Author: Akedah

July 20, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Chief of Sinners

Opening Verse

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”
1 Timothy 1:15 (KJV)

Introduction

Why did Paul, the great apostle, call himself the chief of sinners? He understood something many ignore: without a heart sensitive to God’s Word, even religious people remain dead in sin. A hard heart cannot receive grace. Sensitivity to Scripture is not optional: it is life or death.

Devotional Insight

When the Word of God is preached, it cuts. That is its purpose. According to Hebrews 4:12, the Word is sharper than any twoedged sword. It does not flatter. It does not excuse. It pierces, exposing the sinner for what he is.

Yet many resist. Their hearts are like stone, proud and self-sufficient. They are untouched by the warnings of judgment or the promises of mercy. But when a soul is made sensitive by the Holy Ghost, Scripture speaks directly: not as a text to study, but as a voice calling for repentance.

Paul, once a Pharisee, once proud and convinced of his own righteousness, became sensitive to the truth the moment Christ struck him down on the Damascus road. He confessed his sin. He identified himself as the chief of sinners, not to glorify his past, but to magnify Christ’s mercy.

Sensitivity to God’s Word demands humility. It means reading Scripture not to argue with it, but to be changed by it. It means hearing sermons not to judge others, but to ask, “Lord, is it I?” It means treating the Bible as a mirror, showing what must be repented of today.

Do not be satisfied with hearing Scripture. Plead with God to make you feel it. The chief danger of a churchgoer is to be around truth yet unaffected by it.

The more you see your sin, the more you will cherish the Saviour. The more sensitive you are to God’s Word, the more you will run to Christ for mercy, as Paul did.

Think About This

Do you approach God’s Word asking to be changed, or only to be comforted? When was the last time the Bible brought you to tears? If it no longer convicts you, your heart is already hardening. Ask God to break it before it breaks you.

Prayer

Lord, let Your Word cut deep. Make my heart soft. Show me my sin, even when I resist seeing it. Let me confess, like Paul, that I am the chief of sinners. Save me from pride, and make me cling to Jesus Christ alone for mercy. In His name I pray, amen.

Closing Verse

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Hebrews 4:12 (KJV)

July 19, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

The Weight of God’s Word

Opening Verse

“Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.” – Proverbs 13:13

Introduction

God’s Word carries eternal weight. Every verse, every command, every promise holds the power of heaven behind it. Those who treat Scripture lightly do so at their own peril, while those who approach it with reverence find life itself.

Devotional Story

Marcus had always considered himself a good person. He attended church occasionally, owned a Bible that collected dust on his nightstand, and figured his general kindness toward others would be enough. When his coworker Elena invited him to a Bible study, he shrugged and agreed, thinking it might be interesting.

As the weeks passed, Marcus found himself uncomfortable with the discussions. The group talked about sin seriously, about the need for repentance, about Jesus being the only way to salvation. These concepts felt outdated to Marcus. He began making excuses to skip meetings, dismissing their concerns as religious extremism.

“I don’t need all that heavy stuff,” Marcus told Elena one day. “I’m doing fine without constantly worrying about what some ancient book says.”

Elena’s eyes filled with concern. “Marcus, that ancient book is God speaking to you. What if you’re wrong about being fine?”

Marcus laughed it off, but Elena’s words haunted him. Months later, when a heart attack struck him at age forty-two, lying alone in the hospital room, Marcus finally understood what Elena meant. He wasn’t fine. He never had been. And now, facing eternity, he realized he had spent years despising the very words that could have saved him.

What This Means

This verse presents a stark choice with eternal consequences. To despise God’s word means to treat it as unimportant, to dismiss its commands, or to consider ourselves above its authority. The Hebrew word for “destroyed” suggests complete ruin, not merely temporary setback.

But those who fear God’s commandments, who approach His word with reverence and obedience, receive reward. This isn’t about earning salvation through works, but about the heart attitude that leads to salvation through Christ. When we truly fear God’s word, we recognize our need for the Savior it reveals.

Think About This

How do you respond when God’s word convicts you of sin? Do you dismiss it as outdated, make excuses, or rationalize your way around clear biblical commands? Or do you tremble at His word, recognizing that every syllable comes from the throne of heaven?

Your eternal destiny hangs on how you receive God’s word today. Those who treat it lightly face destruction. Those who reverence it find Christ, who is the Word made flesh. There is no middle ground, no neutral position when it comes to Scripture.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have treated Your word carelessly. Help me to fear Your commandments, not with terror, but with the reverence due to Your holy nature. Open my heart to receive Your truth, even when it cuts deeply and calls me to repent. Lead me to Jesus, who perfectly fulfilled every word You have spoken. In His name I pray, Amen.

Closing Verse

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12

July 18, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

The Secret Place

Opening Verse

“But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” (Matthew 6:6 KJV)

Introduction

What does it mean to pray in secret? Many picture a hidden room or a quiet space. Yet, Jesus spoke deeper. He showed us that prayer is not for public display or human applause but for honest communion with God. In a world that rewards attention-seeking, Jesus calls us back to hidden, faithful moments with the Father.

Devotional Story

A woman named Ruth worked long hours as a nurse in a small rural clinic. Her days were filled with the sounds of coughing children, worried mothers, and the hum of medical equipment. Life rarely gave her peace.

One afternoon during her short lunch break, Ruth didn’t eat. Instead, she went to the supply closet, the only room in the clinic with a lock. She sat on an overturned mop bucket and simply closed her eyes.

She whispered, “Father, I’m so tired.”

That was it. No long words. No dramatic speech. Just the truth.

What Ruth didn’t know was that in those few minutes of quiet, heaven was listening. While she returned to work unnoticed, God began strengthening her from within. Her patience grew. Her kindness became steady. Over the following weeks, people noticed a difference.

A co-worker once asked, “Ruth, where do you find the strength to keep caring like this?”

She answered, “In the closet.”

She wasn’t joking.

What This Means

Praying in secret isn’t about a literal closet. It’s about sincerity before God. He doesn’t need your performance. He wants your heart. When we withdraw from the noise and speak plainly to our Father, He answers not with applause, but with transformation. The reward Jesus promised is not riches or fame: it’s the quiet, powerful change that happens within.

Think About This

Are your prayers real or rehearsed? Do you seek the attention of people or the approval of God? Find your quiet place whether it’s a bedroom, a car, or a supply closet and meet the Father there. Speak honestly. Heaven is listening.

Prayer

Father, teach me to pray in secret. Help me step away from the noise and come honestly before You. Change me not for the praise of others but for the glory of Your Name. Quiet my spirit. Strengthen my heart. And draw me nearer to You each time I seek You in hidden prayer. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah.” (Psalm 62:8 KJV)

July 17, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

The Spotlight of Secrets

Opening Verse

“But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.” : Numbers 32:23 (KJV)

Introduction

We might think a crowded concert hides our actions but in a moment all eyes can turn on us. This devotional shows that God sees what we try to keep secret and calls us to live in the light of His truth.

Devotional Story

Tom and Mia arrived at the summer music festival separately with two clear motives: to enjoy the headline act and to meet in secret. Tom was married to Emma and Mia was married to Peter. Both had exchanged flirty messages all week and agreed to find each other in the crowd.

As the band launched into their final song the production team cut to the “Fan Cam”: a live shot beamed to the giant screens above the stage. When the camera found Tom and Mia side by side they wrapped their arms around each other. The crowd cheered at what they thought was a couple enjoying the concert together.

In that instant Tom and Mia realized their moment of passion was no longer hidden. Blushing, they pressed themselves against the rail and turned away, each trying to hide from the camera’s gaze. The giant screen held their image for a full ten seconds as the cheering faded to murmurs and whispers rippled through the audience.

What This Means

Just as the Fan Cam revealed Tom and Mia’s private sin, God’s perfect knowledge uncovers every hidden deed. No matter how dark or crowded the place, He sees our thoughts and actions. We must not depend on secrecy but confess and repent before exposure brings shame.

Think About This

  • What secret sin are you hiding that you would be ashamed to see on a big screen?

  • How does knowing God’s eyes are always on you change your choices in private moments?

  • Who can you ask today to hold you accountable before hidden sin causes public disgrace?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, search my heart and reveal any secret sin. Give me the courage to confess and the strength to turn away from what dishonors You. Help me live in truth and integrity, honoring You in every moment. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Closing Verse

“For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.” : Luke 8:17 (KJV)

July 16, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Casting Your Burden Upon the Lord

Opening Verse

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” – Philippians 4:6 KJV

Introduction

Worry can grip our minds and hearts, making us feel trapped by fear and doubt. God’s invitation is to lift every concern to Him through honest prayer and trust.

