“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.”

Psalm 1:1 NIV

If I am most comfortable with those who are apart from God, who reject the cross of Christ and choose to walk in sin, if I feel they “get me,” then chances are pretty high I am not living in step with the Savior. Do I really want my life to be lined up with mockers–arrogant fools who refuse discipline and correction? These may seem like hard choices, but followers of Christ cannot be in sync with Jesus AND be in sync with the unbelievers. If I truly want to march to the beat of Jesus, to walk in the way of wisdom, I will be out of step with the world. 🚦

#InStep #InSync #FriendOfTheWorld #FriendOfGod #MarchToTheBeatOfJesus #Devotionals

#StoplightDevotionals

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands you will remain in my love.”

John 15:9-10

Author Seth Godin writes, “Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from.” I often think of running to the Father for shelter or comfort when things go wrong, or for answers to prayers in times of trouble or question. But He wants me to STAY right there in that place with Him. Rather than being a great vacation destination, He wants to be my home! As Christ followers we do this by staying in obedience to God, daily spending time in and meditating on His Word, and walking in the grace given us. If I am obedient to the letter of the law and pray but live in shame from my past indiscretions, I am not lodging with Him. If I continually claim the grace given but do not obey, I am not dwelling with Him. What do you need to change to make your home in God’s heart?🚦

#VacationLife #NoEscapeNeeded #AbideWithMe #Dwell #Obey #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I recently bought a lavender plant, even though I knew, given where I purchased the jewel, it’s lifespan was likely quite limited. I gently loosened the dry soil and lightly watered it, nurturing my purple beauty into a lovely flowering miniature shrub. Then, a few days ago, the plant completely wilted. Not once did I feed this plant any vitamins or minerals to make the soil, and thus roots, healthier. When you and I sync our spiritual roots into the wrong soil, we ourselves become unhealthy. But when we set our hearts on God’s love and immerse ourselves in Him, we grow into fully developing followers of Christ. What soil are you planted in?🚦

#Soil #RootedInLove #RootsGrowDeep #God’sLoveIsStrong #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.”

Matthew 7:13-14 HCSB

It’s comforting to be part of a majority, isn’t it? It gives the sense of being on the right track. Followers of Christ must be watchful for the narrower path where fewer people dare to go, often with more difficult of terrain. The wide, smooth path is easy, but it leads away from the very One who saves us.. When you choose to step onto the tighter passageway, you may find yourself seeming to be alone, lacking human companionship because the crowd does not wish to follow this more difficult route. Rest assured,, the Savior will guide you along each bend and turn, hill and valley, strengthening your footing along the way. Don’t be fooled when you look over and see the herd moving a different direction; the masses are not interested in the truth of God’s Word. Stay on the path lit only by a foot light, just what you need to maintain your steadiness. He will guide you. 🚦

#narrowgste #roadlesstravelled #hindsfeet Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“Therefore we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4:16 HCSB‬‬

Whether you are frustrated with your physical body’s wasting away with disease or aging, or you are dealing with the rug being pulled out from under your usual way of doing life, you know what it is to feel like you are losing your grip on the dream you once held for your life. Jesus knows, too. The old ways are dying, buried with Christ’s body, but each day your new life in Him is being raised with new dreams that align with His dreams for you. Seek Him with all your being, and he will plant in you the right desires that bring glory to the kingdom, and these will be fulfilled.

“May He give you what your heart desires and fulfill your whole purpose.”

Psalm 20:4 HCSB🚦

#Dreams #DoNotLoseHeart #NeverGiveUp #Therefore #NewLifeInChrist #KingdomLiving #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!”

‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭16:34‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We give thanks for our food, our jobs, our mates, our children, our parents, the roofs over our heads. But how often do we stop to thank God for how He has used trials to grow us, to shape us to His will? God really IS good to use adversity to conform us to His image. As we press into Him we take on His shape, His likeness. Consider journaling no less than three things you are grateful each morning. Some days these may be the simple pleasures, but as you grow in gratefulness your spiritual eyes will be opened to the deeper, eternal gifts…those things outsiders might see as hindrances.

“Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:2‬ ‭HCSB‬‬🚦

#transformed #renew #renewyourmind #grateful #gratitude #growingthroughpain #notofthisworld #devotionals #stoplightdevotionals

“I will be the same until your old age, and I will bear you when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will bear and save you.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭46:4‬ ‭HCSB

Terrorist threats, healthcare changes, job instability, continual road construction. In a fast-paced corporate environment rapid change is the name of the game, and one must adapt quickly to keep momentum and nurture growth. With so much swirling around us, isn’t it good to know God is the one thing that does not change. His unwavering faithfulness sustains us. His loving kindness comforts us. His unfailing grace delivers us. He never changes; He never slumbers.

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with My righteous right hand.”

Isaiah 41:10 HCSB🚦

#GrayingOfAmerica #Aging #HeWillCarryYou #HeNeverChanges #HisGraceIsSufficient #DoNotFear #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“From now on, then, we do not know anyone in a purely human way.… Everything is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:16‬a, 18 HCSB

Since I was 10 years old I’ve worn eyeglasses. If I’m not wearing corrective lenses I cannot see clearly to read, drive, or do much of anything. Likewise, because I am reconciled to God through Christ, He has given me the Holy Spirit who corrected my spiritual vision, giving me a new worldview. The woman who is CEO of her company, at the peak of health, and enjoying international travel is NOT on a mountaintop if she is spiritually shallow, distanced from the Savior. Similarly, the man with chronic illness, physical challenges, and financial struggles is NOT in a valley if it has drawn him into a rich, life-giving relationship with God, bringing emotional and spiritual healing. That rude child hasn’t had a meal in nearly 24 hours because there is no food at home. The girl in scant clothing never received any approval from her deadbeat dad, and now she’s looking for it wherever she can find it. The overachieving student still hasn’t achieved enough in his parents’ eyes.

Through what lens are you looking at the world? Do you need to ask God for a new pair of glasses?🚦

#Vision #Worldview #Reconciled #Reconciliation #ThinkDifferently #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:14-15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

What drives you? What propels you to get up in the morning and put one foot in front of the other? Responsibility? Personal happiness? Worldly success? Financial security?

Jesus thinks so much of you, loves you so much he stretched out his arms and died to give you real life. No longer are you the walking dead; He defeated death, and because of Him you, too, conquer! He breathed life into you, transforming you through the power of the Holy Spirit. You are a child of God, and you have purpose! His love compels us to reach out and share this joy with others. Herein is real purpose that can never fade or be taken away. Step lively!

“For then you will have a future, and your hope will never fade.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭23:18‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

#Compelled #DrivenByLove #HolySpiritLiving #AliveInChrist

#Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,

Though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,

Though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.”

‭‭Habakkuk‬ ‭3:17-18‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We are told in James 1:1 to “count it all joy” when we are in the midst of trials, knowing God is growing us in perseverance of faith. This is all good until the rubber meets the road and the trials are our own, not someone else’s. What if the trials are actually part of a path of continual suffering? How do we keep finding joy? In her book “The Scars That Have Shaped Me,” author Vaneetha Risner renders sage wisdom:

“Replacing ‘what if’ with ‘even if’ in our mental vocabulary is one of the most liberating exchanges we can ever make. We trade our irrational fears of an uncertain future for the loving assurance of an unchanging God. We see that even if the very worst happens, God will carry us. He will still be good. And he will never leave us.”🚦

#EvenIf #RejoiceAnyway #JoyInTheJourney #JoyInSuffering #Rejoice #Joy #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals