Tag: Temptation

December 8, 2023 Devotional Post a Comment

Seeking Spiritual Wealth

Opening Verse:

“Wealth gained by dishonesty will be diminished, But he who gathers by labor will increase.” – Proverbs 13:11 NKJV

Introduction:

In our lives, we often encounter the temptation of quick gains and easy success. The allure of achieving wealth or recognition without the sweat of hard work can be strong, but the spiritual path encourages us to look deeper at the true source of lasting riches.

Devotional Story:

Consider a person who, enthralled by the world of online gambling, finds themselves winning large sums of money. Initially, the thrill and excitement seem overwhelming, and success appears to be at their fingertips. A friend, witnessing this, might express concern or awe. However, as the winnings increase, so does a sense of emptiness and unease.

What This Means:

This scenario symbolizes the hollow nature of gains that aren’t rooted in honest labor and genuine effort. The fleeting success of gambling mirrors the temporary nature of materialistic pursuits. True wealth in the spiritual sense comes from integrity, hard work, and faith.

Think About This:

1. How do you define success in your life?
2. What are the risks of prioritizing quick gains over steady, honest work?
3. How can you align your goals with spiritual integrity and faith?

Prayer:

Dear Lord, guide me to seek true riches that come from You. Help me resist the temptations of quick gains and lead me towards a path of honest labor and spiritual fulfillment. Amen.

Closing Verse:

“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” – Matthew 6:33 NKJV

October 8, 2023 Devotional Post a Comment

Seeds of Transformation

“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2, KJV)

 Introduction

Micah, a man striving to walk a godly path, found himself in a situation that tested his convictions. The story of a dream about a mansion filled with sin transforming into a garden of light intrigued him and prompted him to reflect deeply on his own life.

Devotional Story

Micah found himself at a grand gala, a space filled with wealth and partying. Though the atmosphere was one of celebration, he felt a disconcerting emptiness. He knew this was not the way, not the life God intended for him.

“Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2, KJV)

Deciding not to engage in the sinful activities around him, Micah made his exit. On his way out, he noticed workers cleaning up—perhaps a symbolic sign for how life’s messes eventually must be confronted and managed.

Once outside, he discovered a tranquil garden. On an ancient stone table lay seeds with an inscription: “Water these seeds and watch them grow into light.” Filled with faith, Micah watered the seeds. They instantly sprouted into magnificent beings of light.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV)

Conclusion

Micah’s journey serves as a metaphor for the struggles many of us face in modern life. The grand gala, with all its temptations, is symbolic of the broader world that often pulls us away from spiritual focus. Micah’s decision to leave this environment reflects the difficult but necessary choices we must make to align ourselves with a higher spiritual calling.

The seeds in the garden and their transformation into beings of light represent the latent potential within each of us. When we nurture our spiritual selves, we not only transform internally but also have a positive impact on the world around us. Micah’s experience mirrors the Biblical notion of ‘dying to the old self and being reborn in Christ.’

The story aims to reinforce several key Biblical principles, such as the importance of personal transformation (‘be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind’), the idea that actions speak louder than words (‘let your light so shine before men’).

The devotional is a call to action for each of us to examine where we are spiritually and how we can make meaningful changes to grow closer to God. It urges us not just to be hearers of the Word, but doers as well.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16, KJV)