Incline Your Ear to Wisdom

Proverbs 2:1-5
“My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands within you, So that you incline your ear to wisdom, And apply your heart to understanding; Yes, if you cry out for discernment, And lift up your voice for understanding, If you seek her as silver, And search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God. NKJV


One of the main reasons I love writing devotionals is because it causes me to study the Word, read cross-references and meditate on God’s Word and literally hold on to the passage in my heart until God gives me a deeper understanding of what I am reading. I’m seeking out a wisdom that can only come from God above through the Holy Spirit imparted to me. Read More...

The Pearl of Great Price

Matthew 13:45-46

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

This passage brings to mind an old but familiar story about a young girl who went walking with her grandmother one afternoon. They passed by a second hand shop and as they walked by the young girl saw a beautiful pearl necklace displayed in the window. It was love at first sight; she begged her grammy to please buy it for her. Her grandmother was more than willing since it only cost two dollars and made of hard plastic. That didn’t matter to the young girl; she loved them so much she wore them every day after that without fail.

After a few weeks the young girls parents noticed how much the necklace meant to her and one evening her father came in to tuck her into bed and asked her if she would be willing to give him the necklace. She refused and went to bed. The next evening her father did the same thing and the young girl became upset and refused again but this time the father looked disappointed but said okay; kissed her good night and left the room. The next night her father came in to tuck her into bed as usual but he did not ask her for her necklace. She was happy but noticed he looked very sad. As her father kissed her goodnight he turned around to leave and the young girl calls to him with tears in her eyes and asks him to take the pearl necklace because she couldn’t bear to see him sad. Read More...

Hope an Anchor to our Soul

Psalm 16:8

“I have set the Lord always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. NKJV


Psalms 16:7-11 “I will bless the Lord, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons. I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. NKJV

This passage is not just a beautiful promise but a prophetic one as well. In Acts 2:25-28, on the day of Pentecost, it says the Holy Spirit had come into the house where the disciples were and they were moved by the Holy Spirit; speaking in tongues of their own languages. The people who stood by watching this didn’t understand while some mocked them and thought they were drunk with wine. Read more...

Day 16 - Devo: Free to Run!

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." NKJV

On numerous occasions this passage has blessed my life and I’m sure it is has done the same for many others; before our time and after we are gone. It is so easy to get bogged down by the trials and busyness of life or weighed down by our own struggles, issues, hurts or discouragements. One major weight can be self-condemnation. We can condemn ourselves for feeling condemned and thus the vicious cycle continues.

These weights can become so heavy that they can hold us back from moving forward in life with joy and peace. They can also hinder us from experiencing the abundant life that God has for us and instead of enjoying life we can grow to despise it instead. God knows our hearts and knows our needs and desires us to come to Him. Read More...

Day 16 Devotional: Free to Run!

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." NKJV

On numerous occasions this passage has blessed my life and I’m sure it is has done the same for many others; before our time and after we are gone. It is so easy to get bogged down by the trials and busyness of life or weighed down by our own struggles, issues, hurts or discouragements. One major weight can be self-condemnation. We can condemn ourselves for feeling condemned and thus the vicious cycle continues.

These weights can become so heavy that they can hold us back from moving forward in life with joy and peace. They can also hinder us from experiencing the abundant life that God has for us and instead of enjoying life we can grow to despise it instead. God knows our hearts and knows our needs and desires us to come to Him. Read More...

Day 15 - His Eye is On the Sparrow

Matthew 10:29-31

"Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." NKJV

As I read this passage I am reminded of this beautiful worship song called, “His Eye is On the Sparrow”. I believe the song was written with these scriptures in mind.

The song goes like this:

Why should I feel discouraged
Why should the shadows come
Why should my heart feel lonely
And long for heaven and home

When Jesus is my portion
A constant friend is he
His eye is on the sparrow
And I know he watches over me


Read More...

