Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit – 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
There is ever-increasing glory when you are led to the Cross. Like explained in “Toward the Eternal Reward”, there is a need to turn away from the negative things of this dark world and keep focused on the Light. Then, momentum can be shifted, burdens are lifted, and you are disciplined to put your trust in the Lord as you step ahead toward the eternal reward.
Step ahead today with the song Lead Me to the Cross by Hillsong. It takes patience but if Christ your main acquaintance, you can endure distress and be blessed.
The oldest computer was owned by Adam and Eve. It was an Apple with limited memory. Just 1 byte and everything crashed.*
Reading today in 1 Kings 11:9-43, we learn that everything around Solomon is beginning to crash. His spiritual decline is caused when his wives turned his focus away from the ONE true God to the worship of other gods and idols. Solomon had knowledge of the need to stay focused because the Lord had told him that disaster would come if they worshiped other gods
God’s character is full of integrity as He does what He says He will do. Solomon didn’t obey God even though he had knowledge of pending disaster if he didn’t obey so the process of the downfall of Solomon’s life and the nation was set in motion.
In current times, there are consequences for a nation disobeying God and the worship of idols. The video by Paul Harvey – If I were the Devil points out the results of a nation that puts God aside and worships idols. People do as they please. God is evicted from the courthouse and schoolhouse. People are consumed with alcohol, drugs, and gambling. Crime is rampant in the cities. Adversaries are raised up against them and wars break out.
Rather than paying attention to the negative things of this dark world, we should keep focused on the Light. Strength comes when momentum is shifted, burdens are lifted, and we are disciplined to put our trust in the Lord as we step ahead toward the eternal reward.
Lord it is hard when we try to navigate our faith in a world that is against Your Way Lord but because of the Cross and the help of the Holy Spirit, we are led to our eternal reward. Lord … keep us focused on Your Light as we navigate in a dark world of distress to reach our blessed destiny. Keep us committed to following Your Way as we are powered by grace that gives new life. With You Lord, things don’t have to remain the same and the world can be changed because You forever reign! Amen.
Do not forget the covenant I have made with you, and do not worship other gods. Rather, worship the LORD your God; it is He who will deliver you from the hand of all your enemies. –2 Kings 17:38-39
Learned from “Focused on the Awesome” is the need to spend time daily reading God’s word, prayer, and praise. By worshiping the ONE true God and thinking of ways to be a blessing to others, a good routine is developed because the activity is repeated over and over to become a part of who you are. It becomes second nature to you.
This day with God, pay attention to the God of Possible and worship with the song In Jesus Name (God of Possible) Katy Nichole. Pray for deliverance, for healing, that circumstances will change, and a breakthrough will happen because you are focused on the awesome God of possible!
Much of our life is directed by the low standards of this world rather than God’s higher standard. Success is defined by lofty incomes, nice cars, or an expensive house instead of vast spiritual assets like faith, hope, and love!
As we read 1 Kings 11:1-8 today, we will take in the lesson learned and pray. We will not be just going through the motions, giving lip service, or simply looking good on the outside but we will seek ways to internalize our faith, so it becomes a part of our character.
The main lesson today is Solomon’s spiritual decline. The major cause of his spiritual decline was his loss of focus. He was not devoted totally to the ONE true God because his wives turned his heart to their gods (v. 2). His kingdom was filled with disorder and future generations would see the kingdom be torn apart.
Solomon had strengths of wisdom and wealth during the first part of his reign but his major weakness was the alliances he made with nations that served idols. These bad habits caused him to lose focus. By paying attention to the world, disorder expands to fill the void of human failure. By paying attention to God, order fills the void with greatness.
So a daily time with God reading His word, prayer, and praise keeps us focused on what truly matters. By worshiping the ONE true God and thinking of ways to be a blessing to others, a good routine is developed. The activity is repeated over and over to become second nature and a part of who you are.
Think about your tendencies, weaknesses, or wrongdoings that need to be brought to God as you pray today. Do not limit what is possible. Ask for your deepest need praying for peace, for hope, and for healing. For revival, salvation, and victory knowing God is able to provide.
This Day, we put our attention on You Lord because You are the Way, the Truth, and the Light. With Your awesome wonder, we can prevail because You are bigger than all things that want to hold us back from a brighter future. With You are true blessings because You make the impossible possible through Your plan that brings peace and eternal bliss. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.
Photo – After college, I traveled for three weeks in Europe with a high school buddy and took this photo of the Swiss Alps.
A devotional thought from reading Psalm 65 is that a person’s praise of God is based on the wonders of His creation. The seas, the land, and the mountains which are worthy of praise. The crops of the land that are nourished with rain. Our praise to the Lord are words that spark our actions towards attainment of great feats for His glory. Each step of the way, momentum is gained until ultimate accomplishment.
This Day With God - A Spiritual Journey 