Devotional Insight

The verse tells us to stop carrying our anxieties alone. Instead of turning worries over in our minds, we bring them before God. Prayer is not a last resort but our first response. When we approach God with open hands and a thankful heart, we acknowledge His power and His love. Thanksgiving shifts our focus from what we lack to all that He has already done for us. This practice breaks the cycle of fear and sets our hearts free.

What This Means

When you feel pressure or fear, you are not meant to handle it by yourself. God wants you to speak openly with Him, sharing each concern. As you pray, include gratitude for His faithfulness. This aligns your heart with His promises and replaces worry with peace.

Think About This

  • What anxieties are you carrying that you have not yet prayed about?

  • How can you add a note of thanks to your next prayer request?

  • In what ways have you seen God answer prayers when you trusted Him instead of your own strength?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I confess the worries that weigh on my heart and bring them now before You. Thank You for hearing me and for every blessing You have given. Teach me to trust You more each day and to find peace in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7 KJV

July 15, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Keep Your Word to Yourself

Opening Verse

“He that getteth wisdom loveth his own soul: he that keepeth understanding shall find good.” – Proverbs 19:8 (KJV)

Introduction

We are quick to remind others to stay true to their goals yet often fail to honor our own plans. Proverbs 19:8 shows that seeking wisdom and following through on our own intentions is an act of love toward ourselves. Respecting your soul means respecting the commitments you make to your own heart.

Insight

Self-respect grows when you treat your own promises with as much weight as those you give to others. If you tell a friend you will pray for them, you feel honored when you do it. The same is true when you commit to a personal goal: each kept promise builds trust in your own character. That trust becomes a foundation for stronger faith and clearer decisions.

Keeping your word to yourself can look like setting a simple, achievable goal; such as spending ten minutes in Scripture each morning or noting one blessing each evening and following through no matter how small. When you honor that promise, you send a message to your inner self that you matter. You learn that spiritual growth is not just about knowledge but about the practical steps of obedience.

Think About This

  • What promise can you make to yourself today that you know you can keep?

  • How will completing that promise affect the way you view your own worth?

  • In what ways will respecting your own commitments help you guide others with authenticity?

Prayer

Lord, help me value my own soul by keeping the promises I make to myself. Give me the strength to follow through on small commitments so that I learn to trust in my own character. Teach me that self-respect is rooted in obedience to Your truth and in honoring the plans You have placed in my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” – Proverbs 4:7 (KJV)

May 25, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Building a Fence

Opening Verse

“He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it: and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him.”
Ecclesiastes 10:8 (KJV)

Introduction

Boundaries matter. Not just in land or in life, but in the spirit. A fence keeps out what doesn’t belong and protects what does. In God’s Word, spiritual fences are essential. Without them, the enemy slithers in.

Devotional Story

A man was tired of his neighbor’s animals wandering into his yard. They trampled his garden and disrupted his peace. After many complaints and no change, he decided to build a fence. It wasn’t fancy, but it was firm. It marked where his land ended and theirs began.

Weeks passed, and he noticed something. Not only did the animals stop entering, but peace returned. His garden thrived again. But the greater surprise came from his neighbor. With the boundary clear, the neighbor started respecting his space; their conversations even became more civil.

That fence did more than separate; it healed.

What This Means

In your walk with Christ, you must build spiritual fences. Not walls of hatred, but boundaries of holiness. Scripture warns: when you break the hedge, the serpent will bite. If you flirt with sin, entertain darkness, or open the door to the enemy, don’t be surprised when chaos enters.

God isn’t calling you to isolate; He is calling you to separate. To mark clearly what belongs to Him and what doesn’t. Guard your heart. Guard your time. Guard your home.

Think About This

What spiritual fences have you let fall into disrepair? Are there areas of compromise you’ve left exposed? What needs to be rebuilt before the enemy strikes?

Prayer

Lord, I confess I have left parts of my life unguarded. I have allowed things in that don’t honor You. Help me build spiritual fences with wisdom, not fear. Strengthen me to say no to sin and yes to holiness. Let my life be marked by Your boundaries: protected and fruitful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)

May 24, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Healing or Heaven?

Opening Verse

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
Philippians 1:21 (KJV)

Introduction

When we pray for healing, our hearts often cry out for more time, more moments, more earthly restoration. But when a believer is in Christ, is it possible that we sometimes forget the weight of eternity in our petitions?

Devotional Insight

To know someone is saved in Jesus Christ is to know they already have victory. They are not chasing heaven: heaven has already claimed them. When we ask God to fully heal a dying saint, we may be asking for more of them here when the Lord is ready to have them there.

Paul wrestled with this himself. He desired to remain and serve, but he also longed to depart and be with Christ, which he said was “far better” (Philippians 1:23). Heaven is not a backup plan. It is the reward. It is the glory. It is the presence of God unhindered by flesh or sorrow.

What This Means

Praying for healing is not wrong. Jesus healed many. But we must also submit to the will of the Father, just as Jesus did in the garden. The highest form of faith is not in demanding a miracle, but in trusting God’s decision. When our loved ones are in Christ, their passing is not a defeat: it is a promotion.

The real disservice is to withhold release because of our own fears and desires. A soul in Christ is not losing their life. They are stepping into fullness. They are shedding pain and putting on glory. That is not a loss: that is gain.

Think About This

Have your prayers become more about your comfort than God’s will? Are you ready to accept that sometimes healing comes not through restoration, but through release?

Prayer

Father, give us wisdom to know how to pray. We ask for healing, but we surrender to Your will. Help us not to cling to this life when You are calling a soul to eternal rest. Let us trust that Your presence is better than anything we can offer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
Psalm 116:15 (KJV)

May 23, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Trapped by Subtlety

Opening Verse

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)

Introduction

Satan rarely attacks head-on. Instead, he lays traps in the form of small, seemingly harmless temptations. The flesh works with him, drawing us little by little toward compromise. We must stay awake. The enemy’s bait is often dressed as comfort, approval, pleasure, or even good intentions.

Devotional Story

A young man named Caleb worked in a quiet office. Every day he passed by a co-worker’s desk who always had gossip to share. At first, he walked past politely. Then he started lingering, just to listen. Before long, he was chiming in, laughing along, and even carrying the stories to others.

What began as casual listening became sin. Caleb started to notice a coldness in his heart when he read the Bible. His prayers felt empty. One evening, while alone, he saw a verse on his phone screen:

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth…” (Ephesians 4:29).

He fell to his knees and cried. That night, he repented, deleted contacts, and committed to speak only words that built others up. The subtle trap had almost choked his spirit—but by God’s mercy, he escaped.

What This Means

The devil uses small, subtle things to catch us. He doesn’t always come with a loud voice or obvious temptation. Sometimes it’s a friendly voice, a flattering word, or a quick moment of laziness. The flesh doesn’t resist; it partners with him. And when we are not watching, sin takes root.

Think About This

Are there small things you’ve allowed into your life that are pulling you away from Christ? Is there something that started as “no big deal” but is now stealing your time, your purity, or your faith?

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to every trap the enemy has placed before me. Show me the subtle things that are luring me into sin. Strengthen my spirit to say no. Help me to walk in truth, holiness, and clarity. I repent of anything that offends You. Lead me back into the light of Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Abstain from all appearance of evil.”
1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)

May 22, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Break Free from the Chains of the Past

Opening Verse

“Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?”
Isaiah 43:18–19 (KJV)

Introduction

The past can either be a lesson or a prison. If you dwell too long in it, it becomes a chain around your spirit. God never called us to live in yesterday; He calls us forward: to repentance, to freedom, to life.

Devotional Story

A man once carried a box everywhere he went. Inside were reminders of every wrong he had done and every hurt he had endured. He believed keeping the box close would help him remember his mistakes so he wouldn’t repeat them. But the box grew heavier over time. It slowed his steps; it wore out his strength; it filled his mind with regret.

One day he met a man who told him, “You don’t have to carry that anymore. Christ already carried it to the cross.”

Tears filled his eyes. He opened the box and laid it all at the foot of the cross. That day, he walked away lighter: free.

What This Means

Living in the past is bondage. Christ came to set us free; not just from sin, but from shame, guilt, and regret. Satan wants to remind you of who you were; Jesus speaks to who you are becoming. Your past may explain you, but it no longer defines you. When Christ died and rose again, He gave you a new beginning.

Think About This

What weight from your past are you still carrying? Have you truly laid it at the feet of Jesus? The cross is not a place to visit—it’s a place to leave everything behind and walk away changed.

Prayer

Lord, I’ve carried too much for too long. I lay down every failure, every regret, and every wound from the past. I believe that You have made all things new. Help me walk in freedom. Remind me not of what I was, but of who I am in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
John 8:36 (KJV)