OUR WAY
Today’s Scriptures
9 Then he said, “You skillfully sidestep God’s law in order to hold on to your own tradition. Mark 7:9 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Consider the truths you have learned about the will of God from His Word before you make decisions. (Choose The Jesus Way over tradition.)
Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees about their hypocrisy. They were so concerned about their traditions that they frequently overlooked the Ten Commandments. In this case, the Pharisees were grumbling over His disciples’ failure to wash their hands adequately prior to eating bread. Jesus went on to explain that substituting God’s laws with traditions and man-made ideas was vanity. God looks at the heart. Unfortunately, the church of our day is guilty of similar downfalls. With so many Denominations, Non-Denominationals, Mega-churches, Pentecostals, Non-Pentecostals, and the list goes on, each group has their own way of doing things.
Therefore: Be careful that your way of living does not hinge on traditions set and perpetuated by men. Having traditions is not detrimental as long as “our way” does not infringe on God’s Way. Consider the truths that are in The Word of God when you make your decisions so that you do not follow blindly. Know what is biblical and walk away from the customs that will anger God. The life that you live is your worship and should be holy and acceptable to your King. Let your way be His Way!
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WHAT PLEASES
Today’s Scriptures
14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. James 1:14 (NIV)
Today's TO DO
Do life in moderation.
God is Love. His will for you is good, therefore, He will not tempt you. Instead, it is our adversary, lucifer, who pursues us. He has one agenda. The devil seeks to devour our potential and our provisions. Unfortunately, he has been hunting down the children of The Most-High God since creation. He will never tempt you with bait that you will never bite. The serpent will only dangle the apple that whets your appetite. The very thing that you struggle with will be your Achilles heel. Our scripture describes it as being, “dragged away by their own evil desire,” because the things that please us will be the very poison that the liar will try to use to destroy us.
Therefore: Do life in moderation. Sin creeps in when we elevate anything above our God. Idolatry and addiction have an extraordinarily strong correlation. Lucifer will never be happy with your contentment, so he will tempt you to indulge a little more. Remember, you are his target, and his mission is to destroy you. Even a good thing, if not managed with wisdom and obedience to the voice of The Holy Spirit can consume and overrun you until you no longer fit into your life as you knew it. The Good Father is pleased when you enjoy the blessings that He has bestowed upon you. However, make sure that what pleases you does not ultimately take you down!
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THE LIBERTY OF BOUNDARIES
Today’s Scriptures
So Jacob took an oath before the fearsome God of his father, Isaac, to respect the boundary line. Genesis 31:53b (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Trust that the boundaries that you see before you are for your good.
Jacob and his father-in-law Laban established a pile of stones as a boundary between them. Each man vowed to stay on his side and agreed that they would never cross the boundary to harm the other. Without the establishment of the boundary pact, Jacob would have had to contend with the fear of Laban’s pursuit and retaliation. The interesting thing was that raising a pile of stones freed him to explore his new world under the covering of his God, as well as the blessing of his father-in-law.
Therefore: Dispel the notion that boundaries are always erected to confine and enslave. More often than not, when boundaries are set by responsible, thoughtful people who have your best interest at heart, boundaries will serve to protect and guide you towards purpose. When God sets boundaries, trust that they are always for your good! He sees where you are going. Unfortunately, you only see the present. Just like being a citizen of a nation is defined by boundaries on a map and affords you rights and protections, choosing to walk within the boundaries that The Holy Spirit directs awards you the covering of Grace. God’s covering gives you the liberty to thrive without fear because you know that He will set boundaries that will help direct your path.
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SIMPLE RULE
Today’s Scriptures
7 For I solemnly warned your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, “Obey me!” I have repeated this warning over and over to this day, Jeremiah 11:7 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Obey the voice of The Lord.
In those days, The Lord spoke to His people through the prophets. The Israelites had agreed to a covenant of blessings with The Lord when He rescued them out of Egypt. In return, they had promised that they would be faithful to The Lord. They had vowed to worship no other god but The Lord and in return, He would bless them and protect them. The Father had kept His end of the covenant, but the people of God had adulterated themselves to other gods. Though He had sent many prophets to remind them of their agreement and warn them of the repercussions of their sin they chose to disobey The Lord. Eventually, they lost their freedom and their home.
