Luke 13:24
2026-08-08
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (KJV)
What is your goal?
For many Christians, the long-range purpose and ultimate goal is to get into heaven. What they do between the time they are saved and when they enter heaven varies. Some of them find purpose and some don’t. When you spend time, in the presence of the Almighty, you get His purpose for you. You will also understand the assignment He designed for you. During those precious moments, you will realize the importance of how you live your life every day. Your daily choices are as important as fulfilling His call. Actually, it is how you fulfill His call.
Psalm 16:11 Because of you, I know the path of life, as I taste the fullness of joy in your presence. At your right side I experience divine pleasures forevermore! (TPT)
Time in the Lord’s presence will remind you not to only think about you; what you need to do; and what is best for you. You should also be concerned about others.
Philippians 2:3-4 Be free from pride-filled opinions, for they will only harm your cherished unity. Don’t allow self-promotion to hide in your hearts, but in authentic humility put others first and view others as more important than yourselves. 4 Abandon every display of selfishness. Possess a greater concern for what matters to others instead of your own interests. (TPT)
Sometimes it is tough to think about anyone else. It might be because you are, or you have become, consumed with living your life. It might be because you are doing what you believe would please God. You should want to do what pleases God. However, the only way you can is to broaden your understanding of what “pleasing God” means. Read Romans 12:9-21. You will find pleasing God takes more than you thought.
Colossians 1:10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord [displaying admirable character, moral courage, and personal integrity], to [fully] please Him in all things, bearing fruit in every good work and steadily growing in the knowledge of God [with deeper faith, clearer insight and fervent love for His precepts]. (AMP)
It is God’s will for all to come to know Him (2 Peter 3:9). In your efforts to please God, shouldn’t your goal be to touch lives with the love of God? Shouldn’t you want the power of redemption, deliverance and all that Jesus offers to be the foundation of what you communicate with your life? Those, who have been assigned to you, should see your life and desire salvation and a closer walk with God.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 And we also [especially] thank God continually for this, that when you received the message of God [which you heard] from us, you welcomed it not as the word of [mere] men, but as it truly is, the Word of God, which is effectually at work in you who believe [exercising its superhuman power in those who adhere to and trust in and rely on it]. (AMPC)
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I can remember hearing the statement, “It’s not the means, it’s the end.” I repent for accepting that statement as a way to live. You have taught me, the means to the end is important as the end, often more so. I want to live my life as an example of You. I want anyone who interacts with me to see You. If they are not saved, I pray they will desire salvation. If they are saved, I pray they will want to develop a closer walk with You. I don’t want to be so focused on heaven that I miss the assignments that will make me productive for You on earth. I know You have placed in me the desire to show Your love. Thank You for broadening my understanding and showing me how to do that. My life is not about me; it never was and it never will be. How can I say I love You, Whom I have not seen and not take the time to show love to my brother and sister who I see every day? With every person I meet; I must show Your love. Thank You for making my goal clear…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Ephesians 6:13
2026-08-09
Ephesians 6:13 It is most important therefore to acquaint yourself with every aspect of God’s armor. You are fully fit to powerfully defeat any onslaught or contradiction on any day of confrontation, triumphantly standing your ground. The days where the law of hardships, annoyances and labor dictated your life are over! (TMB)
Do you understand your weapons?
To make sure soldiers are confident in themselves and how to use their weapons, the military implemented the weapons immersion program. It is used to pair a soldier with his/her weapon. Soldiers eat, sleep and train with their weapons, reinforcing the importance of the weapon(s) as well as increasing the skill level with them. The soldiers learn to break them down and put them back together again with speed and precision. They understand which weapon is more effective than the other, depending on the situation.
You need the same level of understanding with your weapons. Though you may not have realized it, your heavenly Father, with the help of the Holy Spirit, has you in a spiritual weapons immersion program. He uses the trials of life and the temptations the enemy brings. As you fight this spiritual warfare, if you are listening and obedient, they train you at a deeper level about your weapons. You learn which one to use, how to use them, when to use them, where to use them, etc. One way to look at the armor is to see it in four separate areas: body, mind, and spirit and the connector.
The body-pieces are the belt of truth and the shoes of peace.
The body pieces help you fight against the enemy as you relate to others. You use them, in accordance with the word, as the Spirit leads you. The Holy Spirit prompts you to choose to use those weapons in your everyday life.
1 Corinthians 9:19, 22b For although I am free in every way from anyone’s control, I have made myself a bond servant to everyone, so that I might gain the more [for Christ]. I have [in short] become all things to all men, that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some [by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ]. (AMPC)
The mind-pieces are the breastplate of righteousness and the shield of faith.
The mind-pieces help you fight against the enemy as you relate to yourself. The battlefield is in the mind. The Holy Spirit reminds us to cast down every thought and imagination that exalts itself against what the word of God says. It does not matter what things look like. It only matters what the Bible says.
2 Corinthians 10:5 [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) (AMPC)
The spirit-pieces are the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God.
The spirit-pieces help you fight against the enemy as you relate to God. It does not matter if you choose them or not, or if you believe them or not, they are still available and true. Salvation is available, not because of anything you did or will do, it is available because of who God is and what Jesus did on the cross (Ephesians 2:8). God is His word (John 1:1). It does not change; the word is the same yesterday, today and forevermore (Isaiah 40:8). It does not fail because He does not fail (Matthew 24:35). It is always true (Psalm 119:142).
1 John 2:3-6 And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings). 4 Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. 5 But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him: 6 whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself. (AMP)
The connection piece is praying in the Spirit.
There are those who say praying in the Spirit is part of your weaponry. There are also those who say praying in the Spirit is not a part of your weaponry. I believe it is, and it is the connector that makes the armor work.
When you put on each part of the armor, you remain connected to God through prayer. You can prepare to fight every battle that comes your way. However, the victory comes because you fight in faith. You build your faith by praying in the Spirit (Jude 1:20). In addition, through prayer, you understand what it means to fight in a way that is honorable to God.
Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, 7 then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ. (TPT)
You will be in the spiritual weapons immersion program until Jesus returns. However, until then, you are always fully dressed in your armor, and ready to do battle at any time.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I repent for all the times I used my weapons incorrectly. I know I often did more damage than good. I am sorry. Thank You for giving me a revelation about my weapons and requiring me to understand them. Thank You for prompting me and urging me, by the Holy Spirit, to learn to use them more effectively. Thank You for creating a spiritual weapons immersion program, uniquely and specifically designed for me. You are teaching me which weapon You designed and suited for every task. When the enemy comes, I want to choose the most effective weapon to do battle against him. I want to use the right weapon, at the right time for me, for one of my brothers and sisters in Christ, and for someone who has yet to come to You. Keep me in a spiritual immersion program where I have put on my armor, and I will not take it off again and I will increase my effectiveness for the kingdom…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Hebrews 4:11
2026-08-10
Hebrews 4:11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. (KJV)
Are you taking time to rest?
You understand when you rest you stop working or moving around in order to relax, refresh, and/or recover strength. You need:

Physical rest.

Jesus recognized and addressed the need for physical rest.
Mark 6:31-32 He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while”—for there were many [people who were continually] coming and going, and they could not even find time to eat. 32 And they went away by themselves in the boat to a secluded place. (AMP)

Mental rest.

When you are stressed, unable to resolve issues, can’t see the end of your problem or problems, etc., you become mentally tired. You worry and you don’t have peace. It can cause you to lose sleep, become moody, even depressed.
Proverbs 3:24-26 Your mind will be clear, free from fear; when you lie down to rest, you will be refreshed by sweet sleep. 25 Stay calm; there is no need to be afraid of a sudden disaster or to worry when calamity strikes the wicked, 26 For the Eternal is always there to protect you. He will safeguard your each and every step. (TVT)

Spiritual rest.

