Akedah, Author at Akedah

April 28, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Using the Right Tools God Has for Us

Opening Verse

“If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.”
(Ecclesiastes 10:10, KJV)

Introduction

God has given us the exact tools we need to live for Him. But when we try to do His work our own way, it’s like trying to cut wood with a pickaxe — frustrating and ineffective. We need to use the gifts and wisdom God provides.

Devotional Story

There was a man who once set out to build a simple cabin in the woods. He brought along a heavy pickaxe, thinking he could use it for everything. He hacked at the trees, but the results were poor and slow. His arms grew tired, and the trees remained standing.

One day, an old carpenter walked by and handed him a sharp axe. “You need the right tool,” he said. With a few clean swings of the axe, the trees fell easily.

The man realized something important: strength alone wasn’t enough — he needed the right tool. In the same way, God has equipped each believer with spiritual gifts, wisdom, and His Word. We cannot build His kingdom using the wrong tools or human strength. We need to use what God gives, in the way He instructs.

What This Means

God has not left us to figure out life on our own. He has given us His Spirit, His Word, and the specific gifts we need. When we rely on our own wisdom or ways, we labor harder and accomplish less. When we use what He has given — and follow His lead — the work becomes fruitful and filled with His power.

Think About This

Are you swinging a pickaxe where God has given you an axe? Are you striving in your own strength instead of leaning on the tools God has placed in your hands?

Prayer

Lord, teach me to stop relying on my own ways. Open my eyes to the tools and gifts You have given me. Help me to use Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your wisdom as I walk through each day. I surrender my methods and take up Your ways, trusting that Your way is always best. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.”
(Zechariah 4:6, KJV)

April 27, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Come Forth as Gold

Opening Verse

“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10, KJV)

Introduction

God’s work in our lives is not random. He tests us, He proves us, and He molds us into vessels fit for His glory. Every trial is His hand refining us for a purpose we may not fully see yet.

Devotional Story

A young potter once worked on a lump of stubborn clay. Each time he shaped it, the clay would resist, folding in ways the potter did not intend. Patiently, he worked and reworked the clay, never giving up. One day, after many long hours, the potter smiled. Before him stood a beautiful, sturdy vessel—one that could now carry something precious.

In the same way, God works with us. We resist, we stumble, we fall. But His hand never leaves us. His tests are not meant to destroy us but to prove us faithful, and His molding is not to harm us but to make us strong and useful for His kingdom.

What This Means

God’s tests are designed to refine our faith, not to break us. His proving shows what is truly in our hearts, separating the impurities from the gold. His molding transforms us into vessels that can hold His Spirit, His Word, and His work. If you are being tested today, do not fear. God is shaping you for something greater.

Think About This

Are you allowing God to mold you, or are you resisting His hand? When trials come, do you see them as punishment or preparation? Surrender to the Master Potter.

Prayer

Father, I thank You that You do not give up on me. Shape me, mold me, and refine me until I reflect Your glory. Help me not to resist Your work in my life. Make me a vessel fit for Your purpose. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? saith the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are ye in mine hand, O house of Israel.” (Jeremiah 18:6, KJV)

April 26, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

The Holy Spirit Ready to Overflow

Opening Verse

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38, KJV)

Introduction

The Holy Spirit is not always seen at first. But He is power ready to be revealed. Faith opens the way for His mighty work.

Devotional Story

Imagine a bottle of soda. When it sits quietly, everything looks normal. But once you shake it, pressure builds up inside. Still, you can’t see the force gathering. Only when you open the lid do you see the true power that was hidden.

In the same way, the Holy Spirit is working inside believers. We might not always feel it. It might seem like nothing is happening. But when we step out in faith, trusting God’s Word, the “lid” opens—and the power of God flows out. Healing happens. Lives change. Courage fills the timid. Boldness fills the fearful. Joy overwhelms sorrow.

Without faith, the bottle stays closed. But with faith, the power that was hidden is released. The Spirit pours out rivers of living water from within, just as Jesus promised.

What This Means

Faith is the key. God’s Spirit is already at work inside you if you believe in Christ. It is not about waiting for a “feeling.” It is about trusting God’s promise and stepping forward. When you move by faith, you release what God has already placed within you.