Day 12 - A Centurion’s Marvelous Faith

Matthew 8:10-11

“When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! NKJV

Verse in Context:

Matthew 8:8-9 “The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. for I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and to another, 'Come,' and he comes; and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." NKJV

A Centurion was a Roman Captain soldier over one hundred men or more depending on their level; the higher the level the more men under his command. They were men of authority who gave orders rather than receive them. Yet, he approached Jesus not with a power or authority of his own; he came with a humbled heart recognizing Christ as Lord . He acknowledgied his unworthiness of having Jesus step foot in his home. Read more...

Day 11 Devotional - God Desires Mercy not Sacrifice

Matthew 32:11-13

“And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice. for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." NKJV

Jesus had just called Matthew who was a tax collector to follow Him and he immediately got up and followed Him. Matthew had Jesus over for dinner that night and invited all his friends to come meet Him. In those days tax collectors were despised and hated by everyone and viewed as the scum of the earth. They could only hang out with each other and others that were viewed the same way because no one else would talk to them. Once again we see how Jesus chose His disciples not because of their outward righteous acts or religious piety but men who would follow Him with their whole heart.

Matthew inviting his friends over to meet Jesus was the perfect scenario to bring light into their dark world and bring them to repentance and salvation through Christ. The Pharisees saw the good that was happening and viewed it as evil and then accused Jesus of fellowshipping with sinners. Read More...

The Seed of Promise and Blessing

Genesis 22:17-19

“Blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice." NKJV

God gives Abraham a wonderful and powerful promise of blessing upon him and all his descendents namely those of his seed. The Lord God tells him that in his seed they will multiply and bless the nations of the earth. NKJV

I love how God tells Abraham he will not only be blessed but through his seed he and his offspring will bless the nations. It’s hard to imagine how one man could produce offspring as numerous as the stars in the heavens, especially a number so great that they would impact nations – not a country, not a continent but nations.

What Abraham may not have known how at the time but fully believed by faith God would provide was that God in His infinite and all surpassing knowledge was going to send his own son to be born of a virgin named Mary, married to Joseph Whose family line and seed came directly from Abraham and the house of King David. Jesus is the seed from Abraham and fulfillment of that promise. Read more...

Day 9 – Under the Shadow of His Wings

Psalm 9:9 "The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."

This is a powerful promise and one to meditate on and memorize to be written on the tablets of our hearts and minds. The beauty of this passage is in the word, “Refuge”. In the Webster dictionary and bible dictionaries the word refuge means; a shelter and protection from danger or distress. What’s more interesting is the Hebrew definition for refuge: ‎misgab (mis-gawb) which also means; “CLIFF” - High and Lofty inaccessible to reach or obtain.

Here is the cross-reference for this very passage:

Psalm 91:2-5 “I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress;

My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, NKJV

In this passage especially in verses 3 and 4, we learn that our refuge is under the shadow of His wings. Eagles and most birds are known to protect their young by placing them underneath their wings hiding them from the eyes of the predators and protecting them from the snare of the fowler. Read More...

Day 8 - Therefore

Matthew 7:12
Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. NKJV

Matthew 7:7-12 "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets. NKJV

In looking at the entire passage - Jesus is telling them to keep asking and it shall be given; keep seeking and they shall find and keep knocking and the door shall be opened to them. Jesus is referring to man’s continual pursuit of God and they shall receive. He then proceeds to tell them if evil men give good gifts to their children how much more will your heavenly Father give to those that ask? And then he closes this particular thought by saying, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Read More...

Day 7- Our Father in Heaven

Matthew 6:9

“In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven,Hallowed be Your name.” NKJV


In this passage Jesus is teaching in the manner or model that we should pray but also in the heart, mind and attitude we should be praying with. We know this because of what he shares with them in the prior verses. He tells them not to pray to be seen by others but to go in the closet and pray to their father in secret.

Notice Jesus starts out His prayer by saying, “Our Father in heaven”. His first lesson is teaching them to pray as a son or daughter to their heavenly father. He is teaching us that our faith is not about religion for tradition sake it’s about personal relationship between God and us. It’s an intimate and personal relationship that is near and dear to the heart; not far away and distant, but close up and personal. Read More here...

Day 4 - Follow Me

Matthew 4:19-20

Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." They immediately left their nets and followed Him. NKJV

Right at the beginning of Jesus ministry He calls two brothers who were both fishermen. He simply saw them and called them and it says here they immediately got up and followed Him.

Jesus being fully God and fully man understood them and spoke their language. He knew they were experts in their field because it was their livelihood, something they worked at every single day but Jesus was going to show them a new way of living; His expertise in fishing for the lives of men and bringing them to salvation through Christ.

Notice these men were fishermen not theologians; they had no ministry background what so ever and yet Jesus chose them first out of the twelve He called His disciples. Note: These men went on to change the entire world for Christ. Read more here...

Day 3 - You oh Lord are a Shield about Me

Psalm 3:3

But You, O Lord, are a shield for me, My glory and the One who lifts up my head. NKJV

King David wrote this psalm during a time of deep despair. Word had come to David that Absalom his own son was plotting to take over his kingdom. Absalom coveted the position and power his father had and wanted it for himself so he sowed seeds of discord and division among the people of Israel to turn them against their king and then plotted to kill him.

King David and his entire household and those who stayed faithful to him immediately fled for their lives. The pure notion that David’s own son would want to kill him broke his heart and he was deeply grieved. He was so distraught that he covered his head while he walked, cried and sang to the Lord. The covering of their heads is symbolic of mourning, grief and shame.

What a powerful testimony he gave in the midst of his anguish - he continued to trust God. He turned his fears, his hurt and his pain over to the Lord and laid it bare before God by faith believing that He was his shield, his glory and the lifter of His head. God was indeed faithful to King David and answered his cries; both he and his household were protected from Absalom and his army and returned home victorious. Read more here...

Day 2 Devotional - A Life Like John the Baptist

Matthew 3:1-2

“In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" NKJV

John the Baptist was born with a destiny to prepare the way of the Lord by bringing people to repentance for the kingdom of heaven was near. He was preparing their hearts for Jesus Christ by telling people to repent of their sins and be baptized.

According to the Nelson’s Bible Dictionary, The word repentance means to turn away from sin, disobedience, rebellion and turning back to God; a changing of the mind. In looking at these definitions John was telling the people to stop walking in their sin and disobedience but to change their heart and their mind back towards God. He spoke truth to them in love. I love how John was more concerned about saving their souls then offending them

John preached the gospel in the wilderness; ate locusts and honey and wore clothing made of camel hair. He lived a simple life yet he was powerfully anointed by God to bring the gospel of Christ to many. What is also powerful is that Jesus Himself gave testimony of John. In Matthew 11:11,

"Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” Matthew 11:11-12 - NKJV read more of this article.

Day - 1 One Year Bible Devo - A Home for Adam

Genesis 1:27-28
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” NKJV

Imagine for a moment the creator of the heavens and the earth and all living things on and above the earth were divinely created for God’s own goodness and pleasure but only man was created in God’s own image. From the beginning man was set apart to God as His precious creation in His own image over all His creations. Everything God has done He did for His own glory and we are the beneficiaries.

When I was pregnant with Sarah, my first child, It boggled my mind how God would knit together another human being that was both part of my husband and me. The thought was truly amazing and when we saw her beautiful face for the very first time our hearts melted within us; she was so perfect. I felt both privileged and blessed that God would allow me to bear a new life inside of me. The births of all our children are nothing short of modern day miracles. Read More Here...

For Unto Us a Child is Born

For Unto Us a Child is Born

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; NKJV

In chapter 8, of Isaiah a prophetess gives birth to a son and God declares through him gloom, darkness and utter ruin to all who are given into familiar spirits, wickedness and also to those who set themselves up against God’s people and the throne of David.

