DEVOTIONAL PASSAGE
Beloved, do not believe every spirit [speaking through a self-proclaimed prophet]; instead test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets and teachers have gone out into the world. By this you know and recognize the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges and confesses [the fact] that Jesus Christ has [actually] come in the flesh [as a man] is from God [God is its source];3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus [acknowledging that He has come in the flesh, but would deny any of the Son’s true nature] is not of God; this is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming, and is now already in the world. Little children (believers, dear ones), you are of God and you belong to Him and have [already] overcome them [the agents of the antichrist]; because He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world [of sinful mankind]. They [who teach twisted doctrine] are of the world and belong to it; therefore they speak from the [viewpoint of the] world [with its immoral freedom and baseless theories—demanding compliance with their opinions and ridiculing the values of the upright], and the [gullible one of the] world listens closely and pays attention to them. We [who teach God’s word] are from God [energized by the Holy Spirit], and whoever knows God [through personal experience] listens to us [and has a deeper understanding of Him]. Whoever is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know [without any doubt] the spirit of truth [motivated by God] and the spirit of error [motivated by Satan]. 1 John 4: 1-6.
DEVOTIONAL
“God will not put more on you than you can carry,” oh how cliché is this? However, I find truth in this statement because the Word says and I quote, “He who is in you is greater than he (Satan) who is in the world”. Therefore, if the Father is in you, and you are leaning on His will for your life and not your own understanding or that of the world, then His Will for your life is possible. Yes, His Will for your life is possible; despite of how things look right now, it is possible. Now, please do not misunderstand what I am saying, because you will suffer the consequences for your worldly actions, which could even lead to death. However, the consequences that you endured is not the work of God, I truly believe that He choose to allow them to happen, He did not make them happen. God even allowed satan to tempt His servant Job: “Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that Job has is in your power, only do not put your hand on the man himself.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord” Job 1:12. So, again I state “God will not put more on you than you can carry”, but I do however believe that He will allow things to happen.
PRAYING THE WORD
In 1 Corinthians 10:12-15, Apostle Paul writes, “ Therefore let the one who thinks he stands firm [immune to temptation, being overconfident and self-righteous], take care that he does not fall [into sin and condemnation]. 13 No temptation [regardless of its source] has overtaken or enticed you that is not common to human experience [nor is any temptation unusual or beyond human resistance]; but God is faithful [to His word—He is compassionate and trustworthy], and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability [to resist], but along with the temptation He [has in the past and is now and] will [always] provide the way out as well, so that you will be able to endure it [without yielding, and will overcome temptation with joy]. Therefore, my beloved, run [keep far, far away] from [any sort of] idolatry [and that includes loving anything more than God, or participating in anything that leads to sin and enslaves the soul]. I am speaking as to wise and sensible people; judge [carefully and thoughtfully consider] for yourselves what I say. Is the cup of blessing which we bless [at the Lord’s Supper] not a sharing in the blood of Christ? [Indeed it is.]”
Father, we are weary, our energy is going down, our motivation is at an all-time low, and we are in need of You. We need for You to endow us with Your Holy Spirt in order to make it through. Your word says, “The joy of the Lord is my strength”, and that “You will not let your people be tempted beyond our ability to resist”. Therefore, Father free us like You have done so many times before, for us and others, give us a peace that surpasses all understanding, and a Joy that we can only find in You. Father we pray this prayer in Your Son Jesus’s name Amen, and Amen!
Contributed by: Sharessa Bass
Sharessa is the CEO of The Real Me Foundation. She is a devoted mother of 5, originally from Whiteville NC and is one of 7 siblings. She is a faithful covenant member of The Sanctuary, and is passionate about sharing her faith in a very real way. If this devotional has fed your soul, please share with your friends and family. Click the social share button or leave a comment in the box below for Sharessa.