God rested. Not from a natural perspective, as if He was tired. He implemented the spiritual concept of rest.
God rested to teach us to rest. He knew He would require it later (Exodus 20:8-11). He rested as an example for us to understand the importance of rest in our own lives.
Genesis 2:2-3 And by the seventh day God completed His work which He had done, and He rested (ceased) on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 So God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it [as His own, that is, set it apart as holy from other days], because in it He rested from all His work which He had created and done. (AMP)
Without rest, you can become weary in well doing; you will work only looking for the end and not rejoicing over the journey. If you are not careful, working, without resting, will cause you to stop working all together. Exhaustion opens doors for the enemy to plant seeds of doubt. He tells you your work is not worth the trials and tests. You lose sight of the reward God has promised. You question why you are doing “all you do”. Disillusionment replaces the benefits of your labor.
Matthew 11:28-29 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (KJV)
Rest and celebrate who you are, what God has done in your life and what He has promised to do.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I thank You for rest. I thank You for instructing me to rest. I repent for those times when I worked, though exhausted. When I worked, when I should have been honoring the sabbath rest. You have told me repeatedly, my exhaustion comes when I take my eyes off You and place them on a nonexistent prize. You know every assignment You have given and will give to me. You know whether it will take a toll on me or whether I will do it effectively and with ease, and move on to the next one. I thank You for Jesus’ example of resting. He would retreat to be replenished and refreshed by You. I celebrate what You’ve done in my life and through my life. Though there may have been bumps along the way and will be more bumps to come; I rejoice in You and I thank You, Father, for Your rest. I honor You for Your rest. Thank You, Father, for not only teaching us we should rest; You also taught us how to rest…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Galatians 5:6
2026-08-11
Galatians 5:6 God believes that we are fully represented in Christ which takes circumcision or any contribution of the flesh out of the equation. Love sets faith in motion. (TMB)
Are you legalistic or spiritual?
What happens when the flesh in included in the business of the Lord? Legalism runs amuck. Christianity is not a fraternity, lodge or secret society. Rules and regulations cannot take precedence over the gospel by establishing requirements for acceptance beyond repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Do not change “whosoever will” into “whosoever meets these narrow and rigid moral codes”.
Galatians 2:15-16 We Jews know that we have no advantage of birth over “non-Jewish sinners.” We know very well that we are not set right with God by rule-keeping but only through personal faith in Jesus Christ. How do we know? We tried it—and we had the best system of rules the world has ever seen! Convinced that no human being can please God by self-improvement, we believed in Jesus as the Messiah so that we might be set right before God by trusting in the Messiah, not by trying to be good. (MSG)
The flesh is in control when you spend more time evaluating and dictating conduct (i.e., who is doing what, when, where, and how) than you spend showing love. What happens when you find misguided strictness, pride, shallowness, the neglect of mercy, and ignorance of the grace of God? You will also find an emphasis on the letter of the law at the expense of the spirit.
James 4:11-12 Believers do not speak against or slander one another. He who speaks [self-righteously] against a brother or judges his brother [hypocritically], speaks against the Law and judges the Law. If you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy [the one God who has the absolute power of life and death]; but who are you to [hypocritically or self-righteously] pass judgment on your neighbor? (AMP)
God sacrificed because of His love. You should govern the life you live from the same source. If the law worked, Jesus would not have had to die. Obedience is not obedience, if it is forced. Love is not love, if it is mandated. The traditional bondages required by men have no value to God. Jesus delivered you from the rigid law and saved you by grace. Your faith, shown by demonstrating love for others, is what is important.
2 Corinthians 3:6 [It is He] Who has qualified us [making us to be fit and worthy and sufficient] as ministers and dispensers of a new covenant [of salvation through Christ], not [ministers] of the letter (a legally written code) but of the Spirit; for the code kills, but the [Holy] Spirit makes alive. (AMPC, edited)
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I thank You for Your grace. I repent for trying to comply with man-made, rigid rules and regulations. I repent for doing the same thing to other believers. I don’t have to feel like a failure because of someone else’s judgment(s) of my behavior. I can honestly say it hurt especially badly when those judgements were given by people who didn’t show Your love in their communication. I can remember feeling almost unbearably broken. I repent for anyone I caused to feel the same. I thank You for the freedom to stumble. I thank You for allowing me to repent. I especially thank You for forgiving me. You look into my heart and see my need. I thank You for the mercy available to me as I run after You. Thank You for moving the hoops people have placed for me to jump through and eliminating all their standards. I want to do what You require. You love me for who I am. You gently and lovingly bring me to the place You ordained and designed for me to be. I never feel rejected and punished for my flaws. I am grateful to You…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Philippians 2:13
2026-08-12
Philippians 2:13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (NLT)
Are you inspired?
A motivational speaker is someone who delivers lectures intending to encourage or inspire the people in the audience. Typically, he or she has a reputation as an expert on the subject being discussed and will encourage the audience to look at things from a different perspective. The goal is to get them to become more attentive to their own talents and abilities. The motivational speaker may give the desire to do, he or she can’t give the power to do. The word of God is the best motivational speaker there is, has ever been, or ever will be.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. (KJV)
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (KJV)
Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. (KJV)
Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, (KJV)
Lamentations 3:22-23 Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. 23 They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. (NKJV)
Romans 8:38-39 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (KJV)
Psalm 18:29 For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. (KJV)
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (NKJV)
There is nothing about you, nor anything else God does not know. Not only does He know what You can do, He assigned the task to you, gave you the ability to do it and promised to do it through you. He knows what would try to hinder you and has already given you the power to overcome it.
Romans 8:29-30 God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. The Son stands first in the line of humanity he restored. We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. After God made that decision of what his children should be like, he followed it up by calling people by name. After he called them by name, he set them on a solid basis with himself. And then, after getting them established, he stayed with them to the end, gloriously completing what he had begun. (MSG)
If you were not before, are you inspired now?
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, God, I am inspired by Your word. You promised to complete the work You started in me. I trust You. You created me, shaped me, and gave me the gifts and talents I have. You had a specific purpose in mind when You formed me, called me, anointed me, and chose me. I am motivated to submit to You. Please complete Your task through me. Because of all who You are and all You do for me, I yield myself. Please fulfill the destiny You have for my life. Every moment I spend in Your presence persuades me more. Every Bible verse I read provokes me. Every Bible study I complete spurs me on. I am encouraged and inspired to seek You, to submit to You, to obey You and to be perfected by You…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Thessalonians 1:3
2026-08-13
1 Thessalonians 1:3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. (NIV)
Are you ready for your performance review?
In the military, each soldier receives a performance review. The commanding officer assigns proficiency and conduct marks that evaluate how the soldier executed the duties assigned. The marks are also used to determine eligibility for reenlistment, qualification for certain types of duty assignments, the fitness for promotion, and characterization of service upon discharge. You are a soldier in the army of the Lord; you also get performance reviews. You get them on earth, and you will get one when Jesus returns. While on earth, each assignment comes with the review. Do you have to repeat the assignment, or do you go on to the next? After death, on that great day, you will stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (KJV).
Matthew 12:36
36 You can be sure of this: when the day of judgment comes, everyone will be held accountable for every careless word he has spoken. (TPT)
Romans 14:12 Therefore, each one must answer for himself and give a personal account of his own life before God. (TPT)
You will answer for all of you have done, whether good or bad. What will the results of your performance review be? Will you have something to celebrate?
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I am taking a moment to think about the time when I will stand before You and You will hold me accountable for everything I’ve thought, said, and done. Even though I have repented and continue to do so, I will still have to give an answer for my life. I am marking this day, this moment. Today I build an altar, just like the Israelites did, to remember what You have done. You have reminded me; I have to consider what You teach me and what You require of me at all times. The consideration I give should change the way I do things, the choices I make, and the way I live. Today, I am making a spiritual note. I will ask myself if I would be proud to talk about my choices. I love You. I’m grateful You called me to this moment and encouraged me to take this opportunity to spend time meditating on this truth before I stood before You. I will continue to take the time. I can’t undo the past, however, I can certainly live for a better today and the best tomorrow I can imagine…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Proverbs 2:2
2026-08-14
Proverbs 2:2 So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding. (KJV)
Are you seeking wisdom?
If yuu are seeking wisdom, you have to know where to look. What is wisdom? How do you become wise?
The Webster Dictionary definition states:
Ability to discern inner qualities and relationships, insight, good sense, judgment, generally accepted belief.
The Bible Dictionary definition states:
The right use or exercise of knowledge; the choice of laudable ends, and of the best means to accomplish them. It is the faculty of discerning or judging what is just, proper and useful. It is the knowledge and use of what is best, most just, most proper, most conducive to prosperity or happiness.
The biblical concept of wisdom differs greatly from the secular view of wisdom. Biblical wisdom is a spiritual/moral rather than an intellectual quality. There are those who believe wisdom comes with age. Have you ever heard the term “old fool”? You don’t become wise simply by living, going to school, etc. Solomon knew he needed wisdom. He asked, and God supernaturally endowed him with it. If you want wisdom, you must ask God for it. You have to humble yourself, before God, in reverence and worship, and be obedient to His commands. The true sign of wisdom is when you understand you don’t have the answers and you want them from the only One who does.
James 1:5 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (NASV)
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I really don’t know all the answers. Sometimes it’s hard for me to admit that because I study, I read, I research, and I often think I can figure things out. I repent for the messes I made relying on my intellect. There are more of them than I can count. Thank You for delivering me from me. Thank You for revelation. I don’t have enough information to draw every spiritual conclusion. Without You, I will never have enough information. I’m grateful You loved me into the place where I trust You and You alone. Those words seem strange to say, but if I trusted You, I wouldn’t have tried to work it out on my own. I should have been there all along. I repent for stepping out of my lane. I know it’s okay for me to study things, look things up and try to determine what makes sense. You created me that way. At the end of the day, I want is what is right. Only You have that answer. Thank You for showing me the truth. Thank You for making the truth available to me…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Romans 2:7
2026-08-15
Romans 2:7 The quest of mankind is to be constant in that which is good, glorious and honorable and of imperishable value. We are eager to pursue the original blueprint-life of the ages. (TMB)
What are you pursuing?
Because you love God, you want to know what His will is for your life. Because you are human, you think being chosen for a great job, having a notable achievement in our life, or enjoying amazing relationships are an indication of His will. Therefore, you run after those things. Though you may not realize it, you may be walking outside of God’s plan. Why? Because you think you are pursuing God as you strive to accomplish those things. However, you may not be. When you believe you are fulfilling God’s purpose for you, you alter your life, your plans, and your goals. You will give up people, places you want to go, and things you want to have. You make different choices.
Matthew 19:29 For anyone who has left behind their home and property, leaving family—brothers or sisters, mothers or fathers, or children—for my sake, they will be repaid a hundred times over and will inherit eternal life. (TPT)
Here are some things to consider. Is the job still great if you have to compromise the standards God set for your life? Why was the achievement notable? Was God glorified? Are the relationships amazing because of what they bring to your life/status or because of how God shines in them? If what you believe is God’s plan, really is His plan, you will know it. Your spirit will bear witness to it.
Proverbs 10:22 The blessing of the Lord—it makes [truly] rich, and He adds no sorrow with it [neither does toiling increase it]. (AMPC)
What if you missed God? What if it was not His plan? What is it was a good idea, just not God’s idea? When you’re wrong, every alteration you make will take you on a skewed path where you stumble and bang yourself as you go along, creating scars. When you realize you made a mistake. God will draw you back. You will realize it you have made a mistake. How? Because you will spend so much time in prayer, talking with the Father about what is going on, shedding tears, and asking Him to heal the scars. During one of those prayer sessions, you will get a revelation.
You don’t need to be made over. The first model was perfect. You just need Him to do a couple of things: put you back on the path at the point you shifted, remind you of the way He originally planned for things to be, and help you reap the harvest created by the changes you made when you interfered. You need to be delivered from yourself. Then you will walk out your life waiting for God to fulfill His design.
1 Peter 5:10 And then, after your brief suffering, the God of all loving grace, who has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ, will personally and powerfully restore you and make you stronger than ever. Yes, he will set you firmly in place and build you up. (TPT)
When God has restored you, you will choose to pursue being transformed into the likeness of Christ above all other pursuits. Just stay in the presence of God, seeking, worshipping, loving, and praying. God will orchestrate your life. What He purposed is already done.
Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (KJV)
You don’t have to figure it out. You don’t have to work it out. All you have to do is walk it out.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I have learned so many things about myself in the time I spend in Your presence. One of them was, often my pursuit of You was actually my pursuit of my idea of Your purpose for me. I made countless changes in order to accommodate what I thought was Your will for my life. I got myself into a lot of uncomfortable situations. Not because I was disobeying You, I just missed You. I thought it was the right thing to do at the time. I planted seeds during those times and I know I have to reap the harvest, and some of those changes caused very deep scars. I am sorry I missed You. Thank You for bringing me back to You. Now, if there is anything I want to know, I will simply ask You, and wait. As I pray and study, You speak and bring clarity. I thank You because, one by one, You are exposing my errors and the alterations I made. You are helping me learn from the harvest of the seeds I planted. You are showing me I was pulling away from You with every change, as opposed to drawing closer to You. Thank You for continuing to undo the alterations I made, for healing the scars, making harvest time less unpleasant, and most importantly, for bringing me back to Your design. It lifts me to another place in You to know there is nothing I can do to create irreparable damage. Though I over think and jump ahead sometimes, thank You for making me the way I am. You are God, my healer. Because I am me, I’m making fewer and fewer changes pursuing ideas that take me off Your designed path. I’m waiting for You…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Corinthians 9:24
2026-08-16
1 Corinthians 9:24 An athlete runs a race to win; his aim is to receive the prize not just to compete! This why I preach, to persuade you and not just to entertain you! (TMB)
Is your goal to win the race?
Have you ever heard the saying, “It’s not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game”? Does the one who lost really believe that? Good sportsmanship dictates yes, however, no one is happy when they lose. That statement is normally used to provide some encouragement. The desire is whoever lost, to feel better, to continue to play, and to step up for the next competition. The competitor could be a team, the leader, a child, a department, a co-worker, etc.
As a believer, you won’t ever hear that statement because you will win. You will always be victorious because of your faith and how you live. You want the prize. As you live for Christ, you will make sacrifices to win. There will be times when you will want to give up. However, the reason you keep pressing on is to win.
Philippians 3:14 I am sprinting toward the only goal that counts: to cross the line, to win the prize, and to hear God’s call to resurrection life found exclusively in Jesus the Anointed. (TVT)
Winning means you fight to the end.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (NKJV)
How you play the game will dictate what you win.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I am in this race to win You. I want to live my life every day in a way that shows You my desire to win You. Your word says “a tree is known by the fruit it bears.” I want the fruit I bear throughout my life to say I want to be with Christ in the end. Not winning is not an option. You are my prize. I know what second place is; it won’t do for me. I commit my life to loving You, serving You, trusting You, believing in Your word, meditating on Your word, and worshiping You. You are my reward…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Peter 1: 5
2026-08-17
2 Peter 1: 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; (NIV)
Have you added knowledge?
Whenever the subject of faith comes up, this is the definition given:
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (KJV)
In order to add to your faith, you must first understand, from a practical standpoint, what faith is. You have to study it fully. With a God inspired revelation or rhema understanding of faith, you can live your life on what God provides and accept His divine plan. In order to be saved, you received a measure of faith.
Ephesians 2:8a For by grace you have been saved through faith. (NKJV)
Your faith is like a muscle. You developed and increased your measure of faith by studying the word and receiving revelation, by being a student of the Holy Spirit, by spending time in prayer, and by believing God, when everything from the natural said, give up. You added knowledge to your faith. If you follow this path, your faith in God is no longer based on what you read and what you heard; you now based it on what you know from experience.
Romans 5:3-4 We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, 4 endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. (GNT)
Another interesting thing happens in this process. Because you have added knowledge, you start to do what pleases the Lord because you know it pleases Him (moral excellence). You make the godly choice instead of the fleshly one. With each correct choice you make, you add more knowledge.
The knowledge God desires for us to have has a wider sweep than our English word “know, “ including perceiving, learning, understanding, willing, performing, and experiencing. To know is not to be intellectually informed about some abstract principle, but to apprehend and experience reality. Knowledge is not the possession of information, but rather its exercise or actualization.
You will come to know what the phrase “of things hoped for,” in Hebrews 11:1, really refers to; it is not houses, cars, money, position, fame, fortune, stuff, and things. It is an eternity with the Lord. If you stay on the path, your faith will grow and you will add to your faith, moral excellence and to your moral excellence, knowledge. You will continue to add knowledge because you are learning what the Lord wants you to do and you are doing it. You are choosing Him instead of you. You are pleasing Him instead of you.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, thank You for faith. I repent for basing my faith on what I wanted and what I saw You do for me. I am sorry You were not first in my desires. Thank You for spending time with me. Thank You for the Holy Spirit, who teaches me to add knowledge to my faith. Today I base my faith on my hope to be with You in glory. Exercising my faith has changed me. I make my actions and my choices with You in mind. I know You better and I want to continue to increase my knowledge of You every day. I spent a lot of years believing You for my health, my children, my husband, success at my chosen endeavor, etc. I still want those things, and I believe You want those things too. However, I know I have to seek You first and allow You to determine if, when, and how I will get them. I hope for continued transformation in my life to be more like You. I hope for the return of Jesus Christ. I hope to be with You in glory…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Proverbs 14:6
2026-08-18
Proverbs 14:6 A scoffer seeks Wisdom in vain [for his very attitude blinds and deafens him to it], but knowledge is easy to him who [being teachable] understands. (AMP)
Are you teachable?
What does it mean to be teachable? In school, teachers give tests to determine a student’s aptitude. The aptitude tests indicate a student’s natural ability to do. However, the test cannot determine what a student will actually do. Yes, the capacity to learn is available to everyone. Having the capacity to learn and actually learning are two entirely different things.
As you are learning to do the will of the Father, there will be times when the information provided will not be what you want to hear. If you are teachable, you will accept it, even though it might be painful to hear. If you are not teachable, here are some reasons:
You don’t understand.
Matthew 13:19a While anyone is hearing the Word of the kingdom and does not grasp and comprehend it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. (AMPC)
You are a babe, not grounded in your relationship with Christ and your faith.
Matthew 13:20b-21 This is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy; 21 Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away. (AMPC)
What you want is your focus and motivation, not what the Lord wants for you.
Matthew 13:22b This is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit. (AMPC)
You have rationalized your actions so much you don’t see what God sees about you.
James 1:22-24 But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth]. 23 For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror; 24 For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like. (AMPC)
It could be the Truth confronts your personal image, and the pain is more than you want to bear.
Matthew 19:22 But when the young man heard this, he left grieving and distressed, for he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God]. (AMP)
It could be you don’t want to receive from the one who is speaking.
Proverbs 5:12 And then finally you’ll admit that you were wrong and say, “If only I had listened to wisdom’s voice and not stubbornly demanded my own way, because my heart hated to be told what to do!” (TPT)
Whether these are your reasons, or you have different ones, you don’t want to walk into danger simply because you don’t want to acknowledge or accept the truth. You have to make the choice. You don’t just want spiritual aptitude. You want to take your capacity to learn and submit yourself to instruction. However the Lord designs it. Then you will show, by your actions, you have filled your capacity with knowledge.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I desire to be teachable. I know there have been times when I was not. I repent for allowing what I think is right to stop me from hearing, with an open heart and mind, as You speak. I understand, if I am listening, You can speak to me: in my prayer time, in my study time, as I listen to a sermon, through the words of a song, as I watch a scene or listen to the dialogue in a movie, in conversations with those I respect, even in conversations that seem meaningless, etc. If my heart is open, our connection is solid, and I am sensitive to Your voice, I will hear You. You are always speaking to me and You will use any method You choose. Help me hear You when it doesn’t feel good; when it interferes with what I have determined to be my plan; when it goes against everything I thought was true, and especially when it exposes ugliness in my heart. Help me, Father. Not only do I want to hear You, I also need to submit to what You say and obey…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Peter 1: 9
2026-08-19
2 Peter 1: 9 If anyone feels that these things are absent in his life, they are not; spiritual blindness and short-sightedness only veil them from you. This happens when one loses sight of one’s innocence. (TMB)
Is it fruit bearing season for you?
There are qualities given to you when you get saved, called the Fruit of the Spirit.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. (AMP)
There may be times when you feel you don’t have the fruit God gave to all believers. You may even act like you don’t. That can be tough, especially when someone has come to you to pick a piece of your fruit. They may be in a time of desperation. As a child of God, you should be able to provide what they need. Could it be life, and all it brings, has caused you not to show those characteristics. Have there been times in your life when your fruit was rotten. When unbelief, doubt, bitterness, fear, selfishness, and pride put a barricade around your tree that looks like this?