Isaiah 8:3-4 “Then I went to the prophetess, and she conceived and bore a son. Then the LORD said to me, "Call his name Maher-Shalal-Hash-Baz; for before the child shall have knowledge to cry 'My father' and 'My mother,' the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria will be taken away before the king of Assyria." NKJV

Isaiah continues in chapter nine how through their hunger, brokenness and dark despair they will see a great light.

Isaiah 9:2-4 “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, Upon them a light has shined. You have multiplied the nation and increased its joy; they rejoice before You According to the joy of harvest, As men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For You have broken the yoke of his burden And the staff of his shoulder, The rod of his oppressor, As in the day of Midian. “ Read entire article here.

The Perfect Gift Giver

By Filoiann Wiedenhoff

James 1:16-18

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. NKJV

How would you love to be known as the perfect gift giver? Not just at Christmas, but birthdays, anniversaries, weddings and showers? The title alone would give you notoriety for sure…not to mention the reputation of a genius. Why do I say “Genius”?

It’s pure and simple: It’s not easy finding the perfect gift for someone. You have to know what they like, need or want; their particular tastes, styles and whether or not it fits into their own personal lifestyle.

It takes real time and effort to give the perfect gift and the reality is, it never comes without a cost.
The perfect gift giver usually spends time and effort into every detail from the personal gift that is unique for that particular person or one that is needful. This thoughtfulness goes beyond the normal thought of giving, to a genuine care or concern on whether or not this person will utilize, benefit and enjoy this gift long after they received it.

I know personally I fall short as a “Gift-Giver” but when I stopped to think about who I knew was the perfect gift giver; only one person came to mind. God!

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. NKJV - John 3:16-17

Let’s think about this for a moment shall we? The three main qualities of a perfect gift giver are; thoughtfulness, personal time and effort. You see God gave above and beyond what we can imagine or think. He gave us a gift that was more than thoughtful; it was personal, sacrificial, beneficial, eternal, and full of unconditional love.

As we take a closer look at these heavenly qualities, I pray that you would remember that He did this for you personally and when Jesus took up the cup of suffering and hung on that cross He had you on His mind. This understanding alone I hope touches your heart as it does mine.

Sacrificial: God willingly sacrificed His only begotten son and Christ consented, that the requirements of the law would be fulfilled and the punishment of death that was due was paid in full through Jesus, who bore our sins and iniquities and took up our offenses. (Acts 13:33-34, Romans 8:1-4, Isaiah 53:5)

Beneficial: In receiving Jesus Christ into our hearts by faith through His grace we now have new life that is eternal, born from above through the Holy Spirit, no longer born of this world but heirs with Christ in the kingdom of Heaven. (2 Corinthians 5;17, Ephesians 2; 8-10, Romans 10; 9)

Personal: Also, in receiving Jesus Christ as our savior and Lord we also have a personal relationship with Him. One that is closer than a brother and more than a friend. We can now come boldly to the throne of grace in our hour and time of need and know that He hears us because we are now His children and can cry out, “Abba” Father! (Romans 8:15, Galatians 4:6, Hebrews 4:16, John 15; 13-15, Proverbs 18: 24)

Un-Conditional: God’s unconditional love is proved in this, that when we were dead in our trespasses and sins He still died for us. God did this that none would perish but all would come to repentance because He loves us and cares for us deeply. (Ephesians 2; 4-7, 2 Peter 3; 9, Isaiah 43:4-5, Jeremiah 31; 3, John 15; 9, John 15; 12)

I encourage you to look up these scripture references; they will bless your heart and soul. I don’t know about you but after reading this list I am sold that God is the ultimate and perfect gift giver in this world and the question is, “Have you received this free gift of grace for yourself”?

If you receive His free gift of grace, confess your sins and believe by faith that Jesus died on the cross for you as your Lord and savior; you have everything to gain and nothing to lose but if you choose to reject this gift of salvation, you have everything to lose and nothing to gain. Without a savior the bible says that we are condemned to hell where there is a weeping and gnashing of teeth. Eternal damnation is destined for those who do not receive the gift of God’s grace. God’s whole purpose to send His son was to save you from hell punishment and death.

