Divine Nature

In many cultures, women are pressured to have sex and look appealing to men Written by Hope on 25/07/2015 Series: Weekly Devotional Tags: Beauty, Culture, Relationships, Sex, Temptation “Don’t be concerned about the outward beauty of fancy hairstyles, expensive jewelry, or beautiful clothes. You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God.” I Peter 3:3-4 (NLT) From a young age, what were you taught to “be?” In many cultures, girls are taught how to be pleasing to men. This can cause a girl to stop focusing on God and get consumed with trying to catch a man’s attention through looks, actions and even sex. Constant Pressure Were you taught that your goal in life is catch a man’s attention so you can get married one day? Although God has a wonderful plan for marriage, our duty is to “live in a way that pleases God” (I Thessalonians 4:1), not men or women. From every dire...

Jonah’s story shows us what happens when we disobey God’s commands Written by GodLife on 20/03/2018 Series: Weekly Devotional Tags: Grace, Mercy, Obedience, Commands, God Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. Jonah 1:1-3 When I started college, I felt God commanding me to fully commit to a church family so that He could work through fellow believers to shape me more like Jesus. How did I respond? I disobeyed and my life hit a sorrowful low as I continued to ignore the commands of Jesus. It was only by God’s grace and mercy that He received me back and I began to take his commands seriously again. Have you ever tried to avoid a direct command from the Lord? A story in the Bible of a prophet named Jonah shows us more clearly what can happen when a believer of God directly dis...

Religion or relationship? Written by Janet Perez Eckles on 28/08/2018 Series: Weekly Devotional Tags: Fear, Relationship, Truth, Religion No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15 The best part of speaking before any group is what happens afterwards. Often times, folks stop and chat with me. This past week, that very thing happened. A man shook my hand. “I was touched by your message,” he said, “and I just want to know how you deal with the fact that the disease with your eyes is hereditary?” “What do you mean?” I said. “Well, I have a disease. It’s hereditary, and I can’t let go the worry and total fear my child will inherit it. I’m afraid of the future.” He paused. “And I don’t have any religion…don’t believe in much of anything.” I wanted to give him a huge hug and whisper in his ear, “You don’t need a rel...

No matter how difficult a situation, you can remember that God wants us to forgive one another “just as God through Christ has forgiven you” Written by Hope on 07/07/2013 Series: Weekly Devotional Tags: Forgiveness, Hurt "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32) When someone hurts you or you experience an injustice, God knows about it. In fact, of course, He knows every wrong that has ever occurred on earth, as well as the good things. "His understanding has no limit" (Psalm 147:5), and He knows that, as with all human action, "it has all been done before" (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Earthly Injustice King Solomon wrote, “I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors ...

Forgive Others as God Has Forgiven You Written by Dan Lee on 12/09/2015 Series: Weekly Devotional Tags: Forgiveness, Jesus, Relationships, Sin “A man loaned money to two people—500 pieces of silver to one and 50 pieces to the other. But neither of them could repay him, so he kindly forgave them both, canceling their debts. Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Luke 7:41-42 (NLT) Once Jesus shared a meal with a very judgmental person. He used this story to show that a person who understands their debt and receives forgiveness will have great love for the one who forgives. Being judgmental and unforgiving shows that you have little regard for God’s forgiveness. Do to Others as You Would Have Them Do to You (Luke 6:31) Jesus tells a story about a man who loaned money to two people and then cancels both debts. (Luke 7:41-42) One person owed more money than the other, so Jesus asked “Who do you suppose loved him more after that?” Simon answers, “the one who had the big...

How can I forgive someone who keeps hurting me? Written by Ruth on 21/08/2018 Series: Weekly Devotional Tags: Church, Church And Community, Forgiveness, Reconciliation Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 Is this true for you? – someone at the church you attend bothers you so much that sometimes you would just rather stay home from church! Does an “enemy” keep you away from church? The day before He died, Jesus told His disciples that the most important command He was giving them was to love each other (John 15:12-17). During the whole final evening with them, He was preparing them for life after His death, resurrection, and ascension to Heaven (John 13-17). He had kept them together as His disciples for the past three years, and now they needed to know how they could remain together even though they would be spread to different parts of the world. Jesus’ answer was love for one another, which would ...

How can we use our spiritual gifts to serve the Church? Written by Ruth on 24/10/2017 Series: Weekly Devotional Tags: Church And Community And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:24-25 Have you ever wondered why you should be part of a church? The Bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25 that gathering with other believers is something we should not neglect. What is so important about church? Jesus wants us, as a member of a local church, to complete the ministry He began while He was on earth. He wants you to be part of this ministry. But none of us can do this on our own. We need Him as our leader (our Head), and all the rest of the body (other believers) to get the mission accomplished as He has planned. None of us can do it alone, but all our abilities together are used by Him for His purpose. Here’s ...