Therefore: Obey the voice of The Lord. You may be unsure of how to decipher God’s voice or, you may not know how to hear His voice at all. In our time, God speaks through His Holy Spirit Who lives inside of us. The first step, therefore, is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Once you do this, The Holy Spirit begins His work of Love in you. God speaks in a still, small voice. He is not bossy or forceful. However, you will know the right thing to do in a situation. Obey that small voice! It’s a simple rule that is often hard to do. Do it anyway.
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IN HIS TIME
Today’s Scripture
“But God gave him no inheritance here, not even one square foot of land. God did promise, however, that eventually the whole land would belong to Abraham and his descendants—even though he had no children yet.
Acts 7:5 (NLT)
Sometimes we have to wait upon The Lord. Do not be impatient. Hold on! God always honors His promises.
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ACT LIKE YOU’VE BEEN FORGIVEN
Today’s Scriptures
7 But when he saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to watch him baptize, he denounced them. “You brood of snakes!” he exclaimed. “Who warned you to flee the coming wrath? 8 Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God. Matthew 3:7-8 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Once you have repented, change.
As we learned in my former post, The Father’s Love has always run deep. Before we ever called His name, Grace came first. With His life, Jesus paid the full price so that all who would humble themselves to confess their sins would be given a blank slate. The problem with the Pharisees was that they claimed to know everything about holiness, yet they demonstrated no love for the people they were supposed to minister to and no reverence for The Lord. The knowledge about The Law of God that they boasted about was clearly just head knowledge because it did not translate to change in their hearts.
Therefore: Let the knowledge of your newfound Salvation and Grace stir you to a life of relevance. Truly, as soon as you begin to act like you’ve been forgiven, everything will change. The things that used to hold you down should be nowhere in sight because Grace is Liberating. Feel free to burst at the seams because Grace shatters boundaries. Above all, God’s Grace is a fountain of Hope. Once you accept The Savior’s Love and Grace you can look forward to a sound future. The Holy Word of God assures you that Your God sees value in you, and should you choose to accept them, He has good plans for your life.
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11(NLT)
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TRUTH
Today’s Scriptures
11 Notice what large letters i use as i write these closing words in my own handwriting. Galatians 6:11 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Speak the truth without fear.
Paul spoke out loud without fear. He was addressing a very heated topic for the early church. There was a faction among the ranks that had been preaching that salvation had to be accompanied with circumcision. In this letter, Paul was emphatic about the truth that Christ’s work on the cross was enough for salvation. In his writings, the apostle Paul sets a clear example of how to speak the truth in love.
Therefore: As you are confronted with decisions that challenge your belief system, choose to speak the truth in love. Defending what you believe is not hurtful if you do it from a position of love. Remember that Jesus died to seek and save the lost. The Father’s Love could not stand separation from a dying world anymore, so He sent His only Son to die for its redemption. Therefore, you must approach your world with that same unconditional love. As you do this, you will live a more peaceful, fulfilled life and you will watch your stress levels ride low.
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GAMEPLAY
Today’s Scriptures
18 You must reply, ‘They belong to your servant Jacob, but they are a gift for his master Esau. Look, he is coming right behind us.’” Luke 3:5-6 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Create plans for the things you hope to accomplish.
Jacob had stolen his brother’s blessing. After twenty years of living in a foreign land, he was ready to return home and ask for his brother’s forgiveness. However, to avoid a lethal confrontation with his brother Esau, Jacob planned well. He produced a detailed strategy that would soften his brother’s heart so that their eventual reunion would be cordial. Jacob sent servants with gifts as peace offerings ahead of him. After several encounters with these heartfelt apologies, Esau understood that his brother was sorry for what he had done. As Jacob had hoped, Esau forgave him, and he was able to receive a warm welcome from his long-lost brother.
Therefore: Make detailed plans for your endeavors and you will optimize your output. Every gameday needs a gameplay! Then, commit your plans and your works to The Lord and the things you hope for will be established.
Commit your actions to the Lord,
and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NLT
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CITY BUILDING
Today’s Scriptures
19 The towns of the Negev will close their gates,
and no one will be able to open them.
The people of Judah will be taken away as captives.
All will be carried into exile.
20 Open up your eyes and see
the armies marching down from the north!
Where is your flock—
your beautiful flock—
that he gave you to care for?
Jeremiah 13:19-20 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Honor God by choosing to be humble.