Think About This

Are you living with the lid still closed? What step of faith could you take today that would release the power of the Holy Spirit already inside you?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help me not to doubt or hesitate but to trust You and move by faith. Open the floodgates of living water inside me. Use me to glorify You and to bless others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6, KJV)

April 25, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Sunday Suit but a Monday Heart

Opening Verse

“Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Timothy 3:5, KJV)

Introduction

It’s easy to dress up for Sunday, but what about the rest of the week? God isn’t looking for polished appearances — He’s after a heart fully surrendered every day, not just when it’s convenient.

Devotional Story

A man once owned the sharpest suits in his church. Every Sunday, his shoes shined, his tie was perfectly knotted, and he knew all the right hymns to sing. People admired his appearance and assumed he was deeply faithful. But on Monday, that same man was short-tempered, dishonest at work, and careless with his words. His heart had stayed unchanged while his Sunday suit gleamed.

One day, after being caught in a lie at his job, he sat alone, ashamed. He realized that while he impressed people, he hadn’t honored God. True worship isn’t one day a week — it’s a life bowed before Jesus Christ. That day, he traded his “Sunday suit faith” for a living relationship with the Savior, one that showed in every word and action, Monday through Sunday.

What This Means

God sees past the surface. He isn’t impressed by how we look or sound at church — He’s concerned with the state of our heart. A true Christian life is consistent, marked by humility, honesty, repentance, and love, not just on Sundays, but every single day.

Think About This

If someone only saw your life on Monday, would they know you follow Jesus?

Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Forgive me for the times I have cared more about appearances than true obedience. Change my heart, Lord. Help me walk with You every day, not just when others are watching. Make my life a living testimony of Your grace and truth. Strengthen me to live out my faith with sincerity, from Sunday through Saturday.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“The LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7, KJV)

April 24, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Fading Eyes, Steady Faith

Opening Verse

“Mine eye also is dim by reason of sorrow, and all my members are as a shadow.”
Job 17:7 (KJV)

Introduction

There are moments in life when sorrow hits so hard that it touches every part of who we are. Job was in such a moment. His eyes, once bright with life, had dimmed. His strength faded. But even in that place, Job didn’t deny God—he cried out to Him.

Devotional Story

A man who once stood tall and strong in his family, church, and workplace found himself in a hospital bed. Illness had drained his body. His hands, once calloused from work, now trembled with weakness. Even his voice, full of encouragement in better days, had become a whisper. One morning, a nurse asked him how he was feeling.

He slowly said, “My body’s fading… but not my faith.”

When asked how he could still smile, he simply pointed upward and said, “Because I know who holds me.”

That man wasn’t clinging to health or success. He was clinging to Christ.

What This Means

Sorrow can cloud our vision. Grief can make us feel like shadows of who we used to be. But the measure of a soul isn’t in physical strength—it’s in spiritual endurance. Even when everything else dims, your faith can still shine.

Job was worn down by sorrow, yet he kept talking to God. He didn’t stop believing. That’s what faith does—it holds on when the body gives out.

Think About This

Are you letting your sorrows dim your view of God? Have you confused physical weakness with spiritual defeat?

Job’s story reminds us that even when we’re broken, God is still near. Don’t wait until you feel strong again. Cry out to God now. He hears you.

Prayer

Lord, when sorrow darkens my eyes and weakness fills my body, help me not to forget You. Remind me that even in the lowest valley, You are still God. Strengthen my soul when my flesh fails. Let me be found faithful, even in the storm. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”
Psalm 73:26 (KJV)

April 23, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

When Envy Clouds the Heart

Opening Verse

“For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”
Psalm 73:3 (KJV)

Introduction

It’s easy to stumble when we look at the world and see the wicked prosper. The heart cries out, “Why do they get away with so much?” But Psalm 73 leads us through this very struggle. It begins with confusion and ends with clarity.

Devotional Story

There was a man who worked hard every day, lived honestly, tithed faithfully, but life seemed stuck. Bills piled up, promotions never came, and sickness lingered in his home. Meanwhile, his co-worker, who cut corners, lied, and mocked God, seemed to thrive. New cars. Expensive vacations. Praise from management.

Bitterness crept in. “What’s the point of living right?” he muttered one evening, tossing his Bible aside. He didn’t pray. He didn’t sing. He just sat in silence.

That night, he couldn’t sleep. His thoughts raced, but none brought peace. Eventually, he picked up his Bible again and read Psalm 73.

When he came to verse 17, something shifted:
“Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.”

In that moment, he saw it clearly. The prosperity of the wicked is short-lived. Without God, it ends in destruction. But suffering with God leads to eternal glory.

The next morning, he rose with new strength. Not because his circumstances had changed, but because his focus had.