In those times, let your mind take you back to the moment when Jesus saved you.
Psalms 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (KJV)
Remember what you felt. Remember how your only thought was to tell someone so you could give them what you received. The devil has a way of throwing darts that disorient you. His darts make your question if you have the fruit of the Spirit. His darts make you forget your salvation moment and focus on whatever situation is going on. However, if you are rooted, the Holy Spirit can nudge you.
John 14:26 But the Holy Spirit, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you. (AMP, edited)
The devil will always go too far. It is his nature. It is what got him kicked out of heaven. He keeps pushing and pushing until he brings you to your knees. That is where you need to be, in the presence of the Father. There, you will remember all the Lord has done for you.
Jeremiah 29:12-13 Then you will call on Me and you will come and pray to Me, and I will hear [your voice] and I will listen to you. 13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (AMP)
The tears will flow as you think about what Jesus did and what you have been doing. You confess, God forgives you, strengthens you, and cleanses you (1 John 1:9). The miracle of God’s work in you is just as true in that moment as it was the moment God saved you. The fruit of the Spirit was always there; you are back in the place where it is evident. God uses times of pressure to cultivate and develop His fruit in your life. Your goal is to have fruit available no matter what is going on in your life.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I thank You for our relationship. Because of Your love for me, You allow the enemy to push me to the place where I cry out to for renewal and strengthening. I repent for wanting to sidestep those moments. I want to be in Your presence and that is what You want for me as well. The truth is, I need to be in Your presence. When the enemy tries to make me feel as if I’m not saved, I am affirmed in Your presence and I rest in Your arms. Salvation is not a feeling, it’s the truth. I am glad I do not base the truth of my salvation on my attitude on any given day or on my response in one particular situation. I am saved because I believe Jesus Christ in Your son and my Lord. I believe they crucified Him and buried Him. I believed You resurrected Him on the third day. There’s nothing the devil can do to change that. I stand on Your truth when I’m up and acting correctly and when I’m down and acting questionably. Thank You for saving me and giving me the fruit of Your Spirit. I can live like You desire for me to live…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Matthew 7:24
2026-08-20
Matthew 7:24 Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. (KJV)
Is your foundation firm?
How are skyscrapers able to stand? I had to do some research on their structures and their foundations. I learned after construction is complete, a building will always move. It can sink, rise, slide, or a combination of these motions. Foundations ensure a building can safely resist all actions they are likely to face during their service life, while remaining fit for use. Foundations anchor the building. The taller the building, the deeper the foundation needs to be structured.
Like a building, you need a firm foundation.
Luke 6:47-48 For everyone who comes to Me and listens to My words [in order to heed their teaching] and does (obeys) them, I will show you what he is like: 48 He is like a like a [far-sighted, practical, and sensible] man building a house, who dug and went down deep and laid a foundation upon the rock; and when a flood arose, the torrent broke against that house and could not shake or move it, because it had been securely built or founded on a rock. (AMPC, edited)
Your foundation has to be built on and sustained by faith. You will have trials, tribulations, tests, and challenges. You will feel you are sinking and sliding, as if you are on a roller coaster, up one day and down the next. You don’t have to concern yourself with whether the enemy orchestrated them, or where they came from; God allows them all. You are being tested and settled. You have to know if you will be still be standing after the storm.
James 1:2-4 My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! 3 For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. 4 And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking. (TPT)
No matter what you face, when your foundation is firm, because you built it on the word, you will stand. You will be safe, victorious and remain on the battlefield, ready to complete your assignment, fit for use.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father God, You are my foundation. My ability to continue to stand is because of You. Sometimes the blows are continuous, and they are heavy. Sometimes I am left reeling, and I can barely believe what’s happening. I repent for acting like I would not weather the storm. As if You had not prepared me and would not be there with me. Thank You for reminding me, it’s only a test. The reason I will still be fit for Your use is because I am Your child, and I know I stand on faith. My foundation is based on Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. My foundation is tested by my storms. My foundation is strengthened by my belief in Your love for me. My foundation is rock solid. Come what may, I will stand. Not because of me, my personal fortitude won’t get it done. It is because of You. You stand up inside me. Yours are the footprints in the sand…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Proverbs 2:5
2026-08-21
Proverbs 2:5 Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. (NLT)
Do you want to know God more?
Have you ever said, “Lord, I want to know You”?
Psalm 103:7 He made known His ways [of righteousness and justice] to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. (AMP)
What made Moses different? Why did God show Moses His ways? Why were the children of Israel only privy to His acts? Moses’ initial meeting with the Lord established a relationship of reverential fear.
Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. (KJV)
Because of their relationship, Moses learned the why of God, not just the what. The difference between Moses and the children of Israel was his reverence and desire for God.
Exodus 33:13a Now therefore, I pray you, if I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways so that I may know You [becoming more deeply and intimately acquainted with You, recognizing and understanding Your ways more clearly] and that I may find grace and favor in Your sight. (AMP)
God does not want you to fear Him in a phobic or scary sense. He wants reverence, where you recognize His power and authority and give Him the worship and respect, He is due. He wants you to recognize a relationship with Him and knowledge of Him will cost you. Is this your heart’s cry?
Philippians 3:10 [For my determined purpose is] that I may know Him [that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His Person more strongly and more clearly], and that I may in that same way come to know the power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers], and that I may so share His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in the hope] (AMP)
Is your relationship, with the Lord, one where you know when and how God has moved? Is your communion close enough for you to see His hands at work? Are God’s friend? Draw closer and the answer you give to all these questions will be yes.
John 15:15 I do not call you servants (slaves) any longer, for the servant does not know what his master is doing (working out). But I have called you My friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from My Father. [I have revealed to you everything that I have learned from Him.] (AMPC)
You want to draw closer to the Father to understand what He requires of you. You want to draw closer to the Father because you will need Him to help you obey Him. In drawing closer, you will fulfill your desire to know Him more.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father God, I want to know You more than anything. I know sometimes I don’t act like it and I repent right now. I understand You require reverential awe, not fear. I don’t want to obey You because I am afraid of what You might do to me. I want to obey because I honor You and I love You. I could not begin to know You until I recognized the magnitude of who You are. When I did, there was only one thing left for me to do; I bowed. I bowed then and I continue to bow now. I bow because I am humbled before You. I bow because I am unworthy and yet You allow me in Your presence. I bow to show You the admiration and honor You are due. You created me to worship You; I do so willingly and with my whole heart. You are the Almighty God, there are none like You. My understanding of who You are allows You to share more of Yourself with me. I can see in my mind, Moses standing in the cleft of the rock as You passed by. You allowed him into a place with You no man had been before. I know You are not a respecter of persons. I can know You like that…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Peter 1:8
2026-08-22
2 Peter 1:8 For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. (AMP)
Are you allowing God to be your gardener?
When God saved you, He gave you everything you needed to live the life He ordained for you to live.
2 Peter 1:3 Everything we could ever need for life and godliness has already been deposited in us by his divine power. For all this was lavished upon us through the rich experience of knowing him who has called us by name and invited us to come to him through a glorious manifestation of his goodness. (TPT)
You are the planting of the Lord. He is your husbandman.
Isaiah 61:3b So they will be called the trees of righteousness [strong and magnificent, distinguished for integrity, justice, and right standing with God], The planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified. (AMP)
John 15:1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (KJV)
It is your job to allow God to cultivate you, and the fruit He gave you will blossom. There are steps to cultivating plants. God can use those same steps for you as well, if you submit to Him.