God blesses the work of our hands. Unfortunately, as the fruits of our labor increase, there is a tendency to take all the credit for the net worth we build. Forgetting that Our Heavenly Father is The Source of every good thing is the first indicator that pride is setting in. For the people of Judah, the cities they had built were about to fall to shambles as they were on the verge of an invasion. Jeremiah delivered the news that because of their pride, they were about to be carried into exile by their former allies.
Therefore: Honor The Lord by choosing a life of gratitude and humility. Remember, just because you build a city, it does not mean you get to keep it! It is God’s Grace and Mercy that holds everything together and keeps your enemies at bay. The Father blesses us with the capacity to generate wealth, He breathes health into our bodies and protects our possessions. Let 2025 be the year that you walk with ordered perspective.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR
Today’s Scriptures
15 He will take a tenth of your grain and your grape harvest and distribute it among his officers and attendants. 1 Samuel 8:15 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Trust God’s will for your life.
The Israelites had a covenant of blessing with The Lord. Their vow was that God would be their only Lord and King. In turn, God would bless them and provide for their every need. Suddenly, however, the people of God decided that they wanted an earthly king. The prophet Samuel was charged with ensuring that they understood the measure of oppression that a king would inflict. But the people would not take heed. They wanted what they wanted! Sadly, they went on to suffer much at the hands of the kings that ruled over them. Idolatry became a permanent fixture as the kings cemented their control by isolating the people from their God. At an inflection point, the Israelites were taken captive to Assyria. The house of Judah suffered a similar fate for their sinful departure from communion with The Lord. They were eventually exiled to Babylon by king Nebuchadnezzar in 597 BC.
Therefore: Be careful what you ask for! Remember that you only see what is in front of you but, God sees the whole picture. When God says, “no,” or “not yet,” trust His will for your life. Understand that forcing doors open may lead you to exile. The Father’s plans for you are always good and they lead you to a place of hope and purpose. Sometimes things that look good are not necessarily good for you. Trust and obey.
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GOOD ADVICE
Today’s Scriptures
5 “I will do everything you say,” Ruth replied. Ruth 3:5 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Be respectful of those who have authority over you.
Naomi loved her daughter-in-law, Ruth. She wanted to see Ruth get remarried; therefore, she had a clear plan for how that could happen. Naomi gave Ruth clear and concise instructions and Ruth respected her enough to follow them. Realizing that Naomi was more knowledgeable in matters of succession was the first step. Unfortunately, many of us are riddled by offense. Some may also be consumed by the deception that they always know more than the next man. These breaches in truth make it difficult to accept good advice.
Therefore: Be respectful of those who have authority over you. Understand that correction is not a personal attack but simply a step towards growth and improvement. It is impossible to know everything even with Google at your fingertips. Giving others a chance to shine will allow you to shine brighter when your moment comes because people will be more receptive to your voice. Making enemies at every turn destroys your testimony of Jesus’ Love and Grace. Accept good advice and like Ruth, see doors open before you.
WHEN THE TIME COMES
Today’s Scriptures
18 As soon as I and those with me blow the rams’ horns, blow your horns, too, all around the entire camp, and shout, ‘For the Lord and for Gideon!’” Judges 7:18 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Trust God’s timing and provision.
Gideon and the Israelite army were set to battle the Midianite troops. The armies of Midian, Amalek, and the people of the east had settled in the valley like a swarm of locusts. Their camels were like grains of sand on the seashore—too many to count! All the while, Gideon was equipped with only three hundred fighting men and rams’ horns. God wanted them to learn to trust in Him as their defender. At the appointed time, the three hundred men were to follow Gideon’s direction and blow their horns simultaneously. That loud triumphant sound threw the Midianite camp into confusion. The Lord caused the warriors in the camp to fight against each other with their swords. Those who were not killed fled.
Therefore: Trust The Lord’s timing and provision. It is natural to feel like you are ill-prepared, ill-equipped, and out of time. However, with three hundred men Gideon overcame the armies of Super Allied Nations. Know that what you have in your hands is enough to get the job done. Jesus fed multitudes with the small lunch that the young boy shared. Keep on walking! When the time comes your door will open, your provisions will be in place and The Lord will have your victory secured. It is not your job to help God keep the promises that He has made you. God is Faithful all by Himself!
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
EYES IN
Today’s Scriptures
3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Romans 14:3 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Minister the Love of Christ and the fellowship of The Holy Spirit to those around you.
