Author: Akedah

September 27, 2023 Devotional Post a Comment

The Silent Flood

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Devotional Story :

Jacob and Rachel were loving parents to their two children, Samuel and Sarah. They worked hard to provide a happy home, but they allowed little sins to trickle in without taking much notice. They considered these sins harmless; perhaps a white lie here, or some gossip there. As days turned into weeks and weeks into months, this trickle turned into a flood.

The Bible warns,

“A little leaven leavens the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9).

Unbeknownst to them, the floodwaters of sin were rising.

One night, both Jacob and Rachel had a similar dream. They saw their children, Samuel and Sarah, asleep in their beds as floodwaters started to rise around them. The waters covered their beds, and slowly began to submerge their children. They woke up in terror, realizing the gravity of their actions.

They immediately fell to their knees and prayed for forgiveness, asking God for wisdom and discernment.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

From that day on, they were diligent in keeping sin out of their home, ensuring they were aligned with God’s word. They spoke Proverbs 22:6 over their children,

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

Conclusion:

Don’t underestimate the power of ‘little’ sins to cause harm. Be vigilant and continuously seek God’s guidance to keep your home a sanctuary of His love and righteousness.
Let this story serve as a warning and a guide to stand firm against the tricks of the enemy, holding fast to what is good.

21 Examine all things; retain that which is good.

22 Separate yourselves from all appearance of evil.

(1 Thessalonians 5:21-22).

September 26, 2023 Devotional

A Journey from Deception to Deliverance

The Vision

In my dream, a young man in a simple white suit stood beside a beautiful yet deceptive woman. They were isolated in a wild, open field, with no one else around. The man appeared to be in a trance, as if under some sort of spell by the woman.

They walked together toward a hill by a flowing river. When he caught sight of the river and a plain brown basket full of brightly colored balloons to his right, he abruptly snapped out of his daze. Realizing the woman’s deceitful intent, he cursed her and broke off the nearly-made vow of marriage she had tried to trick him into.

He jumped into the basket, and the multi-colored balloons lifted him into the sky. Floating away, he passed over the river and rolling green hills. Along the journey, he noticed a dead tree branch with six faded pink balloons tied to it. However, he kept his focus forward, confident that he was heading toward a better place filled with friends and family.

Interpretation

In the dream, the young man in the simple white suit represents a soul striving for purity, yet vulnerable to deception. The woman symbolizes temptation and the wicked allure of the world. They find themselves alone in the wilderness, much like Jesus was tempted in the desert. (Matthew 4:1-11)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted[a] by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’[b]”

5 Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 6 “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:

“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’[c]”

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’[d]”

8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor.

9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”

10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’[e]”

11 Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Matthew 4:1-11

The man’s initial enthrallment with the woman evokes the deceptive allure that worldly temptations often hold. Yet, he wakes from his trance, resisting the temptation, just as James 4:7 instructs,

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
James 4:7

His waking from the trance is akin to spiritual awakening.

The River and The Basket:
The flowing river beside them can be likened to the “river of the water of life”.

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. symbolizing God’s eternal provisions and blessings.“

Revelation 22:1

The basket with multicolored balloons signifies the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit, as described in Galatians 5:22-24.

” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.”
Galatians 5:22-24

Breaking Free:

When the man jumps into the basket, it represents a decision to break free from sin and choose the gifts of the Spirit. He is lifted up and carried away, akin to being ‘born again’ (John 3:3) and carried by the grace of God.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:3

The Faded Balloons:

The dead branch with the faded balloons that he passes symbolizes the dead branches in our life that need be cut by our Holy Gardner in order for use to bear fruit.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the Gardner. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.”

John 1:1-2

Conclusion:

This journey from deception to deliverance underscores the power of turning away from temptation and toward God. The unknown but promising destination the man floats toward symbolizes the heavenly reward that awaits those who stay true to their faith.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith.”

1 Peter 5:8-9

 

September 25, 2023 Devotional Post a Comment

Serving GOD Through Life’s Turns

In the early morning hours, a dream came to me, unbidden but clear as day. This dream served as a divine nudge, a message from God: “Serve me humbly, as you once served others.”

THE RESTAURANT YEARS: THE SEEDS OF SERVICE

Back in the day, I was a waiter at a Mexican restaurant. I loved making people’s days better just by remembering their regular orders. You wouldn’t believe how much a smile can light up the room when you remember that simplest things like if the customer drank sweet tea or unsweet.

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” – 1 Peter 4:10

It also brought me great joy to see the customers faces light up. To them it was like I had performed something miraculous just by knowing what they wanted. It made them feel special.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” – Proverbs 11:25

The Downfall: Losing Sight of Service

Over time, my sense of joy began to wane, gradually corroded by interactions with difficult customers. They never said it, but their body language screamed contempt. They looked down on me as if I was inferior. This toxic environment tainted my perspective, converting a job I loved into a source of bitterness and resentment.

The Family Influence: A Technological Compass

It was during this period of internal turmoil that I started to reflect on my father’s influence. Growing up, he was always self-employed, running his own business in the technology sector. He imbued me with a fascination for tech, something that I realized could be my way out of my current unhappiness.

Yet, my father too had once faced similar crossroads. He was restless in his job in a tech company, eventually realizing that he needed to forge his own path. He did exactly that, establishing his own security installation business, taking us, his children, along for this incredible ride.

And of course, he would always remind my brothers and I of Philippians 4:13 when we would work with him.

“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” – Philippians 4:13

During this period of turmoil, memories of my father’s parallel experiences started to surface. He was a man of technology, his passion coursing through my veins as well. My brothers and I would often accompany him on jobs installing security systems across Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and Maryland.

One particular job that stands out, was at one of Virginia’s first and earliest data centers. Even in that professional environment, my father remained his authentic self. A man guided by his own internal compass, he once left a job he loved in technology to start his own business, seeking a greater purpose.

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10

A Full Circle Moment

Years later, by what felt like a twist of divine fate, I found myself working at one of the first and most prominent data centers in Southern Virginia. The customers I served at the restaurant had unknowingly prepared me for this moment—offering a service, networking, and paving the way for new opportunities.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” – Jeremiah 29:11

THE DREAM DECODED

In my dream, I was back at the restaurant, swamped with orders and struggling to keep up. I even goofed up a few things. But then I passed the baton to a young host who looked so grateful, and the dream ended.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

I think God is telling me to never forget the joy and humility I felt when I was serving tables. He wants me to serve Him with that same heart.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:29

So, as I sit here typing, it’s not just me—it’s the Holy Spirit guiding me. Life has a way of coming full circle, especially when you listen to God. He’s the best server of all, always knowing exactly what we need.