Plants need sunshine/sunlight to grow. They use light as energy for making food.

You need the light of God’s word to shine on you. The word is nourishment, and it shows you what pleases Him and what does not.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (KJV)

Plants need healthy soil. It is extremely vital. It provides an anchor and helps support the plants’ roots.

God’s love is the soil where you need to be planted. Then you will pull from the nutrients in the life-giving flow and get the support you need for every aspect of your life.
Ephesians 3:16b-17a Fill their souls with the power of Your Spirit 17 so that through faith the Anointed One will reside in their hearts. May love be the rich soil where their lives take root. May it be the bedrock where their lives are founded. (TVT)

Plants need fertilizer which also provides plants with nutrients to help them grow.

You need to be rooted and grounded in the word. The word is not only your nourishment; it is also your fertilizer. You need it to strengthen you and help you grow strong.
1 Peter 2:2 In the same way that nursing infants cry for milk, you must intensely crave the pure spiritual milk of God’s Word. For this “milk” will cause you to grow into maturity, fully nourished and strong for life. (TPT)

Plants need space. Overcrowding increases the risk of pest infestations and diseases. Without enough room, plants can grow slower and/or they do not grow to their normal size.

You need to have space, time away from everyone else, to be alone with the Lord. In His presence, you will learn to trust Him. The more time you spend with Him, the more confidence you will have in Him. Then you will not need those who are so close around you to validate you. Nor will you allow them to restrict your growth and kill your dreams.
Matthew 14:23 After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was there alone. (AMP)

Plants need water to survive. It is used to carry moisture and nutrients back and forth between the roots and leaves. Without it, the plant will die.

What is your water? It is the rain. Also called the trials and tribulations that come into your life. God uses rain in two ways. One way is to punish, correct, and teach you. The other way is to bless you. He uses the same trials and tribulations in both ways. You use what you experienced to bless others. Your tests produce a testimony to the favor and protection of God. They also increase your faith in God. Without rain, you will not be strengthened, and your faith will die.
Deuteronomy 11:17 And the Lord’s anger be kindled against you, and He shut up the heavens so that there will be no rain and the land will not yield its fruit, and you perish quickly off the good land which the Lord gives you. (AMPC)
Leviticus 26:4 I will grant you plenty of rain in the seasons when you need it, and your land will produce abundant crops and your trees will be filled with fruit. (TVT)

Plants need time; they do not grow overnight. It takes some more than time than others; therefore, it also takes patience to grow plants.