There is a great deception that all roads lead to heaven but the scriptures are clear that there is only “One” road and that one road is one person, Jesus Christ. Don’t be deceived!

“Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” NKJV - John 14:6

The bible also says, to choose this day whom you will follow. Remember that Jesus is the reason for this season, He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. (John 14:6) Please choose life! God’s Gift is free but know it did not come without a cost and only Jesus could pay that price and willingly already has for me and you that we might have life and life more abundantly!

I hope after reading this, you have received the “Perfect Gift” from the “Perfect Gift Giver” and if you have… please be sure to share this gift with others. It will be the best gift they will ever receive!

Filoiann Wiedenhoff is a pastor’s wife, woman’s counselor, writer and columnist. Visit her website, http://www.filoiannwiedenhoff/ for more inspirational articles and devotionals and sign-up for her monthly newsletter.

Faith is Seeing

“Faith is Seeing”
Inspirational Devotional

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. NKJV

The Hebrew word for substance is Hupastsis which means; a setting under as in support, essence, concretely and confidently. The word evidence is Elechos which means proof or conviction.

As we look at these definitions in light of what the bible says Faith is; it is saying that faith is the solid concrete support of things hoped for and the proof of things not seen.

Have you ever tried to have faith in a certain situation not knowing what the outcome would be but hoped that somehow God would provide? I think this passage could easily be taken out of context because of the misunderstanding of the word hope.

Hope in the bible actually means to wait in anticipation that something is going to arrive or happen. Unfortunately, the way we use the word “hope” today is more of uncertainty and doubt. For example, we usually use the word like this, “I don’t know if it will arrive or happen but I hope that it will.” Does this sentence sound confidant or full of assurance? It doesn’t to me and I don’t believe it would to you either.

I believe we all have said this about a situation at one time or another. We have to keep in mind that the words that were written before our time usually have a different meaning or that the meaning of words have changed in our English language over a period of time. Words today have also become more casual to adapt to our modern way of thinking.

The questions is; what does the bible say hope is? Waiting in anticipation that something “is” going to happen. So let’s look at this passage again through fresh eyes in light of these definitions:
Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

Simply stated: Faith in the bible does not say we are to have a blind faith that hopes things will come to pass but a very visual and solid faith that sees and believes that what and who we are having our faith in, “is” there right before our very eyes as solid proof, we just have not been given the permission from God to see it yet but is there just the same.

If you read the hall of faith in the book of Hebrews, these patriarchs of faith believed in the promise and died never seeing it fulfilled but believed it was there with full assurance that God is faithful and that it would come to pass with out a doubt.

They didn’t depend on their eye sight to have faith but believed in God’s very character, word and nature that it would be so because He said it would and that was proof enough for them.
My question to you is, “Is your faith a seeing faith or a blind faith?” I want to encourage you that God is faithful and the bible says He will do it and already has.

May you be blessed today with a new perspective and outlook on true faith that sees as well as believes with great anticipation that it will come to pass according to His will.

Filoiann Wiedenhoff is a pastor's wife, woman's biblical counselor, bible teacher, writer and columnist. You can visit her website http://www.filoiannwiedenhoff.com/ and join sign up for her monthly newsletter.

For Your God is a Consuming Fire

Deut 4:24
“For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God. “
Living in San Diego, and having survived the second round of fires from also four years ago it was an amazing experience to go through it again last week. We were fortunate to not be affected by the fires but there were many that were.

Our hearts and our prayers go out to the fire victims who lost their homes and their animals and during this time we are praying for God’s comfort and provision to be poured out upon them.
What makes it ironic is that the day the fires started my husband who is a pastor preached on God being a consuming fire, and how when the winds join that fire it is unstoppable.