We all know that not everything legal is good for us, however, the law of the land gives people the right to choose. Likewise, the Grace of God has removed some of the legalities that were present under the Mosaic Laws. Our mandate as believers is to speak about the Love of Jesus Christ and to introduce people to The Holy Spirit. Jesus accepted us as we were so who are we to tell someone else how they are supposed to conduct their affairs. What we eat does not defile us. Instead, it is what comes out of us that tells the true story about who we really are.
Therefore: Minister the Love of Christ and the fellowship of The Holy Spirit to those around you. Leave the judging and criticizing to the pundits. When our eyes are always turned out to see other people’s faults there is not enough turning in to work on our own. Let us keep our feet going with the gospel of peace, hands reaching in fellowship and love, and finally, let us keep our gaze inwards so we can better ourselves every step of the way.
#ojacore #SoleFood #survivingasasurvior #3fold #biblestudy #bible
YOUR STORY
Today’s Scriptures
9 Our lives are in his hands,
and he keeps our feet from stumbling. Psalms 66:9 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
See God’s hand in your story.
The Israelites had a long history of suffering. However, for every episode of heartbreak, there was an amazing story of God’s redemptive hand pulling them out from their oppression. The Good Father proved time and time again that His hands of protection were always ready to be deployed.
Therefore: Look back at your own life. As you meditate on your story, you will find seasons that you will speak of saying, “I’m not sure how I got through it all except by God’s hands.” Indeed, God is in control of our moments. He protects us from stumbling. The sooner you acknowledge these facts, the less you will panic when chaos ensues, and it feels like your whole world is falling apart. Remember this, when disorder disrupts your expectations, your story is forever secure in the Ever-Capable hands of The Lord.
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TOO COMFORTABLE
Today’s Scriptures
11 “From his earliest history, Moab has lived in peace,
never going into exile.
He is like wine that has been allowed to settle.
He has not been poured from flask to flask,
and he is now fragrant and smooth. Jeremiah 48:11 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Remember that your help, health and wealth come from The Lord.
The Kingdom of Moab was a very prosperous kingdom. They lived in peace and because of their military strength. They had come to depend on their wealth and skill. One can say they had become too comfortable. Our reading equates them to a flask of wine that has settled. Unfortunately, their mistake was going to bring destruction to their land. Their idolatry and self-serving behavior had angered The God From Whom All Good Things Come. This situation speaks true to the human condition. When things are going well, we frequently forget how much we prayed our way into our victory. We begin to take credit as if our hard work alone broke ground. We must be cautious so that the downfall of Moab does not materialize in our own situations.
Therefore: At all times and in every season, remember that your help, health and wealth come from The Lord. Give Him the glory that He is due so that it may go well with you. Do not get too comfortable. Forgetfulness can lead to pride. As we all know, pride goes before the fall.
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MY MONEY
Today’s Scriptures
8 “Should people cheat God? Yet you have cheated me!
“But you ask, ‘What do you mean? When did we ever cheat you?’
“You have cheated me of the tithes and offerings due to me.
Malachi 3:8 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
Thank God for every penny that comes into your hands.
The matter of the tithe has become a controversial topic because of a few servants of the house of The Lord who have abused the sacred things. What was supposed to be used to advance the kingdom of God, is being used for personal benefit. As a result, the saints have grown weary of honoring God with the tithe. However, remember where your ability to generate wealth comes from. The tithe is supposed to be a form of worship. It is your gratitude that should drive you to offer to God what is His.
Therefore: If you attend a ministry where the leader is rumored to abuse the tithe and there is no peace in your spirit over the matter, take it seriously. The Lord is displeased with a house where the tithe is being eaten and misused because the tithe is Holy. The priest of the house should be above reproach. If possible, find your covering elsewhere. However, if moving is not an option, find a reputable ministry to give your tithe to so that your tithe can be an act of worship that is used to serve the hurting and to evangelize the world. Remember that what you may call, “my money,” is a privilege that God allows you to have authority over. Give Him thanks and praise for every penny then remember to return the tithe to the God who blessed you with the 100%.
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WHAT COMES NEXT
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
6 and all the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephoth-maim, including all the land of the Sidonians.
“I myself will drive these people out of the land ahead of the Israelites. So be sure to give this land to Israel as a special possession, just as I have commanded you.
Joshua 13:6 (NLT)
TODAY’S TO DO
Diligently walk out your part of God’s plan and purpose for your life then trust Him to honor every promise that He has made you.
Under Joshua’s leadership, the Israelite armies had won many battles and acquired countless territories in the promised land. However, in Joshua’s old age, multiple regions remained unconquered. Concerning these territories, The Father promised to drive out the inhabitants by Himself. All Joshua had to do was distribute the land to the people as God had instructed. Likewise, there are some battles that God will go ahead of us and win on our behalf.
Therefore: Know your part of the instructions and be ready to go when your victory comes. Expect God’s intervention and cultivate your faith into the knowledge of the fact that The Good Shepherd will do what He says He will do. Do not be surprised when God shows up and mountains move. Make sure that you are ready for what comes next. This readiness is the true indicator of your faith.
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KILLING AMNESIA
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
18 The next morning Jacob got up very early. He took the stone he had rested his head against, and he set it upright as a memorial pillar. Then he poured olive oil over it. Genesis 28:18 (NLT)
TODAY’S TO DO
Install physical/visual markers to memorialize the milestones that God carries you through.
We so quickly forget the pain and failures of yesterday. In a way God’s grace allows us that capability so we can move past trauma and turn the page into a new day. We tend to hold on to pleasant memories, but they too fade slowly and the generations that follow will hear varying accounts depending on who tells the story. Jacob had an encounter with The Lord at the place that he called Bethel. There God made a promise of blessing to his descendants. Jacob erected a memorial pillar there for the generations to remember Bethel as a place of worship. This physical marker would serve to remedy the habitual amnesia problem and remind his future descendants to kneel and worship even when the work of living crowded their minds.
Therefore: Install reminders of answered prayers in plain sight. Seeing evidence of God’s faithfulness will encourage you to keep fighting during tough moments and remind you to live a life of worship the rest of the time. There is power in your testimony! Seeing a physical memorial of your “God moment” will do wonders for you and for everyone you will remember to talk to about it. Let your memorial stand tall for future generations to see. Let is say, “thus far, The Lord brought me. I will never forget! This is how I’m killing amnesia.”
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TIMED JUSTICE
TODAY’S VERSE
1 God presides over heaven’s court;
he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:
2 “How long will you hand down unjust decisions
by favoring the wicked?
3 “Give justice to the poor and the orphan;
uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Psalms 82:1-3 (NLT)
TODAYS TO DO
Pursue the causes that God places on your heart.
When we look at the world, we sadly see significant injustice. Frequently we see the powerful use their wealth and connections to get away with unscrupulous business practices. As children of God, it is important to know that a lot of hearts have become hardened because of the injustices that they experience in their daily lives. The age-old question is, “why does God allow people to endure such pain at the hands of the powerful?” The truth is, for God to be truly just, He must allow all people the right of choice. Each of us gets to make decisions that govern how we conduct our affairs. Unfortunately, this right means that some will make poor and downright selfish decisions. Do not fear, however, God sees it all. In time He will intervene.
AS FOR YOU: You do have a part to play in God’s delivery of the solution. However, you do need to understand that when you move, you should do it in accordance with The Father’s will and direction. It is easy to be so passionate about a cause that you wear its championing as a badge of honor. Let the voice that you raise be Christ encored and it will carry weight and change many generations to come. In this way, the justice you help usher in will not only be timely but always right on time.
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POOR PLANNING
Today’s Scriptures
7 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee,[c] heard about everything Jesus was doing, he was puzzled. Some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. Luke 9:7 (NLT)
Today's TO DO
To fight a winning battle, start at the root of the problem.
John’s message resonated with the people because they were sick and tired of the status quo. The Israelites were ready for their Soon Coming King. They believed and hoped that their promised Messiah would save them from the oppression of the Roman empire. Herod beheaded John, but he never got to the root of the problem. Herod did not take the time to understand John’s message. The fact that John’s purpose was to prepare the way for an even greater man was a mystery to him. Therefore, Herod never planned for Jesus, who would become a throne in his flesh.
Therefore: To fight a winning battle, start by addressing the root of the problem. Plan for any eventualities and you will be postured for victory. Success does not come accidentally. To plan well, you must consider all the angles and have contingency solutions for each one. Every player must be accounted for. Above all, commit your plans to The Lord. Allow Him to direct your path and shield your impact and you will find your way home every time.
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