You need to wait on the Lord. Allow Him the time He needs to prepare you for the task He created you to do. Remember, it takes some plants longer than others. It might seem as if you have been waiting too long. Don’t fall into the comparison trap. When you get that attitude, the enemy has an open door to torment you. He will whisper in your ear and tell you God loves this one and that one more than He loves you. That is why they have received their blessing and you have not. He will try to make you think there is something wrong with you. Ultimately, he will try to convince you, you will never receive what God promised. The same tests and trials that watered you will also create a plant that’s ready to be harvested in God’s time.
James 1:4 But let endurance and steadfastness and patience have full play and do a thorough work, so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects], lacking in nothing.

Plants need to be harvested as soon as they are ready. If not, the crop dies.

God knows when you are ready to fulfill what He ordained for you to do. You don’t get to determine if you are the one; ask Gideon (Judges 6:14-23). You don’t get to determine your assignment; ask Moses (Exodus 3:11-15). You don’t get to choose who he will send you to; ask Jonah (Jonah 1-3). Most importantly, you don’t get to decide you will not speak at all.
Jeremiah 20:9 If I say, I will not make mention of [the Lord] or speak any more in His name, in my mind and heart it is as if there were a burning fire shut up in my bones. And I am weary of enduring and holding it in; I cannot [contain it any longer]. (AMPC)
According to His plan, when the time comes, God will harvest you, affirm you, assign you, and your gift will make room for you.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I am Your planting. I am grateful. I repent for the times I thought I was ready, and I really wasn’t. Thank You for holding me until You were ready. I repent for thinking I knew what You called me to do. I repent for deciding I wasn’t the one for the task You picked for me and then trying to pick my assignment. I repent for thinking I could choose where I would go. I realize now, all of those wrong ideas amounted to me deciding I would not speak at all. Thank You for shining Your light on me and showing me what was in my heart. Thank You for keeping me and forgiving me. Now I live my life like the sunflower. I turn to greet Your light and it allows me to examine myself. I bask in the word. Without it, I diminish my ability to flourish. Thank You for calling me away to be alone with You and away from all the people speaking to me. I appreciate the rain because it makes me appreciate the sunshine much more. It used to be difficult because I thought I knew. It is not difficult anymore because I accept You know what’s best. Not only am I Your plant, I also allow You to be my Gardner and I wait for You…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

James 3:13
2026-08-23
James 3:13 Humility advertises wisdom; it shows in the quality of your conversation and actions. This distinguishes you with the reputation of someone who is acquainted with wisdom and skilled in understanding. (TMB)
Is wisdom evident in your life?
As you live your life, you don’t have to tell someone you are kind or caring or considerate; they recognize it when they deal with you. The wisdom, God gives, will also be evident in your life, as you gain it. Wisdom allows you to see things as God sees them. If you are willing to look through God’s eyes, your life and the way you live it will change. How and why? Because your choices will change, which will directly affect your life.
You will no longer desire what you think is best, you will want what God says is best.
Luke 9:23 And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also]. (AMPC)
Your responses to circumstances and situations will change.
1 Peter 3:9 Never retaliate when someone treats you wrongly, nor insult those who insult you, but instead, respond by speaking a blessing over them—because a blessing is what God promised to give you. (TPT)
Wisdom gives you a godly response to those things that used to make you angry.
Ephesians 4:26 When angry, do not sin; do not ever let your wrath (your exasperation, your fury or indignation) last until the sun goes down. (AMPC)
Wisdom eliminates your need to retaliate.
Romans 12:19 Beloved, don’t be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous justice. For the Scriptures say: “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay,” says the Lord. (TPT)
Wisdom speaks to you when you feel sad, discouraged, depressed, etc.
Psalm 42:11 Why are you down in the dumps, dear soul? Why are you sad and crying the blues? Fix my eyes on God—soon I’ll be praising again. He puts a smile on my face. He’s my God. (MSG, edited)
As your responses and your choices continue to change, your thoughts will change.
Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: (KJV)
You learned fundamentals of wisdom on August 14; take a moment and read it again. Godly Wisdom will change what you think about, give you understanding and be apparent in your life.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I want Your wisdom. Your wisdom demands I choose You above me. Your wisdom requires me to love others as You love them. Your wisdom helps me to see others as You see them. Your wisdom helps me discern right from wrong. Your wisdom changes my thinking, and I will become what I think about. When what I think about changes, my actions change as well. Thank You for making this clear to me. Please do what needs to be done in me. I want Your wisdom to be evident in my life…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Corinthians 9: 25
2026-08-24
1 Corinthians 9: 25 The athlete knows how to draw from focused inner strength in order to win the crown; for them all their effort translates into a mere moment celebrated by a fading wreath of honor. For us to win your faith is of imperishable value! (TMB)
Who has chosen you?
In group structures, no matter the size, there are the chosen ones. It is simply a function of interpersonal dynamics and human behavior. More often than not, performance and ability are not the primary reasons for the choices made; the one doing the choosing also uses likeability, politics, the goal for the group, etc. Often, no matter how hard you work, it won’t be you. Sadly, you have no control over the matter.
There should be a difference when laboring in the kingdom. Even if there isn’t, there is a difference when you realize you are working for the Lord. You don’t have to work for Him to choose you. It does not matter what you have done, what you are doing, or what you have planned to do. It does not matter if you have skills or not, or if you are the smartest one or not. It does not matter if you are male or female. You don’t have to worry about being chosen.
Jeremiah 1:4-5 Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you [and approved of you as My chosen instrument], And before you were born I consecrated you [to Myself as My own]; I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.” (AMP)
Being chosen is only the beginning. God has given you promises and gifts as well. You can access the promises and be effective in using the gifts if you spend time with the Lord in prayer, study, meditation, and worship.
Proverbs 18:16 A man’s gift [given in love or courtesy] makes room for him And brings him before great men. (AMP)
Don’t spend the time with the Lord, so men/women of influence in the secular world will choose you as well. Don’t make your goal the high esteem of those in the spiritual arena that you respect. Neither of these will last forever. You will grow old and be forgotten. They will grow old, and their opinion will not matter as much. There is always someone else who will come along and be chosen instead of you. Spend time with the Lord because that is why He chose you.
Ephesians 1:4-5 God chose us to be in a relationship with Him even before He laid out plans for this world; He wanted us to live holy lives characterized by love, free from sin, and blameless before Him. 5 He destined us to be adopted as His children through the covenant Jesus the Anointed inaugurated in His sacrificial life. This was His pleasure and His will for us. (TVT)
Spend the time with the Lord because you want to hear “Well done, My good and faithful servant, you have gained My rest (Matthew 25:23).” Here are some more wonderful things to know. In the Kingdom, you will grow old and there will always be someone else. However, He will not forget you and He will not replace you. God wants as many as will come. He wants everyone to know Him. However, He will always choose you, because when He chooses you, it lasts forever.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, thank You for choosing me and welcoming me into Your Kingdom. It’s a wonderful feeling. I learned not to care so much about being accepted by the organizations I was a part of or by my jobs. I ran to the church for acceptance. I should have been running to You. I repent for allowing negative experiences, in the body of Christ, to affect my joy. Sometimes the “organized church” can be politically driven and influenced by individual desires and under the table interactions. I also repent for any part I played. Thank You for transforming my mind. I am so grateful self-serving behavior is not acceptable in Your Kingdom. In the world, they say, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” In Your Kingdom it’s both. Every Christian knows You, that’s not an individual advantage. I have to decide if I want to be fit for Your use. Being in Your presence, studying Your word, and laying aside every weight and sin are the things I can choose to do. I will do them. I want to hear You say, “Well done, Pam. You have been a good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things; I will make You ruler over many things. You may enter into My joy.”…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Proverbs 2:4
2026-08-25
Proverbs 2:4 If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; (KJV)
Are you in search of wisdom?
There is a character in the movies named Indiana Jones. Though he had a PhD in archaeology and anthropology; he really was a treasure hunter. Nothing would stop him from finding the priceless artifact he was in search of. It did not matter if it might have cost him his life. If you have never seen Raiders of the Lost Ark, you may not be able to relate. There are also people in the Bible called the Bereans:
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (KJV)
Your search for wisdom has to be just as passionate.
Job 28:20-23 “So where does Wisdom come from? And where does Insight live? It can’t be found by looking, no matter how deep you dig, no matter how high you fly. If you search through the graveyard and question the dead, they say, ‘We’ve only heard rumors of it.’23 God alone knows the way to Wisdom, he knows the exact place to find it.” (MSG)
Your love for God should drive your search.
Jeremiah 29:13 Then [with a deep longing] you will seek Me and require Me [as a vital necessity] and [you will] find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (AMP)
His love for you will hold you up, will keep you focused, and will bring hope when the search seems hopeless. What you will find is the Father is wisdom. He is the hidden treasure that will only be revealed to those who are diligent in their search.
Hebrews 11:6 Whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him. (AMP)
The search for wisdom is worth your life because your life is worthless without it.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I am in search of wisdom. Nothing will stop me. I understand I cannot easily obtain it. I am sorry I thought I could go to bed without it and wake up with it. There was more I had to do in addition to asking You for it. I repent for not pursuing it; thinking growing old is all I needed to do to have it. You have taught me I must search and keep searching. Thank You. I know my search requires sacrifice on my part. It requires my life and I give it to You. In return, I get You, the wisdom I need to live my life pleasing You, and so much more. There is a joy that wells up inside of me because of this truth. There is a peace I get as I worship You that enlightens my understanding. You are the wisdom I seek. I love You…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Luke 7:30
2026-08-26
Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. (KJV)
Are you living in fact or truth?
Sometimes you get a report from those who are the experts in the field, whatever the field may be, and it is not good. The combined knowledge of the intellectuals, doctors, scientists, contractors, and pathologists says what they believe are the facts. They encourage you to accept their conclusions. Interestingly enough, they are not willing to entertain your input if it does not line up with their conclusions. You must distinguish “the truth” from “the facts.” A fact is a reality that you cannot logically dispute or reject. Fire is hot. It doesn’t matter how great your reasoning skills are, under natural circumstances, if you touch fire, your skin will burn. Thank God for the supernatural.
1 John 5:7-9a So there are three witnesses in heaven: the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and these three are One; 8 and there are three witnesses on the earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree [are in unison; their testimony coincides]. 9 If we accept [as we do] the testimony of men [if we are willing to take human authority], the testimony of God is greater (of stronger authority). (AMPC)
Read the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego for a deeper understanding of the powerful difference between facts and truth. You can find it in Daniel 3:19-25. The fact is the fire was so hot it burned the soldiers taking them to the fire.
Daniel 3:22 Therefore because the king’s commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. (KJV)
However, “the Truth” stepped in and the fire did not burn them.
Daniel 3:24-25 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king. 25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God. (KJV)
Though you sometimes have to deal with those who don’t know or follow the Lord, don’t allow their intellect to cause you to waiver; don’t allow their titles to influence you; and don’t let their fame impress you. If you know “the Truth,” nothing else will matter.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I repent because I used to live my life based on facts and I missed the opportunity to praise You. Because of “The Truth”, I believe You have the final say no matter what happens. I know not only do natural laws apply to me, supernatural laws apply to me as well. You govern them both. I thank You for choosing to intervene supernaturally when it lines up with Your plan. My faith in You is not something I can rationally explain. There are no intellectual conversations that can give credence to why my faith exists. I have faith because of the hope You give me, because of what I have experienced with You, and because You are faithful. I’m grateful I don’t have to prove why I believe what I believe. I simply know it and that’s good enough for me…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Peter 1: 6
2026-08-27
2 Peter 1: 6 Here you will realize your inner strength and how fully competent you are to prevail in patient perseverance in the midst of any contradiction. It is from within this place of enlightened perspective that meaningful devotion and worship ignite! (TMB)
Are you progressing on your path to godliness?
There is a progression to develop the fruit of the spirit in your life. If you read 2 Peter 1:5-11, you will see the complete path.

