Brother Born of Adversity

DAILY VERSE

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs 17:17

DEVOTION

About four years ago, myself and some close friends came to a fork God had placed in our paths. Some splintered off in different directions, but some of us have staid the course. Fear, anxiety, and uncertainty have all been experienced at different levels of severity. God has also brought the ability to trust Him, that what he is doing is building faith, character, and strength. He’s brought friendships that I hope will last a lifetime no matter how things work out. God is good!

Simply a “Yes” or “No” will do.

DAILY VERSE

All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one.

Matthew 5:37

DEVOTION

This verse really encompasses they way we as Christians should speak to each other and anyone else for that matter. It’s easy to dance around the truth or facts when you know giving a straight answer may result in hard questions that need to be answered. Being straightforward and truthful is what we should expect from fellow believers, anything else is deceitful.

His Strength

DAILY VERSE

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:13

DEVOTION

Getting prepared for your busy day can including a strong cup of coffee and relying on your superior abilities, or fully relying on God to guide you. When we rely on ourselves we can wind up way off the mark, making rash decisions, or simply just focusing on ourselves rather than others. As for myself, I will rely on God!

In Over Your Head?

DAILY VERSE

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2

DEVOTION

As long as you are relying on God, He will never allow you to be overwhelmed to the point of giving up. When you give up it’s usually because you are relying on your own power and understanding.

Big Plans

DAILY VERSE

For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:3

DEVOTION

You may be in the midst of completing big plans, plans that could not only catapult your life into a much better place, but others as well. God’s timing can be frustrating at times, but his plans are solid. At the appointed time God will open the doors, conquer all obstacles, and all of your plans will come together.

Your Will Be Done

DAILY VERSE

When he would not be dissuaded, we gave up and said, “The Lord’s will be done.”

Acts 21:14

DEVOTION

How many times have you ever put your own plans for your lives aside to say to God, “Your will be done.”? We always seem to think we know best, or we have a certain direction we think our lives should be heading, but what about God’s plan? Will you struggle through life demanding things go “your way” or will you humble yourself before God and say “Your will be done!”?

Living Water

DAILY VERSE

A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water”

John 4:7–11

DEVOTION

The story of the woman at the well is as important as the story of the good samaritan. It shows that it doesn’t matter where you’re from, what nationality you are, or how deeply you’ve sinned, Jesus will meet you where you are. He’s always ready to share the life His giving water with those who crave to know Him.

Surrender!

DAILY VERSE

Behold, I am a servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.

Luke 1:38

DEVOTION

The key to attaining the full grace of God is to surrender. Many of us keep pieces of our “old self” captive, thus robbing ourselves of fully experience all God has planned for our lives. God requires surrendered servants to carry out his will here on earth. Whatever your holding back, give it to God, surrender!

Have You Ever Been Broken?

DAILY VERSE

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Psalm 51:17

DEVOTION

How many times during your life have you been completely broken? For the fortunate, their brokenness resulted in handing their life over to Jesus Christ. It doesn’t end there though, you will experience times of brokenness throughout your life in the form of trials. Each should generate a response, the great need for the Creator of the Universe.