He was teaching on the day of Pentecost how the bible says in the book of Acts that the Holy Spirit came down like a wind and fire and brought up his experience of the fires four years ago as a Red Cross Chaplain.

On the following Saturday evening when the fires had died down, we were able to relax a bit and ponder what just happened. My husband was preparing for his sermon the next day and asked me what did I personally get out of what happened with the fires.

He was continuing on in his passage in Acts regarding the wind and the fire but also wanted to address how God also uses real life situations to speak to us. I had been thinking about that since the fires began, asking my self and the Lord, what was God speaking to me about this very thing. The scripture I kept hearing was, “Your God is a consuming fire.” Deuteronomy 4:24 “For the Lord your god is a consuming fire, a jealous God.”

I was moved and touched by the passage. My husband and I discussed the passage and then he shared five more passages that he looked up that same morning for his men’s discipleship study. It was amazing how they intertwined together. Here they are:

Isaiah 54:5 “ For your Maker is your husband — the Lord Almighty is his name — the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; he is called the God of all the earth. “NIV

Jeremiah 3:14-16 "Return, faithless people," declares the Lord, "for I am your husband. I will choose you — one from a town and two from a clan — and bring you to Zion. Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.”

Ezekiel 16:8 "'Later I passed by, and when I looked at you and saw that you were old enough for love, I spread the corner of my garment over you and covered your nakedness. I gave you my solemn oath and entered into a covenant with you, declares the Sovereign Lord, and you became mine. “NIV

2 Corinthians 11:2 “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him.” NIV

Ephesians 5:25-29 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.” NIV

In these passages I will share how they have comforted me and hope to encourage you and bring you comfort also.

When we go through life trying to live the best way we can, doing our best to stay above water, raise our kids, pay our bills, be good stewards, be good examples of light and salt and in the midst of all our efforts we can easily forget why we are doing it in the first place. We tend to focus on things that really don’t matter instead of the one question evacuees were having to ask themselves “What do we take with us?” For them it came down to what really mattered most. What was irreplaceable and what were, items such as photo albums, special mementos and id and insurance papers. They had only a few minutes to make those decisions and again it brought them down to what really mattered most.

It is unfortunate that it takes a fire to wake us up to this reality. We forget why we came to Christ in the first place and why we pledged our heart to Him, that is until real life situations make us stop and remember God, His love for us, that we are His betrothed bride, that he clothed our nakedness and shame, that he raised us up and cared for us and fought our battles, took away our sins, and gave us a comforter the Holy Spirit to live in our hearts, by faith.

I was also touched because I was changed and transformed because of His love for me. I was 17 and at the end of my rope, thinking this world had nothing for me, until the day that Jesus came into my life and offered me his love and affection. He took me out of the miry pit and placed my feet upon a rock and took care of me, healing my wounds of the past with his savvy and washing me to cleanse me of my sins. I was never the same and was so in love with God that nothing else mattered. My life was in his hands and I was completely changed from that day forward.
He was my first love and I loved him deeply. I needed to be reminded that His love for me still burns with passion, that He is a jealous God who will not stand for a bride who loves another. That anything else that I put before him is a false idol and needs to be removed. I was also reminded of this passage:

Revelations 2:4-5 “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”

If these passages have spoken to you as they did me, please pray and ask God to show you where you are with Him. Have you forsaken your first love? Do you need to return to Him and repent? If you said yes then I encourage you to do as it says here in Revelations to return and repent and do the things you did at first. Remember where you have fallen and return to Christ your betrothed bridegroom and fall back in love with Jesus again. Spend intimate time with Him getting to know Him better and meditate on His Word and allow Him to speak to you, love you and encourage you.

His love is a consuming fire and when your filled with His love it will spread like a wild fire into everything and everyone in your life and you no longer have to try to live this life but your life will be lived out through Him.

Turn or return to Him today for tomorrow is not promised


Special Quote:

Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery but Today is a Gift and that is why they call it the Present.” Author Unknown