What This Means

Psalm 73 reminds us not to envy the wicked. Their success is temporary. Their ease is fragile. But those who walk with God—no matter how hard the path—are held by His hand and guided by His counsel. Don’t measure your life by earthly standards. The presence of God is worth more than all this world can offer.

Think About This

Are you tempted to compare your life to others who seem to succeed without God? Be careful. That path leads to bitterness. Look again to the sanctuary of God—there, your vision will be corrected, your hope restored, and your steps strengthened.

Prayer

Lord, I confess that I have been tempted to envy those who do wrong and still prosper. Forgive me for looking at the world instead of keeping my eyes on You. Teach me to treasure Your presence above all. Remind me that You are my portion forever, and that is more than enough. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.”
Psalm 73:26 (KJV)

April 22, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Move with Wisdom, Not the Flesh

Opening Verse

“He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.”
— Proverbs 14:29 (KJV)

Introduction

When someone tries to cheat you, your first instinct might be to get angry, speak out, or retaliate. But God calls His people to operate differently. He gives wisdom to those who ask, so they can walk uprightly without falling into the enemy’s trap.

Devotional Story

A woman once shared how she was on the verge of signing a contract for a property deal. The seller, a family acquaintance, had presented a generous offer. Everything looked right on paper. But just as she was about to commit, she felt pressed in her spirit to slow down.

She prayed for wisdom. Instead of brushing off the unease, she paused and asked a trusted believer to look over the documents. They uncovered hidden clauses that would have cost her thousands—and left her with a property carrying unpaid taxes. The seller wasn’t just being careless—he was covering up key details.

The woman didn’t lash out. She didn’t call him out in front of others or start a dispute. She quietly walked away, thanking God for showing her the truth before it was too late.

Later, someone else entered a deal with the same seller—and ended up in court over the very same issue. But she was spared because she listened, stayed calm, and moved with God’s wisdom instead of her flesh.

What This Means

You don’t need to raise your voice or take revenge to be victorious. Sometimes, the wisest move is to let God fight your battle. If you seek Him before reacting, He’ll reveal what you need to know—and protect you from harm. Wisdom doesn’t just save your money or your name. It guards your peace.

Think About This

Have you ever felt something wasn’t right, but you ignored it out of pressure or emotion? What if God was warning you? When was the last time you asked for His wisdom before making a decision?

Prayer

Father, I ask for Your wisdom in every situation—especially when someone means me harm. Keep me from reacting in anger. Help me to move by the Spirit, not the flesh. When I feel cheated or provoked, remind me to seek Your voice before I take action. You are my Defender. I trust You to lead me in truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.”
— Proverbs 19:11 (KJV)

April 21, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

A Father’s Foundation

Opening Verse

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

Introduction

A strong foundation is everything. You can’t expect a house to stand if the ground it rests on is weak. It’s the same with children. Fathers are not just providers — they are builders. If you’re a man and God has trusted you with children, then He expects you to lead, guide, and show them how to live. Otherwise, you leave them with broken pieces and cracked walls that they’ll spend years trying to repair.

Devotional Story

A man once raised his children with good intentions, but no direction. He worked hard, brought food to the table, and even took them to church from time to time. But he never taught his sons how to pray. He never showed his daughters what a godly man looks like. He never opened the Bible in front of them or lived what he claimed to believe.

He thought that being present was enough. But presence without purpose leaves gaps. The man didn’t realize that you have to be intentional. You have to bless your children so they know what it means to walk in God’s favor and pass that blessing on.

Years passed. His children grew. And while they knew of God, they didn’t know God. Their lives were shaky. They made mistakes he could’ve helped them avoid. One of them said, “I had to teach myself everything I wish my dad had shown me.”

The man looked back with regret. He didn’t hate his children’s choices. He just realized they never had the foundation he thought he gave them.

What This Means

It’s not enough to say “do right.” You have to show right. Children build their lives on what they see and what they’re taught. If the father doesn’t lead in truth, then his children start from scratch — sometimes wounded, often lost.

Your job is not only to feed them but to form them. Teach them to walk in the fear of God. Correct them when they’re wrong. Bless them when they follow righteousness. Be the example. Because if you don’t lay the foundation, the world will pour its own concrete — and it won’t hold.

Being intentional means speaking life into them. It means taking time to pray with them, lay hands on them, and speak blessing over their future. If you want them to be a blessing, you must first bless them.

