Author: Akedah

May 15, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

The Trap of Sin

Opening Verse

“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”

— 1 Corinthians 15:33 (KJV)

Introduction

2 Samuel 13 tells a heartbreaking story that begins with desire and ends in destruction. It is not a story of inspiration; it is a solemn warning. When sin is not checked, when lust is not denied, and when counsel is wicked, the end is always devastation. This chapter is one of the darkest in Scripture: we must not look away. We must learn.

Devotional Story

There was a young man who had everything: strength, position, and access. But he lacked one thing: self-control. His name was Amnon. He became obsessed with his half-sister Tamar. Instead of resisting temptation, he fed it. And when his friend Jonadab gave him a wicked plan to satisfy his lust, Amnon followed through.

He pretended to be sick; he asked that Tamar come serve him food. And when they were alone, he forced her. It was rape. Then, after his sin, the same desire that once burned turned to hatred. The Bible says he hated her “exceedingly”: more than he had loved her.

Tamar was left desolate. Absalom, her brother, burned with rage. And though two years passed, vengeance came. Amnon was murdered. The family was shattered. The kingdom destabilized. All because one man refused to master his lust and listened to the voice of a friend who spoke from hell, not heaven.

What This Means

This is not a story to be softened; it is a divine warning. Sin does not end where it begins. Lust never stays hidden. Evil friends are poison. If you are feeding sin today, know this: it will grow. If you are playing with temptation, it will strike.

To continue in sin while ignoring God’s voice is like doing wrong and tying a blindfold around your own eyes; you’re choosing darkness and pretending it’s light.

There are voices around you: some speak truth, others speak destruction. Are you listening to Jonadabs or to Jesus? Are you hiding sin or confessing it?

God sees what’s done in secret. And He warns through stories like 2 Samuel 13: stop now, before the damage is done. The shame, the guilt, the fallout—these can all be avoided. But only if you repent.

Think About This

  • Who are the voices you allow to influence your decisions?

  • Are you hiding a sin that needs to be confessed?

  • Do you treat temptation as dangerous or harmless?

Prayer

Lord, open my eyes to the trap of sin. Give me strength to flee from lust, deceit, and evil counsel. Let me not be like Amnon, who destroyed others and himself. Create in me a clean heart. Surround me with godly people who point me to You. And if I’ve fallen, help me to repent quickly. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.”

— Proverbs 28:13 (KJV)

May 14, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Pulled in Every Direction

Opening Verse

“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.”
1 Corinthians 16:13 (KJV)

Introduction

When life starts pulling at you from every side; responsibilities, people, pressure; it’s easy to lose your grip on God’s peace. In the middle of the chaos, God is calling us to hold on, stand firm, and not let the darkness drag us down.

Devotional Story

A young believer was walking through a season of heaviness. Friends leaned on him for support. Strangers expected more than he could give. Temptation knocked. His peace was under attack. Every day felt like being caught in a tug of war; he called it “pushin’ and pullin’.”

He didn’t want to lash out. He didn’t want to fall. So he prayed: “Lord, I need strength.” He started turning down arguments, avoiding conflict, and waking up early not to fight, but to seek peace. He wrote down his prayers. He memorized God’s promises. He reminded himself daily: “I will follow G-O-D.”

The dark days kept coming, but something inside him changed. He had a different kind of strength; not loud, not flashy, but steady. God’s will became his compass. He knew he wasn’t alone. Even when the pressure didn’t stop, he stayed grounded in Christ.

What This Means

You don’t need to carry it all. You don’t need to fight every battle. Some struggles are meant to drive you to the feet of Jesus. When you’re being pushed and pulled, the enemy wants you to break; but God is building something in you that cannot be shaken. Your peace doesn’t depend on your surroundings; it comes from knowing Who holds your future.

When you say “God’s will,” you are not just repeating words; you are surrendering your strength and trusting His. You are walking steady when everything else shakes.

Think About This

  • Are you trying to hold it all together by yourself?

  • What’s pulling at your heart right now?

  • Have you spent more time worrying than praying?

Let the pushing and pulling remind you to hold tighter to Jesus. Let it remind you to trust His will above your feelings.

Prayer

Lord, I feel the pull of this world every day; it wears me down. But I know You are stronger than all of it. Help me stop relying on my own strength and start leaning on You. Give me peace in the middle of pressure, and help me to walk steady no matter how hard life tries to pull me away. Let my life tell the story that I followed You through it all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.”
Psalm 29:11 (KJV)

May 13, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

God, Our High Tower

Opening Verse

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.”
— Psalm 18:2 (KJV)

Introduction

Psalm 18:2 is not just poetic. It is a spiritual survival guide. When trouble rises, when fear sets in, when you are pressed on every side, this verse reminds you who God truly is. Each title in this verse carries meaning. Each one shows how God protects, strengthens, and saves those who trust Him.

