Though we are diligent in our faithfulness to God, when facing harsh trials and adversity that appear to have no end, deep within our hearts, we may question God’s Love and Sovereignty. “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).
Not one believer enjoys being in the “Fire” necessary for spiritual growth and development. Yet, it is the only way our character, mind, and personality can be refined and molded into Christ-likeness.
Job’s Challenge: “I will say to God, ‘Do not condemn me; Show me why You contend with me. Does it seem good to You that You should oppress, That You should despise the work of Your hands…? Your hands have made me and fashioned me…Yet You would destroy me.” —Job 10:2-3, 8
Job, a righteous man began to doubt God’s love. Is God a fair God? He is a just God who allows every believer to experience adversity. In Biblical times, people attributed calamity to an individual sinning against God. Job’s three friends presented their self-righteous judgments instead of praying and supporting Job: Zophar urged Job to repent, Eliphaz accused Job of wickedness, and Bilidad proclaimed, “The wicked are punished!” [God’s Reaction: Job 42:7-9]
Job Desires to Defend Himself with God: “Then Job answered and said: Even today my complaint is bitter; My hand is listless because of my groaning. 3 Oh, that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat! 4 I would present my case before Him, And fill my mouth with arguments. 5 I would know the words which He would answer me, And understand what He would say to me. 6 Would He contend with me in His great power? No! But He would take note of me. 7 There the upright could reason with Him, And I would be delivered forever from my Judge.” —Job 23:1-7
God Proclaims His Sovereign Omnipotence — Chapters 38-42
Job 38:2-8, NIV: Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said: ‘Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge? 3 Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 4 Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? 6 On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—7 while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? 8 Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb…?’ “
Where do we stand in our faith journey? Are we focusing on our hardships, world events, natural disasters, politics, and social issues more than on God’s Absolute Power?
Changing circumstances reveal if our faith in God is strong or weak. Yes, we will experience anguish in our earthly journey, still, we must never lose hope in God! We must live a life of daily and continuous worship. The faith-building activities of consistently praying, studying, and memorizing God’s promises to love and take care of us allow us to abide peacefully in Christ.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” —Hebrews 11:6
When facing adversity, either our faith will increase or fade into nothingness. Will we respond with faith or fear, anxiety, and worry? Lack of faith in God’s Power causes us to look at our limited human abilities and overwhelming circumstances. God knows that we need His Divine Help. Never forget, This Is Our Father’s World!
Despite the presenting circumstances, build your faith in God. Every day, through a prayer of surrender, consecrate yourself with a commitment of faithful obedience. Boldly proclaim “God is Love and will never fail me!” God is [and has always been] the Sovereign Ruler of this universe! God demonstrated His Sovereign Omnipotence to Job in chapters 38-42, reminding us that He is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory! Yes and Amen.
“In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.” —Ephesians 6:10, Amplified Bible
The Apostle Paul compares our spiritual journey to being a soldier in the Army of God. We serve a Triumphant King who overcame death! Jesus is the Commander of Angel Armies who loves, directs, and protects us. We, the righteous are His primary concern, “…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Be courageous! In Jesus’ Name. Hallelujah! Amen!
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. ‘The Lord is my portion,’ says my soul, ‘Therefore I hope in Him!’ The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him. It is good that one should hope and wait quietly For the salvation of the Lord.” —Lamentations 3:22-26
Lord God, we ask You to give us strength in our times of adversity. We believe You are Sovereign and You love us with an everlasting love. You are our Triumphant King and the Lion of Judah and we praise and worship Your Holy Name. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayer we ask in Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.
Our Daily Walk with Christ Devotional – November 5, 2024
“Be holy, for I Am Holy.” —1 Peter 1:16
As the events of Matthew 24 and 2 Timothy 3 are rapidly being fulfilled, Christ is directing His dedicated disciples to spread His love by emulating His righteous character and conduct. Before Jesus’ return, every person will receive the precious opportunity to accept Jesus as their Savior and embrace the Plan of Redemption that enables us to live righteously.
With our cooperation, the Holy Spirit prepares us for Jesus’ Second Coming through the spiritual process of Sanctification. Our lifelong transformation includes the conversion of our hearts, minds, characters, and personalities. We strive to live holy and acceptable lives by embracing and representing Christ’s Righteous Character to others. The Holy Spirit empowers us with Christ’s strength to live as victorious overcomers.
Recently I listened to an Instagram reel on Isaiah’s calling to be a prophet. The sermon emphasized the reverence and honor that the Most High God deserves. Isaiah’s vision reveals God’s Righteousness and Holiness and the utmost worship of the angels. The sermon leads us to a Spiritual Crossroads. Either we choose God’s righteous standards or live by our compromised definition of true Christianity.
The Majesty and Glory of His Righteousness: Isaiah 6:1-3, NIV
“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim [angels], each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.’ “
Reverencing and honoring God is more than attending weekly church service, studying the Bible, giving tithe and offerings, and praying. In Christ’s earthly life, He faithfully obeyed God, the Father. According to our thoughts, all may appear well in our Christian experience, but we cannot judge the status of our relationship with Christ.
Like King David, every day we pray, “God, search my heart…” Faithful obedience to the will of God is required for us to live holy. Our surrender and commitment are evidenced through prayer, “God, what is your will for me today?” Faithful obedience is our highest form of worship and the only worship acceptable to God.
