Tag: SpiritualDiscipline

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)

April 29, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Accelerating Toward Excellence

Opening Verse

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.”
— 1 Corinthians 9:24 (KJV)

Introduction

Everyone wants to excel, but few understand that to excel, you must first accel — move forward with purpose, discipline, and urgency. In the race of faith, standing still is not an option. God calls us not just to finish, but to run to win.

Devotional Story

There was a young man who had a clear goal — he wanted to become a pilot. But every day, he delayed his lessons. He talked about planes, studied aviation facts, and even wore a pilot jacket. But he never flew. One day, his instructor told him, “You can’t soar until you start moving. To fly, you’ve got to throttle up.” That stuck with him.

The next morning, he signed up for flight school and never looked back. He realized that dreams alone don’t lift you — action does.

In the same way, believers often talk about spiritual growth, deeper faith, and godly purpose — but never leave the runway. They admire others who are doing great things for God, but hesitate to launch themselves into obedience.

The Apostle Paul didn’t waste time. He “pressed toward the mark” and called us to do the same. If you want to excel in Christ, you’ve got to accel — pick up speed in prayer, holiness, service, and obedience.

What This Means

God isn’t looking for people who just wish they were closer to Him. He’s calling those who will move. Spiritual acceleration begins when you take the first real step — confessing sin, forgiving others, sharing Christ, studying His Word with hunger, or stepping out in faith even when it’s uncomfortable.

We’re in a spiritual race. There are no trophies for those who sit in the stands.

Think About This

Are you waiting for a sign when God has already given you a command?
What area of your life needs acceleration toward obedience?

Prayer

Lord, wake me up from comfort and hesitation. I don’t want to just talk about change — I want to move. Give me the courage to accelerate in obedience, to run this race with focus, and to do it for Your glory. Remove every excuse. Help me press forward today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Closing Verse

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”
— Philippians 3:13–14 (KJV)

April 12, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Command Your Soul to Bless the Lord

Opening Verse

“Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.”
Psalm 103:1 (KJV)

Introduction

Sometimes, our spirit knows what to do, but our soul lags behind. Psalm 103 is not just a declaration—it’s a command. David wasn’t asking his soul to bless the Lord—he was telling it to. That’s what we must do, especially when we don’t feel like it.

Devotional Story

A man stood in his kitchen, worn out. His week had been full of disappointments, bills, arguments, and a deep sense of heaviness. The last thing he felt like doing was praising God. But instead of sitting in silence, he lifted his voice and said, “Bless the Lord, O my soul!”

He kept saying it, louder each time. Not because he felt it, but because he believed it. And little by little, his heart caught up with his faith. His sorrow didn’t vanish in a moment, but his spirit grew stronger. That morning, he didn’t live by what he felt—he lived by what he knew: God is always worthy of praise.

What This Means

We don’t live by feelings. Feelings can lie. They come and go like the wind. If you follow feelings, you’re following the flesh. But if you speak truth to your soul, you’re walking in the Spirit. David commanded his soul to bless the Lord, even when he didn’t feel like it. So must we.

Faith is not about waiting to feel inspired. It’s about praising God because He is worthy—whether we feel it or not. Faith leads. Feelings follow.

Think About This

  • Are you letting your feelings lead your faith?

  • Have you ever told your soul what to do, instead of listening to it?

  • What would change in your life if you praised God by faith, not emotion?

Prayer

Lord, teach me to command my soul to bless You. Help me not to live by my feelings, but by faith in Your truth. When I feel weak, remind me of Your strength. When I feel down, remind me of Your goodness. You are always worthy of praise. Amen.

Closing Verse

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” – 2 Corinthians 5:7 (KJV)

March 30, 2025 Devotional Post a Comment

Led by the Spirit, Not by Feelings

Opening Verse

“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”
Romans 8:14 (KJV)

Introduction

Feelings cannot be trusted. They rise and fall. But God calls us to walk by faith, not by what we feel. If we follow our feelings, we will walk in the flesh. If we follow the Spirit, we walk with God.

Devotional Story

A man once said, “I don’t feel God anymore.” He still prayed. He still read his Bible. But the joy was gone. He felt dry, empty, and forgotten.
One night, as he sat in silence, the Holy Spirit whispered, “Keep going.” No signs. No voice from heaven. Just the Word and a choice to obey.
Day after day, he kept praying. He kept reading. Nothing changed on the outside. But something changed inside. His faith was being tested. He did not quit.
Then one morning, as he read the Word, it cut deep. Not because he felt it, but because it was true. The tears came. The breakthrough came. God had been with him the whole time.
He did not need a feeling. He needed faith.

What This Means

We are not called to live by emotions. We are called to live by faith. Feelings are weak. They lie. The flesh wants feelings. The Spirit calls for trust. When we obey the Spirit, even in silence, we grow strong.

To live by feeling is to drift. To live by the Spirit is to stand.

Think About This

Are your choices led by emotions or by truth? Are you waiting to feel close to God before you follow Him? Faith obeys without proof. The Spirit leads without noise. Obey now. Delay is danger.

Prayer

Father, I repent for following my feelings. Teach me to follow Your Spirit. Help me to trust Your Word even when I feel nothing. I surrender my will, my emotions, and my understanding. Lead me. Strengthen me. Keep me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Closing Verse

“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16 (KJV)