God gave you a measure of faith that you needed for salvation. He then instructed you to grow your faith through prayer and obedience. If you do what He instructs, you will gain knowledge.

2 Peter 1:5 For this very reason, applying your diligence [to the divine promises, make every effort] in [exercising] your faith to, develop moral excellence, and in moral excellence, knowledge (insight, understanding). (AMP)

Permit God to temper your knowledge and you won’t put debilitating pressure on yourself or others. Allow God to be God in your life. When you are under control, you wait for the Lord. You don’t run ahead. You also stay the course. You hold on, and you are strong.

2 Peter 1: 6 And in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, steadfastness, and in your steadfastness, godliness. (AMP)

Temperance leads to patience. There may be days when you fill like you can’t get it right. You may even feel discouraged. Don’t. Whom He loves He chastises. The Lord is working a greater weight of glory in your life. When you learn to be patient with yourself, you will also be patient with others.

2 Peter 1: 7 and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. (AMP)

If you patiently submit to God and resist the devil, God will transform you into His image, godliness will be seen in you.

2 Peter 1: 8 For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. (AMP)
Take the time to read and study the entire passage. Get excited about the treasure that is in your earthen vessel.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I want to progress in You. I have accepted Your love, Your salvation, and a measure of faith. I want my faith to be stronger. You want me to increase my faith as well. You give me opportunities to become stronger in You, every day. I repent for not taking advantage of them all. Often, I caused myself to falter because my faith isn’t stronger. With lovingkindness, You compelled me to come. You continue to love me in the midst of my stumbles. Thank You for Your patience. Thank You for showing me the same patience You extend to me; I have to extend to myself and to others. Thank You for developing “love” in me. I’ve read about agape love, talked about it and taught on it. I am so much closer than I have ever been. I thank You for not giving up on me. I know the work You began in me; You will finish…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

James 3:17
2026-08-28
James 3:17 The wisdom that originates from above sets the pace in innocence; it loves peace; it is always appropriate (polite); persuaded about that which is good; filled with compassion; these fruits are pure goodness and without discrimination. (TMB)
Are you being bullied or are you a bully?
Bullying is the use of force, threat, or coercion to abuse, intimidate, or aggressively dominate others. You may have encountered a bully in the world. Sadly, bullying happens. You need to know if you have ever been or if you are now the victim of a spiritual bully. This person can be anyone, whether they have a place of authority over your life or not. You expect for men and women of God to treat you with the love of God. Sometimes that is not the case.
Here are some natural indications you might be the victim of bullying:

You experience physical symptoms when it is time to be in this person’s presence.
You have changed your personality to accommodate this person.
You have continual feelings of hurt and anguish when you think about this person.
You have lost closeness with your friends/family because of your preoccupation with this person.
Your relationship with this person has produced feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem.

In addition to the natural indications, there are also some spiritual indications you might be the victim of bullying:

This person publicly confronts you without ever having a private conversation (Matthew 18:15).
This person demands your money, time, etc. without reference to you praying for guidance on giving (2 Corinthians 9:7).
This person treats you like a personal indentured slave instead of a servant of God (1 Thessalonians 2:6).
This person controls everything you do (1 Peter 5:3).
You have exchanged your desire to hear God and replaced it with the desire to hear/please this person (Exodus 20:19).

What do you do in this situation? The same thing you should do in all situations. Go to God. Ask Him to speak to you. Ask Him to help you determine if this is you, why this is happening, and what is causing it.
Philippians 4:6-7 Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, 7 then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ. (TPT)
2 Samuel 21:1 Now there was a famine in the days of David for three years, year after year; and David inquired of the Lord. And the Lord answered, “It is because of Saul and his bloodthirsty house, because he killed the Gibeonites.” (NKJV)
Keep in mind, you don’t wrestle against flesh and blood. Allow God to show you and heal you. Then you will not respond inappropriately.
Proverbs 3:5-7 Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. 6 Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go. 7 Don’t think for a moment that you know it all, for wisdom comes when you adore him with undivided devotion and avoid everything that’s wrong. (TPT)
There is one more assessment that you have to make. If you are not sure based on the information already provided, here are some signs that you are a bully. You may dismiss these signs or justify your actions if you assess yourself. However, please think about how many times someone else has brought them to your attention.

You repeatedly upset specific people who interact with you.
You have a lack of empathy.
You can get aggressive, i.e., openly shouting, threatening or humiliating someone in front of others.
You are passive aggressive, veiling your negativity behind fake kindness. “Oh, you are doing it that way, that is so brave”.
You thrive around insecure people, making yourself feel better by evoking discomfort or insecurity in others.
You spread malicious rumors.
You misuse your power or position.