Because of our inherited and fallen nature, we cannot love and revere God as He deserves. We need the Holy Spirit’s intervention. Our propensity toward sinful pleasures results in practicing a compromised version of Christianity. Today’s believers have embraced worldviews, chase their desires, love wealth, and hang out with and have relationships with unbelievers.
Blurred lines of Truth and Error have many wondering, “How do I know if I am a Christian?” Those with converted hearts strive to reverence and honor God through their lifestyle of worship which glorifies God. And yes, many individuals acknowledge God but possess unconverted hearts by continuing to engage in sinful pleasures. “Of course, your former friends are surprised when you no longer plunge into the flood of wild and destructive things they do. So they slander you” (1 Peter 4:4, NLT).
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” —1 Corinthians 10:13
Does our perception of sin align with God’s definition of sin? No. We may not drink, smoke, or fornicate, yet we fail to surrender and obey the will of God which constitutes disobedience and rebellion against God. It is easy to focus on the sins we don’t do, yet, faithful obedience, praying, and studying the Bible along with standing down all carnal desires is a daily sacrifice required by God or we are in the same predicament as unbelievers.
“Romans 6:15, which says, ‘What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.’ In this verse, Paul responds to the rhetorical question, ‘Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?’ The Apostle Paul’s response is that we cannot equate grace with freedom to sin. He states that Christ died to liberate us from sin, not to permit us to sin.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” —Hosea 4:6
Satan has used the influencers to convince us that we do not need to study the entire Bible. The Old Testament is the only accurate historical overview of the creation of this world and human beings. God provided a detailed history of fallen humanity’s disobedience, their repentance, and continual opposition to Him by continuing to embrace sin. Sadly, in 2024, we repeat the same sinful behaviors because we have no desire to live righteously.
God used Moses to approach Pharoah who eventually freed the Israelites from Egyptian enslavement. Although many offered their sacrificial offerings they continued to secretly worship pagan idols. God extended His love and mercies for 40 years. In Numbers chapter 32, we find that God’s mercies do end: “According to the Bible, Scripture states no one over the age of 20 who left Egypt would enter the Promised Land.” Because of their true dedication, only Joshua and Caleb [over the age of 20] were spared by God.
Love, Grace, and Mercy are not New Testament characteristics of God. The Old Testament proves God has always extended Himself to save humanity from the consequences of rebellion against Him. God is Omniscient—All-knowing. God knew Adam and Eve would disobey by eating from the Forbidden Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.
The conversation between God, the Father, and Jesus, God the Son regarding the Plan of Redemption occurred before the creation of this world and human life. Even before Jesus came to this world fulfilling the Plan of Redemption on Calvary’s Cross, God instituted a ceremonial law—animal sacrifice as a representation of Christ’s Cleansing blood, which provides forgiveness for our sins. Jesus’ death abolished the ceremonial law of sacrifice, not the Ten Commandments.
What is our daily offering to God? God has always extended His loving grace and mercies even though humanity has a long history of failing to honor, reverence, and appreciate His loving kindness. How do we demonstrate our gratitude for Christ’s love? It’s time for us to love God with all our hearts, souls, and minds by obeying Him as revealed through living righteously.
“For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit.” —1 Thessalonians 4:7
Enoch, Joseph, Noah, Esther, Job, and Mary, along with many others, strived to walk with God and pursue holiness as Enoch did. And yes, they were victorious because they surrendered and committed their lives to God. It is possible for us to forsake all worldly pleasures and to put God first in our lives.
“You shall have no other gods before Me.” —Exodus 20:3
Reflection: We should cross-examine ourselves: “Where do I stand with God? Is He first in my life? Do my thoughts, spoken words, behaviors, reactions, desires, friends, and interactions with others reveal that I love God? Do I surrender, and strive to live holy? Am I representing the love of God to others?
Christian Characteristics and Conduct
1 Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Galatians 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”
Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
“Everyone who names the name of Christ should so work that others, by seeing his good works, may be led to glorify their Creator and Redeemer.” EGW
Daily, we reflect on Jesus’ Sacrifice and thank Him through our covenant vow of faithful obedience. Revelation chapters 21 and 22 remind us that our earthly lives matter. This life is our one opportunity to cooperate with the Holy Spirit. Surrender invites the Holy Spirit to reveal our sins and character flaws. Human effort and Divine Intervention are required for our daily transformation into the likeness of Christ.
In John 14:1-3, Jesus promises eternal life to those who honor God by striving to live holy. Our decision to live in the New Heaven and New Earth is revealed daily through surrender, faithful obedience, and perseverance. The Scriptures tell us that our lives are like vapor and this earthly home is temporary, yet, we do not have to struggle alone in our spiritual journey.
All of heaven is on our side to help us overcome! In the strength of Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit empowers us to live righteously, possess a loving character, and conduct ourselves as disciples who decided to live forever and ever with our Triumphant King!
“Meet me in heaven, we’ll join hands together, meet me at the Savior’s side.”
Lord God, we desire our reward of Eternal Life. Thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, our Triumphant King. We ask for the strength to renounce sin and to live holy. Anoint us with the Holy Spirit and give us spiritual insight and wisdom as we reveal Your unconditional love to others. We pray in Jesus’ Righteous Name, Amen.
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