Think About This

What kind of foundation are you building for your children?
Are you intentional about shaping their walk with Christ?
Have you spoken blessing over their lives today?

Prayer

Father in Heaven,
Help me be the man You’ve called me to be. Let me not just be a father in name, but in action and truth. Give me the wisdom to teach, the strength to lead, and the humility to admit when I’ve failed. Help me to be intentional — not passive. Let my words bless my children so they may rise and be a blessing to others. Let them stand on a foundation of faith, not confusion. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”
Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)

April 20, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

The Day is Coming

Opening Verse

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”
Malachi 4:1 (KJV)

Introduction

The Word of God is not a suggestion — it is a warning. Malachi 4:1 speaks of a day that is surely coming. This is not about opinion, culture, or comfort. It is about truth. God is not ignoring sin. He is storing up wrath for the unrepentant. A fire is coming. And that fire will not spare the proud or the wicked.

Devotional Story

There was a man who laughed at warnings. He ignored fire drills, skipped safety checks, and mocked anyone who prepared. “Nothing ever happens,” he’d say.

One night, a fire broke out in his building. It spread fast, just like they had warned. But while others escaped using the exits they had practiced, he panicked. He had no plan, no way out. His pride cost him everything.

In the same way, many mock the coming judgment. They laugh at repentance. They ignore the gospel. But the fire of God’s justice is not a joke. It will burn up the proud and the rebellious. It will not leave a trace.

What This Means

Malachi 4:1 is a divine alert. Pride will not protect you. Good deeds will not shield you. Religion without repentance will not save you. Only those who fear the Lord will be spared from the fire.

The proud think they are safe. The wicked think God will not act. But the day of the Lord is coming like an oven — intense, inescapable, and final. If your life is built on rebellion, you will be left with nothing — “neither root nor branch.”

Now is the time to repent. Now is the time to turn from sin. God’s mercy is available, but it will not delay forever.

Think About This

Do you take God’s judgment seriously?
Have you repented, or are you still hoping time will cover your rebellion?
What if today was the day that fire fell?

Prayer

Righteous Father, awaken me to the truth of Your Word. Burn away my pride. Burn away my wickedness. Let me not be counted among the stubble. Give me a heart that trembles at Your Word. I repent of my sins. Save me from the fire to come. Cover me with the blood of Jesus. In His name I pray, Amen.

Closing Verse

“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
2 Peter 3:9 (KJV)

April 19, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Does God Favor Certain People Over Others?

Opening Verse

“Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:”
Acts 10:34 (KJV)

Introduction

Many wonder if God shows favoritism — if He loves or blesses one person more than another. The world runs on partiality. People are often elevated because of money, beauty, power, or status. But is God like that? The answer from Scripture is clear: no. God is not moved by external appearance, reputation, or human position. He sees the heart.

Devotional Story

A teacher once had two students. One was loud, charismatic, and popular; the other was quiet, awkward, and often overlooked. The popular student turned in assignments late, yet everyone excused him. The quiet one worked diligently but was rarely praised. One day, the teacher gave both students the same difficult project. The popular student turned in a rushed, flashy presentation. The quiet one turned in something simple but deeply thought-out. The teacher gave the quiet student the highest mark and said, “I grade by effort and understanding, not popularity.”

God is that kind of teacher. He does not lift someone up because of their fame or charm. He honors those who walk humbly, obey Him, and seek Him with a true heart. He didn’t choose the mighty or the proud. He chose fishermen, tax collectors, and persecutors. Why? Because He looks for faithfulness, not fame.

What This Means

God doesn’t favor people based on race, wealth, or intelligence. He favors the obedient. He lifts the humble. He responds to faith. If you feel unseen or forgotten, know this: God sees you. He does not ignore the lowly. He draws near to the brokenhearted. Favor in God’s eyes comes not from human praise but from walking in truth and righteousness.

You don’t need a platform, popularity, or power to be used by God. You need a clean heart and surrendered will. If you give Him your all, He will honor that — even if no one else does.

Think About This

Are you seeking God’s favor or man’s approval?
Have you ever believed someone was more loved by God than you?
What would change if you truly believed God sees and honors your faithfulness?

Prayer

Lord, thank You that You are not a respecter of persons. Thank You that Your eyes search the earth for hearts fully committed to You. Help me not to chase the favor of men, but to walk faithfully before You. Cleanse me of envy or comparison, and teach me to rest in Your love. I want to honor You above all else. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:”
Deuteronomy 10:17 (KJV)