“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-4‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I just want to quit.” Who hasn’t felt that way at a job? A godly many who worked for an unscrupulous employer prayed regularly for God to release him from the job to go work for someone else who would treat him better. This prayer went on for years, but “Joe” never sensed God telling him it was time to leave. One day during his time of prayer the Holy Spirit convicted him about his own bad attitude. He confessed his shortcoming to his boss and asked his forgiveness, an encounter which changed both of them. “Joe” began to enjoy his work more, and his boss’s attitude changed, as well. Eventually, “Joe” did take a different job, but he was able to leave on good terms, having proven himself a committed employee. “Joe”, indeed, was #blessed by staying the course to complete what God had for him.

“Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

‭‭James‬ ‭1:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬🚦

#blessed #perseverance #maturefaith #crownoflife #devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭5:7-8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

According to the NIH anxiety plagues 1/3 of the people in the US at some point in their lives, costing more than $42 billion each year. Anyone who has struggled with it can tell you how crippling the attacks can be and the toll it can take on productivity at work and at home.

God’s word tells us Satan’s roar is so deafeningly loud we find ourselves paralyzed by the noise, rendering us useless to fight back. This war for our minds cannot be won without addressing the spiritual aspect of the war. Our opponent is relentless, and we, therefore, must be vigilant to keep our hearts and minds prepared with truth from Scripture so we can recognize when the enemy is attacking with lies that make us feel like we are less than and unloved. Then we must hit our knees to turn the battle over to God who has already fought and won the battle.🚦

#Anxiety #CastAllYourCaresOnHim #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: …a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance. Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.”

Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3:1, 4‬, Psalm 126:5-6 , Revelation‬ ‭21:4‬ , Psalm‬ ‭90:14‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬

There is comfort in knowing there is a season for our tears and weeping. Grieve fully the losses, knowing there is a time coming when all tears will be wiped away, and there will be no more sorrow.

Please pray today for those who are grieving. Please lift them up for that comfort and peace as only He can give.🚦

#JoyComesInTheMorning #HeWillWipeAwayEveryTear #ToEverythingThereIsASeason #ATimeToMourn #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭13:11‬ ‭NIV‬‬

A child that is 3 or 4 years old will, no doubt, behave differently from a 12 year old pre-teen, who, in turn, behaves differently from a young man or woman of 21 years. Just as uncoordinated hands and feet give way to precise movement patterns, thought processes become more refined and complex, able to reason, synthesize, and assimilate new information. Not only is their a physical and neurological maturation, but their is a spiritual shift as a person begins to gain proper perspective of the unmerited favor demonstrated by God’s grace given thru Christ Jesus. How has this revelation of His love and mercy propelled you forward to leave behind the former way of living?🚦

#GrowUp #LeaveChildhoodBehind #SpiritualTransformation

#Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements…”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Have you ever seen a Christian group or church require persons to wear certain clothes or otherwise change their appearance to come to their church or to become a follower of Christ? In this letter to Paul and Barnabas, the apostles advised them to not force Jewish practices upon these new Gentile converts to Christianity. The Gentiles did not need to be circumcised as the Jews were, but there were practices which were important to maintain. Yes, the original instruction to “choose your battles” came from the Holy Spirit! Sometimes you may find yourself tempted to add to the gospel, asking others to follow rules Christ did not ask of us. Instead of trying to change outward appearances, may we always focus on our own heart change.🚦

#ChooseYourBattles #HeartChange #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“And God, who knows the heart, testified to them by giving the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭15:8‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Who better to search out the true position of a person’s heart than the One who created it? Is the heart bowing humbly before Him, understanding their own depravity, or is the fist still clenched in righteous indignation? God “testified” these Gentiles were sincere in their repentance when He stepped up onto the witness stand and gifted them with the Holy Spirit. These new converts to following Christ did not clean up their hearts first; rather, the pure hearts were a supernatural work of the indwelling Spirit. He makes all things new.🚦

#AreYouWashedInTheBlood #HeMakesAllThingsNew #GodKnowsTheHeart #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals

“While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭13:2‬ ‭NIV‬‬

While God can choose to speak to us any time He wishes, we often only hear Him when we slow down to be fully present before Him. Our natural bent is to look for neon signs and flashes of lightning as indicators of God’s will, but more often than not He speaks in a soft voice, much like the wise school teacher who patiently waits for her class to get quiet before she gives instructions. Are you facing an important decision, trying to overcome a tough obstacle, or searching for direction but feel like your prayers just hit the ceiling? Perhaps you need to slow down, step away from the distractions, and simply spend time at the feet of Jesus, worshipping and adoring Him. Remain in an attitude of prayer as you go about your day, letting Him continue to quiet your anxious heart as you dwell with Him. The answer will come at the appropriate time.🚦

“The night before Herod was to bring him to trial, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries stood guard at the entrance. Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him up. “Quick, get up!” he said, and the chains fell off Peter’s wrists.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭12:6-7‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Herod considered Peter such a threat he had 16 soldiers guard him and one soldier on each side of him at night while sleeping. How in the world could Peter sleep with guards on either side, bound in chains and more guards outside the cell? He was sleeping so hard, even though bound in chains and with guards on either side, the angel struck him on the side to wake him! The key is found in verse 5:“…the church was earnestly praying to God for him.” Peter was at complete peace, even knowing Herod had already had James put to death by sword, because the church was praying for him.

“…The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” James‬ ‭5:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Who do you need to pray for today?🚦

#FerventPrayerAvailsMuch #PrayerChangesThings #Devotionals #StopLightDevotionals

“Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. So for a whole year Barnabas and Saul met with the church and taught great numbers of people.”

Acts 11:25-26 NIV

Barnabas recognized the job of teaching and ministering to this group was more than he alone could do, so he sought help. Often when God gives us a vision for ministry we let Satan convince us we are defective or incompetent if we need to seek assistance. A good leader assesses the project and secures the right people to complete that task, so this is what Barnabas did in reaching out to Paul. During that year in Antioch Barnabas and Saul were able to encourage each other and reach far more people than either could on their own. Each grew in their own faith and effectiveness from their time together.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4:9-10‬ ‭NIV‬‬🚦

“I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.””

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Saul would leave a promising future in Judaism, no doubt one with many creature comforts and power, to follow Christ. Being chosen to play such a critical role in reaching the nations for Christ was going to prove to be filled with great suffering, just as the Christ followers before him had already suffered greatly at Saul’s own hands. Saul was willing to do endure this because, ultimately, his greatest desire all along, even in the midst of his misguided torture of those he considered to be blasphemers, was to please God. Those who follow Christ should not be surprised when life does not turn out as expected, when they are passed up for promotions, when health takes a detour. We are not promised a smooth and easy path. We are promised He will always be with us.🚦

#SufferingWithChrist #CarryHisCross #HeWillNeverLeaveYou #Devotionals #StoplightDevotionals