Remember, those who love God treat others with the love of God, including you.
John 13:34 So I give you a new command: Love each other deeply and fully. Remember the ways that I have loved you, and demonstrate your love for others in those same ways. (TVT)
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, today my heart was heavy. Tears came to my eyes more than they usually do as You are writing this devotional through me. I know what it feels like to be bullied. Now, my heart rejoices because I walk in Your deliverance. Thank You for showing me what was wrong. Please forgive me because I know I responded incorrectly, more than once. I repent for not asking You, gaining understanding, listening to You, and allowing You to change me sooner. As I ask You for forgiveness, I forgive those who bullied me. Because I have such a strong personality, I could have hurt someone and caused them to feel bullied as well. I repent for what I did directly or indirectly. I am sorry. Please heal them as You have healed me. I want to love with a love that is pure and compassionate. I want to love with a love that doesn’t demand. I want to love with a love that shows mercy. Thank You for healing me and teaching me how to love…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Luke 12:7
2026-08-29
Luke 12:7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. (KJV)
What are you worth?
Do you sometimes feel as if your contribution is not important? How do you come to that conclusion? Do you make the mistake of comparing what you do with what others do and find yourself better or lacking?
2 Corinthians 10:12 Of course, we wouldn’t dare to put ourselves in the same class or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. They compare themselves to one another and make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and then they judge themselves by their own standards. What self-delusion! (TPT)
Maybe from your standpoint, the greater the notoriety or the more change you can affect, the more a task is worth. There may be some value to that opinion. However, you have to think about how worth is determined in the heart of God. He determines worth by how much He was willing to pay for it!
Romans 5:7-8 We can understand someone dying for a person worth dying for, and we can understand how someone good and noble could inspire us to selfless sacrifice. 8 But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him. (MSG)
He paid it all for you; who you were; who you are and who you will be. Your assignment is as important as anyone else’s because He paid the price for everyone. You don’t have the big picture. Work in the confounds of what you know and celebrate!
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, even as I begin to pray, I am reminded of the lyrics to a song by Anthony Brown. You thought I was worth saving. You thought I was to die for. How dare I minimize my contribution to Your Kingdom. I repent. You ordained the work for me to do before the foundation of the world. You formed me when You decided what work needed to be done. If I do what You created me to do with a pure heart, it is worth doing. My desire is for my work to come to You as a sweet savor. I will celebrate every task You complete through me. I don’t have the big picture. I don’t know whose life is being touched by anything I do. Thank You for helping me understand that no matter who does or does not value who I am, You count me worth it…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Luke 7:29
2026-08-30
Luke 7:29 (All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard Jesus’ words, acknowledged that God’s way was right, because they had been baptized by John. (NIV)
Are you lifting Christ?
No matter what area of sales you get involved with, there are a couple of phrases you will often hear “Always Be Closing” and “the product sales itself”. Evangelism is sales and marketing at the highest order. The word of God draws men all by itself.
John 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me. (KJV)
It makes your assignment much easier. You are always closing because of how you live your life, the choices you make, your reactions in times of stress, etc.
Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (KJV)
This is the way you market the saving power of Jesus. You don’t have to convince anyone of anything. You don’t need quick wit or enticing words.
1 Corinthians 2:1, 4-5 And when I came to you, brothers and sisters, proclaiming to you the testimony of God [concerning salvation through Christ], I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom [no lofty words of eloquence or of philosophy as a Greek orator might do]; 4 And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom [using clever rhetoric], but [they were delivered] in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit [operating through me] and of [His] power [stirring the minds of the listeners and persuading them], 5 so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom and rhetoric of men, but on the power of God. (AMP)
Just be willing to live the God kind of life that demonstrates Him power. Lift Him up as you live your life every day. Lift Him at the grocery store when you let some go in front of you. Lift Him on your job when someone else takes credit for your work. Lift Him in every situation where the world is expecting something other than the love of God to show in your actions. His promise is to draw all men unto Him. They will know the truth because of the power of the gospel. They will see God at work in you, heed the call of the Lord, and be made free.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, thank You for making my evangelistic task easy. I repent for every time I said that I was not an evangelist, as if You only gave that task to a select few. You taught me if I am a believer; I am also required to evangelize. Please continue helping me lift You up and everything I say and do. Help me make You the example of my life, every day. If I lift You up, then You will fulfill Your promise. There are people in my life who I have prayed for to be saved. Help me live before them. My life can be a great marketing advertisement! Someone who knows who I was before will ask “what happened?” As they deal with me now, the answer to the question is Jesus. They won’t be able to deny what they see. They will be drawn to You…
Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Proverbs 2:3
2026-08-31
Proverbs 2:3 Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; (KJV)
Who is dictating your actions?
Have you ever been in a situation and the person knew something you didn’t tell them? Did you ask them how they knew and they said, “I just knew it”? In its simplest definition, discernment is nothing more than the ability to decide between truth and error, right and wrong. There are those who say this ability comes with experience. Police detectives have it, psychologists and psychiatrists use it. Then there is the discernment that comes from God.
The word describes being able to distinguish, discern, judge, or appraise a person, statement, situation, or environment. The Holy Spirit gives the gift of discernment to enable certain Christians to clearly recognize and distinguish between the influence of God, Satan, the world, and the flesh in a given situation.
Discernment is a sign of your maturity in Christ and is also critical if you are to be successful on your assignment.
Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for full-grown men, for those whose senses and mental faculties are trained by practice to discriminate and distinguish between what is morally good and noble and what is evil and contrary either to divine or human law. (AMPC)
You have to distinguish if the “Spirit of God” or some other spirit influenced what you saw and/or heard. Often, believers use their discernment when trying to decide about what to do or who to believe.
Hosea 14:9 Whoever is [spiritually] wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is [spiritually] discerning and understanding, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, And the righteous will walk in them,
But transgressors will stumble and fall in them. (AMP)
When you are dealing with the people of God, you can miss it, and cause damage that lasts for years. Don’t run on your spiritual instincts. Always remain teachable. Seek the Lord before you act or speak.
1 Kings 3:9 “So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?” (NIV)
You may find that your instinct was correct. You may also find you would have missed it. Either way, in every situation, you must seek the Lord, listen to His voice, and follow His instruction. Then you will act in a way that pleases Him.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I am coming to You, asking You to strengthen my discernment. Teach me. I know I think a lot. Sometimes I look at the signs, indications and implications and think I have it all figured out. Then I use my evaluation and experience to decide my next step because I think I know what happened and what I need to do. I repent for every time I followed my way without consulting You first. You and I both know, it does not matter how many times I was right; it was the times I was wrong, that cost me and others. The discernment, You give to me, allows me to see father and clearer. It helps me understand the spirit behind the actions and the attitudes that are not readily and naturally evident. It is Your discernment that allows me to respond to any situation by showing Your love with a godly attitude and in the right frame of mind. When I walk, using the supernatural discernment You provide, I see how, when, and where the devil stepped in. I need the discernment that comes from You. Please continue to teach me. I am ineffective without it…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

1 Peter 5:8
2026-09-01
1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (KJV)
Are you on watch?
As a Christian, what is your first thought when you hear about a problem in someone’s life, whether they are at home, work or church? Do you conclude it is the work of the devil? When you are going through, do you examine your life trying to see what the devil is trying to kill, steal, or destroy? In spiritual warfare, or any warfare for that matter, your effectiveness begins with you.
Luke 14:28 So don’t follow me without considering what it will cost you. For who would construct a house before first sitting down to estimate the cost to complete it? (TPT)
Through your times of study and prayer, and definitely since the start of this devotional, your understanding of how the enemy works has been enlightened. Make sure you understand how he works in your life. Even though you are saved, the devil can still influence you. Do you say, “The devil is not in control of my life. Salvation made Jesus my savior and my Lord”. If you are saved, you would be right. However, salvation does not stop the devil from talking to you. Ask Eve.
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden’?” (NKJV)
Eve did not know. That’s why the devil deceived her. He is tricky. Do you hear the devil asking you questions? Did God really say…? Is it really wrong to…? Maybe it is not the devil. Maybe you are asking yourself questions because you don’t know. To watch affectively, you must know what the word of God says. Study these other requirements, found in the Bible, as you watch.

Always be fully armed (Ephesians 6:11).
Know your weapons (2 Corinthians 10:3-4).
To take authority (Luke 10:19).
Be alert and observe everything that is going on around you (1 Peter 5:8).
Pray (1 Timothy 2:1).
Don’t abandon your responsibilities (Galatians 6:9).
Receive and obey the instructions of the Lord (Acts 5:29).
Do not get distracted (Joshua 1:7).
Seek the Lord when you don’t know what to do (Luke 11:9).
Be strong during times of testing (James 1:2-4).
Be thankful (Ephesians 5:20).

You cannot afford to give the devil an inch because you are not watching for him, not watching effectively, or you underestimated how cunning he is.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, in the name of Jesus, thank You for keeping me. Thank You for reminding me I should always be on watch. Thank You for helping me recognize when and where the enemy is at work in my life. You showed me it is not always an attack against me. Sometimes he tricks me into negatively affecting someone else’s life. I am so sorry. Thank You for teaching me what my responsibilities are. I have to keep in mind the devil is cunning. He comes as an angel of light, yet really, he is the prince of darkness and the father of lies. I continue to repent for every time I miss it; every time I say something, I think is right or do something for the right reason and it turns out to be wrong. Thank You for showing me when someone got hurt, or I caused a problem. That is never my desire. I am grateful You forgive me and You see my heart. Help me be more aware of what is going on, in the spiritual realm. Show me how the enemy is using demonic tactics to affect my natural life. Draw me closer and shine a light on me as You continue to teach me to watch. I depend on You and You alone…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Romans 13:11
2026-09-02
Romans 13:11You must understand the urgency and context of time; it is most certainly now the hour to wake up at once out of the hypnotic state of slumber and unbelief. Salvation has come. (TMB)
Are you taking advantage of the time?
Have you ever decided you were going to witness to a person and heard these or similar statements in your head: “I’ll do it later.”, “I don’t want to seem pushy.” Or “I have to get myself together first.”? What did you do? If you did nothing, then you know you were being disobedient, right?
James 4:17 So if you know of an opportunity to do the right thing today, yet you refrain from doing it, you’re guilty of sin. (TPT)
You may have called it procrastinating. Actually, you put off witnessing until a later time, as if time was in your hands. Maybe you didn’t obey because you didn’t feel comfortable, or you didn’t want to do it, or because you found something else to do, etc. The next time you have the chance to witness, here are some statements you might want to say to yourself, out loud, if necessary.

“Do I really want to disobey God?”
“I can’t act like time is on this person’s side.”
“The devil likes it when I fail to witness, another soul stays within his grasp longer.”
“I don’t want some dramatic event to happen before they cry out to the Lord.”
“God has a blessed life planned for them. I don’t want them to wait and possibly get saved in the last moments of their lives.”
“There is too much at stake. I need to tell them, the time is now.”
“What if someone had not witnessed to me?”