Devotional Insight

The LORD Is My Rock

A rock is unshakable. It does not move when the winds blow or the earth trembles. When everything around you falls apart, God remains. He is steady when your emotions are not. Build your life on Him. He does not change.

My Fortress

A fortress is a place built to keep the enemy out. In the spiritual battle we face daily, we need a place to run. God is that place. When you are under attack, He surrounds you. He is your defense when you feel exposed.

My Deliverer

God doesn’t just shield you. He brings you out. He rescues you from sin, darkness, and destruction. He does not leave you stuck in fear or shame. He reaches into the pit and pulls you up. He makes a way where there is none.

My God

This is personal. Not a distant God. Not someone else’s God. He is my God. You must know Him yourself. You must walk with Him. You cannot survive on borrowed faith. He must be yours.

My Strength

Our own strength will fail. The weight of trials, temptations, and burdens is too heavy. But God never runs out. He gives strength to those who ask. When you are weak, He is strong. He holds you up when you want to give up.

In Whom I Will Trust

Trust is not based on how you feel. It is a choice. You decide to rest in His Word, even when your circumstances scream the opposite. You lean on Him when your own understanding is not enough.

My Buckler

A buckler is a small shield used in close combat. This means God helps in the most personal struggles. He is not just a distant helper. He is near in the daily temptations and battles that others cannot see.

The Horn of My Salvation

A horn in the Bible stands for power and victory. God does not just save you quietly. He saves you with power. The blood of Jesus crushed the enemy. Through Him, you walk in victory, not defeat. Salvation is not weak. It is mighty.

My High Tower

A high tower lifts you up. It places you above the attack and gives you vision. From the tower, you can see clearly. When you rest in God, He helps you rise above confusion, fear, and the noise of the world. He gives you peace and perspective.

What This Means

God is not just one of these things. He is all of them. He is your rock when the ground shakes, your fortress when war breaks out, your strength when you have nothing left, and your high tower when you need to see clearly. Do not wait for the battle to come before running to Him. He is everything you need. Right now.

Think About This

Which of these names of God do you need most today? Are you building your life on the rock or on something that can fall? God is offering safety, strength, and salvation. Will you trust Him fully?

Prayer

Father, I turn to You alone. Be my rock when I am shaken. Be my fortress when I am attacked. Be my strength when I am weak. Lift me up to see from Your tower. Help me to trust You in everything. I declare today that You are my God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.”
— Proverbs 18:10 (KJV)

May 12, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Peacemakers

Opening Verse

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

(Matthew 5:9, KJV)

Introduction

In a world full of anger and division, Jesus gives us a clear call: be peacemakers. Not just peace-lovers, but peace-makers. That means stepping into hard places with the goal of healing, not hiding. It’s not easy, but it is the path of those who truly belong to God.

Devotional Story

There was a young man who worked in a factory where people were often at odds. Tensions were high, and arguments were common. Every morning, he prayed that God would help him reflect Christ in that place.

One day, two coworkers started shouting across the room. Everyone stood back. The young man, with a calm voice and firm steps, walked between them. He didn’t raise his voice. He simply said, “We don’t have to do this. You’re both better than this fight.”

Silence fell. The men looked at each other. Then one nodded and walked away. The other followed. That moment shifted the atmosphere. From that day forward, people began to see him differently. He hadn’t solved every problem, but he brought peace where none existed.

What This Means

To be a peacemaker is to bring the heart of God into places where emotions run hot. It means you speak with grace when others use harsh words. It means you don’t spread gossip, stir division, or take revenge. God honors this work deeply. He says peacemakers will be called His children. Why? Because they look like Him.

Think About This

  • Do you bring peace into rooms, or tension?

  • Are you willing to speak calmly when others are loud?

  • Is there someone you need to forgive or help reconcile with another?

Prayer

Father, help me to be a true peacemaker. Give me the strength to speak gently, to listen well, and to bring peace where there is conflict. Let my words heal and not harm. Let my presence point others to You. Make me bold, not silent, and use me to reflect Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.”

(Psalm 34:14, KJV)

May 11, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Guarding Your Mouth, Guarding Your Life

Opening Verse

“He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.”
Proverbs 13:3 (KJV)

Introduction

What comes out of your mouth has the power to either protect or destroy your life. Proverbs 13:3 is not just a wise saying. It is a direct warning from God. Words are not just sounds — they are weapons or shields. You must choose which one they will be.

Devotional Story

A man once found himself constantly at odds with others. At work, he was always in arguments. At home, his words stirred tension. At church, he was known for gossip, not grace. One day, he overheard a child say, “He’s the reason people leave.” That moment pierced his heart like a knife.

The man went home and opened his Bible. His eyes fell on Proverbs 13:3. “He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life.” For the first time, he saw his words as dangerous. He had been throwing fire without realizing it.

He prayed for God to tame his tongue. Over time, his speech softened. His home grew peaceful. His coworkers noticed the change. His church welcomed him back with open arms. All because he finally learned to keep his mouth.

What This Means

You do not need to say everything you think. Silence can be wisdom. A restrained tongue can save your soul from disaster. Many lives are wrecked, not by actions, but by careless speech.

God calls you to guard your mouth the way a soldier guards a gate. What you allow out can never be taken back. Speak with caution. Speak with purpose. And when in doubt, say nothing at all.

Think About This

  • When was the last time your words caused pain?

  • Are your words building people up or tearing them down?

  • What would change if you paused before speaking?

Prayer

Lord, teach me to guard my tongue. Let me not speak out of anger, pride, or foolishness. Fill my heart with wisdom so that my mouth reflects Your truth. Forgive me for the times I have wounded others with my words. Help me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to wrath. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”
Psalm 141:3 (KJV)

May 10, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Guided in the Midst of the Chaos

Opening Verse

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
Psalm 16:11 (KJV)

Introduction

Life can feel like a whirlwind. You move from one task to the next, sometimes without a break, wondering if any of it has purpose. But in the middle of that storm, God may be working through you in ways you can’t see. Sometimes, your calm faith in chaos becomes the very direction someone else needs.

Devotional Story

Pablo didn’t think he was leading anyone. He was just trying to stay focused and get through each day. His job had him working with all kinds of people, each with their own needs and attitudes. Some were loud. Some were lost. And most days, Pablo barely had time to catch his breath.

Then came the dream.

He was on a small island, surrounded by water, gliding in a boat toward another island. He wasn’t alone. The boat was filling up with strangers. None of them spoke, but they looked to him. Not for answers, but for calm. For direction. For steady hands in uncertain waters.

In the dream, he felt unprepared. But he kept rowing. He didn’t shout instructions. He just moved forward. And somehow, that was enough.

When he woke up, he couldn’t shake the feeling. God was showing him something: Pablo wasn’t just surviving the chaos. He was guiding others through it — not by talking, but by trusting.

What This Means

You don’t always know who’s watching. When you keep your peace in the storm, when you do your work without complaining, when you trust God even in pressure — others see it. Pablo’s dream was a glimpse of reality: God places you in busy places for a reason. The islands may change, but the calling remains.

Your presence may be someone’s anchor. Your faith may be someone’s reminder to hope again. You don’t need a stage. Just obedience.

Think About This

  • Are you treating your daily grind like it’s disconnected from God’s plan?

  • Could your quiet endurance be the answer to someone’s silent prayer?

  • What if God is using your movement between “islands” to lead others toward Him?

Prayer

Father, I don’t always understand why You place me where You do. But I trust You. Help me to stay steady in the chaos. Let my life point others to You, even when I feel unqualified. Use my calm to bring peace. Use my faith to lead. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Closing Verse

“In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)

May 9, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Woe to the Twisters of Truth

Opening Verse

“Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
Isaiah 5:20 (KJV)

Introduction

This verse is not a poetic reflection. It is a direct warning from the mouth of God. Isaiah 5:20 speaks to a deep moral collapse. When people no longer blush at sin but proudly rename it, they stand on the edge of judgment.

Bible Insight

The word “woe” is not sorrowful in tone. It is a judgment. It is God’s declaration of disaster upon those who twist what is right. This verse speaks of deliberate inversion. It does not describe confusion. It exposes rebellion.

To call evil good is to praise what God hates. To call good evil is to despise what God honors. This is not just false labeling. It is a spiritual attack on truth itself.

It begins with words. Evil is rebranded. Darkness is presented as light. What once caused shame is now celebrated. What once was bitter is pushed as sweet. And many follow blindly, thinking they are wise. But they are walking into destruction.

This sin reaches far. It infects hearts, homes, churches, and nations. The redefining of sin is not freedom. It is bondage. When men redefine truth, they do not escape judgment. They rush toward it.

God’s Word is clear. His definitions do not shift with culture. He calls sin what it is, and He calls holiness what it is. We do not have permission to change the labels. If we do, we place ourselves under this same “woe.”

Think About This

  • Have you accepted things that God clearly rejects?

  • Do you excuse sin because it is common or praised by others?

  • Will you stand for God’s truth even when it is mocked?

Prayer

Lord, cleanse my heart from every compromise. Let me love what You call good and reject what You call evil. Do not let me be silent while truth is twisted. Give me boldness to stand, even when I stand alone. Keep me anchored to Your Word, not the opinions of men. Amen.

Closing Verse

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
John 8:32 (KJV)

May 8, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Striving for Purity of Motive

Opening Verse

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
— Philippians 2:3 (KJV)

Introduction

God does not just look at what we do. He examines why we do it. In a world that praises self-promotion and pride, the Lord calls us to humble service, free from selfish motives.

Devotional Story

A young woman worked hard in her church’s outreach ministry. She planned events, handed out meals, and spoke about Christ. But something began to change. She noticed her joy was tied more to compliments than to Christ. The smiles of others became her fuel instead of the Spirit of God. One evening, as she walked home alone after an event, the silence pierced her heart. She realized she had been serving to be seen.

She repented, fell to her knees in her living room, and cried out, “Lord, cleanse my heart. Let me serve for Your glory, not mine.” From that moment on, she no longer chased praise. She chased Christ. And the peace she found was far greater than any applause.

What This Means

Philippians 2:3 is not a suggestion. It is a command to abandon pride. When we do anything, whether in ministry, work, or family, we must ask ourselves, “Am I doing this to lift Jesus or to lift myself?” God wants lowly hearts, not lofty egos.

The moment pride enters, the Spirit is grieved. True humility is not thinking less of yourself. It is thinking of others more. It is recognizing that every good thing in you came from God, not from your own strength.

Think About This

  • Are your motives clean before God?

  • Do you serve to glorify Him, or to be recognized?

  • When no one thanks you, do you still rejoice?

Prayer

Father, search my heart. Clean out every trace of pride and selfish ambition. Help me to serve with a pure heart, esteeming others better than myself. Let my actions reflect the humility of Christ. May everything I do be for Your glory alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.”
— Matthew 23:11 (KJV)

May 7, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Not the Only Way

Opening Verse

“For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.”
— Romans 12:3 (KJV)

Introduction

There is only one Savior — Jesus Christ. You are not Him. None of us are. And yet, many people act like their opinions, their methods, or their traditions are the only way to live out faith. That prideful mindset shuts out others, stifles learning, and grieves the Spirit of God.

Devotional Story

A man believed his understanding of scripture was flawless. He avoided anyone who didn’t agree with him. In his small circle, no one challenged his views. One day, a young believer humbly asked a question he couldn’t answer. Embarrassed, he brushed it off and avoided the young man from then on.

But later that week, the man overheard the young believer gently sharing the gospel with someone in tears. The words were simple, the love was genuine, and the Spirit was present. That moment crushed the man’s pride. He realized he had built a bubble of self-importance, shutting out not only people but God’s own work through them.

What This Means

God gives grace to the humble, not to the proud. You are not the standard — Jesus is. When you shut yourself off from others, you may be shutting yourself off from what God is doing through them. True faith isn’t about being right — it’s about being righteous. That means being teachable, respectful, and always ready to learn from others whom God has also gifted and called.

Think About This

Are you willing to learn from others, even those who see things differently? Have you mistaken your personal convictions for divine authority? Are you lifting up Jesus — or just yourself?

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for the pride that makes me think I know it all. Help me to stay humble and teachable. Teach me to respect others and recognize the work You are doing in them. Let me never forget that only You are the way, the truth, and the life. I want to lift You up, not myself. Amen.

Closing Verse

“Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
— Philippians 2:3 (KJV)

May 6, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

The Fire of the Tongue

Opening Verse

“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.”
James 3:6 (KJV)

Introduction

Our words have power—more than we often realize. The Bible doesn’t exaggerate when it says the tongue is a fire. It only takes a spark to destroy a forest. In the same way, just a few careless words can destroy trust, relationships, and even souls.

Devotional Story

A young man worked in a small repair shop. He was known for his skill, but not for his patience. One day, a customer came in angry, complaining about a repair that hadn’t held. The young man, already tired and frustrated, lashed out. Harsh words flew—sharp, bitter, and loud enough that others in the shop turned their heads.

Later that day, the owner took him aside. “Do you know that woman was a widow?” he said. “Her car is all she has to get to her job. And your words made her cry.”

The young man sat in silence. He had won the argument, but lost something greater. That night, he couldn’t sleep. He kept hearing the echo of his own voice—fueled by pride, not grace.

The next morning, he found the woman and apologized. She forgave him. But the lesson stuck: words can leave scars, even when forgiven.

What This Means

James 3:6 warns us that our tongues can defile our whole lives. It’s not just about gossip or lying—it’s about careless anger, selfish speech, and words spoken without love. Hell fuels a tongue not surrendered to Christ. That’s why we must surrender our mouths to God every day. A fire can warm or destroy. The same is true of your words.

Think About This

  • Do you think before you speak?

  • Have your words built up or burned down?

  • Would you be ashamed if your last conversation was replayed in heaven?

Prayer

Lord, bridle my tongue. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of my mouth, but only what brings grace and truth. Cleanse me from any words I’ve spoken in anger or pride. Fill my heart so that my words reflect You. Set a watch over my lips, and let my speech glorify Your name. Amen.

Closing Verse

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.”
Psalm 19:14 (KJV)