There is no guarantee the person you witness to will accept the Lord, however, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to share the gospel.
Ephesians 5:15-16 So be very careful how you live, not being like those with no understanding, but live honorably with true wisdom, for we are living in evil times. Take full advantage of every day as you spend your life for his purposes. (TPT)
Don’t wait; do it now.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I thank You for this reminder. I know there are plenty of times I used an excuse instead of witnessing to someone. I repent for every witnessing opportunity I let pass by. I have often said, I will talk to anyone about the Lord who wants to talk. What if I am not approached? Help me be the one who approaches. I don’t want to pass up anyone in need of You. I want to take advantage of every opportunity You give me to lift Your name and to tell someone about You. Help me be strong in my determination to witness and let men see my passion for You. Use me, Father. Give me the words to create an understanding of need in the people I witness to. Help them see they don’t have as much time as they think. The strength of my conviction makes me willing to witness. I don’t want to die not having shared the good news with every person I could have shared it with…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

1 Thessalonians 5:6
2026-09-03
1 Thessalonians 5:6 Live alert and you will not become intoxicated by the indifference of others. (TMB)
Does it take all that?
There is a story that has been told for a long time:
The Ant works hard performing his tasks all summer long, building his house and laying up supplies for the winter. The Grasshopper thinks he is a fool and laughs, dances and plays the summer away. Come winter, the Ant is warm and well fed. The Grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold. (Aesop’s Fable)
You must live your life as God has commanded. It may seem foolish to others. You spend time in prayer instead of watching a movie. You worship instead of gossip. You choose to live your life for the Lord now instead of having fun and giving Him the scraps. You may be referred to as radical, extra, or over the top.
1 Peter 2:9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light. (KJV)
If you are living as if Christianity is not fun, stop it.
John 10:10b I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows). (AMPC)
The excitement about where you will be when winter comes should show in your life and in your worship. Don’t allow anyone to interfere with it. Your worship is not just how you respond to music in a church service; it is how you live your life. God created you to worship Him. It takes all you have to give and more.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I thank You for leading me to recognize it takes all I have and more to live my life according to Your word and give You the worship You are due. I will continue to “do the most”. I repent when I allowed myself to be swayed by the conversation and commentary of others regarding my life. I will always stand up for my actions. It does not matter who thinks I do too much. I don’t care if I am seen as “way over the top”. I will say thank You when I am called a holy roller. I will live my life as directed by You, whatever it takes. If You require me to be “extra”, then I will be extra for You. I don’t want to be lukewarm; I will be hot…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Luke 21:8
2026-09-04
Luke 21:8 And he said, take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them. (KJV)
Are you one of the very elect?
Sometimes your desire to believe in someone clouds your judgement. They can entice you, have such an anointing, and manifest signs and wonders that you cannot deny.
Matthew 24:24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (KJV)
Sometime your emotions can cause you to agree to do things contrary to the will of God. This is most sad when the person, causing you to stumble, is someone you trust in for spiritual leadership.
2 Peter 2:1-2 Just as false prophets rose up in the past among God’s people, false teachers will rise up in the future among you. They will slip in with their destructive opinions, denying the very Master who bought their freedom and dooming themselves to destruction swiftly, 2 but not before they attract others by their unbridled and immoral behavior. Because of them and their ways, others will criticize and condemn the path of truth we walk as seedy and disreputable. (TVT)
The word says even the very elect would be deceived if it were possible. It is not possible because the very elect accepted that God chose them and they chose Him right back. They have a genuine relationship with Him and unwavering faith in Him.
John 15:16 You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], He may give it to you. (AMPC)
You will not be deceived, and your fruit will remain when you know God for yourself. You have to read and study the word, spend time in prayer, dedicate yourself to worship, and meditate daily. That is how you develop a bond that will make you steadfast, strong, and unmovable. That is how you will be able to discern when you are being told something that is not true. That is how you will be rooted and grounded enough to resist.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, my desire is to be one of the very elect. Thank You for showing me I can. I want to be close enough to You to discern what is true no matter who is speaking. I don’t want to be caught up in cults, phoniness and things having a form of godliness, yet no power. I want to walk in Your power. I know the only way this can be true for me is to spend time with You. I repent for every shortcut I tried to take. Thank You for showing me I could only get so close if all I did was pray repetitious, quick prayers when I remembered to pray. I couldn’t build a relationship with You when I did all the talking. My prayer time had to be more than a laundry list of things I wanted You to do. Thank You for changing me. Now I don’t end our conversation without waiting to hear what You have to say. I spend dedicated time with You. I have learned to be still before You, to empty myself out, and wait for You to fill me. I was willing, and You met me at my level of expectancy and beyond. You helped me build a strong relationship with You and I thank You for it…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

1 Peter 1:13
2026-09-05
1 Peter 1:13 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. (ESV)
What are you thinking about?
Make sure you are aware of the things you spend time thinking about. You are what you think.
Proverbs 23:7a For as he thinks within himself, so he is. (NASV)
This passage is about being aware of what a person offers to you. However, the heart of the matter is what the giver said does not line up with what he thought.
Our thoughts are the fuel for our mind. Our thoughts fuel our dreams and aspirations or they can bind us from
accomplishing them. A particular train of thought persisted in, be it good or bad, cannot fail to produce its results on the character and circumstances. A man cannot directly choose his circumstances, but he can choose his thoughts, and so indirectly, yet surely, shape his circumstances.
James Allen, author of As a Man Thinketh
The books you read, the movies you view, the songs you listen to, and the television programs you watch all affect what you think about. You probably realize you cannot control what enters your conscious thoughts. Well, that is also true for your subconscious thoughts. You must regulate what enters your conscious mind because your subconscious mind picks up and retains everything. Here is the progression that creates influence:

The gateways into your mind are your eyes and your ears. What you see and hear affects what you think about.

Matthew 13:15b Otherwise they would open their eyes to see, and open their ears to hear, and open their minds to understand. Then they would turn to me and I would instantly heal them. (TPT)

You talk about whatever is in your heart.

Luke 6:45 For the overflow of what has been stored in your heart will be seen by your fruit and will be heard in your words. (TPT)

Finally, you have what you say.

Mark 11:23 I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart [in God’s unlimited power], but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will]. (AMP)
Even if you are watching or listening to Christian programs. It is important that you examine the word that is being presented. Don’t use them as a substitute for getting your own revelations. Whatever you bring into your space the most will produce fruit. Your attitude, your thoughts about things, etc. will change. The changes can be so subtle you miss them. Sometimes that is good. Sometimes it is not so good. The Bible tells you what you should think about.
Philippians 4:8 Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. (AMP)
How do you accomplish this with all that is going on in the world and in your life? You spend time in the presence of the Lord. You set aside private time with Him and allow Him to clean your conscious and your subconscious. He renews your mind in those moments you “dedicate” to Him. There, He shapes and reshapes what you think about. The thoughts you have in prayer and worship cause you to see everything in a different light. Those are the thoughts you want to govern your actions, attitude and response to all the world brings.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, I want to spend my time thinking about You. I repent for the hours I wasted and the negative influences I allowed into my conscious and, therefore, my subconscious. I repent for thinking church service was enough. I don’t want my thoughts to be what someone else thinks about You. I want my thoughts to be what You direct me to think about. I love being in Your presence. Then I think about You, our relationship, our conversations, what You share with me about who You are, and how I’ve experienced You in my life. I base my hope in You and what You share with me through our interactions. Thank You for prompting me when I muddle my mind with movies, songs, and television programs that don’t glorify You. Also, please continue to remind me I cannot satisfy the time You require of me by reading a Christian novel, watching a Christian movie, or listening to a sermon. I don’t want to be pacified by or live vicariously through somebody else’s relationship with You. I want a relationship with You that You created and designed for me. I want to be in Your presence. I want to learn about You, from You. If I am faithful to these things, I know my desire for You will grow and grow…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:

Acts 17:11
2026-09-06
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (KJV)
Are you searching the scriptures?
There was always a teacher in school the students really liked. It was because of the teaching method. He listened to the questions each student asked. She always said, “there are no stupid questions”. He explained things so clearly. Most students wanted her for every subject.
As a believer, you go to church, bible studies or any other venue where the word is taught and/or shared. Why do you go? What do you do with the information you get? Are you among those who write notes and never go back and read them? In situations where you can gain biblical knowledge, including this one, you have the responsibility to go to God for yourself.
James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom [to guide him through a decision or circumstance], he is to ask of [our benevolent] God, who gives to everyone generously and without rebuke or blame, and it will be given to him. (AMP)
2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. New American Standard Bible NASV)
The Lord is better than the best teacher you have ever had. He knows you. He knows what you know. He knows what you don’t know. He knows how you learn. He knows what will trip you up and what He can tell you and you will understand immediately. Your desire for knowledge needs to be as passionate as His desire to teach you is.
Psalms 42:1-2 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. 2 My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God? (KJV)
Seek Him until you reach Him. Ask Him if there is a connection in your spirit. If there is, reach for more. If there is not, ask Him what you need to do to create one.
Matthew 5:6 “Blessed [joyful, nourished by God’s goodness] are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness [those who actively seek right standing with God], for they will be [completely] satisfied”. (AMP)
Be the one who wants to know what is true for yourself. Be willing to search until you find it.
Please agree with me as I pray. Then ask the Lord what your prayer should be and wait for His response:
Father, whenever I hear Your word being shared, I want to know what You are speaking to me specifically. I repent for those times when I did not stop and seek You because I thought a connection was made in my spirit and because I was excited about what I was hearing. Though I could sense what I believed was Your presence. I should have prayed to make sure it was You and not my emotions. There are also times when I questioned what I heard. In those times, though skeptical, I repent for not coming to You for clarity. Now I come to You. I’m grateful I can. If there is an error in the presentation, You will show me where the error is. You have also shown me sometimes it is me who caused my confusion and kept the truth from being clear. I did not have understanding and/or I had drawn inaccurate conclusions. I submit myself to You. You give me clarity and remove the confusion. Thank You. I don’t have to follow, blindly and without questioning, what’s being given to me. It does not matter what position, what title, and/or how much respect I have for the person giving the presentation. I have You. You are the final word in every matter. No matter what I feel about what is being said, I am thankful I can come to You. Father, today is my birthday and I would be remiss if I did not thank You for my life and for the opportunity to write this devotional. May it continue to bless others as it has blessed me…

Ask the lord what he wants to say to you about today’s devotional and journal it here:
